loadVariables question

[Mintake77]

alright, im loading in variables via a txt file.
in it i have the following:

numItems=1&Item0=http://www.yahoo.com

after my loadVariables statement, i try to trace(numItems);
and the output window comes up blank.

so, i tried to trace(Item0); and the output box also comes up blank.

I turn on the debugger and check the variables, and they are definately loading. so if they are loading and not coming out in the trace, i guess that is ok. however, when i try to manipulate the variables, like performing a parseInt(numItems); to get an integer value out of it, i cant do it.

any explanation for these phenomena? im all ears. please help meee..