Thanks for all the info everyone.. Since I am doing this 
as a hobby and not a career.. I believe I am going to do 
the following..

1. Pick up picbasic pro
2. Get mplab's assembler and all the docs.. 
3. Buy the melabs serial programmer and the rc40 controller as I planned.. 
4. Buy a few pics and read the data sheets..

This way I can play and get some basic things going.. blinking leds, moving
servos, etc.. without having to learn a whole new language upfront.. 

Over time I will definitly make it a point to begin to learn assembly as
necessary to get things accomplished. I can definitly see the benefits 
and understand how knowing the hardware is essential even with a HHL. 
I just put in an order for a couple books from square-1 "Easy Microcontrol'n
"
and "Microcontrol'n Apps". Those combned with the picbasic books and "PIC in
Practice" 
book I have should be enough to get me going. 

Thanks again,
Mike



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