Your No. 1 relationship has got to be with the cosmos

Otherwise you're lost.

You don't worship the cosmos. That's for amateurs.

You don't read a book to find out more information about the cosmos. (If you've really got your shit together, you shouldn't need this post.)

You don't go into a certain building to be told about your relationship with the cosmos. That's for amateurs.

There is no human authority for you to consult with. The cosmos is the only authority.

Your ego? Obviously, hold on to your ego for dealing with this hellish world, but lose it occasionally to get the best connection with the cosmos. Dreams, blackouts, and visions are perfect for this.

Be confident that the cosmos isn't going anywhere. Everything else in your life is going somewhere. The cosmos isn't. We're talking billions and trillions of years before you were born, and billions and trillions after you die. And it's more than just the physical universe.

Get the picture?

Nice one, kooks!

Now we can talk about poetry and music.

Oh, I forgot. The cosmos expects you to have a "passion" of some kind. But isn't that a temporary thing? Yes, it is. However, if you become world-class at this "passion", the cosmos notices and gives you a promotion.

Is a promotion really necessary? Well, it all depends. Would you like to become a demigod, or a rat? Would you like to become a cosmic dolphin flying through space, or a pig on a farm somewhere? Or just another human?

These things are worth considering.

But anyway ... poetry!

No! Music first. Because my musical plans are so messed up at the moment ... I'm only intending to write another song if it can be better than Endless Fun. No other sort of song is needed right now. Just better.

Poetry? ...

Oh, I'll be writing about finance soon. Just finance. All the time. Believe it! 'Ha!' Shut up, Voice.

Poetry?

I was reading through my seven poems last night. I definitely need more like the BIG ONE, but ... it was so exhausting ... I'm in no rush, you dig? / I want to write more short free verse poems. They've got to be intense and concentrated. / Traditional poems? I might take lots of liberties with them and throw in random lines of free verse here and there. Just do what I feel like doing. Maybe create my own forms. I'm not too keen on writing six-line stanzas or seven-line ones. What's the point? You can start writing in blank verse, and then put some rhymes in. Do what you want to do, man! I think -

'Who are you talking to, Mikey?'

Only myself, Voice. Only myself.

'Nice one!'

Yes, it's nice.

It was very nice.

But now ...

ENDS

ENDS

ENDS

'Bye!'

[No. 1,130]

And words words[1], and its nice and relaxed here with words that dont need to do nothing man[1], and words words[2], and Im happy I dont want the stress[1], and its nice and relaxed here with words that dont need to do nothing man[2], and sometimes I do of course[1], and Im happy I dont want the stress[2], and aRound and aRound and aRound and theres little war when youre dizzy[1], and sometimes I do of course[2], and poetry is the big war obviously[1], and aRound and aRound and aRound and theres little war when youre dizzy[2], and fight fight fight or spin spin spin[1], and poetry is the big war obviously[2], and smoke and bullets or swords I dont know Im just fighting through the chaos[1], and fight fight fight or spin spin spin[2], and lets embrace it here[1], and smoke and bullets or swords I dont know Im just fighting through the chaos[2], and or or or just ignore it[1], and lets embrace it here[2], and I can roll like a tearful mess on the floor and foam from my mouth or on the ceiling oh who cares[1], and or or or just ignore it[2], and this is a holiday[1], and I can roll like a tearful mess on the floor and foam from my mouth or on the ceiling oh who cares[2], and the beautiful thing is the kooks you support me while the squares dont know a thing[1], and this is a holiday[2], and oh not a thing[1], and the beautiful thing is the kooks you support me while the squares dont know a thing[2], and they know even less when I spin without a title and without punctuation ha ha ha[1], and oh not a thing[2], and maybe they think too much but we feel a lot dont we[1], and they know even less when I spin without a title and without punctuation ha ha ha[2], and we feel too much maybe I dont know I just like it so what its not a crime is it[1], and maybe they think too much but we feel a lot dont we[2], and never ever mind with no brain is best[1], and we feel too much maybe I dont know I just like it so what its not a crime is it[2], and this is a great holiday from poetry and I had a real battle at the weekend man[1], and never ever mind with no brain is best[2], and blood and guts it was brutal[1], and this is a great holiday from poetry and I had a real battle at the weekend man[2], and but Im still standing uh still spinning and I will live to fight another day[1], and blood and guts it was brutal[2], and fight to live[1], and but Im still standing uh still spinning and I will live to fight another day[2], and aRound and aRound and aRound and we gotta keep going otherwise we will stop and thats not wise[1], and fight to live[2], and does that make sense not that I care ha ha ha[1], and aRound and aRound and aRound and we gotta keep going otherwise we will stop and thats not wise[2], and there will always be words there will never be silence there will never be peace[1], and does that make sense not that I care ha ha ha[2], and its tough but its just the way it is[1], and there will always be words there will never be silence there will never be peace[2], and more come on[1], and its tough but its just the way it is[2], and words words[3], and more come on[2], and its nice and relaxed here with words that dont need to do nothing man[3], and Im happy I dont want the stress[3], and sometimes I do of course[3], and aRound and aRound and aRound and theres little war when youre dizzy[3], and poetry is the big war obviously[3], and fight fight fight or spin spin spin[3], and smoke and bullets or swords I dont know Im just fighting through the chaos[3], and lets embrace it here[3], and or or or just ignore it[3], and I can roll like a tearful mess on the floor and foam from my mouth or on the ceiling oh who cares[3], and this is a holiday[3], and the beautiful thing is the kooks you support me while the squares dont know a thing[3], and oh not a thing[3], and they know even less when I spin without a title and without punctuation ha ha ha[3], and maybe they think too much but we feel a lot dont we[3], and we feel too much maybe I dont know I just like it so what its not a crime is it[3], and never ever mind with no brain is best[3], and this is a great holiday from poetry and I had a real battle at the weekend man[3], and blood and guts it was brutal[3], and but Im still standing uh still spinning and I will live to fight another day[3], and fight to live[3], and aRound and aRound and aRound and we gotta keep going otherwise we will stop and thats not wise[3], and does that make sense not that I care ha ha ha[3], and there will always be words there will never be silence there will never be peace[3], and its tough but its just the way it is[3], and more come on[3], and

And words words[1], and its nice and relaxed here with words that dont need to do nothing man[1], and words words[2], and Im happy I dont want the stress[1], and its nice and relaxed here with words that dont need to do nothing man[2], and sometimes I do of course[1], and Im happy I dont want the stress[2], and aRound and aRound and aRound and theres little war when youre dizzy[1], and sometimes I do of course[2], and poetry is the big war obviously[1], and aRound and aRound and aRound and theres little war when youre dizzy[2], and fight fight fight or spin spin spin[1], and poetry is the big war obviously[2], and smoke and bullets or swords I dont know Im just fighting through the chaos[1], and fight fight fight or spin spin spin[2], and lets embrace it here[1], and smoke and bullets or swords I dont know Im just fighting through the chaos[2], and or or or just ignore it[1], and lets embrace it here[2], and I can roll like a tearful mess on the floor and foam from my mouth or on the ceiling oh who cares[1], and or or or just ignore it[2], and this is a holiday[1], and I can roll like a tearful mess on the floor and foam from my mouth or on the ceiling oh who cares[2], and the beautiful thing is the kooks you support me while the squares dont know a thing[1], and this is a holiday[2], and oh not a thing[1], and the beautiful thing is the kooks you support me while the squares dont know a thing[2], and they know even less when I spin without a title and without punctuation ha ha ha[1], and oh not a thing[2], and maybe they think too much but we feel a lot dont we[1], and they know even less when I spin without a title and without punctuation ha ha ha[2], and we feel too much maybe I dont know I just like it so what its not a crime is it[1], and maybe they think too much but we feel a lot dont we[2], and never ever mind with no brain is best[1], and we feel too much maybe I dont know I just like it so what its not a crime is it[2], and this is a great holiday from poetry and I had a real battle at the weekend man[1], and never ever mind with no brain is best[2], and blood and guts it was brutal[1], and this is a great holiday from poetry and I had a real battle at the weekend man[2], and but Im still standing uh still spinning and I will live to fight another day[1], and blood and guts it was brutal[2], and fight to live[1], and but Im still standing uh still spinning and I will live to fight another day[2], and aRound and aRound and aRound and we gotta keep going otherwise we will stop and thats not wise[1], and fight to live[2], and does that make sense not that I care ha ha ha[1], and aRound and aRound and aRound and we gotta keep going otherwise we will stop and thats not wise[2], and there will always be words there will never be silence there will never be peace[1], and does that make sense not that I care ha ha ha[2], and its tough but its just the way it is[1], and there will always be words there will never be silence there will never be peace[2], and more come on[1], and its tough but its just the way it is[2], and words words[3], and more come on[2], and its nice and relaxed here with words that dont need to do nothing man[3], and Im happy I dont want the stress[3], and sometimes I do of course[3], and aRound and aRound and aRound and theres little war when youre dizzy[3], and poetry is the big war obviously[3], and fight fight fight or spin spin spin[3], and smoke and bullets or swords I dont know Im just fighting through the chaos[3], and lets embrace it here[3], and or or or just ignore it[3], and I can roll like a tearful mess on the floor and foam from my mouth or on the ceiling oh who cares[3], and this is a holiday[3], and the beautiful thing is the kooks you support me while the squares dont know a thing[3], and oh not a thing[3], and they know even less when I spin without a title and without punctuation ha ha ha[3], and maybe they think too much but we feel a lot dont we[3], and we feel too much maybe I dont know I just like it so what its not a crime is it[3], and never ever mind with no brain is best[3], and this is a great holiday from poetry and I had a real battle at the weekend man[3], and blood and guts it was brutal[3], and but Im still standing uh still spinning and I will live to fight another day[3], and fight to live[3], and aRound and aRound and aRound and we gotta keep going otherwise we will stop and thats not wise[3], and does that make sense not that I care ha ha ha[3], and there will always be words there will never be silence there will never be peace[3], and its tough but its just the way it is[3], and more come on[3], and

And words words[1], and its nice and relaxed here with words that dont need to do nothing man[1], and words words[2], and Im happy I dont want the stress[1], and its nice and relaxed here with words that dont need to do nothing man[2], and sometimes I do of course[1], and Im happy I dont want the stress[2], and aRound and aRound and aRound and theres little war when youre dizzy[1], and sometimes I do of course[2], and poetry is the big war obviously[1], and aRound and aRound and aRound and theres little war when youre dizzy[2], and fight fight fight or spin spin spin[1], and poetry is the big war obviously[2], and smoke and bullets or swords I dont know Im just fighting through the chaos[1], and fight fight fight or spin spin spin[2], and lets embrace it here[1], and smoke and bullets or swords I dont know Im just fighting through the chaos[2], and or or or just ignore it[1], and lets embrace it here[2], and I can roll like a tearful mess on the floor and foam from my mouth or on the ceiling oh who cares[1], and or or or just ignore it[2], and this is a holiday[1], and I can roll like a tearful mess on the floor and foam from my mouth or on the ceiling oh who cares[2], and the beautiful thing is the kooks you support me while the squares dont know a thing[1], and this is a holiday[2], and oh not a thing[1], and the beautiful thing is the kooks you support me while the squares dont know a thing[2], and they know even less when I spin without a title and without punctuation ha ha ha[1], and oh not a thing[2], and maybe they think too much but we feel a lot dont we[1], and they know even less when I spin without a title and without punctuation ha ha ha[2], and we feel too much maybe I dont know I just like it so what its not a crime is it[1], and maybe they think too much but we feel a lot dont we[2], and never ever mind with no brain is best[1], and we feel too much maybe I dont know I just like it so what its not a crime is it[2], and this is a great holiday from poetry and I had a real battle at the weekend man[1], and never ever mind with no brain is best[2], and blood and guts it was brutal[1], and this is a great holiday from poetry and I had a real battle at the weekend man[2], and but Im still standing uh still spinning and I will live to fight another day[1], and blood and guts it was brutal[2], and fight to live[1], and but Im still standing uh still spinning and I will live to fight another day[2], and aRound and aRound and aRound and we gotta keep going otherwise we will stop and thats not wise[1], and fight to live[2], and does that make sense not that I care ha ha ha[1], and aRound and aRound and aRound and we gotta keep going otherwise we will stop and thats not wise[2], and there will always be words there will never be silence there will never be peace[1], and does that make sense not that I care ha ha ha[2], and its tough but its just the way it is[1], and there will always be words there will never be silence there will never be peace[2], and more come on[1], and its tough but its just the way it is[2], and words words[3], and more come on[2], and its nice and relaxed here with words that dont need to do nothing man[3], and Im happy I dont want the stress[3], and sometimes I do of course[3], and aRound and aRound and aRound and theres little war when youre dizzy[3], and poetry is the big war obviously[3], and fight fight fight or spin spin spin[3], and smoke and bullets or swords I dont know Im just fighting through the chaos[3], and lets embrace it here[3], and or or or just ignore it[3], and I can roll like a tearful mess on the floor and foam from my mouth or on the ceiling oh who cares[3], and this is a holiday[3], and the beautiful thing is the kooks you support me while the squares dont know a thing[3], and oh not a thing[3], and they know even less when I spin without a title and without punctuation ha ha ha[3], and maybe they think too much but we feel a lot dont we[3], and we feel too much maybe I dont know I just like it so what its not a crime is it[3], and never ever mind with no brain is best[3], and this is a great holiday from poetry and I had a real battle at the weekend man[3], and blood and guts it was brutal[3], and but Im still standing uh still spinning and I will live to fight another day[3], and fight to live[3], and aRound and aRound and aRound and we gotta keep going otherwise we will stop and thats not wise[3], and does that make sense not that I care ha ha ha[3], and there will always be words there will never be silence there will never be peace[3], and its tough but its just the way it is[3], and more come on[3], and

Intelligent fruit, but it's a bit artificial

'In the name of God, boss, what -'

In the name of Zeus, Voice!

'Sorry. In the name of Zeus, what on earth is this?!'

It's a PR email.

'What ... about fruit with brains, but it's not really real?'

Well ... let's find out ...

Morning Michael, and Voice,

Please find below a press release about groundbreaking new AI technology for soft fruit growers. The sector is currently under significant pressure from costs, labour and extremes in weather which is impacting profitability and viability.

'Oh, okay.' Ha!

FruitCast will help improve efficiency and profit margins by more precisely forecasting fruit growth and has been endorsed by major businesses in the sector for its practical approach.

If you are planning any pieces on AI making a difference in the agricultural sector or food production, or investment opportunities in this, and would like further insights or an interview, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Sorry, Susannah, I don't give interviews.

'You're going to be a poet now.'

That's right, Voice. A mysterious poet, like Prince.

"I took another bubble bath with my pants on ..."

Anyway ...

Let's go straight to the voices ...

'Yippee!'

FruitCast CEO, Richard Williamson, formerly Managing Director of Dyson Farming and a consultant in bold strategic change, says: 

"Raising this capital is testament to the developer Raymond Martin and the team who have created a cutting-edge tool that is immensely valuable to growers. It could be a gamechanger for an industry plagued by challenges that are persistently squeezing margins.

"The AI capability is driven by one of the largest databases in the world, which gives it a firm foundation for accurate forecasting ahead of other competitors. This combined with the depth of understanding of practical agriculture and proven capability has made FruitCast attractive to agritech investors in what is a competitive and noisy marketplace." 

Noisy?! Christ! Just tell them to keep the noise down, man!

Anyway ...

Ray? Come on, son!

Chief Technical Officer, Dr Raymond Martin, developed FruitCast on the back of his PhD on optimising soft fruit processes, when growers asked him not to leave his research "on the shelf". He says yield forecasting is the holy grail for soft fruit growers:

Holy grail!

"It's a time sensitive crop, and too much fruit in any week means waste and loss, and too little, you lose business. We're delighted to have attracted the funding and industry support to bring FruitCast to launch. We want all growers to be able to precisely forecast their season to give them the leverage to take back the power in managing their costs and customer contracts." 

"Planning our labour needs and availability for our customers is wholly dependent on accurate estimation. There's a lot of -"

Okay, okay. / Actually -

"We are not looking to replace people. Automation goes hand-in-hand with the skills of workers on site and allows us to use our varied resources when and where they are most needed for greatest efficiency and our business' sustainability."

That remains to be seen. 

Right, Louise. You're up next. Make it good. No pressure, like.

Louise Sutherland from Ceres Agritech says: 

"FruitCast has huge potential to make transformational change in the industry. Predicting the timing and yield of strawberries is critical but extremely difficult to do accurately resulting in significant lost sales. Precise forecasting will help to increase growers' annual margins. We are delighted to see that a Ceres Agritech-backed technology is going to market." 

Strawberries, all right.

Thanks, guys.

ENDS

ENDS

ENDS

...

Anything else, kooks?

I hope to write a poem in blank verse this week. I just fancy it, you know?

Laters.

[No. 1,129] 54

I wasn't told everything about 54. Possibly to protect me.

And ... 54[1], and I would like to see it go[1], and ... 54[2], and - Go![1], and I would like to see it go[2], and ... Could I spin it away???[1], and - Go![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... Come on - !!! ... uh, go![1], and ... Could I spin it away???[2], and, no, no, no[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... Come on - !!! ... uh, go![2], and it will go go, eventually, yes, go! ... ... ... BUT(!) will it take me with it?[1], and, no, no, no[2], and ... 'No!'[1], and it will go go, eventually, yes, go! ... ... ... BUT(!) will it take me with it?[2], and ... Cosmos, where are you?![1], and ... 'No!'[2], and ... Help![1], and ... Cosmos, where are you?![2], and I'm holding on to what was said about ... 70, 80 ... even 90![1], and ... Help![2], and you, you, you ...[1], and I'm holding on to what was said about ... 70, 80 ... even 90![2], and, ha, ha ...[1], and you, you, you ...[2], and if YOU(!) fear those numbers ... you obviously aren't prepared for life at the top of the mountain[1], and, ha, ha ...[2], and I know I'll get there ... I will![1], and if YOU(!) fear those numbers ... you obviously aren't prepared for life at the top of the mountain[2], and you can come, too[1], and I know I'll get there ... I will![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I just want 54 to sod off, man![1], and you can come, too[2], and ... Sod off - !!![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I just want 54 to sod off, man![2], and my destiny ...[1], and ... Sod off - !!![2], and I'm waiting, waiting ...[1], and my destiny ...[2], and I've worked the way I was told to work ... through darkness and pain ... all that bad karma[1], and I'm waiting, waiting ...[2], and I mean -[1], and I've worked the way I was told to work ... through darkness and pain ... all that bad karma[2], and if anyone tries to stop me now, I'll -[1], and I mean -[2], and, uh ... never mind[1], and if anyone tries to stop me now, I'll -[2], and ... 'Leave it to the cosmos, Mikey ... the cosmos will settle the hashes of so many malevolent souls'[1], and, uh ... never mind[2], and thanks, Voice ... yeah, I'll focus on the poetry[1], and ... 'Leave it to the cosmos, Mikey ... the cosmos will settle the hashes of so many malevolent souls'[2], and ... listen![1], and thanks, Voice ... yeah, I'll focus on the poetry[2], and ... having my musical plans ruined or at least interrupted - and my blogging ... has put an incredible fire into -[1], and ... listen![2], and ... you know[1], and ... having my musical plans ruined or at least interrupted - and my blogging ... has put an incredible fire into -[2], and, and, and ... the words of my poems, yes![1], and ... you know[2], and ... 'Yes!'[1], and, and, and ... the words of my poems, yes![2], and such awesome flames for the timid to gawp up - !!![1], and ... 'Yes!'[2], and ... 'And the bold, too ... to admire!'[1], and such awesome flames for the timid to gawp up - !!![2], and it's all I have left, kooks ... ah, soon ... I'll be on the cliffs, and on the beaches ... I will never surrender![1], and ... 'And the bold, too ... to admire!'[2], and never never never - !!![1], and it's all I have left, kooks ... ah, soon ... I'll be on the cliffs, and on the beaches ... I will never surrender![2], and ... 54[3], and never never never - !!![2], and I would like to see it go[3], and - Go![3], and ... Could I spin it away???[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... Come on - !!! ... uh, go![3], and, no, no, no[3], and it will go go, eventually, yes, go! ... ... ... BUT(!) will it take me with it?[3], and ... 'No!'[3], and ... Cosmos, where are you?![3], and ... Help![3], and I'm holding on to what was said about ... 70, 80 ... even 90![3], and you, you, you ...[3], and, ha, ha ...[3], and if YOU(!) fear those numbers ... you obviously aren't prepared for life at the top of the mountain[3], and I know I'll get there ... I will![3], and you can come, too[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I just want 54 to sod off, man![3], and ... Sod off - !!![3], and my destiny ...[3], and I'm waiting, waiting ...[3], and I've worked the way I was told to work ... through darkness and pain ... all that bad karma[3], and I mean -[3], and if anyone tries to stop me now, I'll -[3], and, uh ... never mind[3], and ... 'Leave it to the cosmos, Mikey ... the cosmos will settle the hashes of so many malevolent souls'[3], and thanks, Voice ... yeah, I'll focus on the poetry[3], and ... listen![3], and ... having my musical plans ruined or at least interrupted - and my blogging ... has put an incredible fire into -[3], and ... you know[3], and, and, and ... the words of my poems, yes![3], and ... 'Yes!'[3], and such awesome flames for the timid to gawp up - !!![3], and ... 'And the bold, too ... to admire!'[3], and it's all I have left, kooks ... ah, soon ... I'll be on the cliffs, and on the beaches ... I will never surrender![3], and never never never - !!![3], and

And ... 54[1], and I would like to see it go[1], and ... 54[2], and - Go![1], and I would like to see it go[2], and ... Could I spin it away???[1], and - Go![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... Come on - !!! ... uh, go![1], and ... Could I spin it away???[2], and, no, no, no[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... Come on - !!! ... uh, go![2], and it will go go, eventually, yes, go! ... ... ... BUT(!) will it take me with it?[1], and, no, no, no[2], and ... 'No!'[1], and it will go go, eventually, yes, go! ... ... ... BUT(!) will it take me with it?[2], and ... Cosmos, where are you?![1], and ... 'No!'[2], and ... Help![1], and ... Cosmos, where are you?![2], and I'm holding on to what was said about ... 70, 80 ... even 90![1], and ... Help![2], and you, you, you ...[1], and I'm holding on to what was said about ... 70, 80 ... even 90![2], and, ha, ha ...[1], and you, you, you ...[2], and if YOU(!) fear those numbers ... you obviously aren't prepared for life at the top of the mountain[1], and, ha, ha ...[2], and I know I'll get there ... I will![1], and if YOU(!) fear those numbers ... you obviously aren't prepared for life at the top of the mountain[2], and you can come, too[1], and I know I'll get there ... I will![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I just want 54 to sod off, man![1], and you can come, too[2], and ... Sod off - !!![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I just want 54 to sod off, man![2], and my destiny ...[1], and ... Sod off - !!![2], and I'm waiting, waiting ...[1], and my destiny ...[2], and I've worked the way I was told to work ... through darkness and pain ... all that bad karma[1], and I'm waiting, waiting ...[2], and I mean -[1], and I've worked the way I was told to work ... through darkness and pain ... all that bad karma[2], and if anyone tries to stop me now, I'll -[1], and I mean -[2], and, uh ... never mind[1], and if anyone tries to stop me now, I'll -[2], and ... 'Leave it to the cosmos, Mikey ... the cosmos will settle the hashes of so many malevolent souls'[1], and, uh ... never mind[2], and thanks, Voice ... yeah, I'll focus on the poetry[1], and ... 'Leave it to the cosmos, Mikey ... the cosmos will settle the hashes of so many malevolent souls'[2], and ... listen![1], and thanks, Voice ... yeah, I'll focus on the poetry[2], and ... having my musical plans ruined or at least interrupted - and my blogging ... has put an incredible fire into -[1], and ... listen![2], and ... you know[1], and ... having my musical plans ruined or at least interrupted - and my blogging ... has put an incredible fire into -[2], and, and, and ... the words of my poems, yes![1], and ... you know[2], and ... 'Yes!'[1], and, and, and ... the words of my poems, yes![2], and such awesome flames for the timid to gawp up - !!![1], and ... 'Yes!'[2], and ... 'And the bold, too ... to admire!'[1], and such awesome flames for the timid to gawp up - !!![2], and it's all I have left, kooks ... ah, soon ... I'll be on the cliffs, and on the beaches ... I will never surrender![1], and ... 'And the bold, too ... to admire!'[2], and never never never - !!![1], and it's all I have left, kooks ... ah, soon ... I'll be on the cliffs, and on the beaches ... I will never surrender![2], and ... 54[3], and never never never - !!![2], and I would like to see it go[3], and - Go![3], and ... Could I spin it away???[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... Come on - !!! ... uh, go![3], and, no, no, no[3], and it will go go, eventually, yes, go! ... ... ... BUT(!) will it take me with it?[3], and ... 'No!'[3], and ... Cosmos, where are you?![3], and ... Help![3], and I'm holding on to what was said about ... 70, 80 ... even 90![3], and you, you, you ...[3], and, ha, ha ...[3], and if YOU(!) fear those numbers ... you obviously aren't prepared for life at the top of the mountain[3], and I know I'll get there ... I will![3], and you can come, too[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I just want 54 to sod off, man![3], and ... Sod off - !!![3], and my destiny ...[3], and I'm waiting, waiting ...[3], and I've worked the way I was told to work ... through darkness and pain ... all that bad karma[3], and I mean -[3], and if anyone tries to stop me now, I'll -[3], and, uh ... never mind[3], and ... 'Leave it to the cosmos, Mikey ... the cosmos will settle the hashes of so many malevolent souls'[3], and thanks, Voice ... yeah, I'll focus on the poetry[3], and ... listen![3], and ... having my musical plans ruined or at least interrupted - and my blogging ... has put an incredible fire into -[3], and ... you know[3], and, and, and ... the words of my poems, yes![3], and ... 'Yes!'[3], and such awesome flames for the timid to gawp up - !!![3], and ... 'And the bold, too ... to admire!'[3], and it's all I have left, kooks ... ah, soon ... I'll be on the cliffs, and on the beaches ... I will never surrender![3], and never never never - !!![3], and

And ... 54[1], and I would like to see it go[1], and ... 54[2], and - Go![1], and I would like to see it go[2], and ... Could I spin it away???[1], and - Go![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... Come on - !!! ... uh, go![1], and ... Could I spin it away???[2], and, no, no, no[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... Come on - !!! ... uh, go![2], and it will go go, eventually, yes, go! ... ... ... BUT(!) will it take me with it?[1], and, no, no, no[2], and ... 'No!'[1], and it will go go, eventually, yes, go! ... ... ... BUT(!) will it take me with it?[2], and ... Cosmos, where are you?![1], and ... 'No!'[2], and ... Help![1], and ... Cosmos, where are you?![2], and I'm holding on to what was said about ... 70, 80 ... even 90![1], and ... Help![2], and you, you, you ...[1], and I'm holding on to what was said about ... 70, 80 ... even 90![2], and, ha, ha ...[1], and you, you, you ...[2], and if YOU(!) fear those numbers ... you obviously aren't prepared for life at the top of the mountain[1], and, ha, ha ...[2], and I know I'll get there ... I will![1], and if YOU(!) fear those numbers ... you obviously aren't prepared for life at the top of the mountain[2], and you can come, too[1], and I know I'll get there ... I will![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I just want 54 to sod off, man![1], and you can come, too[2], and ... Sod off - !!![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I just want 54 to sod off, man![2], and my destiny ...[1], and ... Sod off - !!![2], and I'm waiting, waiting ...[1], and my destiny ...[2], and I've worked the way I was told to work ... through darkness and pain ... all that bad karma[1], and I'm waiting, waiting ...[2], and I mean -[1], and I've worked the way I was told to work ... through darkness and pain ... all that bad karma[2], and if anyone tries to stop me now, I'll -[1], and I mean -[2], and, uh ... never mind[1], and if anyone tries to stop me now, I'll -[2], and ... 'Leave it to the cosmos, Mikey ... the cosmos will settle the hashes of so many malevolent souls'[1], and, uh ... never mind[2], and thanks, Voice ... yeah, I'll focus on the poetry[1], and ... 'Leave it to the cosmos, Mikey ... the cosmos will settle the hashes of so many malevolent souls'[2], and ... listen![1], and thanks, Voice ... yeah, I'll focus on the poetry[2], and ... having my musical plans ruined or at least interrupted - and my blogging ... has put an incredible fire into -[1], and ... listen![2], and ... you know[1], and ... having my musical plans ruined or at least interrupted - and my blogging ... has put an incredible fire into -[2], and, and, and ... the words of my poems, yes![1], and ... you know[2], and ... 'Yes!'[1], and, and, and ... the words of my poems, yes![2], and such awesome flames for the timid to gawp up - !!![1], and ... 'Yes!'[2], and ... 'And the bold, too ... to admire!'[1], and such awesome flames for the timid to gawp up - !!![2], and it's all I have left, kooks ... ah, soon ... I'll be on the cliffs, and on the beaches ... I will never surrender![1], and ... 'And the bold, too ... to admire!'[2], and never never never - !!![1], and it's all I have left, kooks ... ah, soon ... I'll be on the cliffs, and on the beaches ... I will never surrender![2], and ... 54[3], and never never never - !!![2], and I would like to see it go[3], and - Go![3], and ... Could I spin it away???[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... Come on - !!! ... uh, go![3], and, no, no, no[3], and it will go go, eventually, yes, go! ... ... ... BUT(!) will it take me with it?[3], and ... 'No!'[3], and ... Cosmos, where are you?![3], and ... Help![3], and I'm holding on to what was said about ... 70, 80 ... even 90![3], and you, you, you ...[3], and, ha, ha ...[3], and if YOU(!) fear those numbers ... you obviously aren't prepared for life at the top of the mountain[3], and I know I'll get there ... I will![3], and you can come, too[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I just want 54 to sod off, man![3], and ... Sod off - !!![3], and my destiny ...[3], and I'm waiting, waiting ...[3], and I've worked the way I was told to work ... through darkness and pain ... all that bad karma[3], and I mean -[3], and if anyone tries to stop me now, I'll -[3], and, uh ... never mind[3], and ... 'Leave it to the cosmos, Mikey ... the cosmos will settle the hashes of so many malevolent souls'[3], and thanks, Voice ... yeah, I'll focus on the poetry[3], and ... listen![3], and ... having my musical plans ruined or at least interrupted - and my blogging ... has put an incredible fire into -[3], and ... you know[3], and, and, and ... the words of my poems, yes![3], and ... 'Yes!'[3], and such awesome flames for the timid to gawp up - !!![3], and ... 'And the bold, too ... to admire!'[3], and it's all I have left, kooks ... ah, soon ... I'll be on the cliffs, and on the beaches ... I will never surrender![3], and never never never - !!![3], and

Anything else? Poetry?

Yeah, yeah. I mean ...

No PR email today, kooks, because ... it's bank holiday Monday. That's a good excuse. A brilliant excuse, actually.

I'm very pleased with that excuse, yes.

I've got seven poems now. Everything seems to be going to plan. I'm writing grand speeches like I said I would ... sprinkled with sardonic humour to make them bearable.

In theory, I could send three poems to Poetry Review, but I can't at the moment because of my complicated situation.

I'll be stopping all this soon. Poetry news. Music news. Personal news. Just financial news. This is a financial blog.

I'm tired of finance.

Where's the Voice?

'I'm just listening, boss.'

Ain't you got nothing to say?

'I'm tired.'

All right.

Tired! On the astral plane. Ha!

Never mind.

He hasn't even got a body.

'I've got an astral body!'

Whatever.

Give my love to Yeats.

Anyway ...

Yeah, I wrote a free verse poem at the weekend, forty lines. It started off pretty bad with an awful title, but I was really aggressive and desperate to write another great poem, so ... it became great, you dig? No filler! All killer!

In theory, again ... I could quickly write twenty-three filler poems and get published, I reckon, because ... the seven I've got would carry the whole volume. But I'm not going to do that, obviously.

We can't have filler, these days. Do you understand, kooks? The robots won't stand for it.

[I'll smash them into junk, you wait and see. I hate those metal muthas. 'Metal Mickey is all right.' I hate him, too. / Voice is still here. 'I'm listening!']

Anyway ...

There's nothing doesn't have any sprinkles, and it's vastly superior to the Nothing lyric. I took a lot out, and I moved stuff around, and changed words, and wrote another stanza.

I can't do music right now.

I ain't got no time, you dig?

Never mind

Never mind

Never mind

I'm planning to only watch only the battle scenes from Alexander only with nothing else, no TV, no YouTube, no listening to music -

'You won't be able to do it. You've tried before.'

I will try again. Be quiet.

My mindset ain't right.

So I will try again.

ENDS

ENDS

ENDS

QR code payments

Uh.

PR email.

Basingstoke, UK - 21st August 2023: A new study from Juniper Research, the foremost experts in emerging payments markets, has found the volume of QR code payments in the leading Southeast Asian market will increase from 13 billion in 2023 to 90 billion in 2028.

Uh.

High growth in Southeast Asia and other developing markets is largely down to financial inclusivity that QR payments offer; enabling unbanked users to access digital payments. Conversely, Western markets have seen very limited adoption; highlighting the global divide in QR payment markets. 

Oh.

The report found national QR payment schemes, including India's UPI and Brazil's Pix, played a key role in encouraging -

Okay.

While international interoperability has been offered from payment providers like Alipay for years, national QR payment standards are now -

Okay.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand have already unified their payment standards; enabling businesses to accept payments from international visitors using their -

Okay.

Payment providers are advised to work closely with -

All right.

The adoption of QR payments overall in the west remains low. However, according to the research, the area of QR P2P bank transfers has -

All right.

And ... thanks, guys.

ENDS

...

Sometimes you can be damaged by demonic people

And there's nothing you can do about it

You've just got to live with the damage

And it can be the banality of evil like you wouldn't believe

They ain't special, believe me

That's not a poem, by the way.

Laters.

Music and poetry news

Kooks, I've scrapped my song, Nothing.

'What?! ... Why?!'

Oh, why, why, why ... ?!?!?!

Ooo ooo ooo!

'O heavenly powers, restore him!'

Ha!

'It's one of your best songs, Mikey.'

Yeah, yeah.

But you haven't heard the rest of the news, my little invisible friend.

'What?'

As I was sort of suggesting in that conceptual yesterday ... I've turned the Nothing lyric into a poem called There's nothing.

'Oh.'

Only 34 lines, BUT(!) ... the poem is so good it almost outshines my big free verse poem of 156 lines!

'Yippee! A result!'

Yes, it's a result. And I'm very happy.

Very happy.

Very happy.

And I can still use the music of Nothing at a later date.

I just couldn't resist, you dig?

I won't tell you how GREAT(!) this poem is, my kooks, because - knowing you - you won't believe me.

'Slags!'

Ha!

But you'll find out one day.

I mean, if I have to hit the road soon ... I'll send it to Poetry Review ... with the big one, and maybe a little one.

I have six poems now.

Listen! Even the greatest songs are only songs, man ... only a part of popular culture. That goes for Dylan, Cohen, anyone.

This poem will still be read in five hundred years ... unless the robots have done us all in.

In the year 2525 ... etc.

However ...

I'm staying positive!

And you're probably thinking, "This guy's crazy!"

Christ.

You had to be there to believe it.

You really had to be there.

'Where?'

Christmas Day, Voice ... on the beach with the ghosts of Yeats and Heaney.

'Oh yeah, the dream.'

Of course the dream!

I've actually lost count of the number of mystical experiences I've had in my life, but this dream was SOMETHING ELSE ...

It was so powerful

It was so visionary

It was so real - !!!

Laters.

[No. 1,128] Make up your own title

If it means so much to you.

And hello[1], and a number is fine[1], and hello[2], and, kooks ... we're only spinning, ain't we?[1], and a number is fine[2], and just a simple number ... what can go wrong?[1], and, kooks ... we're only spinning, ain't we?[2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and just a simple number ... what can go wrong?[2], and who cares what the squares want?![1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and I mean ...[1], and who cares what the squares want?![2], and those ... anyway[1], and I mean ...[2], and yes, yes[1], and those ... anyway[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's not rocket science, is it?[1], and yes, yes[2], and but ... it's a big effort, obviously[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's not rocket science, is it?[2], and uh[1], and but ... it's a big effort, obviously[2], and the eight lines I need for my poem There's nothing ... Oh, that's rocket science![1], and uh[2], and, or ... it's nothing[1], and the eight lines I need for my poem There's nothing ... Oh, that's rocket science![2], and no, no, no ... it's definitely rocket science[1], and, or ... it's nothing[2], and ... are YOU(!) confused?[1], and no, no, no ... it's definitely rocket science[2], and I already took those best ever eight lines from the song, you dig?[1], and ... are YOU(!) confused?[2], and ... 'What song? Nothing ... ?'[1], and I already took those best ever eight lines from the song, you dig?[2], and didn't I? Yes![1], and ... 'What song? Nothing ... ?'[2], and, yes, yes ... Nothing[1], and didn't I? Yes![2], and you, you ... YOU(!)[1], and, yes, yes ... Nothing[2], and please try to keep up with all the latest developments[1], and you, you ... YOU(!)[2], and it's important[1], and please try to keep up with all the latest developments[2], and maybe one day you'll be able to win a prize in a pub quiz or something ... Who knows?![1], and it's important[2], and, ha, ha ... uh[1], and maybe one day you'll be able to win a prize in a pub quiz or something ... Who knows?![2], and actually actually ... a new development - !!! ... right here, right now ...[1], and, ha, ha ... uh[2], and I've made a decision![1], and actually actually ... a new development - !!! ... right here, right now ...[2], and ... 'Wow!'[1], and I've made a decision![2], and There's nothing will just be those best eight lines from Nothing - no new work to be done![1], and ... 'Wow!'[2], and ... 'Yippee!'[1], and There's nothing will just be those best eight lines from Nothing - no new work to be done![2], and, yes, it's very easy if you try ... it's very easy to do nothing at all ... I must be a genius, eh?![1], and ... 'Yippee!'[2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and, yes, it's very easy if you try ... it's very easy to do nothing at all ... I must be a genius, eh?![2], and what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life![1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and, anyway ...[1], and what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life![2], and have YOU(!) thought of a title yet for this conceptual?[1], and, anyway ...[2], and ... What?! ... Oh, come on![1], and have YOU(!) thought of a title yet for this conceptual?[2], and you're very lazy, aren't you? / and I've just written a new poem, man - live! and ... eternal![1], and ... What?! ... Oh, come on![2], and, well, soft of[1], and you're very lazy, aren't you? / and I've just written a new poem, man - live! and ... eternal![2], and, actually ... I won't bother with it ... I'll leave it as a song[1], and, well, soft of[2], and or ... I'll do thirty-four lines![1], and, actually ... I won't bother with it ... I'll leave it as a song[2], and I'm confused, ha![1], and or ... I'll do thirty-four lines![2], and never mind[1], and I'm confused, ha![2], and hello[3], and never mind[2], and a number is fine[3], and, kooks ... we're only spinning, ain't we?[3], and just a simple number ... what can go wrong?[3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and who cares what the squares want?![3], and I mean ...[3], and those ... anyway[3], and yes, yes[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's not rocket science, is it?[3], and but ... it's a big effort, obviously[3], and uh[3], and the eight lines I need for my poem There's nothing ... Oh, that's rocket science![3], and, or ... it's nothing[3], and no, no, no ... it's definitely rocket science[3], and ... are YOU(!) confused?[3], and I already took those best ever eight lines from the song, you dig?[3], and ... 'What song? Nothing ... ?'[3], and didn't I? Yes![3], and, yes, yes ... Nothing[3], and you, you ... YOU(!)[3], and please try to keep up with all the latest developments[3], and it's important[3], and maybe one day you'll be able to win a prize in a pub quiz or something ... Who knows?![3], and, ha, ha ... uh[3], and actually actually ... a new development - !!! ... right here, right now ...[3], and I've made a decision![3], and ... 'Wow!'[3], and There's nothing will just be those best eight lines from Nothing - no new work to be done![3], and ... 'Yippee!'[3], and, yes, it's very easy if you try ... it's very easy to do nothing at all ... I must be a genius, eh?![3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life![3], and, anyway ...[3], and have YOU(!) thought of a title yet for this conceptual?[3], and ... What?! ... Oh, come on![3], and you're very lazy, aren't you? / and I've just written a new poem, man - live! and ... eternal![3], and, well, soft of[3], and, actually ... I won't bother with it ... I'll leave it as a song[3], and or ... I'll do thirty-four lines![3], and I'm confused, ha![3], and never mind[3], and

And hello[1], and a number is fine[1], and hello[2], and, kooks ... we're only spinning, ain't we?[1], and a number is fine[2], and just a simple number ... what can go wrong?[1], and, kooks ... we're only spinning, ain't we?[2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and just a simple number ... what can go wrong?[2], and who cares what the squares want?![1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and I mean ...[1], and who cares what the squares want?![2], and those ... anyway[1], and I mean ...[2], and yes, yes[1], and those ... anyway[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's not rocket science, is it?[1], and yes, yes[2], and but ... it's a big effort, obviously[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's not rocket science, is it?[2], and uh[1], and but ... it's a big effort, obviously[2], and the eight lines I need for my poem There's nothing ... Oh, that's rocket science![1], and uh[2], and, or ... it's nothing[1], and the eight lines I need for my poem There's nothing ... Oh, that's rocket science![2], and no, no, no ... it's definitely rocket science[1], and, or ... it's nothing[2], and ... are YOU(!) confused?[1], and no, no, no ... it's definitely rocket science[2], and I already took those best ever eight lines from the song, you dig?[1], and ... are YOU(!) confused?[2], and ... 'What song? Nothing ... ?'[1], and I already took those best ever eight lines from the song, you dig?[2], and didn't I? Yes![1], and ... 'What song? Nothing ... ?'[2], and, yes, yes ... Nothing[1], and didn't I? Yes![2], and you, you ... YOU(!)[1], and, yes, yes ... Nothing[2], and please try to keep up with all the latest developments[1], and you, you ... YOU(!)[2], and it's important[1], and please try to keep up with all the latest developments[2], and maybe one day you'll be able to win a prize in a pub quiz or something ... Who knows?![1], and it's important[2], and, ha, ha ... uh[1], and maybe one day you'll be able to win a prize in a pub quiz or something ... Who knows?![2], and actually actually ... a new development - !!! ... right here, right now ...[1], and, ha, ha ... uh[2], and I've made a decision![1], and actually actually ... a new development - !!! ... right here, right now ...[2], and ... 'Wow!'[1], and I've made a decision![2], and There's nothing will just be those best eight lines from Nothing - no new work to be done![1], and ... 'Wow!'[2], and ... 'Yippee!'[1], and There's nothing will just be those best eight lines from Nothing - no new work to be done![2], and, yes, it's very easy if you try ... it's very easy to do nothing at all ... I must be a genius, eh?![1], and ... 'Yippee!'[2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and, yes, it's very easy if you try ... it's very easy to do nothing at all ... I must be a genius, eh?![2], and what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life![1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and, anyway ...[1], and what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life![2], and have YOU(!) thought of a title yet for this conceptual?[1], and, anyway ...[2], and ... What?! ... Oh, come on![1], and have YOU(!) thought of a title yet for this conceptual?[2], and you're very lazy, aren't you? / and I've just written a new poem, man - live! and ... eternal![1], and ... What?! ... Oh, come on![2], and, well, soft of[1], and you're very lazy, aren't you? / and I've just written a new poem, man - live! and ... eternal![2], and, actually ... I won't bother with it ... I'll leave it as a song[1], and, well, soft of[2], and or ... I'll do thirty-four lines![1], and, actually ... I won't bother with it ... I'll leave it as a song[2], and I'm confused, ha![1], and or ... I'll do thirty-four lines![2], and never mind[1], and I'm confused, ha![2], and hello[3], and never mind[2], and a number is fine[3], and, kooks ... we're only spinning, ain't we?[3], and just a simple number ... what can go wrong?[3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and who cares what the squares want?![3], and I mean ...[3], and those ... anyway[3], and yes, yes[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's not rocket science, is it?[3], and but ... it's a big effort, obviously[3], and uh[3], and the eight lines I need for my poem There's nothing ... Oh, that's rocket science![3], and, or ... it's nothing[3], and no, no, no ... it's definitely rocket science[3], and ... are YOU(!) confused?[3], and I already took those best ever eight lines from the song, you dig?[3], and ... 'What song? Nothing ... ?'[3], and didn't I? Yes![3], and, yes, yes ... Nothing[3], and you, you ... YOU(!)[3], and please try to keep up with all the latest developments[3], and it's important[3], and maybe one day you'll be able to win a prize in a pub quiz or something ... Who knows?![3], and, ha, ha ... uh[3], and actually actually ... a new development - !!! ... right here, right now ...[3], and I've made a decision![3], and ... 'Wow!'[3], and There's nothing will just be those best eight lines from Nothing - no new work to be done![3], and ... 'Yippee!'[3], and, yes, it's very easy if you try ... it's very easy to do nothing at all ... I must be a genius, eh?![3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life![3], and, anyway ...[3], and have YOU(!) thought of a title yet for this conceptual?[3], and ... What?! ... Oh, come on![3], and you're very lazy, aren't you? / and I've just written a new poem, man - live! and ... eternal![3], and, well, soft of[3], and, actually ... I won't bother with it ... I'll leave it as a song[3], and or ... I'll do thirty-four lines![3], and I'm confused, ha![3], and never mind[3], and

And hello[1], and a number is fine[1], and hello[2], and, kooks ... we're only spinning, ain't we?[1], and a number is fine[2], and just a simple number ... what can go wrong?[1], and, kooks ... we're only spinning, ain't we?[2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and just a simple number ... what can go wrong?[2], and who cares what the squares want?![1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and I mean ...[1], and who cares what the squares want?![2], and those ... anyway[1], and I mean ...[2], and yes, yes[1], and those ... anyway[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's not rocket science, is it?[1], and yes, yes[2], and but ... it's a big effort, obviously[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's not rocket science, is it?[2], and uh[1], and but ... it's a big effort, obviously[2], and the eight lines I need for my poem There's nothing ... Oh, that's rocket science![1], and uh[2], and, or ... it's nothing[1], and the eight lines I need for my poem There's nothing ... Oh, that's rocket science![2], and no, no, no ... it's definitely rocket science[1], and, or ... it's nothing[2], and ... are YOU(!) confused?[1], and no, no, no ... it's definitely rocket science[2], and I already took those best ever eight lines from the song, you dig?[1], and ... are YOU(!) confused?[2], and ... 'What song? Nothing ... ?'[1], and I already took those best ever eight lines from the song, you dig?[2], and didn't I? Yes![1], and ... 'What song? Nothing ... ?'[2], and, yes, yes ... Nothing[1], and didn't I? Yes![2], and you, you ... YOU(!)[1], and, yes, yes ... Nothing[2], and please try to keep up with all the latest developments[1], and you, you ... YOU(!)[2], and it's important[1], and please try to keep up with all the latest developments[2], and maybe one day you'll be able to win a prize in a pub quiz or something ... Who knows?![1], and it's important[2], and, ha, ha ... uh[1], and maybe one day you'll be able to win a prize in a pub quiz or something ... Who knows?![2], and actually actually ... a new development - !!! ... right here, right now ...[1], and, ha, ha ... uh[2], and I've made a decision![1], and actually actually ... a new development - !!! ... right here, right now ...[2], and ... 'Wow!'[1], and I've made a decision![2], and There's nothing will just be those best eight lines from Nothing - no new work to be done![1], and ... 'Wow!'[2], and ... 'Yippee!'[1], and There's nothing will just be those best eight lines from Nothing - no new work to be done![2], and, yes, it's very easy if you try ... it's very easy to do nothing at all ... I must be a genius, eh?![1], and ... 'Yippee!'[2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and, yes, it's very easy if you try ... it's very easy to do nothing at all ... I must be a genius, eh?![2], and what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life![1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and, anyway ...[1], and what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life![2], and have YOU(!) thought of a title yet for this conceptual?[1], and, anyway ...[2], and ... What?! ... Oh, come on![1], and have YOU(!) thought of a title yet for this conceptual?[2], and you're very lazy, aren't you? / and I've just written a new poem, man - live! and ... eternal![1], and ... What?! ... Oh, come on![2], and, well, soft of[1], and you're very lazy, aren't you? / and I've just written a new poem, man - live! and ... eternal![2], and, actually ... I won't bother with it ... I'll leave it as a song[1], and, well, soft of[2], and or ... I'll do thirty-four lines![1], and, actually ... I won't bother with it ... I'll leave it as a song[2], and I'm confused, ha![1], and or ... I'll do thirty-four lines![2], and never mind[1], and I'm confused, ha![2], and hello[3], and never mind[2], and a number is fine[3], and, kooks ... we're only spinning, ain't we?[3], and just a simple number ... what can go wrong?[3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and who cares what the squares want?![3], and I mean ...[3], and those ... anyway[3], and yes, yes[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and it's not rocket science, is it?[3], and but ... it's a big effort, obviously[3], and uh[3], and the eight lines I need for my poem There's nothing ... Oh, that's rocket science![3], and, or ... it's nothing[3], and no, no, no ... it's definitely rocket science[3], and ... are YOU(!) confused?[3], and I already took those best ever eight lines from the song, you dig?[3], and ... 'What song? Nothing ... ?'[3], and didn't I? Yes![3], and, yes, yes ... Nothing[3], and you, you ... YOU(!)[3], and please try to keep up with all the latest developments[3], and it's important[3], and maybe one day you'll be able to win a prize in a pub quiz or something ... Who knows?![3], and, ha, ha ... uh[3], and actually actually ... a new development - !!! ... right here, right now ...[3], and I've made a decision![3], and ... 'Wow!'[3], and There's nothing will just be those best eight lines from Nothing - no new work to be done![3], and ... 'Yippee!'[3], and, yes, it's very easy if you try ... it's very easy to do nothing at all ... I must be a genius, eh?![3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life![3], and, anyway ...[3], and have YOU(!) thought of a title yet for this conceptual?[3], and ... What?! ... Oh, come on![3], and you're very lazy, aren't you? / and I've just written a new poem, man - live! and ... eternal![3], and, well, soft of[3], and, actually ... I won't bother with it ... I'll leave it as a song[3], and or ... I'll do thirty-four lines![3], and I'm confused, ha![3], and never mind[3], and

LSEG Lipper: European fund industry trends - July 2023

Hello,

'Yippee! Detlef is back! Where has he been, boss?'

Er ... that wasn't Detlef, Voice. That was Hayley.

'But he's back though, isn't he? Detlef is back.'

Yeah, of course. He'll have something to say in a minute.

'But where has he been?!'

I don't know. Maybe a career break. I don't know.

'A career break?!'

Yes, Voice. These characters have career breaks, you know. To recharge their batteries or something. They're not like us.

'They don't know the meaning of hard work.'

Ha! Well, I wouldn't say that, man.

Anyway ...

Please see attached the LSEG Lipper European Fund Industry Trends report for July 2023, authored by Detlef Glow, Head of Lipper EMEA Research at LSEG.

Thanks, Hayley!

'She's new!'

Yeah.

We just like the key points though ...

Key points include:

Money Market funds (+€15.7 bn) were the best-selling asset type overall for the month, while bond funds were the best-selling asset type and for the year 2023 so far (+€111.3 bn).

Long-term mutual fund products (-€1.7 bn) posted estimated net outflows for July 2023 while this product category enjoyed inflows (+€50.7 bn) over the course of the first seven months of the year.

The overall fund flows for mutual funds and ETFs in Europe in July amounted to estimated net inflows (+€14.0 bn), while the European fund industry enjoyed overall inflows (+€72.9 bn) for the year 2023 so far.

Money Market EUR (+€9.7 bn) was the best-selling Lipper Global Classification for the month, while Equity Global (+€37.5 bn) was the best-selling Lipper Global Classification for the year 2023 so far.

BlackRock was the best-selling fund promoter in Europe for July (+€6.9 bn), as well as for the first seven months of 2023 (+€50.7 bn).

 

Great!

She's gone back to the old way of doing it. No bullet points. I had to edit those out with that other guy.

'He was getting flash, wasn't he?'

Ha! If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's what I've always said.

Anyway ...

We have the big man himself now.

'Detlef!'

Ladies and gentlemen, he's back!

Mr Detlef Glow - !!! ... ... ...

Detlef?

Er ...

Detlef?

'Where is he?!'

Christ! He's not in the email!

'What?!'

He must be in the attachment.

'Well, open it then, boss.'

No.

'Why not?'

I don't like this new way of doing things.

'Uh.'

The old guy - I can't remember his name - used to quote Detlef in the actual email.

'Never mind.'

ENDS

ENDS

ENDS

...

Anything else? Poetry?

I've been making even more small changes to my big poem. It's got to be finished now. Please!

Oh, it's finished! Yes.

I can tell you, kooks ... I'm in no rush to write another big poem for a while. They need a lot of revision and polishing. Especially if they're in free verse.

Laters!