It is cool to see all the advice and perspectives. I had bought my bike at a pawn shop, and the rear brakes came off the first ride. All I lost was the concave washers, and just threw some flat washers on. Now I know why they were rounded.
There's a great bike and mower shop down the street, he usually gives me advice when my mowers break down. I owe him something and may have my brakes done professionally the first time.
Thanks again. My brakes for the record have a cable that connects to a round disk just above each wheel and then two seperate cables that split to the left and right pads which are mounted to the bikes frame.
I'm still messing around with my new camera software so I can reduce picture sizes.