joining two shapes together, need help???

Ok heres another one for ya

I've draw a perfect circle with elipse tool and i've made a line coming off that circle, i've then draw another line symetrical from it and joined them to form a rectangle joined to a circle.

Now how the hell do i get rid of the join where the rectangle meets the circle? there are only four paths on the circle and i cant make the rectangle 'become one' with it??? any help please

Select both objects, go to window>pathfinder, use the 'add to shape area' button in the pathfinder window, and then click the 'expand' button on the pathfinder window. Both shapes should now be one.

aH HA Cheers jay mate, thanks loads, last thing for now how do you convert text into splines or paths or what ever they are called??

Select the text and go to type>create outlines. It's that simple. Then ungroup the text if you want to be able to manipulate individual letters.