the coda on that was that due to a recopying error in the code
   following, a serial configuration port was being written to. this
   likely was disabling the port before the character was output.
   --
   this morning I found I had left the flash chip in backward all night
   while the system was powered.
   however, on replacement, it works fine.
   I didn't notice it being as hot as it has been, although i've gotten
   better at protecting my fingers.
   i wonder about my busted chips. maybe they could have broken some other
   way, or maybe they aren't broken somehow.