Hi Nathan,

1. "In the layout section - why are certain sections like message unchangeable [cannot be changed] ?"

Answer: it's included in the mainbody blocks and its type is message. See how it's defined:

<!-- MAIN CONTENT -->

<div id="t3-content" class="t3-content col-xs-12 col-md-6  col-md-push-3">

	<?php if($this->hasMessage()) : ?>

	<jdoc:include type="message" />

	<?php endif ?>

	<jdoc:include type="component" />

</div>

<!-- //MAIN CONTENT -->

2. "I am trying to set up a page with one long [tall] column on right side and content and other modules on left
it seems the block layout doesn't allow for that - how can i do it?"

The default layout is what you need. The layout has left sidebar, main content and right sidebar. See image below:

http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/770/1154664415.png

Gardner.