Tuesday 31 August 2021

The biggest financial penalties

So, er ...

'What's this, boss?'

It's a PR email, Voice. Emily sent it to me. 'Oh.' Yeah, it's about a study by BrokerChooser. 'Oh.' Yeah.

Hi Michael,

New research has revealed the banks and brokers that have been hit with the biggest financial penalties and the most commonly fined offences - with one bank racking up $82bn in fines. 

The study by BrokerChooser analysed fines imposed upon companies in the financial services sector from 2000 to the present day to reveal the most heavily fined banks and financial offences. 

The only problem is ... I've copied and pasted the email and now it's all jumbled up.

I mean ...

Top Three Biggest Banking Fines: 

1

Bank of America

$16.65bn

2013

2

JPMorgan Chase

$13bn

2014

3

UBS

$11.15bn

2008

Do you see what I mean? 'That's not too bad. I can still make sense of it.' Oh, good. Nice one!

Coming in first, The Bank of America actually accounts for half of the top ten biggest fines of all time, but by far the biggest was the one that they incurred in 2014, for knowingly selling toxic mortgages to investors, a big contributor to the financial crisis of the late 2000s.

Another of the big US banks, JPMorgan Chase takes second place, with JPMorgan Chase being forced to pay $13bn in 2013 for toxic securities abuses in the time of the financial crisis.

Swiss investment bank UBS comes in third place after being fined $11.15bn for investor protection violation offences in 2008. 

Actually, I'll cut those bits out ...

In first place again, The Bank of America is the most heavily fined bank clocking up a total of over $82bn across 251 different fines over the past 20 years.

As was the case with one-off fines, JPMorgan Chase takes second place behind Bank of America, although by some distance, with fines totalling $35.9bn.

Coming in third, the Citigroup investment bank and financial services corporation has been fined over $25bn across 150 different fines, with the biggest of these being $7.1bn.

And these bits ...

The offence that saw the heaviest penalties overall, racking up $97bn in fines, was 'toxic securities abuses' which refers to the sale of investments that are either difficult or actually impossible to sell on, due to demand for them collapsing.

In second place, there were over 1,400 fines that added up to over $68 billion for breaches of the Investor Protection Act. 

In third place, 83 fines were handed out for offences within the mortgage sector. They added up to over $56 billion, meaning that each fine was worth an average of over $680 million.

'What bits have you cut out, boss?' Er ... the bits you can't see, Voice. 'Oh, okay.' Yeah, yeah.

Never mind, eh?

I'm not much in the mood, dear kook(s) - if I'm being completely honest, which I am.

...

Anything else?

There is nothing else
There is nothing else
There is nothing else

Bye.

Monday 30 August 2021

Believe it or not (part two)

Music?

Okay, okay. I don't mind. It's your funeral. I suppose I could write about music ... for one last time.

Mighty Soul ... ? I might put it on the demo after all. I've made a better recording of it where I connect with the words more. That's the problem with singing a gibberish dummy lyric for months. Never mind. You live and learn, don't you?

I'm still going after my BIG TEN. It's the only course of action that makes sense to me at the moment. I've been watching unsigned artists on YouTube again. Some of them have very good songs. HOWEVER(!) ... you know how it is, my kooks. Very good isn't good enough.

Oh, by the way, "world-beaters" ... ? Listen! One person's world-beater could be another person's ... great-ish song. I mean, some people think that Bohemian Rhapsody is the greatest song ever. I think it's diabolical.

The important thing is that I eventually get myself a BIG TEN to match [surpass!] The Beatles, Oasis, and U2.

Oh, that U2 list I made a while back? For some bizarre reason, I left New Year's Day off it. Here's the updated BIG TEN -

One
Beautiful Day
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
The Unforgettable Fire
New Year's Day
Pride (In The Name of Love)
With Or Without You
Where The Streets Have No Name
Staring At The Sun
Mysterious Ways

And here's my, uh ... BIG SEVEN -

Mighty Soul
Life and Death
Nothing
This World Don't Mean a Thing
Malibu
Stella
What's This Life We Live?

Anyway ...

Man, I've got a lot of rehearsing to do because I still want to improve my performing.

If I can't launch my demo in October or November, I'll probably have to wait until early next year. I want to try and avoid that.

Oh, here's that Beatles BIG TEN again -

A Day In The Life
Let It Be
Hey Jude
Yesterday
Strawberry Fields Forever
I Am The Walrus
The Long and Winding Road
Eleanor Rigby
Something
Penny Lane

And the Oasis one -

Live Forever
Wonderwall
Don't Look Back In Anger
Slide Away
Champagne Supernova
Stop Crying Your Heart Out
Talk Tonight
Stand By Me
Whatever
The Masterplan

And, uh ... if I wanted a  BIG TEN now for myself, I would add -

Good Times
And Rain Came Down
Babe

You know, if I were desperate, like. But I'm sure I'll be able to write some better songs than those three soon.

Well, that's it, pop fan(s). That's your lot.

Bye!

Thursday 26 August 2021

Katie sent me a PR email ...

But I'm afraid I can't use it. I mean, it's totally obscene.

Katie, love, this is a finance blog, yeah? Get a grip!

'Who's this Katie, boss?' The PR woman, Voice. I don't know if she works for them or not. 'Works for who?' The dirty ones. 'What dirty ones?!' The people, the firm ... who are the selling ... the things. 'What things?!' I would rather not talk about it.

Let's move on.

She did say I could have an interview though. 'With her?' Yeah, I think so. 'Christ!' What? 'Is it this email?' Er .. yeah. Don't read it out. 'Ha! No wonder you don't want it on your blog.' 

Anyway ...

'But you could have an interview with her.'

Shut up, Voice. Please.

Anyway ... I have a few other PR emails. None of them are all that great, to be honest with you, kook(s). Where the hell is Detlef?! 'He's on holiday.'

Well ... I can talk about music, I suppose.

My Zoom H5 Handy recorder is great. I recorded two pretty good versions of This World Don't Mean a Thing and Mighty Soul earlier. 

Starting Monday, I'm going to put some serious hours into rehearsing. I'm a much better performer than I used to be, BUT(!) ... I'm still not satisfied, you dig?

Anyway, I'm not discussing music anymore.

What else, today?

I've lost a pound in weight.

I've had a haircut.

I'm still thinking about that email. You know, she reckons 45 percent do it ... I don't know if she's talking about women or ... and 34 percent, uh ...

'Just email her back!'

No!!!

No, don't be ridiculous.

I want to forget the whole thing.

Laters.

Wednesday 25 August 2021

[No. 929] I wrote a conceptual yesterday afternoon ...

True story. Man, my laptop went crazy and just deleted the file or something. After medinner, I turned the laptop on, and ... no conceptual! No No. 929. It was gone! I mean, it was a rough draft. It needed polishing. Maybe the cosmos or the gods didn't like it. Strange!

And, well ...[1], and here I am - again![1], and, well ...[2], and this is, uh ... No. 929 - for the second time! / and ... 'What was the first one about?'[1], and here I am - again![2], and, never, never ... mind[1], and this is, uh ... No. 929 - for the second time! / and ... 'What was the first one about?'[2], and, uh ... oh, it was about not having any PR emails ... / ... and where is Detlef?![1], and, never, never ... mind[2], and ... 'Detlef is on holiday'[1], and, uh ... oh, it was about not having any PR emails ... / ... and where is Detlef?![2], and, Christ! My life, kooks! / ... and let's be honest, who would write more than a dozen of these things?[1], and ... 'Detlef is on holiday'[2], and ... only a lunatic[1], and, Christ! My life, kooks! / ... and let's be honest, who would write more than a dozen of these things?[2], and ... 'Your commitment is crazy, boss!'[1], and ... only a lunatic[2], and I am crazy, Voice[1], and ... 'Your commitment is crazy, boss!'[2], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[1], and I am crazy, Voice[2], and so are you[1], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[2], and I just love the lifestyle, you know?[1], and so are you[2], and ... big time![1], and I just love the lifestyle, you know?[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm addicted to the spinning[1], and ... big time![2], and, sure ... the words annoy me, at times[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm addicted to the spinning[2], and ... 'All the times!'[1], and, sure ... the words annoy me, at times[2], and I can always break them, can't I?[1], and ... 'All the times!'[2], and I love the sound of broken words ...[1], and I can always bre ak them, can't I?[2], and, yeah, yeah ... and maybe I was a fool to turn my back on all the rainbows that the squares love so much ... ???[1], and I love the sound of broken words ...[2], and I have feelings ... just ... I don't know[1], and, yeah, yeah ... and maybe I was a fool to turn my back on all the rainbows that the squares love so much ... ???[2], and music is where it's at, really ... all the cosmic action / ... and I've got the H5 now ... and it's great![1], and I have feelings ... just ... I don't know[2], and ... 'Mikey, no!'[1], and music is where it's at, really ... all the cosmic action / ... and I've got the H5 now ... and it's great![2], and I don't discuss music, obviously[1], and ... 'Mikey, no!'[2], and, so, please ... let me spin ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... thank you, thank you![1], and I don't discuss music, obviously[2], and ... "You don't need to thank us"[1], and, so, please ... let me spin ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... thank you, thank you![2], and, er ... !!![1], and ... "You don't need to thank us"[2], and ... 'WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!'[1], and, er ... !!![2], and I have absolutely no idea, Voice[1], and ... 'WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!'[2], and ... 'Bizarre!'[1], and I have absolutely no idea, Voice[2], and, yeah, well, it happens ... I mean, if you spin enough ... voices come from nowhere, man[1], and ... 'Bizarre!'[2], and anything is possible a-ROUND here[1], and, yeah, well, it happens ... I mean, if you spin enough ... voices come from nowhere, man[2], and ... anyone else?[1], and anything is possible a-ROUND here[2], and, well ...[3], and ... anyone else?[2], and here I am - again![3], and this is, uh ... No. 929 - for the second time! / and ... 'What was the first one about?'[3], and, never, never ... mind[3], and, uh ... oh, it was about not having any PR emails ... / ... and where is Detlef?![3], and ... 'Detlef is on holiday'[3], and, Christ! My life, kooks! / ... and let's be honest, who would write more than a dozen of these things?[3], and ... only a lunatic[3], and ... 'Your commitment is crazy, boss!'[3], and I am crazy, Voice[3], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[3], and so are you[3], and I just love the lifestyle, you know?[3], and ... big time![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm addicted to the spinning[3], and, sure ... the words annoy me, at times[3], and ... 'All the times!'[3], and I can always b  r  e  a  k them, can't I?[3], and I love the sound of broken words ...[3], and, yeah, yeah ... and maybe I was a fool to turn my back on all the rainbows that the squares love so much ... ???[3], and I have feelings ... just ... I don't know[3], and music is where it's at, really ... all the cosmic action / ... and I've got the H5 now ... and it's great![3], and ... 'Mikey, no!'[3], and I don't discuss music, obviously[3], and, so, please ... let me spin ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... thank you, thank you![3], and ... "You don't need to thank us"[3], and, er ... !!![3], and ... 'WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!'[3], and I have absolutely no idea, Voice[3], and ... 'Bizarre!'[3], and, yeah, well, it happens ... I mean, if you spin enough ... voices come from nowhere, man[3], and anything is possible a-ROUND here[3], and ... anyone else?[3], and

And, well ...[1], and here I am - again![1], and, well ...[2], and this is, uh ... No. 929 - for the second time! / and ... 'What was the first one about?'[1], and here I am - again![2], and, never, never ... mind[1], and this is, uh ... No. 929 - for the second time! / and ... 'What was the first one about?'[2], and, uh ... oh, it was about not having any PR emails ... / ... and where is Detlef?![1], and, never, never ... mind[2], and ... 'Detlef is on holiday'[1], and, uh ... oh, it was about not having any PR emails ... / ... and where is Detlef?![2], and, Christ! My life, kooks! / ... and let's be honest, who would write more than a dozen of these things?[1], and ... 'Detlef is on holiday'[2], and ... only a lunatic[1], and, Christ! My life, kooks! / ... and let's be honest, who would write more than a dozen of these things?[2], and ... 'Your commitment is crazy, boss!'[1], and ... only a lunatic[2], and I am crazy, Voice[1], and ... 'Your commitment is crazy, boss!'[2], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[1], and I am crazy, Voice[2], and so are you[1], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[2], and I just love the lifestyle, you know?[1], and so are you[2], and ... big time![1], and I just love the lifestyle, you know?[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm addicted to the spinning[1], and ... big time![2], and, sure ... the words annoy me, at times[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm addicted to the spinning[2], and ... 'All the times!'[1], and, sure ... the words annoy me, at times[2], and I can always break them, can't I?[1], and ... 'All the times!'[2], and I love the sound of broken words ...[1], and I can always bre ak them, can't I?[2], and, yeah, yeah ... and maybe I was a fool to turn my back on all the rainbows that the squares love so much ... ???[1], and I love the sound of broken words ...[2], and I have feelings ... just ... I don't know[1], and, yeah, yeah ... and maybe I was a fool to turn my back on all the rainbows that the squares love so much ... ???[2], and music is where it's at, really ... all the cosmic action / ... and I've got the H5 now ... and it's great![1], and I have feelings ... just ... I don't know[2], and ... 'Mikey, no!'[1], and music is where it's at, really ... all the cosmic action / ... and I've got the H5 now ... and it's great![2], and I don't discuss music, obviously[1], and ... 'Mikey, no!'[2], and, so, please ... let me spin ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... thank you, thank you![1], and I don't discuss music, obviously[2], and ... "You don't need to thank us"[1], and, so, please ... let me spin ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... thank you, thank you![2], and, er ... !!![1], and ... "You don't need to thank us"[2], and ... 'WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!'[1], and, er ... !!![2], and I have absolutely no idea, Voice[1], and ... 'WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!'[2], and ... 'Bizarre!'[1], and I have absolutely no idea, Voice[2], and, yeah, well, it happens ... I mean, if you spin enough ... voices come from nowhere, man[1], and ... 'Bizarre!'[2], and anything is possible a-ROUND here[1], and, yeah, well, it happens ... I mean, if you spin enough ... voices come from nowhere, man[2], and ... anyone else?[1], and anything is possible a-ROUND here[2], and, well ...[3], and ... anyone else?[2], and here I am - again![3], and this is, uh ... No. 929 - for the second time! / and ... 'What was the first one about?'[3], and, never, never ... mind[3], and, uh ... oh, it was about not having any PR emails ... / ... and where is Detlef?![3], and ... 'Detlef is on holiday'[3], and, Christ! My life, kooks! / ... and let's be honest, who would write more than a dozen of these things?[3], and ... only a lunatic[3], and ... 'Your commitment is crazy, boss!'[3], and I am crazy, Voice[3], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[3], and so are you[3], and I just love the lifestyle, you know?[3], and ... big time![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm addicted to the spinning[3], and, sure ... the words annoy me, at times[3], and ... 'All the times!'[3], and I can always b  r  e  a  k them, can't I?[3], and I love the sound of broken words ...[3], and, yeah, yeah ... and maybe I was a fool to turn my back on all the rainbows that the squares love so much ... ???[3], and I have feelings ... just ... I don't know[3], and music is where it's at, really ... all the cosmic action / ... and I've got the H5 now ... and it's great![3], and ... 'Mikey, no!'[3], and I don't discuss music, obviously[3], and, so, please ... let me spin ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... thank you, thank you![3], and ... "You don't need to thank us"[3], and, er ... !!![3], and ... 'WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!'[3], and I have absolutely no idea, Voice[3], and ... 'Bizarre!'[3], and, yeah, well, it happens ... I mean, if you spin enough ... voices come from nowhere, man[3], and anything is possible a-ROUND here[3], and ... anyone else?[3], and

And, well ...[1], and here I am - again![1], and, well ...[2], and this is, uh ... No. 929 - for the second time! / and ... 'What was the first one about?'[1], and here I am - again![2], and, never, never ... mind[1], and this is, uh ... No. 929 - for the second time! / and ... 'What was the first one about?'[2], and, uh ... oh, it was about not having any PR emails ... / ... and where is Detlef?![1], and, never, never ... mind[2], and ... 'Detlef is on holiday'[1], and, uh ... oh, it was about not having any PR emails ... / ... and where is Detlef?![2], and, Christ! My life, kooks! / ... and let's be honest, who would write more than a dozen of these things?[1], and ... 'Detlef is on holiday'[2], and ... only a lunatic[1], and, Christ! My life, kooks! / ... and let's be honest, who would write more than a dozen of these things?[2], and ... 'Your commitment is crazy, boss!'[1], and ... only a lunatic[2], and I am crazy, Voice[1], and ... 'Your commitment is crazy, boss!'[2], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[1], and I am crazy, Voice[2], and so are you[1], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[2], and I just love the lifestyle, you know?[1], and so are you[2], and ... big time![1], and I just love the lifestyle, you know?[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm addicted to the spinning[1], and ... big time![2], and, sure ... the words annoy me, at times[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm addicted to the spinning[2], and ... 'All the times!'[1], and, sure ... the words annoy me, at times[2], and I can always break them, can't I?[1], and ... 'All the times!'[2], and I love the sound of broken words ...[1], and I can always bre ak them, can't I?[2], and, yeah, yeah ... and maybe I was a fool to turn my back on all the rainbows that the squares love so much ... ???[1], and I love the sound of broken words ...[2], and I have feelings ... just ... I don't know[1], and, yeah, yeah ... and maybe I was a fool to turn my back on all the rainbows that the squares love so much ... ???[2], and music is where it's at, really ... all the cosmic action / ... and I've got the H5 now ... and it's great![1], and I have feelings ... just ... I don't know[2], and ... 'Mikey, no!'[1], and music is where it's at, really ... all the cosmic action / ... and I've got the H5 now ... and it's great![2], and I don't discuss music, obviously[1], and ... 'Mikey, no!'[2], and, so, please ... let me spin ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... thank you, thank you![1], and I don't discuss music, obviously[2], and ... "You don't need to thank us"[1], and, so, please ... let me spin ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... thank you, thank you![2], and, er ... !!![1], and ... "You don't need to thank us"[2], and ... 'WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!'[1], and, er ... !!![2], and I have absolutely no idea, Voice[1], and ... 'WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!'[2], and ... 'Bizarre!'[1], and I have absolutely no idea, Voice[2], and, yeah, well, it happens ... I mean, if you spin enough ... voices come from nowhere, man[1], and ... 'Bizarre!'[2], and anything is possible a-ROUND here[1], and, yeah, well, it happens ... I mean, if you spin enough ... voices come from nowhere, man[2], and ... anyone else?[1], and anything is possible a-ROUND here[2], and, well ...[3], and ... anyone else?[2], and here I am - again![3], and this is, uh ... No. 929 - for the second time! / and ... 'What was the first one about?'[3], and, never, never ... mind[3], and, uh ... oh, it was about not having any PR emails ... / ... and where is Detlef?![3], and ... 'Detlef is on holiday'[3], and, Christ! My life, kooks! / ... and let's be honest, who would write more than a dozen of these things?[3], and ... only a lunatic[3], and ... 'Your commitment is crazy, boss!'[3], and I am crazy, Voice[3], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[3], and so are you[3], and I just love the lifestyle, you know?[3], and ... big time![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm addicted to the spinning[3], and, sure ... the words annoy me, at times[3], and ... 'All the times!'[3], and I can always b  r  e  a  k them, can't I?[3], and I love the sound of broken words ...[3], and, yeah, yeah ... and maybe I was a fool to turn my back on all the rainbows that the squares love so much ... ???[3], and I have feelings ... just ... I don't know[3], and music is where it's at, really ... all the cosmic action / ... and I've got the H5 now ... and it's great![3], and ... 'Mikey, no!'[3], and I don't discuss music, obviously[3], and, so, please ... let me spin ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... thank you, thank you![3], and ... "You don't need to thank us"[3], and, er ... !!![3], and ... 'WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!'[3], and I have absolutely no idea, Voice[3], and ... 'Bizarre!'[3], and, yeah, well, it happens ... I mean, if you spin enough ... voices come from nowhere, man[3], and anything is possible a-ROUND here[3], and ... anyone else?[3], and

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners portfolio company Law Business Research acquires Docket Navigator

I don't know what this is all about, but I'm determined to find out. 'PR email, boss?' What do you think, Voice? Ha!

Of course it's a PR email. These voices!

Anyway ...

LONDON - August 24, 2021 - Law Business Research ("LBR"), a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners ("LLCP"), announced today that it has acquired Hopkins Bruce Publishers LLC (d/b/a "Docket Navigator"). Headquartered in London with offices in Hong Kong and Washington, DC, LBR is a leading provider of business information, legal analysis tools and networking for global legal markets.

Okay, okay. Why is the company calling itself Docket Navigator? 'No one knows, boss. It's a mystery.' Christ! These people!

Anyway ...

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Docket Navigator is the market-leading provider of patent litigation information across the United States. Its proprietary technology tracks, processes, organizes and synthesizes every significant event across US district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, the International Trade Commission, and certain Patent Trial and Appeal Board items. Docket Navigator provides its solutions to nearly 17,000 users across 88 of the AmLaw 100 firms as well as many leading corporations.

Fine.

I suppose Nick wants to say something ... ?

Nick Brailey, CEO of LBR, comments, "We are excited to partner with Docket Navigator, which further enhances our portfolio of legal data solutions. Combining Docket Navigator and its rich data tools with LBR's platforms will further enhance our market-leading information solutions to the global legal community."

[Ah, legal data solutions. So many, many, many years ago ... ha!]

Dave? Do you want to add something? Come on, son!

David Cowan, Senior Managing Director at LLCP, adds, "We are pleased to continue our support of LBR through this highly attractive acquisition. Under Nick's leadership, we believe that this combination will further bolster LBR's valuable subscription product set."

Yeah, yeah. I knew that Dave would want to add something. 'He's that sort.' Yeah, he is.

These voices, eh? Christ! 'Me?!' No, them. 'Oh.' And you, obviously. Ha!

Anyway ...

ENDS

Tuesday 24 August 2021

Babble continues ...

And the babble goes on. Will it ever end?

'What's this, boss?'

I don't know. Well, I do. PR email, Voice.

Unified Comms, Contact Centre and Cyber Solutions provider, Babble, has announced today its acquisition of Concert and 5 Rings to strengthen its tech business offering. The deals represent the fifth and sixth acquisitions by Babble in 2021.

Yeah, yeah. This is, uh ... from last week. I've been ... you know? My mind is all over the place. I ain't discussing ... whatever, but I can talk about the Steve McQueen body, which is going to be delayed a bit, probably due to Jamaican patties and Kronenbourg lager. However, I'm still losing a pound here ... and a pound there. And putting on muscle, too - through push-ups, mainly. Some dumbbells. There's no need to worry. It's a slow process. Clothes, body, music. I don't discuss music anymore. Hopefully, the body will arrive by the end of October. And ...

Anyway, here's Matt ...

Matt Parker, CEO of Babble, says, "Our goal has always been to transform the way our customers work through the deployment of the right technology."

Now Babble have five hubs across the UK - London, North-West, Midlands, North-East and the South Coast - with 200 staff located nationwide to service over 3500 businesses across all industries.

Okay. / And, uh ...

I have included the full press release below for ease. Do let me know if this is of interest and if there is anything else you might need.

Er ... 'You haven't got to the press release yet.' Er, no. Let me deal with Jonny first. 'Who?!'

Yes, Jonny, this is of interest. Thank you very much!

Unified Comms, Contact Centre and Cyber Solutions provider, Babble, has announced the acquisitions of both Concert (Concert Networks Limited) and 5 Rings (5 Rings Telecom Ltd and 5 Rings IT Ltd). The deals - which are the fifth and sixth completed by Babble in 2021 - extend the leading tech business's UK-wide footprint, adding scale across the North-West and the South Coast.

Oh, that's just, uh ... a variation on the ... do you know what I mean? 'Turn the YouTube video off, boss. You can't concentrate.' Shut up, Voice!

Actually, I don't want to go through all this. Let's just go to Matt again -

Matt Parker, Chief Executive of Babble, says: "Our goal has always been to transform the way our customers work through the deployment of the right technology. Throughout 2021 we have completed a number of strategic acquisitions aimed to expand, deepen and strengthen our offering, allowing us to serve even more customers across the whole of the UK and beyond.

"Seeking out the UK's most exciting, innovative tech businesses, that utilize local talent to bring a local touch from local bases is highly valuable to us. We're delighted that the exceptional teams from Concert and 5 Rings are joining us on our journey to becoming the UK's leading cloud technology business."

Yeah, thanks, man. Sorry for the confusion and everything. It's all babble in my head this morning, ha!

Never mind.

ENDS
ENDS
ENDS

Babble now has five hubs across the UK - London, North-West, Midlands, North-East and the South Coast - with 200 staff located nationwide. The business supports over 3,500 organizations across a broad range of sectors - including financial, health and education, travel and accommodation, and public services - by sourcing, deploying and supporting locally the very best cloud solutions to deliver increased efficiency, customer engagement and profitability, whilst protecting customers' businesses.

Please make it ENDS - !!!

ENDS
ENDS
ENDS

Can there ever be truly ENDS ... ? That's the big question of the day.

Babble is a leading technology business that is reimagining how we do work. Founded in 2001, the company works with over 3,500 organizations in a wide range of sectors - including financial, health and education, travel and accommodation, and public services - by sourcing and deploying the very best cloud solutions to deliver increased efficiency, customer engagement and profitability, whilst protecting customer's businesses.

Enough already!

Babble's growth over the last few years is one of the big success stories in its industry. This is demonstrated by the private equity investment of Graphite Capital in November 2020 - which was supported by reinvestment from LDC and management - to accelerate the buy and build strategy for the business. Annual revenue has rapidly grown to £35m - over 90% of which is recurring. It has over 25,000 cloud-based users, 24,000 mobile connections and 4,000 CCaaS supported agents.

Oh, Christ! My aching head! My aching soul!

ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS

Please!

ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS 

Ah!

Monday 23 August 2021

[No. 928] Jamaican patty and chips

Kronenbourg, too.

And, yes![1], and that's what I'm having later ... and, er ... by the time I've finished this ... I will have had it[1], and, yes![2], and ... medinner![1], and that's what I'm having later ... and, er ... by the time I've finished this ... I will have had it[2], and I need to cheer myself up / and ... I will![1], and ... medinner![2], and ... what's the time?![1], and I need to cheer myself up / and ... I will![2], and ... 'Er ...'[1], and ... what's the time?![2], and it's not later yet, no, no, no ... it's now, oh, now, yes ... but later, uh ... it will be later, you dig?[1], and ... 'Er ...'[2], and time makes absolutely no sense a-ROUND here[1], and it's not later yet, no, no, no ... it's now, oh, now, yes ... but later, uh ... it will be later, you dig?[2], and I won't be in bed with medinner ...[1], and time makes absolutely no sense a-ROUND here[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, Christ! ... I don't want to be sick, man[1], and I won't be in bed with medinner ...[2], and, listen to me![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, Christ! ... I don't want to be sick, man[2], and, you, you, you ... are YOU(!) hungry?[1], and, listen to me![2], and, uh ...[1], and, you, you, you ... are YOU(!) hungry?[2], and when I find a meal I like ... I want to have it again, and again, and again[1], and, uh ...[2], and, well ...[1], and when I find a meal I like ... I want to have it again, and again, and again[2], and I suppose I want everything I like ... again!!! ... and is there something wrong with me?[1], and, well ...[2], and, or, or, or ... something amazingly right?[1], and I suppose I want everything I like ... again!!! ... and is there something wrong with me?[2], and I, I ... I just don't know ... and I'm not even sure I care[1], and, or, or, or ... something amazingly right?[2], and this is eternity[1], and I, I ... I just don't know ... and I'm not even sure I care[2], and ... 'Nice one, Mikey!'[1], and this is eternity[2], and one day I'll be so GONE(!) ... but, but, but ... this will still be eternity[1], and ... 'Nice one, Mikey!'[2], and there is no death ...[1], and one day I'll be so GONE(!) ... but, but, but ... this will still be eternity[2], and a Jamaican patty in your mouth forever and forever can never die ... / ... and do you understand?[1], and there is no death ...[2], and I haven't even started drinking yet ...[1], and a Jamai can pat ty in your mouth forever and forever can never die ... / ... and do you understand?[2], and, okay ...[1], and I haven't even started drinking yet ...[2], and a Magnum ice cream to finish with? Ha! That's a no-brainer, my friend[1], and, okay ...[2], and, come on!!! ... again!!![1], and a Magnum ice cream to finish with? Ha! That's a no-brainer, my friend[2], and, yes![3], and, come on!!! ... again!!![2], and that's what I'm having later ... and, er ... by the time I've finished this ... I will have had it[3], and ... medinner![3], and I need to cheer myself up / and ... I will![3], and ... what's the time?![3], and ... 'Er ...'[3], and it's not later yet, no, no, no ... it's now, oh, now, yes ... but later, uh ... it will be later, you dig?[3], and time makes absolutely no sense a-ROUND here[3], and I won't be in bed with medinner ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, Christ! ... I don't want to be sick, man[3], and, listen to me![3], and, you, you, you ... are YOU(!) hungry?[3], and, uh ...[3], and when I find a meal I like ... I want to have it again, and again, and again[3], and, well ...[3], and I suppose I want everything I like ... again!!! ... and is there something wrong with me?[3], and, or, or, or ... something amazingly right?[3], and I, I ... I just don't know ... and I'm not even sure I care[3], and this is eternity[3], and ... 'Nice one, Mikey!'[3], and one day I'll be so GONE(!) ... but, but, but ... this will still be eternity[3], and there is no death ...[3], and a J  a  m  a  i  c  a  n p  a  t  t  y in your mouth forever and forever can never die ... / ... and do you understand?[3], and I haven't even started drinking yet ...[3], and, okay ...[3], and a Magnum ice cream to finish with? Ha! That's a no-brainer, my friend[3], and, come on!!! ... again!!![3], and

And, yes![1], and that's what I'm having later ... and, er ... by the time I've finished this ... I will have had it[1], and, yes![2], and ... medinner![1], and that's what I'm having later ... and, er ... by the time I've finished this ... I will have had it[2], and I need to cheer myself up / and ... I will![1], and ... medinner![2], and ... what's the time?![1], and I need to cheer myself up / and ... I will![2], and ... 'Er ...'[1], and ... what's the time?![2], and it's not later yet, no, no, no ... it's now, oh, now, yes ... but later, uh ... it will be later, you dig?[1], and ... 'Er ...'[2], and time makes absolutely no sense a-ROUND here[1], and it's not later yet, no, no, no ... it's now, oh, now, yes ... but later, uh ... it will be later, you dig?[2], and I won't be in bed with medinner ...[1], and time makes absolutely no sense a-ROUND here[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, Christ! ... I don't want to be sick, man[1], and I won't be in bed with medinner ...[2], and, listen to me![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, Christ! ... I don't want to be sick, man[2], and, you, you, you ... are YOU(!) hungry?[1], and, listen to me![2], and, uh ...[1], and, you, you, you ... are YOU(!) hungry?[2], and when I find a meal I like ... I want to have it again, and again, and again[1], and, uh ...[2], and, well ...[1], and when I find a meal I like ... I want to have it again, and again, and again[2], and I suppose I want everything I like ... again!!! ... and is there something wrong with me?[1], and, well ...[2], and, or, or, or ... something amazingly right?[1], and I suppose I want everything I like ... again!!! ... and is there something wrong with me?[2], and I, I ... I just don't know ... and I'm not even sure I care[1], and, or, or, or ... something amazingly right?[2], and this is eternity[1], and I, I ... I just don't know ... and I'm not even sure I care[2], and ... 'Nice one, Mikey!'[1], and this is eternity[2], and one day I'll be so GONE(!) ... but, but, but ... this will still be eternity[1], and ... 'Nice one, Mikey!'[2], and there is no death ...[1], and one day I'll be so GONE(!) ... but, but, but ... this will still be eternity[2], and a Jamaican patty in your mouth forever and forever can never die ... / ... and do you understand?[1], and there is no death ...[2], and I haven't even started drinking yet ...[1], and a Jamai can pat ty in your mouth forever and forever can never die ... / ... and do you understand?[2], and, okay ...[1], and I haven't even started drinking yet ...[2], and a Magnum ice cream to finish with? Ha! That's a no-brainer, my friend[1], and, okay ...[2], and, come on!!! ... again!!![1], and a Magnum ice cream to finish with? Ha! That's a no-brainer, my friend[2], and, yes![3], and, come on!!! ... again!!![2], and that's what I'm having later ... and, er ... by the time I've finished this ... I will have had it[3], and ... medinner![3], and I need to cheer myself up / and ... I will![3], and ... what's the time?![3], and ... 'Er ...'[3], and it's not later yet, no, no, no ... it's now, oh, now, yes ... but later, uh ... it will be later, you dig?[3], and time makes absolutely no sense a-ROUND here[3], and I won't be in bed with medinner ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, Christ! ... I don't want to be sick, man[3], and, listen to me![3], and, you, you, you ... are YOU(!) hungry?[3], and, uh ...[3], and when I find a meal I like ... I want to have it again, and again, and again[3], and, well ...[3], and I suppose I want everything I like ... again!!! ... and is there something wrong with me?[3], and, or, or, or ... something amazingly right?[3], and I, I ... I just don't know ... and I'm not even sure I care[3], and this is eternity[3], and ... 'Nice one, Mikey!'[3], and one day I'll be so GONE(!) ... but, but, but ... this will still be eternity[3], and there is no death ...[3], and a J  a  m  a  i  c  a  n p  a  t  t  y in your mouth forever and forever can never die ... / ... and do you understand?[3], and I haven't even started drinking yet ...[3], and, okay ...[3], and a Magnum ice cream to finish with? Ha! That's a no-brainer, my friend[3], and, come on!!! ... again!!![3], and

And, yes![1], and that's what I'm having later ... and, er ... by the time I've finished this ... I will have had it[1], and, yes![2], and ... medinner![1], and that's what I'm having later ... and, er ... by the time I've finished this ... I will have had it[2], and I need to cheer myself up / and ... I will![1], and ... medinner![2], and ... what's the time?![1], and I need to cheer myself up / and ... I will![2], and ... 'Er ...'[1], and ... what's the time?![2], and it's not later yet, no, no, no ... it's now, oh, now, yes ... but later, uh ... it will be later, you dig?[1], and ... 'Er ...'[2], and time makes absolutely no sense a-ROUND here[1], and it's not later yet, no, no, no ... it's now, oh, now, yes ... but later, uh ... it will be later, you dig?[2], and I won't be in bed with medinner ...[1], and time makes absolutely no sense a-ROUND here[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, Christ! ... I don't want to be sick, man[1], and I won't be in bed with medinner ...[2], and, listen to me![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, Christ! ... I don't want to be sick, man[2], and, you, you, you ... are YOU(!) hungry?[1], and, listen to me![2], and, uh ...[1], and, you, you, you ... are YOU(!) hungry?[2], and when I find a meal I like ... I want to have it again, and again, and again[1], and, uh ...[2], and, well ...[1], and when I find a meal I like ... I want to have it again, and again, and again[2], and I suppose I want everything I like ... again!!! ... and is there something wrong with me?[1], and, well ...[2], and, or, or, or ... something amazingly right?[1], and I suppose I want everything I like ... again!!! ... and is there something wrong with me?[2], and I, I ... I just don't know ... and I'm not even sure I care[1], and, or, or, or ... something amazingly right?[2], and this is eternity[1], and I, I ... I just don't know ... and I'm not even sure I care[2], and ... 'Nice one, Mikey!'[1], and this is eternity[2], and one day I'll be so GONE(!) ... but, but, but ... this will still be eternity[1], and ... 'Nice one, Mikey!'[2], and there is no death ...[1], and one day I'll be so GONE(!) ... but, but, but ... this will still be eternity[2], and a Jamaican patty in your mouth forever and forever can never die ... / ... and do you understand?[1], and there is no death ...[2], and I haven't even started drinking yet ...[1], and a Jamai can pat ty in your mouth forever and forever can never die ... / ... and do you understand?[2], and, okay ...[1], and I haven't even started drinking yet ...[2], and a Magnum ice cream to finish with? Ha! That's a no-brainer, my friend[1], and, okay ...[2], and, come on!!! ... again!!![1], and a Magnum ice cream to finish with? Ha! That's a no-brainer, my friend[2], and, yes![3], and, come on!!! ... again!!![2], and that's what I'm having later ... and, er ... by the time I've finished this ... I will have had it[3], and ... medinner![3], and I need to cheer myself up / and ... I will![3], and ... what's the time?![3], and ... 'Er ...'[3], and it's not later yet, no, no, no ... it's now, oh, now, yes ... but later, uh ... it will be later, you dig?[3], and time makes absolutely no sense a-ROUND here[3], and I won't be in bed with medinner ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, Christ! ... I don't want to be sick, man[3], and, listen to me![3], and, you, you, you ... are YOU(!) hungry?[3], and, uh ...[3], and when I find a meal I like ... I want to have it again, and again, and again[3], and, well ...[3], and I suppose I want everything I like ... again!!! ... and is there something wrong with me?[3], and, or, or, or ... something amazingly right?[3], and I, I ... I just don't know ... and I'm not even sure I care[3], and this is eternity[3], and ... 'Nice one, Mikey!'[3], and one day I'll be so GONE(!) ... but, but, but ... this will still be eternity[3], and there is no death ...[3], and a J  a  m  a  i  c  a  n p  a  t  t  y in your mouth forever and forever can never die ... / ... and do you understand?[3], and I haven't even started drinking yet ...[3], and, okay ...[3], and a Magnum ice cream to finish with? Ha! That's a no-brainer, my friend[3], and, come on!!! ... again!!![3], and

Believe it or not

This is the last time I will ever write about my music in this blog. Enough is enough! I'm pissed off, anyway.

I made a few rough recordings of Mighty Soul at the weekend. It's as good as Beautiful Day by U2 or Losing My Religion by R.E.M., which means ... it's not a world-beater. [???] Or maybe it is. I don't know anymore. / I've also downgraded another tune. So, after I've finished Life and Death, I'll only have a BIG SIX. That's a long way from a BIG TEN, man.

All my BIG TEN songs have got to be world-beaters. If I were thirty years younger, I wouldn't need to write songs like this. It's just the way it is for me. Fate? Destiny? Fucked-up stars? I don't know. 'The cosmos knows, Mikey.' Yeah, yeah.

Maybe the cosmos could let me in on the joke ...

Listen! If I can get my BIG TEN by the end of the decade, that will be enough. Or ... it will have to be enough, you dig? It's exhausting!

I might start writing smaller pop/rock songs for a while. Some more like Love Me and Round The Bend.

Of course, I always change my mind, ha! ... which is why I'm not doing anymore updates.

So this will be the demo again -

This World Don't Mean a Thing
Nothing
Malibu
Stella

And this will be the album -

This World Don't Mean a Thing
Lucky You
Round The Bend
What's This Life We Live?
And Rain Came Down
Good Times
Stella
Malibu
I'm Right Inside
Nothing
Life and Death

If I change my mind ... again, YOU(!) won't know anything about it ... unless I tell you in another goddamn update. Which I won't do. So there!

Oh! I've ordered a new Zoom Handy recorder thing. The H5. I mean, I'm definitely not going to a recording studio, man, even though the sound quality would be better. I want privacy at home, you dig? I want to do things my way, to get them just right. It's the performance that matters most.

When will I record my demo? Hopefully, September. [???] I'm going to do a lot more rehearsing. A lot more!

When will I launch on Twitter? October - ?!?!?! Oh, you're so optimistic! Seriously? Well, maybe.

Ha, ha, ha!

Later(s), kook(s)!

Thursday 19 August 2021

I just ...

You know?

I don't ...

Anyway, I have some comment from two voices ...

Subhash V Thakrar comments: "Britain is still the financial capital of the world, and will always be a priority market for companies, and what is happening in the Indian startup ecosystem is truly exciting. These two facts make what JPIN VCATS is doing in terms of cross-investment and collaboration very interesting, and I can't wait to get involved."

He can't wait to get involved.
 
Nayan Gala, founder of JPIN VCATS, comments: "Subhash is an inspirational and influential figure, and his experience working in emerging markets, and helping their expansion into the UK, provides a directly transferable set of skills that will be very useful. We are very excited to welcome him on board."

They are very excited to welcome him on board.

ENDS

And you'll have to be happy with that.

Are you happy?

Well, it's not my problem.

Anyway ...

It's the last post of the week. 

I'm tired.

Anyway ...

Do you understand?

It doesn't matter if you don't. I'm just wondering, that's all. Never mind. It's no big deal, is it?

Uh.

The Beatles.

Nine of the thirteen songs on A Hard Day's Night, the album, use the word 'Cause at least once.

The word is only used occasionally in their other songs from that period.

Anyway ...

I'm still tired.

That's the news.

I need some more tunes. I want some inspiration. Short bursts of melody will be fine. Just five or six seconds. Then I'll have something to work with.

I don't want to think about things.

I don't want to feel all that much, to be honest.

But I must have tunes.

Yeah, yeah.

Bye.

Wednesday 18 August 2021

[No. 927] I don't feel like spinning

But I've got to, man.

And, uh ...[1], and I suppose a deal is a deal ... BUT(!) when will it all end?[1], and, uh ...[2], and ... 'It will never end'[1], and I suppose a deal is a deal ... BUT(!) when will it all end?[2], and, Christ ... tell me ...[1], and ... 'It will never end'[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me, tell me ... oh, tell me![1], and, Christ ... tell me ...[2], and ... where will it all end?[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me, tell me ... oh, tell me![2], and ... I'm exhausted![1], and ... where will it all end?[2], and ... 'It will end nowhere, Mikey'[1], and ... I'm exhausted![2], and, uh, nowhere??? ... where the hell is that?! ... beyond the THREE ... ... ... ???[1], and ... 'It will end nowhere, Mikey'[2], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[1], and, uh, nowhere??? ... where the hell is that?! ... beyond the THREE ... ... ... ???[2], and it's not funny, Voice / and ... ... ... I'm in no mood for laughing like a dizzy clown[1], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[2], and, well ...[1], and it's not funny, Voice / and ... ... ... I'm in no mood for laughing like a dizzy clown[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'll be honest ... my head is still aching a bit[1], and, well ...[2], and I had a bad headache this morning - as you know[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'll be honest ... my head is still aching a bit[2], and, what ... what does the cosmos want with me? / and, why, why ... why was I chosen?[1], and I had a bad headache this morning - as you know[2], and ... 'Come on! You chose yourself'[1], and, what ... what does the cosmos want with me? / and, why, why ... why was I chosen?[2], and, yeah, yeah ... oh, I suppose ... I did, yes ... and ... never, never ... mind, you dig?[1], and ... 'Come on! You chose yourself'[2], and ... 'Me? I always dig!'[1], and, yeah, yeah ... oh, I suppose ... I did, yes ... and ... never, never ... mind, you dig?[2], and ... great![1], and ... 'Me? I always dig!'[2], and, kook(s), some advice for you ... don't put your name forward unless you're willing to pay the price[1], and ... great![2], and it ain't no picnic ... a spiritual aristocrat's life[1], and, kook(s), some advice for you ... don't put your name forward unless you're willing to pay the price[2], and I've suffered[1], and it ain't no picnic ... a spiritual aristocrat's life[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, uh ... I don't want to be sick[1], and I've suffered[2], and I continue to suffer ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, uh ... I don't want to be sick[2], and life is ...[1], and I continue to suffer ...[2], and ... 'Tell us! Share your wisdom!'[1], and life is ...[2], and life is full of suffering[1], and ... 'Tell us! Share your wisdom!'[2], and, but, but, but ...[1], and life is full of suffering[2], and if you work hard ... you can rock, and you can certainly roll[1], and, but, but, but ...[2], and, so ... be happy![1], and if you work hard ... you can rock, and you can certainly roll[2], and, uh ...[3], and, so ... be hap py![2], and I suppose a deal is a deal ... BUT(!) when will it all end?[3], and ... 'It will never end'[3], and, Christ ... tell me ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me, tell me ... oh, tell me![3], and ... where will it all end?[3], and ... I'm exhausted![3], and ... 'It will end nowhere, Mikey'[3], and, uh, nowhere??? ... where the hell is that?! ... beyond the THREE ... ... ... ???[3], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[3], and it's not funny, Voice / and ... ... ... I'm in no mood for laughing like a dizzy clown[3], and, well ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'll be honest ... my head is still aching a bit[3], and I had a bad headache this morning - as you know[3], and, what ... what does the cosmos want with me? / and, why, why ... why was I chosen?[3], and ... 'Come on! You chose yourself'[3], and, yeah, yeah ... oh, I suppose ... I did, yes ... and ... never, never ... mind, you dig?[3], and ... 'Me? I always dig!'[3], and ... great![3], and, kook(s), some advice for you ... don't put your name forward unless you're willing to pay the price[3], and it ain't no picnic ... a spiritual aristocrat's life[3], and I've suffered[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, uh ... I don't want to be sick[3], and I continue to suffer ...[3], and life is ...[3], and ... 'Tell us! Share your wisdom!'[3], and life is full of suffering[3], and, but, but, but ...[3], and if you work hard ... you can rock, and you can certainly roll[3], and, so ... be h  a  p  p  y![3], and

And, uh ...[1], and I suppose a deal is a deal ... BUT(!) when will it all end?[1], and, uh ...[2], and ... 'It will never end'[1], and I suppose a deal is a deal ... BUT(!) when will it all end?[2], and, Christ ... tell me ...[1], and ... 'It will never end'[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me, tell me ... oh, tell me![1], and, Christ ... tell me ...[2], and ... where will it all end?[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me, tell me ... oh, tell me![2], and ... I'm exhausted![1], and ... where will it all end?[2], and ... 'It will end nowhere, Mikey'[1], and ... I'm exhausted![2], and, uh, nowhere??? ... where the hell is that?! ... beyond the THREE ... ... ... ???[1], and ... 'It will end nowhere, Mikey'[2], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[1], and, uh, nowhere??? ... where the hell is that?! ... beyond the THREE ... ... ... ???[2], and it's not funny, Voice / and ... ... ... I'm in no mood for laughing like a dizzy clown[1], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[2], and, well ...[1], and it's not funny, Voice / and ... ... ... I'm in no mood for laughing like a dizzy clown[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'll be honest ... my head is still aching a bit[1], and, well ...[2], and I had a bad headache this morning - as you know[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'll be honest ... my head is still aching a bit[2], and, what ... what does the cosmos want with me? / and, why, why ... why was I chosen?[1], and I had a bad headache this morning - as you know[2], and ... 'Come on! You chose yourself'[1], and, what ... what does the cosmos want with me? / and, why, why ... why was I chosen?[2], and, yeah, yeah ... oh, I suppose ... I did, yes ... and ... never, never ... mind, you dig?[1], and ... 'Come on! You chose yourself'[2], and ... 'Me? I always dig!'[1], and, yeah, yeah ... oh, I suppose ... I did, yes ... and ... never, never ... mind, you dig?[2], and ... great![1], and ... 'Me? I always dig!'[2], and, kook(s), some advice for you ... don't put your name forward unless you're willing to pay the price[1], and ... great![2], and it ain't no picnic ... a spiritual aristocrat's life[1], and, kook(s), some advice for you ... don't put your name forward unless you're willing to pay the price[2], and I've suffered[1], and it ain't no picnic ... a spiritual aristocrat's life[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, uh ... I don't want to be sick[1], and I've suffered[2], and I continue to suffer ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, uh ... I don't want to be sick[2], and life is ...[1], and I continue to suffer ...[2], and ... 'Tell us! Share your wisdom!'[1], and life is ...[2], and life is full of suffering[1], and ... 'Tell us! Share your wisdom!'[2], and, but, but, but ...[1], and life is full of suffering[2], and if you work hard ... you can rock, and you can certainly roll[1], and, but, but, but ...[2], and, so ... be happy![1], and if you work hard ... you can rock, and you can certainly roll[2], and, uh ...[3], and, so ... be hap py![2], and I suppose a deal is a deal ... BUT(!) when will it all end?[3], and ... 'It will never end'[3], and, Christ ... tell me ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me, tell me ... oh, tell me![3], and ... where will it all end?[3], and ... I'm exhausted![3], and ... 'It will end nowhere, Mikey'[3], and, uh, nowhere??? ... where the hell is that?! ... beyond the THREE ... ... ... ???[3], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[3], and it's not funny, Voice / and ... ... ... I'm in no mood for laughing like a dizzy clown[3], and, well ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'll be honest ... my head is still aching a bit[3], and I had a bad headache this morning - as you know[3], and, what ... what does the cosmos want with me? / and, why, why ... why was I chosen?[3], and ... 'Come on! You chose yourself'[3], and, yeah, yeah ... oh, I suppose ... I did, yes ... and ... never, never ... mind, you dig?[3], and ... 'Me? I always dig!'[3], and ... great![3], and, kook(s), some advice for you ... don't put your name forward unless you're willing to pay the price[3], and it ain't no picnic ... a spiritual aristocrat's life[3], and I've suffered[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, uh ... I don't want to be sick[3], and I continue to suffer ...[3], and life is ...[3], and ... 'Tell us! Share your wisdom!'[3], and life is full of suffering[3], and, but, but, but ...[3], and if you work hard ... you can rock, and you can certainly roll[3], and, so ... be h  a  p  p  y![3], and

And, uh ...[1], and I suppose a deal is a deal ... BUT(!) when will it all end?[1], and, uh ...[2], and ... 'It will never end'[1], and I suppose a deal is a deal ... BUT(!) when will it all end?[2], and, Christ ... tell me ...[1], and ... 'It will never end'[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me, tell me ... oh, tell me![1], and, Christ ... tell me ...[2], and ... where will it all end?[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me, tell me ... oh, tell me![2], and ... I'm exhausted![1], and ... where will it all end?[2], and ... 'It will end nowhere, Mikey'[1], and ... I'm exhausted![2], and, uh, nowhere??? ... where the hell is that?! ... beyond the THREE ... ... ... ???[1], and ... 'It will end nowhere, Mikey'[2], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[1], and, uh, nowhere??? ... where the hell is that?! ... beyond the THREE ... ... ... ???[2], and it's not funny, Voice / and ... ... ... I'm in no mood for laughing like a dizzy clown[1], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[2], and, well ...[1], and it's not funny, Voice / and ... ... ... I'm in no mood for laughing like a dizzy clown[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'll be honest ... my head is still aching a bit[1], and, well ...[2], and I had a bad headache this morning - as you know[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'll be honest ... my head is still aching a bit[2], and, what ... what does the cosmos want with me? / and, why, why ... why was I chosen?[1], and I had a bad headache this morning - as you know[2], and ... 'Come on! You chose yourself'[1], and, what ... what does the cosmos want with me? / and, why, why ... why was I chosen?[2], and, yeah, yeah ... oh, I suppose ... I did, yes ... and ... never, never ... mind, you dig?[1], and ... 'Come on! You chose yourself'[2], and ... 'Me? I always dig!'[1], and, yeah, yeah ... oh, I suppose ... I did, yes ... and ... never, never ... mind, you dig?[2], and ... great![1], and ... 'Me? I always dig!'[2], and, kook(s), some advice for you ... don't put your name forward unless you're willing to pay the price[1], and ... great![2], and it ain't no picnic ... a spiritual aristocrat's life[1], and, kook(s), some advice for you ... don't put your name forward unless you're willing to pay the price[2], and I've suffered[1], and it ain't no picnic ... a spiritual aristocrat's life[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, uh ... I don't want to be sick[1], and I've suffered[2], and I continue to suffer ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, uh ... I don't want to be sick[2], and life is ...[1], and I continue to suffer ...[2], and ... 'Tell us! Share your wisdom!'[1], and life is ...[2], and life is full of suffering[1], and ... 'Tell us! Share your wisdom!'[2], and, but, but, but ...[1], and life is full of suffering[2], and if you work hard ... you can rock, and you can certainly roll[1], and, but, but, but ...[2], and, so ... be happy![1], and if you work hard ... you can rock, and you can certainly roll[2], and, uh ...[3], and, so ... be hap py![2], and I suppose a deal is a deal ... BUT(!) when will it all end?[3], and ... 'It will never end'[3], and, Christ ... tell me ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me, tell me ... oh, tell me![3], and ... where will it all end?[3], and ... I'm exhausted![3], and ... 'It will end nowhere, Mikey'[3], and, uh, nowhere??? ... where the hell is that?! ... beyond the THREE ... ... ... ???[3], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha!'[3], and it's not funny, Voice / and ... ... ... I'm in no mood for laughing like a dizzy clown[3], and, well ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'll be honest ... my head is still aching a bit[3], and I had a bad headache this morning - as you know[3], and, what ... what does the cosmos want with me? / and, why, why ... why was I chosen?[3], and ... 'Come on! You chose yourself'[3], and, yeah, yeah ... oh, I suppose ... I did, yes ... and ... never, never ... mind, you dig?[3], and ... 'Me? I always dig!'[3], and ... great![3], and, kook(s), some advice for you ... don't put your name forward unless you're willing to pay the price[3], and it ain't no picnic ... a spiritual aristocrat's life[3], and I've suffered[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, uh ... I don't want to be sick[3], and I continue to suffer ...[3], and life is ...[3], and ... 'Tell us! Share your wisdom!'[3], and life is full of suffering[3], and, but, but, but ...[3], and if you work hard ... you can rock, and you can certainly roll[3], and, so ... be h  a  p  p  y![3], and

Refinitiv Lipper: European ETF market report - July 2021

For immediate release.

Yeah, dream on!

ETF promoters in Europe experienced estimated net inflows of €11.6 bn for July.
Assets under management in the European ETF industry hit a new all-time high (€1,197.5 bn) at the end of July 2021.
Bond ETFs (+€6.6 bn) posted the highest estimated net inflows in the European ETF industry for July.
The best-selling Lipper global classification for July was Equity Global (+€3.3 bn), followed by Equity US (+€2.3 bn) and Bond USD Government Short Term (+€1.5 bn).
iShares was the best-selling ETF promoter in Europe for July (+€4.5 bn), ahead of Xtrackers (+€1.4 bn) and Vanguard Group (+€1.1 bn).
The 10 best-selling funds gathered total net inflows of €7.6 bn for July.
The best-selling ETF for July, iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ESG UCITS ETF USD A, accounted for net inflows of €1.2 bn.

Well, well ...

'What does our Detlef say about it, boss?'

[I've got a bad headache. I've had some pills. Update: I think it's getting better.]

Let's find out ...

Detlef Glow, Head of EMEA Research at Refinitiv Lipper, comments: "July 2021 marked the sixteenth consecutive month with inflows into ETFs after the outflows caused by the outbreak of The Thing in March 2020. These inflows occurred in a positive but somewhat volatile market environment in which investor sentiment was still impacted by the dynamics of The Thing and the resulting actions taken by central banks and governments in Europe and other parts of the world."

He's just obsessed by The Thing, isn't he? 'Yeah.'

Never mind.

ENDS

...

Anything else?

I'll have to do a fresh start again ... next Monday.

'Don't be ridiculous, boss!'

I'm not being ridiculous, Voice. It needs to happen. I need a fresh start that won't go rotten, you dig?

'WHY?!'

Christ! Because I've got the songs for the demo, man, and I only need one lyric for the album, BUT(!) ... I need consistency now to get to the next level.

5.30am to 9.30pm, seven days a week. And I must not watch YouTube videos during those hours! 'Or Wycliffe on the TV.' Of course. No Wycliffe - !!!

I've got to control my consciousness.

'You won't be able to do it. Not in the modern world. Not with a smartphone.'

I'll do it!!!

It's got to be done.

'So it is written ...'

So it shall be done!

Anyway ...

Mighty Soul ... ? I don't know all the words yet, but I'm rehearsing with the lyric sheet and it sounds really cool already. Maybe I'm more "professional" these days, who knows?

Laters.