No hostility ever, no, because (a) I freely acknowledge I don't know everything, and (b) I'll not hesitate to say if I don't know something or I'm not sure (or become unsure). People are of course really understanding and good-natured about it. "Eat me alive" is an overstatement; better to say they won't let it slide.

> Also, what, in general, is intermediate-to-advanced Python?

Basically the kinds of topics covered in my Python book, which I'll plug here without shame:

http://amazon.com/d/0692878971

It's either intermediate or advanced, depending on your perspective.