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.

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.

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.

Fade the Week Friday

I know I need a pick me up after this week. How about you?

Market Observations
Overall it was a week that was lacking in any real conviction. Most rally were tepid and also were faded for the most part. Between yesterday and today another credit agency downgrade parade made the rounds and things reversed in today's session violently.

That said, there are some pockets of promise. I am still long Amazon (AMZN) which has confirmed the hammer print on Friday. Yesterday I added a small position in Kinross Gold (KGC) (noted in 12631 trading room) which held up today as well. The best spin going forward I can think of is that just about all the downgrades are in. All the bad news has been hammered into the collective heads of everyone. Many have called it a day and moved on for the holidays. Perhaps this is the end of the "shocker" phase. Chart wise, single names are better looking that the indices but I would point out one small thing that may be nothing:

No move up since August has begun in such small steps. It has usually been monster jumps. Is this anything important? I am not sure, just noting the difference.

Anonymous
I don't want to spend much time on this. I judge content by the quality of the work and what I gain from it. I don't mind if I don't know a writers real name or what they look like. I have my own reasons for seeking to keep those things to myself. In any case, for the holiday season I will be using one of my favorite pictures of me as my new avatar on the blog and on Twitter. Long time readers have seen it before. The picture is of me fishing at the Quabbin Reservoir, and no it's still not a clear on shot!

Friday Night Entertainment
Some items to interest you and get the weekend off right.

Operation Plumbbob and Space Travel
(Note: Clearly any person of sound mind is against and aghast at the nuclear testing done by the United States in the 1950's-1960's and all the contamination it resulted in. It is still historical record and in that vein I discuss it here.)

Operation Plumbbob was a series of nuclear tests in 1957. One of the more exotic angles of the testing was using a nuclear detonation to shoot a 2000 pound metal plate out into space:

Before the test, experimental designer Dr. Brownlee had performed a highly approximate calculation that suggested that the nuclear explosion, combined with the specific design of the shaft, would accelerate the plate to six times escape velocity. The plate was never found, but Dr. Brownlee believes that the plate never left the atmosphere (it may even have been vaporized by compression heating of the atmosphere due to its high speed).

Ablation effects can be minimised using lubricants and the entire idea was incorporated into Project Orion, which in theory could travel interplanetary distances much faster than anything in existence today.

Picture Pages
Candy for the eyes.

Why I hate taking pictures in the Caribbean:

see more This is Photobomb

I have a fawn pug dog (Norman, he is 10 years old) and I knew of black pugs, but all white pugs? I had no idea:

Film Clips
Save Netflix and stream some videos!

Guilty pleasure, I love the film "Cannonball Run". It rocks, it's fun, I love it. Here is the final 13 minutes and there is too much fun stuff, cameo's, and comedy to recount:


I have featured this before, but with all the new viewers it's a must see. The Library scene from the Bradbury classic "Something Wicked this Way Comes". If you don't want to watch the whole thing, go to the 4:00 minute mark on:


Rock Blogging
Some tunes to start you on the right path for the weekend.

Loyal reader Watchtower (years!) was looking for some Judas Priest and "Hot Rockin" and I do so love metal:

Nice pick.

Twitter handle @CaseyLConley was working to be the 400th follower of mine and came away 1 away! Her song pick, "Open Book" by Cake:

I like that tune.

Number 400 was by @nascar_29er_fan and he was looking for Kid Rock's "Born Free":


I love metal, but I love plenty of country and bluegrass. A walking paradox. Anyway, please take a look at The Highwaymen with their signature song:

Just wonderful.

My man @bclund reminds me how cool "Live Wire" is by Motley Crue:

NICE!!

A little Alice Cooper? How about the newer hit "Poison"?:

Lips are venomous!

Last call! Grab a drink and a girl, or what ever else is nearby.

How about a little Hoobastank with "The Reason" to close the show?:


Have a good night.

F is for Friday and It's Good Enough for Me

Ended up being a very long week. I only work Monday and Tuesday next week so that will be a nice break. Everyone have Thanksgiving plans?

Caution is Advised
Last night I featured charts for silver and oil. Both confirmed today with another move down. The gravestone doji for USO is very pronounced. The air is coming out of the monster October rally.

This could be yet another in a long line of fake and bakes to strip market players of their money. It's a mess. As such even the crew at Fusion are taking some exposure off:
Ritholtz - Jettisoning QQQs and Small Cap Growth
Josh Brown explains it's not a run for the exits, but a bit of caution is here after the technicals have soured quite a bit:
Media: Lightening Up as Technicals Get Mushy

This makes sense. Unless you can be right in front of your trading station, this market is very tough to be in unless your time horizon is long and you are comfortable with your portfolio. My long term accounts are fine, no complaints (not killing it by any means trust me) but I am keeping way back in trading account. It's just that tough.

F is for Friday and It's Good Enough for Me
It's time to relax and have some fun going into the weekend.

Water, Liquid Water on Jupiter's Moon Europa
Now this is not exactly news, but the information coming in is getting very strong that liquid water is beneath the ices of the Jovian moon Europa:
New Evidence for Liquid Water on Europa
It has long been thought that water is THE key for life away from Earth. Of course this assumes all life will be like life here, but it's a strong argument. Very exciting news, lets get some more spacecraft up there and check it out!

Fun with Safe for Work Pictures
As fun as it can be I guess.

Umm, the sign is all the same word for the ESPN red letters:

see more This is Photobomb

Ripley!:

see more Very Demotivational

Film Clips
Save NFLX and get a movie!

Ok, so not a movie but The Highlander series episode "End of Innocence" is a complex and deep presentation. In this clip from the 1:30 mark on, there is a wonderful exchange between MacLeod and Haresh Clay. I love the part at 2:50 as Clay talks about his now dead friend of 900 years:


Speaking of Europa, I have had the next clip up before but it's fitting. In the sequel 2010: The Year We Make Contact this scene shows Dave Bowman coming back to warn about the coming Jupiter event that will cause a new sun to rise and give life to the moon.....Europa!! The words "I understand. Look behind you" are chilling. Sorry for poor audio:

Nice.

Rock Blogging
The most fun you can have with your clothes on since 2007.

Well it's Friday so lets lead of with The Cure and, well, "Friday I'm in Love":

I do love Fridays.

I am stealing this one from my friend Jake of EconomPic. Moody, tough song by AWOLNation, "Sail":

That's not bad at all.

EPIC FIND! By now all must know I think the song "Sleeping Sun" by Nightwish may be the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. It's hard to get into my head like this song has. I found a great guitar follow cover on YouTube you have to hear. Skip to 2:02 mark to end, this is just amazing:

I will roll that all night.

How about an old school clip of The Go-Go's and "We Got the Beat"?:


Ok, two left!

Always loved Metallica's cover of "Whiskey in the Jar":


Last song, grab a drink and call your baby!:

Close the show with "Still of the Night" by Whitesnake:


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.

Restored Utility Friday

It's much easier with cable and electricity fully restored. What a long week. Still a few pockets up here without power, but it should be fixed by tomorrow. Halloween has been set up for Sunday night now.

The Week Ahead
To be honest, I am tired at weeks end here and with Greek drama hitting the screens tonight I will wait until homework night Sunday to get in market mode. Should nothing too scary come out of Europe before Monday this is a market that can be traded. It's hanging around and no momentum to the downside is getting traction. Does not mean it's all a run up from here, but good ideas traded right should work out. More Sunday.

Friday Night Entertainment
After a long week I know I need some fun stuff.

The Dark Crystal Artwork
Long time readers now I think the Jim Henson film "The Dark Crystal" was a masterpiece. No CGI even! The great site iO9 posted up some great art stills of the characters and so here they are:

Very nice.

Fine Dining
Did you miss the cook BBQ master No Excuses BBQ made this week?:
The Return of the McSpam (sort of)

1963 ZR-1 Corvette
This car is so sick I am crazy about it. A 1963 split window Corvette, but all ZR-1 underneath:
1963 Chevrolet Corvette - Concealed Weapon

Picture Pages
The visuals are always best.

Very nice:

see more Very Demotivational

Still an issue after all this time?:

see more funny videos, and check out our Yo Dawg lols!

Films You Should See
Rental advice.

So you have not seen "The Wraith"? Well check out an all star cast in a cheesy flick:

Features a great Ozzy tune which I will feature below.

A new era classic is "Road to Perdition" and now all kinds of scenes are coming up on YouTube. Check this one out if you ever thought Tom Hanks could not be totally badass:

Should have won Oscar this film.

Rock Blogging
Some tunes to get you ready for the weekend.

Big thanks to Sal Arnuk of Themis Trading. On Twitter (@ThemisSal) today he posted words to a song I was trying to remember for a long time. Please check out Gordon Lightfoot and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald":

Wonderful song.

For the great blogger (and where is that mutual fund??) Trader Mark, I offer Prince and "When the Doves Cry":

"animals strike curious poses..."

From the film above, here is Ozzy with "Secret Loser":

So good.

From 1972, a very smooth John Denver performance of "Leaving on a Jet Plane":


Finally! A high quality version of Joan Jett doing "Cherry Bomb":

She was great!

Last call! Grab a lighter and a drink.

Closing the show with "The Flame" by Cheap Trick as to send you off mellow:


Have a good night.

Breaking Out on Friday

That was a long week! Hope you are all going to have some fun this weekend.

The Elusive 1230 S&P 500 Close
My post from Tuesday was a little early it seems, but I saw what I was looking for today. I don't want to go over everything, it's all in the Tuesday post. With the breakout here today I feel it is a very reasonable market to work quality set ups in. All this could change for various reasons, but this is about as good a spot as I have seen in 3 months. I will be doing plenty of work on Sunday night so check back then for market commentary. My number one pick is AVA.

Questions and Answers
Last night I opened things up for questions, and there were some good ones. I am sort of pressed for time and I want to spend time on all the questions so I will feature them all in a post tomorrow evening. Ask more if you like.

Friday Night Entertainment
Fun is well deserved tonight so put the charts and your worries away for a bit.

Famous Roles that Were Turned Down
Not every actor picks the best roles or films (see Adam Sandler or Jennifer Aniston). Here are some great ones from Glamorati:

Molly Ringwald: Vivian in Pretty Woman
Mel Gibson: Maximus in Gladiator
Keanu Reeves: Lead role in Platoon
Richard Grieco: Lead role in Speed
Will Smith: Neo in The Matrix (dumb ass!)
Julia Roberts: Lead in Basic Instinct (thank heavens, she is gross)
Tom Cruise: Lead in Donnie Brasco (No freaking way that would have worked)
John Travolta: Forrest Gump (NO WAY!)
Tom Hanks: Turned down the role of Ray Kinsella in Field of Dreams, Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption and the lead role in Jerry Maguire (who needs more Oscars?)

There are way more but that should get you started.

Visual Effects
Some things to see.

Eye Strain:

see more Very Demotivational

After years of marriage:

see more Historic LOL

Film Clips
So you know what to rent.

I am a big Billy Crystal fan and one of his best roles was in "Running Scared" with Gregory Hines. So see it already!:

"We're from Noise Busters, do you know where the Menudo concert is?" AWESOME!

Fitting for our current situation is the well known clip from the film "Network". The 'Mad as Hell' resonated then, and it still does. I will have more to say about the Occupy Wall Street movement this weekend but I can lead off with this clip:

Indeud.

Rock Blogging
Music is still free, and so I spread it around.

Jennifer Hillier pointed out a great live clip for Our Lady Peace and the song "Innocent". Nice:


My friend Gtotoy was looking for Jah Shaka meets Sly & Robbie with "Jail House Dub". It's funky, I can dig it:


Another lady's night pick, poet AMPoesy was looking for Amy Winehouse and "Back to Black" and it's a good one:

Sad story that one.

The Sovereign Bohemian was looking for "Driving Wheel" by Foghat and I know and like that tune:


A new friend (and I appreciate all the help in NYC!) is J. Hebron who runs the ultimate inside real estate and mortgage site The Basis Point and it is Rocktober over there! My contribution is not as much heavy metal, but the best KISS performance I have ever seen. Live version of "I Was Made for Loving You Baby":

Great stuff.

Only two left.

Always loved the Skid Row song "18 and Life" so go back in time:


Last tune.

Need some Rage Against the Machine, and a live FACE RIPPER of "Bullet in the Head" is the right fit:

YES!

Have a good night.

Blow Off Top Friday

You may have noticed but it was a very busy week for me!

I wanted to thank everyone again for the great show at The Big Picture Conference. It was a special trip for me. This morning Barry Ritholtz himself linked to my NYC Trip review and that was cool as all get out.

I will have more to say on things market wise on Sunday. I am the "it's Friday so let it go" type. I will say the move today was very easy to see coming (I tweeted at mid day would be a huge finish to upside) and it's the psychology out there now that is making me nervous. Elation abounds as of tonight and many are sure it's all a big rebound from here. Maybe so, but the discipline that got folks hurt last big move down may be as easily hurt should markets again go for a ride down.

Blow Off Top Friday
Because we all work hard enough all week, a little fun is in order.

Long time readers know I have a Wikipedia addiction. While I knew of such things, last night I was mesmerized by the fact that years ago monster sized Ground Sloths roamed the Americas. How big? Check it:

The earliest megatheriid in North America was Eremotherium eomigrans which arrived 2.2 million years ago, after crossing the recently formed Panamanian land bridge. With more than five tons in weight, 6 meters in length, and able to reach as high as 17 feet (5.2 m), it was taller than an African Bush Elephant bull. Unlike relatives, this species retained a plesiomorphic extra claw. While other species of Eremotherium had four fingers with only two or three claws, E. eomigrans had five fingers, four of them with claws up to nearly a foot long.

Here is a model:

WOW!

Visual Cues

Because you have probably read enough this week.

Starbucks lands in China (NOTE: Reader anon MS knows this location is in Palestine. I had assumed China, sorry!):

see more Very Demotivational
At least the Apple stores in China are real....

The timer function for pictures can have issues at times:

see more This is Photobomb

Film Clips
Movie ideas for the masses.

Ok, this is not a movie but I wish George Lucas would just let the game developers run with a full length feature film! This is another trailer for the new game The Old Republic and it's smoking hot:

Love it.

You have not seen the classic film "Class"? Well maybe you should:

Make sure you check out all the big actors in the cast!

Rock Blogging
You want tunes and I provide them, free of charge.

I have a special send out tonight. Long time reader (I mean YEARS) Watchtower will be celebrating his birthday in a few days. Tradition states he leads off Friday night. Watchtower's wife has her birthday a few days after, so what does he do? He dedicates his pick and shout out to his dear wife! She must be a special woman.

For both of you:

And for Mrs. Watchtower from her husband, please enjoy "The Ghost in the Machine" covered by Duncan Sheik:

Happy birthday folks.

Fellow music lover (and a hell of a market operator) Gtotoy has not been feeling well for a bit with a bad cold. Hope a little "Madhouse" by Anthrax can help you along:

Get better!

Phil Pearlman was a huge fan of The Guess Who and thus I offer up a vintage "American Woman" performance in his honor:

Thanks Phil!

Reader Gawains requested Tesla's cover of "Signs" and that works:

But do they have a sports coat? BTW, I did not return mine, I like it!

The Sovereign Bohemian was looking for a little Steppenwolf with "Magic Carpet Ride" so take a ride!:

Good pick.

Ok, two songs left! What will it be?

How about Iron Maiden's classic "22 Acacia Avenue" for all the working ladies!:

Bruce Dickinson rules. End of story.

Last song! Grab a girl and a drink!

Need me some Concrete Blonde and the wonderful song "Joey":

Very nice.

Have a good night.

Take a Break on Friday Night

I was able to find a dentist that could see my right away today. They re-cemented my crown and it feels fine. That was so annoying.

I may post something tomorrow night, but then I will be off until Wednesday as I trek to New York City for The Big Picture Conference.

Take a Break on Friday Night
Another wild ride today for markets. Up big, down big, it's all over the place. I am hopeful next week while I am busy some clarity will come. Earnings start in earnest next week, you know what to be looking for.

Ok, Of to the show!

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

Hugh Ferriss - Charcoal Art
Stumbled upon some amazing work by Hugh Ferriss, whose works influenced the idea for the city of Gotham in the Batman series. Love the work, here are two examples:

Much more at this expansive link:
Hugh Ferriss: Delineator of Gotham

Fun with Photos
Let's see what we can see.

Serves him right for wearing that T-shirt:

see more Very Demotivational

Yes ladies, even across time and space and through a TV men can stare at boobs:

see more This is Photobomb

Film Clips
What to see on movie night.

I love Tom Hanks and Leonardo in "Catch Me if You Can" and I highly recommend a watch:


"The Mask of Zorro" was very well done. Here at the start of the clip, a new Zorro is given the mask:

Nice.

Rock Blogging
Musical chairs without the nasty competition since 2007.

One of the great things about being a blogger and having a solid reader base is that you get to see people go through life, just like you do. Luckily I have many long time readers and one great one is known simply as G. Back in 2007 (I think) G started reading and commenting as a young man very concerned about how things where going in the economic world. Later on, G joined the military and I was sad to not hear from him for a long time. He popped back up at "private G" and said he was doing well. As of late it is now Lieutenant G, and he is off to airborne special ops soon! Can you believe that! All my best G, and thanks. G asked for Skynet Symphonic (Terminator 2 Remix), so here it is:

Be safe my friend.

Author Jennifer Hillier requested some old school Adam Ant and "Goody Two Shoes":

No drinks even, Jennifer? Come on! You must do something bad!

Reader Gawains was looking for Slade and "Mama Weer all Crazee Now" and I did not know they did this song first (Thinking Quiet Riot):

Nifty.

"Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann was the pick from Sovereign Bohemian and features one of the most mixed up lines ever in music (its not wrapped up like a, well, Google it):


Ozzy's "Waiting for Darkness" is a tune I have always loved:


Ok, two songs left!

The Dan Band doing Bonnie Tyler's immortal "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and yes it's full of bad words:

Thanks go to the movie "Old School".

Last call! Grab a girl or the closest drink:

Ok, I stole this from The Reformed Broker! But what is better than elementary school ,kids doing a live "Enter Sandman"?:

That little girl plays a mean axe!

Have a good night.

Welcome to October Friday

I was away all day attending to some things. Everyone ready for the weekend?

Welcome to October Friday
It was another bad day in the markets to close the quarter. At this point I think getting a handle on how badly China is slowing is key, along with how bad the slow down in the US will be. The ECRI is now saying the US has entered recession ,and last summer they said we would not even though it looked for all the world like we would. Not a good item of information.

At this point I am content to keep making lists of things I want to buy, and I keep screening looking for some sign of a real bottom. Still not happening. I will be attending The Big Picture Conference on October 11th and maybe after that it there will be a clearer picture going forward. First trip to NYC! Cannot wait.

Friday Night Entertainment
Let's kick the bad month of September to the curb and welcome in October!

Robot Revolution, Will it Start Here?
We are far past where robot intelligence has gained escape velocity. Now the company Boston Dynamics has moved ahead with their powerful new robot, Alpha Dog, which may be the basis for the robot army (via Geekologie):
AlphaDog, BigDog's New & Improved Older Brother: Running For The Hills Won't Save You
Clip here:

It's coming. For us all.

Fun with Pictures
Get a smile on your faces.

Farmville is a problem?:

see more After 12

Feeling left out I guess:

see more This is Photobomb

Film Clips
Some things worth seeing.

Not a film, but I was in the mood for the final battle between Duncan MacLeod and his nemesis Kalas atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Skip to 38:00 mark on:

So cool.

The cult classic film "The Warriors" show what happens when you think you are scoring with girls, but they just want to shoot you:

And they are not even married (KIDDING!!!)

Rock Blogging
Ok, some tunes to get the weekend going.

I was discussing this tune last night on Twitter. Try out Anthrax with the very good "Black Lodge":


Ok, only Ozzy/Randy tune I will play is the melodic and soulful "Goodbye to Romance":

Nice.

Always have loved this tune! Lenny Kravitz and "Are you Gonna go my Way":


For Jake of EconomPic, here is "Africa" by Toto:


Ok class, two songs to go then I am out.

Nice YouTube find! For all the gold and silver lovers out there, here is Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles playing "Silver Threads and Golden Needles":

So awesome!

Last call, grab a girl, a drink and whatever else may be of use (a feather? Spatula?)

Closing the show with a little Doo-Wop if you like that. You may know this one from a classic film. Thurston Harris and Little Bitty Pretty One:

Love it.

Have a good night.

Friday Night Pick Up

4 day weeks are always the longest it seems.

Market Observations
After a reasonable rally, markets tanked again today. Just an impossible situation to trade unless you can sit in the turret all day and work it. Still not a healthy market for swing trade set ups (days to a week or two) and many people are very frustrated. It's understandable.

Looking forward I felt that the weak forward guidance given by both McDonalds (MCD, I own shares in long term account) and athletic wear maker Lululemon (LULU) are signalling weakness in consumption among all groups; the lower end and the higher end. Earnings numbers next time may not be as great as expected and that is going to be an issue. If the market does not crash first of course.

Friday Night Entertainment
A little break is needed I think. Seeing many of my blogging/trading friends a bit on edge and a little levity goes a long way.

Book Excerpt
As you know I am reading Daniel Wilson's "Robopocalypse". Just go get this book right now. NOW! I will share a part that is still hitting me even now a day after I read it.

Setup; machines have become self aware and have evolved intelligence at a high level. A little girl's electronic doll has been awakened and calls the girl by her name! Freaky? Yes. Then comes this exchange:
"How come you know my name? You aren't supposed to know my name, Buttercup."
"I know lots of things Mathilda. I have gazed through space telescopes into the heart of the galaxy. I have seen a dawn of four hundred billion suns. It all means nothing without life. You and I are special, Mathilda. We are alive."
Plenty more in the book.

Funny Visuals
Chuckles all around.

Free Hugs!:

see more Very Demotivational

Zombie Coming Up?:

see more This is Photobomb

Rock Blogging
Providing the tunes since 2007 and free to all!

My friend, The Sovereign Bohemian, had his birthday this week! Happy birthday! By request here is Jimmy Buffet and "Havana Daydreaming":


Master document forger Gawains (kidding!) wanted Alice Cooper and "Welcome to my Nightmare" and I do love Alice:

Nice.

Robert Sinn pointed out this new tune and I like it. Try out "Nothing" by The Script:

Very nice.

For my good friends in the iBankCoin 12631 Pelican Room may I present Toby Keith and "Made in America":


Ride away with Great White and "Save Your Love":

Huge tune.

Ok, two songs left! What will it be?

Fitting, Styx with "Mr. Roboto":

Automation.

Last call! Grab a girl and a drink and get set.

Close the show with "Stroker Ace" by The Charley Daniels Band:


Have a good night.

Churning Lots of Butter Friday

Just think, people that don't care or follow markets probably had a boring week.

It was heavy dose of churn the later part of the week. Not much is clear from today's action. I figured this might be a chopfest for a while. You just never know. With so much said all week I can leave it to the better writers out there to pontificate what will happen. I think it's time to move on to the weekend.

Friday Night Entertainment
Stuff you just won't find at other economic sites. I am cool like that.

Department of Annoyed
Hollywood is pissing me off. I am getting aggravated something fierce. First it was stupid remakes of legendary films (Red Dawn, Conan the Barbarian), but now they have gone TOO FAR!!!

Headline from iO9:
World War Z movie synopsis is nothing like the book, internet melts down
Travesty what is happening.

The World War Z novel is one of the best books I have ever read. If you think it is a zombie book only, you have no idea the portrait of the best (and worst) in humanity the novel weaves. A classic. So what does the movie business do? Make another stupid zombie movie out of it. From the article:
"The story revolves around United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Pitt), who traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself."
No thanks. Write your congress member today and get this blocked. Carry on.

Captured Critters
The deer are still coming at night to clean out the birdfeeder! Check out this guy with a nice rack of antlers (click any pic for larger view; all pics from my motion camera):

Two female deer caught in the act:

They eat a lot of birdseed.

Visuals
Good finds from the Web.

Tell Charlie Daniels:

see more Historic LOL

Thinking about changing my avatar. Which one do you all like best?

Darth Bane:

My old one with Darth Vader:

Darth Malgus:

Let me know!

Film Clips
Movies you may or may not have seen.

In one of the more disturbing, hilarious, wildy uncomfortable scenes in cinema history, we learn way more than we need to in the film "Clerks". ***WARNING***: Not suitable for all viewers, raunchy stuff here so you have been warned:

OMG!! "Hey you, get back here!"

In the film "Rock Star" Mark Wahlberg gets an audition for a famous metal band and he makes it count. Skip to the 3:55 mark:

Very good.

Rock Blogging
Bringing the tunes since 2007.

Reader Watchtower pinged me with a GREAT find! Please enjoy Stevie and Lori Nicks performing "Nightbird" live:

Wonderful picks, thanks man.

Everyone is AC/DC crazy as of late! Reader Gawains had a whole list, let's try "Night Prowler" which is a touch of the blues:

Like that one.

Ok, this one is a mix of music/film. "Lunatic Fringe" by the Canadian band (side by each?) Red Rider was perfectly matched into the film "Vision Quest":

Now I want to box someone! I miss jumping the rope like that.

I am trying to get some Twitter song picks but as of writing no dice. What can you do, right?

I found an acoustic cover for one of my favorite tunes. Please take a listen to this stellar show of "Tears of the Dragon":

So amazing, I have no words. Wow.

Ok two songs left.

Had it on before, will have it on again. Best Van Halen song ever, "Atomic Punk":

Kick ass.

Last song!

Real talent? Forget those crappy TV shows, here is some. Evanescence on Letterman with "My Immortal":

Unreal. So pretty.

Have a good night.