Uh ... well, kook(s)

Just a general sort of chatty post, dear reader(s), for the last one of the week. There isn't any financial news I like the look of, and I haven't received any PR emails lately. 'That's a lie, boss. A bloody lie! I've seen them in your inbox.' They weren't suitable, Voice. 'Why not?' Christ! Why are you such an idiot? First of all, they're off topic. I get emails about cat food or something. 'Ha! Do that story!' No. Or ... I get people offering investment advice or even investment opportunities. And that's potentially dodgy, man. 'Oh.' And don't forget I'm a financial shaman. I don't offer investment advice, do I? I'm on the mystical side of things. I'll fix anyone's chakras. 'Ha! How could I forget you're a shaman, boss? I'm your spirit guide.' Yeah, right. Native American, aren't you? 'I don't know. Maybe.' How can you not know? 'It's all rather vague. I'm rather vague.' Right.

Listen, dear reader(s), I reckon he's the old mystical child voice I used to have on this blog. I got rid of him, and then he came back rebranded as the Voice. That's what I reckon. 'Nonsense! I hated that guy!' Really? 'Yes. I still see him lurking around on the astral plane, you know.' Oh. How is he? 'I don't talk to him. He's not in my circle of friends.' Okay.

Yeah, yeah. Okay, let's move on. What shall we talk about, my dear reader(s)? 'Brexit, boss!' Get lost! 'Music, then.' Do you want to talk about music, reader(s)?

Let me put something on. The La's by The La's. I'm still not sure about this album. It's supposed to be an all-time classic, but ... I'm just not sure, you dig? Lee Mavers reminds me of the French poet Stephane Mallarme, who hardly wrote any poems and yet ... he's an immortal genius, by all accounts. 'Naked golds thrashing crimson space, boss.' Exactly! / Obviously, There She Goes is a great classic song. Uh. By the way, yes ... I can understand Mavers' perfectionism. 'Ha! You're just the same.' It's almost a mental illness.

So, I'm not having a pop at anyone. One day I'll finish my new demo. I promise.

I'll tell you, I feel like watching Don't Look Back, the documentary of Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of the UK. I haven't seen it in a while. Maybe at the weekend. / I've said it before, and I'll say it again ... Donovan's singing and playing are much better in the film, but Dylan has got ... [drum roll] ... the X factor. 'The X Factor?! The X Factor?!?!?!' No, no ... the X factor, with a small "f", Voice, FFS! 'Thank God for that!'

Anyway, that's your lot, kook(s). I'm worn out, but there's no rest for the wicked. I'll try recording tonight. So ... 'Bye!' Yeah, bye.

Fidelity is merging some funds

Yes, dear reader(s). Fidelity is merging its multi asset fund range with its multi asset open range. So, uh ... I don't know what's going on. 'It all sounds the same to me, boss. Except some funds are open and some funds aren't. Shut, I suppose.' Yes, well, they will all be together now, Voice. Soon, anyway. By March.

Bill McQuaker will be charge of the whole lot. Apparently, he already manages the multi asset open range. 'Boss.' What? 'Why do you take the capital letters off?' What do you mean? 'It should be Multi Asset Open.' Uh. Who says it should?! Listen, I don't like using CAPITALS, man, when they're not necessary. Every PR email I get these days is stuffed with them, and I let the capitals go most of the time. However, this is news that I found for myself earlier and ... I WILL NOT USE CAPITALS for things like multi asset open, you dig? 'Yes, I dig.' Good!

Now, who on earth is this Bill McQuaker character? I have a feeling deep inside, Voice, that my readers need to know. They really need to know.

Okay, okay. Our Bill was born in Girvan in 1963. [That's in Scotland, I should imagine.] He attended the University of Edinburgh. He got himself an honours degree in business studies. He started his career with County Natwest IM in 1986, and then moved to NatWest Securities. Then he went to Credit Suisse. Then he joined Henderson, for his sins. And, uh ... now he's at Fidelity, of course. Working hard! / When he's not in the office, Bill enjoys the outdoor life with golf, tennis, football, and walking. He likes music, too.

Are you satisfied with that, dear reader(s)? No, I thought not. / Listen, kook(s), I know for a fact that our Bill enjoys the astral life, especially at night. 'No, no, no, boss.' Eh? 'No, no, no. You've banned financial workers from the astral plane. Or have you?' It's complicated, Voice. I banned them because they were doing too much business on the astral plane, and lowering the tone of the place. Then I allowed them to go back, for recreational purposes, like. 'Oh. Then didn't you ban that as well?' Ha! I honestly can't remember. It was years ago, man. 'Okay.' All I'm saying is, Bill isn't being completely open with his interests. He obviously doesn't want his colleagues and clients knowing that he floats around on the astral plane at night. In his own time, remember. I don't see anything wrong with it, myself.

...

Anything else? Not at the moment, no. I'll be doing the last post of the week this afternoon.

Oh, er ... I tried recording my songs again last night. Bloody nightmare! I don't want to talk about it.

Well ... later(s), alligator(s)!

They must be crazy!

Yes, they must be crazy! Absolutely nuts! 'Who, boss?! Who? Tell us!' Oh, I've got a PR email from the IGF again. 'Ha! We know they're crazy. Hooligans!' No, Voice. From Independent Growth Finance. 'Oh, those guys.' Yes. 'Well, they're not nuts.' No. 'So what are you talking about then?' Christ! Give me a chance, man!

A new report from Independent Growth Finance, the leading independent asset based lender, finds that one in four UK businesses expect double digit growth in 2019 despite concerns over Brexit impact.

You see? 'Ah, one in four UK businesses is nuts.' Exactly! I mean, do they think we're going to get a deal? 'Maybe.' Well, things are looking bad at the moment. We might have to crash out of the EU with No Deal. So ... 'Have you bought any more baked beans?' No. I haven't got any baked beans at all. 'But I thought you kept a spare room full of baked beans, for emergencies, like.' Ha! This blog is satire, Voice. Don't believe everything you read.

Idiot!

No, no, I'm not stockpiling baked beans yet, or any sort of food, dear reader(s). 'Pot Noodles?' Er, no. They're very tasty, Voice, but too expensive, considering that they don't fill you up like a proper meal. / I'm hoping the chip shop will still have chips.

Anyway, let's get on with this email -

Independent Growth Finance (IGF) report finds businesses 'bullish' about future despite 90 percent highlighting Brexit challenge.

It doesn't make any sense!

71 percent of SMEs seeking new funding in 2019 - £1.1 million on average - to realize growth aspirations.

I can only wish them the best of luck. 'Don't be so negative, boss.' I'm being realistic, son.

Over half (53%) of businesses face waiting a month or more for traditional funding, as a result alternative finance on the rise.

Okay. Fair enough. 

Over a quarter (27%) of business leaders are expecting revenues to grow by more than 10 percent in 2019, according to a new report by Independent Growth Finance (IGF), the leading independent asset based lender. 

Yeah, right. Don't these people read the newspapers, or watch the evening news?

Despite undeniable uncertainty in the economy, IGF's Powering Freedom Report finds that British businesses turning over between £1 million and £500 million remain 'bullish' about the future. Nine in ten company leaders have concerns over Brexit yet they remain optimistic about opportunities in the year ahead. In fact seven in ten (69%) companies expect an increase in revenues. 

Well, okay. The only thing that can explain it is ... entrepreneurs are naturally optimistic. 'It goes with the territory, boss.' Of course it does! I mean, I'm still listening to that Vance/Musk audiobook on a loop to shift my paradigm, like, and our Elon has always been optimistic about all kinds of crazy shit. 'Hanging out with Martians and that.' Yes. That's one example. But, listen ... even Elon - if he lived in the UK - would have to think twice about Brexit, man.

Okay, okay. There's quite a bit of this. Uh. Let's finish with top boy, John Onslow -

John Onslow, CEO of Independent Growth Finance, comments, "British SMEs are the lifeblood of this country. It is encouraging to hear how many are forecasting meaningful growth in 2019. Such a large number of businesses seeking more than £1.1 million in funding shows that businesses want to seize control of their financial futures. Yet our findings suggest many struggle to find quick and flexible funding. With uncertainty on the horizon SMEs are refusing to stand still. Instead they are pushing for ambitious growth and alternative funding solutions."

All right. Thanks, John.

ENDS

...

Anything else? Er ... not today, kook(s). 'But there's always tomorrow, guy(s)!' Yes, yes, there's always ...

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to -

'Stop it, boss! You'll make yourself ill.'

Yeah, yeah. Whatever.

Laters!

Is there any Aviva Investors news?

That's what I'm wondering this morning, dear reader(s). I can't even remember the last time I wrote about Aviva Investors. 'Before Christmas, boss.' Really? 'Yes. I believe you wrote your normal story about their, uh ... Christmas party.' Ha! Well, it's my "normal" story, Voice, because they always have a month-long party. And I find it fascinating. Their clients never complain. 'Well, Schroders handles all their funds, man.' Yes. [Those mugs!] And maybe the clients have accepted the fact that Aviva Investors is ... [drum roll] ... a refuge from the modern world.

Anyway, I've got a bit of news. I mean, I've just found some. 'Yippee! Tell us!' Aviva Investors is launching two new funds in the next quarter. One will be a global unconstrained fund, and the other will be a global emerging market unconstrained fund. 'Nice.' Yes. Oh, and they've got a new chief investment officer, David Cumming. 'Great!' Well, I say new, he's been with the firm for a year, but I didn't know. No one tells me anything.

A bit about our David -

Uh ... David Cumming has a degree in Economics and Accounting from the University of Edinburgh. He started his working life at Royal London Mutual in 1983 ... as a UK investment analyst, apparently. He moved to Edinburgh Fund Managers in 1985. He was a UK unit trust fund manager there, for his sins, and after that he was a director at Morgan Grenfell Asset Management. Later on, David went to work for Standard Life Investments as head of UK equities. He left there in 2017. Then I guess he rocked up at Aviva Investors in January 2018. So ...

That's it, really. I'm sure he's a great guy and everything, and I'm sure there's other news, but ... 'Other news? Does it even matter, boss? We all know the truth about Aviva Investors.' Ha! Well, we kooks, man. We know. But the general public don't know. 'I suppose not.' Listen, they say that you can fool all the people half the time, but most of the time they won't know anything, anyway, and a bit of the time they might have a clue, but don't count on it, and a lot of the time ... people don't care, so ... you dig? 'Yes. That's how I look at it.' You're a very sensible voice, Voice.

...

We, I mean you ... shouldn't get upset, dear reader(s). If you don't live and let live, you will drive yourself insane. Seriously. It's not worth the hassle. Stop thinking about Aviva Investors. Stop thinking about all these firms - even if you work for one of them. Look at your own situation. Your personal situation. Are you happy?

If you're not happy, I ... / Maybe you need a hobby. And I don't mean golf. Forget golf!

If you suffer from anxiety, go for a long walk. I walked to Richmond and back last Saturday. ['I saw you, Mikey.' Shut up, Voice!] Eight miles. Try it!

London property report

Okay, okay. We've got a PR email about London property, from Naomi. 'Naomi, boss?' Yes, you know her, Voice. She always sends us one of those email Christmas card things. 'Oh, yeah. Well, she sends you one.' What do you mean? 'It's always Dear Michael, have a lovely Christmas ... something like that. Not Dear Michael and Voice. I might as well be invisible.' You are invisible, you little idiot!

Unbelievable!

Anyway, dear reader(s), let's have a look at this ...

The LCPAca Residential Index 2018 Report.

Uh, just the highlights, of course. I mean, life's too short, you dig?

PRIME CENTRAL LONDON (PCL)

2018 year end sees prices and sales plummet

Average annual prices in December (excluding new build) in PCL amounted to £1,844,031.
Monthly prices fell by 6.0%.
Prices in the final quarter fell by 10.2%.
Annual transactions in 2018 fell 16.4% to 3,514, the lowest recorded and down over 46% on 2014.
New build average prices now stand at £4,461,072 representing a premium of 74.3% over existing stock.
Quarterly new build transactions fall by 75.1% to just 57.

Wow! Big falls! 'Are all the rich people moving out, boss?' I suppose so, Voice. And no one wants to buy expensive houses no more. It's a crisis! 'Where are the rich going, then?' Christ knows!

GREATER LONDON

2018 sees lowest prices since the GFC

Average prices in Greater London (excluding new build) ended the year at £619,888.
Prices in Quarter 4 fell 1.1%.
Annual prices in 2018 rose by just 1.3%.
Annual transactions in 2018 fell by 7.1% to just 86,869; the fourth consecutive annual fall.
New build transactions saw far greater falls of 19.1% over the year.
New build prices now stand at £698,485, a 20.8% premium over existing stock.

Well, okay. I, uh ... wonder Naomi makes of all this. 'Let's find out, boss!' Yes, okay. / Come on, Naomi!

Naomi Heaton, CEO of LCP, comments:

Prime Central London

Whilst prices have increased marginally over the year, this is not a cause for optimism. It is attributable to greater activity at the higher priced end of the market where the most significant discounts are available. This skews average prices upwards but even this "high-end" effect is tapering off as activity stalls.

There were just 3,514 recorded transactions in 2018, fewer than 68 sales a week. This represents a fall of 16.4% over the year and sales are now below the previous all-time low seen during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). There were just 57 new build transactions in the last recorded quarter.

The political turmoil the UK is currently weathering is being acutely felt throughout the country, but nowhere more so than in PCL. With the Prime Minister's deal being voted down and no clear cross party consensus, it appears we are now even further away from a post-Brexit road map. This continues to dampen investor sentiment.

However, from a buyer's perspective this period of low competition and suppressed prices is an excellent opportunity. The fundamentals that underpin the desirability of PCL as a global destination have not changed.

Those who still believe in these fundamentals are able to acquire properties at material discounts, with the potential for significant uplift in the medium to long term.

Okay, okay. No endorsement from me, of course, but Naomi reckons there's going to be, uh ... 'Uplift, man.' Yes, uplift, for buyers. But I'm not sure I can see it myself. 'Oh, you're the expert, are you?' Listen, son, it's obvious what's happening here. 'What?' We're all going to hell in a handcart. 'Ha! Cheer up, Mikey!' Shut up, Voice!

Right. Greater London -

Greater London

Average prices for Greater London in December 2018 were £619,888, falling by 1.1% over the final quarter.

This is lower than the average price seen in June 2017 when the Prime Minister held a snap general election. At the time she declared that it was "the only way to guarantee certainty and security for the years ahead". With the benefit of hindsight, this has not been the case.

The average price for the last 12 months to December was £615,625, representing annual growth of just 1.3% for 2018, the lowest level since the GFC.

Transactions for 2018 amounted to 86,869, a drop of 7.1% over the year. Sales in the capital have now declined for four consecutive years amounting to a fall of 27%.

This decline coincided with the introduction of graduated SDLT and the Mortgage Market Review which had a disproportionately negative impact in Greater London, where average house prices are significantly higher than the UK as a whole.

More recent political and economic events have added more fuel to the fire and there are very few signs that this is likely to change. With Brexit looming, the property market is desperate for some positive news to restore confidence.

You see, Voice? 'What?' Naomi agrees with me. 'Maybe.' No, not maybe. Definitely. We're all going to hell in a handcart.

...

Anything else? All right, pop picker(s). This is my last ever music update. 'Ha!' I'm serious, man. I'm genuinely tired of writing about my struggles with music. 'But think about the rock historians, Mikey!' Tough!

Okay, okay. As I mentioned yesterday, I tried to record my new demo on Sunday. There was one positive thing and one negative thing to come out of it. Which do you want first? 'Are you asking me, boss?' Well, okay, Voice. Go on. 'Hit us with the negative first.' Right. Even though This World Don't Mean a Thing is a great song, it sounds like crap. 'Oh.' Because I still can't play it properly. 'Oh dear. / What about the positive?' Well, Sunday was the first time I've tried recording Malibu, and it sounds pretty awesome, even played rough. 'Yippee!' Yeah, it's one of those rare songs that sounds like a classic from the first few bars, and it builds the whole way through, and it doesn't disappoint. So ... maybe it's my best song. / If the worst comes to the worst, I might have to drop This World ... and replace it with Lucky You, which has already been recorded with Round the Bend.

All right. Later(s), crocodile(s)! 'In a while(s), alligator(s)!' Yeah, whatever.

SK AeroSafety has been acquired!

Right. Let's start the week off with a lovely PR email, dear reader(s). 'Yippee! I love PR emails, boss!' I know you do, Voice. 'I love seeing you correct all the spelling mistakes and that.' Ha! Well, I think we'll be all right with this one.

LOS ANGELES, January 27, 2019 - Levine Leichtman Capital Partners ("LLCP") has acquired SK AeroSafety (the "Company") from SK FireSafety, a portfolio company of Paris-based Apax Partners. The Company's management team, headed by CEO Chris Wright, will invest alongside LLCP.

Fair enough. But what does SK AeroSafety really do? I've never heard of the company before. 'Boss -' It would be nice if they gave us some idea. 'Boss -' Otherwise we will just have to use our imaginations. 'Boss -' Not now, Voice! Please! Otherwise, dear reader(s) ... actually, I will have to use my imagination, yes. And you know what my imagination is like. I don't think they'll want that. It seems - 'Boss!' What, Voice?! What is it?! What do you want? 'Look -'

SK AeroSafety specializes in the inspection, testing, maintenance and repair of critical passenger safety equipment found on all commercial and private aircraft worldwide. Examples of equipment serviced by the Company includes life vests, fire extinguishers, oxygen masks, oxygen cylinders, evacuation slides and life rafts. SK AeroSafety supports a diversified and global customer base of over 700 airlines, component service providers, maintenance and repair organizations (MRO) and OEMs, and has locations in The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, Malaysia and Dubai. The Company holds key certifications and accreditations from its OEMs, MROs, customers and key global aviation regulators, including the FAA and EASA.

Oh, I see. 'You should read these emails properly.' I do! 'Yeah, right.' Anyway, you're my intern, Voice. I rely on you. 'Ha!' / Anyway, I, uh ... wonder how Chris Wright is feeling about all this. I mean, is he delighted? Is he excited? 'Maybe he's pleased, boss.' Yes, he might be pleased. If I had to take a guess though, I would say that he was delighted. But that's just me, you dig?

Regarding the investment, Chris Wright commented, "We are very excited about this next step in the development of our Company. We look forward to continuing to grow the business both through further acquisitions as well as by expanding our service offering at our existing locations. We remain highly committed to supporting our customers and will continue to strive for excellence and sustainable growth through superior service, quality and commitment."

Oh, okay. Our Chris is, uh ... excited. 'They all are, man. The whole bloody team!' Yeah, well, these things happen, man. It's a very unpredictable thing. People are going to be excited or delighted or pleased. You can be sure it will always be one of those emotional states. 'But we never know which one.' No.

Anyway, Wouter wants to say something ...

According to Wouter Snoeijers, Managing Director of LLCP, "We are thrilled to partner with Chris Wright, Robert Sims, Ben te Beek and the SK team and look forward to working with them to achieve their mission. We are proud to invest in a Company that enables millions of passengers to fly safely every year and we look forward to supporting its continued growth and success."

Oh, Christ! He's thrilled! I never saw that coming. 'Ha, ha, ha!' I honestly never saw that coming, dear reader(s).

Okay, okay. Let's finish with a bit about Levine Leichtman Capital Partners -

LLCP is a Los Angeles, California based private investment firm that has managed approximately $10.2 billion of institutional capital since its inception. LLCP invests in middle market companies located in the United States, the U.K. and Europe. LLCP is currently making new investments through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners VI, L.P., LLCP Lower Middle Market Fund, L.P., Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Europe, L.P., and Levine Leichtman Strategic Capital, LLC. LLCP has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Chicago, Charlotte, London, Stockholm and The Hague.

Nice one!

...

Anything else? Music? My music?! This is a finance blog, man. No, seriously. No more music updates! / Well, I tried to record my songs last night, but they still don't sound right. And I'm fed up talking about it, so go to my Twitter in future if it's music you want.

Brexit? 'Ha!' I don't want to talk about that either. They reckon there'll be martial law. I never saw that on the side of the bus.

Laters.

It's Apollo night!

Yes, I'm listening to Brian Eno's Apollo. Again. / As you know, dear reader(s), I always listen to it when I blog at night.

It makes me forget about life on earth. All the trouble, all the heartache. Uh. Brexit and that, which is just going so well. The latest is that some Old Etonian nutjob wants to burn down the Reichstag. [Well, suspend Parliament, anyway.] Whatever will they think of next?

I wonder if Elon listens to Apollo. He should. I mean, it would take his mind off Tesla.

Oh, I could have recorded my demo tonight. [Er, last night.] I played all three of the songs really well earlier. / When I do finally manage it, I think I'll go with first takes. Because it will be a nightmare doing, say, three takes of each song and then having to analyze them all and choose the best versions. I'm not going to get perfection, man. Remember: I'm recording live at home, guitar and vocals at the same time, with no overdubs.

Okay, okay. Let's, uh ... have some Oxygene - !!! (If you don't mind.) Yes, it sounds a bit dated, but I like it. Actually, it sounds a lot dated. So 1970s! It makes me think of tank tops, Double Diamond beer [with R. White's lemonade, obviously], Raleigh Chopper bikes, Bruce Lee, Space Dust, Manhattan Transfer, Swap Shop, oh, Top Deck shandy!!!, Evel Knievel, Dallas ... you name it!

Well, well ... / This is the last post of the week, kook(s). I'm not worn out. I've been feeling more energetic since I've been ... shifting my paradigm, like. I'd recommend it to anyone. It seems you can do anything with your mind. Anything at all. Who knew? 'Tony Robbins knew, boss!' Go back to bed, Voice! Back to the astral plane. Go on, son! 'Good night, boss.' Yeah, yeah. Good night. FFS!

Okay, okay. Laters, crocodile(s), yeah? Have a nice weekend.

TNS acquisition

***Oh, I've screwed up! There are two different companies called TNS. I've been having a pop at the wrong one. Never mind, eh? [I'm not rewriting this post. I blame my intern. 'Me?!' You're supposed to be doing research! 'Ha! Pay me then!' Shut up, idiot!] You live and learn, don't you? Apologies to Mike Keegan, and Clare. All's well that ends well, etc.***

...

Right. Before we start. I'm obviously blogging today, which means I won't be recording my new demo tonight, which means ... I'll have to change those strings again. 'Oh dear.' So be it, Voice! / The truth is, dear reader(s), as much as I love rehearsing my songs, I have an irrational fear of recording them. 'You need to get your head looked at, boss.' Yeah, right. I'm still shifting my paradigm, man. That should solve most of my problems, but it will take time.

Okay, okay. This TNS acquisition. A PR email. / Oh, before we start -

Yes, it's a PR email. Oh, she says I can speak to someone at TNS, if I want to. 'Who says that?!' Ha! Clare does, Voice. The PR lady. But they turned me down for a job years ago, so I think I'll wait until hell freezes over. No hard feelings though. 'Ha!' I'm still doing this post, ain't I? 'Yeah. Oh, er ... she may be the PR lady, boss, but she works at TNS, you know.' Does she?! 'Read down at the bottom of the email.' Uh. Okay. Okay. Well, never mind. Life's too short to hold grudges. 'Hey! No endorsement, boss.' Of course not! Let the reader(s) make up their own minds!

Okay, okay. That was from September last year. 'I remember.' Yes. And I don't hold grudges, kook(s), you dig?

It's just that ... some of these big firms don't know what they're doing. 'No.' I mean, they get so big, and individuals just get lost in them. 'Yeah.' And the people at the top don't care. 'Boss, the people at the top don't even know.' That's right! If a genius gets turned down for a job because the HR department has fucked up, no one gets to hear about it. 'Unless that genius writes about it in some cockamamie blog.' That's right, Voice. But I'm not going to write about it. I'm just going to let it go. Move on!

Anyway, this acquisition ...

Please find below a press release which announces a major acquisition by TNS. If you would like any further information or to speak with someone at TNS please do not hesitate to contact me using the details at the bottom of the press release.

Jesus H. Christ! I don't want to speak to anyone!!! Get it through your head, girl!!!

January 22, 2019 - Transaction Network Services (TNS) today announced the acquisition of Chicago-based market data, connectivity and hosting specialist R2G Services. With this acquisition, TNS is now a unique full-service managed infrastructure provider that can meet the demanding needs of financial market participants through a single supplier relationship.

Yeah, great.

Founded in 2010, R2G has designed and built an industry leading market data and managed hosting platform. Acquiring R2G strengthens TNS' portfolio of these services as well as enables the R2G solutions to be offered worldwide.

Fine. I haven't got a problem with the R2G guys.

Mike Keegan, TNS' Chief Executive Officer, said: "This acquisition is extremely exciting as it will -"

No, no, no. I'm not having this. I'm not having someone from TNS come on to my blog, MY BLOG!!! ... and start behaving like they own the place. 'How about Stefano Durdic, boss?' Who's he? 'He's, uh ... from R2G.' Oh, Stefano? Stefano Durdic! Why didn't you say? I love that guy!

Stefano Durdic, Managing Director at R2G, said: "We're proud of what we have achieved and look forward to offering our technology on a global scale. We see this acquisition as a fantastic strategic opportunity that gives us access to the resources we need to take that next step and offer our loyal customers all of the advantages of being part of TNS, including 24-hour support. TNS' portfolio of services is largely complementary so we can provide a wider range of services to our combined customers."

Thank you, Stefano! Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it very much. / And Mike? Mike Keegan. You can do one, son!

ENDS

[No. 678] Do you wanna be adored?

Stay here then, with me.

And ... get real![1], and this is the happy place where all your dreams can come true / and ... you don't believe me?![1], and ... get real![2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and this is the happy place where all your dreams can come true / and ... you don't believe me?![2], and you better! Seriously / and, but, but, BUT(!) ... we shouldn't stay here, no, no, no[1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and, well, we can, forever, like, but ...[1], and you better! Seriously / and, but, but, BUT(!) ... we shouldn't stay here, no, no, no[2], and, listen! ... anything you want, man, you can have[1], and, well, we can, forever, like, but ...[2], and ... a lemon?[1], and, listen! ... anything you want, man, you can have[2], and tell me, baby, honestly now: How badly do you want to get beyond the THREE?[1], and ... a lemon?[2], and follow me![1], and tell me, baby, honestly now: H ow b adly d o y ou w ant t o g et b e yond t he TH REE?[2], and, well, come on, come on ... that's where all the best mystical action is![1], and follow me![2], and I'm absolutely convinced[1], and, well, come on, come on ... that's where all the best mystical action is![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and be with me, all the time, please, I beg you[1], and I'm absolutely convinced[2], and, all, all, all ... the time, you dig?[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and be with me, all the time, please, I beg you[2], and here, or there[1], and, all, all, all ... the time, you dig?[2], and I get so lonely, with my thoughts, even with my feelings ... what can I do?[1], and here, or there[2], and do you feel ... ever?[1], and I get so lonely, with my thoughts, even with my feelings ... what can I do?[2], and I know you've got your plans ... but remember: there's billions of years to come[1], and do you feel ... ever?[2], and years we won't see, kook(s) ... ?[1], and I know you've got your plans ... but remember: there's billions of years to come[2], and a-ROUND here ... there's a chance ... that we might ... cut ourselves off ... from ... you know[1], and years we won't see, kook(s) ... ?[2], and ... yes?[1], and a-ROUND here ... there's a chance ... that we might ... cut ourselves off ... from ... you know[2], and, uh ... Christ![1], and ... yes?[2], and, oh, I'm sorry, but ... everyone you know in the COLD WORLD hates your guts[1], and, uh ... Christ![2], and I, I, I ...[1], and, oh, I'm sorry, but ... everyone you know in the COLD WORLD hates your guts[2], and a-ROUND here ... you need to lose yourself, to forget, all the tragedies, all the comedies[1], and I, I, I ...[2], and I, I ...[1], and a-ROUND here ... you need to lose yourself, to forget, all the tragedies, all the comedies[2], and it's COMMON SENSE, actually, yes[1], and I, I ...[2], and I ...[1], and it's C OMMON S ENSE, actually, yes[2], and I adore you, yes, yes, YES - !!![1], and I ...[2], and ... get real![3], and I adore you, yes, yes, YES - !!![2], and this is the happy place where all your dreams can come true / and ... you don't believe me?![3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and you better! Seriously / and, but, but, BUT(!) ... we shouldn't stay here, no, no, no[3], and, well, we can, forever, like, but ...[3], and, listen! ... anything you want, man, you can have[3], and ... a lemon?[3], and tell me, baby, honestly now: H  o  w b  a  d  l  y d  o y  o  u w  a  n  t t  o g  e  t b  e  y  o  n  d t  h  e T  H  R  E  E?[3], and follow me![3], and, well, come on, come on ... that's where all the best mystical action is![3], and I'm absolutely convinced[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and be with me, all the time, please, I beg you[3], and, all, all, all ... the time, you dig?[3], and here, or there[3], and I get so lonely, with my thoughts, even with my feelings ... what can I do?[3], and do you feel ... ever?[3], and I know you've got your plans ... but remember: there's billions of years to come[3], and years we won't see, kook(s) ... ?[3], and a-ROUND here ... there's a chance ... that we might ... cut ourselves off ... from ... you know[3], and ... yes?[3], and, uh ... Christ![3], and, oh, I'm sorry, but ... everyone you know in the COLD WORLD hates your guts[3], and I, I, I ...[3], and a-ROUND here ... you need to lose yourself, to forget, all the tragedies, all the comedies[3], and I, I ...[3], and it's C  O  M  M  O  N S  E  N  S  E, actually, yes[3], and I ...[3], and I adore you, yes, yes, YES - !!![3], and

And ... get real![1], and this is the happy place where all your dreams can come true / and ... you don't believe me?![1], and ... get real![2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and this is the happy place where all your dreams can come true / and ... you don't believe me?![2], and you better! Seriously / and, but, but, BUT(!) ... we shouldn't stay here, no, no, no[1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and, well, we can, forever, like, but ...[1], and you better! Seriously / and, but, but, BUT(!) ... we shouldn't stay here, no, no, no[2], and, listen! ... anything you want, man, you can have[1], and, well, we can, forever, like, but ...[2], and ... a lemon?[1], and, listen! ... anything you want, man, you can have[2], and tell me, baby, honestly now: How badly do you want to get beyond the THREE?[1], and ... a lemon?[2], and follow me![1], and tell me, baby, honestly now: H ow b adly d o y ou w ant t o g et b e yond t he TH REE?[2], and, well, come on, come on ... that's where all the best mystical action is![1], and follow me![2], and I'm absolutely convinced[1], and, well, come on, come on ... that's where all the best mystical action is![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and be with me, all the time, please, I beg you[1], and I'm absolutely convinced[2], and, all, all, all ... the time, you dig?[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and be with me, all the time, please, I beg you[2], and here, or there[1], and, all, all, all ... the time, you dig?[2], and I get so lonely, with my thoughts, even with my feelings ... what can I do?[1], and here, or there[2], and do you feel ... ever?[1], and I get so lonely, with my thoughts, even with my feelings ... what can I do?[2], and I know you've got your plans ... but remember: there's billions of years to come[1], and do you feel ... ever?[2], and years we won't see, kook(s) ... ?[1], and I know you've got your plans ... but remember: there's billions of years to come[2], and a-ROUND here ... there's a chance ... that we might ... cut ourselves off ... from ... you know[1], and years we won't see, kook(s) ... ?[2], and ... yes?[1], and a-ROUND here ... there's a chance ... that we might ... cut ourselves off ... from ... you know[2], and, uh ... Christ![1], and ... yes?[2], and, oh, I'm sorry, but ... everyone you know in the COLD WORLD hates your guts[1], and, uh ... Christ![2], and I, I, I ...[1], and, oh, I'm sorry, but ... everyone you know in the COLD WORLD hates your guts[2], and a-ROUND here ... you need to lose yourself, to forget, all the tragedies, all the comedies[1], and I, I, I ...[2], and I, I ...[1], and a-ROUND here ... you need to lose yourself, to forget, all the tragedies, all the comedies[2], and it's COMMON SENSE, actually, yes[1], and I, I ...[2], and I ...[1], and it's C OMMON S ENSE, actually, yes[2], and I adore you, yes, yes, YES - !!![1], and I ...[2], and ... get real![3], and I adore you, yes, yes, YES - !!![2], and this is the happy place where all your dreams can come true / and ... you don't believe me?![3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and you better! Seriously / and, but, but, BUT(!) ... we shouldn't stay here, no, no, no[3], and, well, we can, forever, like, but ...[3], and, listen! ... anything you want, man, you can have[3], and ... a lemon?[3], and tell me, baby, honestly now: H  o  w b  a  d  l  y d  o y  o  u w  a  n  t t  o g  e  t b  e  y  o  n  d t  h  e T  H  R  E  E?[3], and follow me![3], and, well, come on, come on ... that's where all the best mystical action is![3], and I'm absolutely convinced[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and be with me, all the time, please, I beg you[3], and, all, all, all ... the time, you dig?[3], and here, or there[3], and I get so lonely, with my thoughts, even with my feelings ... what can I do?[3], and do you feel ... ever?[3], and I know you've got your plans ... but remember: there's billions of years to come[3], and years we won't see, kook(s) ... ?[3], and a-ROUND here ... there's a chance ... that we might ... cut ourselves off ... from ... you know[3], and ... yes?[3], and, uh ... Christ![3], and, oh, I'm sorry, but ... everyone you know in the COLD WORLD hates your guts[3], and I, I, I ...[3], and a-ROUND here ... you need to lose yourself, to forget, all the tragedies, all the comedies[3], and I, I ...[3], and it's C  O  M  M  O  N S  E  N  S  E, actually, yes[3], and I ...[3], and I adore you, yes, yes, YES - !!![3], and

And ... get real![1], and this is the happy place where all your dreams can come true / and ... you don't believe me?![1], and ... get real![2], and ... 'Ha!'[1], and this is the happy place where all your dreams can come true / and ... you don't believe me?![2], and you better! Seriously / and, but, but, BUT(!) ... we shouldn't stay here, no, no, no[1], and ... 'Ha!'[2], and, well, we can, forever, like, but ...[1], and you better! Seriously / and, but, but, BUT(!) ... we shouldn't stay here, no, no, no[2], and, listen! ... anything you want, man, you can have[1], and, well, we can, forever, like, but ...[2], and ... a lemon?[1], and, listen! ... anything you want, man, you can have[2], and tell me, baby, honestly now: How badly do you want to get beyond the THREE?[1], and ... a lemon?[2], and follow me![1], and tell me, baby, honestly now: H ow b adly d o y ou w ant t o g et b e yond t he TH REE?[2], and, well, come on, come on ... that's where all the best mystical action is![1], and follow me![2], and I'm absolutely convinced[1], and, well, come on, come on ... that's where all the best mystical action is![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and be with me, all the time, please, I beg you[1], and I'm absolutely convinced[2], and, all, all, all ... the time, you dig?[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and be with me, all the time, please, I beg you[2], and here, or there[1], and, all, all, all ... the time, you dig?[2], and I get so lonely, with my thoughts, even with my feelings ... what can I do?[1], and here, or there[2], and do you feel ... ever?[1], and I get so lonely, with my thoughts, even with my feelings ... what can I do?[2], and I know you've got your plans ... but remember: there's billions of years to come[1], and do you feel ... ever?[2], and years we won't see, kook(s) ... ?[1], and I know you've got your plans ... but remember: there's billions of years to come[2], and a-ROUND here ... there's a chance ... that we might ... cut ourselves off ... from ... you know[1], and years we won't see, kook(s) ... ?[2], and ... yes?[1], and a-ROUND here ... there's a chance ... that we might ... cut ourselves off ... from ... you know[2], and, uh ... Christ![1], and ... yes?[2], and, oh, I'm sorry, but ... everyone you know in the COLD WORLD hates your guts[1], and, uh ... Christ![2], and I, I, I ...[1], and, oh, I'm sorry, but ... everyone you know in the COLD WORLD hates your guts[2], and a-ROUND here ... you need to lose yourself, to forget, all the tragedies, all the comedies[1], and I, I, I ...[2], and I, I ...[1], and a-ROUND here ... you need to lose yourself, to forget, all the tragedies, all the comedies[2], and it's COMMON SENSE, actually, yes[1], and I, I ...[2], and I ...[1], and it's C OMMON S ENSE, actually, yes[2], and I adore you, yes, yes, YES - !!![1], and I ...[2], and ... get real![3], and I adore you, yes, yes, YES - !!![2], and this is the happy place where all your dreams can come true / and ... you don't believe me?![3], and ... 'Ha!'[3], and you better! Seriously / and, but, but, BUT(!) ... we shouldn't stay here, no, no, no[3], and, well, we can, forever, like, but ...[3], and, listen! ... anything you want, man, you can have[3], and ... a lemon?[3], and tell me, baby, honestly now: H  o  w b  a  d  l  y d  o y  o  u w  a  n  t t  o g  e  t b  e  y  o  n  d t  h  e T  H  R  E  E?[3], and follow me![3], and, well, come on, come on ... that's where all the best mystical action is![3], and I'm absolutely convinced[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and be with me, all the time, please, I beg you[3], and, all, all, all ... the time, you dig?[3], and here, or there[3], and I get so lonely, with my thoughts, even with my feelings ... what can I do?[3], and do you feel ... ever?[3], and I know you've got your plans ... but remember: there's billions of years to come[3], and years we won't see, kook(s) ... ?[3], and a-ROUND here ... there's a chance ... that we might ... cut ourselves off ... from ... you know[3], and ... yes?[3], and, uh ... Christ![3], and, oh, I'm sorry, but ... everyone you know in the COLD WORLD hates your guts[3], and I, I, I ...[3], and a-ROUND here ... you need to lose yourself, to forget, all the tragedies, all the comedies[3], and I, I ...[3], and it's C  O  M  M  O  N S  E  N  S  E, actually, yes[3], and I ...[3], and I adore you, yes, yes, YES - !!![3], and

Barclays and Santander invest in ...

What do they invest in? I bet you're dying to know, dear reader(s). 'I should imagine Barclays and Santander invest in all kinds of stuff, boss.' Yes, yes ... but it's the latest news I'm talking about, Voice. 'Oh.' Yes. Look - !!!

21st January 2019, London; Fintech business lender MarketInvoice today announced it has raised £26m in new equity funding. This Series-B funding round was led by Barclays and fintech fund Santander InnoVentures with significant participation from European venture fund Northzone, an existing investor in the company. Technology credit fund Viola Credit, who also participated in the equity round, will provide a debt facility of up to £30m to help scale the MarketInvoice business loans solution, that sits alongside their core invoice finance solutions.

Okay, okay. Bilal says I can interview the CEO and co-founder of MarketInvoice, Anil Stocker - if I want to, like. 'Do you want to, boss?' No. 'Oh. Oh dear.' What?! I'm a busy man, man. I've got another conceptual to write this afternoon, No. 678. 'Okay.' I wouldn't even know what to ask him. 'Okay.' I'm not even interested in finance. 'Yeah, right. FFS!' All I really want to do is play my guitar, son. But more of that later. Let's finish this!

The funding will enable MarketInvoice to deepen strategic partnerships in the UK, grow the team and increase awareness of its business finance solutions. In addition, the company is planning to launch cross-border fintech-bank partnerships to support more businesses with access to their lending solutions.

Okay, okay. I, uh ... ah, look! Anil Stocker! I don't need to interview him, after all.

Anil Stocker, Co-founder & CEO of MarketInvoice, comments: "This investment is perfectly timed for the company. The quality of investors we are bringing in through this funding round is a real testament to the whole team at MarketInvoice and the value we are building."

But is he excited? That's the question!

"We're excited to develop our finance solutions further and become the trusted funding partner for ambitious entrepreneurs. By collaborating with bank partners, we will be reaching many thousands of companies here in the UK and abroad to provide them with their business finance needs. We aim to invest in technology, data and strategic partnerships, to take MarketInvoice to the next level."

Well, well ... 'They're all excited, boss! The whole MarketInvoice team!' Yeah. Amazing! Anyway ... ENDS! 'Er ... what about the other guys?' Eh? What other guys? 'Mikey! We've got Manuel at Santander InnoVentures. We've got Ian at Barclays Business Bank. We've got Ido at Viola Credit. Let them have their say!' Christ! All right. We'll do one of them. Only one. Ian. Come on, mate!

Ian Rand, CEO of Barclays Business Bank, says: "Collaborating with fintech companies like MarketInvoice is an integral part of Barclays' strategy for accelerating growth. This investment demonstrates our commitment to the partnership we announced last summer which offers hundreds of thousands of our SME clients access to even more innovative forms of finance, boosting cash flow and competition in the market."

Fair enough. ENDS!!!

...

Anything else? Music? My music? Tomorrow might be my last chance to record my demo before the strings go off. [So maybe no blogging.] Yeah, yeah, I had the last set of strings on for over six hundred hours, but I would say they're only good for recording up to the fifty-hour mark. Maybe sixty, I don't know. Some fussy people change their Elixirs after thirty hours, but those cats must be made of money. I've still got a spare set. I'll have to order some more. / Oh, I've got to write two lyrics soon. That will give me sixteen songs. I'm thinking now about a twelve-track album of roughly fifty-three minutes. One of those new songs should become my fifth "world-beater" - as I like to call them. Having five songs like that on one album would be mental, man. / Listen! A debut album is a golden opportunity to record an all-time classic album because if you're smart you've got years to prepare. You dig? Think of The Stone Roses. It's the greatest album so far, I reckon. [I'm playing it now.] But I can beat it ... with the right musicians and producer supporting me, of course. Everyone needs help in this life!

Okay. Laters!

No, no, no. No! Hang on a minute! The Stone Roses is a strange one though. Sure, it has loads of great songs, but none of them are mainstream classics like Wonderwall or Hey Jude or ... whatever. Maybe it's the way the songs all sound together. Who knows? / The truth is, there are five all-time great albums ... The Stone Roses, Revolver, OK Computer, Sgt. Pepper, and Pet Sounds. Not one of them can be considered the Citizen Kane of albums. They're just not dominant enough. Do you know what I mean? / Actually, I need to watch Citizen Kane again. That film has probably become more important since the election of Donald Trump. Orson Welles was one bad mutha. Imagine making a film like that when you're only twenty-five! His first film!

All right. Laters, kook(s)!

[No. 677] So heavy!

I

A thought, a feeling, a look, a pain.

And ... ... if you don't mind[1], and ... ... if it's all right, yes, yes, YES![1], and ... ... if you don't min d[2], and ... ... if you can dig it[1], and ... ... if it's all right, yes, yes, YES![2], and, the thing is ... somewhere ... there is ... something to fill us ... with meaning, and, oh ... with joy, too![1], and ... ... if you can dig it[2], and ... uh[1], and, the thing is ... som ewhere ... there is ... som ething to fill us ... with meani ng, and, oh ... with j oy, too![2], and ... ... it can be easy, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so hard[1], and ... uh[2], and ... oh![1], and ... ... it can be e asy, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so hard[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / and I know you're smiling, baby, so heavy[1], and ... oh![2], and your love weighs me down ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / and I know you're smiling, baby, so hea vy[2], and I'm not even waiting for the right thoughts ...[1], and your l ove we ighs me down ...[2], and, no, no, no ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the rig ht thou ghts ...[2], and I'm not even waiting for the right feelings, amazingly ...[1], and, no, no, no ...[2], and their hate weighs us down ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the ri ght f eelings, amazingly ...[2], and it's either positive or negative / and it's all the same to me, seriously[1], and their hate weighs us down ...[2], and ... wake up![1], and it's either p ositive or neg ative / and it's all the same to me, seriously[2], and it's a mystery miracle, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthusiasm for ... all this[1], and ... wak e u p![2], and I'm flat on the floor, trying to crawl ...[1], and it's a myst ery mira cle, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthusiasm for ... all this[2], and I want to be flying ... so high![1], and I'm f lat on the fl oor, trying to cr awl ...[2], and the COLD WORLD is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horrible truth[1], and I want to be flying ... so h igh![2], and ... free me![1], and the C OLD W ORLD is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horrible t ruth[2], and ... ... if you don't m  i  n  d[3], and ... f ree me![2], and ... ... if it's all right, yes, yes, YES![3], and ... ... if you can dig it[3], and, the thing is ... s  o  m  e  w  h  e  r  e ... there is ... s  o  m  e  t  h  i  n  g to fill us ... with m  e  a  n  i  n  g, and, oh ... with j  o  y, too![3], and ... uh[3], and ... ... it can be e  a  s  y, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so hard[3], and ... oh![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / and I know you're smiling, baby, so h  e  a  v  y[3], and your l  o  v  e w  e  i  g  h  s me down ...[3], and I'm not even waiting for the r  i  g  h  t t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s ...[3], and, no, no, no ...[3], and I'm not even waiting for the r  i  g  h  t f  e  e  l  i  n  g  s, amazingly ...[3], and their hate weighs us down ...[3], and it's either p  o  s  i  t  i  v  e or n  e  g  a  t  i  v  e / and it's all the same to me, seriously[3], and ... w  a  k  e u  p![3], and it's a m  y  s  t  e  r  y m  i  r  a  c  l  e, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthusiasm for ... all this[3], and I'm f  l  a  t on the f  l  o  o  r, trying to c  r  a  w  l ...[3], and I want to be flying ... so h  i  g  h![3], and the C  O  L  D W  O  R  L  D is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horrible t  r  u  t  h[3], and ... f  r  e  e me![3], and

And ... ... if you don't mind[1], and ... ... if it's all right, yes, yes, YES![1], and ... ... if you don't min d[2], and ... ... if you can dig it[1], and ... ... if it's all right, yes, yes, YES![2], and, the thing is ... somewhere ... there is ... something to fill us ... with meaning, and, oh ... with joy, too![1], and ... ... if you can dig it[2], and ... uh[1], and, the thing is ... som ewhere ... there is ... som ething to fill us ... with meani ng, and, oh ... with j oy, too![2], and ... ... it can be easy, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so hard[1], and ... uh[2], and ... oh![1], and ... ... it can be e asy, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so hard[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / and I know you're smiling, baby, so heavy[1], and ... oh![2], and your love weighs me down ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / and I know you're smiling, baby, so hea vy[2], and I'm not even waiting for the right thoughts ...[1], and your l ove we ighs me down ...[2], and, no, no, no ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the rig ht thou ghts ...[2], and I'm not even waiting for the right feelings, amazingly ...[1], and, no, no, no ...[2], and their hate weighs us down ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the ri ght f eelings, amazingly ...[2], and it's either positive or negative / and it's all the same to me, seriously[1], and their hate weighs us down ...[2], and ... wake up![1], and it's either p ositive or neg ative / and it's all the same to me, seriously[2], and it's a mystery miracle, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthusiasm for ... all this[1], and ... wak e u p![2], and I'm flat on the floor, trying to crawl ...[1], and it's a myst ery mira cle, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthusiasm for ... all this[2], and I want to be flying ... so high![1], and I'm f lat on the fl oor, trying to cr awl ...[2], and the COLD WORLD is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horrible truth[1], and I want to be flying ... so h igh![2], and ... free me![1], and the C OLD W ORLD is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horrible t ruth[2], and ... ... if you don't m  i  n  d[3], and ... f ree me![2], and ... ... if it's all right, yes, yes, YES![3], and ... ... if you can dig it[3], and, the thing is ... s  o  m  e  w  h  e  r  e ... there is ... s  o  m  e  t  h  i  n  g to fill us ... with m  e  a  n  i  n  g, and, oh ... with j  o  y, too![3], and ... uh[3], and ... ... it can be e  a  s  y, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so hard[3], and ... oh![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / and I know you're smiling, baby, so h  e  a  v  y[3], and your l  o  v  e w  e  i  g  h  s me down ...[3], and I'm not even waiting for the r  i  g  h  t t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s ...[3], and, no, no, no ...[3], and I'm not even waiting for the r  i  g  h  t f  e  e  l  i  n  g  s, amazingly ...[3], and their hate weighs us down ...[3], and it's either p  o  s  i  t  i  v  e or n  e  g  a  t  i  v  e / and it's all the same to me, seriously[3], and ... w  a  k  e u  p![3], and it's a m  y  s  t  e  r  y m  i  r  a  c  l  e, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthusiasm for ... all this[3], and I'm f  l  a  t on the f  l  o  o  r, trying to c  r  a  w  l ...[3], and I want to be flying ... so h  i  g  h![3], and the C  O  L  D W  O  R  L  D is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horrible t  r  u  t  h[3], and ... f  r  e  e me![3], and

And ... ... if you don't mind[1], and ... ... if it's all right, yes, yes, YES![1], and ... ... if you don't min d[2], and ... ... if you can dig it[1], and ... ... if it's all right, yes, yes, YES![2], and, the thing is ... somewhere ... there is ... something to fill us ... with meaning, and, oh ... with joy, too![1], and ... ... if you can dig it[2], and ... uh[1], and, the thing is ... som ewhere ... there is ... som ething to fill us ... with meani ng, and, oh ... with j oy, too![2], and ... ... it can be easy, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so hard[1], and ... uh[2], and ... oh![1], and ... ... it can be e asy, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so hard[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / and I know you're smiling, baby, so heavy[1], and ... oh![2], and your love weighs me down ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / and I know you're smiling, baby, so hea vy[2], and I'm not even waiting for the right thoughts ...[1], and your l ove we ighs me down ...[2], and, no, no, no ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the rig ht thou ghts ...[2], and I'm not even waiting for the right feelings, amazingly ...[1], and, no, no, no ...[2], and their hate weighs us down ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the ri ght f eelings, amazingly ...[2], and it's either positive or negative / and it's all the same to me, seriously[1], and their hate weighs us down ...[2], and ... wake up![1], and it's either p ositive or neg ative / and it's all the same to me, seriously[2], and it's a mystery miracle, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthusiasm for ... all this[1], and ... wak e u p![2], and I'm flat on the floor, trying to crawl ...[1], and it's a myst ery mira cle, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthusiasm for ... all this[2], and I want to be flying ... so high![1], and I'm f lat on the fl oor, trying to cr awl ...[2], and the COLD WORLD is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horrible truth[1], and I want to be flying ... so h igh![2], and ... free me![1], and the C OLD W ORLD is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horrible t ruth[2], and ... ... if you don't m  i  n  d[3], and ... f ree me![2], and ... ... if it's all right, yes, yes, YES![3], and ... ... if you can dig it[3], and, the thing is ... s  o  m  e  w  h  e  r  e ... there is ... s  o  m  e  t  h  i  n  g to fill us ... with m  e  a  n  i  n  g, and, oh ... with j  o  y, too![3], and ... uh[3], and ... ... it can be e  a  s  y, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so hard[3], and ... oh![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... / and I know you're smiling, baby, so h  e  a  v  y[3], and your l  o  v  e w  e  i  g  h  s me down ...[3], and I'm not even waiting for the r  i  g  h  t t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s ...[3], and, no, no, no ...[3], and I'm not even waiting for the r  i  g  h  t f  e  e  l  i  n  g  s, amazingly ...[3], and their hate weighs us down ...[3], and it's either p  o  s  i  t  i  v  e or n  e  g  a  t  i  v  e / and it's all the same to me, seriously[3], and ... w  a  k  e u  p![3], and it's a m  y  s  t  e  r  y m  i  r  a  c  l  e, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthusiasm for ... all this[3], and I'm f  l  a  t on the f  l  o  o  r, trying to c  r  a  w  l ...[3], and I want to be flying ... so h  i  g  h![3], and the C  O  L  D W  O  R  L  D is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horrible t  r  u  t  h[3], and ... f  r  e  e me![3], and

II

Let's take it to the next level.

And ... ... if you don't mi                    nd[1], and ... ... if it's all r                        ight, y                  es, y           es, YE               S![1], and ... ... if you don't min d[2], and ... ... if y                    ou ca n di             g it[1], and ... ... if it's all rig                           ht, yes, yes, YES![2], and, the thing is ... somewhere ... there is ... s           ome        thi            ng to f      ill us ... with m   ea                     ning, and, oh ... with j                                                                oy, too![1], and ... ... if you can dig it[2], and ... uh[1], and, the thing is ... som ewhere ... there is ... som ething to fill us ... with meani ng, and, oh ... with j oy, t                                                             oo![2], and ... ... it can be e                    asy, so                                   metimes / and ... or, it can be h               ard, so h       ard[1], and ... uh[2], and ... oh![1], and ... ... it can be e asy, som              et                             imes / and ... or, it can be har       d, so h            ard[2], and a-RO        UND, and a-ROUND, and a-RO                                             UND here ... / and I know you're s                       miling, bab              y, so hea                               vy[1], and ... oh![2], and your l                                ove we       ighs me d                                       own ...[1], and a-ROU         ND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROU                                        ND here ... / and I know you're s                            mi ling, b                               aby, so hea vy[2], and I'm not even w                                             aiting for the right thoughts ...[1], and your l ove we ighs me down ...[2], and, no, no, no ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the rig ht thou ghts ...[2], and I'm n                           ot even waiting for the rig                            ht f                    eelings, amaz                                                                      ingly ...[1], and, n                                 o, no, no ...[2], and their h                                     ate wei                                                               ghs us down ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the ri ght f                        eelings, amazi                                                                                                                          ngly ...[2], and it's either p                    ositive or n                                                       egative / and it's al                       l the same to me, serio usly[1], and their hat                             e weighs us down ...[2], and ... wak                                          e up![1], and it's either p osit                                                          ive or neg ative / and it's a                     ll the same to me, s                                   eriou                                    sly[2], and it's a my                      stery mi                                                racle, man ... that we're st               ill going ... with the enthu                                               siasm for ... all this[1], and ... wak e u p![2], and I'm fl            at on the fl                                                   oor, t                 rying to cr                                  awl ...[1], and it's a myst ery mira cle, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthu        sia                     sm for ... all this[2], and I want to be fly                        ing ... so h  igh![1], and I'm f lat on the fl oor, trying to cr awl ...[2], and the C                              OLD WO                                                RLD is c                                                                                          rushing all of us ... / and that's the h                        orrible t       ruth[1], and I wan              t to be f                     lying ... s        o h igh![2], and ... free me![1], and the C OLD W                                                         ORLD is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horr                                                                   ible t ruth[2], and ... ... if you don't m  i  n  d[3], and ... f ree me![2], and ... ... if it's all rig                                         ht, yes, yes, YES![3], and ... ... if you ca                                      n dig it[3], and, the t         hing is ... s  o  m  e  w  h  e  r  e ... there is ... s  o  m  e  t  h  i                                               n  g to fill us ... with m  e  a  n                          i  n  g, and, oh ... with j  o                             y, too![3], and ... uh[3], and ... ... it can be e  a  s  y, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so ha                                               rd[3], and ... oh![3], and a-ROU                                 ND, and a-ROU                              ND, and a-ROU                                           ND he                               re ... / and I k                                       now you're                     sm                i                      l  i  n  g, baby, so h  e                       a  v  y[3], and your l                     o  v  e w  e  i  g  h  s me down ...[3], and I'm not ev                                                 en waiting for the r  i  g  h  t t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s ...[3], and, no, no, no ...[3], and I'm not even waiting for the r  i  g  h  t f  e  e                                                         l  i  n  g  s, amaz                                     ingly ...[3], and their hat                           e weighs us down ...[3], and it's eit     her                                                        p  o  s  i                                              t  i  v  e or n                                 e  g  a  t  i  v  e / and it's all the same to me, seriously[3], and ... w  a                                                                                  k  e u                                                                  p![3], and it's a m  y                                s  t  e                                                                                                                                 r  y m  i  r                                                                                                                                               a  c  l  e, man ... that we're still go                                                     ing ... wi                                               th the en                        thusiasm f                   or ... all this[3], an                        d I'm f  l  a  t on the f  l                                                                    o  o  r, tr                                                        ying to c  r  a                                                   w  l ...[3], and I want to be flyi                                           ng ... so h  i                                                           g  h![3], a       nd the                              C  O  L  D W  O  R  L  D                                                                                  is c                                     rus                                             hing a                                                ll of us ... / and th                       at's the ho           rr                                                                                       ible t  r                                                                                    u  t  h[3], and ... f  r                                                                                                                       e  e me![3], and

And ... ... if you don't mi                    nd[1], and ... ... if it's all r                        ight, y                  es, y           es, YE               S![1], and ... ... if you don't min d[2], and ... ... if y                    ou ca n di             g it[1], and ... ... if it's all rig                           ht, yes, yes, YES![2], and, the thing is ... somewhere ... there is ... s           ome        thi            ng to f      ill us ... with m   ea                     ning, and, oh ... with j                                                                oy, too![1], and ... ... if you can dig it[2], and ... uh[1], and, the thing is ... som ewhere ... there is ... som ething to fill us ... with meani ng, and, oh ... with j oy, t                                                             oo![2], and ... ... it can be e                    asy, so                                   metimes / and ... or, it can be h               ard, so h       ard[1], and ... uh[2], and ... oh![1], and ... ... it can be e asy, som              et                             imes / and ... or, it can be har       d, so h            ard[2], and a-RO        UND, and a-ROUND, and a-RO                                             UND here ... / and I know you're s                       miling, bab              y, so hea                               vy[1], and ... oh![2], and your l                                ove we       ighs me d                                       own ...[1], and a-ROU         ND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROU                                        ND here ... / and I know you're s                            mi ling, b                               aby, so hea vy[2], and I'm not even w                                             aiting for the right thoughts ...[1], and your l ove we ighs me down ...[2], and, no, no, no ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the rig ht thou ghts ...[2], and I'm n                           ot even waiting for the rig                            ht f                    eelings, amaz                                                                      ingly ...[1], and, n                                 o, no, no ...[2], and their h                                     ate wei                                                               ghs us down ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the ri ght f                        eelings, amazi                                                                                                                          ngly ...[2], and it's either p                    ositive or n                                                       egative / and it's al                       l the same to me, serio usly[1], and their hat                             e weighs us down ...[2], and ... wak                                          e up![1], and it's either p osit                                                          ive or neg ative / and it's a                     ll the same to me, s                                   eriou                                    sly[2], and it's a my                      stery mi                                                racle, man ... that we're st               ill going ... with the enthu                                               siasm for ... all this[1], and ... wak e u p![2], and I'm fl            at on the fl                                                   oor, t                 rying to cr                                  awl ...[1], and it's a myst ery mira cle, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthu        sia                     sm for ... all this[2], and I want to be fly                        ing ... so h  igh![1], and I'm f lat on the fl oor, trying to cr awl ...[2], and the C                              OLD WO                                                RLD is c                                                                                          rushing all of us ... / and that's the h                        orrible t       ruth[1], and I wan              t to be f                     lying ... s        o h igh![2], and ... free me![1], and the C OLD W                                                         ORLD is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horr                                                                   ible t ruth[2], and ... ... if you don't m  i  n  d[3], and ... f ree me![2], and ... ... if it's all rig                                         ht, yes, yes, YES![3], and ... ... if you ca                                      n dig it[3], and, the t         hing is ... s  o  m  e  w  h  e  r  e ... there is ... s  o  m  e  t  h  i                                               n  g to fill us ... with m  e  a  n                          i  n  g, and, oh ... with j  o                             y, too![3], and ... uh[3], and ... ... it can be e  a  s  y, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so ha                                               rd[3], and ... oh![3], and a-ROU                                 ND, and a-ROU                              ND, and a-ROU                                           ND he                               re ... / and I k                                       now you're                     sm                i                      l  i  n  g, baby, so h  e                       a  v  y[3], and your l                     o  v  e w  e  i  g  h  s me down ...[3], and I'm not ev                                                 en waiting for the r  i  g  h  t t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s ...[3], and, no, no, no ...[3], and I'm not even waiting for the r  i  g  h  t f  e  e                                                         l  i  n  g  s, amaz                                     ingly ...[3], and their hat                           e weighs us down ...[3], and it's eit     her                                                        p  o  s  i                                              t  i  v  e or n                                 e  g  a  t  i  v  e / and it's all the same to me, seriously[3], and ... w  a                                                                                  k  e u                                                                  p![3], and it's a m  y                                s  t  e                                                                                                                                 r  y m  i  r                                                                                                                                               a  c  l  e, man ... that we're still go                                                     ing ... wi                                               th the en                        thusiasm f                   or ... all this[3], an                        d I'm f  l  a  t on the f  l                                                                    o  o  r, tr                                                        ying to c  r  a                                                   w  l ...[3], and I want to be flyi                                           ng ... so h  i                                                           g  h![3], a       nd the                              C  O  L  D W  O  R  L  D                                                                                  is c                                     rus                                             hing a                                                ll of us ... / and th                       at's the ho           rr                                                                                       ible t  r                                                                                    u  t  h[3], and ... f  r                                                                                                                       e  e me![3], and

And ... ... if you don't mi                    nd[1], and ... ... if it's all r                        ight, y                  es, y           es, YE               S![1], and ... ... if you don't min d[2], and ... ... if y                    ou ca n di             g it[1], and ... ... if it's all rig                           ht, yes, yes, YES![2], and, the thing is ... somewhere ... there is ... s           ome        thi            ng to f      ill us ... with m   ea                     ning, and, oh ... with j                                                                oy, too![1], and ... ... if you can dig it[2], and ... uh[1], and, the thing is ... som ewhere ... there is ... som ething to fill us ... with meani ng, and, oh ... with j oy, t                                                             oo![2], and ... ... it can be e                    asy, so                                   metimes / and ... or, it can be h               ard, so h       ard[1], and ... uh[2], and ... oh![1], and ... ... it can be e asy, som              et                             imes / and ... or, it can be har       d, so h            ard[2], and a-RO        UND, and a-ROUND, and a-RO                                             UND here ... / and I know you're s                       miling, bab              y, so hea                               vy[1], and ... oh![2], and your l                                ove we       ighs me d                                       own ...[1], and a-ROU         ND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROU                                        ND here ... / and I know you're s                            mi ling, b                               aby, so hea vy[2], and I'm not even w                                             aiting for the right thoughts ...[1], and your l ove we ighs me down ...[2], and, no, no, no ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the rig ht thou ghts ...[2], and I'm n                           ot even waiting for the rig                            ht f                    eelings, amaz                                                                      ingly ...[1], and, n                                 o, no, no ...[2], and their h                                     ate wei                                                               ghs us down ...[1], and I'm not even waiting for the ri ght f                        eelings, amazi                                                                                                                          ngly ...[2], and it's either p                    ositive or n                                                       egative / and it's al                       l the same to me, serio usly[1], and their hat                             e weighs us down ...[2], and ... wak                                          e up![1], and it's either p osit                                                          ive or neg ative / and it's a                     ll the same to me, s                                   eriou                                    sly[2], and it's a my                      stery mi                                                racle, man ... that we're st               ill going ... with the enthu                                               siasm for ... all this[1], and ... wak e u p![2], and I'm fl            at on the fl                                                   oor, t                 rying to cr                                  awl ...[1], and it's a myst ery mira cle, man ... that we're still going ... with the enthu        sia                     sm for ... all this[2], and I want to be fly                        ing ... so h  igh![1], and I'm f lat on the fl oor, trying to cr awl ...[2], and the C                              OLD WO                                                RLD is c                                                                                          rushing all of us ... / and that's the h                        orrible t       ruth[1], and I wan              t to be f                     lying ... s        o h igh![2], and ... free me![1], and the C OLD W                                                         ORLD is crushing all of us ... / and that's the horr                                                                   ible t ruth[2], and ... ... if you don't m  i  n  d[3], and ... f ree me![2], and ... ... if it's all rig                                         ht, yes, yes, YES![3], and ... ... if you ca                                      n dig it[3], and, the t         hing is ... s  o  m  e  w  h  e  r  e ... there is ... s  o  m  e  t  h  i                                               n  g to fill us ... with m  e  a  n                          i  n  g, and, oh ... with j  o                             y, too![3], and ... uh[3], and ... ... it can be e  a  s  y, sometimes / and ... or, it can be hard, so ha                                               rd[3], and ... oh![3], and a-ROU                                 ND, and a-ROU                              ND, and a-ROU                                           ND he                               re ... / and I k                                       now you're                     sm                i                      l  i  n  g, baby, so h  e                       a  v  y[3], and your l                     o  v  e w  e  i  g  h  s me down ...[3], and I'm not ev                                                 en waiting for the r  i  g  h  t t  h  o  u  g  h  t  s ...[3], and, no, no, no ...[3], and I'm not even waiting for the r  i  g  h  t f  e  e                                                         l  i  n  g  s, amaz                                     ingly ...[3], and their hat                           e weighs us down ...[3], and it's eit     her                                                        p  o  s  i                                              t  i  v  e or n                                 e  g  a  t  i  v  e / and it's all the same to me, seriously[3], and ... w  a                                                                                  k  e u                                                                  p![3], and it's a m  y                                s  t  e                                                                                                                                 r  y m  i  r                                                                                                                                               a  c  l  e, man ... that we're still go                                                     ing ... wi                                               th the en                        thusiasm f                   or ... all this[3], an                        d I'm f  l  a  t on the f  l                                                                    o  o  r, tr                                                        ying to c  r  a                                                   w  l ...[3], and I want to be flyi                                           ng ... so h  i                                                           g  h![3], a       nd the                              C  O  L  D W  O  R  L  D                                                                                  is c                                     rus                                             hing a                                                ll of us ... / and th                       at's the ho           rr                                                                                       ible t  r                                                                                    u  t  h[3], and ... f  r                                                                                                                       e  e me![3], and