Hi Eric,
sounds like you're having a blast!
I had trouble with my barlow not coming into focus as well. Not sure if it's the same problem as you though. In my 6" dob it worked beautifully, but when I got my 10" (same brand) the focusser tube was too short and the barlow stuck out too much and wouldn't come into focus. I wasn't happy, it's a 2" Celestron ED barlow which cost me $175! Grrrr.
Following on what Chris saying earlier about visiting the Orion Nebula....
Go back to it using a 6 or 7mm ep and dive into the Trapezium. You will see 4 bright stars. Now look closer with that high power ep- you will have split them showing another two- the E & F stars (very tiny). The Trapezium stars are baby stars only a million years old and is what lights up the Orion nebula (along with the another 1000 stars in that cluster that we can't see). Have a look
here for a diagram of the Trapezium cluster.
Next... point that same high mag. ep at Sirius and split it to reveal it's tiny "pup". At first you'll probably laugh and say (as I did!) how the heck, that is so bright, but take a good look and you'll see a tiny speck sitting above it.
Splitting stars is a lot of fun and rewarding when the bright moon is out or to go for between cloud gaps.
When you're ready to buy some observing guides, let me know and I'll help you out. I enjoy spending peoples money, it's what a gal does best.
Meanwhile, don't get that mozzie spray anywhere near your mirror or eyepieces, it will destroy them.
I use a fan and blow the suckers away. I found that when I was wearing repellent they still use to buzz around in the swarms around my face with that annoying noise, so with the fan they don't come anywhere near me.
Pop into the observing forum to sharpen your observing skills and get some ideas on some targets. There's a sub section for "observation reports" which is very helpful too.
And if you didn't already know this, here is an ultra useful tip....
When the stars are bouncing and twinkling like crazy, don't even bother setting the scope up (wish I'd known that in my first 6mths of first timer viewing, LoL.) You'll get good nights, great nights and lots of bad nights. On a good night, trust me, with that 10" dob you will see so much detail on Jupiter that you'll practically have to pick your jaw off the ground... those blue grey wave patterns, little storms etc it's so dynamic, in one night you can see a complete rotation of the planet (9 hrs). But don't wait until it gets too low down in the horizon - you want to view it when it's above 30 deg (the atmosphere turns it to soup at that alt.) We're starting to lose Jupiter, by March it should be gone, so when you look out now as soon as it turns evening (doesn't need to be dark) take a look while it's at its highest, as it sets fairly early in the night these days.
Also, take a look at Mars- the polar ice cap is very apparent! (I saw it very well thru a 7mm ep). And Saturn is on it's side at the moment
, the rings have opened up nice and wide, you can see the Cassini Division beautifully.
One more thing....
You'll notice now that EVERYTIME you step out the door (be it visiting or getting out of your car) at night time you will automatically look up!
Enjoy Eric!
P.S. Btw, Chris & I hold the record for the looooongest posts, lol.