Looks to me like (a) you're looking for a serializer, and (b) you might be having some trouble dealing with arbitrarily complex data structures.

How can I visualize my complex data structure? may help with both (a) and (b).

Re: Loading an external hash may give you some ideas on where to look should you decide you want to work with .INI files (which is what I immediately thought of when you said "$Config").

As for your brain being up your arse... don't worry. I've had many such moments, and I can assure you... It'll reappear eventually. ;-)