
a.) I think one set of opponents should host an opposite set of opponents games. Thats what the red brackets mean. Invariably people will be absent some days and this just means if you're a host you can turn that game over to your opponent. That would only be applicable for rd1 after which some dedicated eliminated participants could take over as hosts.
That said, I think its important that we create consistency here to cut down on confusion. That means there should really only be one official host for each game and you shouldnt be a host if you know you wont be able to process the turns daily.
b.) As far as missing lots of days Im saying if you miss more than 14 days you forfeit that half of your round as if it were a decisive defeat on the last turn you managed to play. (this wouldnt be applicable for the championship) It's up to each individual player to track their opponents absences and if need be double check with the hosts (please save your host game emails for that purpose or write down when you received them). Hopefully this doesn't become an issue. Hopefully if people are going on vacation for awhile theyll accept a defeat for the sake of other participants who want to get on with the games.
If you know you will be absent for awhile, please let your opponent know and *especially* if you're a host make sure you let the people whom you are hosting know and turn that game over.