Hi D!  Happy Gobble Day!  Just stopping by with a quick "hello!"  (Hope *I* don't get in trouble for it too!  LOL)  Listen, I am 44 years old AND a professional writer AND I still get "smacked" constantly by Wikipedians telling me I've done something wrong!  Sheesh!  (And, YES, I use CAPS for emphasis too  that's just HOW I talk!!!  Hey, and I'm a little deaf too, so maybe I'm yelling in real life and not just when typing too?!?  Oh well! -)  Anyhow, I am SOOO glad you are still "with us" after SUCH a rough beginning - yow!  I read over your talk page and I learned a WHOLE LOT from that too!  I love that you are NOT AFRAID to ask questions, ever!  That's a VERY GOOD thing!  Don't let ANYONE take that away from you.  (It'll make you an awesome game designer too!)  I'm like that too.  And, it's NOT always an easy road to be on.  MANY people just give up and shut up and be quiet to avoid getting yelled at.  But, then we LOSE those people's creative new ideas that they might have had if they hadn't been to afraid to speak UP!!!  (Imagine what America would be like if Martin Luther King, Jr., had listened to all the people thousands! maybe millions! telling HIM to "shut up" and "go away"!?!?) No! We NEED people like that, and like YOU!  So, hang in there, 'kay!?! 

 You know, I keep trying to communicate to various people (did the "survey", etc.) about "why" I think Wikipedia has been losing so many contributors. I might have to "borrow" some of your quotes  I think you hit the nail on the head!  For some reason, when you're on the OUTSIDE it's really CLEAR how its messed up.  But, as soon as you try to "explain" that to a Wikipedian, its gets confused and UNclear for some reason?!?!  Weird, I know, but that's the problem I have too! I felt like I could totally feel your frustration in trying to explain just that! I think, maybe, the "hardcore" Wikipedians think that the Wikipedia ITSELF is more important that the PEOPLE who contribute to it.  I don't think that's true I think they have it BACKWARDS, cuz without the PEOPLE there'd be no one to MAKE the Wikipedia and no one to READ it or USE it either!!!  Bright, creative people (LIKE YOU!) are the very future of Wikipedia.  I think helping kids like you is MORE important than editting (for the 152nd time!) some article only three people have ever read!  Seriously! I think they're taking themselves TOO seriously. I wonder if that's the "problem" with Wikipedia now?  It's TOO concerned with "protecting the Wikipedia brand" so to speak?  Well, whatever.  I just had to decide for myself that I'd just do the best I can, shake off the harsh criticisms, try to learn from them as best I can and move on....   

 In the meantime, I was wow'd by the "Simple English Wikipedia"  I'd never even heard of such a thing!!!  It's really cool, I think I might go there to practice my editting skills too.  (I'm old and don't learn as quick as you do.  I still don't even know how to get these indents right  I'll have to re-read those notes someone sent you.)  It looks like a good place to practice English, grammar, and learning Wikipedia skills.... (I still have trouble with my cites too. That info you have on your talk page REALLY helped me!)  Have you tried doing any work there?  I'm just curious if you can give me any advice?  I'll keep an eye on your page, but sorry if I don't check TOO often (once a month or so sorry!)  In the meantime, KEEP ON trying, please!  As they say, "Don't let the turkeys get you down!"  (ESPECIALLY at Thanksgiving, lol!!!)  -)