From the Heart

I've thought myself a writer for many years. Trouble is I never just write. I know that's what they all say, but with me it's true. I think maybe I should just write to see if it actually turns out to be true.

I think it is a good thing to give to the poor, but I really don't think we should keep creating poor people just so we can have someplace to give. The poor are very able to create themselves just fine without our help. If I teach a man to fish and he decides he'd rather beg for food, I say fine, but I will not be obligated to give him my fish. That's just being lazy. That guy needs to really go hungry for a while to wake up and join life, it's what's going on. We have such a wealthy country that even our poor have television, drink beer and smoke cigarettes. I call them the willing poor. I could join their ranks easy enough. All I'd have to do is quit work and not pay my bills. Pretty soon I'd be homeless and clothesless and foodless. Since I would be a new poor person, I'd need some coaching on how to beg and make the government feel sorry for me. My wife and son would be ok, because the goverment already feels sorry for them because I am such a loser and won't support them. Hmmmm. I think I am getting some good ideas that just might work. I better not let the cat out of the bag or someone might figure out that I planned the whole thing to get over on the government. It's gotta look natural... Needs some work.

When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at Joe's house.
His mom would let him do anything he asked, it seemed to me.
I always thought, on those times I thought, it must be nice I thought.
He cooked us eggs on an electric stove and spread the mayo with a knife.
He made Koolaid all by himself and measured sugar with a cup.
I was impressed, his mom was nice. She called me pal and chief.
But I could wash and iron the clothes and carry a five-gallon bucket of water to the cows.

This is a little raw clay of my life. I got it out to work on it a little bit.
We'll see what happens.
It took me so long to figure out my password, that I ran out of day.
Gotta go. Peace.

Have a good start on gettin' smart this year. Maybe I can get a raise cause I'll be so learned. Finished up three Mindleader's courses. Fundamentals of Business, Business Management and Excel 2003. Started a few more though. Think I will focus on finishing them.

My MBA courses start back up on January 19. Over half-way through the program. What could be next on my agenda? (as I get into this thing, I get the feeling I just might be able to do a little Web Logging without hurting myself) I will keep you informed.

Be careful out there.

Eight months ago, I began managing a small fund. After three quarters, we are up a total of 25%. Not too bad I suppose. Especially since we were down more than 20% at one point. The best returns came from the rise in Mindspeed's stock price. It has risen 91% in the last six months, a nice jump. Makes up for the fits and starts associated with my learning curve.

I started out with the simple idea from my Financial Management teacher, who said that all one had to do was double $1000 ten times to get a Million Dollars. Well, heck, that didn't sound too hard. Even a high school dropout, ex-Army guy could do that, I thought to myself. It is very simple, but not quite so easy.

I have missed a couple of opportunities. But the exciting part is that I was watching and in the game. I have gained a lot of experience while in the market. The greed and fear emotions are very devilish in their ability to persuade me into action. Even though I was wary of them, I found myself unable to fully resist their temptations. It is enlightening to watch yourself be manipulated by the ups and downs of the market. It was weird, like I wasn't in control of myself.

I have read quite a bit about investing methods. I have pretty much relied on charting so far. However, as I got to reading about Warren Buffett, I am slowly seeming to turn in the direction of value investing. I am reading more and more annual reports. I am pulling out relevant data from them and the ratios are really starting to make sense. The more I dig, the more it seems possible.

Well, I gotta get back to researching.

Sacrifice. My mind, my work, my selfish deeds.
To sow the earth with freedom's seeds.
She weeds the garden, turns the plow.
Comforts those who need it now.
Give and not take back again.
What times we have!
It's time.
Begin.