The LCD from hell now lives!!
Well folks, it works...
It turns out I was trying to run this LCD from a bad Picaxe chip.
Much thanks to rik (and all others) for their help in the diagnosis
I promise to re-write this post and give everyone all the info I have learned through this ordeal, but for now, I am going to go play with my new display!!!!!!
Thanks again, folks -We're a good family here.