The Going Away - Coming Back Thread! • Collecting General • The Acaeum

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The Going Away - Coming Back Thread!
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HermitFromPluto
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:48 am

Hi All,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be away until the end of September. I am now en route to Afghanistan for a short consultancy break from PhD Studies. Would rather be at GenCon, but anyway......

People sometimes disappear for a while - so I thought I would make a thread where people can let others know of dates away from forum life. I'll check in here on my return.

Improv
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:54 am

HermitFromPluto wrote:Hi All,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be away until the end of September. I am now en route to Afghanistan for a short consultancy break from PhD Studies. Would rather be at GenCon, but anyway......

People sometimes disappear for a while - so I thought I would make a thread where people can let others know of dates away from forum life. I'll check in here on my return.

Are you consulting with terrorists via the use of armed force? :wink:

"... and may I remind you that this ain't the end. I can still kick some ass." - Tom Petty

HermitFromPluto
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:09 am

Hi All,

I just arrived back in Australia today after five weeks away. A successful and very interesting trip. I am pretty tired so it will take me a few days to get back on top of things.

I have a few nice parcels sitting on my desk, so some leisurely reading of my latest acquisitions is in order!

(edit) PS Thanks for those of you that sent 'take care' messages. I am actually involved in aid policy work. The security was actually very thorough, so I felt reasonably safe most of the time.

killjoy32
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:37 am

i like that word reasonably

lol

good to see you back dude!

Al

Are we nearly there yet?

lucyjoyce
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:41 am

Most people wouldn't consider going to Afganistan a "break"! Glad you're back safe and sound.

If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error. - John Kenneth Galbraith

jasonw1239
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:52 am

Good to see you make it back safely!
Did you develop any feel for what percentage of aid is actually being put to use and how much is being chewed up by bureaucracy?
If individuals were to donate to a charity, is there some that seem more effective than others?

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Deadlord
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:57 pm

You were gone?

If you hit a Rowsdower, you get to keep it.

HermitFromPluto
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Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:12 pm

Thanks everyone.

Ha Ha. Nice one Deadlord. (I think I was feeling a little fatalistic before I left and it was that which drove me as a relative newbie (member for just over a year) to make this post!)

Jason, I was absolutely amazed with the amount of money going into Afghanistan. Billions every year. Because of the declining security situation a lot is being chewed up in bureaucracy and 'security' related expenses. Aid effectiveness is an issue of ongoing debate and contention there. I have to admit I was really touched at the courage and strength of the Afghan people though. How they have suffered! Probably if you wanted to give to that country, I would look to some of the smaller Non-Government Organisations working in health or education. There is a list of NGOs working in Afghanistan Here.

HermitFromPluto
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 1:14 am

Howdy All,

Two years ago I started this thread to give those who are queried on the "where have all the good men gone" thread a chance to tell people where they are going. Didn't take off, and not sure if I fit the good men title, but I'll use it again.

I have been posted full time to Kabul and am leaving tomorrow.

Actually it should ultimately allow me to devote more time to my hobby as I'll be locked away every evening without much to do.

Once settled I will continue my work to get the wiki back up and running and possibly join some roleplaying sessions with some people here - although I've worked out evening over there will be something like 4am in Kabul ...... let's see how keen I am.

My collection is going into storage - but hopefully I'll be able to get back to valuations.

ashmire13
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 1:42 am

Wow. Best of luck with all that Hermit, keep in touch! :salut:

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Tharizdun
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 2:53 am

A lot of guys that went to Kabul are apart of the "Going away-Not coming back" thread. Good luck :wink:

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misterspock
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 5:30 am

Yeah, as ashmire said, we'll make it a point to keep in touch

lucyjoyce
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 8:24 am

Looking forward to having you back in the games - hope we can make the time difference work. And would love to see the Wiki fully operational again.

But the main thing of course is that you take care of yourself as you do your important work. Will be interested to hear your perception of how things have changed in Kabul over the past couple of years.

Does this mean you are now Dr. HermitFromPluto?

If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error. - John Kenneth Galbraith

JasonZavoda
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 8:41 am

HermitFromPluto wrote:Howdy All,

Two years ago I started this thread to give those who are queried on the "where have all the good men gone" thread a chance to tell people where they are going. Didn't take off, and not sure if I fit the good men title, but I'll use it again.

I have been posted full time to Kabul and am leaving tomorrow.

Actually it should ultimately allow me to devote more time to my hobby as I'll be locked away every evening without much to do.

Once settled I will continue my work to get the wiki back up and running and possibly join some roleplaying sessions with some people here - although I've worked out evening over there will be something like 4am in Kabul ...... let's see how keen I am.

My collection is going into storage - but hopefully I'll be able to get back to valuations.

Maybe you can get a game going there. If you run into any US Military there are usually a few gamers in the lot.

Take care of yourself.

Gnat the Beggar
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 10:04 am

Take care first and foremost.

As stated above Gaming in the military is fairly common.
Though the duty time is often fast paced, and sometimes hairy and scary, the off time is often boring without some sort of activity to occupy the time.

Good luck and god speed.

"Guys, I am starting to think Tegel Manor might be haunted..."
Stated by me as a PC during a run of Tegel Manor DMed by killjoy at NTRPGCon 2010

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smarmy1
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 3:28 pm

Take care, Jeremy. Once you get settled, shoot us an email to let us know how you are doing and how you find life and work in Kabul. We're still on Skype so do not hesitate to call, and please let us know if you need an RPG care package to cover your stay in Afghanistan. I would be more than happy to put one together.

Of course you are always welcome to rejoin the game; let us know your schedule and what works for you.

Talk to you soon.

Hello Mrs. Cleaver, Theodore.

Gee, Mrs. Cleaver ... That certainly is a lovely dress.

HermitFromPluto
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Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 10:42 am

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

I have now settled in Kabul and have a room not far from my office. I have a reasonable internet connection so am back online. Unfortunately everyone at this residence has to move in a month, so there may be some disruption in the first months. I hope the new place also has decent internet. Internet seems to be the crucial factor is staying sane here as I am already feeling claustrophobic.

I have been thrown into the deep end with my job, so will be a little quiet over the coming weeks, but once into a routine, weekends will be sacred and will include some skype-facilitated roleplaying!!!

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