Ahh. I know the feeling. But the solution is simple through an application called Quicksilver. It's a fine piece of software, perfect for the productivity nerds. It completely free. Once you get it, you don't know what you did without it.
You can download Quicksilver from:
http://download.blacktree.com/download.php?id=com.blacktree.Quicksilver&type=dmg&new=yes
1. Download Quicksilver
2. Install it (drag it from the disk image to the applications folder)
3. Open Quicksilver
4. For the least intrusive operation of Quicksilver, go to preferences, then un-check everything except 'Start at login' and 'Show icon in menu bar', though you can set it how you like.
5. Enter the triggers section of the settings window by clicking the icon labeled 'triggers' along the top of the window. Here is where you set your shortcuts for the application.
6. To create a new trigger, click the button with the + symbol on it located at the bottom of the window and select the 'hotkey' option.
7. Double click the new hotkey trigger item that has been created and start typing the application or file you want to access in the box labeled 'select an item'. Suggestions will begin show up on the right side and you can select from there. Then Hit Enter.
8. Click the icon on your new hotkey that looks like a keyboard key. A drawer will slide out showing you your options. Click the box that's labeled 'Hot Key:' and simple press the key command you want to assign to your application. Your best bet is to have your key command start with the control key and then whatever else, as it is less likely to be occupied by any particular application you may have active.
9. You're done, you can close the window.
If you have any troubles or queries with the software, I'd be happy to help. Though I think you should be pretty fine with it. Best of luck!