!!&%!(!&
I was able to infer what the problem was by reading what dc45 wrote about the panel due in other posts.
Turns out someone mucked with my baud rate setting. !%^$!#@&^$
So for those who are having the same problem as i described above...
CHECK YOUR BAUD RATE SETTING It can't be higher then 57600.
and...
Be careful about bringing things to show at meet ups!!!