General question about joining Masters

Hello, I have a few questions I hope you all can answer. First, how many of you compete in meets? If so, how many have you attended and where have they been? I was reading in a Triathlon magazine that there are "postal meets" where you compete in something, and when you finish you record your score and send it in the mail. This way you don't get to see you competitors. Has anyone ever heard of this or competed? What do you think the advantages (except for seeing your competitors are) and disadvantages are? I understand that flipturns are a must. Do any of you have any tips for flipturning? I can do them but not perfectly. And about using the blocks, do you "have" to dive off them in Masters meets or can you dive off the edge of the pool instead? I don't have a problem diving from them I just want to know what the rules are for this. I understand there is more of an advantage diving off the block then off the pool edge. One last question: If I decided to join (I am waiting until school gets out for the semester which is mid Dec.) how long does it take to get an ID card and what is included on it? Thanks for reading and responding! =) Have a good week everyone! -------------- "When life's gotcha down, ya know you gotta do?...just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming, just keep swimming"--Dori from Finding Nemo