Okay to answer both of your questions, yes, I too cannot log out most of the time. I never log out normally but have tried in the past when trying to see the home page without being a member. I managed it somehow, but can't remember how.
As for the "messing with new posts" issue. If you just leave yourself logged in, and close your browser (all RR Windows), go away and have a cup of coffee (or the beverage of your choice); when you come back and go back to the site, your "new" posts should just contain what has been posted since you left (and closed the browser).
If you can't wait, review what you want to from you "new" list, go to the main forum index page, scroll to the bottom and click on the "Mark Forums Read" link, that will fix you right up. :lol: