Thanks for the kind words. To answer your questions:
I already work for the government. Just not in the RV conversion part of the government.
In regards to a timeline. When I bought the van in August of 2009 I thought the conversion would be done in a year. It's now more than two years later and I have no idea when it will be finished. I wonder if I'll ever be truly finished. I keep thinking up new things to add or change.
The plan is to have running water, fridge, porta-potty, micro-wave, TV. I've already bought most the equipment. Just a question of when it gets installed.
Though the van isn't finished I've continued to take camping trips in it. Even without the luxuries it's easier than tent camping.
Dave