James Hong, founder of Hot or Not, was one of Silicon Valley's greatest party guys. Silicon Valley's only party guy. Mourn his passing. Since his doctor told him his cholesterol was high and his liver abused, he's quit alcohol, given up junk food, and dropped 30 pounds. The serious business implications, and his before-and-after Hot or Not scores, after the jump.

Hong's lean (158 pounds, down from 188, if you're counting, and he is), he's hot (9.2 on the Hot or Not scale, up from 8.5), and his life has no meaning without alcohol.

So Hong's decided to re-engage in Hot or Not, a dating and rating business that spits out profit despite founder neglect. He's hiring, and if you're worried he'll be a really boring boss, here's reassurance.

On IM to Valleywag, he writes: i was really afraid that i'd become not as fun to hang around since i have a bit of a "fun guy" reputation, but it turns out i wasn't crazy because of the alcohol. i'm just a bit crazy.