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Ferminology

Ferminology: The study of all things living and dead, of real and/or of virtual existance, of order and of entropy, of love and hatred, and mostly the discernment of balance withing such a turbulant existance.

I am admittedly an avid "Ferminologist", and welcome others enthusiastically to discovery and share their findings in this new and evolutionary field!

Saludos!

 

Fermin

Why catching monkeys and economic recoveries are alike?

Those of you that know me will also recall that I spent many years traveling around the world and spent some time in Africa while working for a global security outfit protecting US Embassies and foreign personnel.  On one of those trips I recall the story told to me as to how locals would catch monkeys. 

"It is very simple my friend" said Babangita..."locate a point in the jungle frequently visited by monkeys.  Get a glass water jug with a neck opening thick enough to allow the hand of a monkey through the spout and tie a rope around the neck and secure the jar to the ground with a stake so that the monkey can not get away.  Now place a couple of banana's  inside the jar and wait."

That's it?  I asked.  "Yes" he answered.  "When the monkey sees the banana's inside the jar his curiosity and hunger will compel him to reach inside and grab the banana.  Grasping the banana however will not allow him to extract his closed hand & fist through the neck of the jar.  His greed for the banana however will not allow him to let go and release himself from this self-imposed trap.  You can now simply untie the jar and take the monkey home!"

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Well, its been quite a long time since I decided to sit down and blog again.  I don't know how many people this blog will actually reach but for those that know me...my comments are usually a bit off the beaten track and usually inspired by something I've been affected by or that I am adamant about.

Having experienced one of the biggest attacks on the US (this one being mostly in the Financial markets, which of course impacted our job markets and our retail markets) I have survived the last 2 years despite being on the first wave of Job eliminations in mid 2008, experiencing an enormous free-fall in loss of personal wealth in both the equities and real property markets, and weathering the painful and tedious recovery and rebuilding of equity slowly one day one trade at a time.  I fed on  severance, small contracts, and landed a significant project contract which kept me afloat until now, but also from making quick entry and exits using a simple strategy in the stock market.

I choose to speak today a bit about the subject of greed ... as I truly believe that this is clearly the sole root cause leading to todays financial problems being experienced around the world.

Greed is stronger than fear as the monkey in the above story can attest to.  But fear moves the markets much more significantly than does greed.  The past decade has been a smorgasbord for fear mongers as vast shorting preceeded news blast following vast accumulations of stock targeted for negative news hits despite being strong stocks which of course served well for reinvestment once the standard negative deviation targets were hit, thereby preparing the stage for another cycle.

This has been the case since Sept. 2008 all the way to the bottom in Mar 2009 and once again in the  first mini dip in Jan.-Feb. 2010.  The number one driver....the greed of the monkies which see the bananas and won't let go until  its too late.

So...what's the moral of the story you might ask?

Look for jars with banana's inside ... and steal the monkey before the trapper gets there!

Happy hunting!

Six more weeks!

I read an interesting posting today... It was written by a Republican commenting on a recent dinner visit he made with friends, a husband and wife who were both liberal democrats and their 6 year old child.  The couple were fascinated by their daughter's saying that she wanted to be president...and the republican guest asked the little girl..."What would be the first thing you would do as president?"

The girl pondered for a second...then responded "I would help the homeless and give money to the poor!"

The dinner guest then asked her, "Why wait until you are president?...Come over to my house this weekend and I will pay you $50 to cut my grass.  You can then take your $50 to the homeless man or maybe help some poor people."

The little girl thought for a second and responded.."Why can't the homeless man go and cut your grass and get the $50 himself?"

"My dear", said the smiling visitor..."Welcome to the Republican Party!"

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So...what's the point...you might ask?

Who's to judge? 

Who's given the opportunity?  Who has the need?  Who has the money?

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Point is...we're all right!  

Yes...the little girls sentiments we in the right place...showing kindness and compassion, the Republican's work ethic and expectations for self determination and for sharing wisdom, even the realization by the little girl that her concerns for the disadvantaged could encumber her by helping those who do not help themselves...well it's only natural.

This would be okay if not for a heavily skewed proportionately dis-balanced distribution of wealth that has nearly top-sided our country.  The top 1% now owns 30% of all assets of this country and is growing.  The middle class has been shrinking consecutively now for 7 years with less real income and a loss of equity/wealth, and there are more people without affordable health-care that ever before.

The same banks, credit card companies, and debt pushers who have been depleting our forest with reams of daily mailing offers packing our mailboxes with undeserved mortgage offerings, entrapment offerings of zero interest (with automatic terms adjustments in a blink's eye) and variable rates skyrocketing to 20-30%...making Billions and Billions of dollars off the backs of the consumers are now asking the same consumers to front the bill to get rid of these awful balance sheet items, pick up the tab and help them do it all over again!!  All the while with an administration which says...When the going gets tough..the tough..go shopping...go out and buy something...keep this country strong!!

Independence!  That's what this country is all about!   But where are we?

We are dependent upon foreign oil.  Why?  Because it was easier than doing it ourselves!

We are dependent upon huge institutions and foundations.

We are dependent upon the mass media, for news and entertainment.

We are indentured servants...working to pay for subsitence and for our patron's wealth.

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I am not a liberal democrat nor a conservative republican...

But I do know that things are way out of whack....and need to be balanced again.

The great evaporation of wealth which has only now been recognized by our cowering leaders has been eclipsed by the huge cloud of dust left by the greedy villain's that stole it all...only that they are no where to be found... fenced off by the figure heads of failure indentured to such tasks.

Yes...we've seen it before...it has happened again.

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Please vote your conscience (if you can)...and give your brother man or woman an opportunity to cut your grass!

In the midst of Change!

Barack has made the word "CHANGE" his mantra.  I am in the middle of CHANGE regarding my life and direction.  And if it were not for change...well frankly...life would be a bit boring wouldn't it?

Its been a while since my last post...which talked about the Turning Point. 

A lot of time has slipped by me, but then again...what the hell...a dude which has worked incessantly since the age of 15 deserves a break after 13 years of SAPing around the world.

That's not to say I have been watching TV and eating donuts...no....to the gym at least 3 times a week, bike riding with my son Alex and feeding the ducks at the park.  A few excursions out to Elliot key on the boat during mid week, a few home improvement projects, a couple of trips to Orlando to appease the vacation blues...and a premature overflow of adrenaline aimed at winning a couple of projects and setting up Turning Point Group, LLC.

And of course the (now) habitual day trading activities that have produced rather positive result form part of my daily routines.

I just finished migrating my virtual existence from the world of:

AT&T Local Voice   US$ 46/mo

Sprint Long Dist      US$   9/mo

AT&T DSL              US$ 36/mo

DirecTV                 US$ 110/mo

    Total                 US$ 201/mo + Taxes

To:

Comcast Double Play Broadband and Cable TV    US$ 66/mo

T-Mobile Local Voice & Long Dist                        US$ 10/mo

     Total                                                          US$ 77/mo + Taxes

THAT'S CHANGE FOR ME!!!   ABOUT US$ 1,560 a year of Change in my pockets!!

THAT'S ALSO CHANGE FOR AT&T AND DIRECTV!!!

I feel bad for DirecTV, they had an excellent service record with me.  I've been a loyal customer for 10 years and all and absolutely prefer it over the Cable TV....but when you get right down to it...its the same damned thing.

Unfortunately, its due to AT&T's total boondoggle in High Speed availability in my area and inability to act quickly, and precisely to those customers which need service.

Oh yes...and not only am I receiving this change...$$$....but am doing so at 4x the velocity!

So...the time is coming now for everyone to come back from summer play.  A bundle of decisions, opportunities, and work is in store for all of us from September on....through to ELECTION DAY!!

Summer's almost over...so lets enjoy these last few days savoring Michael Phelps' victories and medals.  Let us think about how we too can apply dedication, effort, focus, and persistence to our own lives and reach the goals that we strive for...but of course....with one main driver!! 

You've got to want it!

So...if our country...if our world is really going to change....WE'VE GOT TO WANT IT!!!

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Saludos,

Guys...like....its an Oil Embargo!! Why can't we admit it??

THE USUAL SUSPECTS:  (Robber Barons of the New Millennium)

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THE TRAIL OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION

IMPACT ON OUR PRICE OF FUEL:

AND WE ASK WHY OUR DOLLAR IS WEAK?????

BP PLC [LSE:BP; NYSE:BP] reported a 63% surge in first quarter net profit on Monday, posting net profit of $7.6 billion, compared with $4.4 billion in the first quarter of 2007. Revenue gained 44% to $89.2 billion.

Likewise, Royal Dutch Shell PLC [LSE:RDSB; NYSE:RDS-B] reported a 25% rise in first-quarter earnings with net profit soaring to a record $9.08 billion, up from $7.28 billion. Sales rose 55% to $114 billion.

WTI oil averaged $97.74 per barrel during the quarter, hitting highs of $110 in mid-March. Crude oil for June delivery is currently trading at $116.80 a barrel in New York.

LONDON (AP) — BP PLC and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Europe's two biggest oil producers, posted forecast-busting first-quarter earnings on Tuesday thanks to record crude oil prices that are expected to bolster profits across the industry.

The combined profits of $17 billion reignited calls for a windfall tax on oil profits as consumers struggle to pay for food and fuel.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggested that some of those profits should be reinvested in costly exploration for new oil reserves in the North Sea.

BP posted a 63 percent surge in first-quarter net profit to $7.6 billion (4.9 billion euros), while Shell reported a 25 percent rise, to a record $9.08 billion (5.81 billion euros).

Revenue at BP jumped 44 percent to $89.2 billion (57.1 billion euros), while sales at Shell soared 55 percent to $114 billion (72.95 billion euros).

Last week ConocoPhillips reported a 16 percent rise in net income to $4.14 billion. Like BP and Shell, the third biggest U.S. producer far outpaced industry expectations. More big profits are expected from the biggest two U.S. companies, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., when they report first-quarter earnings later this week.

Crude oil hit $111.80 per barrel during the quarter, while gas jumped an average of 22 percent. Crude has pushed even higher since, reaching a record $119.93 per-barrel this week.

BP shares jumped 5.7 percent to 611.5 pence ($12.06, while Shell rose 5.2 percent to 26.03 euros ($40.51)

WHO OWNS THE OIL?  WHO OWNS THE STOCKS?  WHO OWNS US???

Published on 21 Apr 2008 by ASPO-USA. Archived on 21 Apr 2008.
http://www.energybulletin.net/43048.html

Saudi King Abdullah drops quiet bombshell; U.S. media sleep through it

by Steve Andrews and Randy Udall

RELATED NEWS: Peak oil - Apr 23... Peak oil - Apr 18... Peak Oil Review --April 28th, 2008... How to deceive friends and influence people: Oil crisis lies... Peak oil - Apr 24...

On April 13, Reuters reported the following from Riyadh:

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah said he had ordered some new oil discoveries left untapped to preserve oil wealth in the world's top exporter for future generations…

"When there were some new finds, I told them, 'no, leave it in the ground, with grace from god, our children need it'," King Abdullah said…

Saudi production capacity stands at around 11.3 million bpd, and is scheduled to rise to 12.5 million bpd next year.

The King’s remarks seem to confirm a statement made last year by Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi who, when asked “How high can your production go?” replied, “We’ll get to 12.5 million barrels a day and then we’ll see.”

If the Saudi announcement was a bombshell, American nearly newspapers ignored it. We decided to canvass experts we respect to see what they thought. Excerpts follow:

On the hunt...

In an effort to bring some regularity into my periodic journalistic rants or blasts, I'm taking some time today to focus on the subject of matter which most definitely occupies the majority of my time these days....following and executing on my future course and direction.

In a sense ...."I'm on the hunt".

So what exactly does this mean ?

From a purely animalistic perspective, its very understandable....SURVIVAL...INSTINCT...NATURE.  Hunger inspires desire,  desire inspires search, search inspires targets, targets inspire strategy, strategy inspires tactics, and tactics inspire results...be it good or bad.

Coming to terms with one's skills, accomplishments, desires, and abilities is a lifetime process.  Our needs and wants change with time, and so do our desires and abilities as well.  Concentrating on what our mission is on this planet for most would seem an endless and impossible exercise.   But doing so means that you consciously release yourself into the hands of the universal powers that we are all connected to..whether we believe it metaphysically or religiously or naturally.  In doing so and in focusing on what inspires and motivates you, things will materialize in a way that assist you in stepping towards your purpose and goal.  One simply needs to step forward...and again...and again...and follow your tactics..your strategy..your targets...your search...your desire.

No need to bore you anymore with these few words of limited therapeutic value (at least personally).  I need to set this trajectory out in writing, where I can from time to time revisit and ensure that I stay true to my convictions and purpose.

Any suggestions from those of you who have already been down this road...are greatly appreciated!!

The World is Flat but full of bumps!

Well, given this is my first experience blogging it seems only appropriate that I comment on those subjects closest to my personal and professional existence.

My problem is that lately it seems like my personal existence is being overshadowed by the turbulence within my professional existance, that of providing software solutions in the area of business intelligence, performance management, planning & forecasting, and consolidations.

Please see article in Wallstreet Journal:  "SAP's Plan to Globalize Hits Cultural Barriers" by Phred Dvorak and Leila Abboud, May 11, 2007 Page A1  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117884968263099516.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

The gist of the above article hits pretty much "dead center" on what has transpired within the German "Borg" of software companies and explains the situation in which many including myself find themselves. 

It's not that its an either or situation in regards to which code do you use....but more of a concern that the fork in the road should be inversed and be seen as more of a union of two paths rather than as a path that has led us to two choices!

I guess the same goes for my personal path and career choices and options that I am faced with.  It's not a question of which road I go down...for that is right ahead of me.  It's more a question of how all the roads I've traversed now lead to this one I am on.

Robert Friedman's books...."Lexus and the Olive Tree" and "The World is Flat" do a great job of explaining the recent wave of globalization and strife in the world as well as the coming together of technology for a new "flat" world, but we have to remember that there are hills to climb and mountains to cross that represent real world barriers which impede progress and segregate people.

Somewhere in between the Green and the Black there has to be an acceptable median, I'm sure we'll get there soon.