AJSimpson

Just a quick point if you are downloading your files from your Camera to NX2,I take it  you will be downloading via Nikon Transfer 2, next time you download go into Nikon Transfer 2 window select preferences and check the delete files after transfer tick box is not selected, 

If it is as soon as a transfer is complete, the program will automatically delete the files on your memory card

Use the NX2 you received with the camera, that way you can learn it and decide if you want to upgrade later.If you take a bit of time on NX2 to learn, it does have some good features, if you start adding plug-ins it can be quite a powerful, fast and easy to use system

Photoshop is expensive most Photographers who buy it never ever actually use a fraction of what this program is capable of,

Elements  gives you a lot of the features you will find in Photoshop without the hefty price tag, its the same price bracket as lightroom, also some good features and is a lot easier to use 

Lightroom. you either love it or hate it...Personally I am  firmly in the later. 

You say you saw a pro shoot with the card raised and the flash head pointing straight up....I do it often on natural lighting fashion shoots, the white card will transmit a small amount of white light at 90 degrees to the flash head, giving just enough light to produce a catch light in the subjects eyes without the direct influence of the flash.....just saying

Good Luck with your quest, I am just running my pro work down ,I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to shooting what I want after the Commonwealth games

If Nikon do go this way, Expect Canon to follow