A Fresher finds a Foothold

Hi !
Thank you for stopping by to read this. I have something to share with you today !

Right after lunch this noon, when I entered the Indusladies site , an ominous looking note appeared below my name on the top bar. It said, a word from the moderator awaited me . My heart flipped and the breath caught for a second. "Now what did I go and do that a moderator has come knocking on my inbox ?"

With nervous, cold fingers, I clicked on the link. But, due to some technical problem, the page did not load immediately. As the "Loading" sign on the left corner kept spinning in circles for a maddeningly long time, I put my short life as an IndusLadies Member in rewind mode. I was anxious to find out just what cognizable offense on my part could have brought the summons to my doorstep. Yes, I was convinced that the dreaded communique would ask me to show cause why I should not be rusticated for exhibiting behaviour forbidden by The Community.
' Did I use some unparliamentary word ? Was I , unknowingly, disrespectful towards some hallowed Senior ? Did my Username or Avatar hurt anybody's 'religious sentiments' ?

Its only been a month since I joined this community and I am still wandering around a bit lost ; yet to find my bearings. As a new member, I would go through the posts, comments, interactions full of abbreviations only The Insider would know ; endearments and pulling-of-legs only the closely-knit would indulge in; vernacular witticisms only the clan members would understand. And that would make me feel like a left out, lonely Fresher. True, I was getting a polite word from here and there, but generally I was The Outsider. There was that very discernable distance.
After a couple of weeks, I was even begining to wonder if I should really be sticking around here doing nothing more worthwhile than playing word games !

Well, Friend ! When the page finally loaded, I found Moderator Laxmi notifying me that I was chosen the Blog Cheerleader for the Month ! You could have knocked me down with a feather ! After all that tension, this climax ! Me, a total newcomer, becoming a Chosen One ! And my username there on the announcement page, glowing in big pink letters ! I had not even known that there were such quaint giveaways in this Community ! And what was I being lauded for ? Just posting comments ! Boy ! That was endearing, to say the least !

All of a sudden, it was Spring !

In great excitement, I called the husband and whispered : " Guess what !"
"What ?" he said with a measure of annoyance, disturbed, no doubt, from some world altering work.
" I'm SO happy today....its like a dream "
"W-h-a-t?" he said, suspicious and cautious now, as though readying himself for some nasty blow.
" Just got the good news...."
"WHAT !" he fairly exploded in agitation " oh no ! Which lab did you go to ? Did the gynec. confirm ? What have you done now ! We are not ready for another ......"

I saved him from apoplexy and announced loudly, with as much dignity as I could muster at the moment, " I have been chosen the Blog Cheerleader Of the month at Indusladies !"

Defeaning silence at the other end.

After an eternity, he said " Oh. Nice. Good. Congrats. So, you are a Cheerleader ! " A low whistle. "Should I call Vijay Mallya and ask for an audition date ?"

Men !

Thats it, Friend ! Before calling Mallya, I thought I'll call you through this thread and tell you how glad I am to be part of this confusing, engaging, bewildering, compelling and addictive Community !