hi danotron

for the transformation tool at the axis' origin. it is the pivot point of your object. you have some alternatives with it. either you choose from the modify menu -> center pivot wich places the pivotPoint right into the center of your object, or you can hit the INSERT key on your keyboard and move the pivot itself. in addition to that you might hold down X for gridSnapping, C for curveSnapping, or V for jointSnapping.

can´t say much about your animation problem cause I´m not very familiar with it so far. but did you ever have a look at the Graph Editor? goto Graph Editor with the object selected. there you have all your movements/changes recorded.

greez falott