It is my belief that, after a certain point, lurking on a message board without saying “Hey, I am here and listening” is just rude.
So, hey, I am here…and listening. What an interesting lot you are! 
Thanks for saying so.
I’ll bet you’re interesting too… Welcome!
GT
Hello kaiwik, be welcome. Enjoy your stay. 
(Don’t ask about the initiation…Really.)
Hi. Welcome.
But not much of an introduction.
Yes, tell us what elementary school you went to, your favorite seafood, and your least favorite movie.
As it happens, we’ve just received delivery of a Kodiak bear, who’ll join the goats, squid, and whatever other critters populate the official SDMB Initiation Menagerie and Petting Zoo…
Welcome, kaiwik. I figured your name came from an Aleut language, and a Google search confirmed my theory. However, if you’re the person who posted on another forum that the word means “old woman”, I disagree with your self-assessment, as I’m about your age and still find it hard to think of myself as middle-aged!
Thank you for all the welcomes, you are both an interesting and friendly lot!
Gardentraveler: I have my interesting moments
feydeau: I have read some fearsome posts regarding the initiation, and stand in abject humility before the goat and the squid.
August West: Cedarbrook and Horizon View Elementary Schools; fresh king crab; pretty much any martial arts movie which doesn’t star Jackie Chan!
Sternvogel: hehe, you are quick on the draw! I am glad the big brownie arrived to join the menagerie. I have had LOTS of Kodiak bear encounters, one in particular where I was - literally - nose to nose with a sow, as her cubs loitered behind her. I have a tattoo which honors my relationship with the bears.
Yes, kaiwik is the Alutiq word for “old woman” or “wife”, and as far as I know, I am the only kaiwik on the 'net. A google search of kaiwik will reveal more about myself to anyone who is curious. (potential yikes!) When I hit the 40th birthday my oldest daughter (then 18) informed me that if I were to live to be 80, I was “officially” middle-aged. sigh My husband, the skiffologist, and I are very married, so either interpretation is applicable!
Okay, here is the condensed version of my bio: Born and raised in the Seattle/Puget Sound area, jumped on the m/v Tustemena (Alaska Marine Highway ferry) with the two oldest daughters in '89 and headed to Kodiak Island, ultimate destination a small Native village on the west side of the island. (Larsen Bay) Lived there for five years, married a Native, had two more children, (a daughter and a son) moved to Kodiak (the town) in '94. Divorced my husband (alcoholic) in '95, he sobered up (11 years now) and we remarried in '97. We are still going strong. The two oldest girls are living in Anchorage, still have a 13 yo and 12 yo at home. (oh yay, going through the teens again) I raise pomeranians with the intent to show in conformation. No dissing allowed toward my little fluffies, please, the RA keeps me from owning big dogs, and besides, nobody ever told my poms that they are tiny!
The seafood question was tough, we live on subsistence, but I am partial to king crab. We had our first king salmon two nights ago, the skiffologist has been out jigging cod, and a king came up on the line! Bonus! Baked with a bit of salt, freshly ground black pepper, fresh tarragon leaves and thinly sliced lemon. Last week I made a chowder with shrimp, scallops, and freshly caught halibut. Yeah, it’s a rough life I live!
Again, thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to joining in!
King salmon! We have them here in the Great Lakes. My favorite way to make them is to marinate overnight in Teriyaki sauce and then grill it. Keep that in mind for the next time the skiffologist reels one in.
And WELCOME!
Welcome! You’ll fit right in around here. There are several Alaskans on the Board…Chefguy comes to mind first. I lived in Anchorage for 7 years in the 70s-80s. I remember Kodiak…lovely place.
Don’t ask about the goat. Just…don’t. 
Arrives, belatedly, with trebuchet
Welcome, kaiwik! Sounds like you’ve led an interesting life and will have plenty to contribute to the ongoing conversation here. (Canvas Shoes is another Alaskan, IIRC.)
Here – you may want to use this shower cap – and remember, just think happy thought!
You said the secret word!
<lights flash, music blares, and a giant squck with a placard scrawled with the word “GOAT” in its beak drops from the ceiling>
Welcome, kaiwik! Now, if you’d be so good as to stand over there…yes, on the big red “X”…there ya go…