I have a auto transmission 2001 civic that intermittently skips or hesitates coming out of first gear... but only the first time is comes out of first upon starting the car up. Basically, almost every time you get in the car... pull out of a parking space etc... the car takes and long "pause" before it gets into 2nd gear. Any ideas? I am handy, just ignorant!! :D

The first thing I would do is change the automatic transmission fluid, preferably with a synthetic product.

This may help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-5.html#post552241