[ a small pause as ness thinks of something to say—i'd prefer to give people as few reasons to roll their eyes at me as possible—and then adjusts, because perhaps that is unkind to newly-arrived abby, who may have had quite a few eyes rolled at her. ]

I'm sure I'll say something dumb eventually, no amount of research could forestall that forever. I'd just prefer it be later than soon!

Have you been here long?