Just music

Yeah, just music tonight. There will be finance tomorrow. But not tonight. Just music tonight, you dig?

Right. I've been thinking about my new demo again. I was going to put my four best BIG(!) songs on it, but I'm thinking now it would be better to go with three big ones and a smaller rock song, Round the Bend. / Various reasons for that. Firstly, I was watching a YouTube clip earlier of the original members of Oasis talking about Live Forever and its impact. I don't need FOUR(!) songs like that on a freakin' demo, man. Secondly, people should see that I can write decent short songs as well. I mean, for a bit of variety. Thirdly, it would be a smart move to hold back one of most impressive songs for any future album. / So, the demo will probably look like this -

This World Don't Mean a Thing
Nothing
Round the Bend
Malibu

This World Don't Mean a Thing, a pop/rock ballad, will be in first place (on my music blog) because it's my most commercial song, and a "banger" - in the parlance of our times. [Thanks, Dude. Lebowski.] / Nothing is my best song, and the greatest song ever written, as far as I'm concerned. [Yeah, yeah, it's all subjective, man, I know, but that's the way I feel about it. And you've got to believe in yourself, you dig?] / Round the Bend could be a classic three-minute rock song. I reckon the first verse lyric of eight lines is the coolest ever. [The coolest two lines are still Bowie's It's not the side effects of the cocaine, I'm thinking that it must be love.] / Malibu is my most recent song and another big pop/rock ballad.

I'm still rehearsing. I'm hoping to be ready for January. That will be three years after the first demo.

...

Okay, okay. Let's put something on! Station to Station, the song, for starters. Just the exciting second half. It beats me why people praise absolute gash like Bohemian Rhapsody, when a song like this is not known much outside of Bowie fans.

What next? Ha! Halloween by Japan.

And ...

Troublesome 96. 2Pac.

Once in a Lifetime. Talking Heads.

We Will. Gilbert O'Sullivan.

Small Town Boy. Bronski Beat.

Nice Dream. Radiohead.

Live Forever. Oasis.

Gimme Shelter. The Rolling Stones.

Pop Life. Prince.

If You Could Read My Mind. Gordon Lightfoot.

She's My Best Friend. Lou Reed.

Master Blaster (Jammin'). Stevie Wonder.

Superstar. Carpenters.

And, finally ... Round the Bend by Michael Fowke. [I made a successful recording of it in November 2016.]

Later(s), pop/rock fan(s)!

[No. 656] Smile!

What else is there to do?

And, listen ...[1], and while you're spinning a-ROUND here out of your tiny mind ... smile a bit, you dig?[1], and, listen ...[2], and, please, for me![1], and while you're spinning a-ROUND here out of your tiny mind ... smile a bit, you dig?[2], and ... with a massive consciousness ness, obviously / and, I mean, let's have it right[1], and, please, for me![2], and the COLD WORLD ... is a sewer, yes[1], and ... with a mass ive consciousness ness, obviously / and, I mean, let's have it right[2], and smile, smile, smile - !!! / and keep on, keep on, keep on ... smiling ... for no particular reason ... ?[1], and the COLD WORLD ... is a sewer, yes[2], and maybe it feels good ... ? / and what do I know?[1], and smile, smile, smile - !!! / and keep on, keep on, keep on ... smiling ... for no parti cular reason ... ?[2], and when the squares come to you with their invented pain, uh, tell them ... it don't mean a thing, man[1], and maybe it feels good ... ? / and what do I know?[2], and kook(s) like to smile, it's a fact[1], and when the squares come to you with their invented pain, uh, tell them ... it don't mean a thing, man[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[1], and kook(s) like to smile, it's a fact[2], and it's a winning formula[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[2], and maybe you could laugh too, a bit, like a clown[1], and it's a winning form ula[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[1], and maybe you could laugh too, a bit, like a clown[2], and make it last, forever[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[2], and the fascists want you to be sick in the head like them / and they are so stuck in evil jam![1], and make it last, forever[2], and - like pathetic flies!!![1], and the fascists want you to be si ck in the head like them / and they are so stuck in evil jam![2], and, listen ... beyond the THREE, I imagine that smiling will be routine - if we still have mouths, like[1], and - like path etic flies!!![2], and it's something I'll have to look into ...[1], and, listen ... beyond the THREE, I imagine that smiling will be routine - if we still have mouths, like[2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and it's something I'll have to look into ...[2], and I should be so lucky ... to look into ... such a reality ... and maybe ... I'll never get the chance[1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and never mind is the answer ...[1], and I should be so lucky ... to look into ... such a reality ... and maybe ... I'll never get the chance[2], and, listen ... we believe in magical changes, kook(s)! / and the squares believe in, uh, Christ! ... who even cares?![1], and never mind is the answer ...[2], and am I right? YES!!![1], and, listen ... we believe in mag ical cha nges, kook(s)! / and the squares believe in, uh, Christ! ... who even cares?![2], and, listen ...[3], and am I right? YES!!![2], and while you're spinning a-ROUND here out of your tiny mind ... smile a bit, you dig?[3], and, please, for me![3], and ... with a m  a  s  s  i  v  e consciousness ness, obviously / and, I mean, let's have it right[3], and the COLD WORLD ... is a sewer, yes[3], and smile, smile, smile - !!! / and keep on, keep on, keep on ... smiling ... for no p  a  r  t  i  c  u  l  a  r reason ... ?[3], and maybe it feels good ... ? / and what do I know?[3], and when the squares come to you with their invented pain, uh, tell them ... it don't mean a thing, man[3], and kook(s) like to smile, it's a fact[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[3], and it's a winning f  o  r  m  u  l  a[3], and maybe you could laugh too, a bit, like a clown[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[3], and make it last, forever[3], and the fascists want you to be s  i  c  k in the head like them / and they are so stuck in evil jam![3], and - like p  a  t  h  e  t  i  c flies!!![3], and, listen ... beyond the THREE, I imagine that smiling will be routine - if we still have mouths, like[3], and it's something I'll have to look into ...[3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and I should be so lucky ... to look into ... such a reality ... and maybe ... I'll never get the chance[3], and never mind is the answer ...[3], and, listen ... we believe in m  a  g  i  c  a  l c  h  a  n  g  e  s, kook(s)! / and the squares believe in, uh, Christ! ... who even cares?![3], and am I right? YES!!![3], and

And, listen ...[1], and while you're spinning a-ROUND here out of your tiny mind ... smile a bit, you dig?[1], and, listen ...[2], and, please, for me![1], and while you're spinning a-ROUND here out of your tiny mind ... smile a bit, you dig?[2], and ... with a massive consciousness ness, obviously / and, I mean, let's have it right[1], and, please, for me![2], and the COLD WORLD ... is a sewer, yes[1], and ... with a mass ive consciousness ness, obviously / and, I mean, let's have it right[2], and smile, smile, smile - !!! / and keep on, keep on, keep on ... smiling ... for no particular reason ... ?[1], and the COLD WORLD ... is a sewer, yes[2], and maybe it feels good ... ? / and what do I know?[1], and smile, smile, smile - !!! / and keep on, keep on, keep on ... smiling ... for no parti cular reason ... ?[2], and when the squares come to you with their invented pain, uh, tell them ... it don't mean a thing, man[1], and maybe it feels good ... ? / and what do I know?[2], and kook(s) like to smile, it's a fact[1], and when the squares come to you with their invented pain, uh, tell them ... it don't mean a thing, man[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[1], and kook(s) like to smile, it's a fact[2], and it's a winning formula[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[2], and maybe you could laugh too, a bit, like a clown[1], and it's a winning form ula[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[1], and maybe you could laugh too, a bit, like a clown[2], and make it last, forever[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[2], and the fascists want you to be sick in the head like them / and they are so stuck in evil jam![1], and make it last, forever[2], and - like pathetic flies!!![1], and the fascists want you to be si ck in the head like them / and they are so stuck in evil jam![2], and, listen ... beyond the THREE, I imagine that smiling will be routine - if we still have mouths, like[1], and - like path etic flies!!![2], and it's something I'll have to look into ...[1], and, listen ... beyond the THREE, I imagine that smiling will be routine - if we still have mouths, like[2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and it's something I'll have to look into ...[2], and I should be so lucky ... to look into ... such a reality ... and maybe ... I'll never get the chance[1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and never mind is the answer ...[1], and I should be so lucky ... to look into ... such a reality ... and maybe ... I'll never get the chance[2], and, listen ... we believe in magical changes, kook(s)! / and the squares believe in, uh, Christ! ... who even cares?![1], and never mind is the answer ...[2], and am I right? YES!!![1], and, listen ... we believe in mag ical cha nges, kook(s)! / and the squares believe in, uh, Christ! ... who even cares?![2], and, listen ...[3], and am I right? YES!!![2], and while you're spinning a-ROUND here out of your tiny mind ... smile a bit, you dig?[3], and, please, for me![3], and ... with a m  a  s  s  i  v  e consciousness ness, obviously / and, I mean, let's have it right[3], and the COLD WORLD ... is a sewer, yes[3], and smile, smile, smile - !!! / and keep on, keep on, keep on ... smiling ... for no p  a  r  t  i  c  u  l  a  r reason ... ?[3], and maybe it feels good ... ? / and what do I know?[3], and when the squares come to you with their invented pain, uh, tell them ... it don't mean a thing, man[3], and kook(s) like to smile, it's a fact[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[3], and it's a winning f  o  r  m  u  l  a[3], and maybe you could laugh too, a bit, like a clown[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[3], and make it last, forever[3], and the fascists want you to be s  i  c  k in the head like them / and they are so stuck in evil jam![3], and - like p  a  t  h  e  t  i  c flies!!![3], and, listen ... beyond the THREE, I imagine that smiling will be routine - if we still have mouths, like[3], and it's something I'll have to look into ...[3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and I should be so lucky ... to look into ... such a reality ... and maybe ... I'll never get the chance[3], and never mind is the answer ...[3], and, listen ... we believe in m  a  g  i  c  a  l c  h  a  n  g  e  s, kook(s)! / and the squares believe in, uh, Christ! ... who even cares?![3], and am I right? YES!!![3], and

And, listen ...[1], and while you're spinning a-ROUND here out of your tiny mind ... smile a bit, you dig?[1], and, listen ...[2], and, please, for me![1], and while you're spinning a-ROUND here out of your tiny mind ... smile a bit, you dig?[2], and ... with a massive consciousness ness, obviously / and, I mean, let's have it right[1], and, please, for me![2], and the COLD WORLD ... is a sewer, yes[1], and ... with a mass ive consciousness ness, obviously / and, I mean, let's have it right[2], and smile, smile, smile - !!! / and keep on, keep on, keep on ... smiling ... for no particular reason ... ?[1], and the COLD WORLD ... is a sewer, yes[2], and maybe it feels good ... ? / and what do I know?[1], and smile, smile, smile - !!! / and keep on, keep on, keep on ... smiling ... for no parti cular reason ... ?[2], and when the squares come to you with their invented pain, uh, tell them ... it don't mean a thing, man[1], and maybe it feels good ... ? / and what do I know?[2], and kook(s) like to smile, it's a fact[1], and when the squares come to you with their invented pain, uh, tell them ... it don't mean a thing, man[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[1], and kook(s) like to smile, it's a fact[2], and it's a winning formula[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[2], and maybe you could laugh too, a bit, like a clown[1], and it's a winning form ula[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[1], and maybe you could laugh too, a bit, like a clown[2], and make it last, forever[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[2], and the fascists want you to be sick in the head like them / and they are so stuck in evil jam![1], and make it last, forever[2], and - like pathetic flies!!![1], and the fascists want you to be si ck in the head like them / and they are so stuck in evil jam![2], and, listen ... beyond the THREE, I imagine that smiling will be routine - if we still have mouths, like[1], and - like path etic flies!!![2], and it's something I'll have to look into ...[1], and, listen ... beyond the THREE, I imagine that smiling will be routine - if we still have mouths, like[2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and it's something I'll have to look into ...[2], and I should be so lucky ... to look into ... such a reality ... and maybe ... I'll never get the chance[1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and never mind is the answer ...[1], and I should be so lucky ... to look into ... such a reality ... and maybe ... I'll never get the chance[2], and, listen ... we believe in magical changes, kook(s)! / and the squares believe in, uh, Christ! ... who even cares?![1], and never mind is the answer ...[2], and am I right? YES!!![1], and, listen ... we believe in mag ical cha nges, kook(s)! / and the squares believe in, uh, Christ! ... who even cares?![2], and, listen ...[3], and am I right? YES!!![2], and while you're spinning a-ROUND here out of your tiny mind ... smile a bit, you dig?[3], and, please, for me![3], and ... with a m  a  s  s  i  v  e consciousness ness, obviously / and, I mean, let's have it right[3], and the COLD WORLD ... is a sewer, yes[3], and smile, smile, smile - !!! / and keep on, keep on, keep on ... smiling ... for no p  a  r  t  i  c  u  l  a  r reason ... ?[3], and maybe it feels good ... ? / and what do I know?[3], and when the squares come to you with their invented pain, uh, tell them ... it don't mean a thing, man[3], and kook(s) like to smile, it's a fact[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[3], and it's a winning f  o  r  m  u  l  a[3], and maybe you could laugh too, a bit, like a clown[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND[3], and make it last, forever[3], and the fascists want you to be s  i  c  k in the head like them / and they are so stuck in evil jam![3], and - like p  a  t  h  e  t  i  c flies!!![3], and, listen ... beyond the THREE, I imagine that smiling will be routine - if we still have mouths, like[3], and it's something I'll have to look into ...[3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and I should be so lucky ... to look into ... such a reality ... and maybe ... I'll never get the chance[3], and never mind is the answer ...[3], and, listen ... we believe in m  a  g  i  c  a  l c  h  a  n  g  e  s, kook(s)! / and the squares believe in, uh, Christ! ... who even cares?![3], and am I right? YES!!![3], and

Will another one matter?

That is the question! I'm talking about another post, dear reader(s). A financial post. 'Thank God, for that, boss!' What, Voice? 'I thought you were referring to your conceptual posts. They always matter. We will always need more.' Yes, yes. And there will be one later, No. 656. However ... the financial shit. Haven't we had enough, my kook(s)?

I could write about the Budget, I suppose. Jesus H. Christ. 'Ha!' But ... I ain't got no enthusiasm, you dig? 'Oh dear. Come on, boss, cheer up!' I don't know what to do ...

It's just ... 'This often happens, reader(s). Don't worry about it. You know what he's like.' Yes, they know what I'm like, Voice. Unless they're new here, which I can't imagine. It's a rather exclusive club now. We don't like strangers.

What a life, eh?!

...

Okay, okay. I can't fight it ...

MUSIC!!! 'Yippee!' My Elixir strings have been on my acoustic guitar for over five hundred hours. They shouldn't be on that long, really. I'd like to change them, but I'm not ready to record yet - and I want fresh strings for any recording(s). I could put some cheap strings on for a while. That means going into central London though, or ordering on Amazon. It's a lot of fuss, man.

I'm worried about the noise outside my window. Idiots on motorbikes and the like. I need silence when I'm recording. I've got a foam guard thing to put around my Zoom Handy recorder thing, but it doesn't keep out really loud sounds. Why do people feel the need to slam their car doors? I swear one day I'll just lose it and run out into the street and start punching people in the head.

I don't want to go to a recording studio, like the old days. I don't want engineers watching me, or knowing about my songs. And I need to take my time, you dig? / I could go to a rehearsal studio and record there. But I think you can still hear noises from the other rooms, and some of the rooms have air conditioning. They're not suitable for recording.

...

Why it's important to be the best in the world if you're a new unknown artist. / Okay, okay. Motivation. Listen to this. If someone is going to spend £15 on an album, or a book. Or £100 on a concert ticket. Or £1,000 on a painting. Or whatever! Aren't they going to spend that money on an established artist who has a track record and a certain level of quality that is known to everyone? I mean, why take the risk, man?! Obviously, this isn't always the case. However, I imagine it is the case most of the time. / So, as a new artist, the only way to fight this ... [drum roll] ... is to be clearly superior to every motherfucker in your field. Yes, it's as brutal as that.

Okay. Laters!


[Er ... uh, notes ... doesn't really apply to avant-garde artists? You've got to be reasonably commercial, I suppose. I don't know. And maybe you can give your stuff away if you are new. But you know what I mean, man. If you want to sell shit. If you want to be a big name, and not just a face in the crowd of artists ... be great!]

[No. 655] Some people can't expand

I mean, their consciousness, you dig?

And, well, well ...[1], and, Lord, give me strength![1], and, well, well ...[2], and, uh, please![1], and, Lo rd, give me stren gth![2], and, listen to me ... I would love to see everyone spinning a-ROUND in total harmony ...[1], and, uh, plea se![2], and, but, BUT(!) ... it ain't gonna happen, son/daughter[1], and, listen to me ... I would lo ve to see ever yone spinning a-ROUND in total harm ony ...[2], and times change, ha![1], and, but, BUT(!) ... it ain't gonna happen, son/daughter[2], and try to stay positive, kook(s), FFS![1], and times change, ha![2], and, well, please, please![1], and try to stay posi tive, kook(s), FFS![2], and, well ... the COLD WORLD ... is getting worse, man, with fascists and mentalists everywhere[1], and, well, please, please![2], and I possess ... three chords / and the truth![1], and, well ... the CO LD WOR LD ... is getting worse, man, with fas cists and men talists everywhere[2], and, uh ... close your eyes and believe every word that enters your mind, now, yes, yes[1], and I possess ... three chords / and the tru th![2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and, uh ... close your eyes and believe every word that enters your min d, now, yes, yes[2], and a-ROUND here, now![1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and I know people whose souls have been stolen ... / ... and it's very, very, very sad, you dig?[1], and a-ROUND here, now![2], and keep it together![1], and I know people whose sou ls have been sto len ... / ... and it's very, very, very sad, you dig?[2], and not thinking is bad ... but, but, BUT(!) ... not feeling is really bad, yes[1], and keep it tog ether![2], and, one day ... Christ![1], and not thinking is bad ... but, but, BUT(!) ... not feeling is really bad, yes[2], and, listen, one day ... I'll meet YOU(!) in California, and you can come live with me[1], and, one day ... Christ![2], and I'm serious - !!![1], and, listen, one day ... I'll m eet YOU(!) in Cali fornia, and you can come live with me[2], and everyone's got to have a dream ... unless they want to destroy the world with their poison[1], and I'm seriou s - !!![2], and a-ROUND here, for real![1], and everyone's got to have a dream ... unless they want to dest roy the world with their pois on[2], and imagine all the kooks ...[1], and a-ROUND here, for real![2], and hold on to yourself, and hold on, really hold, so tight, because ... who else will?[1], and ima gine all the kooks ...[2], and I will, actually, with my will, yes[1], and hold on to yourself, and hold on, really hold, so tight, because ... who else will?[2], and, listen, baby ... you've got a smile that could kill the killers / ... and I'm absolutely serious, now[1], and I will, actually, with my will, yes[2], and ... then[1], and, listen, baby ... you've got a smile that could kill the killers / ... and I'm absolutely serious, now[2], and the big time is waiting for us ...[1], and ... then[2], and ... believe it, ha![1], and the b ig tim e is waiting for us ...[2], and, well, well ...[3], and ... believe it, ha![2], and, L  o  r  d, give me s  t  r  e  n  g  t  h![3], and, uh, p  l  e  a  s  e![3], and, listen to me ... I would l  o  v  e to see e  v  e  r  y  o  n  e spinning a-ROUND in total h  a  r  m  o  n  y ...[3], and, but, BUT(!) ... it ain't gonna happen, son/daughter[3], and times change, ha![3], and try to stay p  o  s  i  t  i  v  e, kook(s), FFS![3], and, well, please, please![3], and, well ... the C  O  L  D W  O  R  L D ... is getting worse, man, with f  a  s  c  i  s  t  s and m  e  n  t  a  l  i  s  t  s everywhere[3], and I possess ... three chords / and the t  r  u  t  h![3], and, uh ... close your eyes and believe every word that enters your m  i  n  d, now, yes, yes[3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and a-ROUND here, now![3], and I know people whose s  o  u  l  s have been s  t  o  l  e  n ... / ... and it's very, very, very sad, you dig?[3], and keep it t  o  g  e  t  h  e  r![3], and not thinking is bad ... but, but, BUT(!) ... not feeling is really bad, yes[3], and, one day ... Christ![3], and, listen, one day ... I'll m  e  e  t YOU(!) in C  a  l  i  f  o  r  n  i  a, and you can come live with me[3], and I'm s  e  r  i  o  u  s - !!![3], and everyone's got to have a dream ... unless they want to d  e  s  t  r  o  y the world with their p  o  i  s  o  n[3], and a-ROUND here, for real![3], and i  m  a  g  i  n  e all the kooks ...[3], and hold on to yourself, and hold on, really hold, so tight, because ... who else will?[3], and I will, actually, with my will, yes[3], and, listen, baby ... you've got a smile that could kill the killers / ... and I'm absolutely serious, now[3], and ... then[3], and the b  i  g t  i  m  e is waiting for us ...[3], and ... believe it, ha![3], and

And, well, well ...[1], and, Lord, give me strength![1], and, well, well ...[2], and, uh, please![1], and, Lo rd, give me stren gth![2], and, listen to me ... I would love to see everyone spinning a-ROUND in total harmony ...[1], and, uh, plea se![2], and, but, BUT(!) ... it ain't gonna happen, son/daughter[1], and, listen to me ... I would lo ve to see ever yone spinning a-ROUND in total harm ony ...[2], and times change, ha![1], and, but, BUT(!) ... it ain't gonna happen, son/daughter[2], and try to stay positive, kook(s), FFS![1], and times change, ha![2], and, well, please, please![1], and try to stay posi tive, kook(s), FFS![2], and, well ... the COLD WORLD ... is getting worse, man, with fascists and mentalists everywhere[1], and, well, please, please![2], and I possess ... three chords / and the truth![1], and, well ... the CO LD WOR LD ... is getting worse, man, with fas cists and men talists everywhere[2], and, uh ... close your eyes and believe every word that enters your mind, now, yes, yes[1], and I possess ... three chords / and the tru th![2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and, uh ... close your eyes and believe every word that enters your min d, now, yes, yes[2], and a-ROUND here, now![1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and I know people whose souls have been stolen ... / ... and it's very, very, very sad, you dig?[1], and a-ROUND here, now![2], and keep it together![1], and I know people whose sou ls have been sto len ... / ... and it's very, very, very sad, you dig?[2], and not thinking is bad ... but, but, BUT(!) ... not feeling is really bad, yes[1], and keep it tog ether![2], and, one day ... Christ![1], and not thinking is bad ... but, but, BUT(!) ... not feeling is really bad, yes[2], and, listen, one day ... I'll meet YOU(!) in California, and you can come live with me[1], and, one day ... Christ![2], and I'm serious - !!![1], and, listen, one day ... I'll m eet YOU(!) in Cali fornia, and you can come live with me[2], and everyone's got to have a dream ... unless they want to destroy the world with their poison[1], and I'm seriou s - !!![2], and a-ROUND here, for real![1], and everyone's got to have a dream ... unless they want to dest roy the world with their pois on[2], and imagine all the kooks ...[1], and a-ROUND here, for real![2], and hold on to yourself, and hold on, really hold, so tight, because ... who else will?[1], and ima gine all the kooks ...[2], and I will, actually, with my will, yes[1], and hold on to yourself, and hold on, really hold, so tight, because ... who else will?[2], and, listen, baby ... you've got a smile that could kill the killers / ... and I'm absolutely serious, now[1], and I will, actually, with my will, yes[2], and ... then[1], and, listen, baby ... you've got a smile that could kill the killers / ... and I'm absolutely serious, now[2], and the big time is waiting for us ...[1], and ... then[2], and ... believe it, ha![1], and the b ig tim e is waiting for us ...[2], and, well, well ...[3], and ... believe it, ha![2], and, L  o  r  d, give me s  t  r  e  n  g  t  h![3], and, uh, p  l  e  a  s  e![3], and, listen to me ... I would l  o  v  e to see e  v  e  r  y  o  n  e spinning a-ROUND in total h  a  r  m  o  n  y ...[3], and, but, BUT(!) ... it ain't gonna happen, son/daughter[3], and times change, ha![3], and try to stay p  o  s  i  t  i  v  e, kook(s), FFS![3], and, well, please, please![3], and, well ... the C  O  L  D W  O  R  L D ... is getting worse, man, with f  a  s  c  i  s  t  s and m  e  n  t  a  l  i  s  t  s everywhere[3], and I possess ... three chords / and the t  r  u  t  h![3], and, uh ... close your eyes and believe every word that enters your m  i  n  d, now, yes, yes[3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and a-ROUND here, now![3], and I know people whose s  o  u  l  s have been s  t  o  l  e  n ... / ... and it's very, very, very sad, you dig?[3], and keep it t  o  g  e  t  h  e  r![3], and not thinking is bad ... but, but, BUT(!) ... not feeling is really bad, yes[3], and, one day ... Christ![3], and, listen, one day ... I'll m  e  e  t YOU(!) in C  a  l  i  f  o  r  n  i  a, and you can come live with me[3], and I'm s  e  r  i  o  u  s - !!![3], and everyone's got to have a dream ... unless they want to d  e  s  t  r  o  y the world with their p  o  i  s  o  n[3], and a-ROUND here, for real![3], and i  m  a  g  i  n  e all the kooks ...[3], and hold on to yourself, and hold on, really hold, so tight, because ... who else will?[3], and I will, actually, with my will, yes[3], and, listen, baby ... you've got a smile that could kill the killers / ... and I'm absolutely serious, now[3], and ... then[3], and the b  i  g t  i  m  e is waiting for us ...[3], and ... believe it, ha![3], and

And, well, well ...[1], and, Lord, give me strength![1], and, well, well ...[2], and, uh, please![1], and, Lo rd, give me stren gth![2], and, listen to me ... I would love to see everyone spinning a-ROUND in total harmony ...[1], and, uh, plea se![2], and, but, BUT(!) ... it ain't gonna happen, son/daughter[1], and, listen to me ... I would lo ve to see ever yone spinning a-ROUND in total harm ony ...[2], and times change, ha![1], and, but, BUT(!) ... it ain't gonna happen, son/daughter[2], and try to stay positive, kook(s), FFS![1], and times change, ha![2], and, well, please, please![1], and try to stay posi tive, kook(s), FFS![2], and, well ... the COLD WORLD ... is getting worse, man, with fascists and mentalists everywhere[1], and, well, please, please![2], and I possess ... three chords / and the truth![1], and, well ... the CO LD WOR LD ... is getting worse, man, with fas cists and men talists everywhere[2], and, uh ... close your eyes and believe every word that enters your mind, now, yes, yes[1], and I possess ... three chords / and the tru th![2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and, uh ... close your eyes and believe every word that enters your min d, now, yes, yes[2], and a-ROUND here, now![1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and I know people whose souls have been stolen ... / ... and it's very, very, very sad, you dig?[1], and a-ROUND here, now![2], and keep it together![1], and I know people whose sou ls have been sto len ... / ... and it's very, very, very sad, you dig?[2], and not thinking is bad ... but, but, BUT(!) ... not feeling is really bad, yes[1], and keep it tog ether![2], and, one day ... Christ![1], and not thinking is bad ... but, but, BUT(!) ... not feeling is really bad, yes[2], and, listen, one day ... I'll meet YOU(!) in California, and you can come live with me[1], and, one day ... Christ![2], and I'm serious - !!![1], and, listen, one day ... I'll m eet YOU(!) in Cali fornia, and you can come live with me[2], and everyone's got to have a dream ... unless they want to destroy the world with their poison[1], and I'm seriou s - !!![2], and a-ROUND here, for real![1], and everyone's got to have a dream ... unless they want to dest roy the world with their pois on[2], and imagine all the kooks ...[1], and a-ROUND here, for real![2], and hold on to yourself, and hold on, really hold, so tight, because ... who else will?[1], and ima gine all the kooks ...[2], and I will, actually, with my will, yes[1], and hold on to yourself, and hold on, really hold, so tight, because ... who else will?[2], and, listen, baby ... you've got a smile that could kill the killers / ... and I'm absolutely serious, now[1], and I will, actually, with my will, yes[2], and ... then[1], and, listen, baby ... you've got a smile that could kill the killers / ... and I'm absolutely serious, now[2], and the big time is waiting for us ...[1], and ... then[2], and ... believe it, ha![1], and the b ig tim e is waiting for us ...[2], and, well, well ...[3], and ... believe it, ha![2], and, L  o  r  d, give me s  t  r  e  n  g  t  h![3], and, uh, p  l  e  a  s  e![3], and, listen to me ... I would l  o  v  e to see e  v  e  r  y  o  n  e spinning a-ROUND in total h  a  r  m  o  n  y ...[3], and, but, BUT(!) ... it ain't gonna happen, son/daughter[3], and times change, ha![3], and try to stay p  o  s  i  t  i  v  e, kook(s), FFS![3], and, well, please, please![3], and, well ... the C  O  L  D W  O  R  L D ... is getting worse, man, with f  a  s  c  i  s  t  s and m  e  n  t  a  l  i  s  t  s everywhere[3], and I possess ... three chords / and the t  r  u  t  h![3], and, uh ... close your eyes and believe every word that enters your m  i  n  d, now, yes, yes[3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and a-ROUND here, now![3], and I know people whose s  o  u  l  s have been s  t  o  l  e  n ... / ... and it's very, very, very sad, you dig?[3], and keep it t  o  g  e  t  h  e  r![3], and not thinking is bad ... but, but, BUT(!) ... not feeling is really bad, yes[3], and, one day ... Christ![3], and, listen, one day ... I'll m  e  e  t YOU(!) in C  a  l  i  f  o  r  n  i  a, and you can come live with me[3], and I'm s  e  r  i  o  u  s - !!![3], and everyone's got to have a dream ... unless they want to d  e  s  t  r  o  y the world with their p  o  i  s  o  n[3], and a-ROUND here, for real![3], and i  m  a  g  i  n  e all the kooks ...[3], and hold on to yourself, and hold on, really hold, so tight, because ... who else will?[3], and I will, actually, with my will, yes[3], and, listen, baby ... you've got a smile that could kill the killers / ... and I'm absolutely serious, now[3], and ... then[3], and the b  i  g t  i  m  e is waiting for us ...[3], and ... believe it, ha![3], and

It's the Budget today!

Okay, okay. / Yes, yes ... and we've got some questions from Mark Brownridge, courtesy of Kestell. 'Who?!' Kestell, Voice. The PR guy. 'Okay. Well, as long as he's happy.' He is happy. 'What happened to Tatiana, boss?' I don't know, man. These PR people live in a world of their own.

Anyway, Mark's questions are regarding, uh ... entrepreneurs' relief. 'Oh. / Is it like a charity gig thing, boss?' Ha! No. 'Okay.' Listen, I'm going to answer Mark's questions. 'Go on then.' I mean, the guy is clearly very confused, and he wants my help.

Actually, we should quote this bit of the email first -

Hi Michael,

With the Chancellor looking to end austerity, raise money for the NHS, and prepare for life outside of the European Union in the Budget on Monday, there has been plenty of discussion around reducing the Entrepreneurs' Relief for those who sell or give away their business.

Mark Brownridge, Director General of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association is keen to discuss the implications of such a plan.

Okay, okay. That's just to set the scene, like. But I ain't discussing anything with Mark. 'You're too busy, boss. Don't these people realize you're writing world-beating songs as well as creating a new form of literature on this blog?' They don't realize, man. They're too wrapped up in themselves. / Right -

How much would Entrepreneurs' Relief save the taxpayer if it were reduced or scrapped?

Christ! I have absolutely no idea, son. All I can tell you is, there are thousands of people sleeping rough on the streets, and millions of people are using food banks. So, uh ... let's get things in perspective, yeah? FFS!

Does the Government need to be more pro-business to prepare for life outside of the EU?

No. No, it doesn't. What it needs to do is ... REMAIN!!! in the EU before our present shitshow gets a whole lot worse.

British start-ups and scale-ups are key to Brexit-proofing the UK economy.

Well, that's not even a question, is it? 'Ha! He's lost the plot, boss. You've upset him with your answers.' Okay. I'll just say there's no such thing as Brexit-proofing the UK economy. It can't be done.

How companies that use schemes such as the SEIS and EIS are net contributors to the Treasury in the long-term.

Er ... how? I don't know. Is he asking me?! 'Mark should know, boss. What's going on with this guy?' I don't know, Voice. Well, let's leave it there, blog fan(s).

Utterly bizarre!

Is it lunchtime yet?

 ...

Anything else? Music? So, uh ... it seems I play my guitar better after a few incantations adapted from Tony Robbins. Who knew?! 'Ha! What about Jordan Belfort's BoomBoom?' Ha! I don't need it, son. / You see, pop fan(s), there's no point in playing the guitar for hours on end if you're in a depressed or disempowered state. You need to manage your state, you dig? Five minutes of incantations now and I'm ready to rock! 'Big time!' Believe it, baby!

[Oh, another Robbins thing I'm going to try is visualize playing a whole song in my head before I actually play it.]

Laters!

Gold, baked beans, Tesla ...

Gold, well ... / Actually, let's start with Tesla, dear reader(s), because it's exciting news. Tesla stock went up 13 percent on Tuesday. It fell 2 percent yesterday. But today! ... it's up another 10 percent, roughly, in, you know, uh, after hours, pre-market trading, or whatever it is. 'Wow, boss! Wow! But why?' Well, Tesla seems to be making a profit now. 'Okay, boss. That's good.' Yes, yes, BUT(!) ... the exciting news is ... 'Go on!' ... a short seller has changed his mind about Tesla and gone long. 'Who?!' Andrew Left of Citron Research, Voice. And I should imagine the readers already know. 'Oh. I'm an idiot, me.' Ha! Yes. I'm still fond of you though.

This is what Andrew Left said: "Plain and simple - Tesla is destroying the competition. Tesla is not just pulling customers from BMW and Mercedes but also from Toyota and Honda. Like a magic trick, while everyone is focused on Elon smoking weed, he is quietly smoking the whole automotive industry."

Now, what have I been saying all year? 'Er ... that you and Elon Musk are the reincarnation of Julius Caesar.' Ha, ha! Not quite, man. 'Well, it's something along those lines. You wrote a couple of posts about it.' Yeah, yeah. Christ! Listen to me! Don't ever bet against Elon Musk! 'Okay. I won't.' Good!

Okay, okay. Gold ... !!!

First time buyers are rushing to purchase physical gold as stock market falls stoke fears of a full-blown economic crisis. The Pure Gold Company has seen a 347% increase in people purchasing physical gold bars and coins during October (compared to the monthly average over the last three years), with almost three-quarters buying gold for the first time.

Jesus! And I can't even afford gold, can I? 'Get the baked beans, boss!' Yes, I'm going to.

CEO Josh Saul said: "Over a third of these buyers work in financial services like banking, insurance or financial research and they're very worried the global equity decline may be just the tip of the iceberg. Others are clearly worried too because the gold price has increased by over 6% from its lowest point in October as investors ditch their equities and currency investments for the safety and security that gold provides in uncertain times."

Okay, okay. Thanks, Josh! / No endorsements, obviously, dear reader(s). 'Ha! They're on their own.' Of course they are! Can you imagine me giving out investment advice?

...

Anything else? Yes ... 'Tell them!' Have a nice weekend, crocodile(s)! 'Bye, alligator(s)!' Later(s)!

Catapult

Okay, okay. I've got two posts to write today, for my sins, because I didn't do any writing yesterday. 'Why not, boss?' I was worn out, Voice. 'Oh.' And a bit depressed. 'Oh dear.' I'm feeling better now. 'Yippee!' Ha! Not that much. Christ! / Anyway, uh ... the jury is still out on sleep programming, in the scientific community, like. However, I reckon it might work, dear reader(s), BECAUSE(!) ... I was listening to The 10X Rule again last night, and I had a dream about me and Tony Robbins in a DIY store. 'Eh?' Yeah, it was a bit weird. Tony was helping me find some sticky tape to repair something in the house. 'Okay.' Yeah. And I had my earphones in, and he asked me what I was listening to. 'Ha! And you told him Grant Cardone. Brilliant! I bet that went down like a lead balloon.' Well, no, actually. He didn't mind. I think he was just happy that I was getting motivated, you dig? 'Yeah. Did he help you get the sticky tape then?' Well, I woke up at that point, with Cardone still jabbering in my ear.

Anyway, let's get down to business, blog fan(s)! Catapult! 'What's this, boss?' A PR email, Voice. The Catapult Network has announced £215 million additional investment for the UK's regional businesses. 'Oh, right.' Look! -

Hello Michael, the new Catapult initiative will help businesses access the UK's world-leading research expertise more easily, enabling them to grow faster, create more jobs and keep the UK at the forefront of urban and transport innovation. The centres will operate from sites in London and Milton Keynes. But is it enough? Director General of the EISA - Mark Brownridge comments:

Er, hang on a minute! Before we get to Mark. 'Who's that?!' Mark? 'Who said Hello Michael - ?' Ha! Tatiana. My mate. 'Oh, okay.' Yeah. No, listen. It probably isn't enough because of Brexit. The latest news, uh ... is that the port of Dover will shut down without a deal. The government will have to get emergency supplies of food and medicine into the country. 'But why, boss? Why?! Why is this happening?' We all know why, man. Let's not upset anybody. But we all know why. 'Jesus! Look, Mikey, just record your fucking songs, become a rock star, and then piss off to Malibu, son, yeah?' I'm working on it, Voice. I'm working on it! Seriously! / Anyway, uh, Mark Brownridge ...

The Modern Industrial Strategy and its varying facets serve as a vital vein of progression for the nation's network of self-start businesses. Pockets of innovation and entrepreneurial prowess in new-age sectors extend well beyond the capital, the traditional dominance of sectors such as Manufacturing in the Midlands, Financial Services in London and Technology and Media in London and the South East are by no means the complete picture. However, there are two sides to this story. One is the momentous growth of London - a city that undoubtedly sets a benchmark standard to our global counterparts. The other is the sluggish performance of Britain's older industrial towns - neglected regions worst hit by de-industrialization and thus slowest to recover from the recession of 2008-09. We must ensure as policy makers, business leaders and commentators to ensure the presence of London as its own global entity is managed in line with a global footprint that encompasses the length and breadth of the British Isles.

Okay, okay. Thanks, Mark! / Oh, there's more! -

The UK is a nation of outstanding entrepreneurs, not to be overlooked due to geographical bias or the historical performance of global cities that will take years of growth to match. There is a vital need to bring more well-paid jobs, pools of resource and transport infrastructure back to the towns that make up the vast majority of this country's population. Bolstered by the right mix of macroeconomic, regional and innovation based support - such as the Catapult initiative - the UK's regions will galvanize to form a business profile fit for a global stage. However - as with all policy-led initiatives - this must be a catalyst that is amplified at industry and community level to ensure real-change. 

Yeah, yeah. That's great. Thanks, Mark. However, ... ... ... Brexit, you dig?

Well, ENDS.

And, uh ... no, no, please, Tatiana, I don't want to interview him. I want to eat my cheese sandwich, if that's all right, and then play my guitar for a bit, before this afternoon's post. 'What will you be writing about, boss?' How the hell should I know?!

Laters!

[No. 654] Fight the gloom!

We hate gloom ... ? ... !

And ... come on, come on![1], and, listen, man ... you know I'm right, right?[1], and ... come on, come on![2], and ... come on ... ... ... yes![1], and, listen, man ... you know I'm right, right?[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... it's a nice sunny day, always![1], and ... come on ... ... ... yes![2], and if there's gloom in your thoughts ... destroy your thoughts![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... it's a nice sun ny day, always![2], and you need to forget all the pain / and you need to remember the goal, you dig?[1], and if there's gloo m in your thoughts ... destroy your thoughts![2], and how ... do you feel?[1], and you need to forget all the pain / and you need to remember the go al, you dig?[2], and there's, uh ... trouble in the COLD WORLD? Really? / ... and - so what?![1], and how ... do you feel?[2], and get a grip, seriously[1], and there's, uh ... trouble in the CO LD WO RLD? Really? / ... and - so what?![2], and when are YOU(!) going to focus on the prize?[1], and get a grip, seriously[2], and, listen ... a secret ... / and, but, uh ... nothing you've not heard before[1], and when are YOU(!) going to foc us on the prize?[2], and ... so hear it again![1], and, listen ... a secret ... / and, but, uh ... nothing you've not heard before[2], and, uh ... you may only live once, sure, baby ... BUT(!) you can spin forever![1], and ... so hear it again![2], and, come on ... won't you spin with me?[1], and, uh ... you may only live once, sure, baby ... BUT(!) you can spin forever![2], and beyond the THREE ... there is a genuine paradise / and I've absolutely convinced[1], and, come on ... won't you spin with me?[2], and ... you?[1], and beyond the THREE ... there is a genuine para dise / and I've absolutely convinced[2], and, but ... if you're not convinced ... you can stay with the others ... but they don't love you[1], and ... you?[2], and, oh ... not like I do[1], and, but ... if you're not con vinced ... you can stay with the others ... but they don't love you[2], and we all want to be happy, son/daughter / and a-ROUND here ... it might be possible[1], and, oh ... not like I do[2], and ... just a touch of it, you understand[1], and we all want to be hap py, son/daughter / and a-ROUND here ... it might be possible[2], and beyond the THREE - ?!?! / and, oh ... it doesn't bear thinking about[1], and ... just a touch of it, you understand[2], and ... feelings![1], and beyond the THREE - ?!?! / and, oh ... it doesn't bear thinking about[2], and, obviously, you're not thinking ... with that awful mind of yours? Ha![1], and ... feelings![2], and ... do you know what I mean?[1], and, obviously, you're not thinking ... with that aw ful mind of yours? Ha![2], and, no, no, yes, yes?[1], and ... do you know what I mean?[2], and, ah ... never mind, eh?[1], and, no, no, yes, yes?[2], and ... come on, come on![3], and, ah ... never min d, eh?[2], and, listen, man ... you know I'm right, right?[3], and ... come on ... ... ... yes![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... it's a nice s  u  n  n  y day, always![3], and if there's g  l  o  o  m in your thoughts ... destroy your thoughts![3], and you need to forget all the pain / and you need to remember the g  o  a  l, you dig?[3], and how ... do you feel?[3], and there's, uh ... trouble in the C  O  L  D W  O  R  L  D? Really? / ... and - so what?![3], and get a grip, seriously[3], and when are YOU(!) going to f  o  c  u  s on the prize?[3], and, listen ... a secret ... / and, but, uh ... nothing you've not heard before[3], and ... so hear it again![3], and, uh ... you may only live once, sure, baby ... BUT(!) you can spin forever![3], and, come on ... won't you spin with me?[3], and beyond the THREE ... there is a genuine p  a  r  a  d  i  s  e / and I've absolutely convinced[3], and ... you?[3], and, but ... if you're not c  o  n  v  i  n  c  e  d ... you can stay with the others ... but they don't love you[3], and, oh ... not like I do[3], and we all want to be h  a  p  p  y, son/daughter / and a-ROUND here ... it might be possible[3], and ... just a touch of it, you understand[3], and beyond the THREE - ?!?! / and, oh ... it doesn't bear thinking about[3], and ... feelings![3], and, obviously, you're not thinking ... with that a  w  f  u  l mind of yours? Ha![3], and ... do you know what I mean?[3], and, no, no, yes, yes?[3], and, ah ... never m  i  n  d, eh?[3], and

And ... come on, come on![1], and, listen, man ... you know I'm right, right?[1], and ... come on, come on![2], and ... come on ... ... ... yes![1], and, listen, man ... you know I'm right, right?[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... it's a nice sunny day, always![1], and ... come on ... ... ... yes![2], and if there's gloom in your thoughts ... destroy your thoughts![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... it's a nice sun ny day, always![2], and you need to forget all the pain / and you need to remember the goal, you dig?[1], and if there's gloo m in your thoughts ... destroy your thoughts![2], and how ... do you feel?[1], and you need to forget all the pain / and you need to remember the go al, you dig?[2], and there's, uh ... trouble in the COLD WORLD? Really? / ... and - so what?![1], and how ... do you feel?[2], and get a grip, seriously[1], and there's, uh ... trouble in the CO LD WO RLD? Really? / ... and - so what?![2], and when are YOU(!) going to focus on the prize?[1], and get a grip, seriously[2], and, listen ... a secret ... / and, but, uh ... nothing you've not heard before[1], and when are YOU(!) going to foc us on the prize?[2], and ... so hear it again![1], and, listen ... a secret ... / and, but, uh ... nothing you've not heard before[2], and, uh ... you may only live once, sure, baby ... BUT(!) you can spin forever![1], and ... so hear it again![2], and, come on ... won't you spin with me?[1], and, uh ... you may only live once, sure, baby ... BUT(!) you can spin forever![2], and beyond the THREE ... there is a genuine paradise / and I've absolutely convinced[1], and, come on ... won't you spin with me?[2], and ... you?[1], and beyond the THREE ... there is a genuine para dise / and I've absolutely convinced[2], and, but ... if you're not convinced ... you can stay with the others ... but they don't love you[1], and ... you?[2], and, oh ... not like I do[1], and, but ... if you're not con vinced ... you can stay with the others ... but they don't love you[2], and we all want to be happy, son/daughter / and a-ROUND here ... it might be possible[1], and, oh ... not like I do[2], and ... just a touch of it, you understand[1], and we all want to be hap py, son/daughter / and a-ROUND here ... it might be possible[2], and beyond the THREE - ?!?! / and, oh ... it doesn't bear thinking about[1], and ... just a touch of it, you understand[2], and ... feelings![1], and beyond the THREE - ?!?! / and, oh ... it doesn't bear thinking about[2], and, obviously, you're not thinking ... with that awful mind of yours? Ha![1], and ... feelings![2], and ... do you know what I mean?[1], and, obviously, you're not thinking ... with that aw ful mind of yours? Ha![2], and, no, no, yes, yes?[1], and ... do you know what I mean?[2], and, ah ... never mind, eh?[1], and, no, no, yes, yes?[2], and ... come on, come on![3], and, ah ... never min d, eh?[2], and, listen, man ... you know I'm right, right?[3], and ... come on ... ... ... yes![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... it's a nice s  u  n  n  y day, always![3], and if there's g  l  o  o  m in your thoughts ... destroy your thoughts![3], and you need to forget all the pain / and you need to remember the g  o  a  l, you dig?[3], and how ... do you feel?[3], and there's, uh ... trouble in the C  O  L  D W  O  R  L  D? Really? / ... and - so what?![3], and get a grip, seriously[3], and when are YOU(!) going to f  o  c  u  s on the prize?[3], and, listen ... a secret ... / and, but, uh ... nothing you've not heard before[3], and ... so hear it again![3], and, uh ... you may only live once, sure, baby ... BUT(!) you can spin forever![3], and, come on ... won't you spin with me?[3], and beyond the THREE ... there is a genuine p  a  r  a  d  i  s  e / and I've absolutely convinced[3], and ... you?[3], and, but ... if you're not c  o  n  v  i  n  c  e  d ... you can stay with the others ... but they don't love you[3], and, oh ... not like I do[3], and we all want to be h  a  p  p  y, son/daughter / and a-ROUND here ... it might be possible[3], and ... just a touch of it, you understand[3], and beyond the THREE - ?!?! / and, oh ... it doesn't bear thinking about[3], and ... feelings![3], and, obviously, you're not thinking ... with that a  w  f  u  l mind of yours? Ha![3], and ... do you know what I mean?[3], and, no, no, yes, yes?[3], and, ah ... never m  i  n  d, eh?[3], and

And ... come on, come on![1], and, listen, man ... you know I'm right, right?[1], and ... come on, come on![2], and ... come on ... ... ... yes![1], and, listen, man ... you know I'm right, right?[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... it's a nice sunny day, always![1], and ... come on ... ... ... yes![2], and if there's gloom in your thoughts ... destroy your thoughts![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... it's a nice sun ny day, always![2], and you need to forget all the pain / and you need to remember the goal, you dig?[1], and if there's gloo m in your thoughts ... destroy your thoughts![2], and how ... do you feel?[1], and you need to forget all the pain / and you need to remember the go al, you dig?[2], and there's, uh ... trouble in the COLD WORLD? Really? / ... and - so what?![1], and how ... do you feel?[2], and get a grip, seriously[1], and there's, uh ... trouble in the CO LD WO RLD? Really? / ... and - so what?![2], and when are YOU(!) going to focus on the prize?[1], and get a grip, seriously[2], and, listen ... a secret ... / and, but, uh ... nothing you've not heard before[1], and when are YOU(!) going to foc us on the prize?[2], and ... so hear it again![1], and, listen ... a secret ... / and, but, uh ... nothing you've not heard before[2], and, uh ... you may only live once, sure, baby ... BUT(!) you can spin forever![1], and ... so hear it again![2], and, come on ... won't you spin with me?[1], and, uh ... you may only live once, sure, baby ... BUT(!) you can spin forever![2], and beyond the THREE ... there is a genuine paradise / and I've absolutely convinced[1], and, come on ... won't you spin with me?[2], and ... you?[1], and beyond the THREE ... there is a genuine para dise / and I've absolutely convinced[2], and, but ... if you're not convinced ... you can stay with the others ... but they don't love you[1], and ... you?[2], and, oh ... not like I do[1], and, but ... if you're not con vinced ... you can stay with the others ... but they don't love you[2], and we all want to be happy, son/daughter / and a-ROUND here ... it might be possible[1], and, oh ... not like I do[2], and ... just a touch of it, you understand[1], and we all want to be hap py, son/daughter / and a-ROUND here ... it might be possible[2], and beyond the THREE - ?!?! / and, oh ... it doesn't bear thinking about[1], and ... just a touch of it, you understand[2], and ... feelings![1], and beyond the THREE - ?!?! / and, oh ... it doesn't bear thinking about[2], and, obviously, you're not thinking ... with that awful mind of yours? Ha![1], and ... feelings![2], and ... do you know what I mean?[1], and, obviously, you're not thinking ... with that aw ful mind of yours? Ha![2], and, no, no, yes, yes?[1], and ... do you know what I mean?[2], and, ah ... never mind, eh?[1], and, no, no, yes, yes?[2], and ... come on, come on![3], and, ah ... never min d, eh?[2], and, listen, man ... you know I'm right, right?[3], and ... come on ... ... ... yes![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... it's a nice s  u  n  n  y day, always![3], and if there's g  l  o  o  m in your thoughts ... destroy your thoughts![3], and you need to forget all the pain / and you need to remember the g  o  a  l, you dig?[3], and how ... do you feel?[3], and there's, uh ... trouble in the C  O  L  D W  O  R  L  D? Really? / ... and - so what?![3], and get a grip, seriously[3], and when are YOU(!) going to f  o  c  u  s on the prize?[3], and, listen ... a secret ... / and, but, uh ... nothing you've not heard before[3], and ... so hear it again![3], and, uh ... you may only live once, sure, baby ... BUT(!) you can spin forever![3], and, come on ... won't you spin with me?[3], and beyond the THREE ... there is a genuine p  a  r  a  d  i  s  e / and I've absolutely convinced[3], and ... you?[3], and, but ... if you're not c  o  n  v  i  n  c  e  d ... you can stay with the others ... but they don't love you[3], and, oh ... not like I do[3], and we all want to be h  a  p  p  y, son/daughter / and a-ROUND here ... it might be possible[3], and ... just a touch of it, you understand[3], and beyond the THREE - ?!?! / and, oh ... it doesn't bear thinking about[3], and ... feelings![3], and, obviously, you're not thinking ... with that a  w  f  u  l mind of yours? Ha![3], and ... do you know what I mean?[3], and, no, no, yes, yes?[3], and, ah ... never m  i  n  d, eh?[3], and

Property gloom

Yes, we've got property gloom, dear reader(s). We've also got microplastics gloom, and, uh ... rock and roll gloom, unfortunately. 'What are you going on about, boss?!' Gloom, Voice. All kinds of gloom. 'Oh.' We've got microplastics in our bodies now. 'I haven't got a body. Well, I've got an astral body.' Yes, yes, you'll be all right, man. But everyone else on planet earth is doomed. 'Gloomed and doomed.' Yes, something like that. 'It would be a good title for an album.' No it wouldn't. 'Okay.' Which brings me to rock and roll. There's a piece in the Guardian today about rock and roll being dead. 'Oh dear.' It doesn't bother me though. I'm staying positive. I mean, I know the answer. 'What's the answer, Mikey?!' It's ... be brilliant, all the time, every song, every album, your whole career, you dig? No prisoners! Get on the Straight Line and stay there! 'Okay.' In the past, rock stars thought they could live off their first bit of work for thirty or forty years. Even the legends only managed five years of great work, if they were lucky ... ??? [Except David Bowie (1971-1980) - most impressive!] / Oh, and luck has got NOTHING to do with it, son. [Daughter!] Be obsessed or be average. I was listening to that yesterday. 'Listening to what?' The other Grant Cardone audiobook, man. 'Oh.' Yeah. Big time.

Anyway, a PR email ...

Naomi Heaton, CEO of LCP, comments:

Average annual prices in Prime Central London (PCL) in September now stand at £1,866,517, representing annual growth of 4.9%. This has been buoyed by a better performance in the high value sector.

Annual transactions have now dropped to 3,606, fewer than 70 sales a week. This is a fall of 16.8% over the year and is 2.7% less than the previous low of 3,704 seen during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in June 2009. It is the lowest level on record.

It is hard to see how this decline in transactions can be reversed until there is an agreed outline plan for Brexit. International buyers, already affected by successive tax increases and now exposed to negative coverage of the current political situation, are holding back.

Nevertheless, the high value sector is seeing a better performance now. The weakness of sterling and the high absolute levels of discounts available are encouraging homeowners, in particular, to enter the market.

On the other hand, rental investors, who underpin the lower value end of the market are biding their time. It is likely that when sentiment improves, prices in this sector will harden quickly.

Greater London shows a weak performance. Average prices now stand at £649,246, a modest monthly rise of 2.1%. Prices on an annual basis have seen nominal growth of 1.5%.

Transactions remain just above the lows seen during the GFC and now stand at 87,358. This is a fall of 7.6% year on year and follows three previous annual falls.

This is now a very familiar picture across the capital. Market sentiment has not been restored by the government's policies or handling of the Brexit negotiations. In what is already a heavily taxed landscape the government believes there is still room to add further taxes directed at the overseas investor.

This does not seem to be the right message for the government to be sending to the outside world with Brexit looming.

Okay, okay. No endorsements, no advice. 'Obviously.' Just gloom, dear reader(s). Naomi knows what she is talking about. 'Brexit.' Yes. Brexit is destroying Great Britain.

...

Anything else? Music? My music? 'Er ... you're not doing updates no more, boss. You said!' Oh, and you believed me, I suppose? 'Yes.' Ha! Ha, ha, ha! / Well, well ... if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got. 'What are you saying, exactly?' I'm changing the way I rehearse my songs. 'Oh.' Just a different routine, man. I want different results. Better results, you dig? 'Yes.' Good. / By the way, I'm going to put my FOUR best songs on the new demo. 'Christ! Is that wise, Mikey? You'll break the internet.' I don't care, Voice.

Okay. Later(s), finance fan(s), rock fan(s)!

[No. 653] Break the words to break on through

Yeah!

And, yes, ah, yes![1], and that's what you gotta do[1], and, yes, ah, yes![2], and, believe me ... words aren't helping us, man[1], and that's what you got ta do[2], and I don't know how many times I've got to explain it to YOU(!) ... people, seriously![1], and, believe me ... words aren't helping us, man[2], and maybe you don't spin too good, eh?[1], and I don't know how many times I've got to ex plain it to YOU(!) ... people, seriously![2], and, kook or square ...?[1], and maybe you don't spin too goo d, eh?[2], and a-ROUND here ... it's my way or the highway, you dig?[1], and, kook or square ...?[2], and Jesus H. - !!! Save them![1], and a-ROUND here ... it's my way or the high way, you dig?[2], and, listen ... the words ain't your friends, man, and I'm your friend / and have you got any feelings ... ?[1], and Jes us H. - !!! Save them![2], and your thoughts are ridiculous ...[1], and, listen ... the words ain't your friends, man, and I'm your friend / and have you got any feel ings ... ?[2], and you've been thinking about how SCARY(!!!) it is ... to be all cut off, like / and, yes, I know you, yes[1], and your thoughts are ridiculous ...[2], and spiritual aristocrats spin this way ...[1], and you've been thinking about how SCA RY(!!!) it is ... to be all cut off, like / and, yes, I know you, yes[2], and aeronauts of the spirit ain't worried about paying the bills ...[1], and spirit ual aristocrats spin this way ...[2], and be brave, my friend(s)[1], and aeronauts of the spirit ain't worrie d about paying the bills ...[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / ... and with a lot of style - like me![1], and be bra ve, my friend(s)[2], and let go![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / ... and with a lot of style - like me![2], and be free![1], and let go![2], and, listen ... your consciousness ness is stuffed with shit that you really don't need, man[1], and be free![2], and it's so sad[1], and, listen ... your consciousness ness is stuffed with sh it that you really don't need, man[2], and your thoughts aren't even your thoughts, ha, ha, ha! Uh ...[1], and it's so sad[2], and ... uh, uh, uh![1], and your thou ghts aren't even your thoug hts, ha, ha, ha! Uh ...[2], and the cosmos puts it in, and you must get it out[1], and ... uh, uh, uh![2], and, out, out, out![1], and the cosmos puts it in, and you must get it out[2], and your STRENGTH OF SOUL is the weapon that you must use to break it all down, down, down ...[1], and, out, out, out![2], and ... am I talking to myself?[1], and your STREN GTH OF SO UL is the weapon that you must use to break it all d own, do wn, dow n ...[2], and, listen ... if we ever get beyond the THREE, we might come back with even more power[1], and ... am I talking to myself?[2], and think - for once - about that, son/daughter[1], and, listen ... if we ever get beyond the THREE, we might come back with even more power[2], and think twice, if you like / and three times a kook![1], and think - for on ce - about that, son/daughter[2], and, whatever, you dig?[1], and think twice, if you like / and three times a koo k![2], and it's your life[1], and, w hatever, you dig?[2], and, yes, ah, yes![3], and it's your life[2], and that's what you g  o  t  t  a do[3], and, believe me ... words aren't helping us, man[3], and I don't know how many times I've got to e  x  p  l  a  i  n it to YOU(!) ... people, seriously![3], and maybe you don't spin too g  o  o  d, eh?[3], and, kook or square ...?[3], and a-ROUND here ... it's my way or the h  i  g  h  w  a  y, you dig?[3], and J  e  s  u  s H. - !!! Save them![3], and, listen ... the words ain't your friends, man, and I'm your friend / and have you got any f  e  e  l  i  n  g  s ... ?[3], and your thoughts are ridiculous ...[3], and you've been thinking about how S  C  A  R  Y(!!!) it is ... to be all cut off, like / and, yes, I know you, yes[3], and s  p  i  r  i  t  u  a  l aristocrats spin this way ...[3], and aeronauts of the spirit ain't w  o  r  r  i  e  d about paying the bills ...[3], and be b  r  a  v  e, my friend(s)[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / ... and with a lot of style - like me![3], and let go![3], and be free![3], and, listen ... your consciousness ness is stuffed with s  h  i  t that you really don't need, man[3], and it's so sad[3], and your t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s aren't even your t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s, ha, ha, ha! Uh ...[3], and ... uh, uh, uh![3], and the cosmos puts it in, and you must get it out[3], and, out, out, out![3], and your S  T  R  E  N  G  T  H OF S  O  U  L is the weapon that you must use to break it all d  o  w  n, d  o  w  n, d  o  w  n ...[3], and ... am I talking to myself?[3], and, listen ... if we ever get beyond the THREE, we might come back with even more power[3], and think - for o  n  c  e - about that, son/daughter[3], and think twice, if you like / and three times a k  o  o  k![3], and, w  h  a  t  e  v  e  r, you dig?[3], and it's your life[3], and

And, yes, ah, yes![1], and that's what you gotta do[1], and, yes, ah, yes![2], and, believe me ... words aren't helping us, man[1], and that's what you got ta do[2], and I don't know how many times I've got to explain it to YOU(!) ... people, seriously![1], and, believe me ... words aren't helping us, man[2], and maybe you don't spin too good, eh?[1], and I don't know how many times I've got to ex plain it to YOU(!) ... people, seriously![2], and, kook or square ...?[1], and maybe you don't spin too goo d, eh?[2], and a-ROUND here ... it's my way or the highway, you dig?[1], and, kook or square ...?[2], and Jesus H. - !!! Save them![1], and a-ROUND here ... it's my way or the high way, you dig?[2], and, listen ... the words ain't your friends, man, and I'm your friend / and have you got any feelings ... ?[1], and Jes us H. - !!! Save them![2], and your thoughts are ridiculous ...[1], and, listen ... the words ain't your friends, man, and I'm your friend / and have you got any feel ings ... ?[2], and you've been thinking about how SCARY(!!!) it is ... to be all cut off, like / and, yes, I know you, yes[1], and your thoughts are ridiculous ...[2], and spiritual aristocrats spin this way ...[1], and you've been thinking about how SCA RY(!!!) it is ... to be all cut off, like / and, yes, I know you, yes[2], and aeronauts of the spirit ain't worried about paying the bills ...[1], and spirit ual aristocrats spin this way ...[2], and be brave, my friend(s)[1], and aeronauts of the spirit ain't worrie d about paying the bills ...[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / ... and with a lot of style - like me![1], and be bra ve, my friend(s)[2], and let go![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / ... and with a lot of style - like me![2], and be free![1], and let go![2], and, listen ... your consciousness ness is stuffed with shit that you really don't need, man[1], and be free![2], and it's so sad[1], and, listen ... your consciousness ness is stuffed with sh it that you really don't need, man[2], and your thoughts aren't even your thoughts, ha, ha, ha! Uh ...[1], and it's so sad[2], and ... uh, uh, uh![1], and your thou ghts aren't even your thoug hts, ha, ha, ha! Uh ...[2], and the cosmos puts it in, and you must get it out[1], and ... uh, uh, uh![2], and, out, out, out![1], and the cosmos puts it in, and you must get it out[2], and your STRENGTH OF SOUL is the weapon that you must use to break it all down, down, down ...[1], and, out, out, out![2], and ... am I talking to myself?[1], and your STREN GTH OF SO UL is the weapon that you must use to break it all d own, do wn, dow n ...[2], and, listen ... if we ever get beyond the THREE, we might come back with even more power[1], and ... am I talking to myself?[2], and think - for once - about that, son/daughter[1], and, listen ... if we ever get beyond the THREE, we might come back with even more power[2], and think twice, if you like / and three times a kook![1], and think - for on ce - about that, son/daughter[2], and, whatever, you dig?[1], and think twice, if you like / and three times a koo k![2], and it's your life[1], and, w hatever, you dig?[2], and, yes, ah, yes![3], and it's your life[2], and that's what you g  o  t  t  a do[3], and, believe me ... words aren't helping us, man[3], and I don't know how many times I've got to e  x  p  l  a  i  n it to YOU(!) ... people, seriously![3], and maybe you don't spin too g  o  o  d, eh?[3], and, kook or square ...?[3], and a-ROUND here ... it's my way or the h  i  g  h  w  a  y, you dig?[3], and J  e  s  u  s H. - !!! Save them![3], and, listen ... the words ain't your friends, man, and I'm your friend / and have you got any f  e  e  l  i  n  g  s ... ?[3], and your thoughts are ridiculous ...[3], and you've been thinking about how S  C  A  R  Y(!!!) it is ... to be all cut off, like / and, yes, I know you, yes[3], and s  p  i  r  i  t  u  a  l aristocrats spin this way ...[3], and aeronauts of the spirit ain't w  o  r  r  i  e  d about paying the bills ...[3], and be b  r  a  v  e, my friend(s)[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / ... and with a lot of style - like me![3], and let go![3], and be free![3], and, listen ... your consciousness ness is stuffed with s  h  i  t that you really don't need, man[3], and it's so sad[3], and your t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s aren't even your t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s, ha, ha, ha! Uh ...[3], and ... uh, uh, uh![3], and the cosmos puts it in, and you must get it out[3], and, out, out, out![3], and your S  T  R  E  N  G  T  H OF S  O  U  L is the weapon that you must use to break it all d  o  w  n, d  o  w  n, d  o  w  n ...[3], and ... am I talking to myself?[3], and, listen ... if we ever get beyond the THREE, we might come back with even more power[3], and think - for o  n  c  e - about that, son/daughter[3], and think twice, if you like / and three times a k  o  o  k![3], and, w  h  a  t  e  v  e  r, you dig?[3], and it's your life[3], and

And, yes, ah, yes![1], and that's what you gotta do[1], and, yes, ah, yes![2], and, believe me ... words aren't helping us, man[1], and that's what you got ta do[2], and I don't know how many times I've got to explain it to YOU(!) ... people, seriously![1], and, believe me ... words aren't helping us, man[2], and maybe you don't spin too good, eh?[1], and I don't know how many times I've got to ex plain it to YOU(!) ... people, seriously![2], and, kook or square ...?[1], and maybe you don't spin too goo d, eh?[2], and a-ROUND here ... it's my way or the highway, you dig?[1], and, kook or square ...?[2], and Jesus H. - !!! Save them![1], and a-ROUND here ... it's my way or the high way, you dig?[2], and, listen ... the words ain't your friends, man, and I'm your friend / and have you got any feelings ... ?[1], and Jes us H. - !!! Save them![2], and your thoughts are ridiculous ...[1], and, listen ... the words ain't your friends, man, and I'm your friend / and have you got any feel ings ... ?[2], and you've been thinking about how SCARY(!!!) it is ... to be all cut off, like / and, yes, I know you, yes[1], and your thoughts are ridiculous ...[2], and spiritual aristocrats spin this way ...[1], and you've been thinking about how SCA RY(!!!) it is ... to be all cut off, like / and, yes, I know you, yes[2], and aeronauts of the spirit ain't worried about paying the bills ...[1], and spirit ual aristocrats spin this way ...[2], and be brave, my friend(s)[1], and aeronauts of the spirit ain't worrie d about paying the bills ...[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / ... and with a lot of style - like me![1], and be bra ve, my friend(s)[2], and let go![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / ... and with a lot of style - like me![2], and be free![1], and let go![2], and, listen ... your consciousness ness is stuffed with shit that you really don't need, man[1], and be free![2], and it's so sad[1], and, listen ... your consciousness ness is stuffed with sh it that you really don't need, man[2], and your thoughts aren't even your thoughts, ha, ha, ha! Uh ...[1], and it's so sad[2], and ... uh, uh, uh![1], and your thou ghts aren't even your thoug hts, ha, ha, ha! Uh ...[2], and the cosmos puts it in, and you must get it out[1], and ... uh, uh, uh![2], and, out, out, out![1], and the cosmos puts it in, and you must get it out[2], and your STRENGTH OF SOUL is the weapon that you must use to break it all down, down, down ...[1], and, out, out, out![2], and ... am I talking to myself?[1], and your STREN GTH OF SO UL is the weapon that you must use to break it all d own, do wn, dow n ...[2], and, listen ... if we ever get beyond the THREE, we might come back with even more power[1], and ... am I talking to myself?[2], and think - for once - about that, son/daughter[1], and, listen ... if we ever get beyond the THREE, we might come back with even more power[2], and think twice, if you like / and three times a kook![1], and think - for on ce - about that, son/daughter[2], and, whatever, you dig?[1], and think twice, if you like / and three times a koo k![2], and it's your life[1], and, w hatever, you dig?[2], and, yes, ah, yes![3], and it's your life[2], and that's what you g  o  t  t  a do[3], and, believe me ... words aren't helping us, man[3], and I don't know how many times I've got to e  x  p  l  a  i  n it to YOU(!) ... people, seriously![3], and maybe you don't spin too g  o  o  d, eh?[3], and, kook or square ...?[3], and a-ROUND here ... it's my way or the h  i  g  h  w  a  y, you dig?[3], and J  e  s  u  s H. - !!! Save them![3], and, listen ... the words ain't your friends, man, and I'm your friend / and have you got any f  e  e  l  i  n  g  s ... ?[3], and your thoughts are ridiculous ...[3], and you've been thinking about how S  C  A  R  Y(!!!) it is ... to be all cut off, like / and, yes, I know you, yes[3], and s  p  i  r  i  t  u  a  l aristocrats spin this way ...[3], and aeronauts of the spirit ain't w  o  r  r  i  e  d about paying the bills ...[3], and be b  r  a  v  e, my friend(s)[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / ... and with a lot of style - like me![3], and let go![3], and be free![3], and, listen ... your consciousness ness is stuffed with s  h  i  t that you really don't need, man[3], and it's so sad[3], and your t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s aren't even your t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s, ha, ha, ha! Uh ...[3], and ... uh, uh, uh![3], and the cosmos puts it in, and you must get it out[3], and, out, out, out![3], and your S  T  R  E  N  G  T  H OF S  O  U  L is the weapon that you must use to break it all d  o  w  n, d  o  w  n, d  o  w  n ...[3], and ... am I talking to myself?[3], and, listen ... if we ever get beyond the THREE, we might come back with even more power[3], and think - for o  n  c  e - about that, son/daughter[3], and think twice, if you like / and three times a k  o  o  k![3], and, w  h  a  t  e  v  e  r, you dig?[3], and it's your life[3], and

Credit Benchmark gets some money!

Yes, yes. Another firm has got its greasy mitts on some money! That's all right, ain't it? I take my hat off to them. 'How much, boss?' Er, hang on ... $7 million, it says here. 'Where?!' Christ! It's a PR email. Here -

New York - October 18, 2018 - Credit Benchmark, the leader in consensus based credit analytics, has announced plans to expand its offerings and scale its contributed data model, solidifying its standing as the largest source of credit risk data for rated and un-rated entities. The expansion will be fueled by a $7 million investment led by Index Ventures, Balderton Capital, Communitas Capital and a group of private investors that includes former Goldman Sachs Vice Chairman and the co-chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs International Michael Sherwood. Mr. Sherwood will also join the Credit Benchmark Board of Directors.

Okay, okay. Rated and un-rated entities? Whatever! / Let's hear more about the company ...

Having grown rapidly since publishing its first credit risk views in 2015, Credit Benchmark is the first financial data company to provide consensus credit risk estimates on a global range of corporates, sovereigns, financial institutions, and funds. The company draws its credit risk insights from a contributed data model that harnesses the collective intelligence of the world's leading financial institutions. Now receiving contributed credit risk and probability of default data from a collection more than 30 of the world's top financial institutions - a list that includes all of the largest banks in North America and the UK - Credit Benchmark is now publishing credit risk views on roughly 22,000 counterparties, the largest and most unique coverage globally.

Okay. Wow! 'No endorsements, boss.' Obviously not, Voice. But still ... anyway, uh, Donal wants to say something. 'Donald?' Donal. 'Donal?' Yes. 'Okay. As long as he's happy.' He is.

"We have created the conditions to support rapid adoption of our products and data, and this new round of funding will help us reach our goal of becoming a global standard for credit and risk management," says Donal Smith, Credit Benchmark Executive Chairman. "I look forward to working closely with our investors, contributors, and board members to seize this opportunity."

Nice one! You see, dear reader(s)? Guys like our Donal are always seizing opportunities. 'Ha! He's been listening to Grant Cardone, no doubt.' Yes. More of that later. 'Why not now, boss?' Because Billy wants to speak now. FFS!

"Over the course of the last three years, Credit Benchmark has expanded its coverage from c.1,000 entities based on the consensus estimates of just six contributors to more than 22,000 entities with insights derived from three dozen of the world's largest financial institutions," says William Haney, CEO of Credit Benchmark. "The appetite for our consensus view of credit risk is so enormous because it is differentiated from the traditional credit rating; it is truly comprehensive, with deep reach into the un-rated universe; and it is trusted because it is based on the internal regulatory processes of the world's leading financial institutions."

Okay. Wow! He's talking about the universe. 'Yeah. The un-rated universe. What's that?' It's, uh ... planets and shit that haven't got into the guide yet. 'Oh.'

...

Right. Anything else? Music, pop fan(s)? I'm not doing music updates no more. 'Oh, since when?!' Since today, idiot! This is a finance blog. 'Okay.' And I'll be ready when I'm ready. Maybe January. Just leave me alone! 'All these delays, boss. You're like Elon with his cars.' So what? That's great! He's making the best cars in the world. Good things take time.

NOW(!) ... Cardone? Sleep programming? Does it work? Well, I went to sleep last night listening to The 10X Rule, and I woke up this morning feeling really positive. So ... it's the best way to fight negative dreams, I reckon. I mean, you can't dream about depressing shit while Cardone is screaming in your ear: That's garbage, man. You've got to get success for yourself, baby! Or something like that. You dig?

Laters.