camera-ness

I've been wanting to get a camera for a while now. Not those crappy 35 mm with no zoom lens, no adjustable shutter speeds/focus... Umm, the problem is, there are so many good cameras out there, I don't know where to begin looking. Anyone have recommendations for an amateur like myself? Just, something I can lug around and take nice (artsy?) pictures with, that isn't too complicated or too expensive. Must have a zoom, adjustable shutter speed, focus, etc. Just the basic stuff. I have some ideas of what kind of pictures I want to take, and plus, its a good hobby. Gives you an excuse to go out more, too!

Hmm. Must do some homework today. Blah.

I think I'm going to drop Calculus. There's no point in taking it if I'm just going to fail/struggle in it the entire year, and it's going to lower my GPA. Might take Precal again, or Statistics. That's if they let me drop the class x.x