Your post reminds me of the way I signed up on FR, this thread was what finally motivated me, after lurking for over a year.
I've been a lurker for several years, going back at least to 1998. FR has long been a first source of news for me... I just never felt like posting my political views. I don't think I quite fit in on the political side.
I feel quite comfortable here in the Hobbit Hole, though.