Ahhhhh, I see that you're ready to listen a bit now. Good. It's a habit you should nurture.

Saying things, in jest, to be funny, things that you don't really even mean, is a fantastic way of giving a great misrepresentation of yourself. I honestly doubt that you're just some dumb kid who's looking for attention. I do think you're a young person who got excited and who occasionally still speaks before thinking. The fact that you repeated the forecast of your death at least twice should be a good indication that you need to seriously think before speaking or writing., o

Whether or not you get a mentor, talk to people. Keep it short and simple with no "I'm sure I'll die," crap. You should, however, TOTALLY ignore anything and everything joe, goes by venomkeeper, says and does. He WILL die of a snake bite one day. Not soon enough, but eventually.

Try to handle a redtailed green ratsnake or a large hondo or indigo or coachwhip using only tongs and hooks. When you're good at that you'll have a small idea what a real venomous snake is like. Go check out the thread at GBU Enterprises in Lodi Ca. That guy just got nailed by a baby atrox in his shop. That's nothing compared to what can happen to you NOT including death.

I actually know what I'm talking about. I don't keep any now, but I have kept several species of snakes that could have killed me pretty quick.

As far as the big snake, they're great. Learn the protocols, follow them, and you should have a great time. Go for it.

If you check the attitude at the door you'll find this to be quite the helpful place.