Starting Maya

My first Maya lesson!  I am teaching myself Maya in order to learn how to create meshes for upload to Cloud Party (and perhaps, Second Life), with the ultimate goal of becoming a fashion designer for avatars ;-) woohoo! Roll out the red carpet!!

I know I have a steep learning curve ahead of me, but that's never frightened me before this.  However, if any of you know of any good Maya learning resources (particularly in the area of skeletons and skin), please drop me a comment, thank you!  I do appreciate any help you can give me.

And yes, I know, Blender is free, but as of right now the only tool that has skeletons for avatars set up is Maya.  Blender will have to come later.

Any tips and tricks for the clueless Maya newbie??