Hi Moe,
Wishing you the best on your journey. Once you have gone through Lisa's course, Anders offers a fun little 2 parter on Country. I'm sure it will put a smile on your face.
I'm not good with a pick and keep a selection in my pocket. Depending on what I am doing I might use a pick, I might use my thumb. When I do play my acoustic I prefer a little flimsy nylon pick, seems to be very forgiving. But on electric, I find it too flimsy.
This year the diet is definitely gonna stick!