December 2005

Condom Tower for Aids Day, December 1.

What, Me Worry?

As a matter of fact, I do, and way too much.  So consider the illustrations above to be inspirational.

December 1, 2005

I updated my list of stocks, and developed a FastBreak system that holds 30 stocks at a time.  I am making the transition to this system by taking the buys it gives, and this will take some time.  On the other hand, there is a lot of overlap between this system and what I was trading before, so things are progressing well.  I also bought a few of its holdings, like ESLR, that just looked good.

Nice day today - a good start to the month.  Let's hope this continues.

December 13, 2005

Market has been stalled - not much movement either way.  I have taken a few profits, and some small losses.  I sold a bank in Chile.  I think it went down because of the possibility of a Socialist government.  That would not be good, .or at least it would be perceived as not good.  Sudden declines in CUTR and TIE make me get out of those.  Also, sudden declines at the close for no apparent reason.  Perhaps people are just taking profits and losses for tax purposes.

All in all, a terrible day, particularly at the close.

December 18, 2005

From a California Idiot, unfortunately in a position of power:

(CNSNews.com) - An administrator at California State University, Sacramento has banned decorations pertaining to Christmas and the 4th of July, among other holidays, from her office because they represent "religious discrimination" and "ethnic insensitivity."...

The memo specifically names Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine's Day, the 4th of July, St. Patrick's Day and Easter as the most offensive holidays, but Sonntag adds that they are "off the top of the list," implying that there may be others.

Where do these people come from?  Do they just hate our culture?  We are at war, and she considers the 4th of July to be offensive.  

And how does she keep her job?

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - I hope this offends you, California Idiot

Read about last Christmas in Iraq

December 20, 2005

What a terrible market!  Suddenly nothing is working.  Is this all profit taking, or is something else happening?  I really have no idea.

These guys know how to celebrate Christmas - Philly Boys in the Santa Speedo Race.

December 26, 2005

Major sell-off today.  Very discouraging all around.  I think this is just year-end madness, but who knows?  The yield curve did invert for a while.  That caused some distress for sure.

December 29, 2005

Took profits in CIB today and took small positions in ALKS, NBIX, and CELG.  Good news on these small biotech stocks.  I may have overpaid, but if they pull back I can buy more.  Other than that, it is looking to be another crummy day.

December 31, 2005

Well, it has not been a good year.  My account is only up about 6.7% for the year.  Bad as that is, it is better than double all the major indices.  My wife, whose retirement account I manage, had a good year since she was in many foreign funds.  So I guess that balances out.

I intend to continue in the discipline of the 30-stock trading system, plus some ad hoc buys.

Next year will be different, but then it always is.