If you're new to freelancing and receive a contract and are confused about what it means, don't start panicking. Rather than post a message on a weary message board about what to make of the contract and if the publication is trying to screw you, or consider joining ten associations, pick up the phone (yes, the phone) and ask your editor. Your editor has probably explained this plenty of times ot other writers, and probably knows the contract better than an outside source. And no, it doesn't make you look stupid, it makes you look savvy.