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@HatBeard
On my gaggia once I start steaming I never pay attention to the light, I just leave it 2 minutes between flicking the steam switch on and using it after pulling a shot.
in terms of steaming itself. I use a thermometer as I prefer accuracy to feeling by hand, I hold the tip of the steam wand right to the top of the milk level, usually you get the scream for a second or two but you want it just submerged that you end up with a sound like you are continually tearing a piece of construction paper in two, watching out that you're not making a ton of large bubbles which sit on the top of the milk (you want it to be spinning and the whole lot moving around). this phase is to stretch the milk and i must say it's not always 100% consistent but typically the milk volume increases by about 80-100% and as it rises you should be lowering the jug to keep the steam wand submerged just under the top of the milk.
keeping an eye on the thermometer when it hits 100 I then drop the wand down about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way into the milk and angle the jug so the steam reflects off the side and down towards right side of center at the bottom to get the milk spinning as fast as possible, you need to move it around a fair bit to find the best angle, if you see any foam sitting on the top you can lift the wand up a little and try to get the spinning milk to try and incorporate it back in with its movement.
as the thermometer approaches 140 I have my hand on the steam control and turn it off as it hits the 140 mark (the temp will continue to rise after a bit).