I didn't like it either.  I, too, had been popping in and out over the last couple of years, but didn't feel I had anything really to contribute, so I didn't.  Then came the time that I REALLY wanted in on a conversation... so I ran into newbie jail, too.  Hated it.  Toughed it out.  You can do it too.  It sucks.  Wait until you see the various things available only to people with a certain longevity.  Just today, someone giving away licenses to MS product, but only to people who registered before I did.

I call it my lurker tax, or lurker penalty.  As a long-term lurker I was really a taker for a couple of years before giving back, however modestly.  Welcome to the boat.

Keep reading - you'll have your 4 hours soon enough.