Can someone update me?-haven't been near the thread in ages. I'm on the original stakeholder list. Do I need to do something? Have coins been issued? Is there a client?
Nope, not yet. Alpha client soon.
how soon?
People please just read the Threads a little bit more

Within' the next few days at least few weeks, you will see the first alpha

I'm very exited for this

Edit:
BTW.: you can check out the progress, by looking @ the first page here.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=426303.0 yep, i'm sorry, but there is some difference between days and weeks

Anyways, i'm in!
Some remaining issues with NIS: fix connector issues, fix block generation issue, fix unconfirmed balances, add historical balances and integrate POI; remaining issues with NCC: tweaking UX elements; completing account related API. The first testnest is probably 1-2 weeks away.
<14 days away. I can't wait to test this thing out! Thanks for the update.