Thanks for all the comments!

3D doesn't really grab me, and I don't trust myself with a nice warbird yet. I do have some pattern folks in the area, and was lucky enough to go to a BPA meet locally over the summer. Watching those guys, I said "Man I want to fly like THAT."

I keep seeing mention of the Venus II here and have seen one or two at the field... that's certainly an option. I like the idea of the added visibility of a bigger airframe. I do have a Kaos sitting on the shelf still in its box, but it's a 40. It might make a good baby step while I save my pennies for a Venus or one of the other suggestions and of course I'm practicing with what I have in the meantime -flying parallel to to the runway was hard enough for me today with the crosswind so I have a ways to go.

I might post over on Pattern and see what the consensus is. But I wanted to check here first on the size question before I jump in with both feet. Thanks again...