this code:
SOMETHING ABOUT MIDI MESSAGES
midi messages start with one status byte followed by 1 _or_ 2 data bytes, depending on the command
example midi message: 144-36-100
the status byte "144" tells us what to do. "144" means "note on".
in this case the second bytes tells us which note to play (36=middle C)
the third byte is the velocity for that note (that is how powerful the note was struck= 100)
Well, that was what I wanted to hear!!!!!!!
"http://highlyliquid.com/midi-accessories/midi-connector-inline/midi-jack-inline.jpg is the same, and the other is MIRRORED"
So we will try that 
Good luck debugging your things. If i can help(new to midi, but debugged quite a lot of other things. Robotics....
EDIT:
You saw the 36.
Strange that NO ONE mentioned it 
it is a darn error, I think it is THE error why people weren't getting their stuff to work!