@Northern,
I do currently have lots on my building plate, and am anxious to learn. I have a couple of PIC chips that I wanted to breadboard some MIDIbox stuff with that do not have anything programmed/burned to them. This seemed like an opportunity is all. If I have misread your post then I apologize if I come across as overaffected. If not...well, I'm not sure perhaps keeping my distance from this forum would be best.
@rosch, I will look into that. I am indeed in the US.