though I dislike having to type function() { and }); all the time, and scoping rules are a bit confusing, I've rather gotten use to it.  Maybe you should read, "Javascript, the Good Parts"<p><a href="http://ejohn.org/apps/learn/" rel="nofollow">http://ejohn.org/apps/learn/</a>
Resig's js tutorial also helped hammer in why people like js and what's so special about it.