[No. 79] There's Thomas Hayes, Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour for you

... 79, 80, 81 ...

And ME, I'm getting anxious BECAUSE it's going to be a BIG ONE over Christmas, I’m talking No. 82 to YOU(!)[1], and what do you care, or know?[1], and ME, I'm getting anxious BECAUSE it's going to be a BIG ONE over Christmas, I’m talking No. 82 to YOU(!)[2], and where will I find the energy, and where will I find the PASSION?[1], and what do you care, or know?[2], and, er ... Thomas Hayes, and Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour: oh, they were the ones arrested for that Japanese LIBOR stuff[1], and where will I find the energy, and where will I find the PASSION?[2], and what did DYLAN say/sing?[1], and, er ... Thomas Hayes, and Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour: oh, they were the ones arrested for that Japanese LIBOR stuff[2], and you won't find those men a-ROUND here[1], and what did DYLAN say/sing?[2], and you're the ONE who wants to know, but there's very little I can tell you BECAUSE I ain't interested, man[1], and you won't find those men a-ROUND here[2], and it's only NEWS but I can't stand it![1], and you're the ONE who wants to know, but there's very little I can tell you BECAUSE I ain't interested, man[2], and Terry Smith says: we have some perfectly good laws[1], and it's only NEWS but I can't stand it![2], and others say: we have some perfectly good news, even at Christmas[1], and Terry Smith says: we have some perfectly good laws[2], and I say: we have some perfectly good WORDS a-ROUND here - YEAH(!), making us DIZZY and ... ALIVE(!) and that[1], and others say: we have some perfectly good news, even at Christmas[2], and what more do you want, or need?[1], and I say: we have some perfectly good WORDS a-ROUND here - YEAH(!), making us DIZZY and ... ALIVE(!) and that[2], and it must be frustrating for YOU(!) if you're here expecting it to be all SQUARE and not so a-ROUND[1], and what more do you want, or need?[2], and ME, I'm getting anxious BECAUSE it's going to be a BIG ONE over Christmas, I’m talking No. 82 to YOU(!)[3], and it must be frustrating for YOU(!) if you're here expecting it to be all SQUARE and not so a-ROUND[2], and what do you care, or know?[3], and where will I find the energy, and where will I find the PASSION?[3], and, er ... Thomas Hayes, and Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour: oh, they were the ones arrested for that Japanese LIBOR stuff[3], and what did DYLAN say/sing?[3], and you won't find those men a-ROUND here[3], and you're the ONE who wants to know, but there's very little I can tell you BECAUSE I ain't interested, man[3], and it's only NEWS but I can't stand it![3], and Terry Smith says: we have some perfectly good laws[3], and others say: we have some perfectly good news, even at Christmas[3], and I say: we have some perfectly good WORDS a-ROUND here - YEAH(!), making us DIZZY and ... ALIVE(!) and that[3], and what more do you want, or need?[3], and it must be frustrating for YOU(!) if you're here expecting it to be all SQUARE and not so a-ROUND[3], and

And ME, I'm getting anxious BECAUSE it's going to be a BIG ONE over Christmas, I’m talking No. 82 to YOU(!)[1], and what do you care, or know?[1], and ME, I'm getting anxious BECAUSE it's going to be a BIG ONE over Christmas, I’m talking No. 82 to YOU(!)[2], and where will I find the energy, and where will I find the PASSION?[1], and what do you care, or know?[2], and, er ... Thomas Hayes, and Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour: oh, they were the ones arrested for that Japanese LIBOR stuff[1], and where will I find the energy, and where will I find the PASSION?[2], and what did DYLAN say/sing?[1], and, er ... Thomas Hayes, and Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour: oh, they were the ones arrested for that Japanese LIBOR stuff[2], and you won't find those men a-ROUND here[1], and what did DYLAN say/sing?[2], and you're the ONE who wants to know, but there's very little I can tell you BECAUSE I ain't interested, man[1], and you won't find those men a-ROUND here[2], and it's only NEWS but I can't stand it![1], and you're the ONE who wants to know, but there's very little I can tell you BECAUSE I ain't interested, man[2], and Terry Smith says: we have some perfectly good laws[1], and it's only NEWS but I can't stand it![2], and others say: we have some perfectly good news, even at Christmas[1], and Terry Smith says: we have some perfectly good laws[2], and I say: we have some perfectly good WORDS a-ROUND here - YEAH(!), making us DIZZY and ... ALIVE(!) and that[1], and others say: we have some perfectly good news, even at Christmas[2], and what more do you want, or need?[1], and I say: we have some perfectly good WORDS a-ROUND here - YEAH(!), making us DIZZY and ... ALIVE(!) and that[2], and it must be frustrating for YOU(!) if you're here expecting it to be all SQUARE and not so a-ROUND[1], and what more do you want, or need?[2], and ME, I'm getting anxious BECAUSE it's going to be a BIG ONE over Christmas, I’m talking No. 82 to YOU(!)[3], and it must be frustrating for YOU(!) if you're here expecting it to be all SQUARE and not so a-ROUND[2], and what do you care, or know?[3], and where will I find the energy, and where will I find the PASSION?[3], and, er ... Thomas Hayes, and Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour: oh, they were the ones arrested for that Japanese LIBOR stuff[3], and what did DYLAN say/sing?[3], and you won't find those men a-ROUND here[3], and you're the ONE who wants to know, but there's very little I can tell you BECAUSE I ain't interested, man[3], and it's only NEWS but I can't stand it![3], and Terry Smith says: we have some perfectly good laws[3], and others say: we have some perfectly good news, even at Christmas[3], and I say: we have some perfectly good WORDS a-ROUND here - YEAH(!), making us DIZZY and ... ALIVE(!) and that[3], and what more do you want, or need?[3], and it must be frustrating for YOU(!) if you're here expecting it to be all SQUARE and not so a-ROUND[3], and

And ME, I'm getting anxious BECAUSE it's going to be a BIG ONE over Christmas, I’m talking No. 82 to YOU(!)[1], and what do you care, or know?[1], and ME, I'm getting anxious BECAUSE it's going to be a BIG ONE over Christmas, I’m talking No. 82 to YOU(!)[2], and where will I find the energy, and where will I find the PASSION?[1], and what do you care, or know?[2], and, er ... Thomas Hayes, and Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour: oh, they were the ones arrested for that Japanese LIBOR stuff[1], and where will I find the energy, and where will I find the PASSION?[2], and what did DYLAN say/sing?[1], and, er ... Thomas Hayes, and Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour: oh, they were the ones arrested for that Japanese LIBOR stuff[2], and you won't find those men a-ROUND here[1], and what did DYLAN say/sing?[2], and you're the ONE who wants to know, but there's very little I can tell you BECAUSE I ain't interested, man[1], and you won't find those men a-ROUND here[2], and it's only NEWS but I can't stand it![1], and you're the ONE who wants to know, but there's very little I can tell you BECAUSE I ain't interested, man[2], and Terry Smith says: we have some perfectly good laws[1], and it's only NEWS but I can't stand it![2], and others say: we have some perfectly good news, even at Christmas[1], and Terry Smith says: we have some perfectly good laws[2], and I say: we have some perfectly good WORDS a-ROUND here - YEAH(!), making us DIZZY and ... ALIVE(!) and that[1], and others say: we have some perfectly good news, even at Christmas[2], and what more do you want, or need?[1], and I say: we have some perfectly good WORDS a-ROUND here - YEAH(!), making us DIZZY and ... ALIVE(!) and that[2], and it must be frustrating for YOU(!) if you're here expecting it to be all SQUARE and not so a-ROUND[1], and what more do you want, or need?[2], and ME, I'm getting anxious BECAUSE it's going to be a BIG ONE over Christmas, I’m talking No. 82 to YOU(!)[3], and it must be frustrating for YOU(!) if you're here expecting it to be all SQUARE and not so a-ROUND[2], and what do you care, or know?[3], and where will I find the energy, and where will I find the PASSION?[3], and, er ... Thomas Hayes, and Terry Farr, and Jim Gilmour: oh, they were the ones arrested for that Japanese LIBOR stuff[3], and what did DYLAN say/sing?[3], and you won't find those men a-ROUND here[3], and you're the ONE who wants to know, but there's very little I can tell you BECAUSE I ain't interested, man[3], and it's only NEWS but I can't stand it![3], and Terry Smith says: we have some perfectly good laws[3], and others say: we have some perfectly good news, even at Christmas[3], and I say: we have some perfectly good WORDS a-ROUND here - YEAH(!), making us DIZZY and ... ALIVE(!) and that[3], and what more do you want, or need?[3], and it must be frustrating for YOU(!) if you're here expecting it to be all SQUARE and not so a-ROUND[3], and

What's this Cloverfield Capital Management?

Well, I've been told it's this new massive $2 billion hedge fund that is spinning away from Barclays in Los Angeles (of all places) - and some cat by the name of Matthew Barrett is going to be running the whole show. Amazing! / Such news, just before Christmas. I can't believe it. And I thought hedge funds were a thing of the past.

This Matthew character is actually a head of distressed debt at Barclays. Apparently, it's all in his head. He imagines this shit, and that's why the bank is spinning him away. Barclays has had enough of Matthew and his nonsense!

Unfortunately (for me), a minimum $25 million investment is required if you want to be a part of the fun at Cloverfield Capital. / Christ! Who has that kind of money lying around?

_________________________

My lyric? I'm back to needing twelve lines. I was really angry last night and rewrote most of the first verse in a burst of inspiration. It scares me now that I was planning to settle for the earlier version. When you hear pop stars on TV saying, 'Oh, it only took me fifteen minutes to write that song', there's often a good reason why it was written so quickly: the lyrics are crap.

I'm sure of the way this song is going too. It's going to be a love song, but a serious love song. And a serious love song that is still commercial. / So I'm back to my original idea of a One/Hurt style song, rather than that Lovin' Feeling stuff.

Lunch. No. 79. / Laters.

Manny Roman is taking over at Man Group

Yes, my dear friend Manny "Emmanuel" Roman is going to be the chief executive. I think it's for the best. We really need a financial shaman as boss. Maybe Man Group will get rid of that awful computer trading now and focus on mystical humans all in touch with the cosmos.

In the past, I would have spoken to Manny about the situation and put the (edited) conversation on the blog, but I haven't got the energy or the enthusiasm at the moment for that sort of thing. Besides, you've heard it all before. And Manny has heard it all before. He knows what to do. He doesn't need my guidance. And I don't need the grief. Man, I'm feeling cut off. Right now, I only care about my songs and my non-financial conceptual posts. I mean, they're the future, aren't they? I'm sure there'll come a day when I'm no longer a shaman (financial, anyway). I have nothing left to teach. I must look after myself. I've got to be selfish for a change. My problem is, I'm always thinking of others, trying to help poor unfortunate souls like Bobby Diamond - and I never did see the half a million pounds he owed me, well, OWES me. I don't care. It's only money. I want GLORY!

_________________________

I'm cold today. The laptop feels cold. My fingers! My words are cold on the screen.

I've only had three or four hours sleep the last couple of nights. I think it's anxiety about changing my life, entering the unknown.

I'll have another go at the last lyric, after lunch, cheese and pickle sandwich. Just twelve lines! I'm still not sure which way this song is going.

I've got to strike a balance between writing commercial "hits" for other people and writing songs that I'd feel comfortable recording myself. 'So, somewhere between Beatles/Bacharach and Dylan/Young?' I don't know. It's not a good idea to analyse shit. Maybe I should just let the songs come the way they want to come.

Only God knows the way.

 'What, Mikey?!'

You heard me, read me, whatever, Voice. Ultimately, only God knows the way. Think of Mozart. Music, and life.


Update (3.30pm): It's so depressing. I just had a go at the lyric, but I deleted two lines. This means I need fourteen lines now, not twelve. / I wonder if Manny can write lyrics. 


Update (6.30pm): Just been reading through some of Prince's lyrics online. I'm a bit more cheerful as a result. Some of them are terrible - when you read them. But listening to them is something else. That's what I've got to bear in mind.

(What's the financial story) Monday morning glory?

Well, there is no financial story BECAUSE it's Monday morning and it's nearly Christmas and I'm not a fucking square, all right? / I'm a cool, super hip character, and it's only a matter of time before I start wearing sunglasses indoors - like Bono.
 

'Okay, Mikey, what's the musical story?'

Now you're talking, Voice! (You're always talking. It's all you're good for.) I wrote six lines of that lyric yesterday. / Man, I need another twelve. 'Tonight, after the pub?' Oh, maybe. Definitely - if I've had a few ciders. (I normally only have one, with me dinner.) Yes, I'll get it finished.

In Bed With Medinner. That was an awesome programme. When are they going to bring it back?

After I've finished the song there's going to be radio silence for a while as far as musical stories go. However, I should be able to put all three of my songs on this blog (on their own page) around mid-January. It's a part of my plan for approaching publishers. In the old days I would have sent a demo tape through the post. But we're living in the internet age now! Better make the most of it, eh?

The new strings on my guitar sound really beautiful. And I haven't even used the expensive nanoweb ones. 'Nanoweb?' Nanoweb coating or something, Voice, I don't know. But I'm saving them. I might get a new guitar. All depends. 'You need a keyboard, Mikey.' I know, I know.
 

'There must be some financial news!' Maybe there is, and maybe there ain't. The situation will only get worse. Remember last Christmas? 'I gave you my heart?' I mean the news. It was embarrassing. Financial journalists seem to lose all their discipline at this time of year. / My angel's got the right idea.

[No. 78] I can't wait for No. 82

... 78, 79, 80, 81 ...

And No. ... 82[1], and I have to say: it really sickens me, YES, that I'm only up to No. 78, Jesus, GOD, I guess I've got to hold on, ah, the pain of it, it'll soon be Christmas, and then ... I'll be the OUTLAW[1], and No. ... 82[2], and the ultimate aeronaut of the spirit[1], and I have to say: it really sickens me, YES, that I'm only up to No. 78, Jesus, GOD, I guess I've got to hold on, ah, the pain of it, it'll soon be Christmas, and then ... I'll be the OUTLAW[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, three of THREE, and will I ever be free of THREE?[1], and the ultimate aeronaut of the spirit[2], and every day it's CHRISTMAS(!) - if you've got that special feeling right inside your head (heart?) where dreams come true[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, three of THREE, and will I ever be free of THREE?[2], and I'm ... as in as it gets[1], and every day it's CHRISTMAS(!) - if you've got that special feeling right inside your head (heart?) where dreams come true[2], and here we can't stop spinning, oh, and here we don't want to stop spinning, oh, and here we'll never stop - NEVER(!)[1], and I'm ... as in as it gets[2], and have I got the energy, and have I got the will?[1], and here we can't stop spinning, oh, and here we don't want to stop spinning, oh, and here we'll never stop - NEVER(!)[2], and I'm looking at years of this, years, years ... shit[1], and have I got the energy, and have I got the will?[2], and I'm not getting any younger, out there, in the world, no[1], and I'm looking at years of this, years, years ... shit[2], and will YOU(!) be able to keep up, as I move further and further a-WAY, deeper into the MYSTERY?[1], and I'm not getting any younger, out there, in the world, no[2], and you're not getting any younger, chained to that desk[1], and will YOU(!) be able to keep up, as I move further and further a-WAY, deeper into the MYSTERY?[2], and BUT ... not every number hits it, and sometimes I fail to reach the glory, and then it's just the dull ache of sad words[1], and you're not getting any younger, chained to that desk[2], and this is sad[1], and BUT ... not every number hits it, and sometimes I fail to reach the glory, and then it's just the dull ache of sad words[2], and No. ... 82[3], and this is sad[2], and I have to say: it really sickens me, YES, that I'm only up to No. 78, Jesus, GOD, I guess I've got to hold on, ah, the pain of it, it'll soon be Christmas, and then ... I'll be the OUTLAW[3], and the ultimate aeronaut of the spirit[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, three of THREE, and will I ever be free of THREE?[3], and every day it's CHRISTMAS(!) - if you've got that special feeling right inside your head (heart?) where dreams come true[3], and I'm ... as in as it gets[3], and here we can't stop spinning, oh, and here we don't want to stop spinning, oh, and here we'll never stop - NEVER(!)[3], and have I got the energy, and have I got the will?[3], and I'm looking at years of this, years, years ... shit[3], and I'm not getting any younger, out there, in the world, no[3], and will YOU(!) be able to keep up, as I move further and further a-WAY, deeper into the MYSTERY?[3], and you're not getting any younger, chained to that desk[3], and BUT ... not every number hits it, and sometimes I fail to reach the glory, and then it's just the dull ache of sad words[3], and this is sad[3], and

And No. ... 82[1], and I have to say: it really sickens me, YES, that I'm only up to No. 78, Jesus, GOD, I guess I've got to hold on, ah, the pain of it, it'll soon be Christmas, and then ... I'll be the OUTLAW[1], and No. ... 82[2], and the ultimate aeronaut of the spirit[1], and I have to say: it really sickens me, YES, that I'm only up to No. 78, Jesus, GOD, I guess I've got to hold on, ah, the pain of it, it'll soon be Christmas, and then ... I'll be the OUTLAW[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, three of THREE, and will I ever be free of THREE?[1], and the ultimate aeronaut of the spirit[2], and every day it's CHRISTMAS(!) - if you've got that special feeling right inside your head (heart?) where dreams come true[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, three of THREE, and will I ever be free of THREE?[2], and I'm ... as in as it gets[1], and every day it's CHRISTMAS(!) - if you've got that special feeling right inside your head (heart?) where dreams come true[2], and here we can't stop spinning, oh, and here we don't want to stop spinning, oh, and here we'll never stop - NEVER(!)[1], and I'm ... as in as it gets[2], and have I got the energy, and have I got the will?[1], and here we can't stop spinning, oh, and here we don't want to stop spinning, oh, and here we'll never stop - NEVER(!)[2], and I'm looking at years of this, years, years ... shit[1], and have I got the energy, and have I got the will?[2], and I'm not getting any younger, out there, in the world, no[1], and I'm looking at years of this, years, years ... shit[2], and will YOU(!) be able to keep up, as I move further and further a-WAY, deeper into the MYSTERY?[1], and I'm not getting any younger, out there, in the world, no[2], and you're not getting any younger, chained to that desk[1], and will YOU(!) be able to keep up, as I move further and further a-WAY, deeper into the MYSTERY?[2], and BUT ... not every number hits it, and sometimes I fail to reach the glory, and then it's just the dull ache of sad words[1], and you're not getting any younger, chained to that desk[2], and this is sad[1], and BUT ... not every number hits it, and sometimes I fail to reach the glory, and then it's just the dull ache of sad words[2], and No. ... 82[3], and this is sad[2], and I have to say: it really sickens me, YES, that I'm only up to No. 78, Jesus, GOD, I guess I've got to hold on, ah, the pain of it, it'll soon be Christmas, and then ... I'll be the OUTLAW[3], and the ultimate aeronaut of the spirit[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, three of THREE, and will I ever be free of THREE?[3], and every day it's CHRISTMAS(!) - if you've got that special feeling right inside your head (heart?) where dreams come true[3], and I'm ... as in as it gets[3], and here we can't stop spinning, oh, and here we don't want to stop spinning, oh, and here we'll never stop - NEVER(!)[3], and have I got the energy, and have I got the will?[3], and I'm looking at years of this, years, years ... shit[3], and I'm not getting any younger, out there, in the world, no[3], and will YOU(!) be able to keep up, as I move further and further a-WAY, deeper into the MYSTERY?[3], and you're not getting any younger, chained to that desk[3], and BUT ... not every number hits it, and sometimes I fail to reach the glory, and then it's just the dull ache of sad words[3], and this is sad[3], and

And No. ... 82[1], and I have to say: it really sickens me, YES, that I'm only up to No. 78, Jesus, GOD, I guess I've got to hold on, ah, the pain of it, it'll soon be Christmas, and then ... I'll be the OUTLAW[1], and No. ... 82[2], and the ultimate aeronaut of the spirit[1], and I have to say: it really sickens me, YES, that I'm only up to No. 78, Jesus, GOD, I guess I've got to hold on, ah, the pain of it, it'll soon be Christmas, and then ... I'll be the OUTLAW[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, three of THREE, and will I ever be free of THREE?[1], and the ultimate aeronaut of the spirit[2], and every day it's CHRISTMAS(!) - if you've got that special feeling right inside your head (heart?) where dreams come true[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, three of THREE, and will I ever be free of THREE?[2], and I'm ... as in as it gets[1], and every day it's CHRISTMAS(!) - if you've got that special feeling right inside your head (heart?) where dreams come true[2], and here we can't stop spinning, oh, and here we don't want to stop spinning, oh, and here we'll never stop - NEVER(!)[1], and I'm ... as in as it gets[2], and have I got the energy, and have I got the will?[1], and here we can't stop spinning, oh, and here we don't want to stop spinning, oh, and here we'll never stop - NEVER(!)[2], and I'm looking at years of this, years, years ... shit[1], and have I got the energy, and have I got the will?[2], and I'm not getting any younger, out there, in the world, no[1], and I'm looking at years of this, years, years ... shit[2], and will YOU(!) be able to keep up, as I move further and further a-WAY, deeper into the MYSTERY?[1], and I'm not getting any younger, out there, in the world, no[2], and you're not getting any younger, chained to that desk[1], and will YOU(!) be able to keep up, as I move further and further a-WAY, deeper into the MYSTERY?[2], and BUT ... not every number hits it, and sometimes I fail to reach the glory, and then it's just the dull ache of sad words[1], and you're not getting any younger, chained to that desk[2], and this is sad[1], and BUT ... not every number hits it, and sometimes I fail to reach the glory, and then it's just the dull ache of sad words[2], and No. ... 82[3], and this is sad[2], and I have to say: it really sickens me, YES, that I'm only up to No. 78, Jesus, GOD, I guess I've got to hold on, ah, the pain of it, it'll soon be Christmas, and then ... I'll be the OUTLAW[3], and the ultimate aeronaut of the spirit[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, three of THREE, and will I ever be free of THREE?[3], and every day it's CHRISTMAS(!) - if you've got that special feeling right inside your head (heart?) where dreams come true[3], and I'm ... as in as it gets[3], and here we can't stop spinning, oh, and here we don't want to stop spinning, oh, and here we'll never stop - NEVER(!)[3], and have I got the energy, and have I got the will?[3], and I'm looking at years of this, years, years ... shit[3], and I'm not getting any younger, out there, in the world, no[3], and will YOU(!) be able to keep up, as I move further and further a-WAY, deeper into the MYSTERY?[3], and you're not getting any younger, chained to that desk[3], and BUT ... not every number hits it, and sometimes I fail to reach the glory, and then it's just the dull ache of sad words[3], and this is sad[3], and

Why is Threadneedle's David Dudding switching funds?

It's a mystery. / We all thought Mr Dudding was happy managing the Threadneedle European Smaller Companies fund. 'It would satisfy most men, Mikey.' But no. Dave wants to run the Threadneedle Global Focus fund, and guess what: Threadneedle is going to let him! From April next year. 'The grass is always greener, eh?' No, Voice, it ain't! 'I know, I'm just saying, man. That's what he thinks.'

I've been looking at his LinkedIn profile. Dave has been at Threadneedle his whole career, unless there's something he's not telling us. 'Did he know, or does he know, Mike Corcell?' Ha! Well, that's something he wouldn't tell us. 'I suppose not.'

Dear reader, if you knew Mike Corcell, would you admit it? He worked at Threadneedle years ago. We all know what happened. No one likes to talk about it. However, I believe he's paid the price now. When is RWC going to let him out of that absurd cage? 'Mikey, are you serious? He's dangerous!' Not any more, Voice. I reckon he's a changed man. 'Yeah, right. Wishful thinking, boy.'

_________________________

I need to put some new strings on my guitar. I might leave it until the weekend. / Egg sandwich for lunch, a luxury one. Then No. 78.

[No. 77] How do you get something from nothing?

Big something, big nothing.

And I'm here in the heart of NOWHERE with a lot of nothing looking for something to get excited about[1], and I'm thinking, man: something from NOTHING a-ROUND here has got to be a MIRACLE(!), if it comes[1], and I'm here in the heart of NOWHERE with a lot of nothing looking for something to get excited about[2], and there are DRUMS in my head, BANGING(!)[1], and I'm thinking, man: something from NOTHING a-ROUND here has got to be a MIRACLE(!), if it comes[2], and come on, baby, do the juke box jive, just like they did in 1955, oh, again, and again, and AGAIN(!!!)[1], and there are DRUMS in my head, BANGING(!)[2], and this is how you do it, pure will[1], and come on, baby, do the juke box jive, just like they did in 1955, oh, again, and again, and AGAIN(!!!)[2], and YOU(!) can do it, and I can do it, and anyone can do it - and they can do it, and we can do it, and ...[1], and this is how you do it, pure will[2], and YOU(!) can move your TYGER feet, I don't give a shit[1], and YOU(!) can do it, and I can do it, and anyone can do it - and they can do it, and we can do it, and ...[2], and I'm aching for something else, a real miracle that will set me free, but not here, over there[1], and YOU(!) can move your TYGER feet, I don't give a shit[2], and I'll get free of those toothless ANIMALS[1], and I'm aching for something else, a real miracle that will set me free, but not here, over there[2], and they're watching me, and hoping I won't attack them, ha!, but I'm going to rip them to pieces because I hate them[1], and I'll get free of those toothless ANIMALS[2], and I'll get sounds to hold me tight, and I'll be in the grip of noise[1], and they're watching me, and hoping I won't attack them, ha!, but I'm going to rip them to pieces because I hate them[2], and it's so quiet here[1], and I'll get sounds to hold me tight, and I'll be in the grip of noise[2], and come on, baby, FASTER a-ROUND - now, for this is all I have right now[1], and it's so quiet here[2], and I'm here in the heart of NOWHERE with a lot of nothing looking for something to get excited about[3], and come on, baby, FASTER a-ROUND - now, for this is all I have right now[2], and I'm thinking, man: something from NOTHING a-ROUND here has got to be a MIRACLE(!), if it comes[3], and there are DRUMS in my head, BANGING(!)[3], and come on, baby, do the juke box jive, just like they did in 1955, oh, again, and again, and AGAIN(!!!)[3], and this is how you do it, pure will[3], and YOU(!) can do it, and I can do it, and anyone can do it - and they can do it, and we can do it, and ...[3], and YOU(!) can move your TYGER feet, I don't give a shit[3], and I'm aching for something else, a real miracle that will set me free, but not here, over there[3], and I'll get free of those toothless ANIMALS[3], and they're watching me, and hoping I won't attack them, ha!, but I'm going to rip them to pieces because I hate them[3], and I'll get sounds to hold me tight, and I'll be in the grip of noise[3], and it's so quiet here[3], and come on, baby, FASTER a-ROUND - now, for this is all I have right now[3], and

And I'm here in the heart of NOWHERE with a lot of nothing looking for something to get excited about[1], and I'm thinking, man: something from NOTHING a-ROUND here has got to be a MIRACLE(!), if it comes[1], and I'm here in the heart of NOWHERE with a lot of nothing looking for something to get excited about[2], and there are DRUMS in my head, BANGING(!)[1], and I'm thinking, man: something from NOTHING a-ROUND here has got to be a MIRACLE(!), if it comes[2], and come on, baby, do the juke box jive, just like they did in 1955, oh, again, and again, and AGAIN(!!!)[1], and there are DRUMS in my head, BANGING(!)[2], and this is how you do it, pure will[1], and come on, baby, do the juke box jive, just like they did in 1955, oh, again, and again, and AGAIN(!!!)[2], and YOU(!) can do it, and I can do it, and anyone can do it - and they can do it, and we can do it, and ...[1], and this is how you do it, pure will[2], and YOU(!) can move your TYGER feet, I don't give a shit[1], and YOU(!) can do it, and I can do it, and anyone can do it - and they can do it, and we can do it, and ...[2], and I'm aching for something else, a real miracle that will set me free, but not here, over there[1], and YOU(!) can move your TYGER feet, I don't give a shit[2], and I'll get free of those toothless ANIMALS[1], and I'm aching for something else, a real miracle that will set me free, but not here, over there[2], and they're watching me, and hoping I won't attack them, ha!, but I'm going to rip them to pieces because I hate them[1], and I'll get free of those toothless ANIMALS[2], and I'll get sounds to hold me tight, and I'll be in the grip of noise[1], and they're watching me, and hoping I won't attack them, ha!, but I'm going to rip them to pieces because I hate them[2], and it's so quiet here[1], and I'll get sounds to hold me tight, and I'll be in the grip of noise[2], and come on, baby, FASTER a-ROUND - now, for this is all I have right now[1], and it's so quiet here[2], and I'm here in the heart of NOWHERE with a lot of nothing looking for something to get excited about[3], and come on, baby, FASTER a-ROUND - now, for this is all I have right now[2], and I'm thinking, man: something from NOTHING a-ROUND here has got to be a MIRACLE(!), if it comes[3], and there are DRUMS in my head, BANGING(!)[3], and come on, baby, do the juke box jive, just like they did in 1955, oh, again, and again, and AGAIN(!!!)[3], and this is how you do it, pure will[3], and YOU(!) can do it, and I can do it, and anyone can do it - and they can do it, and we can do it, and ...[3], and YOU(!) can move your TYGER feet, I don't give a shit[3], and I'm aching for something else, a real miracle that will set me free, but not here, over there[3], and I'll get free of those toothless ANIMALS[3], and they're watching me, and hoping I won't attack them, ha!, but I'm going to rip them to pieces because I hate them[3], and I'll get sounds to hold me tight, and I'll be in the grip of noise[3], and it's so quiet here[3], and come on, baby, FASTER a-ROUND - now, for this is all I have right now[3], and

And I'm here in the heart of NOWHERE with a lot of nothing looking for something to get excited about[1], and I'm thinking, man: something from NOTHING a-ROUND here has got to be a MIRACLE(!), if it comes[1], and I'm here in the heart of NOWHERE with a lot of nothing looking for something to get excited about[2], and there are DRUMS in my head, BANGING(!)[1], and I'm thinking, man: something from NOTHING a-ROUND here has got to be a MIRACLE(!), if it comes[2], and come on, baby, do the juke box jive, just like they did in 1955, oh, again, and again, and AGAIN(!!!)[1], and there are DRUMS in my head, BANGING(!)[2], and this is how you do it, pure will[1], and come on, baby, do the juke box jive, just like they did in 1955, oh, again, and again, and AGAIN(!!!)[2], and YOU(!) can do it, and I can do it, and anyone can do it - and they can do it, and we can do it, and ...[1], and this is how you do it, pure will[2], and YOU(!) can move your TYGER feet, I don't give a shit[1], and YOU(!) can do it, and I can do it, and anyone can do it - and they can do it, and we can do it, and ...[2], and I'm aching for something else, a real miracle that will set me free, but not here, over there[1], and YOU(!) can move your TYGER feet, I don't give a shit[2], and I'll get free of those toothless ANIMALS[1], and I'm aching for something else, a real miracle that will set me free, but not here, over there[2], and they're watching me, and hoping I won't attack them, ha!, but I'm going to rip them to pieces because I hate them[1], and I'll get free of those toothless ANIMALS[2], and I'll get sounds to hold me tight, and I'll be in the grip of noise[1], and they're watching me, and hoping I won't attack them, ha!, but I'm going to rip them to pieces because I hate them[2], and it's so quiet here[1], and I'll get sounds to hold me tight, and I'll be in the grip of noise[2], and come on, baby, FASTER a-ROUND - now, for this is all I have right now[1], and it's so quiet here[2], and I'm here in the heart of NOWHERE with a lot of nothing looking for something to get excited about[3], and come on, baby, FASTER a-ROUND - now, for this is all I have right now[2], and I'm thinking, man: something from NOTHING a-ROUND here has got to be a MIRACLE(!), if it comes[3], and there are DRUMS in my head, BANGING(!)[3], and come on, baby, do the juke box jive, just like they did in 1955, oh, again, and again, and AGAIN(!!!)[3], and this is how you do it, pure will[3], and YOU(!) can do it, and I can do it, and anyone can do it - and they can do it, and we can do it, and ...[3], and YOU(!) can move your TYGER feet, I don't give a shit[3], and I'm aching for something else, a real miracle that will set me free, but not here, over there[3], and I'll get free of those toothless ANIMALS[3], and they're watching me, and hoping I won't attack them, ha!, but I'm going to rip them to pieces because I hate them[3], and I'll get sounds to hold me tight, and I'll be in the grip of noise[3], and it's so quiet here[3], and come on, baby, FASTER a-ROUND - now, for this is all I have right now[3], and

Austerity will go on forever

George Osborne reckons austerity will last until 2018. He has no idea, no idea at all. Austerity will go on forever. / There is no future for the West. There is only a future for individuals. Visionary individuals, to be precise. Men and women who have the ability to get themselves out of the shit. But forget about Western countries and societies. What did Yeats say? 'Mikey, he said: all things fall and are built again, and those that build them again are homosexuals.' Thank you, Voice. That's not the exact quote, but it's close enough.

So, the West is falling. I don't know who's going to rebuild it. We'll be long gone. 'I won’t!' (Whatever, Voice.) Maybe a few hundred years from now, someone in power will get a grip.

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I didn't go to Chiswick yesterday. I went to Shepherd's Bush, to get a Plan B CD (Strickland Banks) from one of the last remaining HMV stores. / There didn't seem to be too many people in the shopping centre. It's nearly Christmas, man.

I'm going to work on No. 77 later. Writing those conceptual posts and playing the guitar are the only things that can comfort me, with chaos and despair all a-ROUND.

Same stuff for lunch. I ain't got no surprises for you. I can't afford to eat in fancy restaurants. 'Mikey, you're like Tony Montana! All you got is your word and your balls and you don't break them for nobody.' My word is my bomb. 'I heard that, man.'

Kleinheinz Capital Partners is closing

Another fucking hedge fund has had enough. What the hell is going on, Voice? 'It's a sign 'o' the times, Mikey. I don't blame guys like John Kleinheinz for calling it quits. There are better things you can do, like write songs, play guitar and that.' But what about Daniel Lascano, the true believer?! 'He'll learn. The hard way, if he has to.'

Some people never learn though. / Mark Stupfel works at Kleinheinz Capital and he's planning to start his own hedge fund. 'Ha!' Can you believe this character, man? 'Man, it's beyond my comprehension. He's probably got enough money to live on for the rest of his life, yet he wants to put himself through more heartache. Unbelievable.' / Mark, listen to us, son. Don't you have any hobbies? 'Can you play keyboards?' Yeah, Mark, can you play keyboards? 'Mikey, we're wasting our time with this one.' I think you're right, Voice.

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I don't imagine there'll be a lot of news for the rest of the year. (More hedge funds closing, a few opening.) I'm looking forward to next year. Hopefully, it will be the year I finally get beyond finance, and beyond the THREE. 'Beyond Thunderdome, even.'

It all depends on the music. / I'll be playing guitar later, tonight. I'm going out after lunch. Chiswick, maybe. / I still need eighteen lines of lyric for my final song (of the demo, not ever.) / The song is taking so long because it's got to better than anything anyone else can do. (Do now. I'm not talking about the past glories of people like McCartney and Bacharach. / Plan B is class.) It's the best way to guarantee a publishing deal. / As for a recording contract, I don't know. I need to improve as a musician. (I haven't played the piano for twenty years.) My singing is fine these days. I mean, good enough. / Do I want a quiet life or a noisy life? / I'm going to start off writing for others, and then see what happens. All I can say is, I've never been this fired up. And that's down to the two songs I've completed.

Right, egg sandwich. A quick read of the Sun, then out. / Laters.

Daniel Lascano is a believer

This incredible man, Daniel Lascano, still has faith. He still believes in hedge funds. / The man has just launched one! It's called Lomas Capital Management. It dabbles in long/short stuff, apparently. And it has been seeded to the tune of $200 million by Reservoir Dogs Group. (These dogs will probably want their money back at some point and with a lot of profit, and it could turn nasty, so I suggest Dan gets to work straight away.) Mr Lascano and his mates have put up another $40 million. They're rolling in money, aren't they?

I hope it goes well for him.

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I've been watching some Plan B videos on YouTube. He's a pretty good songwriter. A great singer too.

I played my guitar for two hours yesterday. Normally, I just laze around on a Sunday. I'm really getting into my music now. It'll be an obsession soon, you mark my words.

My songs, my songs, my songs. / I'm getting closer, man. I'm nearly there. / I'll be working on that lyric again after lunch. / I can feel the pressure building up inside.

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There's nothing else going on, is there? / A boring Monday. Dear oh dear. / I've got my favourite sandwich for lunch. The Tesco cheese one with the red onion.

I'm bored, man.

I reckon I should try and improvise that lyric while playing the music for it on the guitar, a-ROUND and a-ROUND, for hours - if it takes hours. I can rewrite and edit afterwards.

Sometimes I give up too soon. The music only took me about a minute to write, but I had to play the guitar for four hours before that minute arrived.

I'm hungry. I can taste the red onion.

It's a piece of piss this financial reporting lark. I mean, there's hardly any decent news these days. / Let's see what happens tomorrow. 'It was you who said there won't be tomorrow, Mikey!' No, that was Dennis Wilson, Voice. 'I know, I know. Christ!'

All right. Laters.