Apollo Global Management wants $12 billion for its new fund

Seems reasonable. Why isn't Apollo going for $20 billion? I guess some people just don't have any ambition. What is this fund? The Apollo Fund VIII. It sounds great, doesn't it? A shame they're not going for $25 billion, that's all.

I don't know. What can be done? Apollo Global Management is a leading global alternative investment manager. They are contrarian, value-oriented investors in private equity, credit, and real estate, with significant distressed expertise. They operate their businesses in an integrated manner which they believe distinguishes them from other alternative investment managers. They have applied this investment philosophy over their twenty-two-year history, deploying capital across the balance sheet of industry leading businesses, and seeking to create value for their investors throughout economic cycles. They just ain't got the balls to go for $30 billion, I'm afraid. Everyone's scared at the moment.

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That's enough. I don't want to wear myself out. I've got No. 72 to work on. Far more important than this stuff.

Tomorrow? And tomorrow, and tomorrow? No, just tomorrow. I'll have to push myself hard to finish that song. There's got to be a reward for my suffering. I know God is watching me.

God is watching all of us. And we all have a destiny. Maybe Apollo is right to aim for $12 billion.

[No. 71] Is there heaven for a G?

A thugz mansion?

And I don't know, NO(!), and I just don't know, NO(!), and I don't care a-ROUND here[1], and this is where I'm HAPPY, and this is where I feel SAFE, and this is where I AM: ME(!)[1], and I don't know, NO(!), and I just don't know, NO(!), and I don't care a-ROUND here[2], and I can forget my TROUBLES spinning like a MADMAN beyond the THREE[1], and this is where I'm HAPPY, and this is where I feel SAFE, and this is where I AM: ME(!)[2], and "they" say we leave one CAGE for another CAGE, but I feel FREE, man[1], and I can forget my TROUBLES spinning like a MADMAN beyond the THREE[2], and YOU(!), my friend, don't take me back to their world: I don't want to be a stranger in their STRANGE land[1], and "they" say we leave one CAGE for another CAGE, but I feel FREE, man[2], and ain't it STRANGE?![1], and YOU(!), my friend, don't take me back to their world: I don't want to be a stranger in their STRANGE land[2], and there ain't no money here, NO(!), and there ain't no women here, NO(!) - nothing a-ROUND but words[1], and ain't it STRANGE?![2], and even back in their world there ain't nothing neither, and there ain't no HENNESSY neither, just an EMPTY glass(!)[1], and there ain't no money here, NO(!), and there ain't no women here, NO(!) - nothing a-ROUND but words[2], and I may be POOR but at least I've got my HONOUR[1], and even back in their world there ain't nothing neither, and there ain't no HENNESSY neither, just an EMPTY glass(!)[2], and this ain't no HEAVEN, oh, that's for sure, and I never said it was, and what do you want for THREE?[1], and I may be POOR but at least I've got my HONOUR[2], and here's to better DAYZ[1], and this ain't no HEAVEN, oh, that's for sure, and I never said it was, and what do you want for THREE?[2], and I don't know, NO(!), and I just don't know, NO(!), and I don't care a-ROUND here[3], and here's to better DAYZ[2], and this is where I'm HAPPY, and this is where I feel SAFE, and this is where I AM: ME(!)[3], and I can forget my TROUBLES spinning like a MADMAN beyond the THREE[3], and "they" say we leave one CAGE for another CAGE, but I feel FREE, man[3], and YOU(!), my friend, don't take me back to their world: I don't want to be a stranger in their STRANGE land[3], and ain't it STRANGE?![3], and there ain't no money here, NO(!), and there ain't no women here, NO(!) - nothing a-ROUND but words[3], and even back in their world there ain't nothing neither, and there ain't no HENNESSY neither, just an EMPTY glass(!)[3], and I may be POOR but at least I've got my HONOUR[3], and this ain't no HEAVEN, oh, that's for sure, and I never said it was, and what do you want for THREE?[3], and here's to better DAYZ[3], and

And I don't know, NO(!), and I just don't know, NO(!), and I don't care a-ROUND here[1], and this is where I'm HAPPY, and this is where I feel SAFE, and this is where I AM: ME(!)[1], and I don't know, NO(!), and I just don't know, NO(!), and I don't care a-ROUND here[2], and I can forget my TROUBLES spinning like a MADMAN beyond the THREE[1], and this is where I'm HAPPY, and this is where I feel SAFE, and this is where I AM: ME(!)[2], and "they" say we leave one CAGE for another CAGE, but I feel FREE, man[1], and I can forget my TROUBLES spinning like a MADMAN beyond the THREE[2], and YOU(!), my friend, don't take me back to their world: I don't want to be a stranger in their STRANGE land[1], and "they" say we leave one CAGE for another CAGE, but I feel FREE, man[2], and ain't it STRANGE?![1], and YOU(!), my friend, don't take me back to their world: I don't want to be a stranger in their STRANGE land[2], and there ain't no money here, NO(!), and there ain't no women here, NO(!) - nothing a-ROUND but words[1], and ain't it STRANGE?![2], and even back in their world there ain't nothing neither, and there ain't no HENNESSY neither, just an EMPTY glass(!)[1], and there ain't no money here, NO(!), and there ain't no women here, NO(!) - nothing a-ROUND but words[2], and I may be POOR but at least I've got my HONOUR[1], and even back in their world there ain't nothing neither, and there ain't no HENNESSY neither, just an EMPTY glass(!)[2], and this ain't no HEAVEN, oh, that's for sure, and I never said it was, and what do you want for THREE?[1], and I may be POOR but at least I've got my HONOUR[2], and here's to better DAYZ[1], and this ain't no HEAVEN, oh, that's for sure, and I never said it was, and what do you want for THREE?[2], and I don't know, NO(!), and I just don't know, NO(!), and I don't care a-ROUND here[3], and here's to better DAYZ[2], and this is where I'm HAPPY, and this is where I feel SAFE, and this is where I AM: ME(!)[3], and I can forget my TROUBLES spinning like a MADMAN beyond the THREE[3], and "they" say we leave one CAGE for another CAGE, but I feel FREE, man[3], and YOU(!), my friend, don't take me back to their world: I don't want to be a stranger in their STRANGE land[3], and ain't it STRANGE?![3], and there ain't no money here, NO(!), and there ain't no women here, NO(!) - nothing a-ROUND but words[3], and even back in their world there ain't nothing neither, and there ain't no HENNESSY neither, just an EMPTY glass(!)[3], and I may be POOR but at least I've got my HONOUR[3], and this ain't no HEAVEN, oh, that's for sure, and I never said it was, and what do you want for THREE?[3], and here's to better DAYZ[3], and

And I don't know, NO(!), and I just don't know, NO(!), and I don't care a-ROUND here[1], and this is where I'm HAPPY, and this is where I feel SAFE, and this is where I AM: ME(!)[1], and I don't know, NO(!), and I just don't know, NO(!), and I don't care a-ROUND here[2], and I can forget my TROUBLES spinning like a MADMAN beyond the THREE[1], and this is where I'm HAPPY, and this is where I feel SAFE, and this is where I AM: ME(!)[2], and "they" say we leave one CAGE for another CAGE, but I feel FREE, man[1], and I can forget my TROUBLES spinning like a MADMAN beyond the THREE[2], and YOU(!), my friend, don't take me back to their world: I don't want to be a stranger in their STRANGE land[1], and "they" say we leave one CAGE for another CAGE, but I feel FREE, man[2], and ain't it STRANGE?![1], and YOU(!), my friend, don't take me back to their world: I don't want to be a stranger in their STRANGE land[2], and there ain't no money here, NO(!), and there ain't no women here, NO(!) - nothing a-ROUND but words[1], and ain't it STRANGE?![2], and even back in their world there ain't nothing neither, and there ain't no HENNESSY neither, just an EMPTY glass(!)[1], and there ain't no money here, NO(!), and there ain't no women here, NO(!) - nothing a-ROUND but words[2], and I may be POOR but at least I've got my HONOUR[1], and even back in their world there ain't nothing neither, and there ain't no HENNESSY neither, just an EMPTY glass(!)[2], and this ain't no HEAVEN, oh, that's for sure, and I never said it was, and what do you want for THREE?[1], and I may be POOR but at least I've got my HONOUR[2], and here's to better DAYZ[1], and this ain't no HEAVEN, oh, that's for sure, and I never said it was, and what do you want for THREE?[2], and I don't know, NO(!), and I just don't know, NO(!), and I don't care a-ROUND here[3], and here's to better DAYZ[2], and this is where I'm HAPPY, and this is where I feel SAFE, and this is where I AM: ME(!)[3], and I can forget my TROUBLES spinning like a MADMAN beyond the THREE[3], and "they" say we leave one CAGE for another CAGE, but I feel FREE, man[3], and YOU(!), my friend, don't take me back to their world: I don't want to be a stranger in their STRANGE land[3], and ain't it STRANGE?![3], and there ain't no money here, NO(!), and there ain't no women here, NO(!) - nothing a-ROUND but words[3], and even back in their world there ain't nothing neither, and there ain't no HENNESSY neither, just an EMPTY glass(!)[3], and I may be POOR but at least I've got my HONOUR[3], and this ain't no HEAVEN, oh, that's for sure, and I never said it was, and what do you want for THREE?[3], and here's to better DAYZ[3], and

Weintraub Capital Management is returning outside capital to investors!

Christ! It seems every hedge fund around (not a-ROUND) is returning money to investors. What the hell is going on?

Everyone is scared. It's the way of the world these days. (Not my way, the way of the shaman.) / Weintraub Capital is just going to concentrate on managing Jerry's money now. I can understand. I have sympathy.

But I'm not scared. (I'm not investing anyone's money, of course.) I'm still brave on this blog. Me against the world! 'Like 2Pac!' Yes, I'm a THUG 4 LIFE!!! / And I'm not asking my dear readers to sign in. How mad would that be? 'Mikey, it doesn't bear thinking about.' You're right, Voice, it doesn't. I'm not retreating from the blogosphere into some fucked up country club. 'DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR!!!' You said it, pal!

_________________________

Right, music update. / I've slept on that bit of lyric (see yesterday's update) and it's cool, man. Normally, I have second thoughts. However, I'm well pleased with it. I'm getting excited now. I'm on the verge of having two great songs. And I've got the music and title for a third. / I have a theory: if you can write three great songs, you can write fifty. It's all down to will and desire after the first three. Anyone can fluke one great song. Two is difficult. Three means you're in business.

I probably won't delete these music updates. Music is a part of my life again (after a twenty-year break) and this blog is about my life, so where's the harm? Eventually, it'll be all conceptual posts anyway. Beyond the THREE! Beyond finance! 'Beyond Thunderdome, Mikey!' Don't take the piss, Voice. 'Sorry.'

No. 71 coming up, after lunch. 'What are you having?' Cheese rolls, crisps, can of Coke, little blackcurrant cheesecake thing. 'Nice.'

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No thank you to all the bustas, cowards, and FAKE HOMIES who showed me the depths of jealousy, envy and greed.

Dromeus Capital wants to invest in Greece!

Oh, I love optimists. / Dromeus Capital has launched a new fund that will invest in ... Greece - ?

The Dromeus Greek Advantage fund? It takes all sorts to make a world. Advantage?! I don't know. Maybe. They say that Greece is so down it can only go up.

Who knows? You can always go down, and down, and down. Or you can fly away in a beautiful balloon.

_________________________

It applies to lots of things. / Up, and down. / The Romans tried to keep the barbarians out. Some websites try to hold on to their readers - lock them in, against their will.

We need freedom. You can't fight against your nature. Everyone has a destiny.

W.B. Yeats said all things fall and are built again, by homosexuals. He must have known what he was talking about.

Some people are scared. 'We can't read this, or that. We can't approve of this, or that.' They want blandness. It's all they know. I mean, it used to pay very well, in the old days. But this is a new age.

They wouldn't know "irreverence" if it slashed them with a razor. Their politeness is utterly absurd. Oh, how on earth can they hope to compete with a savage lunatic?

_________________________

Vegetable samosas? You bet!

Then I'll work on my lyrics, again. I'm a monster of habit - as you know.

I'll be ready after Christmas. I swear I will. Then people will have to give up their religious beliefs, to paraphrase Carlito Brigante.


Update (2.15pm): Yippee! I've just made a lyrical breakthrough. I've got the words for the (sort of) chorus. I'm concerned they're a bit bland and conventional, but I am trying to write "popular" songs after all. And they fit the music perfectly. As long the verses are more interesting and challenging, I think it'll be all right. Think of You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling. It looks ridiculous written down, but hearing it is something else. It actually takes courage to be simple and a bit silly. / Well, that's enough for now. I'm going to let things gestate for a few days and then (hopefully) finish the lyric on Friday.

John W. Henry doesn't want anything to do with outside capital

In fact, any outside capital he has he's returning to the investors who gave it to him. 'That's serious, man.' Yeah, it's serious. Like a heart attack. Or toothache. / John W. Henry ain't messing around. And you know what? I actually think he's doing the right thing. Sometimes (normally when there's a shitstorm going on) you have to cut yourself off from the rest of the world. Why? Well, to stay sane, to hold on to what you've got (money, position, and power) and, er ... all kinds of reasons. / Of course, if you're a blogger - as an example - I'm not suggesting you put up a paywall or something totally nuts like that. (Let's be reasonable here.) However, you don't have to get into a relationship with every schmoozing phoney or smug moron who happens to take a fancy to you either, you dig? Be superior, like old Julius Caesar. 'What are you going on about, Mikey? You write in riddles!' That's my style, Voice. Don’t knock it.

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I'm working in the night again, and listening to Eno's Apollo again. I'm a monster of habit.

I'll have another go at the lyrics later today, after lunch. I don't know what yet. Hopefully, Tesco will have the cheese sandwich with the red onion.

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How is it possible to have any honour in such a corrupt world? / Was Julius Caesar corrupt? Yes. But I like to think he was responding to the corruption of others, the lesser mortals that surrounded him. He had a higher purpose. It wasn't all wine, women, and song with him. He wanted immortality. And he got it.

Caesar wasn't incompetent. And he wasn't an idiot. He wasn't interested in the superficial. We can forgive the corruption, I think. / He came from a privileged background. We can forgive that too. It didn't create his success. (It helped though.) His sort of success comes mainly from personality.

These are just night thoughts, you understand, dear reader(s), for my own amusement. There's nothing to ponder. You don't have to draw any conclusions.

[No. 70] Baby, don't you want to go?

Not California though.

And a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, bouncing on the rhythm, looking to get sweet HOME[1], and you've been crying too much, and I see the BLUES in your REDS[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, bouncing on the rhythm, looking to get sweet HOME[2], and I'm OPEN to all the PAIN you want to give me, and everything is a PLEASURE with you[1], and you've been crying too much, and I see the BLUES in your REDS[2], and a-ROUND here it gets better the faster you go[1], and I'm OPEN to all the PAIN you want to give me, and everything is a PLEASURE with you[2], and there ain't no corners for us to stand on, baby - and we're spinning all the WAY(!)[1], and a-ROUND here it gets better the faster you go[2], and you gotta COME with ME: it's not as if you've got a lot of choices now, is it?[1], and there ain't no corners for us to stand on, baby - and we're spinning all the WAY(!)[2], and I'm going yes if you ain't coming, and if you ain't coming I don't know how I'll cope[1], and you gotta COME with ME: it's not as if you've got a lot of choices now, is it?[2], and you don't know the FORCES that keep on me[1], and I'm going yes if you ain't coming, and if you ain't coming I don't know how I'll cope[2], and a-ROUND here there's no time for standing still, and there's no time at all[1], and you don't know the FORCES that keep on me[2], and LOOK(!) real close, baby - you'll see the BLUES in my BLACKS[1], and a-ROUND here there's no time for standing still, and there's no time at all[2], and you better go[1], and LOOK(!) real close, baby - you'll see the BLUES in my BLACKS[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, bouncing on the rhythm, looking to get sweet HOME[3], and you better go[2], and you've been crying too much, and I see the BLUES in your REDS[3], and I'm OPEN to all the PAIN you want to give me, and everything is a PLEASURE with you[3], and a-ROUND here it gets better the faster you go[3], and there ain't no corners for us to stand on, baby - and we're spinning all the WAY(!)[3], and you gotta COME with ME: it's not as if you've got a lot of choices now, is it?[3], and I'm going yes if you ain't coming, and if you ain't coming I don't know how I'll cope[3], and you don't know the FORCES that keep on me[3], and a-ROUND here there's no time for standing still, and there's no time at all[3], and LOOK(!) real close, baby - you'll see the BLUES in my BLACKS[3], and you better go[3], and

And a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, bouncing on the rhythm, looking to get sweet HOME[1], and you've been crying too much, and I see the BLUES in your REDS[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, bouncing on the rhythm, looking to get sweet HOME[2], and I'm OPEN to all the PAIN you want to give me, and everything is a PLEASURE with you[1], and you've been crying too much, and I see the BLUES in your REDS[2], and a-ROUND here it gets better the faster you go[1], and I'm OPEN to all the PAIN you want to give me, and everything is a PLEASURE with you[2], and there ain't no corners for us to stand on, baby - and we're spinning all the WAY(!)[1], and a-ROUND here it gets better the faster you go[2], and you gotta COME with ME: it's not as if you've got a lot of choices now, is it?[1], and there ain't no corners for us to stand on, baby - and we're spinning all the WAY(!)[2], and I'm going yes if you ain't coming, and if you ain't coming I don't know how I'll cope[1], and you gotta COME with ME: it's not as if you've got a lot of choices now, is it?[2], and you don't know the FORCES that keep on me[1], and I'm going yes if you ain't coming, and if you ain't coming I don't know how I'll cope[2], and a-ROUND here there's no time for standing still, and there's no time at all[1], and you don't know the FORCES that keep on me[2], and LOOK(!) real close, baby - you'll see the BLUES in my BLACKS[1], and a-ROUND here there's no time for standing still, and there's no time at all[2], and you better go[1], and LOOK(!) real close, baby - you'll see the BLUES in my BLACKS[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, bouncing on the rhythm, looking to get sweet HOME[3], and you better go[2], and you've been crying too much, and I see the BLUES in your REDS[3], and I'm OPEN to all the PAIN you want to give me, and everything is a PLEASURE with you[3], and a-ROUND here it gets better the faster you go[3], and there ain't no corners for us to stand on, baby - and we're spinning all the WAY(!)[3], and you gotta COME with ME: it's not as if you've got a lot of choices now, is it?[3], and I'm going yes if you ain't coming, and if you ain't coming I don't know how I'll cope[3], and you don't know the FORCES that keep on me[3], and a-ROUND here there's no time for standing still, and there's no time at all[3], and LOOK(!) real close, baby - you'll see the BLUES in my BLACKS[3], and you better go[3], and

And a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, bouncing on the rhythm, looking to get sweet HOME[1], and you've been crying too much, and I see the BLUES in your REDS[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, bouncing on the rhythm, looking to get sweet HOME[2], and I'm OPEN to all the PAIN you want to give me, and everything is a PLEASURE with you[1], and you've been crying too much, and I see the BLUES in your REDS[2], and a-ROUND here it gets better the faster you go[1], and I'm OPEN to all the PAIN you want to give me, and everything is a PLEASURE with you[2], and there ain't no corners for us to stand on, baby - and we're spinning all the WAY(!)[1], and a-ROUND here it gets better the faster you go[2], and you gotta COME with ME: it's not as if you've got a lot of choices now, is it?[1], and there ain't no corners for us to stand on, baby - and we're spinning all the WAY(!)[2], and I'm going yes if you ain't coming, and if you ain't coming I don't know how I'll cope[1], and you gotta COME with ME: it's not as if you've got a lot of choices now, is it?[2], and you don't know the FORCES that keep on me[1], and I'm going yes if you ain't coming, and if you ain't coming I don't know how I'll cope[2], and a-ROUND here there's no time for standing still, and there's no time at all[1], and you don't know the FORCES that keep on me[2], and LOOK(!) real close, baby - you'll see the BLUES in my BLACKS[1], and a-ROUND here there's no time for standing still, and there's no time at all[2], and you better go[1], and LOOK(!) real close, baby - you'll see the BLUES in my BLACKS[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, bouncing on the rhythm, looking to get sweet HOME[3], and you better go[2], and you've been crying too much, and I see the BLUES in your REDS[3], and I'm OPEN to all the PAIN you want to give me, and everything is a PLEASURE with you[3], and a-ROUND here it gets better the faster you go[3], and there ain't no corners for us to stand on, baby - and we're spinning all the WAY(!)[3], and you gotta COME with ME: it's not as if you've got a lot of choices now, is it?[3], and I'm going yes if you ain't coming, and if you ain't coming I don't know how I'll cope[3], and you don't know the FORCES that keep on me[3], and a-ROUND here there's no time for standing still, and there's no time at all[3], and LOOK(!) real close, baby - you'll see the BLUES in my BLACKS[3], and you better go[3], and

Jonathan Schmugge is doing all right at Z Capital Management

Imagine my surprise when I found out that Mr Schmugge had just been promoted at Z Capital, a couple of hours ago. He had been a managing director. 'Is that all?' Yes, but now he's a senior managing director. 'Oooh!' And a partner. 'Oh.' Yes, a partner. He's also the chief financial officer. 'Bloody hell!' Yeah. He's responsible for Z Capital's accounting shit. 'Pretty impressive, Mikey.' Yes, Voice, it is.

That's all the news for today. I'm tired of news: it goes on forever. Was there anything else you wanted, dear reader(s)? / Have you read my latest conceptual post yet, the satanic No. 69? It's more important than any news you'll read. The news is here today, and it is gone tomorrow. However, you can't wrap your chips in it, not on the internet. 'Shame.' Yes, shame. I'm in the mood for some chips. I suppose I'll have to settle for cheese rolls.

Mystery Train. That's a good song. And Gimme Shelter, or Robert Johnson's Love In Vain. They have a certain quality. They don't sound like songs that have been written by a human. They sound like they have been brought into existence by some supernatural power. / If I can do tomorrow what I did yesterday ...

I want to be like Robert Johnson. I want to reach something beyond myself. I've managed it here on this blog. I've just got to transfer it to my music now.

[No. 69] The devil rides a-ROUND

This post is for entertainment purposes only. / Should any of my readers incline to a serious study of the occult, and thus come into contact with a man or woman of Power, I feel that it is only right to urge them, most strongly, to refrain from being drawn into the practice of the Secret Art in any way. My own observations have led me to an absolute conviction that to do so would bring them into dangers of a very real and concrete nature.

And I've always known that the devil RIDES, and I'd like to pray that he won't harm us a-ROUND here[1], and oh GOD I see the HORNS(!)[1], and I've always known that the devil RIDES, and I'd like to pray that he won't harm us a-ROUND here[2], and the DEVIL, he rides with us, just behind, a-ROUND, with the fire, and the smoke[1], and oh GOD I see the HORNS(!)[2], and here we ride at incredible speeds, NIGHT and DAY, and I've got a FEELING the GOAT(!) won't catch us[1], and the DEVIL, he rides with us, just behind, a-ROUND, with the fire, and the smoke[2], and those EYES(!) so terrible: reader(s), rider(s), don't stare into those baleful eyes, oh, malefic rays!!![1], and here we ride at incredible speeds, NIGHT and DAY, and I've got a FEELING the GOAT(!) won't catch us[2], and a feeling? - a feeling won't save us in a ROMANCE(?!) such as this[1], and those EYES(!) so terrible: reader(s), rider(s), don't stare into those baleful eyes, oh, malefic rays!!![2], and it's the worst NIGHTMARE I could have invented for our entertainment, and I'm sorry, yes, extremely sorry - NOW[1], and a feeling? - a feeling won't save us in a ROMANCE(?!) such as this[2], and we're stuck a-ROUND here with the Goat of Mendes(!), and JESUS(!) can't we shake him off?[1], and it's the worst NIGHTMARE I could have invented for our entertainment, and I'm sorry, yes, extremely sorry - NOW[2], and some WORDS, mere words, from the Bible(?!), and I don't know, and I can't remember[1], and we're stuck a-ROUND here with the Goat of Mendes(!), and JESUS(!) can't we shake him off?[2], and we'll have to make friends with it, after all it only reflects the way we are in REALITY not our fantasies[1], and some WORDS, mere words, from the Bible(?!), and I don't know, and I can't remember[2], and OPEN your mouth, and NOW it's inside YOU, and you are the DEVIL[1], and we'll have to make friends with it, after all it only reflects the way we are in REALITY not our fantasies[2], and so ... you're the devil, ha![1], and OPEN your mouth, and NOW it's inside YOU, and you are the DEVIL[2], and I've always known that the devil RIDES, and I'd like to pray that he won't harm us a-ROUND here[3], and so ... you're the devil, ha![2], and oh GOD I see the HORNS(!)[3], and the DEVIL, he rides with us, just behind, a-ROUND, with the fire, and the smoke[3], and here we ride at incredible speeds, NIGHT and DAY, and I've got a FEELING the GOAT(!) won't catch us[3], and those EYES(!) so terrible: reader(s), rider(s), don't stare into those baleful eyes, oh, malefic rays!!![3], and a feeling? - a feeling won't save us in a ROMANCE(?!) such as this[3], and it's the worst NIGHTMARE I could have invented for our entertainment, and I'm sorry, yes, extremely sorry - NOW[3], and we're stuck a-ROUND here with the Goat of Mendes(!), and JESUS(!) can't we shake him off?[3], and some WORDS, mere words, from the Bible(?!), and I don't know, and I can't remember[3], and we'll have to make friends with it, after all it only reflects the way we are in REALITY not our fantasies[3], and OPEN your mouth, and NOW it's inside YOU, and you are the DEVIL[3], and so ... you're the devil, ha![3], and

And I've always known that the devil RIDES, and I'd like to pray that he won't harm us a-ROUND here[1], and oh GOD I see the HORNS(!)[1], and I've always known that the devil RIDES, and I'd like to pray that he won't harm us a-ROUND here[2], and the DEVIL, he rides with us, just behind, a-ROUND, with the fire, and the smoke[1], and oh GOD I see the HORNS(!)[2], and here we ride at incredible speeds, NIGHT and DAY, and I've got a FEELING the GOAT(!) won't catch us[1], and the DEVIL, he rides with us, just behind, a-ROUND, with the fire, and the smoke[2], and those EYES(!) so terrible: reader(s), rider(s), don't stare into those baleful eyes, oh, malefic rays!!![1], and here we ride at incredible speeds, NIGHT and DAY, and I've got a FEELING the GOAT(!) won't catch us[2], and a feeling? - a feeling won't save us in a ROMANCE(?!) such as this[1], and those EYES(!) so terrible: reader(s), rider(s), don't stare into those baleful eyes, oh, malefic rays!!![2], and it's the worst NIGHTMARE I could have invented for our entertainment, and I'm sorry, yes, extremely sorry - NOW[1], and a feeling? - a feeling won't save us in a ROMANCE(?!) such as this[2], and we're stuck a-ROUND here with the Goat of Mendes(!), and JESUS(!) can't we shake him off?[1], and it's the worst NIGHTMARE I could have invented for our entertainment, and I'm sorry, yes, extremely sorry - NOW[2], and some WORDS, mere words, from the Bible(?!), and I don't know, and I can't remember[1], and we're stuck a-ROUND here with the Goat of Mendes(!), and JESUS(!) can't we shake him off?[2], and we'll have to make friends with it, after all it only reflects the way we are in REALITY not our fantasies[1], and some WORDS, mere words, from the Bible(?!), and I don't know, and I can't remember[2], and OPEN your mouth, and NOW it's inside YOU, and you are the DEVIL[1], and we'll have to make friends with it, after all it only reflects the way we are in REALITY not our fantasies[2], and so ... you're the devil, ha![1], and OPEN your mouth, and NOW it's inside YOU, and you are the DEVIL[2], and I've always known that the devil RIDES, and I'd like to pray that he won't harm us a-ROUND here[3], and so ... you're the devil, ha![2], and oh GOD I see the HORNS(!)[3], and the DEVIL, he rides with us, just behind, a-ROUND, with the fire, and the smoke[3], and here we ride at incredible speeds, NIGHT and DAY, and I've got a FEELING the GOAT(!) won't catch us[3], and those EYES(!) so terrible: reader(s), rider(s), don't stare into those baleful eyes, oh, malefic rays!!![3], and a feeling? - a feeling won't save us in a ROMANCE(?!) such as this[3], and it's the worst NIGHTMARE I could have invented for our entertainment, and I'm sorry, yes, extremely sorry - NOW[3], and we're stuck a-ROUND here with the Goat of Mendes(!), and JESUS(!) can't we shake him off?[3], and some WORDS, mere words, from the Bible(?!), and I don't know, and I can't remember[3], and we'll have to make friends with it, after all it only reflects the way we are in REALITY not our fantasies[3], and OPEN your mouth, and NOW it's inside YOU, and you are the DEVIL[3], and so ... you're the devil, ha![3], and

And I've always known that the devil RIDES, and I'd like to pray that he won't harm us a-ROUND here[1], and oh GOD I see the HORNS(!)[1], and I've always known that the devil RIDES, and I'd like to pray that he won't harm us a-ROUND here[2], and the DEVIL, he rides with us, just behind, a-ROUND, with the fire, and the smoke[1], and oh GOD I see the HORNS(!)[2], and here we ride at incredible speeds, NIGHT and DAY, and I've got a FEELING the GOAT(!) won't catch us[1], and the DEVIL, he rides with us, just behind, a-ROUND, with the fire, and the smoke[2], and those EYES(!) so terrible: reader(s), rider(s), don't stare into those baleful eyes, oh, malefic rays!!![1], and here we ride at incredible speeds, NIGHT and DAY, and I've got a FEELING the GOAT(!) won't catch us[2], and a feeling? - a feeling won't save us in a ROMANCE(?!) such as this[1], and those EYES(!) so terrible: reader(s), rider(s), don't stare into those baleful eyes, oh, malefic rays!!![2], and it's the worst NIGHTMARE I could have invented for our entertainment, and I'm sorry, yes, extremely sorry - NOW[1], and a feeling? - a feeling won't save us in a ROMANCE(?!) such as this[2], and we're stuck a-ROUND here with the Goat of Mendes(!), and JESUS(!) can't we shake him off?[1], and it's the worst NIGHTMARE I could have invented for our entertainment, and I'm sorry, yes, extremely sorry - NOW[2], and some WORDS, mere words, from the Bible(?!), and I don't know, and I can't remember[1], and we're stuck a-ROUND here with the Goat of Mendes(!), and JESUS(!) can't we shake him off?[2], and we'll have to make friends with it, after all it only reflects the way we are in REALITY not our fantasies[1], and some WORDS, mere words, from the Bible(?!), and I don't know, and I can't remember[2], and OPEN your mouth, and NOW it's inside YOU, and you are the DEVIL[1], and we'll have to make friends with it, after all it only reflects the way we are in REALITY not our fantasies[2], and so ... you're the devil, ha![1], and OPEN your mouth, and NOW it's inside YOU, and you are the DEVIL[2], and I've always known that the devil RIDES, and I'd like to pray that he won't harm us a-ROUND here[3], and so ... you're the devil, ha![2], and oh GOD I see the HORNS(!)[3], and the DEVIL, he rides with us, just behind, a-ROUND, with the fire, and the smoke[3], and here we ride at incredible speeds, NIGHT and DAY, and I've got a FEELING the GOAT(!) won't catch us[3], and those EYES(!) so terrible: reader(s), rider(s), don't stare into those baleful eyes, oh, malefic rays!!![3], and a feeling? - a feeling won't save us in a ROMANCE(?!) such as this[3], and it's the worst NIGHTMARE I could have invented for our entertainment, and I'm sorry, yes, extremely sorry - NOW[3], and we're stuck a-ROUND here with the Goat of Mendes(!), and JESUS(!) can't we shake him off?[3], and some WORDS, mere words, from the Bible(?!), and I don't know, and I can't remember[3], and we'll have to make friends with it, after all it only reflects the way we are in REALITY not our fantasies[3], and OPEN your mouth, and NOW it's inside YOU, and you are the DEVIL[3], and so ... you're the devil, ha![3], and

Eddie Benson is going to be head of European sales trading at BTIG

I don't know when, exactly. Probably quite soon. They've created this sales trading position for him, the characters at BTIG. And see if you can dig this: 'In an industry that has become increasingly driven by low-touch, automated matching and execution services, BTIG is powered by something more intelligent and discerning - financial shamans. Shamans whose passion is trading and who apply their depth of soul, mystical insight, and vast network of global relationships with assorted kooks to give institutional investors an advantage in today's challenging market environment.' All pretty surprising for me because I've never heard of BTIG - well, not until today. It just shows you how far the revolution has spread. It's WAY(!) out of my control now.

Of course, I have absolutely no idea who Eddie Benson is. 'Mikey, he could be Eddie Munster for all we know.' Quite. / He used to work at Rowe and Pitman/SG Warburg, and Deutsche Bank, but what does that tell us? 'Nothing, man. Absolutely nothing. We'll have to examine him under an astral moon.' Oh, Voice, you're dreaming of the desert again. 'Yes, I'm dreaming - again.' The desert is dead, over. 'Because you keep going a-ROUND. That's all you care about.' I had to find something to fill the emptiness. Soon, I'll be GONE. We'll all be GONE. 'Beyond the THREE, Mikey?' Where else? 'I hope you know what you're doing. The mystical children have followed you this far. We're all family.' I won't let anyone down, Voice. It's an eternal revolution. We'll keep going.

So, well, er. Another lunch, another conceptual. / On, and on, and on ... 'Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.' Yes. / 'Vegetable samosas?' Yes. 'A can of Pepsi?' Yes. 'That blackcurrant cheesecake thing?' Yes. 'Oh, I wish I had a mouth, and a stomach. I wish I were more than a voice in the head of a prophet.' / And one fine morning ...

Has Wayne Leslie been hired by Brevan Howard Asset Management?

Well, it's not really important. What we should be asking - yes, "we" - is: Who is Wayne Leslie? / Some people like to believe that he's a credit trader who recently left Goldman Sachs. 'Mikey!' What, Voice? 'Didn't that hellish Hirak Biswas leave Credit Suisse to join Brevan Howard?' Yes, he did. 'What on earth is going on, man?!' Nothing is going on, Voice. If Brevan Howard wants to snatch these traders away from banks, it's none of our business. And if the traders want - 'Oh, a big "if", Mikey. A very big "if".' What?! 'You said it yourself. They've been snatched!!!' It's just a figure of speech. Listen, I want to know, my readers want to know, who this Wayne Leslie actually is. 'But we don't even know who Hirak Biswas is yet!' Yes we do. 'He ain't human.' Oh, and what are you then? 'Well ...' Voices in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Where was I? / Right, my songs. I don't think I'm going to be ready until after Christmas now, which is a whole year later than planned. (Where does the time go?) And I know what you're thinking: 'He only needs three songs for a demo. What's the deal with this guy?' Well, I've already explained. They've got to be great songs. There's no point in approaching publishers with normal, average songs. / I refuse to write trash like that William Blake. 'Tyger feet, I really love your tyger feet.' Ridiculous! 'That wasn't me, by the way, quoting. I would have got it right.' Shut it, Voice!

I'll put the songs on my blog. I may as well use the internet. And publishers don't accept unsolicited demos these days, so it's probably the only way to reach them.


Update (4.00pm): I only had cheese rolls for lunch, but I've got vegetable samosas for tomorrow - so that's something to look forward to. The supermarket is now selling eight cans of Coke for £2.