I'm listening to David Bowie this morning

I don't want to write about finance, dear reader(s), if you don't mind. It starts to get a bit old after eleven years. Do you know what I mean?

Anyway, the first song is The Supermen from The Man Who Sold the World. I like it because it's Bowie at his most deranged. I'm not crazy about the whole album though. The best thing is the sinister atmosphere, I would say - similar to OK Computer (a far superior album, obviously).

Quicksand. My favourite song from Hunky Dory. Seal did a great live version of this. I've put it on Twitter.

Moonage Daydream. You're squawking like a pink monkey bird. Enough said.

I won't be going beyond Absolute Beginners in 1986. I don't believe in rock legends making a return to form - as the reviewers always like to say. No one ever makes a return to form. It's a myth. Occasionally, you might get someone like Neil Young recording ONE(!) great new song like Ramada Inn. But that's fucking rare, man.

Lady Grinning Soul. / Uh. I'm not listing all the songs. What's the point?

1984. This is an underrated song. I mean, people don't mention it much, but it's really cool.

I'm not playing the hits at the moment. Bowie had twenty or thirty big hit-type songs. You know, Let's Dance, The Jean Genie, Fame, Golden Years, Starman, etc, etc. / I've written before about most recording artists only having two or three such songs on their Best of collections. Guys like Joe Jackson and Steve Harley. And that's my obsession, man. I mean, writing songs of that quality and power. I believe I will have eight or nine (out of eleven tracks) for my first album. That's a lot, yeah, but it will sound all right because of different styles, structures, etc. The Beatles often had six or seven per album. (Not necessarily released as singles.) Oasis, too.

Somebody Up There Likes Me from Young Americans is another underrated song. / Oh, the Young Americans song is a classic hit-type song, but it only got to number eighteen in the British charts, and twenty-eight in the American charts. And that's why you need lots of these songs, pop picker(s). Not every song will have the impact you want or expect.

Blackout. Cool. Red Sails. Very cool. Teenage Wildlife. I love this song! Yet another underrated album track. Bowie has/had loads!

...

Okay, okay. That's enough. I hope you have a nice weekend, crocodiles(s). Laters!

[No. 664] I can't change

This is it.

And ... so?[1], and, uh ... the way I am, a-ROUND here ... you dig?[1], and ... so?[2], and I don't actually want to change, to tell you the truth, my dear kook(s) / and how about you?[1], and, uh ... the way I am, a-ROUND here ... you dig?[2], and my, my ... consciousness ness ... ha![1], and I don't actually want to change, to tell you the truth, my dear kook(s) / and how about you?[2], and ... yes, you?[1], and my, my ... consciousness ness ... ha![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's so funny, and, oh ... so serious![1], and ... yes, you?[2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's so funny, and, oh ... so serious![2], and, uh ... your consciousness ness ... ah, such as it is[1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and ... 'Christ!'[1], and, uh ... your consciousness ness ... ah, such as it is[2], and listen, children, and wonder[1], and ... 'Christ!'[2], and, man ... I'm consistent, with all the chaos under control / and it's a miracle, yes![1], and listen, children, and wonder[2], and with these ...[1], and, man ... I'm consistent, with all the chaos under control / and it's a miracle, yes![2], and, uh, words, uh, thoughts ... ... ... feelings![1], and with these ...[2], and such strange stuff though, clearly[1], and, uh, words, uh, thoughts ... ... ... feelings![2], and, well ...[1], and such strange stuff though, clearly[2], and if I were to bang a drum now, while your electric teeth danced in your mouth ... what would it mean?[1], and, well ...[2], and tell me! ... seriously![1], and if I were to bang a drum now, while your electric teeth danced in your mouth ... what would it mean?[2], and, babe, roll on the floor for me NOW!!! - please![1], and tell me! ... seriously![2], and, okay, okay[1], and, babe, roll on the floor for me NOW!!! - please![2], and mental derangement is a way of life for the chosen few, us / and we chose ourselves, you dig?[1], and, okay, okay[2], and, listen, remember ...[1], and mental derangement is a way of life for the chosen few, us / and we chose ourselves, you dig?[2], and, or, or, or ... maybe learn, yes, that ...[1], and, listen, remember ...[2], and, uh, uh ... just by spinning, you can ... oh, oh, what can you do?![1], and, or, or, or ... maybe learn, yes, that ...[2], and ... 'Jesus H. - !!!'[1], and, uh, uh ... just by spinning, you can ... oh, oh, what can you do?![2], and that's the beauty of it, son / and no one really knows, kook(s) / and, at least, no one square, daughter[1], and ... 'Jesus H. - !!!'[2], and, oh, oh, oh ... what can you do - ?! - ?! - ?![1], and that's the beauty of it, son / and no one really knows, kook(s) / and, at least, no one square, daughter[2], and ... TELL ME - !!![1], and, oh, oh, oh ... what can you do - ?! - ?! - ?![2], and ... so?[3], and ... TE LL M E - !!![2], and, uh ... the way I am, a-ROUND here ... you dig?[3], and I don't actually want to change, to tell you the truth, my dear kook(s) / and how about you?[3], and my, my ... consciousness ness ... ha![3], and ... yes, you?[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's so funny, and, oh ... so serious![3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and, uh ... your consciousness ness ... ah, such as it is[3], and ... 'Christ!'[3], and listen, children, and wonder[3], and, man ... I'm consistent, with all the chaos under control / and it's a miracle, yes![3], and with these ...[3], and, uh, words, uh, thoughts ... ... ... feelings![3], and such strange stuff though, clearly[3], and, well ...[3], and if I were to bang a drum now, while your electric teeth danced in your mouth ... what would it mean?[3], and tell me! ... seriously![3], and, babe, roll on the floor for me NOW!!! - please![3], and, okay, okay[3], and mental derangement is a way of life for the chosen few, us / and we chose ourselves, you dig?[3], and, listen, remember ...[3], and, or, or, or ... maybe learn, yes, that ...[3], and, uh, uh ... just by spinning, you can ... oh, oh, what can you do?![3], and ... 'Jesus H. - !!!'[3], and that's the beauty of it, son / and no one really knows, kook(s) / and, at least, no one square, daughter[3], and, oh, oh, oh ... what can you do - ?! - ?! - ?![3], and ... T  E  L  L M  E - !!![3], and

And ... so?[1], and, uh ... the way I am, a-ROUND here ... you dig?[1], and ... so?[2], and I don't actually want to change, to tell you the truth, my dear kook(s) / and how about you?[1], and, uh ... the way I am, a-ROUND here ... you dig?[2], and my, my ... consciousness ness ... ha![1], and I don't actually want to change, to tell you the truth, my dear kook(s) / and how about you?[2], and ... yes, you?[1], and my, my ... consciousness ness ... ha![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's so funny, and, oh ... so serious![1], and ... yes, you?[2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's so funny, and, oh ... so serious![2], and, uh ... your consciousness ness ... ah, such as it is[1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and ... 'Christ!'[1], and, uh ... your consciousness ness ... ah, such as it is[2], and listen, children, and wonder[1], and ... 'Christ!'[2], and, man ... I'm consistent, with all the chaos under control / and it's a miracle, yes![1], and listen, children, and wonder[2], and with these ...[1], and, man ... I'm consistent, with all the chaos under control / and it's a miracle, yes![2], and, uh, words, uh, thoughts ... ... ... feelings![1], and with these ...[2], and such strange stuff though, clearly[1], and, uh, words, uh, thoughts ... ... ... feelings![2], and, well ...[1], and such strange stuff though, clearly[2], and if I were to bang a drum now, while your electric teeth danced in your mouth ... what would it mean?[1], and, well ...[2], and tell me! ... seriously![1], and if I were to bang a drum now, while your electric teeth danced in your mouth ... what would it mean?[2], and, babe, roll on the floor for me NOW!!! - please![1], and tell me! ... seriously![2], and, okay, okay[1], and, babe, roll on the floor for me NOW!!! - please![2], and mental derangement is a way of life for the chosen few, us / and we chose ourselves, you dig?[1], and, okay, okay[2], and, listen, remember ...[1], and mental derangement is a way of life for the chosen few, us / and we chose ourselves, you dig?[2], and, or, or, or ... maybe learn, yes, that ...[1], and, listen, remember ...[2], and, uh, uh ... just by spinning, you can ... oh, oh, what can you do?![1], and, or, or, or ... maybe learn, yes, that ...[2], and ... 'Jesus H. - !!!'[1], and, uh, uh ... just by spinning, you can ... oh, oh, what can you do?![2], and that's the beauty of it, son / and no one really knows, kook(s) / and, at least, no one square, daughter[1], and ... 'Jesus H. - !!!'[2], and, oh, oh, oh ... what can you do - ?! - ?! - ?![1], and that's the beauty of it, son / and no one really knows, kook(s) / and, at least, no one square, daughter[2], and ... TELL ME - !!![1], and, oh, oh, oh ... what can you do - ?! - ?! - ?![2], and ... so?[3], and ... TE LL M E - !!![2], and, uh ... the way I am, a-ROUND here ... you dig?[3], and I don't actually want to change, to tell you the truth, my dear kook(s) / and how about you?[3], and my, my ... consciousness ness ... ha![3], and ... yes, you?[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's so funny, and, oh ... so serious![3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and, uh ... your consciousness ness ... ah, such as it is[3], and ... 'Christ!'[3], and listen, children, and wonder[3], and, man ... I'm consistent, with all the chaos under control / and it's a miracle, yes![3], and with these ...[3], and, uh, words, uh, thoughts ... ... ... feelings![3], and such strange stuff though, clearly[3], and, well ...[3], and if I were to bang a drum now, while your electric teeth danced in your mouth ... what would it mean?[3], and tell me! ... seriously![3], and, babe, roll on the floor for me NOW!!! - please![3], and, okay, okay[3], and mental derangement is a way of life for the chosen few, us / and we chose ourselves, you dig?[3], and, listen, remember ...[3], and, or, or, or ... maybe learn, yes, that ...[3], and, uh, uh ... just by spinning, you can ... oh, oh, what can you do?![3], and ... 'Jesus H. - !!!'[3], and that's the beauty of it, son / and no one really knows, kook(s) / and, at least, no one square, daughter[3], and, oh, oh, oh ... what can you do - ?! - ?! - ?![3], and ... T  E  L  L M  E - !!![3], and

And ... so?[1], and, uh ... the way I am, a-ROUND here ... you dig?[1], and ... so?[2], and I don't actually want to change, to tell you the truth, my dear kook(s) / and how about you?[1], and, uh ... the way I am, a-ROUND here ... you dig?[2], and my, my ... consciousness ness ... ha![1], and I don't actually want to change, to tell you the truth, my dear kook(s) / and how about you?[2], and ... yes, you?[1], and my, my ... consciousness ness ... ha![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's so funny, and, oh ... so serious![1], and ... yes, you?[2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's so funny, and, oh ... so serious![2], and, uh ... your consciousness ness ... ah, such as it is[1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and ... 'Christ!'[1], and, uh ... your consciousness ness ... ah, such as it is[2], and listen, children, and wonder[1], and ... 'Christ!'[2], and, man ... I'm consistent, with all the chaos under control / and it's a miracle, yes![1], and listen, children, and wonder[2], and with these ...[1], and, man ... I'm consistent, with all the chaos under control / and it's a miracle, yes![2], and, uh, words, uh, thoughts ... ... ... feelings![1], and with these ...[2], and such strange stuff though, clearly[1], and, uh, words, uh, thoughts ... ... ... feelings![2], and, well ...[1], and such strange stuff though, clearly[2], and if I were to bang a drum now, while your electric teeth danced in your mouth ... what would it mean?[1], and, well ...[2], and tell me! ... seriously![1], and if I were to bang a drum now, while your electric teeth danced in your mouth ... what would it mean?[2], and, babe, roll on the floor for me NOW!!! - please![1], and tell me! ... seriously![2], and, okay, okay[1], and, babe, roll on the floor for me NOW!!! - please![2], and mental derangement is a way of life for the chosen few, us / and we chose ourselves, you dig?[1], and, okay, okay[2], and, listen, remember ...[1], and mental derangement is a way of life for the chosen few, us / and we chose ourselves, you dig?[2], and, or, or, or ... maybe learn, yes, that ...[1], and, listen, remember ...[2], and, uh, uh ... just by spinning, you can ... oh, oh, what can you do?![1], and, or, or, or ... maybe learn, yes, that ...[2], and ... 'Jesus H. - !!!'[1], and, uh, uh ... just by spinning, you can ... oh, oh, what can you do?![2], and that's the beauty of it, son / and no one really knows, kook(s) / and, at least, no one square, daughter[1], and ... 'Jesus H. - !!!'[2], and, oh, oh, oh ... what can you do - ?! - ?! - ?![1], and that's the beauty of it, son / and no one really knows, kook(s) / and, at least, no one square, daughter[2], and ... TELL ME - !!![1], and, oh, oh, oh ... what can you do - ?! - ?! - ?![2], and ... so?[3], and ... TE LL M E - !!![2], and, uh ... the way I am, a-ROUND here ... you dig?[3], and I don't actually want to change, to tell you the truth, my dear kook(s) / and how about you?[3], and my, my ... consciousness ness ... ha![3], and ... yes, you?[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's so funny, and, oh ... so serious![3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and, uh ... your consciousness ness ... ah, such as it is[3], and ... 'Christ!'[3], and listen, children, and wonder[3], and, man ... I'm consistent, with all the chaos under control / and it's a miracle, yes![3], and with these ...[3], and, uh, words, uh, thoughts ... ... ... feelings![3], and such strange stuff though, clearly[3], and, well ...[3], and if I were to bang a drum now, while your electric teeth danced in your mouth ... what would it mean?[3], and tell me! ... seriously![3], and, babe, roll on the floor for me NOW!!! - please![3], and, okay, okay[3], and mental derangement is a way of life for the chosen few, us / and we chose ourselves, you dig?[3], and, listen, remember ...[3], and, or, or, or ... maybe learn, yes, that ...[3], and, uh, uh ... just by spinning, you can ... oh, oh, what can you do?![3], and ... 'Jesus H. - !!!'[3], and that's the beauty of it, son / and no one really knows, kook(s) / and, at least, no one square, daughter[3], and, oh, oh, oh ... what can you do - ?! - ?! - ?![3], and ... T  E  L  L M  E - !!![3], and

Monroe Capital closes a fund at $1.33 billion!

Which is amazing, really, because they only wanted $800 million. 'Er, which fund, boss?' Uh, this fund, Voice -

Monroe Capital LLC ("Monroe") today announced the final close of its 2018 Monroe Capital Private Credit Fund III ("Fund") at $1.33 billion of limited partner commitments with over 100 investors in eight countries, eclipsing the Fund target of $800 million. When combined with target Fund leverage, the Fund will have more than $2.5 billion of buying power ("Power!!!") or capital available for investment.

You see? 'Yeah. Is this a PR email?' What?! I rarely get exciting PR emails like this, man. No, this is a press release from their website. Here's a bit about them -

Monroe Capital is a private credit asset management firm specializing in direct lending and opportunistic private credit investing. Since 2004, the firm has provided private credit solutions to borrowers in the U.S. and Canada. Monroe's middle market lending platform provides senior and junior debt financing to businesses, special situation borrowers, and private equity sponsors. Investment types include unitranche financings; cash flow, asset based and enterprise value based loans; and equity co-investments. Monroe is committed to being a value-added and user-friendly partner to business owners, senior management, and private equity and independent sponsors.

You see? 'Yeah.' The question is though: What are they going to do with the half a billion dollars they don't need? 'Er, I think they probably need it, boss.' Oh, no. I don't think so, Voice. They wanted $800 million. 'Yeah.' They needed $800 million. And they've got $1.3 billion. 'Yeah.' So I'm thinking now, that, uh, maybe ... 'They should give the spare cash to you.' Well, why not? Share the wealth! That's what I say.

Yippee! I'm so happy! I can buy some new guitars. I can go to Cornwall for a holiday. Actually, I can buy that house in Malibu! If it's still on the market, like. 'How much was it, boss?' $12 million, I think, Voice. Or maybe $16 million. I can't remember. 'Ha!' Yes, ha! You're right, man. It doesn't matter if you're worth half a billion, does it?

Anyway, let's finish with Ted ...

According to Ted Koenig, President and CEO of Monroe, "Private credit is an appealing area for institutional investors due to the ability to generate consistent absolute returns in a low yield environment. Investors have many choices in this space, many of which are recently created firms. We are pleased and proud that the institutional investor and limited partner community has come to appreciate the differentiated returns and consistent risk adjusted returns that Monroe has been able to generate every year over the last 14-year period, regardless of the business cycle or economic climate. This is a testament to our organization and our people."

Uh. That's just according to Ted, you understand, dear reader(s). And no endorsements, obviously, and naturally.

...

Right. Anything else? Music? My guitar playing is going well. I warm up now by doing a lot of spider shit and just playing a third of each song. A verse, and a chorus, you dig? 'Why a third?' Because it encourages you to play perfectly. I mean, you don't get worn out playing ninety seconds of a song. And you can play the whole thing later.

Okay. Laters!

Dolphins

If you see the dolphins

swimming around in the sea

if you're in the sea, like

Or with a boat, on top of the sea

and you see them

so free

take your hat off to them

for me

if you've got a hat, that is

because I won't be near the sea for a while

physical, material

and I just want them to know

that I appreciate

everything they are doing

I mean, setting a great example

because that is the way to live

not getting involved with nonsense

not talking absolute

nonsense

but living in a way

that makes a lot of sense

because we haven't got much time left

we never had much time

not even in our beginnings

because there were billions of years of life before us

and there are billions to come

which we'll miss out on, sadly

oh, one life here, yes

and I don't want to talk

of the things I should be known for

ah, I'm better known for this

just words

but that's not the point

the point is

there is no point

so that's why

they swim around in the sea

having more sense than you

and me

and the funny thing is

I can't even swim

but that doesn't matter

it's the dream that counts

and I'm dreaming of a better time

outside of time

my eternity

where

like a dolphin

maybe a spiritual dolphin

without a physical body

but a dolphin's soul

I can swim through the cosmos

seeing all the sights

having all the thoughts

knowing all the knowledge

and being sort of happy, I suppose

so far removed from the dirt and chaos

yes

and so

that's my dream

which is pretty real

because I can see it

right now

and I'm not one to wait

for visions

because they come so easy

and there's more

and there's more

and there's more

I could say

I could see

I could dream

because there are no limits

when you're as open as I am

and I don't care

I really don't care

what the monsters

of the world

say, or think, or feel

because they're pretty dead to me

and dead to themselves, obviously

because maybe

they do say, yes

but they can't think, no

and they certainly can't feel

not like our lovely dolphins

because they have so many feelings

and I love them

and maybe they love me

and why wouldn't they?

and so, well

this is all

all

I'm existing as

in this moment

and the next

the next moment

because the moments keep coming

and the dolphins won't stop

they will never stop

swimming

great!

[No. 663] Seven years!

My brain hurts a lot!

And that's all we got, man![1], and, oh ... I'm literally weeping as I tell you, kook(s) / and seven years is all we got[1], and that's all we got, man![2], and don't be happy, just take action, you dig?[1], and, oh ... I'm literally wee ping as I tell you, kook(s) / and seven y ears is all we got[2], and, so ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND now, yes / and let's make the most of this, yes[1], and don't be happy, just take action, you dig?[2], and come on![1], and, so ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND now, yes / and let's make the most of this, yes[2], and I don't want to see you squawking like a pink monkey bird / and, no, no, no![1], and come on![2], and, listen, yes, you ...[1], and I don't want to see you squaw king like a pin k monk ey bird / and, no, no, no![2], and you shouldn't be in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk shakes cold and long[1], and, listen, yes, you ...[2], and ... be serious, please[1], and you shouldn't be in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk s hakes cold and long[2], and let me, now ... ah, I kiss you, and you're beautiful, and I want YOU(!) ... to spin![1], and ... be serious, please[2], and do you understand?[1], and let me, now ... ah, I kiss you, and you're beautiful, and I want YOU(!) ... to spin![2], and the world is dying / and I'm not lying / and that's why I'm crying, obviously[1], and do you understand?[2], and, yes, it's serious[1], and the world is dying / and I'm not lying / and that's why I'm crying, obviously[2], and all the nobody people, and all the somebody people / and ... which are you?[1], and, yes, it's serious[2], and ... really? Okay[1], and all the no body people, and all the some body people / and ... which are you?[2], and let me sing to you, kook(s), just like a leper messiah, because that's what is needed, yes[1], and ... really? Okay[2], and I could fall to sleep ... for eternity[1], and let me sing to you, kook(s), just like a lep er mess iah, because that's what is needed, yes[2], and, but, no![1], and I could fall to sleep ... for eternity[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and we're really rocking, so hard![1], and, but, no![2], and ... 'What is ... ?'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and we're really rocking, so hard![2], and let's keep it rolling, yes, let's keep it rolling, until ... right before the end[1], and ... 'What is ... ?'[2], and, uh, uh, uh ...[1], and let's keep it ro lling, yes, let's keep it roll ing, until ... right before the end[2], and this - !!! ... ain't rock and roll, this is genocide![1], and, uh, uh, uh ...[2], and hang on to yourself, please![1], and this - !!! ... ain't rock and roll, this is geno cide![2], and a-ROUND here, yes![1], and hang on to yourself, please![2], and we'll be saved, man, believe me[1], and a-ROUND here, yes![2], and, one day, uh ... before the very end, Elon will come for us in his rocket, so don't be scared[1], and we'll be saved, man, believe me[2], and he told me ... "Let all the children boogie"[1], and, one day, uh ... before the very end, Elon will come for us in his rocket, so don't be scar ed[2], and, la, la, la ...[1], and he told me ... "Let all the children boo gie"[2], and that's all we got, man![3], and, la, la, la ...[2], and, oh ... I'm literally w  e  e  p  i  n  g as I tell you, kook(s) / and seven y  e  a  r  s is all we got[3], and don't be happy, just take action, you dig?[3], and, so ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND now, yes / and let's make the most of this, yes[3], and come on![3], and I don't want to see you s  q  u  a  w  k  i  n  g like a p  i  n  k m  o  n  k  e  y bird / and, no, no, no![3], and, listen, yes, you ...[3], and you shouldn't be in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk s  h  a  k  e  s cold and long[3], and ... be serious, please[3], and let me, now ... ah, I kiss you, and you're beautiful, and I want YOU(!) ... to spin![3], and do you understand?[3], and the world is dying / and I'm not lying / and that's why I'm crying, obviously[3], and, yes, it's serious[3], and all the n  o  b  o  d  y people, and all the s  o  m  e  b  o  d  y people / and ... which are you?[3], and ... really? Okay[3], and let me sing to you, kook(s), just like a l  e  p  e  r m  e  s  s  i  a  h, because that's what is needed, yes[3], and I could fall to sleep ... for eternity[3], and, but, no![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and we're really rocking, so hard![3], and ... 'What is ... ?'[3], and let's keep it r  o  l  l  i  n  g, yes, let's keep it r  o  l  l  i  n  g, until ... right before the end[3], and, uh, uh, uh ...[3], and this - !!! ... ain't rock and roll, this is g  e  n  o  c  i  d  e![3], and hang on to yourself, please![3], and a-ROUND here, yes![3], and we'll be saved, man, believe me[3], and, one day, uh ... before the very end, Elon will come for us in his rocket, so don't be s  c  a  r  e  d[3], and he told me ... "Let all the children b  o  o  g  i  e"[3], and, la, la, la ...[3], and

And that's all we got, man![1], and, oh ... I'm literally weeping as I tell you, kook(s) / and seven years is all we got[1], and that's all we got, man![2], and don't be happy, just take action, you dig?[1], and, oh ... I'm literally wee ping as I tell you, kook(s) / and seven y ears is all we got[2], and, so ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND now, yes / and let's make the most of this, yes[1], and don't be happy, just take action, you dig?[2], and come on![1], and, so ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND now, yes / and let's make the most of this, yes[2], and I don't want to see you squawking like a pink monkey bird / and, no, no, no![1], and come on![2], and, listen, yes, you ...[1], and I don't want to see you squaw king like a pin k monk ey bird / and, no, no, no![2], and you shouldn't be in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk shakes cold and long[1], and, listen, yes, you ...[2], and ... be serious, please[1], and you shouldn't be in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk s hakes cold and long[2], and let me, now ... ah, I kiss you, and you're beautiful, and I want YOU(!) ... to spin![1], and ... be serious, please[2], and do you understand?[1], and let me, now ... ah, I kiss you, and you're beautiful, and I want YOU(!) ... to spin![2], and the world is dying / and I'm not lying / and that's why I'm crying, obviously[1], and do you understand?[2], and, yes, it's serious[1], and the world is dying / and I'm not lying / and that's why I'm crying, obviously[2], and all the nobody people, and all the somebody people / and ... which are you?[1], and, yes, it's serious[2], and ... really? Okay[1], and all the no body people, and all the some body people / and ... which are you?[2], and let me sing to you, kook(s), just like a leper messiah, because that's what is needed, yes[1], and ... really? Okay[2], and I could fall to sleep ... for eternity[1], and let me sing to you, kook(s), just like a lep er mess iah, because that's what is needed, yes[2], and, but, no![1], and I could fall to sleep ... for eternity[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and we're really rocking, so hard![1], and, but, no![2], and ... 'What is ... ?'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and we're really rocking, so hard![2], and let's keep it rolling, yes, let's keep it rolling, until ... right before the end[1], and ... 'What is ... ?'[2], and, uh, uh, uh ...[1], and let's keep it ro lling, yes, let's keep it roll ing, until ... right before the end[2], and this - !!! ... ain't rock and roll, this is genocide![1], and, uh, uh, uh ...[2], and hang on to yourself, please![1], and this - !!! ... ain't rock and roll, this is geno cide![2], and a-ROUND here, yes![1], and hang on to yourself, please![2], and we'll be saved, man, believe me[1], and a-ROUND here, yes![2], and, one day, uh ... before the very end, Elon will come for us in his rocket, so don't be scared[1], and we'll be saved, man, believe me[2], and he told me ... "Let all the children boogie"[1], and, one day, uh ... before the very end, Elon will come for us in his rocket, so don't be scar ed[2], and, la, la, la ...[1], and he told me ... "Let all the children boo gie"[2], and that's all we got, man![3], and, la, la, la ...[2], and, oh ... I'm literally w  e  e  p  i  n  g as I tell you, kook(s) / and seven y  e  a  r  s is all we got[3], and don't be happy, just take action, you dig?[3], and, so ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND now, yes / and let's make the most of this, yes[3], and come on![3], and I don't want to see you s  q  u  a  w  k  i  n  g like a p  i  n  k m  o  n  k  e  y bird / and, no, no, no![3], and, listen, yes, you ...[3], and you shouldn't be in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk s  h  a  k  e  s cold and long[3], and ... be serious, please[3], and let me, now ... ah, I kiss you, and you're beautiful, and I want YOU(!) ... to spin![3], and do you understand?[3], and the world is dying / and I'm not lying / and that's why I'm crying, obviously[3], and, yes, it's serious[3], and all the n  o  b  o  d  y people, and all the s  o  m  e  b  o  d  y people / and ... which are you?[3], and ... really? Okay[3], and let me sing to you, kook(s), just like a l  e  p  e  r m  e  s  s  i  a  h, because that's what is needed, yes[3], and I could fall to sleep ... for eternity[3], and, but, no![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and we're really rocking, so hard![3], and ... 'What is ... ?'[3], and let's keep it r  o  l  l  i  n  g, yes, let's keep it r  o  l  l  i  n  g, until ... right before the end[3], and, uh, uh, uh ...[3], and this - !!! ... ain't rock and roll, this is g  e  n  o  c  i  d  e![3], and hang on to yourself, please![3], and a-ROUND here, yes![3], and we'll be saved, man, believe me[3], and, one day, uh ... before the very end, Elon will come for us in his rocket, so don't be s  c  a  r  e  d[3], and he told me ... "Let all the children b  o  o  g  i  e"[3], and, la, la, la ...[3], and

And that's all we got, man![1], and, oh ... I'm literally weeping as I tell you, kook(s) / and seven years is all we got[1], and that's all we got, man![2], and don't be happy, just take action, you dig?[1], and, oh ... I'm literally wee ping as I tell you, kook(s) / and seven y ears is all we got[2], and, so ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND now, yes / and let's make the most of this, yes[1], and don't be happy, just take action, you dig?[2], and come on![1], and, so ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND now, yes / and let's make the most of this, yes[2], and I don't want to see you squawking like a pink monkey bird / and, no, no, no![1], and come on![2], and, listen, yes, you ...[1], and I don't want to see you squaw king like a pin k monk ey bird / and, no, no, no![2], and you shouldn't be in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk shakes cold and long[1], and, listen, yes, you ...[2], and ... be serious, please[1], and you shouldn't be in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk s hakes cold and long[2], and let me, now ... ah, I kiss you, and you're beautiful, and I want YOU(!) ... to spin![1], and ... be serious, please[2], and do you understand?[1], and let me, now ... ah, I kiss you, and you're beautiful, and I want YOU(!) ... to spin![2], and the world is dying / and I'm not lying / and that's why I'm crying, obviously[1], and do you understand?[2], and, yes, it's serious[1], and the world is dying / and I'm not lying / and that's why I'm crying, obviously[2], and all the nobody people, and all the somebody people / and ... which are you?[1], and, yes, it's serious[2], and ... really? Okay[1], and all the no body people, and all the some body people / and ... which are you?[2], and let me sing to you, kook(s), just like a leper messiah, because that's what is needed, yes[1], and ... really? Okay[2], and I could fall to sleep ... for eternity[1], and let me sing to you, kook(s), just like a lep er mess iah, because that's what is needed, yes[2], and, but, no![1], and I could fall to sleep ... for eternity[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and we're really rocking, so hard![1], and, but, no![2], and ... 'What is ... ?'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and we're really rocking, so hard![2], and let's keep it rolling, yes, let's keep it rolling, until ... right before the end[1], and ... 'What is ... ?'[2], and, uh, uh, uh ...[1], and let's keep it ro lling, yes, let's keep it roll ing, until ... right before the end[2], and this - !!! ... ain't rock and roll, this is genocide![1], and, uh, uh, uh ...[2], and hang on to yourself, please![1], and this - !!! ... ain't rock and roll, this is geno cide![2], and a-ROUND here, yes![1], and hang on to yourself, please![2], and we'll be saved, man, believe me[1], and a-ROUND here, yes![2], and, one day, uh ... before the very end, Elon will come for us in his rocket, so don't be scared[1], and we'll be saved, man, believe me[2], and he told me ... "Let all the children boogie"[1], and, one day, uh ... before the very end, Elon will come for us in his rocket, so don't be scar ed[2], and, la, la, la ...[1], and he told me ... "Let all the children boo gie"[2], and that's all we got, man![3], and, la, la, la ...[2], and, oh ... I'm literally w  e  e  p  i  n  g as I tell you, kook(s) / and seven y  e  a  r  s is all we got[3], and don't be happy, just take action, you dig?[3], and, so ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND now, yes / and let's make the most of this, yes[3], and come on![3], and I don't want to see you s  q  u  a  w  k  i  n  g like a p  i  n  k m  o  n  k  e  y bird / and, no, no, no![3], and, listen, yes, you ...[3], and you shouldn't be in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk s  h  a  k  e  s cold and long[3], and ... be serious, please[3], and let me, now ... ah, I kiss you, and you're beautiful, and I want YOU(!) ... to spin![3], and do you understand?[3], and the world is dying / and I'm not lying / and that's why I'm crying, obviously[3], and, yes, it's serious[3], and all the n  o  b  o  d  y people, and all the s  o  m  e  b  o  d  y people / and ... which are you?[3], and ... really? Okay[3], and let me sing to you, kook(s), just like a l  e  p  e  r m  e  s  s  i  a  h, because that's what is needed, yes[3], and I could fall to sleep ... for eternity[3], and, but, no![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and we're really rocking, so hard![3], and ... 'What is ... ?'[3], and let's keep it r  o  l  l  i  n  g, yes, let's keep it r  o  l  l  i  n  g, until ... right before the end[3], and, uh, uh, uh ...[3], and this - !!! ... ain't rock and roll, this is g  e  n  o  c  i  d  e![3], and hang on to yourself, please![3], and a-ROUND here, yes![3], and we'll be saved, man, believe me[3], and, one day, uh ... before the very end, Elon will come for us in his rocket, so don't be s  c  a  r  e  d[3], and he told me ... "Let all the children b  o  o  g  i  e"[3], and, la, la, la ...[3], and

Elon Musk will be going to Mars in 2025!

Great news! And he won't be coming back! Even better news! 'Oh, that's lovely, that is, boss.' What? 'I thought you liked the guy.' I do! 'Then why do you want to get rid of him?' I don't want to get rid of Elon, Voice. It's just that I want to see him build a base on Mars. 'Oh, okay.' Actually, he says there's a 70 per cent chance he'll go. Which is pretty high, isn't it? And he'll be going in the Super Heavy Starship. 'Eh? I thought it was the Big Fucking Rocket, boss.' No, no. He's changed its name. Our Elon is being very sensible these days. 'Yeah. If you can call dying on Mars sensible.' Ha! We've all got to die somewhere, son.

Uh. I might go with him. If I get bored with my music, like. 'Oh, has he invited you?' No, but Elon will be selling tickets. I'll have the money by 2025. / I don't know. I'll see how I feel.

The thing is, I can tell that Elon's been thinking a lot. I know how his mind works, see. 'Really?' Yeah. I mean, he said before that he wouldn't be travelling to Mars until it's safe(ish) to go. But he's obviously been thinking about the fact that the first person to walk on the surface of Mars would become bigger than Neil Armstrong and would probably overshadow Elon himself - you know, the guy who's made it all possible, which wouldn't be right. I can't see Elon living with that. And it wouldn't be fair anyway.

Another consideration will be that Elon - like me - is approaching fifty. Every sensible person knows that their life ain't worth shit after the age of fifty. So you may as well take a risk or do something outlandish. What have you got to lose? The opportunity to one day be pissing your pants in some wretched care home? Sod that for a game of soldiers! Take me to Mars! Do you know what I mean?

...

Right. Anything else? Music? My music? Well, I've got a new fragment of a tune which is sounding very promising, kook(s). I might develop it into my fifteenth song before Christmas, instead of that other one I'm working on. However, recording the songs that I already have must come first. I might try later on in the week. The spider exercise has really improved my guitar playing, man.

Okay. There'll be a conceptual later, No. 663. Laters!

Guitar playing is exhausting

I'm going to have to get fit, man. I don't mean jogging in the park. [I don't approve of public displays of fitness. That shit should be private, you dig?] But I have a punch bag downstairs. I haven't used it much. I'll start using it now. And I'll jump around while I'm doing it. I'll float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

I definitely need to strengthen my hand for holding chords. So I'm going to do the spider exercise a lot more. And I need to play the guitar a lot more in general. I'll have to find the time somehow. I reckon you need complete immersion to get any good. / I want to record my new demo before Christmas. I can't wait any longer.

Oh, I'm giving the motivational stuff a rest. I don't actually have time for it any more. [And I don't need it!] My sad life is just blogging and guitar playing now. / I'm hoping to go to the pub for a couple of hours tomorrow lunchtime. But that's it. The only relaxation I get.

Staring at the river ...

Blogging is exhausting, too. Mentally exhausting. I'm physically and mentally knackered. That's the truth!

...

Ha, ha, ha! I've just received an email from Reuters. They've invited me to a webinar on ... The Future of Voice. 'What the fuck is this?! Are you serious, boss?!' Ha! Calm down, Voice. They're not talking about you. 'Oh.' It made me laugh though. 'Yeah, right.' Piss off back to the astral plane. Go on!

...

Ha, ha! Oh dear. / Anyway ... where were we, my kook(s)? Ah, music. I'm still reading that David Bowie book by Dylan Jones. Bowie changed a lot after the Seventies. He became happier, but also less intense with his music. The moral of the story? Don't be happy! / Bowie seemed to spend an awful lot of his time checking out the newest night clubs on the scene or going to parties. I suppose most pop and rock stars are like that, but I can't say it appeals to me. Maybe working all the time will give me a competitive edge. Well, I know it will. As I've said before, an Elon Musk type figure in the whimsical world of pop music would be ... apocalyptic. I mean, there's no other word for it.

Well, okay ... I hope you have a nice weekend, alligator(s). Voice? Oh, he's not here. Later(s), crocodile(s)!

Oh, another, uh ... fund has been launched

Okay, okay. Let's, uh ... / Well, well ... well. / Well, well ... well. / Well, well ... well. / Well - 'Boss!' What, Voice? 'Are you going to keep saying ... well, well, well ... ?' Ha! You're at it now, man! 'Uh.' Ha! And it was "well, well ... well", by the way. There was a pause after the second "well" each time. 'Okay. And is that important?!' Er, Harold Pinter would think so.

Oh, before we start with the PR email about this, uh ... new fund, dear reader(s), I can just tell you that my blankets have arrived, and they do a brilliant job of sound-proofing, for the recordings, like. 'I'm sure the readers are really interested, boss.' Yes, I'm sure, too. The blankets won't keep out the screams of a raving lunatic in the street, but ... how often do I get that? 'Where you live?' Yes. 'I would say three or four times a night.' Yes. But I can work around that. Three or four times, man. It's not a problem. / Anyway ...

LONDON, 20th November 2018 - Cooper Creek Partners ("Cooper Creek") and ML Capital are pleased to announce the launch of the Cooper Creek Partners North America Long Short Equity UCITS Fund on the MontLake UCITS Platform. With day one assets in excess of $110M USD, it will be one of the largest Alternative UCITS Fund launches year-to-date. MontLake is a leading independent platform for UCITS funds that provides investors with access to a range of Irish-domiciled liquid, transparent and regulated investment funds.

The Cooper Creek Partners North America Long Short Equity UCITS Fund seeks to generate attractive absolute returns, non-correlated to equity market performance, by investing in a portfolio of high conviction ideas with a low net exposure. Cooper Creek employs a catalyst-driven, value-oriented approach to investing in small/mid-cap, under-the-radar and/or out-of-favour North American companies with the potential for transformational change.

Under the radar? Out of favour? Isn't there normally a reason for that? Whatever!

The fund will be led and managed by Managing Member and Portfolio Manager Rob Schwartz, who founded Cooper Creek Partners in 2008. Rob has over 17 years of institutional investment experience and a proven track record of generating alpha on the long and short side in both up and down markets. Matt Sherwood and A.J Strasser, senior investment professionals at Cooper Creek, will support Rob with the strategy.

Okay, okay. No endorsement, obviously. However ... 'You wish them all the best with it.' Well, why wouldn't I? It's just a shame that Cyril and Rob don't want to say anything about the new fund. I'm very disappointed. 'What's this then? -'

Cyril Delamare, CEO of ML Capital says: "We are delighted to be partnering with Cooper Creek in the launch of their UCITS fund, which will form part of our actively distributed fund range. The fund will complement our existing offerings to investors via their low net, alpha focused approach, delivered via rigorous bottom up fundamental research and a track record of absolute returns on both the long and short side."

All right. Well done, Voice. You managed to drag our Cyril out of bed and get him to talk about the fund. But where's Rob? He's the one I really wanted to hear from. You're useless, Voice! Why do I even employ you?

Rob Schwartz, Portfolio Manager and Founder at Cooper Creek Partners says: "We are excited to be partnering with MontLake to bring our 10-year track record of uncorrelated returns focused on long and short North American catalyst driven small/mid cap securities to European investors in a UCITS format."

'Ha! You see, boss? I'm not as useless as you think.' Okay. Fair enough. Maybe you'll get a Christmas bonus now. 'What about some wages?' Don't push your luck.

Oh, dear reader(s) ... Christ! I had to correct some of the spelling and punctuation, which is something I just love doing with PR emails. I mean, it's not as if I'm a busy man, is it?

Okay, laters!

[No. 662] A bigger sacrifice

We must spin more!

And ... progress?[1], and, oh ... how can we make progress without intense spinning a-ROUND here ... ?[1], and ... prog ress?[2], and ... harder![1], and, oh ... how can we make progress without in tense spinning a-ROUND here ... ?[2], and come on, come on, come on![1], and ... harder![2], and think about it, kook(s)![1], and come on, come on, come on![2], and you must give up any normality you've got left ... in your wretched life out there[1], and th ink about it, kook(s)![2], and, yes, yes ... well, yes, obviously[1], and you must give up any normality you've got left ... in your wret ched life out there[2], and you, YOU(!) ... go faster - now![1], and, yes, yes ... well, yes, obviously[2], and would you rather be a square? / and, Christ! ... is that what you're saying?![1], and you, YOU(!) ... go faster - now![2], and I don't believe you[1], and would you rath er be a square? / and, Christ! ... is that what you're saying?![2], and totally destroy the words in your mind, oh yes[1], and I don't believe you[2], and do it, and do it, and do it ... uh, NOW - !!![1], and totally des troy the words in your mind, oh yes[2], and, tell me ... are you waiting for a miracle?![1], and do it, and do it, and do it ... uh, NOW - !!![2], and I can't get the spinners, I really can't[1], and, tell me ... are you waiting for a miracle?![2], and, oh ... let me tell you, son/daughter ... you are the miracle, you dig?[1], and I can't get the spinne rs, I really can't[2], and it's simple, yes[1], and, oh ... let me tell you, son/daughter ... you are the miracle, you dig?[2], and a-ROUND here ... you've been found / and a-ROUND here ... you've been chosen[1], and it's simple, yes[2], and believe in yourself / and believe in me[1], and a-ROUND here ... you've been found / and a-ROUND here ... you've been chosen[2], and, listen now, please ... believe in the shamanic magic of conceptual literature[1], and believe in yourself / and believe in me[2], and wake up![1], and, listen now, please ... believe in the shamanic magic of con ceptual literature[2], and the COLD WORLD isn't offering us a thing[1], and wake up![2], and what will you sacrifice ... to make a success of all the spinning today, and every day?[1], and the COLD WORLD isn't offering us a thing[2], and I'm talkin' 'bout eternity[1], and what will you sac rifice ... to make a success of all the spinning today, and every day?[2], and your energy is needed, and your spirit is needed, and -[1], and I'm talkin' 'bout eternity[2], and ... 'Their consciousness ness, Mikey!' / and, yes, yes, that goes without saying, Voice[1], and your energy is needed, and your spirit is needed, and -[2], and one day ...[1], and ... 'Their consciousness ness, Mikey!' / and, yes, yes, that goes without saying, Voice[2], and one day, kook(s), you'll thank me for all this, seriously[1], and one day ...[2], and it's a way like no other[1], and one day, kook(s), you'll thank me for all this, seriously[2], and ... more![1], and it's a w ay like no other[2], and ... p  r  o  g  r  e  s  s?[3], and ... more![2], and, oh ... how can we make progress without i  n  t  e  n  s  e spinning a-ROUND here ... ?[3], and ... harder![3], and come on, come on, come on![3], and t  h  i  n  k about it, kook(s)![3], and you must give up any normality you've got left ... in your w  r  e  t  c  h  e  d life out there[3], and, yes, yes ... well, yes, obviously[3], and you, YOU(!) ... go faster - now![3], and would you r  a  t  h  e  r be a square? / and, Christ! ... is that what you're saying?![3], and I don't believe you[3], and totally d  e  s  t  r  o  y the words in your mind, oh yes[3], and do it, and do it, and do it ... uh, NOW - !!![3], and, tell me ... are you waiting for a miracle?![3], and I can't get the s  p  i  n  n  e  r  s, I really can't[3], and, oh ... let me tell you, son/daughter ... you are the miracle, you dig?[3], and it's simple, yes[3], and a-ROUND here ... you've been found / and a-ROUND here ... you've been chosen[3], and believe in yourself / and believe in me[3], and, listen now, please ... believe in the shamanic magic of c  o  n  c  e  p  t  u  a  l literature[3], and wake up![3], and the COLD WORLD isn't offering us a thing[3], and what will you s  a  c  r  i  f  i  c  e ... to make a success of all the spinning today, and every day?[3], and I'm talkin' 'bout eternity[3], and your energy is needed, and your spirit is needed, and -[3], and ... 'Their consciousness ness, Mikey!' / and, yes, yes, that goes without saying, Voice[3], and one day ...[3], and one day, kook(s), you'll thank me for all this, seriously[3], and it's a w  a  y like no other[3], and ... more![3], and

And ... progress?[1], and, oh ... how can we make progress without intense spinning a-ROUND here ... ?[1], and ... prog ress?[2], and ... harder![1], and, oh ... how can we make progress without in tense spinning a-ROUND here ... ?[2], and come on, come on, come on![1], and ... harder![2], and think about it, kook(s)![1], and come on, come on, come on![2], and you must give up any normality you've got left ... in your wretched life out there[1], and th ink about it, kook(s)![2], and, yes, yes ... well, yes, obviously[1], and you must give up any normality you've got left ... in your wret ched life out there[2], and you, YOU(!) ... go faster - now![1], and, yes, yes ... well, yes, obviously[2], and would you rather be a square? / and, Christ! ... is that what you're saying?![1], and you, YOU(!) ... go faster - now![2], and I don't believe you[1], and would you rath er be a square? / and, Christ! ... is that what you're saying?![2], and totally destroy the words in your mind, oh yes[1], and I don't believe you[2], and do it, and do it, and do it ... uh, NOW - !!![1], and totally des troy the words in your mind, oh yes[2], and, tell me ... are you waiting for a miracle?![1], and do it, and do it, and do it ... uh, NOW - !!![2], and I can't get the spinners, I really can't[1], and, tell me ... are you waiting for a miracle?![2], and, oh ... let me tell you, son/daughter ... you are the miracle, you dig?[1], and I can't get the spinne rs, I really can't[2], and it's simple, yes[1], and, oh ... let me tell you, son/daughter ... you are the miracle, you dig?[2], and a-ROUND here ... you've been found / and a-ROUND here ... you've been chosen[1], and it's simple, yes[2], and believe in yourself / and believe in me[1], and a-ROUND here ... you've been found / and a-ROUND here ... you've been chosen[2], and, listen now, please ... believe in the shamanic magic of conceptual literature[1], and believe in yourself / and believe in me[2], and wake up![1], and, listen now, please ... believe in the shamanic magic of con ceptual literature[2], and the COLD WORLD isn't offering us a thing[1], and wake up![2], and what will you sacrifice ... to make a success of all the spinning today, and every day?[1], and the COLD WORLD isn't offering us a thing[2], and I'm talkin' 'bout eternity[1], and what will you sac rifice ... to make a success of all the spinning today, and every day?[2], and your energy is needed, and your spirit is needed, and -[1], and I'm talkin' 'bout eternity[2], and ... 'Their consciousness ness, Mikey!' / and, yes, yes, that goes without saying, Voice[1], and your energy is needed, and your spirit is needed, and -[2], and one day ...[1], and ... 'Their consciousness ness, Mikey!' / and, yes, yes, that goes without saying, Voice[2], and one day, kook(s), you'll thank me for all this, seriously[1], and one day ...[2], and it's a way like no other[1], and one day, kook(s), you'll thank me for all this, seriously[2], and ... more![1], and it's a w ay like no other[2], and ... p  r  o  g  r  e  s  s?[3], and ... more![2], and, oh ... how can we make progress without i  n  t  e  n  s  e spinning a-ROUND here ... ?[3], and ... harder![3], and come on, come on, come on![3], and t  h  i  n  k about it, kook(s)![3], and you must give up any normality you've got left ... in your w  r  e  t  c  h  e  d life out there[3], and, yes, yes ... well, yes, obviously[3], and you, YOU(!) ... go faster - now![3], and would you r  a  t  h  e  r be a square? / and, Christ! ... is that what you're saying?![3], and I don't believe you[3], and totally d  e  s  t  r  o  y the words in your mind, oh yes[3], and do it, and do it, and do it ... uh, NOW - !!![3], and, tell me ... are you waiting for a miracle?![3], and I can't get the s  p  i  n  n  e  r  s, I really can't[3], and, oh ... let me tell you, son/daughter ... you are the miracle, you dig?[3], and it's simple, yes[3], and a-ROUND here ... you've been found / and a-ROUND here ... you've been chosen[3], and believe in yourself / and believe in me[3], and, listen now, please ... believe in the shamanic magic of c  o  n  c  e  p  t  u  a  l literature[3], and wake up![3], and the COLD WORLD isn't offering us a thing[3], and what will you s  a  c  r  i  f  i  c  e ... to make a success of all the spinning today, and every day?[3], and I'm talkin' 'bout eternity[3], and your energy is needed, and your spirit is needed, and -[3], and ... 'Their consciousness ness, Mikey!' / and, yes, yes, that goes without saying, Voice[3], and one day ...[3], and one day, kook(s), you'll thank me for all this, seriously[3], and it's a w  a  y like no other[3], and ... more![3], and

And ... progress?[1], and, oh ... how can we make progress without intense spinning a-ROUND here ... ?[1], and ... prog ress?[2], and ... harder![1], and, oh ... how can we make progress without in tense spinning a-ROUND here ... ?[2], and come on, come on, come on![1], and ... harder![2], and think about it, kook(s)![1], and come on, come on, come on![2], and you must give up any normality you've got left ... in your wretched life out there[1], and th ink about it, kook(s)![2], and, yes, yes ... well, yes, obviously[1], and you must give up any normality you've got left ... in your wret ched life out there[2], and you, YOU(!) ... go faster - now![1], and, yes, yes ... well, yes, obviously[2], and would you rather be a square? / and, Christ! ... is that what you're saying?![1], and you, YOU(!) ... go faster - now![2], and I don't believe you[1], and would you rath er be a square? / and, Christ! ... is that what you're saying?![2], and totally destroy the words in your mind, oh yes[1], and I don't believe you[2], and do it, and do it, and do it ... uh, NOW - !!![1], and totally des troy the words in your mind, oh yes[2], and, tell me ... are you waiting for a miracle?![1], and do it, and do it, and do it ... uh, NOW - !!![2], and I can't get the spinners, I really can't[1], and, tell me ... are you waiting for a miracle?![2], and, oh ... let me tell you, son/daughter ... you are the miracle, you dig?[1], and I can't get the spinne rs, I really can't[2], and it's simple, yes[1], and, oh ... let me tell you, son/daughter ... you are the miracle, you dig?[2], and a-ROUND here ... you've been found / and a-ROUND here ... you've been chosen[1], and it's simple, yes[2], and believe in yourself / and believe in me[1], and a-ROUND here ... you've been found / and a-ROUND here ... you've been chosen[2], and, listen now, please ... believe in the shamanic magic of conceptual literature[1], and believe in yourself / and believe in me[2], and wake up![1], and, listen now, please ... believe in the shamanic magic of con ceptual literature[2], and the COLD WORLD isn't offering us a thing[1], and wake up![2], and what will you sacrifice ... to make a success of all the spinning today, and every day?[1], and the COLD WORLD isn't offering us a thing[2], and I'm talkin' 'bout eternity[1], and what will you sac rifice ... to make a success of all the spinning today, and every day?[2], and your energy is needed, and your spirit is needed, and -[1], and I'm talkin' 'bout eternity[2], and ... 'Their consciousness ness, Mikey!' / and, yes, yes, that goes without saying, Voice[1], and your energy is needed, and your spirit is needed, and -[2], and one day ...[1], and ... 'Their consciousness ness, Mikey!' / and, yes, yes, that goes without saying, Voice[2], and one day, kook(s), you'll thank me for all this, seriously[1], and one day ...[2], and it's a way like no other[1], and one day, kook(s), you'll thank me for all this, seriously[2], and ... more![1], and it's a w ay like no other[2], and ... p  r  o  g  r  e  s  s?[3], and ... more![2], and, oh ... how can we make progress without i  n  t  e  n  s  e spinning a-ROUND here ... ?[3], and ... harder![3], and come on, come on, come on![3], and t  h  i  n  k about it, kook(s)![3], and you must give up any normality you've got left ... in your w  r  e  t  c  h  e  d life out there[3], and, yes, yes ... well, yes, obviously[3], and you, YOU(!) ... go faster - now![3], and would you r  a  t  h  e  r be a square? / and, Christ! ... is that what you're saying?![3], and I don't believe you[3], and totally d  e  s  t  r  o  y the words in your mind, oh yes[3], and do it, and do it, and do it ... uh, NOW - !!![3], and, tell me ... are you waiting for a miracle?![3], and I can't get the s  p  i  n  n  e  r  s, I really can't[3], and, oh ... let me tell you, son/daughter ... you are the miracle, you dig?[3], and it's simple, yes[3], and a-ROUND here ... you've been found / and a-ROUND here ... you've been chosen[3], and believe in yourself / and believe in me[3], and, listen now, please ... believe in the shamanic magic of c  o  n  c  e  p  t  u  a  l literature[3], and wake up![3], and the COLD WORLD isn't offering us a thing[3], and what will you s  a  c  r  i  f  i  c  e ... to make a success of all the spinning today, and every day?[3], and I'm talkin' 'bout eternity[3], and your energy is needed, and your spirit is needed, and -[3], and ... 'Their consciousness ness, Mikey!' / and, yes, yes, that goes without saying, Voice[3], and one day ...[3], and one day, kook(s), you'll thank me for all this, seriously[3], and it's a w  a  y like no other[3], and ... more![3], and

Financial news shouldn't even be news, really

Maybe we can call it something else. Like, uh ... trash. Do you know what I mean, dear reader(s)? 'Oh, are you in a bad mood this morning, boss?' I don't know, Voice.

It's just ... / What's the actual point of writing about finance? I've written about thousands of funds and that. Thousands of finance faces! But where am I now? 'Right here, man.' Exactly! I'm right here. Nothing has changed in the world. The sun is still shining. Birds are still singing in the trees. I don't feel any different.

The conceptual stuff makes me feel different. Like a different fish. You dig? 'Yeah.' It's actually useful, man, and it means something. I'll be working on No. 662 later.

I ... 'Have you looked for news, boss?' No. 'What about PR emails?' They didn't appeal to me.

Actually, I can't see the sun this morning. It's all cloudy. 'And I can't hear any birds singing.' They're probably all dead, Voice.

Maybe things are changing. Not with finance. With the world. The world is dying.

Should we be sad?

I've been thinking about all the fascists we've got around us these days. Didn't they used to be in the gutter, keeping a low profile, like? When did they become so popular? They're always on the TV and radio these days. It's funny how times change.

So, the world is changing, yes. Finance is still as boring as it was ten years ago. Numbers going up and down. Funds opening. Funds closing. I've had a gutful of it.

Of course, regular readers won't be surprised by my attitude. I need to let off steam every now and then.

...

Okay. I'm putting some music on. Music makes even more sense than conceptual literature.

Right. Some Bowie songs ...

Five Years. This is about the end of the world. There are only five years left.

Quicksand. This is about knowledge coming with death's release. Ah, ah, ah!

1984. Ha! This is about the world today.

Lady Grinning Soul. Er ... this is about a lady who grins, I suppose. No one knows why.

Red Sails. Uh, I don't know. I just like it.

...

My music? I'm still trying to improve my guitar playing. It will probably take the rest of my life. I'm doing a lot more of the spider exercise. 'Is that when you play like a spider, Mikey?' Yes, Voice. Just like a spider. It hurts the fingers, but it's good for building strength.

Laters.

[No. 661] Chant of the ever circling shamanic family

I love you!

And ... ooh, ooh![1], and, you, I, well ...[1], and ... oo h, oo h![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and here I am, large as life![1], and, you, I, well ...[2], and these words, my kook(s), just chant them, yes, there's rather a lot, to come, like, ha![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and here I am, large as life![2], and a vision![1], and these words, my kook(s), just cha nt them, yes, there's rather a lot, to come, like, ha![2], and in the night, on the beach, my wicked dreams, with a lovely soft moon ... I see you![1], and a vision![2], and electric, all a-ROUND now[1], and in the night, on the beach, my wic ked dreams, with a lovely soft moon ... I see you![2], and I see ...[1], and electric, all a-ROUND now[2], and I program myself ... to believe ANYTHING - !!! / ... and, uh, anything I want[1], and I see ...[2], and we are together here, yes[1], and I prog ram myself ... to believe ANYTHING - !!! / ... and, uh, anything I want[2], and it doesn't matter where you travel to in your soul ...[1], and we are together here, yes[2], and, man ... I see EVERYTHING - !!! / ... and, oh, that you are, that you want to be[1], and it doesn't matt er where you travel to in your soul ...[2], and "I" is someone else ... obviously, or maybe not[1], and, man ... I see EVERYTHING - !!! / ... and, oh, that you are, that you want to be[2], and, well ... ain't that the truth ... ? / and I don't know / and I was hoping you would tell me, actually[1], and "I" is someone else ... obviously, or maybe not[2], and come on![1], and, well ... ain't that the t ruth ... ? / and I don't know / and I was hoping you would tell me, actually[2], and who are you, we?[1], and come on![2], and who, who, who ... Christ! / and what are they? / and why are they ... so awfully dead?[1], and who are you, we?[2], and tell me, please![1], and who, who, who ... Christ! / and what are they? / and why are they ... so aw fully dead?[2], and now ...[1], and tell me, please![2], and, ooh, ooh, uh, I should think ... ?[1], and now ...[2], and ... 'We can't chant this, Mikey!'[1], and, ooh, ooh, uh, I should think ... ?[2], and, listen ... just try your best, son / and you, you, YOU(!) ... are you digging it?[1], and ... 'We can't chant this, Mikey!'[2], and daughter(s)![1], and, listen ... just try your best, son / and you, you, YOU(!) ... are you dig ging it?[2], and I feel ... not right[1], and daughter(s)![2], and with these words, I mean / and why wasn't I given other words, to express myself?[1], and I feel ... not right[2], and it's not even "myself", sadly[1], and with these words, I mean / and why wasn't I given other words, to ex press myself?[2], and the cosmos decides who is who ...[1], and it's not even "myself", sadly[2], and there is NO ONE - seriously![1], and the cosmos decides who is who ...[2], and our consciousness ness nesses ... uh, can't be controlled by our small brains[1], and there is NO ONE - seriously![2], and ... fuck![1], and our consciousness ness nesses ... uh, can't be controlled by our s mall b rains[2], and that's why we get migraines[1], and ... fuck![2], and ... o  o  h, o  o  h![3], and that's why we get mig raines[2], and, you, I, well ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and here I am, large as life![3], and these words, my kook(s), just c  h  a  n  t them, yes, there's rather a lot, to come, like, ha![3], and a vision![3], and in the night, on the beach, my w  i  c  k  e  d dreams, with a lovely soft moon ... I see you![3], and electric, all a-ROUND now[3], and I see ...[3], and I p  r  o  g  r  a  m myself ... to believe ANYTHING - !!! / ... and, uh, anything I want[3], and we are together here, yes[3], and it doesn't m  a  t  t  e  r where you travel to in your soul ...[3], and, man ... I see EVERYTHING - !!! / ... and, oh, that you are, that you want to be[3], and "I" is someone else ... obviously, or maybe not[3], and, well ... ain't that the t  r  u  t  h ... ? / and I don't know / and I was hoping you would tell me, actually[3], and come on![3], and who are you, we?[3], and who, who, who ... Christ! / and what are they? / and why are they ... so a  w  f  u  l  l  y dead?[3], and tell me, please![3], and now ...[3], and, ooh, ooh, uh, I should think ... ?[3], and ... 'We can't chant this, Mikey!'[3], and, listen ... just try your best, son / and you, you, YOU(!) ... are you d  i  g  g  i  n  g it?[3], and daughter(s)![3], and I feel ... not right[3], and with these words, I mean / and why wasn't I given other words, to e  x  p  r  e  s  s myself?[3], and it's not even "myself", sadly[3], and the cosmos decides who is who ...[3], and there is NO ONE - seriously![3], and our consciousness ness nesses ... uh, can't be controlled by our s  m  a  l  l b  r  a  i  n  s[3], and ... fuck![3], and that's why we get m  i  g  r  a  i  n  e  s[3], and

And ... ooh, ooh![1], and, you, I, well ...[1], and ... oo h, oo h![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and here I am, large as life![1], and, you, I, well ...[2], and these words, my kook(s), just chant them, yes, there's rather a lot, to come, like, ha![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and here I am, large as life![2], and a vision![1], and these words, my kook(s), just cha nt them, yes, there's rather a lot, to come, like, ha![2], and in the night, on the beach, my wicked dreams, with a lovely soft moon ... I see you![1], and a vision![2], and electric, all a-ROUND now[1], and in the night, on the beach, my wic ked dreams, with a lovely soft moon ... I see you![2], and I see ...[1], and electric, all a-ROUND now[2], and I program myself ... to believe ANYTHING - !!! / ... and, uh, anything I want[1], and I see ...[2], and we are together here, yes[1], and I prog ram myself ... to believe ANYTHING - !!! / ... and, uh, anything I want[2], and it doesn't matter where you travel to in your soul ...[1], and we are together here, yes[2], and, man ... I see EVERYTHING - !!! / ... and, oh, that you are, that you want to be[1], and it doesn't matt er where you travel to in your soul ...[2], and "I" is someone else ... obviously, or maybe not[1], and, man ... I see EVERYTHING - !!! / ... and, oh, that you are, that you want to be[2], and, well ... ain't that the truth ... ? / and I don't know / and I was hoping you would tell me, actually[1], and "I" is someone else ... obviously, or maybe not[2], and come on![1], and, well ... ain't that the t ruth ... ? / and I don't know / and I was hoping you would tell me, actually[2], and who are you, we?[1], and come on![2], and who, who, who ... Christ! / and what are they? / and why are they ... so awfully dead?[1], and who are you, we?[2], and tell me, please![1], and who, who, who ... Christ! / and what are they? / and why are they ... so aw fully dead?[2], and now ...[1], and tell me, please![2], and, ooh, ooh, uh, I should think ... ?[1], and now ...[2], and ... 'We can't chant this, Mikey!'[1], and, ooh, ooh, uh, I should think ... ?[2], and, listen ... just try your best, son / and you, you, YOU(!) ... are you digging it?[1], and ... 'We can't chant this, Mikey!'[2], and daughter(s)![1], and, listen ... just try your best, son / and you, you, YOU(!) ... are you dig ging it?[2], and I feel ... not right[1], and daughter(s)![2], and with these words, I mean / and why wasn't I given other words, to express myself?[1], and I feel ... not right[2], and it's not even "myself", sadly[1], and with these words, I mean / and why wasn't I given other words, to ex press myself?[2], and the cosmos decides who is who ...[1], and it's not even "myself", sadly[2], and there is NO ONE - seriously![1], and the cosmos decides who is who ...[2], and our consciousness ness nesses ... uh, can't be controlled by our small brains[1], and there is NO ONE - seriously![2], and ... fuck![1], and our consciousness ness nesses ... uh, can't be controlled by our s mall b rains[2], and that's why we get migraines[1], and ... fuck![2], and ... o  o  h, o  o  h![3], and that's why we get mig raines[2], and, you, I, well ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and here I am, large as life![3], and these words, my kook(s), just c  h  a  n  t them, yes, there's rather a lot, to come, like, ha![3], and a vision![3], and in the night, on the beach, my w  i  c  k  e  d dreams, with a lovely soft moon ... I see you![3], and electric, all a-ROUND now[3], and I see ...[3], and I p  r  o  g  r  a  m myself ... to believe ANYTHING - !!! / ... and, uh, anything I want[3], and we are together here, yes[3], and it doesn't m  a  t  t  e  r where you travel to in your soul ...[3], and, man ... I see EVERYTHING - !!! / ... and, oh, that you are, that you want to be[3], and "I" is someone else ... obviously, or maybe not[3], and, well ... ain't that the t  r  u  t  h ... ? / and I don't know / and I was hoping you would tell me, actually[3], and come on![3], and who are you, we?[3], and who, who, who ... Christ! / and what are they? / and why are they ... so a  w  f  u  l  l  y dead?[3], and tell me, please![3], and now ...[3], and, ooh, ooh, uh, I should think ... ?[3], and ... 'We can't chant this, Mikey!'[3], and, listen ... just try your best, son / and you, you, YOU(!) ... are you d  i  g  g  i  n  g it?[3], and daughter(s)![3], and I feel ... not right[3], and with these words, I mean / and why wasn't I given other words, to e  x  p  r  e  s  s myself?[3], and it's not even "myself", sadly[3], and the cosmos decides who is who ...[3], and there is NO ONE - seriously![3], and our consciousness ness nesses ... uh, can't be controlled by our s  m  a  l  l b  r  a  i  n  s[3], and ... fuck![3], and that's why we get m  i  g  r  a  i  n  e  s[3], and

And ... ooh, ooh![1], and, you, I, well ...[1], and ... oo h, oo h![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and here I am, large as life![1], and, you, I, well ...[2], and these words, my kook(s), just chant them, yes, there's rather a lot, to come, like, ha![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and here I am, large as life![2], and a vision![1], and these words, my kook(s), just cha nt them, yes, there's rather a lot, to come, like, ha![2], and in the night, on the beach, my wicked dreams, with a lovely soft moon ... I see you![1], and a vision![2], and electric, all a-ROUND now[1], and in the night, on the beach, my wic ked dreams, with a lovely soft moon ... I see you![2], and I see ...[1], and electric, all a-ROUND now[2], and I program myself ... to believe ANYTHING - !!! / ... and, uh, anything I want[1], and I see ...[2], and we are together here, yes[1], and I prog ram myself ... to believe ANYTHING - !!! / ... and, uh, anything I want[2], and it doesn't matter where you travel to in your soul ...[1], and we are together here, yes[2], and, man ... I see EVERYTHING - !!! / ... and, oh, that you are, that you want to be[1], and it doesn't matt er where you travel to in your soul ...[2], and "I" is someone else ... obviously, or maybe not[1], and, man ... I see EVERYTHING - !!! / ... and, oh, that you are, that you want to be[2], and, well ... ain't that the truth ... ? / and I don't know / and I was hoping you would tell me, actually[1], and "I" is someone else ... obviously, or maybe not[2], and come on![1], and, well ... ain't that the t ruth ... ? / and I don't know / and I was hoping you would tell me, actually[2], and who are you, we?[1], and come on![2], and who, who, who ... Christ! / and what are they? / and why are they ... so awfully dead?[1], and who are you, we?[2], and tell me, please![1], and who, who, who ... Christ! / and what are they? / and why are they ... so aw fully dead?[2], and now ...[1], and tell me, please![2], and, ooh, ooh, uh, I should think ... ?[1], and now ...[2], and ... 'We can't chant this, Mikey!'[1], and, ooh, ooh, uh, I should think ... ?[2], and, listen ... just try your best, son / and you, you, YOU(!) ... are you digging it?[1], and ... 'We can't chant this, Mikey!'[2], and daughter(s)![1], and, listen ... just try your best, son / and you, you, YOU(!) ... are you dig ging it?[2], and I feel ... not right[1], and daughter(s)![2], and with these words, I mean / and why wasn't I given other words, to express myself?[1], and I feel ... not right[2], and it's not even "myself", sadly[1], and with these words, I mean / and why wasn't I given other words, to ex press myself?[2], and the cosmos decides who is who ...[1], and it's not even "myself", sadly[2], and there is NO ONE - seriously![1], and the cosmos decides who is who ...[2], and our consciousness ness nesses ... uh, can't be controlled by our small brains[1], and there is NO ONE - seriously![2], and ... fuck![1], and our consciousness ness nesses ... uh, can't be controlled by our s mall b rains[2], and that's why we get migraines[1], and ... fuck![2], and ... o  o  h, o  o  h![3], and that's why we get mig raines[2], and, you, I, well ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and here I am, large as life![3], and these words, my kook(s), just c  h  a  n  t them, yes, there's rather a lot, to come, like, ha![3], and a vision![3], and in the night, on the beach, my w  i  c  k  e  d dreams, with a lovely soft moon ... I see you![3], and electric, all a-ROUND now[3], and I see ...[3], and I p  r  o  g  r  a  m myself ... to believe ANYTHING - !!! / ... and, uh, anything I want[3], and we are together here, yes[3], and it doesn't m  a  t  t  e  r where you travel to in your soul ...[3], and, man ... I see EVERYTHING - !!! / ... and, oh, that you are, that you want to be[3], and "I" is someone else ... obviously, or maybe not[3], and, well ... ain't that the t  r  u  t  h ... ? / and I don't know / and I was hoping you would tell me, actually[3], and come on![3], and who are you, we?[3], and who, who, who ... Christ! / and what are they? / and why are they ... so a  w  f  u  l  l  y dead?[3], and tell me, please![3], and now ...[3], and, ooh, ooh, uh, I should think ... ?[3], and ... 'We can't chant this, Mikey!'[3], and, listen ... just try your best, son / and you, you, YOU(!) ... are you d  i  g  g  i  n  g it?[3], and daughter(s)![3], and I feel ... not right[3], and with these words, I mean / and why wasn't I given other words, to e  x  p  r  e  s  s myself?[3], and it's not even "myself", sadly[3], and the cosmos decides who is who ...[3], and there is NO ONE - seriously![3], and our consciousness ness nesses ... uh, can't be controlled by our s  m  a  l  l b  r  a  i  n  s[3], and ... fuck![3], and that's why we get m  i  g  r  a  i  n  e  s[3], and

Vanguard is the tops!

It's the Colosseum. It's the Louvre Museum. It's the Nile. It's the Tower of Pisa. It's the smile on the Mona Lisa. It's - 'Yeah, yeah. Who says, boss?' Scope. Look -

Vanguard reached top spot for the first time in Scope's Q3 ranking of large asset managers, just released. The share of Vanguard funds rated A and B rose from 50% in Q2 to 58%, thanks mainly to the positioning of its product range.

Well, well ... / Is this worldwide?

Scope's large asset-manager category ranks managers that have a minimum of 25 rated funds authorized for distribution in Germany. Vanguard offers multiple passive strategies focused on US and global equities. In US equities especially, fewer active funds can generate out-performance. As a result, an increasingly greater number of passive products are achieving top ratings in their respective peer groups.

Okay. They've got to be authorized for distribution in Germany. But are they/it ... the tops worldwide?

MFS made the biggest jump within the top 10. The US asset manager's share of top-rated funds went from 47% in Q1 to 57%, allowing it to leap from 10th to second. Worth noting was MFS's ability to gradually and significantly increase its ratio this year. In January of this year, only 36% of its rated funds had a top rating.

The only new name in the top 10 was Union Investment, whose share of top-rated funds rose from 45% to 50%, a rise from 13th to 10th place. Allianz GI fell out of the top 10 in Q3: even with a slight improvement in the ratio from 48% in Q2 to 49%, the manager slipped to 12th place.

Among small assets managers (those with eight to 24 funds), there was also a change at the top: Wellington Management secured first place thanks to its improved share of top-rated funds, from 78% to 83%. The upward trend had already begun at the end of 2017. At that time, its ratio was 59% but it has gradually risen since. Worth noting: of Wellington's 12 rated equity funds, 11 have top ratings. Wellington dislodged Comgest from the top spot; Comgest's ratio of 82% was unchanged.

Lupus Alpha, Sparinvest, Dimensional and Investec all fell out of the top 10, replaced by MainFirst, Polar Capital Partners, MEAG and Wells Fargo AM. MainFirst and Polar Capital Partners entered the top 10 for the first time.

Okay, okay. I'll guess we'll never know. Not that I'm bothered, dear reader(s). I've got different fish to fry. 'It probably is worldwide, boss. I mean, who cares which asset manager is the tops in Germany?' Er ... Germans? 'Good point!' Oh, it's gotta be worldwide, man. I'm in England. Scope knows that. And I'm the world's foremost financial shaman. 'And they know that.' Fuckin' A they do!

...

Right. Anything else? Music? My music? I've ordered some moving blankets from Amazon. 'What are they, boss? Do they move around?' I hope not, Voice. They're called moving blankets because they're heavy blankets used for removals. 'Is this about music?' Yes. Because I'm going to put these blankets over my windows. 'Eh? Why?!' Sound-proofing, idiot! 'Oh, I get you.' At last! Thank Christ! / They won't keep every noise out, or in, but I'm sure they'll help a lot. I Googled "cheap ideas for sound-proofing" yesterday, and that's what I got. Some people say they don't work. However, one guy on a forum said that if they're good enough for Ray Charles, they're good enough for him. 'You can't argue with that.' No.

Uh. What am I listening to? Right now? Liquid Swords. Okay, laters!

Music, and general night thoughts

Okay, okay. / I'm putting Oxygene on first, by Jean Michel Jarre. This music was used in the film Gallipoli. Amazingly, it worked really well. I mean, a First World War film and electronic music shouldn't work at all.

My music? I'll have to finish that fifteenth song of mine soon. The music is good enough. Not great, but good enough. I reject too many ideas, man.

I'll record my new demo soon, too. Before Christmas. So, I'll be ready after Christmas. I'm finally sick of normal life - after nearly fifty years. It's time to be a rock star. An out-of-reality one, like David Bowie or Jim Morrison. Not like Bono or Chris Martin, you dig? However, one suited to my age, uh, like Karajan in that Beethoven Seventh symphony clip on YouTube. Eyes closed. Mystical ecstasy. Living large! Kook(s), you know what I mean.

I'm reprogramming myself. Well, I have been. I don't need those Grant Cardone books no more. Nor the Vance/Musk one. I've changed. I work hard now without having to force myself. The incantation helps a lot. It blocks out any negative thoughts. I've been ten days without a bad thought in my head. And I sleep less. I eat less. I've become a monster of massive action!

Anything I want, I will get. Watch out!

I'm looking forward - hang on! I want to switch to Eno's Apollo. Okay. As I was saying, I'm looking forward to Christmas. A week off blogging. Mince pies. The pub. A bit of TV. I'll be "normal" that week, for strictly sentimental reasons.

Before the storm. Because I'm not fucking around. / I could have done with this mentality thirty years ago. Never mind. You live and learn, don't you? Well, I do.

Brexit? I'm not even thinking about it. Do you know why? I'll tell you: Nothing in the world has got any connection to me.

My focus is my music. Anything that isn't my music will have a rough time of it from now on.

***Monomania***. Lap it up!

...

Okay, okay. / Good night, dear alligator(s)! I mean, later(s), crocodile(s)! Have a nice weekend!

Two PR emails

And I've had to choose one of them. Only one. 'Nonsense, boss! You're writing another post later. You can cover both emails.' Er, excuse me, Voice. I'll be writing about music later, probably, and just general night thoughts. 'Oh.' Not that it's got anything to do with you. I don't even want you on the next post. 'Good! I'll be able to get some kip on the astral plane then.' Well, good! We're both happy.

Jesus H. Christ! / Uh, anyway ...

Lagos, 13/11/2018 - Unity Bank has agreed to work together with Daystar Power in moving the power supply of Unity Bank's branches across Nigeria from diesel generation to cleaner and more efficient solar powered solutions. Unity Bank is one of Nigeria's leading retail banks with 240 business offices across the country and Nigeria's 8th largest bank by business locations. Unity Bank is driven by the vision to be the retail bank of choice for all Nigerians and the move to a cleaner power supply will further improve the banking experience of retail customers. Daystar Power belongs to the venture capital company Sunray Ventures of the German founders Christian Wessels and Jasper Graf von Hardenberg.

Yeah, solar power in Nigeria. The other email looked quite interesting. Some cryptocurrency research by Warwick University. Unfortunately, there's an embargo on it until midnight. Why the hell do they do that?! 'You can write about it later, boss.' I've already told you, idiot! I'll be writing about music later and - 'Yeah, yeah, and general night thoughts.' Yes, that's right. 'Break the embargo then.' What?! Have you lost your fucking mind, Voice?! 'Well -' You can't break an embargo! Do you know what would happen to me if I did break it? 'No. What?' Er ... well, I don't actually know. 'Ha!' But I'm pretty sure it would be serious. / So, dear reader(s), let's stick with solar power in Nigeria ...

Daystar Power was founded by the venture capital financier Sunray Ventures, which has set itself the task of making a significant contribution to the electrification of the African continent through private equity investments and thereby promoting the systematic expansion of renewable energy resources.

Fair enough. / Unity Bank?

Unity Bank has agreed to work with Daystar Power in moving the power supply of its branches across Nigeria to cleaner and more economic solar powered solutions. In delivering its services, Daystar Power uses globally leading technology to provide Unity Bank with a combination of hybrid battery backed-up solar power solutions, which reduce costs as well as carbon emissions.

Yeah, okay, we know! / Right, let's hear from - oh, ha, ha, ha ... this girl has got a cool name, man - let's hear from ... Tomi Somefun -

Tomi Somefun, Managing Director of Unity Bank says: "Unity Bank is dedicated to be the retail bank of choice for all Nigerians and provide our customers with the best possible banking experience. We believe that our transition to clean solar energy solutions will not only help providing a better experience to customers visiting our branches, but also contribute to safeguarding our environment. We are happy to be working together with Daystar Power in this endeavour."

Nice one! / I bet she's the life and soul of parties. / Okay. To finish with, let's hear from, uh ... Christian Wessels. Whatever.

Christian Wessels, Geschaftsfuhrer von Sunray Ventures, says: "A significant gap between required and available electricity from the grid is prevalent across Nigeria, leading to most businesses using diesel generators for most of the day. However, advances in technology have made it economical for commercial and industrial customers alike to switch to cleaner hybrid solar power solutions. We are very happy that Unity Bank has decided to be at the forefront of this development and work together with Daystar Power, to provide cleaner and economical power solutions to its branch network."

All right. Thanks, Christian. Shame about your boring name, but it's not your fault, is it?

Right, uh ... let me have a short break, blog fan(s).