Peter R. wrote:

It must be hard for you to walk the earth with us mere mortal pilots.


There are good days and bad days.

If this forum is only for expert IFR pilots like you, let me know and
I
will be sure to filter my future questions appropriately. 'kay?

Okay, but I'd really like you to take this much away from this
discussion:

You were advised of traffic. You didn't report it in sight, so you
were given an altitude assignment.

If you found that so confusing that you actually found it necessary to
call the controller back for clarification, you're head is really in
the wrong place while you're flying.