Actually, i will now self promote. If anyone here likes billiards/pool, there is one of my tournament matches on youtube which i can share the link if anyone wants to watch.
You're pushing your luck for your first day on the forum!
Even though it was a 6 year old photo of an ugly dog, I voted for your dog partly because I felt sorry for it and partly to play along with your great debut thread.
As for the other posters you will notice that they have been here a long time, there is a group dynamic that has developed over a period of time, I wouldn't take it personally if I were you. You aren't going to win them over straight away!