I start a topic and it shows, then disappears.
No it doesn't. Just scroll down. This a real time site so each new posting pushes the last one down. When someone responds to a post it goes back to the top. Also you can click on your name for all of the postings under your name. It is a pretty simple site.
Click on your name at the top of this page oceansideyoung. Then click on "View Topics oceansideyoung Has Participated In", and you will see all 3 of your topics.
At the bottom of each forum page (but not at the top), there is a link to get to pages 2, 3, etc.
And yes, the fastest way to get to your posts is to click on your name.