Question regarding account approval

[The Fonz]

I think my account has yet to be approved by an Admin because I keep getting a message that my posts have to be approved by a Mod first. If that's the case, what do I need to do in order to have my account approved?

A second, and less pressing issue, is that I don't have any option (in 'User CP/Edit Options' to request a 'read receipt' when sending PMs... though this might be related to my account not yet being approved by an Administrator.