Dasha,
When I go to the chatroom, I open another window for it and just stay in there, waiting for some one. When you have more than one window open, you can read posts or do other things. I check the chatroom every few seconds to see if anyone came in. I have talked to a few people. I have also missed a few by using more than one window at a time. (If I did not respond to the immediately they left.) If any one is in there, their screen name will be listed at the side, just like your name is. I hope this helps.
Blueduck

Try to leave a message on the forum at exactly the time you will be on, then log on.
It was my first try too and it worked.