Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement! Every day I'm on the bike I'm gaining in confidence and skills. I just slipped out for a ride, and spent part of the time on back roads playing with the shift with no one around to distract me. The left shift (for the front) is extremely difficult to push, unless I'm shifting into a smaller ring. That's why I'm having so much trouble. I either can't move it at all, or I end up applying so much force I move it all the way over, which moves the chain up. I can't get to the half click, although I heard it once, but was pushing so hard I went right past it and put the chain onto the big ring.

I agree with Trek420...I'm afraid I'll run into a tree if I start trying to look back there...maybe the Flightdeck is a better idea...

By the way, please educate me...what are STI shifters, non-indexed bar-con, and campy ergos?

I did read the article linked by Melissa. It was very helpful in understanding shifting. Thanks all!