I’ve done a good job of keeping my vow of avoiding online chess servers, but I somehow spent some of my time (that I currently have too much of) reminiscing about the days when I was always online and a lifeless volunteer staff member. Good times in the SR and TM channels (service representative and tournament manager). Before college, those two channels were the most corrupting influence in my life. I guess I had a little fun wasting my life while I was in high school.

Somehow I have a saved convo from me accidentally aborting an important tournament.
jtr: Claire you just messed up very badly
jtr: X-(
chessdown(TM): :-\
chessdown(TM): lo
jtr: VERY VERY VERY
chessdown(TM): l
chessdown(TM): how?
Claire(SR)(TM): O:-)
jtr: pwc is going to kill you
tsgarp(*): haha yeah, he’s an animal
chessdown(TM): what did you do lol
Claire(SR)(TM): i only aborted a GPO:-)
jtr: aborted the Chess Live Invitational
tsgarp(*): hehe
chessdown(TM): ROFL
Claire(SR)(TM): shit
Claire(SR)(TM): now what?
tsgarp(*): well first
tsgarp(*): we have to stop laughing
Claire(SR)(TM): i’ll add back all the playersO:-)
chessdown(TM): its back….
Claire(SR)(TM): because i just re-opened it
Claire(SR)(TM): but the players aren’ts aved
Claire(SR)(TM): aren’t saved
chessdown(TM): ouch
chessdown(TM): lol
Claire(SR)(TM): i had the standings before
Claire(SR)(TM): so i could tb att everyone
chessdown(TM): and setres
chessdown(TM): lol
chessdown(TM): I hate being able to do that to other peoples tourneys
chessdown(TM): lol
chessdown(TM): Its so annoying
chessdown(TM): They should make the command different at least
Claire(SR)(TM): maybe if i do this right he won’t find out
tsgarp(*): ya think?
jtr(*): you can’t tb att people unless they are online
chessdown(TM): Ouch…
jtr(*): at least i don’t think you can
chessdown(TM): leme test it
chessdown(TM): lol
chessdown(TM): Ill log off, and you tb att me to the GP
chessdown(TM): lol
chessdown(TM): lol
chessdown(TM): Or you co8uld just try it
chessdown(TM): lol
tsgarp(*): alieth is online
tsgarp(*): he played arn
Claire(SR)(TM): =;
Claire(SR)(TM): uh-oh
Claire(SR)(TM): ok, i’ll save my screenshot of the pairings
Claire(SR)(TM): that has all the players as well as the results
Claire(SR)(TM): and if those players ever log on then i can add them
tsgarp(*): hey jtr
jtr(*): yo
tsgarp(*): what’s pwc’s cell # again? his line’s busy
Claire(SR)(TM): :”>
jtr(*): shucks i forgot
jtr(*):
Claire(SR)(TM): can we not tell him yet?
tsgarp(*): hehe
jtr(*): he’s on yahoo messenger though
jtr(*): >-)
Claire(SR)(TM): =;
jtr(*): set the rounds to 6 Claire
Claire(SR)(TM): that tournament should be unlock protectedX-(
Claire(SR)(TM): and unkeep protected
tsgarp(*): and Claire protected
jtr(*):
Claire(SR)(TM): note to self: always put the tournament number when i’m doing something to it
jtr(*):
chessdown(TM): me too.
chessdown(TM): lol
chessdown(TM): cause that would be so embarrassing
chessdown(TM): Whats the news for event numbers for GPs again?
Claire(SR)(TM): 974
Claire(SR)(TM): :glorioso has been added to tourney #37.
Claire(SR)(TM): only like 20 more to goO:-)
glorioso(SR)(CA)(PR)(TM):
glorioso(SR)(CA)(PR)(TM): Why they did this?
Claire(SR)(TM): please don’t ask, let
Claire(SR)(TM): just say it’s my fault
glorioso(SR)(CA)(PR)(TM): …
chessdown(TM): She accidentally aborted it
chessdown(TM): lol
LiveDevil(SR)(SC)(PR)(RT): silly blonde asian
LiveDevil(SR)(SC)(PR)(RT): would that be brown then?
glorioso(SR)(CA)(PR)(TM): Wow.. good job Claire
Claire(SR)(TM): thanks:):-I
LiveDevil(SR)(SC)(PR)(RT): blonde
kratz(*)(TM): why did my tourney end after 3 rounds?
calculator: ne one here know, who was the person caught CCheating??
kratz(*)(TM): yes
glorioso(SR)(CA)(PR)(TM): mm you mean last night?
calculator: ya
calculator: was it
calculator: nathansaint?

Claire is single. Are you? If so, then take this quiz.

-50 has a rat tail
-25 has hair longer than 3.5 inches at the longest strand
-40 hair can be tied into a ponytail
-20 going bald or shaves head
+5 none of the above

-50 total tattooed area over 6 square inches
-15 tattoo at discreet spot and under 6 square inches
+5 no tattoo(s)

-10 has a single ear piercing
-15 has more than one ear piercing
-50 has more than just ear piercing
+5 no piercing(s)

-15 has a mustache
-20 has a beard
-50 has excessively long (more than 1 cm long facial hair)
+5 no facial hair

-25 shorter than Claire (5 ft. 4.5 inches)
+0 between 0 and 4 inches taller than Claire
+10 between 4 and 7 inches taller than Claire
-5 seven or more inches taller than Claire

-25 squeezable belly fat greater than 1 cm
-20 all skin and bones
+10 somewhere between the above two
+10 slight but noticeable muscle mass
+0 huge super-athletic muscles

-25 man boobs
-10 disgusting hands
-15 bad breath
-30 crooked teeth
-25 anything else potentially disgusting to the average girl that is not listed

-50 has tried illegal drugs on more than one occasion (excluding age-restricted drugs)
-25 smokes cigarettes/chews tobacco
-15 smokes a legal product other than cigarettes
+5 drinks moderately no more than once per week
-10 drinks more than per week but not alcoholic
-50 alcoholic
+0 doesn’t drink

+20 IQ between 125 and 160
-10 IQ above 160
-10 IQ between 100 and 125
-50 IQ under 100

-50 does not have the capacity to graduate from college
+15 has a similar major and can help Claire study
-25 has a major that will most likely make him end up in a cardboard box

-20 Born after November 12, 1990
-20 Born before November 12, 1986
+5 Born on or between November 12, 1986 and November 12, 1990

-50 cannot cook beyond using a microwave/cereal/sandwich making
+10 can cook fine cuisine
+5 can somewhat cook but is not an expert

-50 reckless driving/has gotten more than one ticket
-25 doesn’t have a driver’s license
+15 can drive Claire around in NY

+10 plays video games occasionally and does not mind losing to a girl in guitar hero
-20 obsessively plays video games (i.e. stays up all night to play after getting a new one)

+10 slightly germaphobic
-10 obsessively germaphobic
+20 hates berries
+5 mildly dislikes berries
+20 allergic to berries

-40 the left 15% of the liberal/conservative spectrum
-35 the right 15% of the spectrum
+5 middle 50% of the spectrum
+0 anywhere on the spectrum

-1000000 female
-999999 bisexual
Gay? Close the browser.

+100 took the whole test and calculated a score

unavailable: -current score if score is positive

Positive score – I’m asking you out with this note
-25 to 0 – Possible if you’re hot
Under -25 – Don’t even think about it

---

Edit: Wow, what started out as a joke really generated heated discussion. This was my most popular note on facebook yet (and my only note).

Jennifer Smith:
seriously?
no.

Tim Atchison:
ATTN: Jennifer

You are a whorebag and nobody loves you. Also, you are adopted. I guess that’s funny too.

That is all.

Also, I got -90. SO WE’RE DATING NOW WOOOOOOOOOOOOO

\O_o/

Katie Jackson:
My brother would get a +35 , and that’s BEFORE adding 100 for me completing the test and calculating his score…But, I’m serious about long-distance relationships

Tim Atchison:
T_T

Me:
are you serious? Maybe I need to meet him. The reason I have the +100 thing is because people who choose to take it should typically (except Tim) be at least somewhat interested, right? That’s a plus in itself.

Tim Atchison:
-90.

Just think about it.

Solomon Wontaek Lim:
lol i like your standards =)

Me:
Can anyone who chooses to take the quiz themselves and get the bonus get any lower?:-D

Why do I have a feeling that a high score on this quiz means nothing?

Solomon Wontaek Lim:
i know why, its because u could have some crazily disgusting features and still score high, u should change the passing criteria to a perfect score haha

David Hall:
Lol I broke even at 0 Claire but IF you add the bonus of +100 for taking it then you can guess what mine would be

Nelson Hua:
How come there’s so many -40 and -50 and no +40 or +50, just + 5 or +10? It’s hard to get over +25 then.
Heh, and where’s the - something for being Asian? haha

Me:

Claire Chiang wrote
at 3:54pm
I think I need to amend this a little.
So many big minuses and really small pluses, so there can only be about one thing wrong. I would have put the - something for being Asian, but that would be publicly announcing that I’m racist against my own race.

-25 anything else potentially disgusting to the average girl that is not listed

-1000000 female
-999999 bisexual
Gay? Close the browser.

Kenneth Lan:
I suppose there are merits to the idea of quickly and efficiently screening the universe of possible partners by putting all your standards up front (bigotry and other negative screens included). Some of your criteria sound like you’re looking for more utility than romance, though…which may not be an attractive idea to many people. And why are you in a hurry to find a partner? You have at least a few years.

Me:
It was more of a joke that I was discussing with my friends at dinner, and for some reason I actually put it in to action. From this, I learned that numbers can’t properly be assigned to datability (I doubt that’s a word).

Clare Finnegan:
I’m going to follow the general trend and post in a note I have not been tagged in. Claire, you’re awesome. Also I want to know what on earth is being implied by “at least a few years”? Look, buddy, Claire is going to be very “datable” her entire life.

---

So, the bottom line was that numbers do not work with everything. If only they did, life would be so much more simple. On a brighter (or darker) note, I might start updating my blog again. Of course, I also said the same thing the last time I posted (several months ago).

Lately, I’ve come to realize that it’s impossible to be in college and live in the dorms without sleep deprivation. There are simply too much distractions, everyone sleeps at different times, etc.

So…caffeine had never been as important to me as it is now. Before I do my homework or study, I have to have some, or I’ll be too tired to focus. Sad, isn’t it? Since it’s become a necessity due to my new college lifestyle, I’ve decided to do a little research so I know what I’m drugging myself with.

Here is an incomplete list of how much caffeine is in caffeinated drinks. God forbid I drink any of these besides many diet coke before I go out (dehydration, need water, need to get rid of water, you get the point)

Diet Coke: 3.75 mg/oz
How weak. I can’t believe just a couple months ago, this was my main source of caffeine.

Red Bull: 9.64 mg/oz
This is probably the most convenient caffeinated drink for me to buy, since it comes in smaller 8 oz cans. If I drink the whole thing, I won’t be jittery for too long. That way I can drink a single can, get my energy, and not have to worry about what to do with leftovers.

Rockstar: 10 mg/oz
The caffeine concentration for this is a bit higher than that of Red Bull, but for some reason, I don’t get as intense of an effect when I drink a regular Rockstar. Half a can of the 16 oz version should help me get my energy and might make me jittery for a short period of time. The problem comes with saving the other half for later, because I’m picky about how much carbonation is in my drink.

Monster: 10 mg/oz
In my opinion, Monster original flavor is the best tasting energy drink. Monster was the first energy drink I ever tried when I had to stay up for Relay For Life a couple years ago. The first time I had one (slowly), I felt so focused at 2:00 am that I thought Monster was the greatest drink in the world. I knew it wasn’t all that great for me, so I didn’t drink it too frequently. Half a can of this makes me a little more jittery/paranoid than half a can of Rockstar would, but Monster’s good too.

Full Throttle Zero Carb: 15 mg/oz
My goodness, I hate this drink. It’s like the 190-proof vodka of caffeine. Not only did it have a disgusting berry taste (I’m not a big fan of berries), 1/4 of this practically made me jump up and down as if I had a full Monster. Only 15 mg/oz? It certainly feels like much more. Perhaps the zero carb formula is a bit different and gives the consumer more energy. I’m avoiding this from now on.

No, I didn’t die. Sorry to disappoint you, enemies;) I just get bored of things fairly easily and took a break from blogging.

So, why am I updating now? I got bored of my other pointless activities and decided to return to blogging again.

About the site: I cleaned up my link exchanges. Sadly, many people don’t live up to them, so all the sites that have removed me and have gotten free links from me for the past couple months are history now. If you’re interested in a link exchange, then use my contact form. Google PR 3 or higher pages only, please.

About my life: Well, now that I’m in college at St. John’s, I’m living it up. Not really living it up, but compared to how I used to live, yes. Since I’m in New York City now, it’s hard not to have fun. I’m having a little fun here, but staying out of trouble…for the most part.

I’ve seriously been thinking about moving my blog to the root directory of my domain instead of having it at this domain/wordpress. I can just put the important parts of the current root directory pages as pages in the blog that are shown on the top navigation menu. It seems like my main traffic is located at the wordpress blog, and I really don’t have much in the current root directory. The main drawbacks would be losing some backlinks that are currently linking to http://clairechiang.net/wordpress which may hurt my search engine ranking. What do you guys think?

It’s been a while since my last update, hasn’t it? Instead of updating, I’ve been wasting time experimenting with Slash My Search for my regular searching in place of google or yahoo. The small amount of money that pay originally drew my attention, because I decided that getting paid for my searches, which I do anyway, isn’t too shabby. However, a few minutes after I signed up, I became more interested in the algorithm that determines how much we get paid. They say 25 cents per hour, but I still haven’t quite figured out what qualifies as an hour. An hour of searching? An hour of having their site open? What? I’ll just use their service to search over the next few days, play with the numbers, and hopefully draw a conclusion from the numbers (for those of you who don’t know, I calculate just about everything a little too meticulously). I guess this once again proves my theory. I become interested in few things at a time but seldom continue staying interested in my new hobbies for an extended period of time.

Past time wasters:
1. Chess-live (need I say more about this?)
2. Aimless IM conversations
3. Selling junk on ebay
4. Trading junk so that I have even more useless junk in my room
5. Selling unwanted media items on Amazon
6. Making websites low in quality
7. Opening credit cards and bank accounts to get that introductory gift (or as Mr. Garbosky would say, lagniappe)
8. Make a few cents online

1. I will skip ranting about that chess server for now. Enough said in the secret to my downfall. Ok, I was probably exaggerating there, but I’ve had it with online chess.

2. I think this one also stemmed from my number one time wasting interest. Since I started chatting on chess-live, I also happened to meet some people there, who I eventually started contacting through instant messengers. Pretty soon, I was hooked.

3. After I got a paypal account, I decided that I wanted to do something with it. So, I dug out some junk that I neglected the existence of to sell. I actually made a decent profit from this if you neglect what it cost me to buy the stuff. Oh well, since the stuff I sold was completely useless to me, I’ll just think of the sales as free money.

4. Less popular media items were typically difficult to sell on ebay. I decided that I wanted to get rid of them anyway, so I joined a bunch of junk trading sites. If you’re interested, then visit my page on junk trading. Trading isn’t profitable, but it helped me build up even more garbage :). If you count the value of everything I traded and received, then I made a profit…

5. After I traded junk for more valuable junk, I decided that I could actually sell some of it. I did manage to get some more valuable things when I was lucky, such as a copy of Final Fantasy VII for playstation (which I paid a lot of switchbucs for) and some newer DVD movies that were decently priced on Amazon. I also sold some AP books from last year that I was planning to burn at an AP book burning party. Too bad (or too good?) we didn’t have that party.

6. I did have a brief interest in web design. I made a few sites and invested some money in web hosting, but most of them didn’t look too professional. I’m still kind of interested now, but I haven’t been updating my sites that often anymore, because I actually find web design kind of tedious. It’s a good way to kill time, though. Ad revenue has also been providing me with lunch money every day.

7. Ok, I’m a little crazy, but I’ve been signing up for credit cards or bank accounts from banks or stores that give me something for signing up. I now have 7 bank accounts and enough credit cards to give me enough of total credit potential that make me potentially high risk. Well, the truth is, there’s no way I would be able to pay everything back if I maxed out all my credit cards. However, I’m not planning to. Credit line is good to have, but I have a little bit of self control when it comes to money…

8. Yes, I’ve been doing little things online to make money. I know the pay per hour is only a small percentage of minimum wage, but each payment brings me an inexplicable false sense of accomplishment. Right now, it’s slash my search, but I was also posting in a number of paid forums.