If you are just planning to grow one or two I would think feminized seeds would be good, it will also get rid of the risk of having a male pop up withut you knowing. I said it somewhere else, northern lights is a great beginer plant and even growers with experience grow it because it is a great all around plant. Decent yields and well above average potency. not a top shelf headstash, but good none the less. If you have been smoking bud off the street your whole smokin life it WILL blow your socks off. It is predominatly indica so it will give you a bit more of a couch lock stone. If you want a sativa for beginers try a skunk sellection.
Female seeds.nl is sold through many places including seedsdirect and sells a feminized version of northern lights and skunk special, or some skunk. They are fairly cheap for feminized seeds and I find them to be very good
hope this helps, and no; you aren't dum. dum people think they are smart and don't ask questions and end up with dead plants. you are a smart person to ask.
hope all goes well mate, welcome to the team of growers