Max Keiser on RT

I've been watching Max Keiser a bit lately on RT. (Yeah, RT, you know, that Russian propaganda station. It's good though.) He has a strange manner, but he talks a lot of sense, I think. / Last night Max was saying that British financial journalists are corrupt and working with the corrupt government and corrupt banks to basically fuck up your average Joe in the street.

It's so depressing ... / My advice to everyone, is just to get out. If you've made enough money (and I pray you've made enough money by now, dear reader[s] square brackets?) get out, man, and save your soul. Your soul is in danger. I'm not joking.

I feel pretty dirty these days just writing this stuff as a reasonably detached financial shaman. 'Can dirt reach that high, boss?' It's starting to, Voice. Mount Olympus ain't high enough, apparently. / I can't believe Felix is getting out. Lucky git!

At least I have my conceptual posts, eh? It's a nice clean feeling when I'm spinning a-ROUND out of my head. No bad thoughts. No bad emotions. Well, there are, but I spin them away into nothingness. I transcend the shit, you dig?

...

God ... ha! Oh, some real getting out ...

Most people don't understand what God is. It's not an old man with a white beard pointing His finger. It's pure spirit, pure consciousness. No corruption! No dirt! It's beyond money, beyond politics, beyond phoney relationships, beyond scripture ... beyond the earth! Beyond the cosmos! 'I'm sold, Mikey! When are we leaving?' Shut up! You're not coming.

...

In the zone, now ...

A little slice of God looking for the big slice. Clean me up, and take me away! I want to fly!

The demons who want to conserve shit are shit-eaters. They love the corruption, the dirt. Their traditions are evil nonsense.

The devil owns this world and everything in it.

No progress can be made. That's the truth. Get out, and get clean. Don't have a bad thought or a bad emotion ever again.

Felix Salmon is getting out of the financial journalism game

Oh yeah, he's sick of it. He wants out. So he's leaving Reuters. I don't blame him. / I can't say Felix and I are all that close, but he phoned me late last night with the news - which was nice. This is what was spoken between us -

Mikey, I'm leaving Reuters, man. (Yeah. So, Felix? So what? You'll only end up working with another bunch of squares somewhere else.) No, man. I'm getting out of finance. Leaving it all behind. (Bullshit!) I'm serious, Mikey. I'm getting out before you. (Bullshit! What are you going to do? Writing about finance is all you're good at, son.) Man, I've been reading your blog. You're the one who's convinced me there's a better life out there, somewhere. That's why I've just bought a Yamaha acoustic. (No! Which one?) FG730S. (Felix, that's better than mine!) What have you got? (It doesn't matter.) Yeah, you see, I realize now that finance is for squares. (Took you enough time.) I ain't gonna spend the rest of my life writing about banks and shit. (Okay.) It's the rock and roll life for me. Can I join your band? (Well, I don't actually have a band, Felix. I'm just writing songs at the moment.) Yeah, well, you know, give me a call sometime, when you're ready.

Ha! Yeah, right. I won't be giving him a call. / Dear reader(s), does Felix really strike you as the rock and roll type? It's just a fantasy. It's a phase he's going through. But I'm glad he's packing in the journalism. My blog does have some influence after all.

...

Anything else? No, I don't think so. Easter's just gone. Tomorrow, there may ... I don't want to think about it. / Getting out before me. I can't believe it. I'm a bit pissed off, actually.

Guitar? Well, I keep playing the same two songs, over and over again. You know, my songs. It's very frustrating. But I'm building up muscle memory, I reckon. / I want a FG730S myself. Reuters must be paying him too much. Not for much longer ...

Crispin Odey is down to hand-to-hand fighting!

Yeah, big time. His hedge fund, Odey Asset Management, lost 7.3 per cent last month. / Now, I know he looks a bit silly. You would forgive such a man if he flew away in his beautiful balloon. But no! Crispin is actually a really tough guy. He's been telling everyone he's down to hand-to-hand fighting. He's in the trenches!

It's the world economy, you see. It's Russia and Crimea. It's many things ... / It's a feeling you get sometimes. I get the feeling. Then darkness comes on. But you've got to fight! / Personally, I feel bad about my music, you know? I still haven't been able to make decent recordings of You're Lying and My Heart. I'm not giving up though. This is a matter of honour. Crispin knows what I'm talking about. It would be so easy for me to become a rock and roll suicide. It would be so easy for Crispin to fly away in his beautiful balloon. (The world's a nicer place in his beautiful balloon. Love is waiting there ...) However, we're fighters! We will never give in! Never, never, never, never ... er, never ... never!

I'm feeling better already! / Oh, a hard night, you dig? I lost a bit of tooth last night. How many teeth did Rambo lose? 'Rimbaud, boss? He lost a leg. I don't know about teeth.' Rambo, you moron! The great warrior, not the poet. 'I don't know, man. That Rocky probably lost a few teeth. You know, the boxer.' Yeah. / A hard night! Dried blood smokes on my face, and nothing lies behind me but that repulsive little tree! The battle for the soul is as brutal as the battles of men, but the sight of justice is the pleasure of God alone. 'Eh?' Never mind ...

[No. 210] Good vibrations with Rajeev Misra

The way the sunlight plays upon his hair ...

And sometimes a name just ... HITS(!) you, you know? / Rajeev, Rajeev, Rajeev ... / 'Don't forget the Misra!'[1], and I could never forget[1], and sometimes a name just ... HITS(!) you, you know? / Rajeev, Rajeev, Rajeev ... / 'Don't forget the Misra!'[2], and Misra know it all won't be at UBS for much longer / there's a better life at Fortress / and I've got ... GOOD VIBRATIONS[1], and I could never forget[2], and Peter Briger is a lucky, lucky man, man[1], and Misra know it all won't be at UBS for much longer / there's a better life at Fortress / and I've got ... GOOD VIBRATIONS[2], and the credit/real estate stuff? Who cares?!?! / Look a-ROUND here ... softly smile, excitations![1], and Peter Briger is a lucky, lucky man, man[2], and finance is so cold ...[1], and the credit/real estate stuff? Who cares?!?! / Look a-ROUND here ... softly smile, excitations![2], and YOU(!) ... JOIN IN!!! ... Get a-ROUND!!! / Rajeev will come with us to a blossom world[1], and finance is so cold ...[2], and we'll be someone(s) good ... perfect / different, at least ... away from all the dirt![1], and YOU(!) ... JOIN IN!!! ... Get a-ROUND!!! / Rajeev will come with us to a blossom world[2], and money makes us cold now / those burning days are gone![1], and we'll be someone(s) good ... perfect / different, at least ... away from all the dirt![2], and / BUT(!!!) Rajeev will take his love to Fortress ... / I'm talking REAL LOVE, you dig?[1], and money makes us cold now / those burning days are gone![2], and does he wear colourful clothes?[1], and / BUT(!!!) Rajeev will take his love to Fortress ... / I'm talking REAL LOVE, you dig?[2], and Rajeev is the sort who puts flowers in his hair - 'NO!' / Oh yes, wake up to his love[1], and does he wear colourful clothes?[2], and HELLO, HELLO, HELLO ... here he is, getting DIZZY with the best of us[1], and Rajeev is the sort who puts flowers in his hair - 'NO!' / Oh yes, wake up to his love[2], and / Are YOU(!) picking up the GOOD VIBRATIONS? / 'YES!' ... (!!!) ... You're squawking like a pink monkey bird![1], and HELLO, HELLO, HELLO ... here he is, getting DIZZY with the best of us[2], and / Oh, WAKE UP, WORLD!!! / Here we are ...[1], and / Are YOU(!) picking up the GOOD VIBRATIONS? / 'YES!' ... (!!!) ... You're squawking like a pink monkey bird![2], and sometimes a name just ... HITS(!) you, you know? / Rajeev, Rajeev, Rajeev ... / 'Don't forget the Misra!'[3], and / Oh, WAKE UP, WORLD!!! / Here we are ...[2], and I could never forget[3], and Misra know it all won't be at UBS for much longer / there's a better life at Fortress / and I've got ... GOOD VIBRATIONS[3], and Peter Briger is a lucky, lucky man, man[3], and the credit/real estate stuff? Who cares?!?! / Look a-ROUND here ... softly smile, excitations![3], and finance is so cold ...[3], and YOU(!) ... JOIN IN!!! ... Get a-ROUND!!! / Rajeev will come with us to a blossom world[3], and we'll be someone(s) good ... perfect / different, at least ... away from all the dirt![3], and money makes us cold now / those burning days are gone![3], and / BUT(!!!) Rajeev will take his love to Fortress ... / I'm talking REAL LOVE, you dig?[3], and does he wear colourful clothes?[3], and Rajeev is the sort who puts flowers in his hair - 'NO!' / Oh yes, wake up to his love[3], and HELLO, HELLO, HELLO ... here he is, getting DIZZY with the best of us[3], and / Are YOU(!) picking up the GOOD VIBRATIONS? / 'YES!' ... (!!!) ... You're squawking like a pink monkey bird![3], and / Oh, WAKE UP, WORLD!!! / Here we are ...[3], and

And sometimes a name just ... HITS(!) you, you know? / Rajeev, Rajeev, Rajeev ... / 'Don't forget the Misra!'[1], and I could never forget[1], and sometimes a name just ... HITS(!) you, you know? / Rajeev, Rajeev, Rajeev ... / 'Don't forget the Misra!'[2], and Misra know it all won't be at UBS for much longer / there's a better life at Fortress / and I've got ... GOOD VIBRATIONS[1], and I could never forget[2], and Peter Briger is a lucky, lucky man, man[1], and Misra know it all won't be at UBS for much longer / there's a better life at Fortress / and I've got ... GOOD VIBRATIONS[2], and the credit/real estate stuff? Who cares?!?! / Look a-ROUND here ... softly smile, excitations![1], and Peter Briger is a lucky, lucky man, man[2], and finance is so cold ...[1], and the credit/real estate stuff? Who cares?!?! / Look a-ROUND here ... softly smile, excitations![2], and YOU(!) ... JOIN IN!!! ... Get a-ROUND!!! / Rajeev will come with us to a blossom world[1], and finance is so cold ...[2], and we'll be someone(s) good ... perfect / different, at least ... away from all the dirt![1], and YOU(!) ... JOIN IN!!! ... Get a-ROUND!!! / Rajeev will come with us to a blossom world[2], and money makes us cold now / those burning days are gone![1], and we'll be someone(s) good ... perfect / different, at least ... away from all the dirt![2], and / BUT(!!!) Rajeev will take his love to Fortress ... / I'm talking REAL LOVE, you dig?[1], and money makes us cold now / those burning days are gone![2], and does he wear colourful clothes?[1], and / BUT(!!!) Rajeev will take his love to Fortress ... / I'm talking REAL LOVE, you dig?[2], and Rajeev is the sort who puts flowers in his hair - 'NO!' / Oh yes, wake up to his love[1], and does he wear colourful clothes?[2], and HELLO, HELLO, HELLO ... here he is, getting DIZZY with the best of us[1], and Rajeev is the sort who puts flowers in his hair - 'NO!' / Oh yes, wake up to his love[2], and / Are YOU(!) picking up the GOOD VIBRATIONS? / 'YES!' ... (!!!) ... You're squawking like a pink monkey bird![1], and HELLO, HELLO, HELLO ... here he is, getting DIZZY with the best of us[2], and / Oh, WAKE UP, WORLD!!! / Here we are ...[1], and / Are YOU(!) picking up the GOOD VIBRATIONS? / 'YES!' ... (!!!) ... You're squawking like a pink monkey bird![2], and sometimes a name just ... HITS(!) you, you know? / Rajeev, Rajeev, Rajeev ... / 'Don't forget the Misra!'[3], and / Oh, WAKE UP, WORLD!!! / Here we are ...[2], and I could never forget[3], and Misra know it all won't be at UBS for much longer / there's a better life at Fortress / and I've got ... GOOD VIBRATIONS[3], and Peter Briger is a lucky, lucky man, man[3], and the credit/real estate stuff? Who cares?!?! / Look a-ROUND here ... softly smile, excitations![3], and finance is so cold ...[3], and YOU(!) ... JOIN IN!!! ... Get a-ROUND!!! / Rajeev will come with us to a blossom world[3], and we'll be someone(s) good ... perfect / different, at least ... away from all the dirt![3], and money makes us cold now / those burning days are gone![3], and / BUT(!!!) Rajeev will take his love to Fortress ... / I'm talking REAL LOVE, you dig?[3], and does he wear colourful clothes?[3], and Rajeev is the sort who puts flowers in his hair - 'NO!' / Oh yes, wake up to his love[3], and HELLO, HELLO, HELLO ... here he is, getting DIZZY with the best of us[3], and / Are YOU(!) picking up the GOOD VIBRATIONS? / 'YES!' ... (!!!) ... You're squawking like a pink monkey bird![3], and / Oh, WAKE UP, WORLD!!! / Here we are ...[3], and

And sometimes a name just ... HITS(!) you, you know? / Rajeev, Rajeev, Rajeev ... / 'Don't forget the Misra!'[1], and I could never forget[1], and sometimes a name just ... HITS(!) you, you know? / Rajeev, Rajeev, Rajeev ... / 'Don't forget the Misra!'[2], and Misra know it all won't be at UBS for much longer / there's a better life at Fortress / and I've got ... GOOD VIBRATIONS[1], and I could never forget[2], and Peter Briger is a lucky, lucky man, man[1], and Misra know it all won't be at UBS for much longer / there's a better life at Fortress / and I've got ... GOOD VIBRATIONS[2], and the credit/real estate stuff? Who cares?!?! / Look a-ROUND here ... softly smile, excitations![1], and Peter Briger is a lucky, lucky man, man[2], and finance is so cold ...[1], and the credit/real estate stuff? Who cares?!?! / Look a-ROUND here ... softly smile, excitations![2], and YOU(!) ... JOIN IN!!! ... Get a-ROUND!!! / Rajeev will come with us to a blossom world[1], and finance is so cold ...[2], and we'll be someone(s) good ... perfect / different, at least ... away from all the dirt![1], and YOU(!) ... JOIN IN!!! ... Get a-ROUND!!! / Rajeev will come with us to a blossom world[2], and money makes us cold now / those burning days are gone![1], and we'll be someone(s) good ... perfect / different, at least ... away from all the dirt![2], and / BUT(!!!) Rajeev will take his love to Fortress ... / I'm talking REAL LOVE, you dig?[1], and money makes us cold now / those burning days are gone![2], and does he wear colourful clothes?[1], and / BUT(!!!) Rajeev will take his love to Fortress ... / I'm talking REAL LOVE, you dig?[2], and Rajeev is the sort who puts flowers in his hair - 'NO!' / Oh yes, wake up to his love[1], and does he wear colourful clothes?[2], and HELLO, HELLO, HELLO ... here he is, getting DIZZY with the best of us[1], and Rajeev is the sort who puts flowers in his hair - 'NO!' / Oh yes, wake up to his love[2], and / Are YOU(!) picking up the GOOD VIBRATIONS? / 'YES!' ... (!!!) ... You're squawking like a pink monkey bird![1], and HELLO, HELLO, HELLO ... here he is, getting DIZZY with the best of us[2], and / Oh, WAKE UP, WORLD!!! / Here we are ...[1], and / Are YOU(!) picking up the GOOD VIBRATIONS? / 'YES!' ... (!!!) ... You're squawking like a pink monkey bird![2], and sometimes a name just ... HITS(!) you, you know? / Rajeev, Rajeev, Rajeev ... / 'Don't forget the Misra!'[3], and / Oh, WAKE UP, WORLD!!! / Here we are ...[2], and I could never forget[3], and Misra know it all won't be at UBS for much longer / there's a better life at Fortress / and I've got ... GOOD VIBRATIONS[3], and Peter Briger is a lucky, lucky man, man[3], and the credit/real estate stuff? Who cares?!?! / Look a-ROUND here ... softly smile, excitations![3], and finance is so cold ...[3], and YOU(!) ... JOIN IN!!! ... Get a-ROUND!!! / Rajeev will come with us to a blossom world[3], and we'll be someone(s) good ... perfect / different, at least ... away from all the dirt![3], and money makes us cold now / those burning days are gone![3], and / BUT(!!!) Rajeev will take his love to Fortress ... / I'm talking REAL LOVE, you dig?[3], and does he wear colourful clothes?[3], and Rajeev is the sort who puts flowers in his hair - 'NO!' / Oh yes, wake up to his love[3], and HELLO, HELLO, HELLO ... here he is, getting DIZZY with the best of us[3], and / Are YOU(!) picking up the GOOD VIBRATIONS? / 'YES!' ... (!!!) ... You're squawking like a pink monkey bird![3], and / Oh, WAKE UP, WORLD!!! / Here we are ...[3], and

Rajeev Misra is leaving UBS for Fortress Investment Group

Yes, private equity and hedge fund stuff. Credit and real estate, with Peter Briger. I wish Rajeev all the best. (Not that he needs my wishes. He's Misra know it all, as Stevie Wonder might say. Or maybe not.) It's a smart move. 'Is it, Mikey?' I don't know, man. It's just something you say in situations like this, if you want to appear knowledgeable. 'Yeah. That's smart, that is.' Of course it is, Voice. I know how things work now. 'Seven years, man and boy.' I'm a professional. 'Of course you are.' / I'll be doing a number on Rajeev later. 'Brilliant!' No. 210 to be precise. I don't know the guy but - 'That's never stopped you before!' - I don't need to know, you know? When you're a mystic like me, all you need is a name. Then you get the vibrations. Rajeev is giving me good vibrations at the moment. 'Oh dear!' There's nothing sordid about it, man.

[No. 209] Let's roll a-ROUND the stone!

Why be cold and so alone?

And the stone will warm us up / like the old days in the desert[1], and is it concrete all a-ROUND? / our heads[1], and the stone will warm us up / like the old days in the desert[2], and like the dudes in the darkest night, I'll keep you safe and all right, baby, all right?[1], and is it concrete all a-ROUND? / our heads[2], and I want YOU(!) to dig what I'm laying on you, yeah?[1], and like the dudes in the darkest night, I'll keep you safe and all right, baby, all right?[2], and so ... let's roll a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here ...[1], and I want YOU(!) to dig what I'm laying on you, yeah?[2], and / Don't you let it die!!![1], and so ... let's roll a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here ...[2], and so ... let's rock a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here ...[1], and / Don't you let it die!!![2], and just like druids - ?[1], and so ... let's rock a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here ...[2], and you better know, man: FINANCE IS DEAD[1], and just like druids - ?[2], and / oh, you're just a rock and roll queen, you know what I mean, and I'm just a rock and roll star![1], and you better know, man: FINANCE IS DEAD[2], and there's no need to work, you know / not when you're free / or more than THREE[1], and / oh, you're just a rock and roll queen, you know what I mean, and I'm just a rock and roll star![2], and / and there's no need for tears when you're a-ROUND / look at me, with sweet nuthin'[1], and there's no need to work, you know / not when you're free / or more than THREE[2], and I don't care, I'm going past the THREE[1], and / and there's no need for tears when you're a-ROUND / look at me, with sweet nuthin'[2], and take a good look at yourself, please / oh, what do you see? / and how do you feel?[1], and I don't care, I'm going past the THREE[2], and I'm praying you're DIZZY now / and if you ain't DIZZY, son, you ain't doing it right ... daughter[1], and take a good look at yourself, please / oh, what do you see? / and how do you feel?[2], and one day, there will be ... just a perfect day, stone or no stone[1], and I'm praying you're DIZZY now / and if you ain't DIZZY, son, you ain't doing it right ... daughter[2], and the stone will warm us up / like the old days in the desert[3], and one day, there will be ... just a perfect day, stone or no stone[2], and is it concrete all a-ROUND? / our heads[3], and like the dudes in the darkest night, I'll keep you safe and all right, baby, all right?[3], and I want YOU(!) to dig what I'm laying on you, yeah?[3], and so ... let's roll a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here ...[3], and / Don't you let it die!!![3], and so ... let's rock a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here ...[3], and just like druids - ?[3], and you better know, man: FINANCE IS DEAD[3], and / oh, you're just a rock and roll queen, you know what I mean, and I'm just a rock and roll star![3], and there's no need to work, you know / not when you're free / or more than THREE[3], and / and there's no need for tears when you're a-ROUND / look at me, with sweet nuthin'[3], and I don't care, I'm going past the THREE[3], and take a good look at yourself, please / oh, what do you see? / and how do you feel?[3], and I'm praying you're DIZZY now / and if you ain't DIZZY, son, you ain't doing it right ... daughter[3], and one day, there will be ... just a perfect day, stone or no stone[3], and

And the stone will warm us up / like the old days in the desert[1], and is it concrete all a-ROUND? / our heads[1], and the stone will warm us up / like the old days in the desert[2], and like the dudes in the darkest night, I'll keep you safe and all right, baby, all right?[1], and is it concrete all a-ROUND? / our heads[2], and I want YOU(!) to dig what I'm laying on you, yeah?[1], and like the dudes in the darkest night, I'll keep you safe and all right, baby, all right?[2], and so ... let's roll a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here ...[1], and I want YOU(!) to dig what I'm laying on you, yeah?[2], and / Don't you let it die!!![1], and so ... let's roll a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here ...[2], and so ... let's rock a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here ...[1], and / Don't you let it die!!![2], and just like druids - ?[1], and so ... let's rock a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here ...[2], and you better know, man: FINANCE IS DEAD[1], and just like druids - ?[2], and / oh, you're just a rock and roll queen, you know what I mean, and I'm just a rock and roll star![1], and you better know, man: FINANCE IS DEAD[2], and there's no need to work, you know / not when you're free / or more than THREE[1], and / oh, you're just a rock and roll queen, you know what I mean, and I'm just a rock and roll star![2], and / and there's no need for tears when you're a-ROUND / look at me, with sweet nuthin'[1], and there's no need to work, you know / not when you're free / or more than THREE[2], and I don't care, I'm going past the THREE[1], and / and there's no need for tears when you're a-ROUND / look at me, with sweet nuthin'[2], and take a good look at yourself, please / oh, what do you see? / and how do you feel?[1], and I don't care, I'm going past the THREE[2], and I'm praying you're DIZZY now / and if you ain't DIZZY, son, you ain't doing it right ... daughter[1], and take a good look at yourself, please / oh, what do you see? / and how do you feel?[2], and one day, there will be ... just a perfect day, stone or no stone[1], and I'm praying you're DIZZY now / and if you ain't DIZZY, son, you ain't doing it right ... daughter[2], and the stone will warm us up / like the old days in the desert[3], and one day, there will be ... just a perfect day, stone or no stone[2], and is it concrete all a-ROUND? / our heads[3], and like the dudes in the darkest night, I'll keep you safe and all right, baby, all right?[3], and I want YOU(!) to dig what I'm laying on you, yeah?[3], and so ... let's roll a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here ...[3], and / Don't you let it die!!![3], and so ... let's rock a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here ...[3], and just like druids - ?[3], and you better know, man: FINANCE IS DEAD[3], and / oh, you're just a rock and roll queen, you know what I mean, and I'm just a rock and roll star![3], and there's no need to work, you know / not when you're free / or more than THREE[3], and / and there's no need for tears when you're a-ROUND / look at me, with sweet nuthin'[3], and I don't care, I'm going past the THREE[3], and take a good look at yourself, please / oh, what do you see? / and how do you feel?[3], and I'm praying you're DIZZY now / and if you ain't DIZZY, son, you ain't doing it right ... daughter[3], and one day, there will be ... just a perfect day, stone or no stone[3], and

And the stone will warm us up / like the old days in the desert[1], and is it concrete all a-ROUND? / our heads[1], and the stone will warm us up / like the old days in the desert[2], and like the dudes in the darkest night, I'll keep you safe and all right, baby, all right?[1], and is it concrete all a-ROUND? / our heads[2], and I want YOU(!) to dig what I'm laying on you, yeah?[1], and like the dudes in the darkest night, I'll keep you safe and all right, baby, all right?[2], and so ... let's roll a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here ...[1], and I want YOU(!) to dig what I'm laying on you, yeah?[2], and / Don't you let it die!!![1], and so ... let's roll a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here ...[2], and so ... let's rock a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here ...[1], and / Don't you let it die!!![2], and just like druids - ?[1], and so ... let's rock a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here ...[2], and you better know, man: FINANCE IS DEAD[1], and just like druids - ?[2], and / oh, you're just a rock and roll queen, you know what I mean, and I'm just a rock and roll star![1], and you better know, man: FINANCE IS DEAD[2], and there's no need to work, you know / not when you're free / or more than THREE[1], and / oh, you're just a rock and roll queen, you know what I mean, and I'm just a rock and roll star![2], and / and there's no need for tears when you're a-ROUND / look at me, with sweet nuthin'[1], and there's no need to work, you know / not when you're free / or more than THREE[2], and I don't care, I'm going past the THREE[1], and / and there's no need for tears when you're a-ROUND / look at me, with sweet nuthin'[2], and take a good look at yourself, please / oh, what do you see? / and how do you feel?[1], and I don't care, I'm going past the THREE[2], and I'm praying you're DIZZY now / and if you ain't DIZZY, son, you ain't doing it right ... daughter[1], and take a good look at yourself, please / oh, what do you see? / and how do you feel?[2], and one day, there will be ... just a perfect day, stone or no stone[1], and I'm praying you're DIZZY now / and if you ain't DIZZY, son, you ain't doing it right ... daughter[2], and the stone will warm us up / like the old days in the desert[3], and one day, there will be ... just a perfect day, stone or no stone[2], and is it concrete all a-ROUND? / our heads[3], and like the dudes in the darkest night, I'll keep you safe and all right, baby, all right?[3], and I want YOU(!) to dig what I'm laying on you, yeah?[3], and so ... let's roll a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here, a-ROUND the stone here ...[3], and / Don't you let it die!!![3], and so ... let's rock a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here, ROCK(!) ... a-ROUND the stone here ...[3], and just like druids - ?[3], and you better know, man: FINANCE IS DEAD[3], and / oh, you're just a rock and roll queen, you know what I mean, and I'm just a rock and roll star![3], and there's no need to work, you know / not when you're free / or more than THREE[3], and / and there's no need for tears when you're a-ROUND / look at me, with sweet nuthin'[3], and I don't care, I'm going past the THREE[3], and take a good look at yourself, please / oh, what do you see? / and how do you feel?[3], and I'm praying you're DIZZY now / and if you ain't DIZZY, son, you ain't doing it right ... daughter[3], and one day, there will be ... just a perfect day, stone or no stone[3], and

Chris Higham made some money out of F&C Asset Management

It's a bit complicated though. You see, Chris had some bonds in F&C. Or his fund did. The Aviva Investors Strategic Bond fund. (So it isn't actually his fund. It probably isn't Aviva Investors' fund either. I think you'll find that Schroders does all the work.) Then Bank of Montreal bought F&C. Then Chris got 15 per cent. Of the bonds. No, the money. Or the increase in something. I don't know how it works, exactly. I'm on the mystical side, man - as you know. 'Yeah.' The point is, Chris is doing all right. 'Life of Riley, boss.' I mean, all right for someone who spends most of his time in the pub, with the rest of the Aviva Investors mob. Because this finance game is too much like hard work. And I don't blame Chris. And I don't blame the rest of them.

It's nearly ice-cream-in-the-park season, ain't it? If you're one of Chris' clients and you see him with a suntan soon, you'll know why. / Aviva Investors is showing the way, the new way. After the collapse of the desert - 'You shut it down, Mikey.' Whatever, Voice. But it's gone, yeah? Those burning days are gone, as Yeats might have said. 'Dancing days.' Well, we were dancing too. Of course we were. / Er ... Where was I? 'The desert.' Yeah, the desert is dead, man. Astral and physical. It's over. 'Oh.' So what's left? Work? 'Ha!' Only if you're a square, son. This Aviva lot aren't a bunch of squares. 'No.' So they spend the autumn and winter in the pub, and a bit of spring and summer in the park. 'Nice. Better than playing with Lego, eh?' Well, those Cantab Capital Partners guys are fucking mental, Voice. Forget about them. 'They should grow up, boss.' I know. But it beats working for a living, I suppose. You've got to give them that. 'Yeah.' / Lunch? Not long to go ...

What is Stephanie Flanders getting up to these days?

Er ... as far as I can tell, working at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. That's about it. It's a shame, really. (We don't see her much on the telly no more, do we?) Oh, and wearing silly necklaces. And she's not the only one. Why do posh birds all wear these necklaces now? Is there a special posh bird kit you can buy? 'Yeah.' I thought Stephanie had a bit more imagination. 'Did you?' My advice to her? I reckon she should get a spiderweb tattoo on her face. 'Ha!' That would go down well at her new firm. 'It would make her stand out from the crowd, boss.' Of course it would, Voice. Posh bird with a difference.

Anyway, Stephanie has been saying that the global economy is a tenth smaller than it should be - or something. / Well, we could all say, that, er, the moon is smaller than it should be, or - 'The moon?!' Yeah, the moon, man, just as an example. But it doesn't change the fact that the moon is the size it needs to be for ... 'For what, Mikey?' Listen, the point I'm making is, things are the way they are, and there's no point in wishing they were ... bigger or smaller, you dig? 'Yeah.' It's a waste of time. A waste of energy. Stephanie wants to take a look at herself. That's what she wants to do. Never mind the global economy. The global economy can take care of itself. Stephanie? Hello! You should get a grip, girl. You can start by getting rid of those silly necklaces. 'Oh, leave her alone, boss!' All right, I'll leave her alone ...

...

It's a nice sunny day today. Should I go out, or should I stay in and play my guitar? 'Play your guitar tonight.' / I've got to do some recording though. I'll wait until Friday.

Lily Allen says she wants to work with a hedge fund and give her music away. I don't know what she thinks a hedge fund will do for her. A lot of artists are talking about giving their music away. It's crazy! They should focus on making outstanding music that sells. Adele isn't my cup of tea, but her last album sold over twenty-five million copies. Yeah, SOLD!!! She ain't giving shit away, man.

However, I suppose only mainstream stuff sells in the internet age. I used to be influenced by Bowie, Dylan, Velvet Underground, etc. That wouldn't be any good now. But my tastes have changed - early to mid-period Beatles, and Bacharach. No problem ...

What is Tulos Capital?

Oh, it's a bit early in the morning for guessing games, so I'll just tell you, dear reader(s), yeah? Tulos Capital is some new commodities hedge fund that has been set up by a couple of Glencore vets. (I mean, they're veterans of Glencore. I used to think such people were treating animals and shit. 'Ha!' You live and learn, eh?) They're also Goldman vets. 'Nice.' The guys are Paul Schurman and Patrik Sundberg. They want $500 million, by the way. 'If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.' What, Voice?! 'It's an old saying, Mikey.' Will you shut up, please? It's too early in the morning for your nonsense. And I've just had a week off. I want to ease back into this finance crap gently. 'Sorry, boss.' / Yeah, Paulie and Pat want $500 million from outside investors. I hope they get it. The world needs another hedge fund, after all ...

Er ... / Music? Don't talk to me about music, man. The best I can say is that my guitar playing is improving, but I think I underestimated how much practice I need to do a day. Rather than a couple of hours, I probably need to fill every spare moment with strumming and riffs. Like Hendrix, I'll have to sleep with my guitar. / My only consolation is that I have songs like no mutha has these days. It's simply a matter of time, son ...

I watched Convoy last night on TV. It was a favourite of mine when I was a kid, but I realize now that Rubber Duck is supposed to be a Christ-like figure. With a CB radio. How bizarre! / Oh, and Smokey and the Bandit was on Saturday. Another old favourite that I watched over a hundred times in my teenage years. ITV edited the film into a right mess though. Fortunately, the script is etched into my brain so I was able to come up with lines like: If they had cremated the son of a bitch, I'd be kicking Mr Bandit's ass around the moon by now. Lines too shocking for ITV's viewers, apparently ...

[No. 208] Guy Foster

When you dance, do your senses tingle then take a chance?

And YOU(!)! / is it you?[1], and, yeah, Guy, you've been made head of research at Brewin Dolphin - congratulations! / but can you really love?[1], and YOU(!)! / is it you?[2], and I don't know, son[1], and, yeah, Guy, you've been made head of research at Brewin Dolphin - congratulations! / but can you really love?[2], and let me tell you: the world needs more than top-class independent analysis of equities, collectives, fixed income securities, and alternative investments, these days[1], and I don't know, son[2], and ... always has[1], and let me tell you: the world needs more than top-class independent analysis of equities, collectives, fixed income securities, and alternative investments, these days[2], and, Guy, oh, Guy, it's so very depressing / did the mystical children burn ... for NOTHING?![1], and ... always has[2], and do you burn? / 'No!' / Yeah, I know ...[1], and, Guy, oh, Guy, it's so very depressing / did the mystical children burn ... for NOTHING?![2], and do you dance? / do you? / 'Let him speak!' / nothing to say ...[1], and do you burn? / 'No!' / Yeah, I know ...[2], and in the old days? Oh, I never saw you in the desert / Where were you, man, while we were getting high?[1], and do you dance? / do you? / 'Let him speak!' / nothing to say ...[2], and / you were never there![1], and in the old days? Oh, I never saw you in the desert / Where were you, man, while we were getting high?[2], and / Astraddle on the dolphin's mire and blood? Hardly ...[1], and / you were never there![2], and the others ... Elaine, Benny, John, Edmund, Iain, Nik, Nicla, little Jimmy, Ruairidh, Andy, Shakhista, Tommy, Julian, David, Stephen ... oh dear![1], and / Astraddle on the dolphin's mire and blood? Hardly ...[2], and, Guy, oh, Guy ... headpiece filled with straw![1], and the others ... Elaine, Benny, John, Edmund, Iain, Nik, Nicla, little Jimmy, Ruairidh, Andy, Shakhista, Tommy, Julian, David, Stephen ... oh dear![2], and I never saw one of your crew, out in the desert, astral or physical ... They wasted their youth! Research! Ha![1], and, Guy, oh, Guy ... headpiece filled with straw![2], and, Guy, one day you'll look back - and the cold will get to you, believe me[1], and I never saw one of your crew, out in the desert, astral or physical ... They wasted their youth! Research! Ha![2], and why must you wander the cold earth, without knowing the burning love? / Why?![1], and, Guy, one day you'll look back - and the cold will get to you, believe me[2], and YOU(!)! / is it you?[3], and why must you wander the cold earth, without knowing the burning love? / Why?![2], and, yeah, Guy, you've been made head of research at Brewin Dolphin - congratulations! / but can you really love?[3], and I don't know, son[3], and let me tell you: the world needs more than top-class independent analysis of equities, collectives, fixed income securities, and alternative investments, these days[3], and ... always has[3], and, Guy, oh, Guy, it's so very depressing / did the mystical children burn ... for NOTHING?![3], and do you burn? / 'No!' / Yeah, I know ...[3], and do you dance? / do you? / 'Let him speak!' / nothing to say ...[3], and in the old days? Oh, I never saw you in the desert / Where were you, man, while we were getting high?[3], and / you were never there![3], and / Astraddle on the dolphin's mire and blood? Hardly ...[3], and the others ... Elaine, Benny, John, Edmund, Iain, Nik, Nicla, little Jimmy, Ruairidh, Andy, Shakhista, Tommy, Julian, David, Stephen ... oh dear![3], and, Guy, oh, Guy ... headpiece filled with straw![3], and I never saw one of your crew, out in the desert, astral or physical ... They wasted their youth! Research! Ha![3], and, Guy, one day you'll look back - and the cold will get to you, believe me[3], and why must you wander the cold earth, without knowing the burning love? / Why?![3], and

And YOU(!)! / is it you?[1], and, yeah, Guy, you've been made head of research at Brewin Dolphin - congratulations! / but can you really love?[1], and YOU(!)! / is it you?[2], and I don't know, son[1], and, yeah, Guy, you've been made head of research at Brewin Dolphin - congratulations! / but can you really love?[2], and let me tell you: the world needs more than top-class independent analysis of equities, collectives, fixed income securities, and alternative investments, these days[1], and I don't know, son[2], and ... always has[1], and let me tell you: the world needs more than top-class independent analysis of equities, collectives, fixed income securities, and alternative investments, these days[2], and, Guy, oh, Guy, it's so very depressing / did the mystical children burn ... for NOTHING?![1], and ... always has[2], and do you burn? / 'No!' / Yeah, I know ...[1], and, Guy, oh, Guy, it's so very depressing / did the mystical children burn ... for NOTHING?![2], and do you dance? / do you? / 'Let him speak!' / nothing to say ...[1], and do you burn? / 'No!' / Yeah, I know ...[2], and in the old days? Oh, I never saw you in the desert / Where were you, man, while we were getting high?[1], and do you dance? / do you? / 'Let him speak!' / nothing to say ...[2], and / you were never there![1], and in the old days? Oh, I never saw you in the desert / Where were you, man, while we were getting high?[2], and / Astraddle on the dolphin's mire and blood? Hardly ...[1], and / you were never there![2], and the others ... Elaine, Benny, John, Edmund, Iain, Nik, Nicla, little Jimmy, Ruairidh, Andy, Shakhista, Tommy, Julian, David, Stephen ... oh dear![1], and / Astraddle on the dolphin's mire and blood? Hardly ...[2], and, Guy, oh, Guy ... headpiece filled with straw![1], and the others ... Elaine, Benny, John, Edmund, Iain, Nik, Nicla, little Jimmy, Ruairidh, Andy, Shakhista, Tommy, Julian, David, Stephen ... oh dear![2], and I never saw one of your crew, out in the desert, astral or physical ... They wasted their youth! Research! Ha![1], and, Guy, oh, Guy ... headpiece filled with straw![2], and, Guy, one day you'll look back - and the cold will get to you, believe me[1], and I never saw one of your crew, out in the desert, astral or physical ... They wasted their youth! Research! Ha![2], and why must you wander the cold earth, without knowing the burning love? / Why?![1], and, Guy, one day you'll look back - and the cold will get to you, believe me[2], and YOU(!)! / is it you?[3], and why must you wander the cold earth, without knowing the burning love? / Why?![2], and, yeah, Guy, you've been made head of research at Brewin Dolphin - congratulations! / but can you really love?[3], and I don't know, son[3], and let me tell you: the world needs more than top-class independent analysis of equities, collectives, fixed income securities, and alternative investments, these days[3], and ... always has[3], and, Guy, oh, Guy, it's so very depressing / did the mystical children burn ... for NOTHING?![3], and do you burn? / 'No!' / Yeah, I know ...[3], and do you dance? / do you? / 'Let him speak!' / nothing to say ...[3], and in the old days? Oh, I never saw you in the desert / Where were you, man, while we were getting high?[3], and / you were never there![3], and / Astraddle on the dolphin's mire and blood? Hardly ...[3], and the others ... Elaine, Benny, John, Edmund, Iain, Nik, Nicla, little Jimmy, Ruairidh, Andy, Shakhista, Tommy, Julian, David, Stephen ... oh dear![3], and, Guy, oh, Guy ... headpiece filled with straw![3], and I never saw one of your crew, out in the desert, astral or physical ... They wasted their youth! Research! Ha![3], and, Guy, one day you'll look back - and the cold will get to you, believe me[3], and why must you wander the cold earth, without knowing the burning love? / Why?![3], and

And YOU(!)! / is it you?[1], and, yeah, Guy, you've been made head of research at Brewin Dolphin - congratulations! / but can you really love?[1], and YOU(!)! / is it you?[2], and I don't know, son[1], and, yeah, Guy, you've been made head of research at Brewin Dolphin - congratulations! / but can you really love?[2], and let me tell you: the world needs more than top-class independent analysis of equities, collectives, fixed income securities, and alternative investments, these days[1], and I don't know, son[2], and ... always has[1], and let me tell you: the world needs more than top-class independent analysis of equities, collectives, fixed income securities, and alternative investments, these days[2], and, Guy, oh, Guy, it's so very depressing / did the mystical children burn ... for NOTHING?![1], and ... always has[2], and do you burn? / 'No!' / Yeah, I know ...[1], and, Guy, oh, Guy, it's so very depressing / did the mystical children burn ... for NOTHING?![2], and do you dance? / do you? / 'Let him speak!' / nothing to say ...[1], and do you burn? / 'No!' / Yeah, I know ...[2], and in the old days? Oh, I never saw you in the desert / Where were you, man, while we were getting high?[1], and do you dance? / do you? / 'Let him speak!' / nothing to say ...[2], and / you were never there![1], and in the old days? Oh, I never saw you in the desert / Where were you, man, while we were getting high?[2], and / Astraddle on the dolphin's mire and blood? Hardly ...[1], and / you were never there![2], and the others ... Elaine, Benny, John, Edmund, Iain, Nik, Nicla, little Jimmy, Ruairidh, Andy, Shakhista, Tommy, Julian, David, Stephen ... oh dear![1], and / Astraddle on the dolphin's mire and blood? Hardly ...[2], and, Guy, oh, Guy ... headpiece filled with straw![1], and the others ... Elaine, Benny, John, Edmund, Iain, Nik, Nicla, little Jimmy, Ruairidh, Andy, Shakhista, Tommy, Julian, David, Stephen ... oh dear![2], and I never saw one of your crew, out in the desert, astral or physical ... They wasted their youth! Research! Ha![1], and, Guy, oh, Guy ... headpiece filled with straw![2], and, Guy, one day you'll look back - and the cold will get to you, believe me[1], and I never saw one of your crew, out in the desert, astral or physical ... They wasted their youth! Research! Ha![2], and why must you wander the cold earth, without knowing the burning love? / Why?![1], and, Guy, one day you'll look back - and the cold will get to you, believe me[2], and YOU(!)! / is it you?[3], and why must you wander the cold earth, without knowing the burning love? / Why?![2], and, yeah, Guy, you've been made head of research at Brewin Dolphin - congratulations! / but can you really love?[3], and I don't know, son[3], and let me tell you: the world needs more than top-class independent analysis of equities, collectives, fixed income securities, and alternative investments, these days[3], and ... always has[3], and, Guy, oh, Guy, it's so very depressing / did the mystical children burn ... for NOTHING?![3], and do you burn? / 'No!' / Yeah, I know ...[3], and do you dance? / do you? / 'Let him speak!' / nothing to say ...[3], and in the old days? Oh, I never saw you in the desert / Where were you, man, while we were getting high?[3], and / you were never there![3], and / Astraddle on the dolphin's mire and blood? Hardly ...[3], and the others ... Elaine, Benny, John, Edmund, Iain, Nik, Nicla, little Jimmy, Ruairidh, Andy, Shakhista, Tommy, Julian, David, Stephen ... oh dear![3], and, Guy, oh, Guy ... headpiece filled with straw![3], and I never saw one of your crew, out in the desert, astral or physical ... They wasted their youth! Research! Ha![3], and, Guy, one day you'll look back - and the cold will get to you, believe me[3], and why must you wander the cold earth, without knowing the burning love? / Why?![3], and