django newbie prob

'''===========================================================================
 This is my settings.py file, by adding this path to base_html and changing
that it should override the defualts. which it does not do.
=============================================================================='''
TEMPLATE_DIRS = (
    # Put strings here, like "/home/html/django_templates" or "C:/www/django/templates".
    # Always use forward slashes, even on Windows.
    # Don't forget to use absolute paths, not relative paths.
    '/home/stu/Projects/django/templates/admin/base_site.html',
)

'''==========================================================================
notice CHANGE ME
============================================================================='''

{% extends "admin/base.html" %}
{% load i18n %}

{% block title %}{{ title }} | {% trans 'CHANGE ME' %}{% endblock %}

{% block branding %}
<h1 id="site-name">{% trans 'CHANGE ME' %}</h1>
{% endblock %}

{% block nav-global %}{% endblock %}

'''==========================================================================
path on my computer matches settings.py
/home/stu/Projects/django/templates/admin/base_site.html
I have 1)ran $ python manage.py syncdb
       2)restarted the dev server
       3)reloaded the webpage
       4)checked and rechecked for typos
       5)reread docs
       6)Googled for 2 hours
       7)threw the computer out the window
       8)slapped django in the face with a cod, cussed, and pouted, stomped
 I'm sure it's some newbie pibkac error. but what???
 ============================================================================'''