Okay! So the manual repair the first time worked, and worked well, but dear sweet god it didn't last. I finally fixed the shutter release button this time and HOPEFULLY with a more permanent fix.

Details: Sewing needle heated up via candle and then used to replace the original button's shaft. Clipped it so it was close to the proper length (couldn't go short enough unfortunately). Oh and the fun part - trying to get a small ball of solder to stick to the F*&$er!!! Once that was done I filed it down so it was flat and used some all-weather rubber cement type compound and made a rubber boot.

After letting it dry over 24 hours - I glued the whole button back in and voia-la! Working camera (AGAIN!!!!!!!).

Hopefully now I can get more friggin pictures taken. A shame I didn't get the camera fixed before my 3 days off of work. There were 2 really nice days... especially around the school, and on the drive home at that.