Mostly: Classical

[Sexton O Blake]

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Just a ho hum message to you all..

First I want to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2006!

Stock wise I have held back mostly on opening any further positions. I made money in CPST and so far doing quite well on AGI. Still own CKG and watching MR go up and down like a yo-yo! Earlier in the year did pretty good with PYR. Done amazingly well on my Acclaim; Progress; Viking trusts (thanks Kastelco!), not to mention the recurring revenue each month. Not a great year but could have been worse.

I have been more focused on completeting specific tasks along with better organization. Have moved forward on a number of investing inititives. Going at my own pace. Haven't been reading the boards too much as I need to stay focused on being focused. All in due time.

First we take School Council.. then we take Berlin...
I have been involved in our son's school for the past couple of years, and have attended the odd School Council meeting. This year I promised myself to make every meeting and so far so good. My ultimate goal is to join the board next year. Something went wrong this year with the Fundraising - missteps across every money making initiative. As such I have voiced some concern, which in turn raised my presence and perceived interest. As such, during the last meeting a new subcommittee on Fundraising was created of which I am a member. Further during the last meeting the head of the fundraising announced that she, after three years, no longer wants to head this position. Both her and the president, as they talked about grooming, specifically turned in my general direction. Gulp! There actually is another mother who is not part of the board but also wanted part in the subcommittee -- I am sort of hoping she wants to take on the role. Heading fundraising wasn't something that was on my radar - the thought of asking others for money is not part of my psyche - I am a saver and investor not a spender and loaner. At any rate, we shall see. You could throw out everything and conclude that I have a lot riding on my tires, and my youngest of 3 will be going to the school as well. The only piece that is troublesome is the make up of the school. This isn't your usual Gr JK-8 but rather Gr. JK-4. Some schools can do well with the older kids picking up the slack of the younger classes where as in our school - everyone matters. Tough row to ho... ho.. ho...

Technology & Retail
Congrats John - you were successful with a music player, I see. Was walking Wednesday in FutureSh*t, not only one employee hitting you each aisle, but in some aisles TWO. Might be wrong but I think this has been a poor Christmas so far, no matter what I have heard. My eyes tell me. I was also in one Thursday and saw more people, but still not as many as I would expect. Ny idea of a retail bonanza is counting the number of people in lines, not the number of bodies in the store nor cars in the lot.

At any rate, some good news. I bot 16x DVDs at FutureSh*t for $7.99 (25pk) - great price - works to $0.37/disc now. The DVDs were not recognized in my LG DVD Multiwrite (4163B). No matter what I tried, no go. Who to question? Well I emailed LG a couple of nights ago. The very next day, in the morning, a tech support emails me with a special "patch" for the 16x Memorex discs! Boom it worked. Now that is great service!! So far the LG has been a very reliable writer. Recommended!

Oxygen.. I need some oxygen (George of Seinfeld after Jerry says "I slept with Elaine last night." in The Deal)

I love the subtle jokes on TV dealing with some industries that just love to ding you with various fees - credit cards; cable; cell; and of course cars! A rather good example was in one of the later seasons of Seinfeld.. Jerry trying to get a deal on a car with Puddy - but Puddy and Elaine were involved in a spat..

The Dealership
..
PUDDY: (While punching up numbers on a calculator) That chick’s whacked. We’re history. (Back to the transaction) I just left out a couple of things: rust-proofing..
JERRY: "Rust-proofing"?
PUDDY: (Reading off what he’s adding up on the calculator) Transport charge, storage surcharge, additional overcharge, finder’s fee
JERRY: "Finder’s fee"? It was on the lot!
PUDDY: Yeah, that’s right. (Continues reading off) Floor mats, keys..
JERRY: ‘Keys"?!
PUDDY: How ya gonna start it?
..

LOL!

I happened to catch this Porky Pig & Daffy Duck cartoon. Episode is crudely done - from what I found - 1943! But it clearly shows how even then, everyone knew how bad the hotels were! I mean to charge for 2 days of sunshine........


Last, but certainly not least..

To all: Beware of June 6, 2006.
..
..
With the guards of Magog swarming around,
The Pied Piper takes his children underground.
The Dragon's coming out of the sea,
with the shimmering silver head of wisdom looking at me.
He brings down the fire from the skies,
You can tell he's doing well by the look in human eyes.
You'd better not compromise.
Babe, tt won't be easy.
666 is no longer alone,
He's getting out the marrow in your back bone.
And the seven trumpets blowing sweet rock & roll,
Gonna blow right down inside your soul.
Pythagoras with the looking glass reflects the full moon,
In blood, he's writing the lyrics of a brand new tune.
And it's hey babe, with your guardian eyes so blue,
Hey my baby, don't you know our love is true,
I've been so far from here,
Far from your loving arms.
Now I'm back again, and baby it's going to work out fine.
..
..
Supper's Ready; from Genesis album Foxtrot


In the voice of Dean Martin..
(whilst he drinks his J&B scotch and three tablespoons of soda)

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
but inside - HEY! I'm quite delightful...
And since we have no place to gooooo..
Expletive.. Expletive.. Expletive..


Cheers to All.. and to all a great Cheer! Here's to making serious coin in 2006!
Sexton O. Blake