OK, on a really good day I'm almost an average player here on Chess.com (there aren't very many "good" days). Still, I've fallen in love with this game here. So today I went ahead and spent another $30 and became a member of the USCF. I've never belonged to a Chess club, never played in a tourney, nothing. I hope to do both of those this year.

Thanks Chess.com. Now I not only have dues to pay here at your site, but dues outside of it too. Oh, and I bought a couple chess sets for a local Veteran's Home as well so that they have more opportunities to play.

Keep bleeding me dry. Keep bleeding me dry...

 welcome to the world of chess !!

it wasn't chess.com's fault you bought chess sets for the local veteran's home, it was just you being a nice guy!

Thanks justjoshin, but I'm not giving in that easy. I'd like to think I've always been a fairly nice guy. However, I never thought about buying chess sets for others before this site. 

No, there's some reckoning to be done here. Eric and his cohorts may have helped me find something that will help offset Alzheimers and other diseases, helped me meet interesting people, and give me pleasure for the rest of my life, but they have helped start something that may cost me tens of dollars a month if I'm not careful!

Let's keep this in perspective, please.

hehe. compare the cost of chess to the cost of almost any other hobby... :)

You must enjoy it or else you wouldn't do that would you?

Yeah, it's true. It is a good deal and do enjoy it (except losing). I admit. :)

Good chess karma by buying veterans some chess boards!

but how can you get the USCF rating?

kunduk,

Gotta go play in some events at my local chapter, the Minnesota State Chess Association. I'm scared of showing myself to be a complete and total patzer, but am going to do it anyways.

I think I'd feel feel OK if I could play straight up with the 1300 - 1400 crowd. I just don't know though...