i found this excerpt from the arduino cookbook
Your Arduino sketch can use the serial port to indirectly access (usually via a proxy program written in a language like Processing) all the resources (memory, screen, keyboard, mouse, network connectivity, etc.) that your computer has. Your computer can also use the serial link to interact with sensors or other devices connected to Arduino.
http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/hobbies/9781449399368/serial-communications/introduction-id3
It says i can gain all the resources my pc has all i want to do is send data out of the serial connector on my pc to my LCD so i dont have to solder and unsolder a ton of jumpers just to learn a few things. plus if the lcd goes bad i need to connect it that way to reset it there is soldering 4 more sets of jumpers to get it back to plug into the arduino etc.etc. i hope it makes sense.