Field Research

So this weekend I decided to check out two products of two very hot stocks that we've been discussing online . I've never traded CMG nor had I ever been in one of their eateries but happened to pass one right here in Boca yesterday. A quick U-turn (it was almost lunchtime anyway) and I was in front of my first CMG experience.

I walked in at 12:15 and there was a line almost to the door. Hmmm...maybe there is something to this company after all. I didn't really know what the menu was except for the burrito that Brett always talks about but got online and knew I'd figure it out by the time my turn came.

There was an olive-skinned young man in front of me sweating profusely and carrying a backpack with some kind of gizmo in it with a red blinking light. He was mumbling to himself (or possibly to me) but it was mostly gibberish or a very foreign language. At that point I was thinking that my little research experiment was not worth dying for and was inching my way backwards toward the door. Then I rationalized that if he was going to blow the place up he would have done it BEFORE waiting on line for 15 minutes. So I stayed and avoided eye contact.
I ordered the carnitas burrito. I didn't know what to expect but what I got was a football sized lump of dough packed with enough food to feed a small family for a week. And mighty tasty too!

My opinion on CMG - Maybe the stock IS worth $100/share. So, BUY BUY BUY!!

My second research project of the weekend was this Monster Java that Jeff has been touting. I went to my local stupor-market and searched high and low. No go. I even asked the manager if they have it since they do have other Hansen products. Never heard of it, he said, but he will order it for me. I was about to tell him that it's a "game changer" and to buy lots of it... but thought better of that idea. Next I tried the C-store at my gas station. No luck. There's another store or 2 I can try but I'm out of time. So the jury is still out on HANS. In any case, for reasons previously mentioned, unless that drink is liquid gold, I'll probably still not buy the stock. But YMMV.

Trading Parallels

TRADING PARALLELS

Since becoming immersed in the world of trading I am constantly finding parallels between other aspects of my life to the trading world. I have often thought that dancing is a lot like trading. So is art. Tennis. Real estate….the list goes on.

In the dojo where I learn and practice Taiko drumming, hang four framed Japanese characters with a sentence in English below each one. Although I look at these every week, I never related it to trading but for some reason last week something clicked in my mind. I realized that the way the dojo is run reminds me a lot of this wonderful trading community that many of us have come to call Home.

Here is what the four plaques say:

Manners, Harmony, Commitment,
Language and Unity of Spirit
How we conduct ourselves in the dojo and online in our trading rooms and blogs is basically the same. We are all here for the same reason. We are all committed to becoming the best traders (drummers) we can be. Respect for the dojo (blog); respect for each other.

Discipline of Body Strength,
Power & Stamina
If we do not take care of ourselves physically we will not have the mental energy and psychological fortitude necessary to be successful. Drumming is hard work. So is trading.

Musical skills, Artistic Expression & Rhythm
You’ve heard it said many times that technical analysis is an art. Creating the perfect trade is an expression of that art. Being in tune with the rhythm of the markets will allow that art to flourish and become the masterpiece you envision.

Discipline of Mind, Self Control and Spirit
This last one is for me the most important. Without the discipline and self control to plan your trades and trade your plan, you will not be successful. The spirit of the Taiko drummer is a warrior’s spirit. The spirit of a trader is much the same.

Attitude is everything.