Mighty oaks from little acorns grow
This will be a challenge for me, and for you dear reader.
I will tip sacred cows. Some of them your sacred cows. Some mine.
I will at times provoke opening of the mind. I hope so, my own mind included.
Most of all I want this to be easy and fun to write for me while easily digestible and fun to read for you, as too many things in our reading lists and Inbox accrue.
Sometimes a strident tone is necessary to cut through the noise. In writing it may not always seem so, but in person I’m totally chill, self-reflecting, approachable and on very rare occasions wrong. Some say I’ve a wry wit. I hope to apply all of that in discovering and becoming part of a far-flung community; find friends and allies in the process of sustaining my substack.
“Buy the ticket, take the ride.” - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
I aim to prove over time that what I’m coining Technical Timing Techniques (TTT) can multiply market gains exponentially, and protect from major draw-downs much better than buy-and-hold-value-and-pray-for-recovery during bear markets.
Why “One And Done”?
I’m going to maintain focused small sample portfolios - long and short - with a single “one and done” ticker for a sector or idea. Often ETF or royalty trust type instruments to spread the risk. I take an “all boats” approach, sometimes zooming way out to simply bull or bear.
Want more on a topic or choice? As mom often said, “go look it up” and “do your homework”. Or ask me to expand on it.
“I don’t go broke, and I do it a lot.” - Junkhead, Alice in Chains
I’m a skeptic at heart and a prudent bear. I’m also a successful speculator with my biggest wins coming courtesy of total trash, and worse, and I won’t pretend it isn’t shite on the way up nor will I hesitate to sell or short same when the timing seems ideal.
How do I determine ideal timing?
History repeats. Human nature never varies. Math: the math of cycles, sentiment, momentum and much more.
And a lot of hard-won experience. So much so that I feel truly blessed to still be standing, sane and solvent.
Which team am I on? What do I believe?
Mark Spiegel should head the SEC
The best trading lessons are found in books and experiences unrelated to finance
Rock, roll, jazz, funk, metal, reggae and soul
Borg, McEnroe, Djokovic, Roger, Rafa and Kyrgios
Only gold is money
Lemmings gonna lemming, sheep gonna sheep, and pigs are pigs
Get outside, exercise, make time to experience and enjoy the view
I stand on the shoulders of giants
For James Dines, “High States” sensei, O.G. Original Goldbug, Godfather and GOAT of technical analysis and applying principles of mass psychology to market timing.
I'll get to where I'm gonna end up And that's alright by me Let’s see action Let's be free and see who cares Let’s See Action - The Who