How I'd like to use Facebook

I joined Facebook because it seemed like the only way to keep in touch with some people that I really wanted to keep in touch with; and the fact that I've rediscovered some people that I hadn't heard from in a while is a bonus. But there are some things about the interface that I really Don't Like.

I'd like to have a version of the "Live Feed" (and by the way, once I've selected "Live Feed", do not revert to "News feed" unilaterally, thank you) that updates when I tell it to, rather than continuously, and does so in such a way as to show me everything since my last deliberate update without making me click on "older posts" four or five times.

Oh, and what I want to see is my "friends'" status updates. I don't need to be told every time one of them becomes a fan, adds a new friend, or joins a group.

I suppose it's possible that some part of this is possible already, if I only knew how.