Thanks guys, you're a great help. Mouneim it looks like your biometrics appointment was 6 weeks after you applied, that is a worry in my situation as i'm on a tight schedule. I wonder if its a quicker process in certain states.? I plan for the Biometrics in Los Angeles.
Out of interest, can you track your application on the USCIS website? [so you can see when they receive your application and receipt for payment]. This is a dumb question, but do you fill the form printed out and hand written in blank ink, or typing on the form and printing it out, or it doesn't matter?