There is a good quote by Alan Watts relating to the first paragraphs.

Problems that remain persistently insoluble should always be suspected as questions asked in the wrong way.

Filled in the form, one of the things that keep me from attending is the distance I'd have to travel (Lund, Sweden to Berlin). Would be nice if fellow Swedes (or Danes) would like to meet up someplace closer.

Personally, I wouldn't care if my body was changed (for the better), I'd still call it me. To me, pattern identity theory is only interesting as it could be used as a theory which would allow us to copy our consciousness, if the difference is merely additions, I see no harm to the original pattern as long as the original me was in the set {me, enhancements}.