Canon 60D - AE lock. FRUSTRATING!!!!

Hello guys,

I've bought my CANON 60D two months ago after using the Sony's system for 5 years.

I'm still getting using tho the CANON's system but I haven't had much time to play around with the camera. But I can work with it fine, already. The only thing that gets in my nerves is the AE lock. It's been soooo frustrating...

With Sony, I would usually put the metering mode on spot, press the AEL button (the exposure would lock), press the shutter halfway (the camera would focus), take the picture. If I released the AEL button, the camera would start metering again. DONE. SIMPLE.

With Canon (and its hundreds of costumized options) everything seems much more complicated. Which costumized option would you recommend me that it's fairly similar to the one I used with Sony?...

Also, how do I unlock the exposure after it's been locked?... Because I read this in an article:

"Once you’ve pressed the AE Lock button, the camera holds the meter reading in place.

If you change your mind and want to totally eliminate AE Lock, don’t press the AE Lock button again. That simply takes a new meter reading and locks it in.

Instead, either pull your finger off the shutter button and wait 4 to 6 seconds, and wait for the finder display to go blank. Then, press the shutter button back down again. If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to wait a few seconds for the reading to clear, press the AF point select button (right next to the AE Lock button, on the back of the camera), and then immediately let it go and press the shutter button again. You’re back to live metering that’s not locked in place."

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/autoexposure_ae_lock_article.shtml

I've tried this and it doesn't work...when I press the AF point button, the AE locked signal (*) it's still there and nothing changed....

Thank you very much for any help you may give me!!! I'm getting really frustrated with this...