Boy can I relate. I had the same problems when I started animating but these are easy things to fix and understand. First, to keep you character still use the "Constant" (gray box)or dashed line interpolation method (as markdc said above)until you want the movements to start. These four interpolation methods (in the upper right part of the key frame editor) are invaluable once you get going. Second, the problem of your character making wacky movements is improper spline interpolation. If you check your key frames, they are probably green - this is not good in the beginning. Eventually you want to convert them but not now. I usually start by highlighting all my first key frames and either pick "Constant" or "Linear" (the brown colored box with the zig-zag). This way spline interpolation can be easily controlled. Later you want to convert most (or mayber all) to the green "Spline" interpolation but not in the beginning. A great tutorial on this stuff is at http://www.keithlango.com/. He uses Maya, but the principles of setting up an animation are invaluable. It is the "Pose-to-Pose" tutorial. Hope this helps, Chris