[21:52, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: I really would like to request that I be allowed to drive my own car. As you (maybe) know, I have some ear trouble, which means I have to wear earmuffs all the time.
This would make it rather uncomfortable during a long car ride. If I have to drive a van, I'm fine with that, since that helps someone, but if I'm not, I would really rather drive my own car so I don't have to wear any earmuffs


[21:55, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: Would it be any better if you did not have to drive?


[21:55, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: Because we have enough backup drivers


[21:55, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: I mean, if I'm not driving, I want to drive my own car


[21:55, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: The thing is


[21:55, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: If I'm in the van


[21:55, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: I have to wear the earmuffs


[21:55, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: Because people talk and get noisy


[21:56, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: If I drive my own car I can take them off


[21:56, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: Since it's just me in the car


[21:57, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: Right, I understand


[21:58, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: Ok, to clarify:
I would be willing to drive (and thus have to wear earmuffs) if that were absolutely required, since it helps someone and is useful.

If possible, my preference would be not to drive and drive my own car


[21:58, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: Because then I can sit without muffs


[21:58, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: They get really painful past a couple of hours


[21:58, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: I.e. the area of my head surrounding my ears is one huge rash because of them, but I have to wear them to university


[21:59, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: I'm going to bring it up again with the others


[21:59, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: Right, thank you


[21:59, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: In any case, we will probably not be able to reimburse your fuel costs


[21:59, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: That's perfectly fine


[22:00, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: I'm Ok with paying for my own fuel, of course


[22:00, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: It depends on the rest of the planning


[22:00, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: And for the full travel cost (i.e. as though I were in one of the vans)


[22:00, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: Because if we have an open spot in one of the vans, we /could/ bring an extra participant


[22:00, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: But the rest is arranged for a fixed number of people that are coming


[22:01, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: Right, but then, in any case, there is no downside to you allowing me to drive my own car


[22:01, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: So I will check


[22:01, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: Yes and no


[22:01, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: Right, but please do understand this is an actual issue for me


[22:01, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: Yes, I understand


[22:01, 15/10/2019] Martijn Kluitenberg: I'll get back to you


[22:02, 15/10/2019] Grigore-Leon Ratiu: Thanks