Spinning wheel after iPhoto update to library

I have upgraded to iLife 11 so I can use my iDVD which apparently stopped working after lion upgrade? After iPhoto upgrade w/ iLife, Software update recommended updating iPhoto. Then iPhoto required my entire photo library to be upgraded in order to be visible in the new iPhoto? Got the spinning color wheel of death, then spinning timer wheel of death in iPhoto, (indicating something was happening). But low & behold in remains in this state for eternity? Removed iPhoto, removed all iPhoto pkg receipt files, reloaded iLife, same bloody thing? So now no iDVD and no iPhoto?

Help, first time since getting rid of MS that I am now unhappy with Mac? (6 years ago).