I finally got one!
 

First of all, thanks for all the tips you guys have given me.
I finally decided on Trek 4500 from the LBS for my first real bike ever. (I've had a huffy (or can I call it GT?) since I was 12).
I left it stock for now, with the Trek manufactured cranks and wheels, Alivio derailers and a Rockshox Judy. It seems to fit my riding style pretty well (mostly trails) and is pretty comfortable. I can tell this is the right bike for me.
Sorry, no pic

Congrats on the new bike lucky! Now go put some miles on it. :)
So what color did you get? Is it a 2002?

Yeah, It's a 2002 in the Silver and Red. The other choice was gold and black, but I really didn't like that scheme.
Won't get to put any real miles on it till the 4th, when I get some time off work, then I will have to give my first aid kit a good working over
:beer:

here's a pic..

I have the same bike.

http://www.pbase.com/image/1903370/large.jpg