Good luck with your first game! You are going to LOVE it!! I have been a player for 6 years and a DM for 3. I don't really have any pointers, but if during the course of your gaming if you need someone to talk to about stuff you can look my way.

One thing I will say, for beginners the fighter class is the best to go...its the easiest to understand.

Thanks ^_^ i've been looking over some of these manuals and stuff and the paladin class took my eye....anything on that i should know?

I was also thinking half-elf...

Well Paladins are for Lawful individuals only...be sure to read up on the different alignments. Depending on your alignment you could have classes that aren't open to you. Also Paladins eventually get limited spells so you need to read up on how magic works as well. The reason I say a fighter is the best class for a beginner is because there aren't any "frills" with the class and it gives you a chance to focus on all the other details of the game.

Half elf is cool :) Any basic race in the Player's Handbook is a good choice. In fact I think my first character was a half-elf ^.^