lapollonio - I am proud of you as well for breaking even in your first year of trading...well done.
This was also my first year of trading and I lost about 60 grand - which is enough for me to say I've had enough and I won't be continuing. Whether it's good or bad trading conditions...I actually think it's a mug's game. For every person making money at this I would imagine there are half a dozen or more like me getting fleeced.
So now we have the good and the bad posts. One has done okay in difficult conditions and another has not.