Newbie -- goofed already

[Esmeralda]

I thought I knew what I was doing, but apparently not. My very first post, and it got locked (in a nice way), and it was suggested that I re-post here. So I'll try again:

I'm venturing away from my two comfortable message boards (JamieWhite.com and SecondWivesCafe.com) to meet some new people and hopefully read some stuff I haven't read before.

Hi. I'm Esmeralda. Four years ago, I married a man who had 3 daughters, and it's the craziest fool thing I ever did . I love him, and the girls, who are now 11, 13, and almost 16, are great -- no one could ask for better kids, step or otherwise -- but I could sure do without his ex-wife . She's a real piece of work, but I'll reserve those observations for the Second Wives Cafe boards.

So to escape when I need to, I take belly dancing classes 2 nights a week, and I recently joined a professional, award-winning belly dance troupe. My other escape is wallowing in the unconditional love of my dog, Snickers, and my cat, Missy. They're my babies, and thankfully I don't have to share them with their "real" mother .

I also love to go horseback riding; my plan is to belly dance until it's no longer appropriate for me to do so, then I'll buy a horse.

Other things that get me through the week: TV (Friends, CSI, Law & Order, Scrubs, Nick at Nite, Discovery Channel, "I Love Lucy"), reading, making scrapbooks, going out for coffee with my mom or my girlfriends, and enjoying the home my husband and I have put together in the last 4 years.

I love my job (textbook editor), but I often have long periods of down time between projects. I'm in one of those periods now, so here I am. Enjoy.

[Roadwalker]

welcome to the SDMB
I would type more, but there's a 15 month old in my left arm.

[Lissla Lissar]

Welcome to the boards. Don't worry about locking and stuff- everyone screws up the first few times, especially me. As long as you obey the "don't be a jerk" rule, you'll have a great time here. Good, and very smart, people here.


What type of bellydance do you do? I do (when I can afford to take classes) Egyptian cabaret.

[BoBettie]

Hello! Welcome!

[hyperjes]

Welcome! The SDMB is an interesting place.

It's great that you bellydance. I have always wanted to learn, but I have no idea where to go for "lessons."

[FairyChatMom]

Hi! Welcome to the sandbox. Say goodbye to any free time you used to have. Seriously.

[Lissla Lissar]

[puzzled] Free time? Do you mean the four or so hours I've spent SDMBing today, FairyChatMom? Were they technically "free time"?

You mean I can do something other than surf the Straight Dope with that time? Weird.

[Zyada]

Hey! Another bellydancer! We should start a club or something!

My style could best be described as modern/gypsy/cabaret/tribal fusion

hyperjes - here's my standard advice. Find a couple of clubs/restaurants where they have bellydancing. Go watch a few dancers. When you see one you like (well, whose style you like) ask her where she studies or if she teaches. That should get you started.

[Lissla Lissar]

Oh, thanks Zyada. That's really clear.

Right. we've got me, Zyada, Esmerelda, HennaDancer... there are other ones, too. Um, didn't Thea_Logica bellydance?

[FranticMad]

Sooooo, this all means you're single, do I have that right?

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Originally posted by Roadwalker
welcome to the SDMB
I would type more, but there's a 15 month old in my left arm.

Kids can get into the wackiest places.

[Lobsang]

"The new ones always fall"

_{(or something, from the matrix)}

[Lobsang]

"The new ones always fall"

_{(or something, from the matrix)}


(did I press submit? can't remember. <click>)

[Lobsang]

It seems I did.

[Shadez]

Hey Esmerelda!

I saw your other thread -- I was hoping you would post again here and not get scared away by suffering "lock down." -- We'll save the scaring for later Don't worry, I made three (minor) SDMB mistakes this week alone. But no one called me on it. Muhaha.

But seriously: beware the addiction.

Look forward to seeing your posts.

/Shadez

[Exgineer]

Hi, welcome aboard. It's always nice to meet new people.

There's just two rules here. Actually, there's just one, "don't be a jerk." This includes reading the forum rules and posting appropriately. I feel silly pointing this out, because you don't look like you'll be a "problem child."

The second one is just my own personal rule: "Read everything with FairyChatMom's name on it." That's a good rule of thumb for a newbie.

And don't be afraid to post. We'll like you and encourage you, we promise.

Unless you turn out to be a jerk. Which you won't, so don't worry about it.

[Phax]

Hi Esmeralda! I just moved here from another board myself about a week ago. This one is more fun and a bit less anal. Don't worry about posting in the wrong place. They moved me too. Have fun.

[maia]

I'm not following you Phax , really.


The best part is when you suffer like that at the beginning..things mostly get better from here.

[dogchow]

Hello. Sorry you had a bad start, but if you aren't a jerk you'll be fine. Oh, and don't give candy to strange kids or they'll follow you around.

[Zoe]

Glad you are here, Esmeralda. Let's see how long it takes before you start skipping belly-dancing lessons in order to read "just one more thread" at SDMB.

You sound like you have really healthy ways of handling your problems. BTW, your step-children are the same age as my three oldest step-grandchildren!

[Phax]

Hey, something just occured to me! As a newbie, I had to pass a test! Where's Esmeralda's test???

[Felonious Mink]

Hi Esmeralda - I haven't been here too long either and I long ago waved goodbye to any notions of "spare time". Still, the water's warm and the people are nice. Enjoy!

[IThinkNot]

'Ola.

Welcome to the boards. I used to be new... now I am only semi-new. What a world.

Good luck! Soon you will become addicted as I am... SDMB will rule your life... you will never escape...

<EVIL LAUGH>

No, seriously. Hello, and welcome.

[World Eater]

Welcome to the boards, the both of you.

[Zyada]

Originally posted by Phax
Hey, something just occured to me! As a newbie, I had to pass a test! Where's Esmeralda's test???

Dude, she's a bellydancer! We get special privileges.

[Phax]

Originally posted by Zyada
Dude, she's a bellydancer! We get special privileges.

And did I read somewhere that she does that while riding a horse?!?

[FairyChatMom]

Originally posted by Exgineer
The second one is just my own personal rule: "Read everything with FairyChatMom's name on it." That's a good rule of thumb for a newbie..

No, the second rule is to ignore Exgineer when he talks about me because it's becoming increasingly apparent that he's smitten. And as we all know, smitten is just a short skip to stalker. And then where are we? I'll tell you where - down at the police station begging for a restraining order, that's where!!


OK, I'm kidding. He's OK. Delusional about me, but OK otherwise. I'm sure he's really rather harmless. And I always carry this cattle prod. No, really, I do!

[lightingtool]

Hey, look! One newbie welcoming another. (aaw) Have fun. I'm about to get internet removed from my office because of this board, but other than that, it's great. And folks around here are great fun, as far as I can see.