Welcome man, indeed LDs are one of the coolest things on earth.

1) I had my first one about 3 weeks after beginning. Your first ones usually end instantly though until you begin to get used to it.
2) I used DILD method. I think it is the easiest. Also doing a WBTB can help a lot (I almost succeeded with it last night).
3) Let me just say that you won't believe how realistic it is. The first time you succeed at stabalizing one you will probably be blown away. Just as real as reality if not more so.
4) I haven't eaten anything during one yet but if you try you could. You are only limited by your confidence and imagination.
5) All of mine so far have lasted like 5 seconds then turned into a False Awakening. But one of those lasted like over a minute and that one was insane. I looked out my bedroom window and couldn't believe the detail of what I saw.
6) There is a thread on this somewhere, everyone has said that it feels awsome and generally you wake up.
7) 10 of course, how else can you do anything you want?
8) Not sure exactly. Opposites attract