Why when I start my application does the list box come up with the default first value clearly visible, black text on a white back ground.

But when I try to convert this clearly visible string to a single value, it errors out ? But when I click on the list box, it turns blue back ground, and then the csng() func works fine ?

Is this some focus related issue ? Why does it work fine with a text box ? Why don't I have to click a text box ?

I do want the user to have a limited choices on input, but I don't want to use a text box...Arrrrgh !