what u had was a kernel panic...
anyways, i dont know how u went wrong. i think the gentoo handbook is the most accurate guide out there compared to many othe linux how-to's.
the handbook lists what u must do and then also gives u options, if u just stick to what it says and skip the options u shouldnt get confused and u should have a system in good time. i have a 1mb dsl line and now it takes me 4hrs30mins to install a base system Stage2 with a custom kernel.
just dont give up