MacBook Restart problem

[الله أكبر]

Okay...I'm terrified.  I went to update my software, and was confronted with the pinwheel.  I let it sit for about 15 minutes while I walked my dog, then came back.  Still nothing.  I force quit'd the software updater application, then closed the other window I had open (iTunes) and went to restart the computer.  Well, that must've been a bad idea, because now I have a screen featuring just my desktop background (no folders or Dock).

I can still move the mouse around, and the screen has that bluish tint to it that happens when you highlight a window in Spaces.

I really, really don't want to hold down the power button.  Any suggestions?

[Violent Unrest in Allentown]

Have backups?

[الله أكبر]

Well, my external harddrive, but that's only a fraction of the stuff I have on the comp...

I eventually just did a hard reset, then from the support website's recommendation, reset the PRAM.