Dave Weiner (an entertaining read if you don't have this on your list yet) has been discussing the buying of Pyra Labs (makers of Blogger) by Google. He has a lot of the same things to say that crossed my mind. I do think this could be a very good thing, especially since it seems that there isn't any "melding" or whatever buzzword you want to slap on it. I am hoping that Google did this to help make Blogger a better thing. So far, that is about the extent of it, and it seems likely that Google really just wanted Blogger content.
In other news, I have been toying with PHP / ASP greatly for kicks. If I actually am willing stupid enough to waste hours inventing something that someone else has undoubtedly done, I'll let ya know.
In response to "Bloogle":