Finely Festooned Friday

Messy snow here but commute in and out was no problem. Going to rain all day tomorrow. Dark and grey, dark and grey.

Market Observations and Activity
What's left to say really? Things are stalled out and today there was some beatings handed out. While one of my positions, CACI, was not really near my stop out I cut it today for a -2% loss. I may have been early on this one breaking over $60, or late in a market cycle. Just looked weak and I wanted to lighten up. BANR was in a fist fight at the $20.50 level on high volume. WRI hung around. WFM was the only bright spot, closing strong over the $82 level.

Next week is pivotal if a higher run is in the cards. Market looks tired. Many solid looks that have been performing are at best stalling or at worst going in full reverse. There are some things working, but most I see are earnings or news based run ups. This does not mean a huge bear market is upon us, and I do not believe one is. This sideways snooze fest could go on but it's not worth me chasing names during that kind of market. More on Sunday and will look at more things.

Friday Night Entertainment
Let me see what I can find.

Choose Your Own Adventure Books!
Came across a great post over at Weird Universe that discussed the old "Choose Your Own Adventure" books! I so loved them all when I was a kid. Seems the inventor, Edward Packard, now has them on Apple products (of course!) like the iPhone and iPad. Here are some pictures:

Cool! Best ever were the "Lone Wolf" series of books by Joe Dever.

NEVER!
Loved this Abstruse Goose comic from today. In all the realms if disbelief the USA will not adopt the metric system! "Chrono-Synclastic Infundibulum" (click for larger view):

Too funny.

Optical Illusions
Just like the arrow in the FedEx logo is all I see now, after this the "&" character will never be the same:

see more epicfails

Film Clips
Check these out!

One of the best films I have ever seen was the handling of the King Arthur legend in "Excalibur". This clip is when Arthur is saved by the Holy Grail and then leads his knights back out to fight with some epic music on tap:

Ozzy will often start his shows with this very song. For extra credit, what song is this?

The only saving grace for "The Phantom Menace" was Darth Maul. Total bad ass Sith. I can spool the scene at the start of this clip when the doors open and the music plays for hours:

NICE!

Rock Blogging
Music for the masses.

Leading off tonight is a classic as picked by Sal Arnuk of Themis Trading. Open the show with Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison doing the blues!:

I love this performance so much, thanks! Follow Sal on Twitter @ThemisSal

MY friend and fellow 12631 trader Arctic Gambino has really turned me on to the Black Keys. Catch this live show of "Howlin' for You":

Very nice selection. Check Arctic out on Twitter @a_bh_a

Ok, a little something different. Please give this one a shot and listen to the end, it's really too funny! Bryan Bowers and "The Scotsman":

Awesome, yes?

Via Twitter here is my man @CapCube with a request for Weezer's "Troublemaker":

Not bad at all.

Ok, one more chance at the song from "Excalibur" and like I said, Ozzy loves to open with it. Here is "I Don't Know" with Randy Rhoads:

Unreal good. I get chills on this one.

Two left.

I don't know why Hole ended up dying, ok I do Courtney! Plenty of wonderful songs left behind though. How about "Violet":

Love that one!

Last call, grab a drink, a girl, or a stapler!

Turn the speakers WAY Up for Jimi Hendrix and "All Along the Watchtower":


Have a good night.

Friday Always Closes "At the Highs"

Another week in the books! Had a great Friday and it's weekend time. Daytona 500 is on Sunday, maybe Kevin Harvick can pull off another one?

Market Observations
I don't like that oil is over $100 a barrel. There is a lag until it hits gas prices. I think oil is higher for poor reasons (Mid East tensions, pick any other) so maybe it will not last. That's about the only bad thing I see right now. Next week should be indicative of market direction for the next few weeks so I will be ready with a new watch list for Monday. I have only one open long (BANR, looks ugly after today!) so I have plenty of cash to put to work.

I don't mention my long term account much for a variety of reasons, but it's hard not to share that Sony (SNE) is up about 20% since I highlighted the double bottom around $18 in early January. It has run very hard and very high and I will have to decide next week if that's all it has left.

Friday Night Entertainment
The financial blogosphere's best (and only) Friday night party line. Multiple chat lines are allowed.

MUST SEE!!!!
My good friend David Batista found a real gem and had it up yesterday. I cannot believe I had never seen this clip, as huge a fan of the Conan film that I am. Here is "Conan the Barbarian: The Musical":

Instant classic! Thanks David.

Hard to top that one, but here I will try to keep up.

Pictures; It's Just Easier
No pop up books, but images.

I am a HUGE wildlife supporter but this is just too funny (The WWF used to be a Professional Wrestling league but lost out to the World Wildlife Fund):

see more epicfails

PUG PHOTOBOMB!!!:

see more This is Photobomb
@TA_Trader will like that one.

Film Clips
A couple ideas for your weekend rentals or streams.

"The Wrestler" is a tough movie and one that I think all should see. Not only does Mickey Rourke give a performance of a life time, the story is so painful and real that it can hurt. A lighter clip finally made it's way to YouTube, but of course I can not embed it. As the lead characters rock out to Ratt and "Round and Round" both explain the crap 90's grunge music in perfect clarity:
Click for Video
"Like there's something wrong with wanting to have a good time!"

The great Dustin Hoffman may never have been better than in "Kramer vs. Kramer" and paired with timeless Meryl Streep it's a classic. Here is the French Toast scene:

This scene makes me laugh and want to cry.

Rock Blogging
Some tunes for the people, they are still free as of now.

My friend Andrew Nyquist just had his birthday! Besides founding See It Market and being a great market operator, he likes good music! Here is a sick as all get out version of Bush playing "Machine Head":

@andrewnyquist on Twitter

Via Twitter @gtlackey was looking for some Jane's Addiction with "Mountain Song" and that works:

Nice!

How about some Kenny Wayne Shepherd? Try out "Never Lookin' Back" and check that baseline:

Just heard that for first time today!

Via Twitter @Andi_Hammer was looking for some Mishka and "Above the Bones" and this tune is pretty good:


Last two!

Market anti-theme? Iron Maiden does it with "Be Quick or Be Dead":


Last call!

Close the show with (I know have had it on before!) Big Wreck and "That Song":

Wundafewl!

Have a good night.

Do Not Feed Friday After Midnight

3 day weekend here! Always nice to get an extra break.

Market Observations
Today was option expiration and as usual it was a tight range day. I will cover market strategy closer to next week. Markets are closed on Monday for Presidents Day.

I made a rookie dumb mistake today with my position in AREX. Last week the stock touched over $38 and promptly pulled back. From the chart and the buy volume I expected to get another shot over $38 and that would be my target area and result in a 10% gain. The stock ramped up at the open today and was well over $38. I had meetings scheduled for almost the entire day and I figured I could grab the sale later on in the day when I could watch the tape a little. Never even came close again. An ugly session leaves AREX at $36.66 (CREEPY!) and not only did I miss my sale but that was a nasty reversal day. I could have set a stop at $38 and went off to meetings, but I did not. It was sloppy and poorly done. If I get something out of this trade it will be in spite of my trading it, not because of it.

Friday Night Entertainment
No Emmy nomination yet, but I think one will be coming soon.....

Alone in the Shadow of Robot Dominion Over Man, My Voice Still Cries Out
I get the feeling that my coverage of robots and the chance (90% and rising) that said robots will turn on the human race is a running gag here to many readers. It's NOT! I am serious, and don't call me Shirley!

Well hot off the presses via Extreme Tech is the announcement of a new military program modeled after the "Avatar" line of thought! Here you go:
DARPA reveals Avatar program, robot soldiers incoming
A snippet:

In the words of DARPA itself, the Avatar program will work on “interfaces and algorithms to enable a soldier to effectively partner with a semi-autonomous bipedal machine and allow it to act as the soldier’s surrogate.” In other words, DARPA wants to develop the walking equivalent of an unarmed aerial vehicle; a bipedal robot drone where the controlling soldier is hundreds or thousands of miles away from war front.

Unarmed, LOL too funny.

Here is Boston Dynamics "PETMAN", we are doomed:

But keep laughing.

Image Candy
Some fun stuff to gander at.

Napoleon might have won at Waterloo with this as his trusted steed:
see more Historic LOL

Wait, bears don't do their thing in the woods?:

see more Very Demotivational
Confused.

Film Clips
Some films for consideration.

Maybe one of my all time favorite scenes is from "Matrix: Revolutions" when Trinity (not @TXSSwingtrader Julie!) and the crew battle to get Neo back.
"Your really ready to die for this man?"
"BELIEVE IT":

Chills!
"If she has to she will kill every one of us".
Chills

Not a movie, but the last best chance for TV was "The Highlander" series. Skip to the 40:35 mark in this clip of "Homeland" and watch to end. If you are not impressed, I don't know what to say:

Quality.

Rock Blogging
Songs for the soul to set you free.

Need a ripper to get started, so a little Lenny Kravitz and "Are You Gonna Go My Way" is in order. Excellent!:

YES!

My man on Twitter and 12631, @PjDempsey, was looking for some live Pearl Jam and this is a nice video of "Black":

Nice.

I thought The Interloper might have been messing with me but after hearing Uncle Tupelo and the song "Moonshiner" I am glad I heard it:

Harmonica always gets me. Thanks.

Via Twitter and @CapCube here is The Clash and "I fought the Law":


Two songs left!

I need some Rage Against the Machine and "Renegades of Funk" will do nicely. Turn this up:


Last call!

My friend, formerly Trader Mark, has a new gig over at Market Montage and he did a AWESOME 80's tune play set of 80's rock last night. My counter is the great band Cinderella and "Somebody Save Me" and live is the only way:

GREAT!!!!!

Have a good night.

Markets Actually Dropped, but Friday Only Rises

Snow on the way for tomorrow. I so love winter.

Market Observations
I did not like the action on Wednesday and Thursday. Today markets had their first real test to the downside. A late day run helped keep the damage contained. I guess it's put up or shut up time. None of my positions stopped out, which was a surprise. Maybe that bites me on Monday, but trade your plan and stops. Not really much more to add at this point, more market thoughts on Sunday night.

Friday Night Entertainment
Let's see what's interesting.

Running Liquor During Prohibition
I stumbled upon a cool tale on, wait for it...., Wikipedia this week that I thought was worth a look.

During Prohibition all kinds of alcohol smuggling was done. This gave rise to many of the embedded organized crime families of the future. How all the booze made it into the United States has many tales and this is just one.

The ship that delivered more liquor than any other ship was The Malahat. The 5 masted schooner would take alcohol brewed in Canada and shuffle off to the Pacific Rum Row which was outside the maritime limits of the United States. The ship would anchor there and await smaller, faster boats to come and load the booze, then run it to ports on the West Coast. I would point you to the article for even more details it's quite a story. The Malahat:

Friday Funnies
Crawling the Internet for material for a smile.

"They all float, down here.":

see more Very Demotivational
CREEPY!

AT-AT not a Transformer!:

see more epicfails
Fool.

Big George Foreman
Robert Sinn (The Stock Sage) was looking for some George Foreman clips and as things are, I am well versed in Foreman fights.

Maybe the most thrilling heavyweight fight of all time featured a young George Foreman (after losing the title to Ali) versus the stubborn veteran Ron Lyle in 1976. You can see Foreman's complete record here.

There are too many great parts to try and single out, so here is a great 6 minute compilation of the fight, you will be stuck in your seat (if in a hurry skip to the 2:40 mark on):

With Howard Cosell on the call no less. Be quiet Kenny Norton!

I missed this fight live sad to say but it's my favorite Foreman moment. Trailing on points in a fight he had to score a knockout to win, Foreman lowers the BOOM on champion Michael Moorer in the 10th round after the late Angelo Dundee told Foreman "You gotta put this guy down!":

Jim Lampley's "IT HAPPENED, IT HAPPENED!!" is so classic!

Film Clip
Go to a Red Box, stream via Netflix, or just hit an On Demand button but check this film out. "Revolutionary Road" a new era classic:

Great film.

Rock Blogging
Tunes on the way.

My go to expert on all things vintage Rock is loyal reader Gawains. Tonight he suggests The Faces and "Stay with Me" and here is a great live version:

I can't believe Rod Stewart used to rock. Who knew?

Wanted to give a shout out to one of the hardest workers I know. New member of the Stocktwits team, tireless San Francisco real estate professional, and a great friend - Julian Hebron (The Basis Point). Luckily he is also into the best metal songs so here is Ministry and "New World Order":

Like that one! Hang in there Julian!

That song got me all amped up! Let's go right into "Guerrilla Radio" via Rage Against the Machine and turn the dial way UP:

Sick!

A blast from the past comes from Gtotoy and his pick for Paul Pena with "Jet Airliner" and this is a fine tune:

Smooth.

My great friend Jennifer Hillier (who I heard a rumor may have her second book coming out this year!) was looking for some Talking Heads, and how can I say no? Here is "Once in a Lifetime":

Like that tune.

Last two songs.

Get up and get wild with Dragonforce's epic tune "Through the Fire and the Flames":

"So far away, we wait for the day" so good.

Last call, grab a girl a drink or the mouse.

Needed a little Creedence and "Lodi" will do just fine:


Have a good night.

Get Friday Night Now or be Priced Out Forever

Well, it's just 2 sleeps and maybe a nap from the Superbowl. The NFL experts are running about 70% in picking the Giants to win. I am already getting nervous. This is the Big Show.

Market Observations
Today was not the kind of panic buying I have seen after big market routs like the ones over the summer and in November. Still, it was pretty aggressive buying of anything not nailed down. Miss earnings? Go up 10%. Chinese burrito with accounting questions? Why not a 20% ride higher? Short squeezes are all the calls, but you have to explain to me who stays short losing massive %'s? Either the short thesis is wrong or the shorts are short from much higher prices.

In any case, no need to recap my stocks, everything was up. AREX and WTS worked well and BANR finally struggled past the $20 mark. I held all three going into the weekend and that may end up being a bad idea. We shall see. Sentiment is running very hot and it would be best for staying constructive to cool off the jets next week.

Friday Night Entertainment
I am sure most will be very happy tonight anyway, but here is my contribution going into the weekend.

Lake Vostok to be Tapped?
I have mentioned the sub glacial Lake Vostok many times here on the blog. It seems the time has come to actually get down there and really take a look at the underground ocean:
Lake Vostok, Antarctica's Largest Subglacial Body Of Water, Soon To Be Explored
Again, the ultra oxygen environment the lake is in will have pressed any life forms in the water to have new and unknown antioxidative protections systems to be able to survive. Oxidative damage is a huge part of many health problems. I know there are risks to doing this, but the potential discovery outweighs that risk in my mind. Besides, we can trust Russian scientists to be careful right........?

SUSPECT!
I am not 100% sure this is actually meant for facial exercises but I guess I could be wrong (via Geekologie):
Another Day, Another Stupid Japanese Face Exerciser:

Ok.

Image Fun
Scanning the best picture sites for the best, well, pictures.

"I am Your Father" from long ago:

see more Historic LOL

"What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss before an unmasking?":

see more Very Demotivational
Insta-classic!

Rock Blogging
Right to the tunes!

A great voice of experience, and a great person to learn from is my buddy on Twitter @JackHBarnes. His request was for Sammy Hagar and "I Can't Drive 55" which is an issue for any Porsche driver:

Nice!

My friend from Canadia, @TSXSwingtrader , both fears US invasion of her homeland and knows good tunes. Try out Hedley and "Don't Talk to Strangers":

Scary!

Had this up a while ago, but heard it on the radio. Try out some Finger Eleven with "Paralyzer":

"And if your body matches what your eyes can do" I like that!

You don't have a "Fear of the Dark" do you? Via Iron Maiden:


My man Julian Hebron was showing me some really old school Black Eyed Peas. Not my kind of music, but it's a throwback with, well I don't know what it's called:

Nifty.

I need Van Halen's "Atomic Punk":

I feel better.

Last song! Grab a girl, a beer, or what's close by!

Closing with The Who and "Behind Blue Eyes":

Love it.

Have a good night.

Friday; It's What's for Dinner

Boston metro saw some crazy heavy rain today. It has cleared out and will be almost 50 degrees into Tuesday?! February may be a payback month.

Market Observations
This week saw three major market positives:
-Blow out earnings from Apple (AAPL).
-The Fed, while not opening up QE 3 directly, made it clear they want to see some inflation even if they have no idea where the hell it shows up.
-Facebook has moved up their IPO offering, all the way to next week.
That is quite a trio of fuses to light an already explosive looking market.

Because I am a skeptic at heart, I would wonder why Facebook is rushing this move so much. After a huge rally, are they worried it might reverse? I have no idea but file it under "suspect".

That said, next week may provide one of those rare opportunities to get long and be very confident. Market players will make very sure that IPO has a nice running environment. Seeing the Internet momo plays skyrocket late day makes me confident a run higher is at hand. All to place an IPO everyone can dump to make money. Nice.

Friday Night Entertainment
Because you worked hard all week and deserve a break.

Missing Ships and People
I love real mystery or tales of extreme situations. Always have. The great site iO9 has a collection of 10 tales that they think could make great science fiction novels:
10 Real-Life Lost Voyages That Would Make Amazing Science Fiction Novels
A couple selections:
-Roman Ninth Legion
-Percy Fawcette, whom have covered before. This will get movie treatment and I think I saw Brad Pitt will star.

There were also some great articles on iO9 this week about "Mitochondrial Eve" and how that data backs up the idea that humans evolved one time in one place in Africa then spread across the globe. Here is a graphic with years ago estimated and routes of human migration:

Way cool. Full disclosure: I do not write for iO9, nor have any relationship with them other than I think the site rocks and makes scientific stuff more easy to understand for non-scientists.

Picture Pages
Visual cues.

Smile Rabbit!:

see more This is Photobomb

The old days:

see more Historic LOL
Never changes.

Film Clips
In case you need a movie idea.

Plenty of great horse centered films (Hidalgo, War Horse) but from my youth I always loved "The Black Stallion Returns" best of all:


If you have not seen the classic film "Used Cars" with Kurt Russell, well, you should:

The price (or rent?) is too damn high! Blame Bernanke.

Rock Blogging
Bringing the tunes since 2007.

Loyal reader Gawains was looking for some Steppenwolf and "Born to Be Wild" circa 1969 works!:

Good pick.

One of the hardest workers on charts and ideas on Twitter is G. Thomas Lackey and he puts so much effort in day and day out he needs a song break. He also knows engines and cars, which is cool beyond doubt. Here is Sublime and "Santeria":

You can follow him on Twitter via @gtlackey

My friend Arctic Gambino wanted The Black Keys and "Your Touch" and I have never heard this song, its wonderful! Bluesy and edgy:

LOVE IT!!! Follow him on Twitter as @a_bh_a

Not quite under the 1 year rule, but I was wanting some LA Guns and "Over the Edge":


I am in a sad mood so why not up the ante with "Love Hurts" from Nazareth:


Two songs to go.

Heavy time.Turn it up. White Zombie and "Thunder Kiss 65":


Last call.

Close the show with Heart and "Alone":

Fitting.

Have a good night.

Options Expired Today, but Friday is an Easy Roll

It's Friday! It's NFL Championship Sunday! It's overwhelming to say the least.

Market Observations
I stayed long into the weekend, probably not the best idea ever. I recapped my stocks on Twitter so if you are not on there, you missed it.

One I want to point out has two MAJOR drawbacks so lets start there with CRESY:
-It's a smaller name at $650 million market cap and average daily volume runs at 150k shares a day.
-It's Argentinian, and I hate buying non-US stocks.
With those in mind it was strong look on an iBC screen I use and it has been bought very heavy in the later parts of the day. Volume was heavy today and a while back 3 million shares were bought up. Interesting:

Enough work!

Friday Night Entertainment
Another weekend is upon us.

Cowboy Record
I came across this great post over at Ptak Science Books which showed a record of an old era Cowboy and his experiences. It was a nice read, but a picture included just jumped out at me. I am assuming this is in New York and a Texas Cowboy is shown the huge city way long ago:

I was shocked how huge NYC was when I went and I am well aware of such things. How did this cowboy feel?

Fun with Images
The eyes see all. No kidding!

"Let me take you on a scenic cruise":

see more Very Demotivational

AWWW!:

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
Love the kitties!

Sports Clips
In honor of the huge football weekend I am running sports clips instead of film clips.

My man Robert Sinn (See his great blog here) was looking for an early Mike Tyson fight. The one that sprang to mind was Tyson vs Jesse Ferguson. In Troy, New York 1986 a young Tyson got a real test and answered big time in the 5th round, shattering Ferguson's nose and ending the fight (Ferguson would be DQ'd in 6th for holding). Skip to the 5:35 mark of this clip for the huge punches that finished it:

Body shot then uppercut with the right!

From last year, Kevin Harvick wins California and beat Johnson to do it. We were way short of title, but this was sweet:

NICE!

I love my Saints, but the 49ers, via Vernon Davis, were amazing in last weeks game. Catch all the angles in this video:

Hate it, but I do respect it.

Rock Blogging
Pump up the volume.

My good friend Jennifer Hillier has just moved in to a new place and is getting settled. After a huge move, its great to be in your own space. Let's go with Staind and "It's Been a While":


A great information source is on Twitter, @Arctic Gambino and he was looking for some White Stripes "7 Nation Army":

Like it.

Fellow 12631 member and twitter follow, @azulgrana_ wants Iron Maiden's classic "Run to the Hills" but I say only live:


Excellent request by Mr. Hebron (The Basis Point) and mad props for getting a StockTwits job! Ted Nugent and "Stranglehold":

Yes, thats sweet.

Two left.

HoobaStank and "The Reason":

For you.

Last call!

This song, if you give it a chance, can mean trading or writing or anything that you work hard for. Kenny Rogers with "She Believes in Me":


Have a good night.

Friday has Been Upgraded to AAA

HUGE Saturday tomorrow! Saints vs 49ers first up and then the Patriots face the Broncos in the night game. My two favorites on the same day.

I am feeling pretty good and getting better. Won't matter tomorrow I am going to be jacked up no matter what.

Market Observations
I sold TZA today for a round trip of 0%. The drop I had been expecting based on topping candles never really came about. At this point confidence that a lasting bottom has been formed and a longer rally is on the way is running very high. Even the debt downgrades today had little impact (so far) on sentiment and prices. My argument for a pull back was based on candles, and this chart shows that when they happen, reversals usually happen quickly:

This action has been 4 days of hanging around so I give it less weight at this point. If this is a major top it's going to catch plenty very unaware. As no one owns a stock overnight I guess it won't matter anyway.

Friday Night Entertainment
Providing the lighter side of things since 2007.

Long time readers know my severe addiction to Wikipedia. One of the fun things I do every day, you may want to write this down, is click the "on this date" bar at the bottom right. An entire list of cool historical events comes up and today had a good one.

In 1968 Johnny Cash performed at Folsom State Prison. You may have seen the film "Walk the Line" that dramatized Cash's life. It's a classic album and doing the show said plenty about Johnny Cash:

Thanks Wikipedia!

Old Truck
Saw an old truck on the highway on the drive home and I could not place the year, it was clearly a Chevy. A little image searching and bingo! It was a 1951 Chevrolet 3100 pick up:

Not as nice as this picture, but it was in good shape. Get that thing in for the winter!

Picture Pages
Time to get your markers and your pencils.

These girls are the last untapped market for Lululemon (LULU):

see more After 12

I don't think that's going to work:

see more Very Demotivational.
New Era. Comedy captures such things amazingly well I think

Film Clips
Rent them, stream them, or buy them in Hong Kong, but see them.

I loved S.E. Hinton's novel "The Outsiders" and I think the book was translated well into the film of the same name. All star cast and great performances. In this clip the greasers get ready for the final rumble and for all the lady readers there is eye candy, I am fair and balanced after all:


Revenge plus a great 50's tune? I am in! From "Christine", the death of Moochie:

Little bitty pretty one.....

Rock Blogging
The tunes are here.

My friend from Twitter @TSXSwingtrader is from Canadia so it's fitting for some Tom Cochrane and "Life is a Highway":

Thanks!

I had never heard this song and had no idea Ace was with another band, but my friend GtoToy sent this to me, Ace Frehley and "Rock Soldiers":

Wonderful! Thanks.

I had my 600th follower on Twitter tonight and while I believe quality is better than quantity it's amazing all the great people I get to interact with. Lucky #600 is @CanvasBTMargins and her request is "Someday" by The Strokes":

Good pick.

How about a live show of Faith No More and "Epic"?:

Sick.

Josh Brown was looking for a tune I know, and I hope he was not joking, here is Band of Horses with "The Marry Song":

Excellent selection.

If we can get back to a market that is not 100% correlated, this is what happens, "The Sultans of Swing" -trading via Dire Straits:


Last call! Grab a drink, a girl, the remote, whatever works.

Had it on many times, but I was thinking of it. "Joey" by Concrete Blonde:


Have a good night.

Full Faith and Credit of Friday Night

First week back at work flew by. It does not even feel like a Friday to me. Let's see if I can fix that.

Market Observations
The market rally proved to be far more strong than I had thought it was going to be. I mentioned before that I missed my entries into some plays I wanted. Watched the whole week. As I have mentioned some things moved in new ways and old correlations left my view off center. Things could really be changing here, and the feel of the market was more like the 2010 run off the summer into the fall, just non stop upward motion. Will be worthwhile to monitor things early next week and be ready for anything.

Friday Night Entertainment
"Is this what they paid for? This is what they want!"- Jimmy Connors beating Krickstein at 1991 US Open

Poetry Corner
While I may seem like out of touch with the more artistic side of things, it's not so. I am a fan of all kinds of thing. One of my favorite poets was Edgar Arlington Robinson and his sad tale of a man who felt out of place in his own time is a classic. "Miniver Cheevy":
Miniver Cheevy, child of scorn,
Grew lean while he assailed the seasons;
He wept that he was ever born,
And he had reasons.


Miniver loved the days of old
When swords were bright and steeds were prancing;
The vision of a warrior bold
Would set him dancing.


Miniver sighed for what was not,
And dreamed, and rested from his labors;
He dreamed of Thebes and Camelot,
And Priam's neighbors.


Minever mourned the ripe renown
That made so many a name so fragrant;
He mourned Romance, now on the town,
And Art, a vagrant.


Minever loved the Medici,
Albeit he had never seen one;
He would have sinned incessantly
Could he have been one.


Miniver cursed the commonplace
And eyed a khaki suit with loathing;
He missed the mediæval grace
Of iron clothing.


Miniver scorned the gold he sought,
But sore annoyed was he without it;
Miniver thought, and thought, and thought,
And thought about it.


Miniver Cheevy, born too late,
Scratched his head and kept on thinking;
Miniver coughed, and called it fate,
And kept on drinking.

Picture Fun
It's worth a chuckle.

New Years kiss no matter what I guess:

see more After 12

I like McRibs but not this much:

see more epicfails

Film Clips
Some movie ideas for your selection.

I think Adam Sandler's finest film performance was in "Spanglish". I know, I am out of "ManTown" for that! I really believe it. The film itself is wonderful (though I don't enjoy getting hit on the head with PC stuff) and I submit the following scene as proof of the film's merit:


The great film "The Four Rooms" was punctuated by one of the most funny scenes I can remember. The Lighter bet scene:

Love it.

Rock Blogging
Musical melodies since 2007.

My friend BCLund was looking for The Damned song "Smash it Up" and I had never heard it before. I like it!:

Punk rocky, nice.

I was so very lucky to meet up with and become friends with Julian Hebron when I was in NYC last October. If you did not know, Julian is now on StockTwits (The Basis Point) and gives the best mortgage news out there. I would not have pegged him for a metal type, but he is and here is "Sleeping Giant" by Mastadon:

My favorite type of Friday night tip, great song and I had never heard it.

I love the Guns N' Roses song "Rocket Queen" and by the miracle of YouTube here is a great live version:


I am a sucker for Linda Ronstadt! Here is a nice show of "Blue Bayou":

Yeah, she's good.

The Interloper was looking for some Tom Waits so why not "Hold On":

Nice.

Ok, two songs left.

How about Huey Lewis and the News with "I Want a New Drug"?:

Nice.

Last call! Grab a drink, a girl or whatever you need.

Black Sabbath with "N.I.B":

Perfection.

Have a good night.

Friday Night Holiday Festival

It's almost Christmas!! Picked up a prime rib today for the Big Steel Keg smoker treatment on Sunday. Looks good, and there will be pictures.

My very best wishes for all the readers over the holiday and into the New Year. Great readers are what make me continue to work harder all the time. I appreciate it.

Market Observation
Not much to add. Still right where we were yesterday, only a little higher. No where near stopped out on the TZA position I have and will hold into next week.

The Megabucks Christmas
My last two Christmas tales were not meant to be sad. They were just memorable ones that I wrote about. How about a feel good story then?

One year when the Massachusetts Lottery came out with Megabucks, my parents won one of the smaller prizes! I think it was around $3000, which was monster money for our family. I believe it was 1985 but I get years mixed up sometimes. They won in November and I think they blew it all on Christmas presents. It was insane.

I got the biggest Transformer toy ever made, Omega Supreme:

And best of all, I got my first BMX bike, a Columbia Pro Am! I was able to find the exact bike with a picture search in Google:

I had a longer post in mind but no one can compete with Brian Lund's post from today The Greatest Gift I Have Ever Received so check that one out.

Friday Night Entertainment
Getting you ready for the big holiday weekend.

Fun with Pictures
Get you laughing.

Black Bart is in trouble now!:

see more epicfails

Scottish folded ear kitty!:

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Film Clips
Holiday edition!

A classic comedy film that is set around Christmas time is "Better Off Dead". Sorry for the poor quality but you have to see the face squeezing CHRISTMAS part at the end:


A new era holiday classic is "Elf" and here is a great scene:

"You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa", LOL

I never saw "It's a Wonderful Life" until high school and I think that was better because it meant all the more by then. Here is the Potter speech:

No equal. Nothing like that Stewart fellow.

Rock Blogging
Some tunes to send you on your way?

Got a request for "Call and Answer" by Barenaked Ladies and I am glad I did. Never heard it before and it's mighty fine:

Amazing tune, love it.

Twisted Sister and "Heavy Metal Christmas":

Ozzy tattoo! Nice!

This is great! Metallica's "Enter Sandman" to Christmas lights!:

Feeling a Pokemon seizure coming on.

On this holiday I would be wrong to not be in the mind of my dear friend, that I miss so much, Soleil. I miss you my friend and I miss all the help you gave me. Wish I could have helped you more. Florence and the Machine with a really nice acoustic version of "The Dog Days are Over":

Miss you.

Back in college a bunch of scientists formed a band. This tune rocks! I have zero music talent but I did help them set up. Who else had a T4 phage picture on the drumset? Man Bites Back and "Ghetto Starlight":


Last song! Grab a girl, a drink, or anything else!

My favorite by far Christmas song is Bob Seger's "Drummer Boy". Just so perfect:

Tear every time.

Have a good night.

Thursday May Have Disappeared, but Friday Never Does

Had a great day off and took care of a ton of things around the house. Got to watch a bit of market actions as well. Pro Tip: take a mental health day every now and then.

Missing Day in Markets
On Wednesday going into the two days of Euro news cycle the market was poised and ready to roll higher. Then Thursday happened, and things looked like a return to the bottom end of the trading channel. Today that's all over and gone, Thursday may well turn out to be a "just kidding!" kind of signal. I got stopped out of two small longs on Thursday. Looking over the markets today I entered into two small short positions because I think that things were a bit overdone. Full homework night Sunday night and I think a bunch of things look good to buy. Hence the small short for a bit of surprise protection. This market keeps one guessing.

Thursday May Have Disappeared, but Friday Never Does
A whole day may have gone missing, but the Friday Show never does.

Voyager 1 to Enter Interstellar Space
As if the space news could get any better, Voyager 1 is about to get free of the local environment where our Sun affects space, and into the open interstellar space. Some visual cues for what that means:

The space probe will be able to send limited data back until the year 2020.

Picture Pages
Some funnies for laughs.

I don't think this will end well in the snow:

see more epicfails

About right:

see more Very Demotivational

Film Clips
My friend Josh Brown, The Reformed broker, has been sick this week and it was a bit scary as he dropped off the map for a bit. Luckily Josh is doing ok, you can leave him a message on this post. One of the comments mentioned they were going to start a "save Ferris" movement and of course it put me in mind of that great film.

My favorite scene (of many) in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is the Abe Froman scene:

So classic.

I really like the new version of the film "Get Carter" and a great exchange happens at the 0:45 mark of this clip between Stallone and Rourke:


Rock Blogging
Melodies on free flow.

Reader Gawains was looking for some U2 and "Vertigo" from a Live 8 show in 2005 and this one is hot!:

Thanks!

I was in the mood for a little Bruce Springsteen and "Radio Nowhere" will do just fine:


How about "Rhythm of Love" from the Scorpions:

Who is that model in the video?

Arsenio Hall had some great shows when he was on. How about Anthrax doing "Only"?:


Ok two to go.

My Dad would always play this song last at night before going to bed. Kenny Rogers with "She Believes in Me":


Close the show with Robert Tepper's "No Easy Way Out" as it sums up the trading range:


Have a good night.

Getting Dizzy on a Friday

Friday at last! It has been a long week on many fronts. I need a break and maybe you do to. Finally saw the new roof tonight as I got home before dark, looks most excellent.

Thanks
In my last post (Late Night, and a Favor) in which I asked readers to check out my second iBankCoin Blogger Network submission (my two posts currently the two most viewed blogs on the network FWIW), I got a comment from a long time reader (4 year anniversary!) known as Watchtower. It's the kind of thing that really makes blogging worthwhile, and I am humbled by the kind words. Thank you, keep coming back!

Market Observations
It was an insane week. I am still digesting it all. I would say I am more constructive on the market here. I will get more specific over the weekend. Main take home point is that the meat of the big rally is intact and the doubt out there about is still large. This could still run higher than many think. Of course I write that and this weekend who knows what the headlines will be!

It would suck big time if Kevin Depew's latest article got lost in the shuffle of the week. I cannot tell you how important I think this post is so bookmark and spend a solid time reading it over this weekend:
Investing Is Back: What to Expect in 2012 and Beyond
Important things here.

Friday Night Entertainment
Fun can be free, right?

Wikipedia Plug
You all know I am a Wikipedia addict and will read over 100 articles a day if I get the chance. I have donated to the site for their fund drive and I would ask you give a few dollars to the single greatest resource on the web. I mean, where else can you learn all about Aerogel anyway?:

Nifty.

Fun with Images
In the words of Princess Leia, "Here they come!"

No worries ladies, I am drinking it up:

see more Very Demotivational

He ate a whole person?:

see more This is Photobomb

Film Clips
A few rental ideas.

With all the DEFCON furor this week, why not go with "Wargames" when DEFCON 1 came into play due to computer glitch:

Love that film.

I don't know what this movie is, but I think it's an early Jackie Chan film. Stumbled on it looking for vids tonight and this is hilarious:

WHAT????

Rock Blogging
Bringing the tunes since 2007.

Pink Floyd has always been an enigma to me. I like some of the songs a ton, other almost none. I do like "Wish You Were Here", no doubt about it and author Jennifer Hillier won the right to first song so here it is:


Who remembers Marcy Playground and "Sex and Candy" and whatever happened to them?:


My obsession with Nightwish continues! I have no idea what she is saying but this vocal performance by former lead vocal for the band Tarja Turunen (with Harus) of "Varpunen Jouluaamuna" is killing me as great tonight:

Angelic.

Ok, a little more randy? No problem. Why not Iron Maiden's ode to the R.A. Heinlein classic "Stranger in a Strange Land"? Live no less:

So great.

Two left.

I have not listened to a song by Florence and the Machine since a dear friend of mine died in September. I do love this song, "The Dog Days are Over" and live is the only way to go:

Yes.

Last call! Grab a girl, a drink, and whatever else you may need. Lighters up!

Sorry, but seemed most fitting to play a song by a band called Europe that had the vision to make a tune called "The Final Countdown":

Should have worked bond sales into that tune!

Have a good night.

Black Friday Night Entertainment

I hope you all dodged being hit with pepper spray across the country as you went Black Friday shopping. If you are not too tired from all the buying and not in jail, it's still a Friday night here at the blog!

Saw Twilight "Breaking Dawn part 1" today, it's no Oscar winner that's for sure.

Market Commentary
It's ugly. It's bad. That is all. More on Sunday.

Friday Night Entertainment
Let's see what I can find to interest you.

The Brinicle
Caught this over at Geekologie and it's well worth the time spent. When ultra salty melt water flows down into the ocean it is able to make an ice plume, a brinicle, all the way to the sea floor. The ice is fast developing and will kill anything that it traps in the process. Poor starfish:

Way beyond cool. Pun intended.

Fun with Images
It's easier this way.

Facebook beat down!:

see more epicfails

This pepper spray meme has gone too far now, it's everywhere:

see more epicfails

One more. Good beer:

see more After 12

Film Clips
Rental advice.

Wes Craven has made many films, most great but some turkey's. I can see where he wanted to go with "Deadly Friend", and it's worth a watch, but it's still a "so bad it's good" sort of flick. Here is the trailer:


One of my favorite lines: "But something tells me you're going to remember me this time" in "American Beauty":

New era classic.

Rock Blogging
Music for the masses.

Loyal reader Watchtower pinged me with a request for an 1980's tune that I have never heard. Try out Nik Kershaw and "Wouldn't It be Good":

Not bad.

I know I am going to inundate you with Nightwish's song "Sleeping Sun" but I think it one of the more beautiful songs I have ever heard. Via the wonders of YouTube here is a piano version of the song:

So pretty.

Some ideas from Twitter.

@seaside_elec was thinking something inspirational, like "Eye of the Tiger" from Survivor would help things turn around. You never know!:


From @TimWolfgang, try out Bright Eyes and "First Day of My Life":

Not bad at all.

From @29thHarvickfan, a little "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC but you know I going live at Donnington!:

Look at that crowd! That's why rock is the best. Hip hop lovers just want to be SEEN at a concert, would kill to be there. Real rock lovers will KILL to be there and don't care about being seen. Big difference.

Two left.

One of my top 10 songs, "The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel:


Last call! You should know what to do.

Closing the show with "You Can't Kill Rock and Roll" by Ozzy with Randy Rhoads. Finest guitar player I have ever heard:


Have a good night.

Full Moon Friday

Special thoughts go out to all those that serve every day. On Veteran's Day they deserve the respect of everyone. All my best to all those that have done, and currently do, difficult things every day for all of us. Come home soon.

Chasing or Dodging Rolling Boulders
I was very constructive on the market to start the week and opened up some positions on Tuesday while market was correcting down. Wednesday came and I got flushed out of all of them for losses. It was not the loss that bugs me, its the recency effect. We have seen reasonable flush outs turn into routs that can eat a position alive. Still gun shy I guess and with tight stops. The only stock I will be revisiting is TPC which I think is a real runner going forward. Seems one is always chasing a boulder uphill and then trying to dodge it when it reverses just as we get close.

In summary it can be like Jungle Hunt and trying to get up the hill:

Friday Night Entertainment
After another wild week we can all use a break. Well I can for sure.

Picture Pages
Because cheap laughs are priceless.

No plans for the weekend? Two words: Martini Night:

see more Historic LOL

This might work, just move the sign:

see more Very Demotivational
That is an instant classic.

Robot Takeover of Humanity will Start with a Good Idea
I have harped on the coming of the Robopocalypse for years. Recent news shows how it will start, with a seemingly good idea. Here you go:
Honda's new ASIMO robot can now pour you a drink all on its own
So this is great, the robot can pour you a beer, you get a bit tippy, and the uncanny valley is crossed that much easier! Next up for Asimo; the robot that can fix the brakes on your car. Yeah right, total set up.

The Ghost Ship Baychimo
I have a great fondness for lost ship tales and one of the better ones is of the Swedish steamer Baychimo Abandoned in 1931 after being trapped in pack ice near Barrow Alaska she was presumed sunk. From Wikipedia, a sample:

The Baychimo did not sink, however, and over the next several decades there were numerous sightings of the ship. People managed to board her several times, but each time they were either unequipped to salvage the ship or driven away again by bad weather. The last recorded sighting of the Baychimo was by a group of Inuit in 1969, 38 years after she was abandoned.

Great list of sightings as well. Enjoy.

Film Clips
Save NFLX by streaming or renting a d film why don't ya. And buy some GMCR while you are at it.

It's no secret I think Kevin Costner's "Wyatt Earp" far surpasses the poorly done equivalent film, "Tombstone". Seems I am in the minority, but after seeing this scene when Wyatt meets Doc Holliday (Dennis Quaid, one of best performances) you may change your mind. Skip to the 2:00 minute mark and enjoy (sorry for bad quality):


Scott Glenn has starred in two of my favorite unknown films, what are the odds on that? Anyways, special bonus tonight, two more picks that you should see then submit a review to me. I will publish them.

From 1983, "The Keep":


From 1982, "The Challenge":

Great scene after this fight keeps this movie in my mind.

Rock Blogging
The tunes have been coming since 2007. 4 years, really?

Leading off the night, as is tradition here since forever, is a birthday shout out to my friend @MarketPlunger:

By request of birthday boy, enjoy Bob Marley and "Burnin and Lootin":

Enjoy your birthday my friend.

Another Twitter friend is @CoderTrader. If you don't know him, you are missing out. Had a brake fiasco tonight, but after a killer week nailing the market a request is in full order. Tim McGraw and "My Next 30 Years":

All my best.

I have mentioned him before, but when reader G first stopped in in 2007 he was, well G. Shortly after this blog started he went for the Armed Forces and for some time I never heard from him. Now and again he pops in, but make no mistake; he was private G to start and now he is Lieutenant G! So proud of his efforts, and wish he would EMAIL me so we could talk (hint!). Anyways, his requests go right into the show so here is Crash Test Dummies and "Mmm Mmm Mmm":

So happy to see you back my friend.

Dinosaurtrader pinged me with this sick as all get out tune "The Hoodoo" and I submit this tune for full enjoy:

I like that one.

Two songs left, better grab a drink or a girl. Both would be just right.

From an 80's icon film, "Old Enough to Rock and Roll" via Rainey Haynes:

Gets me going.

Last tune.

I am a metal head in many forms of the word. Love the acoustic solo from Metallica's song "To Live is to Die" and so please check out this 3 guitar show, all acoustic of the solo section:

Not great but not bad.

Have a good night.