Trying to figure out how to best get information out of this sub.

Let me start with a full confession – I"m old. I'm 58. So I know I don't belong on Reddit generation wise. And I'm female which also makes me more of an odd person out. I need help understanding these handicaps as I really want to to learn things from this subreddit.

Some of you know I moved to Mexico three years ago – yadda yadda yadda. But I really still feel connected to Houston. I have many friends there and my special needs son lives there. If I was ever forced to move from Mexico back to the States, I would not even consider another place.

Here in Mexico, I have to depend on either media or social media to know what is going on in H-town. The Chron is worthless and the TV news channels just give short bits of stuff and fluff. Facebook is full of crappy memes and little is about Houston. Twitter is full of twats. This subreddit really is where I count on getting my news – even weather. I see what you post then can get a lot of different insights from the comments to help figure out what is the truth.

I just saw the post about getting people banned. I know I'm irritating because I'm wordy. I also know I don't see things with young eyes. So when I post something or comment and get slammed, I don't mind. But I realized it is doing something to my self-conscious because the minute I read the post title, I thought someone was referring to me. And I'm not someone who usually makes things about herself.

Of course after reading the post I saw it was a complaint about racist trolls. But I still had the old lady urge to first, say I'm sorry if some of you feel I clutter up your sub; and second, explain how important it is that you all realize how much of a connection to useful information you all provide.

The saying "you can't ask a dumb question" has never applied here because there is always someone to call one out. Please understand that there are some people who are trying not to be disconnected with others not in their age, socioeconomic, religious, racial, and lifestyle groups. And some of us are not lucky enough to see the beautiful sunsets and cityscapes for ourselves. And many of us don't have the communication skills or knowledge base that usually used here.

Twice I have driven to Memorial Park to your meet-ups. Both times I chickened out at being treated the same face to face as online. That is on me. I'm use to being bashed on here and steel myself before posting. But there are others who may be asking a first time question that don't feel as good about being told to bug off. This post is only directed to a handful. But sometimes just one person's words or actions makes an entire group look hateful.

I don't know how to ask things differently or how to not be such a leper when I comment. If it is my approach, let me know. I'm always willing to grow.