Does the armor provided by Mental Toughness reduce the amount of stress taken when casting the spell, to a minimum of 1?

Hello all,

I'm working on creating a PC for a Dresden Files RPG game tomorrow, and I want to build a telekinetic (only) character, or at least that's what the character believes in.  I'm new to the FATE system, and I have a few questions about the system in general and how to best apply Supernatural powers to fit my concept.

So far I'm planning on taking Evocation and not Channeling b/c I think it sucks that you can only boost your power/control via items w/ Channeling.  One issue I'm having is deciding what 5 elements are appropriate for a straight up telekinetic character.  So far I plan on Force (obviously), Air, and Earth.  Does anyone have any suggestions for the other 2?

I'm also trying to decide whether to take Thaumaturgy or Ritual (Kinetomancy).  I'd prefer to just take the Ritual Supernatural ability to save on Refresh and I know the book states on pg 287 that Kinetomancy is usually and expression of focused Evocation, but I feel like I can justify it by just using it for telekinetic-like effects only.  A few examples include telekinetically ripping a whole in the fabric of reality to enter another world (Nevernever), creating wards w/ telekinetic effects (holds, blasts of pure force), or creating focus items/enchanted items/potions, again w/ Force-like effects.  Does that seem to everyone like a legitimate way of using Ritual?

I was also thinking of trying to create a new ability for the character, the ultimate expression of his power, a kinetic absorption field.  I'd like for it to act like a shield and attach a few Supernatural powers to it that can only activate when the shield is struck by Kinetic energy.  Initially I'd like to take Supernatural Speed, one level of Refinement (basically allocating the benefit when the shield is hit) and maybe Inhuman Recovery if I have enough Refresh.  I'd like for the field to surround the whole character, maybe a few inches from his skin instead of the hemispherical type shields common in the books.

My problem is I'm not sure how to create this ability.  I'd like it to be able to function as either a block or armor, like other shields.  My initial thoughts are that b/c I don't have constant access to the attached powers I should get +1 Refresh.  I'm thinking that I don't immediately gain access to all 3 abilities, basically each time the shield is struck I can pick one, but maybe that's too weak or I should get another point of Refresh for that limitation.   I'm not sure what kind duration the attached abilities should have, maybe a scene (I'm not even sure how long a scene is)?  I think it would be cool if the power functioned more like the Blood Dependency ability, so the PC keeps track of the powers via some sort of stress track, but again I have no idea of how to implement this.

The first game session (character creation) is tomorrow night and I was hoping to have a few awesome suggestions so the GM and I can work out the specifics. 

Oh, this is kinda off topic, but what is the duration of a block if used as armor?  The books states that it lasts until the spell ends, but is that just one exchange?  If so, to me that seems kind of crappy b/c you only get an armor rating equal to have of the shifts invested. 

Thanks in advance for everyone's help!!