Points taken, Searcher.
I was really more referring to the fact that I've escaped the newbie catch-22 (need references for providers to see me / can't see providers without references) relatively quickly.
In no way do I think that makes me a seasoned monger / forum member and I didn't mean for it to come across that way. And anyway, if I'm still a newb by that definition in a year, two, three, six, whatever - that's fine by me. I'm here for the journey, not the destination.
Y'all take me a little more seriously than I take myself. But it's all good. I'm just glad to be here!