Getting it together

I’m working on some mind exercises to get myself mentally prepared to do some trading.  I’ver been running three computers doing some tick by tick number crunching.  I’m trying to figure out what the hell is going on in these markets.  I used to be confused about equities, now I’m confused about the entire market.  I hope I get one of those light bulbs that go off in my head and I can shout from the street, “Eureka.”

Earlier today, I grabbed a chair, my fishing pole, and some frozen shrimp, and set up on the beach.  I was fishing for three or four  hours and only managed to catch a small grunt.  That didn’t matter, as I got to listen to some good music on my i-Pod, and caught up on some reading.  My reading has suffered as of late.  Normally, I have 4-5 books that I’m reading at the same time.  The past three weeks, I haven’t read a single book, which is some kind of world record for me.  I’m planningf on revisiting Cervantes as soon as I can dig him out of one of the million boxes of books we have.  I think I can relate to Cervantes.

Jeff

Return

I’ve decided to start trading again soon.  My life needs direction, and I need to stop bobbling around like a cork on the ocean.  My plan is to limit my size of trades, setting a 5 contract default on futures, options, and a small default on stocks.  If a position goes my way, I’ll add to it, but plan on being very careful.  I won’t hang around with losers, like I never do.  My head has been brimming with ideas, but fear and indecisiveness have rendered me useless since my lovely wife’s death.  I think it’s time to step up to the plate and do my job.

That gallery in New York made me a counter offer on that painting….we’re getting closer.

The waves were pretty good today, and I also found a new BBQ joint in Sarasota that is excellent. Their sliced pork, wet, was superb.  The roasted ears of corn were very good, and the cole slaw was the best I’ve ever tasted.  They added a pinch of celery seed to the slaw which made a remarkable combination. Portions were huge, and this was one of the best apres-surf meals I ever have eaten.

Jeff

Another Gem from our collection

I haven’t posted any pictures from our collection as of late, so here’s one of a Rembrandt etching done by his own hand.  We don’t have this etching at our house, having allowed my sister to display it in a long term loan arrangement.  She also has a couple of other small pieces that I loaned her to make her house beautiful.

After all she’s done for us, it wouldn’t matter if she kept it forever.

Jeff

Odd sensation

I just got back from running some errands and when I got home, thought Denise was in the house.  For a split second, I half expected to find her at her drawing board, working on something nice.  It was a punch in the stomach when I realized that I’ll never see her again in this life.

 On another note, I’ve been watching the Obama interview on CNBC about what he’d do about the economy if he was president.  I had earlier said that I could stomach him if he were elected.  Watching his interview with Maria B, made me realize how dangerous this guy is to the business class and America.  He wants to increase the Capital gains tax, cancel the Bush tax cuts, renegoiate NAFTA, and interfere with the mortgage market.  He wants to meddle in the banking industry. This is all from a guy who’s never had a job in the private sector.  I would find him unacceptable as a president based on this interview.  

Here’s a link to a transcript of the interview:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/23832520

 Case in point, he wants to have a floor on the declines of the real estate market.  I don’t think that there should be a floor on anything, as the free markets should be allowed to do their job.  One always will find more prosperity with free markets in the long run.  The stock market has been a free market and has had a pronounced upward drift of ~9%/year for the last century.  He also says that we’re in a recession…..current data just released today says we had positive growth in GDP for the past quarter and it takes two consecutive quarters of negative GDP to constitute a recession. 

Big Auction

Sotheby’s has a huge auction on April 8th.  Check out this link, as the prices are really soft.  I’ve got an eye on about 10 of the pieces, three of them drawings by Matisse.  I already have a couple of his drawings, but one can never have enough Matisse.  I noticed a few bargains by Durer, and might bid on one of those.  There’s a couple of works I’m not going to talk about, but I’ll be bidding on those also.

Here’s the link.

http://browse.sothebys.com/?c_date=Session%201+|+1+Apr+08%2C+10%3A00+AM<br>Session%202+|+1+Apr+08%2C+11%3A00+AM<br>Session%203+|+1+Apr+08%2C+2%3A30+PM<br>&c_image=http://www.sothebys.com/media/live/pub/2008/MAR/p37754_thumb.jpg&c_location=London,%20New%20Bond%20Street&c_name=Old+Master%2C+Modern+and+Contemporary+Prints%2C+including+Henri+Matisse%3A+Master+Printmaker%2C+Works+from+a+Private+European+Collection+and+Andy+Warhol+%26+The+Pop+Generation&cat=1&event_id=28559&g=1&i=1&sale_id=L08160&nb=1&dp=Prints+-+Old+Master%2C+19thC+and+Modern

I’m still haggling over the piece at the gallery in New York,  and we have a ways to go.

I’m wondering what I will do with my collection when  I move….I might end up storing it over at Ringling Museum util I decide what I’m going to do with the rest of my life.

Jeff

Shuttle

I just heard a loud noise that shook the house.  My neighbor told me that the shuttle was landing, and that noise was the sonic boom.  The boom was so strong, it made my front screen door rattle.

 I’m seriously negotiating on a nice impressionist work.  I refuse to pay retail, and we have some room to cover before I get my way.  The art market is softening somewhat, and the margin calls are causing some fine works to come to market.  Meanwhile, those with cash are in a good position to get what they want.  I think that this painting will end up coming to me.

I’ve been doing a lot of busy work to keep my mind off my lovely wife.  I’ve been doing a lot of house cleaning, and in fact have been acting rather obsessively as of late.  For some reason, I’ve been talking to her a lot (I don’t think I’m going crazy….maybe just a little).  The booze holds no allure, but I had to get a prescription for Ambien so I can sleep as insomnia has plagued me for the past couple of weeks.  My son has been calling me about 15 times a day, and that worries me a little.  I’m going to contact the college to give them the skinny on his situation, and request that they keep an eye on him.  For the tuition and costs that I pay, they better keep a good eye on him.

 I had an interesting time when I went to the grocery store.  Within my 20 minutes there, I saw Stephen King, Donna Summer, and Jerry Springer…all who have houses in the neighborhood.  We get used to seeing famous people around here, and it’s no big deal.  I was more excited when I saw Gaylord and Jim Perry at Pelican Alley last year.  Those boys know how to have a good time.

My neighbor came over to check on me earlier today.  He accidently bumped against a table of mine and made one of my laptops crash down on the floor.  He was really freaked out, and I told him that it was no big deal.  I only use Panasonic Toughbooks (the commercial kind), and they can really take a beating.  I showed him that the Toughbook booted right up, and not to worry.  Now, he wants to get one.  They’re a bit pricey, but well worth it.

I have no inclination to put on any trades.  In fact, I’m pretty shy about managing money in any way or form.  I had to rollover a CD yesterday, and it took all morning to decide what to do, and where I wanted to put it. 

The legal hassles of death are really something.  My lawyer’s handling all of the details, but there’s things like deeds, accounts, and trusts that all need to be redone and refiled.  Add estate issues and insurance, and there’s some major headaches coming up.  My lovely wife owned a farm, a section actually, that she rented out for the past 29 years.  She inherited it from her grandfather, and now I have to deal with the hassle of what to do with it.  She wanted it kept in the family, so I guess my son will become a landowner real soon.  However, it’s in another state, so I have to file all kinds of shit there to transfer ownership.  My advice to anyone is…..don’t die soon.  I never imagined that there would be this many headaches, compounded with grief, sorrow, and general panic.

I might take tomorrow off and go surfing. My soul needs cleansing.

Jeff 

Waves

This is the type of perfection that was out my back door all day today.  There was a nice cold front that kicked up some waves, and I had nothing better to do than hit it.  I surfed for about six hours, battling a nasty 3 knot side current.  I ended up paddling for hours and hours just to stay in position.  Needless to say, the waves were tasty.  Surfing is so theraputic, and actually made me smile a little for the first time in a long time. A couple  of my buddies were out, and we had fun.  They all were very nice, and gave me all the waves I wanted with no interference or snaking.  My best ride was a head high right that jacked up over a sandbar, and I took off late with only two strokes.  I dropped in deep, threw a big rooster tail of spray, and set a high line for speed down the wave.  I held perfect trim, and just let the glide carry me across space and time.  I fantasized that Denise was on shore taking pictures, and I was showing off for her.  That made me really surf hard, and I felt at the top of my game.

I think I’m going to work on some serious mental exercises to get my mind back into shape for trading.  I’ve missed the markets, and need to take some baby steps to get back into trading.  Right now, I have a couple of ideas of direction, but lack the mental stamina to put on any trade.  My mental stamina is so low, I don’t think I could handle even one position consisting of one contract.  Maybe in a few weeks, but not now.

I contacted the galllery about that painting, and the person I wanted to talk to was out for the morning.  He called me back later and left a voicemail, but I haven’t answered him as of yet.  I’[ll get back to them tomorrow.

I’ve talked to John a lot since he’s been back to school.  He’s been calling me a lot….before, he rarely called.  I love that boy.  He has quite a load of course work, all in Latin and Greek, with a few electives.  He has put his idea of trading on hold,which is a good thing.  I don’t think that he is ready to accept any risk after he lost his mom,my lovely wife.

Art cures the blues

When some people are depressed, they use compulsive shopping as a device to somehow reduce their depression whether they can afford it or not.  When I’m depressed, I gaze at my art collection, listen to some good classical music, and ponder my predicament.  For my cure, I’ve decided that there’s a specific painting that I want to buy through a gallery in New York.  It’s an impressionist by a well known painter, absolutely beautiful, and horribly expensive.  I think I’ll sleep on it, then contact my friends at the gallery tomorrow and make an offer….stay tuned.

I’ve sorely needed a good laugh

My son found the following, and we both laughed until we cried.  We’ve needed a good laugh, and sure got one.

Religions of the World

Taoism: Shit happens.

 Confucianism: Confucius say, “Shit happens.”

 Buddhism: If shit happens, it isn’t really shit. Zen Buddhism: Shit is, and is not.

 Zen Buddhism #2: What is the sound of shit happening?

 Hinduism: This shit has happened before.

Islam: If shit happens, it is the will of Allah.

Islam #2: If shit happens, kill the person responsible.

Islam #3: If shit happens, blame Israel.

 Catholicism: If shit happens, you deserve it.

Protestantism: Let shit happen to someone else.

Presbyterian: This shit was bound to happen.

 Episcopalian: It’s not so bad if shit happens, as long as you serve the right wine with it.

Methodist: It’s not so bad if shit happens, as long as you serve grape juice with it.

 Congregationalist: Shit that happens to one person is just as good as shit that happens to another.

 Unitarian: Shit that happens to one person is just as bad as shit that happens to another.

Lutheran: If shit happens, don’t talk about it.

Fundamentalism: If shit happens, you will go to hell, unless you are born again. (Amen!)

Fundamentalism #2: If shit happens to a televangelist, it’s okay.

Fundamentalism #3: Shit must be born again.

Judaism: Why does this shit always happen to us?

Calvinism: Shit happens because you don’t work.

Seventh Day Adventism: No shit shall happen on Saturday.

Creationism: God made all shit.

Secular Humanism: Shit evolves.

Christian Science: When shit happens, don’t call a doctor - pray!

 Christian Science #2: Shit happening is all in your mind.

Unitarianism: Come let us reason together about this shit.

Quakers: Let us not fight over this shit.

Utopianism: This shit does not stink.

Darwinism: This shit was once food.

Capitalism: That’s MY shit.

Communism: It’s everybody’s shit.

Feminism: Men are shit.

Chauvinism: We may be shit, but you can’t live without us…

Commercialism: Let’s package this shit.

Impressionism: From a distance, shit looks like a garden.

Idolism: Let’s bronze this shit.

Existentialism: Shit doesn’t happen; shit IS.

Existentialism #2: What is shit, anyway?

Stoicism: This shit is good for me.

Hedonism: There is nothing like a good shit happening!

Mormonism: God sent us this shit.

Mormonism #2: This shit is going to happen again.

Wiccan: An it harm none, let shit happen.

Scientology: If shit happens, see “Dianetics”, p.157.

Jehovah’s Witnesses: >Knock<>Knock< Shit happens.

Jehovah’s Witnesses #2: May we have a moment of your time to show you some of our shit?

 Jehovah’s Witnesses #3: Shit has been prophesied and is imminent; only the righteous shall survive its happening.

Moonies: Only really happy shit happens.

Hare Krishna: Shit happens, rama rama.

Rastafarianism: Let’s smoke this shit!

Zoroastrianism: Shit happens half on the time.

Church of SubGenius: BoB shits.

Practical: Deal with shit one day at a time.

Agnostic: Shit might have happened; then again, maybe not.

Agnostic #2: Did someone shit?

Agnostic #3: What is this shit?

Satanism: SNEPPAH TIHS.

Atheism: What shit?

Atheism #2: I can’t believe this shit!

Nihilism: No shit.

And of course we must add…Alcoholics Anonymous: Shit happens-one day at a time!

I don’t know the origins of this funny post, and sadly cannot give due credit to the authors. 

Not the best day

Today wasn’t what one would refer to as one of my “good days.”  I spent most of the day in a melancholy funk.  We tried surfing this morning, but it didn’t do any good.  The waves were small, but decent.  We both got bitten by jellyfish, John getting bit in six different places.  We went home after the morning surf, and listened to a lot of Mozart.  John did some Greek translations, and I watched the market all afternoon.  I didn’t do any trading, nor will I do any trading for awhile.  Watching the market seems to soothe me, and takes my mind off of Denise.  John and I have been staying up talking and crying, late into the night.  Sleep is the enemy in our house, and John has been worried about losing me.  Of course, we’ve been drinking a bit too much, especially for a  light drinker like myself.  John has shown an Ivy League penchant for strong drink, which has surprised me.  However, I remember my old college days when I used to drink a beer at breakfast….

I just wonder if this is all a bad dream, and I will wake up next to Denise and just shake it off.

Jeff