IRAW,

Yes, airplane people are a strange lot! I know, I'm one of them. It is as if we airplane people want to keep our sport/hobby "secret", and have everyone think it's a "black art", or that you have to have a "special talent" to do it! Not so!And this goes especially for the full sized plane guys-just hang around an airport, and make it known your a total newbie. Although, not all are a bunch of self serving you-know-whats. Some HS owners are, as anyone in any business can be, after all it's their job to sell you stuff so they can pay their bills-to bad it's like that.
I can say from personal expeirience, that I will never join the AMA/local club, because I tried to go their route for so long I almost gave up the hobby. (You can fly when we say, you can't do that, you need to be on a waiting list, your plane has to be a certain type/way/whatever, ect.) I got sick of it, and went out and bought some stuff and taught myself to fly-definately the hard way to go, but I've been at it for about 16 years, with no sign of letting up.
I would also like to say, not all AMA clubs/fields/people are this way, or I don't think ANYONE would be flying.
Keep at it, try to find a kindred spirit in your area, GET A POWERED SAILPLANE, OR PARK FLYER, and GO FLY!!
Good luck,

Jetts