Osmosis.... MMmmmmmm... :-)

Yeah, I actually picked up XML not too long ago myself.
With the method you mentioned you are looking to use, XML::Simple
might be your best bet.. you just point it to a XML
file, and it will slurp the thing in and make it a
hash of hashes (...of hashes of hashes, etc).

However, just think how big this thing might get.. slurping the whole
address book into a hash is loads of fun, but you might regret it later ;-)
But you have to start somewhere, and XML::Simple is.. well.. simple :-) Have fun,
-Eric