diff --git a/bin/ttbp.py b/bin/ttbp.py
index 2436a10..36d4f8b 100644
--- a/bin/ttbp.py
+++ b/bin/ttbp.py
@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
 #!/usr/bin/python
 
-#import core
-
 import os
 import random
 import tempfile
 import subprocess
 import time
 
-import core
+#import core
 import chatter
 
 SOURCE = os.path.join("/home", "endorphant", "projects", "ttbp", "bin")
@@ -21,28 +19,37 @@ CONFIG = os.path.join(PATH, "config")
 DATA = os.path.join(PATH, "entries")
 
 FEEDBACK = os.path.join("/home", "endorphant", "ttbp-mail")
-BANNER = open(os.path.join(SOURCE, "banner.txt")).read()
+BANNER = open(os.path.join(SOURCE, "config", "banner.txt")).read()
 #CLOSER = "\n\tsee you later, space cowboy..."
 
 SPACER = "\n\n\n"
-INVALID = "\n\nplease pick a number from the list of options!\n\n"
-DUST = "\n\nsorry about the dust, but this part is still under construction. check back later!\n\n"
+INVALID = "please pick a number from the list of options!\n\n"
+DUST = "sorry about the dust, but this part is still under construction. check back later!\n\n"
+
+##
+
+def redraw(leftover=""):
+    os.system("clear")
+    print(BANNER)
+    print(SPACER)
+    if leftover:
+        print("> "+leftover+"\n")
 
 def start():
-  os.system("clear")
-  print(BANNER)
+  redraw()
   #print(chatter.say("greet")+", "+chatter.say("friend"))
   #print("(remember, you can always press ctrl-c to come home)\n")
   print("if you don't want to be here at any point, press ctrl-d and it'll all go away.\njust keep in mind that you might lose anything you've started here.\n")
   print(check_init())
 
   try:
+    redraw()
     print(main_menu())
   except ValueError or SyntaxError:
-    print("\n\noh no i didn't understand that")
+    redraw("\n\noh no i didn't understand that")
     print(main_menu())
   except KeyboardInterrupt:
-    print("\n\neject button fired")
+    redraw("\n\neject button fired")
     print(main_menu())
 
 def stop():
@@ -50,13 +57,13 @@ def stop():
 
 def check_init():
   if os.path.exists(os.path.join(os.path.expanduser("~"),".ttbp")):
-      raw_input("welcome back, "+USER+".\n\npress enter to explore your feelings.")
+      raw_input("welcome back, "+USER+".\n\npress enter to explore your feelings.\n\n")
       return ""
   else:
     return init()
 
 def init():
-    raw_input("i don't recognize you, stranger. let's make friends someday.\n\npress enter to explore some options.")
+    raw_input("i don't recognize you, stranger. let's make friends someday.\n\npress enter to explore some options.\n\n")
     return ""
 
 ## menus
@@ -73,10 +80,11 @@ def print_menu(menu):
         i += 1
 
 def main_menu():
-    os.system("clear")
-    print(BANNER)
+    #os.system("clear")
+    #print(BANNER)
+    #redraw()
     menuOptions = ["record feelings", "check out neighbors","send feedback"]
-    print(SPACER)
+    #print(SPACER)
     print("you're at ttbp home now. remember, you can always press ctrl-c to come back here.\n\n")
     print_menu(menuOptions)
     #print("how are you feeling today? ")
@@ -84,32 +92,34 @@ def main_menu():
     choice = raw_input("\ntell me about your feels (enter 'none' to quit): ")
 
     if choice == '0':
-        print(DUST)
+        redraw(DUST)
     elif choice == '1':
-        print(DUST)
+        redraw(DUST)
     elif choice == '2':
-        print(feedback_menu())
+        redraw()
+        feedback_menu()
     elif choice == "none":
         return stop()
     else:
-        print(INVALID)
+        redraw(INVALID)
 
     return main_menu()
 
 def feedback_menu():
-    print("sends mail to ~endorphant about ttbp\n\n")
-    menuOptions = ["bug report", "feature suggestion", "general feedback"]
+    print("you're about to send mail to ~endorphant about ttbp\n\n")
+    menuOptions = ["bug report", "feature suggestion", "general comment"]
 
-    print(SPACER)
     print_menu(menuOptions)
     choice = raw_input("\npick a category for your feedback: ")
 
     cat = ""
     if choice in ['0', '1', '2']:
         cat = menuOptions[int(choice)]
-        return send_feedback(cat)
+        raw_input("\ncomposing a "+cat+" to ~endorphant.\n\npress enter to open an external text editor. mail will be sent once you save and quit.\n")
+        redraw(send_feedback(cat))
+        return
     else:
-        print(INVALID)
+        redraw(INVALID)
 
     return feedback_menu()