meeting

Drealm, lets reach a conclusion on the meeting discussion in the "What does CoAlpha offer?" thread.  The options are:

1.  Meet in San Diego before J. Donner gets out.  Then we would split the time in San Diego and Mexico.

2.  Meet in San Diego after J. Donner gets out.  Then we just wait for news on this.

3.  Meet in the Bay Area.  I can fly there.

4.  Meet in El Paso.  I haven't been to Juarez recently but I would be willing to take a look if you come.  If you have any fear of death, then Juarez wouldn't work since it is basically a war zone right now.

5.  Wait for some later bigger organized meeting like a group trip suggested by Ardia.

I think (2. 3. 5.) are our best options.

2. Number 2. sounds good because I could save more money. I can easily afford a trip right now as suggested in 1., but I'd be even better off if we postponed the trip to December. I'm guessing a round trip with all expenses in Mexico and San Diego will be around $1,000 - $2,000 for a week?

3. We could do 3. but it depends on what you're looking for. If we're just looking to meet as soon as possible, then this would be your best bet. You'd only meet myself and possibly Nostromos though. We also wouldn't be experiencing any foreign country or likely visit any hookers. I may be able to arrange a room in my father's house for your stay (very messy now).

5. Number 5. would be the best financially and head count wise. But postponing till a bigger event runs the risk of postponing indefinitely.

Of 2., 3. and 5., I'd prefer 5.. I prefer 5. because I'd probably only be able to meet once a year. I think it would be a waste to spend this one annual opportunity on just a small state side gathering.

How soon did you want to meet fschmidt? I get the impression that you feel we need to meet soon as a group or we'll lose momentum and suffer from internet stagnation?

The way I see it:

1. = Now / Drealm + fschmidt.

2. = 3 months / Drealm+ fschmidt + J. Donner + ?.

3. = Now / Drealm + fschmidt + Nostromos?

4. = Now / Drealm + fschmidt + ?.

5. = 3 months + / Drealm+ fschmidt + J. Donner + ?.

The timetable for my separation from the service is sketchy and not at all set in stone. Basically, they collect up a bunch of information on you, called a "Physical Evaluation Board" (or PEB) and mail it off to DC. In DC, two colonels and a Navy Captain review the information, determine whether or not you are fit for service, and if you are found unfit for service, they determine your disability rating. My PEB was mailed off in July, and the upper limit on the timeframe they give you is supposedly 6 months - which is why I was hoping to be done around the December timeframe.

It could feasibly take even more time, however, if I have to appeal the decision that was made for any reason. I'm stuck in a crappy holding pattern - as soon as I know more information I'll let you know.

I am not in a rush, so options 2 or 5 are fine.