If proper A/C servicing seems silly, you need to have a qualified person do the evacuation/recharge. (and we haven't talked about PAG oil yet) Working with A/C and refrigerants involves some pretty high gas pressures - a mistake can cause mechanical damage, severe injury, and/or eye loss. While many non-gearheads can fudge a belt or oil change, A/C is in a different realm than nuts and bolts. No one is dissing you for trying, but we also don't want to lose a CF member for being bullheaded.
If you hook up "the end that blows air" it's sort of impossible to pull a vacuum, no ?
EDIT: Instead of receiving piecemeal advice from different levels of maintenance expertise, Google "r134a automotive refrigerant charging procedure" or something close. Get it straight from the horse's mouth.