I have morrowind (All the xpacs) and Oblivion. Have not competed either. The games are so massive I just don't have the time. Good stuff though. There is just so much to do, explore, find, secrets.. I would just get so preoccupied with going on my own and exploring that I never even focused on...
"The problem is evolution, and I just don't know how to handle it"
Check out Dr Walt Brown's "In the Beginning". It's free to read online.
It will help you gain a better, much fuller understanding of the issue. So you have more security and confidence built upon "Why" Macro evolution doesn't...
Can't commit to any groups/times on a *consistent* bases, but if any of the teams are short at times and I'm on I might have the time to go: 350 gear lvl (Ele dps/.5 healer)
.5 not because of lack of gear, but rather being rusty and away from the healing game for a year.
Jason covered shaman cc (hex/bind) which btw can both be used per pull in Grim. (Bind 1 and frog another) Our pets and roots (If you specced in earthbind roots) can also be a form of emergency CC.
I think you will find that while CC is back, once your gear level rises you don't need it as much...
525 LW have most of the epic patterns- 2 (lot of the blues) http://www.wowhead.com/skill=165/leatherworking#crafted-items:0-2+1
I have the blue and epic leg enchants for tanks/dps to. (Not showing in link list)
I've done: SFK, VP, Lost City & Grim.
Just based on mechanics, I'd say grim is the toughest so far along with the 3rd boss in SFK. VP was the easiest. (In every group I was in with all the variables of knowledge, gear ect)
VP no wipes; SFK 5 on the 3rd boss; Grim 10 on 3rd boss, 3 on 2nd; Lost...
Had 3 worgens in beta: Fun stuff. I'll probably be working on getting one of my 80's to 85. But eventually I would like to lvl a worgen druid. Myself and Renee played two druids and it was fun and much easier to do difficult content without others (if you can't find a group)
Portal that gets you started in MH is in SW (or was in the beta) along with the boat to the water zone (be patient if you chose the WZ as it can take some time for the boat to arrive. There is some story/voice acting that takes place first. Just wait at the end of the Dock for a bit.
SW is...
I'll probably head straight to black-rock caverns after picking up a quest for there from MH.
As for which zone I hit first, I've done them already so I'll approach it from a gear/rep/faction standpoint.