Mostly: Classical

[Sexton O Blake]

Thanks, as always FP for your helpful direction. And yes that was the bit and the what you should expect is a non-trending sloppy market at least 70% of the time is what I need to focus on.

Sadly, only a few months ago did I really start watching volume. I have read books in the past (Zweig, Lynch etc), but I am starting NOW to actually review my entire way of investing. Recent books have been on overall investment techniques, candlesticks, and technical analysis. I have started to watch Stochastics (s/b out 100% a day or two sooner than I was on RRI) and MA's plus the candlesticks. Touched on ADX and Bollinger, but I need to read much more on those in order for myself to "get it". And yes I may be somewhat in the "well the book says" mode - but at least my eyes are open for the first time - ever. Like yourself over the years, I have to see what works and what doesn't. Follow trends instead of emotion. Get out with a 5-10% loss than to sit with a much larger loss.

I somehow have this anxiety that I must get in - now is the time otherwise I will miss out on another opportunity. But there is no basis for my entry other than I know others have (CUX is perfect example). I am too late. There are thousands of stocks - not all have great entry points at this moment but there are many that do. I have, over the years, tended to buy stocks based on what I know others are doing - instead of doing my own leg work and trying to find out what is really out there. That has to change as well.

I just want to start trading smarter. Not to beat others but to improve myself. I decided a few years ago to ditch all mutual funds - for various reasons. My kid's RESP is self-directed at TD - and actually is one of the few accounts that is actually doing very well (even with the F*ING stupid Nortel buy in the $50's!). About 1/2 is in the royalty trusts - I have to think seriously about Acclaim - I have it mostly in the 10s/11s - serious profit there - and are they really worth $14 today? Should I dump and reload on really bad days? And if I do sell today and am wrong? SO WHAT - I MADE MONEY!!

I said "forget CPST" - I was prepared at 210-215 to exit. I failed myself. It sat within 2-210 for a week and then the rock went straight down. I added to CPST on the trend reversal - it was not convincing enough and I should not have added then. There is always a next time. Always.

PMZ - I had every chance known to make serious money and I flubbed it. That was pure and simple F*ING stupid trading. Not knowing how to get a RT quote on the road was just the icing on the cake. (the laughter)

I am not giving myself a chance to succeed. I am not thinking about each and every trade being important. Until I get a better handle if I get whipsawed out of a stock - forget it and move on - there are others - and to learn from that - by fine tuning my parameters - give myself a little more room. I am buying on the "hope" the stock might rebound, instead of waiting for it to actually turn around - and to see if there is a strong upward trend as you pointed out. I have started looking at charts more - and yes I do see where there are definite trends - and the confirmation or lack therein of strength. And yes I agree totally with the statement * buy into strength and sell weakness, "buying the dips" is not trend following. Absolutely!

You are doing that - and well. But I am NOT DOING THAT - and not doing that well.

I definitely am not saying that in the end I should have all winners and I am stupid ass to have losers. The game is played the way it is - there are losing positions and winning. A guy selling produce cannot possibly believe he will never have losses - he is selling perishables - losing is a big part of his business. Buying smarter and managing the losers - and fast - is what makes him successful. That is what I have to do.

To me - a $1000 investment losing 40% does not have the same impact as a $10000 investment losing 40%. But both are equal (% wise), and should be treated the same way. I tend to have too many "smaller" positions (not that small), and the impact is not there. As such, there is no focus. It is hard for me to play the pennies without being hit with a very quick and large loss - I just need to avoid that until I can start to think smarter. Definitely there are pennies with potential - I know that and have seen it with my own eyes - I just have to watch the exposure and hone my skills. Pick and choose wisely.

And as you probably noticed - I have no fear in telling it like it is. I make dumb mistakes (like paying too much for car insurance). I ask questions and want to know what others think. I haven't been beaten enough to hang my hat up. I will fight to the bitter end and will do well.

"Get in, get the money and get out."
"Get in, get the money and get out."
"Get in, get the money and get out."
(I rarely get out....)

Merci!
sOb

Yes, as I say I was lost and still am, but I feel so much better! I know now where I need to go...

Way way OT: My father got me interested in stocks when I was around 19/20 - but I wish I was shown more earlier in my life - as I will do with my two sons (not to say they are forced or anything [which they will be]; but to introduce). My son, Sexton Jr (6yr) has been in Tae Kwon Do for a year. The work involved to get him to class has been enough to wipe me out. I took him to tennis - only a few times and already he can hit the ball over the net in a way that totally amazed me - and he appears to truly enjoy it - he is so young that I don't think he understands the reason for Tae Kwon Do. He can see himself improving with tennis - makes a huge difference.

Today I was looking at my 2yr old - he is a fighter and built that way (been a problem actually as he tends to attack his older brother). Anyways, some of my fears are coming to fruition. His hat doesn't fit. Yet that is the same hat Sexton Jr wore - and to this day, Sexton Jr can fit into it. I joked that they would flip car seats (Sexton Jr back to his baby seat) But today I really fear the 2yr old will need different clothes than the 6yr old and that the 6yr old will fit into the 2yr old's clothes down the road. Crazy shit!

(tackler - that was good.. btw: Loved the first few seasons of All in the Family - they made Archie gentler as time went on and that took away a lot from the show (akin to Margaret on MASH). His role in Kelly's Heros, mind you, was bang on the money and priceless. That movie had so many stars. Yup, they don't make them like that anymore - I tell you what)