Hello mates,

Yesterday i started working on Illustrator. I'm a n00b at graphics design, but since a few years i started having interest in this subject...but never gave a real shot at it...so, i'm still stuck at newbie.

So, i was trying to make this tutorial ( http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/desig...th-angled-text/ ) and i'm having some basic trouble with it.
Dunno if it's the right way to start learning illustrator...but i don't know where to start tbh.
Anyway..here's my doubts:

1.
In step 10 and 11, i made the brush, and applied it several times. Then i select all of it (CTRL + A in Windows i think...i'm with Mac)...and went to Object > Expand Appearence. And here is where trouble starts. Reading the tut, it's supposed to see more brushes appearing...the thing is...nothing happens!!
And then, in Pathfinder...the button EXPAND, is never available :x

2.

In steps 18 and 19...how can i make such a perfect shape (when i say perfect, i say geometrically well designed) with the pencil tool? When i use it, it draws something...well...not very geometrical.
And in the other step...the author of the tutorial, makes another shape...and it's perfectly fitted next to the first shape...
How can i do this?

Hope it's understandable what i wrote...
Anyway...in your opinions...if you think i'm starting in the wrong way to learn Illustrator...i appreciate all opinions and ideias.

Thanks mates!