Lesson

While the roller-coaster of the past two weeks is not within the Top 5 best rides, the emotional side of me (surprised that I still have that) was telling me to get out. If not entirely, atleast to cut down my long positions in half.

What stopped me was the experience from late October 2009. I had gotten out of a few positions at the absolute swing low. Getting out a few days earlier or later would have made a difference of thousands.

I did pare some of my positions today; but it was limited to those that convincingly failed the underlying technical case.

Have a good weekend!

Friend of Insulin

I'd bought some Amylin Pharma (AMLN) based on today's gap-closing action. A close above 20 would make this stock really take off.

Starting Blocks

Sprint has been bound by this perfectly symmetrical triangle. Will it sprint off the starting blocks? I've bought a couple of thousand shares. Stop limit will be on a breakdown from the triangle.

Kodak Moment

Eastman Kodak has been within a triangle for a while. And broke out of it yesterday. I'd bought a chunk of it in late October.

I'm not adding to my position in EK at this time. Just planning to ride it. Target of $11.9. Possibly 17.5

Selling on Materials seems overdone

Selling on materials seems to have reached its logical target. I've nibbled into FCX by selling out of the money Puts.

My Desktop has a Bad Mother

The motherboard on my desktop conked out during a power outage, two weeks ago. I've been too busy to go buy a new one. And trading, blogging or just about anything from my laptop has been an extremely indulgent experience on the masochistic side.

When I got around to shop for a new (I've not done this for a long time now), I was surprised to see how much has changed in the desktop space.

• HP desktops have deteriorated in quality & reliability (check out the number of reliability issues out there).
• Dell's desktops are cheaper than HP's.
• Dell's desktops are better looking, more robust and have far fewer complaints than HP.

The Dell Desktop that I wanted to buy was not available at the nearest Best Buy. It was not available anywhere within a 25 mile radius. I tried looking for it in NYC & nearby PA, and could not find it there either. Something seems strange here. Either Best Buy is phasing out Dell (unlikely), or somebody is such a pussy for not having some inventory (likely) or Dells are selling like hot cakes (somewhat likely).

I have ordered a comparable HP desktop for $200 more (since I can't wait another month for my favorite config to arrive from Dell). And I've added a nice chunk of Dell shares this morning.

One for the Road

GS seems to have broken out convincingly out of the short-term consolidation pattern. Just int time for the earnings season shenanigans. I've bought a sizeable Bullish call spread.