Richard hang on in there!
I know how badly it sucks and how frustrating it can be when your'e a new player. Like Darkmyst said try to keep your fame low and build up your stats. Don't forget everybody was a new player once upon a time. And there will always be people higher up the food chain than yourself that's just the nature of the game (unless your Popcan of course
)
It wasn't that long ago since I was a 'newb myself. So I get where your coming from. The game gets a lot more fun when your able to work your way up too a mid level player. You can do it... try and find a strategy that works for you & stick with it.
Good luck