well, i hope you find safe haven here. it's a great place to be a foodie.
but i must say, being sketchy about your past works easily for one or 2 new members. that's fairly normal. you don't know what to expect from us.
it appears yous guys have seen the ugly side of web chat, so i hope you understand the trepidation your private-ish conversations are installing is the status quo. diaspora tends to do that.
it's human nature to suspect a new clique that arrives en force. a feeling of "our space", and our welcome being
used for a place for private conversations is a wee bit unsettling. hope you understand. (i have personally been thru this, and was rejected by the louder malcontents, afraid of a newbie with just as loud a voice.)
i have to wonder tho. did you crap on another site so badly you don't want to be traced? or is it just good friends finally finding a place to be free. (saving face

)
again, i am not intending to offend or put anyone off, especially a new member, no matter their allegiance. just offering a perspective from a relative old timer here. all are always welcome in my book.
on top of that, you all seem to have a lot to offer both food and life wise, so i'm looking forward to many great conversations about both.
cajones are often in short supply in places where people seemlessly get along...
are there no ther junior socio-anthropologists here?