I later noticed that 21. ... d4? loses the exchange at once and that 21. ... Bh3 was the only legitimate move here, essentially winning the position and eventually, the game. this illustrates not only that tactics are where i need to work on now, but that i can eventually see the clewar lines objectively as well.
Also, White's f3 move, while I thought an error, was to establish a Rook lift maneuver with tempo to gain a mating threat.
Thanks guys for all the help.
Credit Chase (AKA CaptainPlanet) for helping me to look at expanding on tactics after we played yesterday @ PCH (Thanks for the book as well). Following is a game I just finished that gives me great confidence that this is where i need to study on now. Annotations are mine and comments on improving are welcome (including you Chase and Tony).
thanks guys.