One month...you're still trying to make this work, and are now throwing in the towel for a TTL chip?
A logic-level MOSFET would have been done five minutes after it was suggested....try to open your mind to all possibilities and try not to get stuck in one approach. You'd have been fired three weeks ago in a real job for this.
I would venture to guess that very few people here actually work in the engineering field. I could be wrong but that is my impression to date. My impression leads me to believe this community are mostly hobbyists. That being said I think they are a great resource and have very good information.
Additionally some people need more help than others so I just try to remember that as I deal with people. Also I know there is sometimes a language issue as well. As you had stated I am just trying to keep an open mind and take everything in before I react.
Don't mean to be critical just an observation.
Best