I was one of those novices who thought i would see close up, colorful images of everything like i see in the books.
Only to feel let down when i actually looked through my new telescope, but what has surprised me is i am still passionate and intrigued by space and all that is out there.
My most memorable evening was spent looking at Saturn and even though it was small (very small) i can say i have seen it and it's rings with my own eye's and as the OP states the longer you look the more you see, so don't spend just a few minutes starring at the new found object and then move on to something else, plan on a good hour or so and you will see a whole lot more than you did in the first few minutes i guarantee it.
BTW you don't have to keep your eye at the EP the whole time, you look for a few minutes at a time, take a swig of coffee, relax and marvel at the fact that what you and others see as a star with the naked eye is actually something a whole lot more when viewed through a telescope.
Great post and a must read for all new and old into astronomy.