Hey jaze

Its ok to abscent from a virtual society from time to time, i have been doing the same.
About the camera i would strongly suggest that you look either at
Canon 1000D/Rebel XT
Sony Alpha A200K 18-70
Those 2 is the middle thing between point-n-shoot and SLR, they have the flexibility of SLR but ease of handycams...
I need to get my mac in use again and sort out the pictures as this weekass laptop is only a 900 celeron its not for much use