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.

_________________________

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.

_________________________

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.

[No. 76] No title

No note.

and no content, well ...[1],

and no content, well ...[2],

and no content, well ...[3],

and not even finished[1],

and not even finished[2],

and not even finished[3],

and let them have NOTHING to hold on to[1],

and let them have NOTHING to hold on to[2],

and let them have NOTHING to hold on to[3],

and let them not be entertained[1],

and let them not be entertained[2],

and let them not be entertained[3],

and let them wonder about the MEANING of it as we spin a-ROUND(???)[1],

and let them wonder about the MEANING of it as we spin a-ROUND(???)[2],

and let them wonder about the MEANING of it as we spin a-ROUND(???)[3],

and let them ache for something[1],

and let them ache for something[2],

and let them ache for something[3],

and just watch them now: PATHETIC(!!!)[1],

and just watch them now: PATHETIC(!!!)[2],

and just watch them now: PATHETIC(!!!)[3],

and blah, blah, blah[1],

and blah, blah, blah[2],

and blah, blah, blah[3],

and ... oh, I can't be bothered[1],

and ... oh, I can't be bothered[2],

and ... oh, I can't be bothered[3],

and ... yeah, it's a GAS(!)[1],

and ... yeah, it's a GAS(!)[2],

and ... yeah, it's a GAS(!)[3],

and ...[1],

and ...[2],

and ...[3],

and ... well[1],

and ... well[2],

and ... well[3],

and ... er[1],

and ... er[2],

and ... er[3],

and: I sort of feel sorry for them[1],

and: I sort of feel sorry for them[2],

and: I sort of feel sorry for them[3],

and: what can you do with such people?[1],

and: what can you do with such people?[2],

and: what can you do with such people?[3],

and: at least we KNOW what's going on[1],

and: at least we KNOW what's going on[2],

and: at least we KNOW what's going on[3],

and: and: and[1],

and: and: and[2],

and: and: and[3],

and ... and ... and ...[1],

and ... and ... and ...[2],

and ... and ... and ...[3],

and ... no content, well ...[1],

and ... no content, well ...[2],

and ... no content, well ...[3],

and ... let them have NOTHING to hold on to[1],

and ... let them have NOTHING to hold on to[2],

and ... let them have NOTHING to hold on to[3],

and ... let them not be entertained[1],

and ... let them not be entertained[2],

and ... let them not be entertained[3],

and ... I ...[1],

and ... I ...[2],

and ... I ...[3],

and ... YOU(!)[1],

and ... YOU(!)[2],

and ... YOU(!)[3],

and I wonder, myself[1],

and I wonder, myself[2],

and I wonder, myself[3],

and we've got the THREE to look forward to![1],

and we've got the THREE to look forward to![2],

and we've got the THREE to look forward to![3],

and let's get BEYOND it[1],

and let's get BEYOND it[2],

and let's get BEYOND it[3],

and

Well, yes, a note. / You've got to arrange this shit yourself. You should know how it goes by now. I've done most of the work for you. Bear in mind, there's only one paragraph here. You can copy and paste for the other two. I mean, in your mind. Just go a-ROUND and a-ROUND.

Sutesh Sharma will get the money

Why is everyone wetting their pants? Sutesh has got $200 million. He'll get the whole $500 million, no problem. I blame Toby, myself. That git is still refusing to change his name. What's the deal with this guy? Doesn't he understand that it's only business? He needs a name like "Richard" or "David" or "Michael". You know, something mature and adult. You can't go around calling yourself "Toby", not if you want to make it in the hedge fund business. No wonder investors don't want to put their money up.

Let's remember, Portman Square Capital was a hedge fund that didn't even exist. / Some people say Mr Sharma is a nutcase. I like to think of him as a visionary. He pulled Portman out of thin air! Now, there's a real danger it may go back into thin air. We can't have this. We've got to support our hedgies in the present climate. We've got to support our visionaries. / Or let's call it a day, yeah? I mean, do you want to dismantle civilization and go back to living in caves? Because that's what our socialistic enemies want. We must fight! Never give in. Never, never, never!

_________________________

I've been listening to my Gilly Marie demo recording. It's a bit rough around the edges, not perfect, maybe a couple of guitar mistakes, but I'm keeping it. The recording has vitality. Quite often a perfect recording can seem lifeless.

I'm looking forward to next year. / Optimism is rare for me. However, I have something to be optimistic about. Even with the country falling apart. Obviously, individuals have got to look after themselves. If you're in hell, you can always make your small part of hell bearable.

[No. 75] La la la

Dig it.

And YES, yes, YES!, oh, la la la, HA!, la la la, YES!, it's enough, my BABY, and why would you want ANYTHING else any more?[1], and, well ... la la la ...[1], and YES, yes, YES!, oh, la la la, HA!, la la la, YES!, it's enough, my BABY, and why would you want ANYTHING else any more?[2], and AH!, la la la, and this is the WAY ... I do business a-ROUND here TODAY in this MOMENT[1], and, well ... la la la ...[2], and, my FRIEND, all the other WORDS you may as well put out of your terrible mind, and I want you to FOCUS on: la la la(!)[1], and AH!, la la la, and this is the WAY ... I do business a-ROUND here TODAY in this MOMENT[2], and we're all idiots here - if we want to be[1], and, my FRIEND, all the other WORDS you may as well put out of your terrible mind, and I want you to FOCUS on: la la la(!)[2], and it's SAD when a creature like YOU can't let go of the seriousness that fucks you like a ******[1], and we're all idiots here - if we want to be[2], and so, COME(!) on: la la la, la la la, LA LA LA(!!!)[1], and it's SAD when a creature like YOU can't let go of the seriousness that fucks you like a ******[2], and life is too short to go looking for news that's just gonna make you feel BAD about EVERYTHING[1], and so, COME(!) on: la la la, la la la, LA LA LA(!!!)[2], and, yeah ... la la la ...[1], and life is too short to go looking for news that's just gonna make you feel BAD about EVERYTHING[2], and don't get SQUARE before you've had a chance to be a-ROUND as a child of CHAOS[1], and, yeah ... la la la ...[2], and my CHILDREN, la la la, we are crazy FAMILY like something out of a nightmare[1], and don't get SQUARE before you've had a chance to be a-ROUND as a child of CHAOS[2], and I'm watching YOU, la la la ... and I'm ordering you NOW to let go(!)[1], and my CHILDREN, la la la, we are crazy FAMILY like something out of a nightmare[2], and YES, yes, YES!, oh, la la la, HA!, la la la, YES!, it's enough, my BABY, and why would you want ANYTHING else any more?[3], and I'm watching YOU, la la la ... and I'm ordering you NOW to let go(!)[2], and, well ... la la la ...[3], and AH!, la la la, and this is the WAY ... I do business a-ROUND here TODAY in this MOMENT[3], and, my FRIEND, all the other WORDS you may as well put out of your terrible mind, and I want you to FOCUS on: la la la(!)[3], and we're all idiots here - if we want to be[3], and it's SAD when a creature like YOU can't let go of the seriousness that fucks you like a ******[3], and so, COME(!) on: la la la, la la la, LA LA LA(!!!)[3], and life is too short to go looking for news that's just gonna make you feel BAD about EVERYTHING[3], and, yeah ... la la la ...[3], and don't get SQUARE before you've had a chance to be a-ROUND as a child of CHAOS[3], and my CHILDREN, la la la, we are crazy FAMILY like something out of a nightmare[3], and I'm watching YOU, la la la ... and I'm ordering you NOW to let go(!)[3], and

And YES, yes, YES!, oh, la la la, HA!, la la la, YES!, it's enough, my BABY, and why would you want ANYTHING else any more?[1], and, well ... la la la ...[1], and YES, yes, YES!, oh, la la la, HA!, la la la, YES!, it's enough, my BABY, and why would you want ANYTHING else any more?[2], and AH!, la la la, and this is the WAY ... I do business a-ROUND here TODAY in this MOMENT[1], and, well ... la la la ...[2], and, my FRIEND, all the other WORDS you may as well put out of your terrible mind, and I want you to FOCUS on: la la la(!)[1], and AH!, la la la, and this is the WAY ... I do business a-ROUND here TODAY in this MOMENT[2], and we're all idiots here - if we want to be[1], and, my FRIEND, all the other WORDS you may as well put out of your terrible mind, and I want you to FOCUS on: la la la(!)[2], and it's SAD when a creature like YOU can't let go of the seriousness that fucks you like a ******[1], and we're all idiots here - if we want to be[2], and so, COME(!) on: la la la, la la la, LA LA LA(!!!)[1], and it's SAD when a creature like YOU can't let go of the seriousness that fucks you like a ******[2], and life is too short to go looking for news that's just gonna make you feel BAD about EVERYTHING[1], and so, COME(!) on: la la la, la la la, LA LA LA(!!!)[2], and, yeah ... la la la ...[1], and life is too short to go looking for news that's just gonna make you feel BAD about EVERYTHING[2], and don't get SQUARE before you've had a chance to be a-ROUND as a child of CHAOS[1], and, yeah ... la la la ...[2], and my CHILDREN, la la la, we are crazy FAMILY like something out of a nightmare[1], and don't get SQUARE before you've had a chance to be a-ROUND as a child of CHAOS[2], and I'm watching YOU, la la la ... and I'm ordering you NOW to let go(!)[1], and my CHILDREN, la la la, we are crazy FAMILY like something out of a nightmare[2], and YES, yes, YES!, oh, la la la, HA!, la la la, YES!, it's enough, my BABY, and why would you want ANYTHING else any more?[3], and I'm watching YOU, la la la ... and I'm ordering you NOW to let go(!)[2], and, well ... la la la ...[3], and AH!, la la la, and this is the WAY ... I do business a-ROUND here TODAY in this MOMENT[3], and, my FRIEND, all the other WORDS you may as well put out of your terrible mind, and I want you to FOCUS on: la la la(!)[3], and we're all idiots here - if we want to be[3], and it's SAD when a creature like YOU can't let go of the seriousness that fucks you like a ******[3], and so, COME(!) on: la la la, la la la, LA LA LA(!!!)[3], and life is too short to go looking for news that's just gonna make you feel BAD about EVERYTHING[3], and, yeah ... la la la ...[3], and don't get SQUARE before you've had a chance to be a-ROUND as a child of CHAOS[3], and my CHILDREN, la la la, we are crazy FAMILY like something out of a nightmare[3], and I'm watching YOU, la la la ... and I'm ordering you NOW to let go(!)[3], and

And YES, yes, YES!, oh, la la la, HA!, la la la, YES!, it's enough, my BABY, and why would you want ANYTHING else any more?[1], and, well ... la la la ...[1], and YES, yes, YES!, oh, la la la, HA!, la la la, YES!, it's enough, my BABY, and why would you want ANYTHING else any more?[2], and AH!, la la la, and this is the WAY ... I do business a-ROUND here TODAY in this MOMENT[1], and, well ... la la la ...[2], and, my FRIEND, all the other WORDS you may as well put out of your terrible mind, and I want you to FOCUS on: la la la(!)[1], and AH!, la la la, and this is the WAY ... I do business a-ROUND here TODAY in this MOMENT[2], and we're all idiots here - if we want to be[1], and, my FRIEND, all the other WORDS you may as well put out of your terrible mind, and I want you to FOCUS on: la la la(!)[2], and it's SAD when a creature like YOU can't let go of the seriousness that fucks you like a ******[1], and we're all idiots here - if we want to be[2], and so, COME(!) on: la la la, la la la, LA LA LA(!!!)[1], and it's SAD when a creature like YOU can't let go of the seriousness that fucks you like a ******[2], and life is too short to go looking for news that's just gonna make you feel BAD about EVERYTHING[1], and so, COME(!) on: la la la, la la la, LA LA LA(!!!)[2], and, yeah ... la la la ...[1], and life is too short to go looking for news that's just gonna make you feel BAD about EVERYTHING[2], and don't get SQUARE before you've had a chance to be a-ROUND as a child of CHAOS[1], and, yeah ... la la la ...[2], and my CHILDREN, la la la, we are crazy FAMILY like something out of a nightmare[1], and don't get SQUARE before you've had a chance to be a-ROUND as a child of CHAOS[2], and I'm watching YOU, la la la ... and I'm ordering you NOW to let go(!)[1], and my CHILDREN, la la la, we are crazy FAMILY like something out of a nightmare[2], and YES, yes, YES!, oh, la la la, HA!, la la la, YES!, it's enough, my BABY, and why would you want ANYTHING else any more?[3], and I'm watching YOU, la la la ... and I'm ordering you NOW to let go(!)[2], and, well ... la la la ...[3], and AH!, la la la, and this is the WAY ... I do business a-ROUND here TODAY in this MOMENT[3], and, my FRIEND, all the other WORDS you may as well put out of your terrible mind, and I want you to FOCUS on: la la la(!)[3], and we're all idiots here - if we want to be[3], and it's SAD when a creature like YOU can't let go of the seriousness that fucks you like a ******[3], and so, COME(!) on: la la la, la la la, LA LA LA(!!!)[3], and life is too short to go looking for news that's just gonna make you feel BAD about EVERYTHING[3], and, yeah ... la la la ...[3], and don't get SQUARE before you've had a chance to be a-ROUND as a child of CHAOS[3], and my CHILDREN, la la la, we are crazy FAMILY like something out of a nightmare[3], and I'm watching YOU, la la la ... and I'm ordering you NOW to let go(!)[3], and

No one told me Bob Doll was retiring

I mean - 'But he's not retiring, Mikey! He's staying -' Yes, yes, I know he isn't retiring. However, he was going to retire, and no one - not one wretched financial soul - had the decency to tell me. 'Oh. Oh dear. Is it important?' Of course it is! I need to know what's happening, Voice. 'You do? Why?' Because I'm the world's foremost financial shaman! I'm supposed to be in tune with the whole goddamn cosmos! And that includes all the exciting financial news. 'Are you serious, man?' Well, not completely. / It would have been nice though. Someone could have sent me an email. One of my loyal readers, maybe. Bob himself could have got on the phone to me, to let me know. / 'So, he's staying at BlackRock then?' You're living in the past, Voice! Wake up! He's left BlackRock. He's going to be working at Nuveen Asset Management now as chief equity strategist and senior portfolio manager - if you can believe that. 'Okay. Well, no one told me, Mikey.' This is what I'm saying, man. No one tells us anything. 'It's jealousy.' I know. I'm not stupid. / Slags, the lot of them.

Who is this Mathew Martoma?

Well, according to characters who know, he's this former SAC Capital Advisors hedge fund guy who has been charged (and bailed) with a $276 million insider trading bit of nonsense. I'll be honest with you: I don't follow the news much these days. I'm bored with it. I mean, it's the same shit all the time, ain't it? There's always going to be hedge funds opening and closing, and there's always going to be people ripping other people off, and there's always going to be characters writing about it like it means something. Oh, it means nothing. Just last night I was staring at the moon. (Through the clouds and all.) I wasn't thinking of Mathew Martoma. Man, last night, I hadn't even heard of Mat. But then I wake up this morning and I surf the net, and this is what happens - a post like this. What the hell is it all about?

If you're a regular reader, you know what my plans are. If I can get a publishing deal for my songs, I'll reduce my posting here to just thirty or forty times a year: and it will be all conceptual stuff beyond finance, a-ROUND and a-ROUND. Then I'll be happy. And I'll be free. I'll be clean. I'll be aloof. I'll be a-WAY with the fairies - permanently. / It's my destiny. (I can feel it.) I'm going to make it happen. / I've been covering the financial crisis for five years. That Jamil Baz reckons we've got another twenty years of it to look forward to! Ha! Only a nutter would believe I'd write about it for twenty years. / So, conceptual literature is the future. It's got to be - or else I'll go insane. 'And write about banks and hedge funds for another twenty years, Mikey.' Yeah, Voice. A fate worse than death.

Maybe I need a holiday, a proper one. / I only went to Cornwall for five days this year. / I still think about my holiday. / You know, I was in a dream world for those five days, just walking around in a daze. It was so hot, and I had ice cream and cider and pasties, and the sea was liquid silver, and the sky was salmon pink. / I had moments you want to hold on to forever. / Outside, the sky is grey. It's cold now.

All this, it ain't healthy. The few finance writers I've met have been like something from the pages of a Dennis Wheatley novel. / Christ. Why did I get involved?

Grant Peterkin is leaving Ignis Asset Management

Just like Jonathan Polin! / He couldn't take it no more, man. 'Oh, the burning love?' I don't know, Voice, but he's going away, that's for sure. A real shame. We'll miss him. 'Where's he going, Mikey?' Abroad. 'Oh Christ! Into exile! A bit like Lord Byron, yeah?' Well, exactly like Lord Byron. 'Greece? Will he be fighting the Germans?' No. All I can tell you is that Grant is tired of messing around with the Ignis Absolute Return Government Bond fund. 'Well, er ... Byron, er ... is he going a-roving, then?' I don't know, man. How should I know? He's probably tired of that too. 'Byron wasn't a fund manager, you know.' I know he wasn't! Listen, forget it, Voice. / See if you can dig this. By the light of the moon last night I re-recorded Gilly Marie for the fiftieth time - or something like that. (I've recorded it a lot.) I thought the song was no good, but my guitar playing has improved. 'Great!' And my singing has improved. 'Wonderful!' And now the song sounds cool. So I have two complete songs, plus two songs nearly finished. 'Yippee!' I'll definitely be ready after Christmas. 'Brilliant! What about Mr Peterkin?' He can join my band. Drummer, maybe. Or bassist. I'll have to speak to him about it. 'But he's going abroad, Mikey!' No, no, no. I'll talk him out of it. 'Good. Let's keep him in the country.' Yes, where we know what he's getting up to.

_________________________

I've got a nice egg sandwich for lunch. / After lunch I'll be on the guitar. I want to get things finished. Just one of those two songs will be enough. I know which one. I need eighteen lines of lyric for it.

I'm listening to Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Forty million copies sold! You can't argue with that. 'Players only love you when they're playing, Mikey.' You're not wrong, Voice.

[No. 74] Words, words, words

Dynamite for the clueless.

And how do you get squares a-ROUND?[1], and I'll put the fucking words in their HEAD(s), and I'll put the fucking words in their BONES, ha(!), oh, ah(!), and there will be no escape, for my "friend"(s), and I'll be doing them a favour[1], and how do you get squares a-ROUND?[2], and my word is my BOMB[1], and I'll put the fucking words in their HEAD(s), and I'll put the fucking words in their BONES, ha(!), oh, ah(!), and there will be no escape, for my "friend"(s), and I'll be doing them a favour[2], and WORD(s) - ?: they're in my HEAD, sweet JESUS, and: they're in my BONES, and: I have to live like this, and so why should they get away with being free of KILLER words, all empty?[1], and my word is my BOMB[2], and I'll take them beyond the THREE - and they'll get the voices, and they'll get the PAIN(!)[1], and WORD(s) - ?: they're in my HEAD, sweet JESUS, and: they're in my BONES, and: I have to live like this, and so why should they get away with being free of KILLER words, all empty?[2], and I'll be slashing a-ROUND here, with my wild consciousness like a RAZOR[1], and I'll take them beyond the THREE - and they'll get the voices, and they'll get the PAIN(!)[2], and I'll take them beyond the SQUARE literature they're into, and they'll get my SHIT vibrating like ... a vibrator - in their souls(?!)[1], and I'll be slashing a-ROUND here, with my wild consciousness like a RAZOR[2], and I'll be swimming a-ROUND here with my wicked heart, like a SHARK[1], and I'll take them beyond the SQUARE literature they're into, and they'll get my SHIT vibrating like ... a vibrator - in their souls(?!)[2], and what can you do with smug SOULLESS(!!!) zombies?[1], and I'll be swimming a-ROUND here with my wicked heart, like a SHARK[2], and I know but I can't say, and I fantasize but I'm still too civilized to act[1], and what can you do with smug SOULLESS(!!!) zombies?[2], and I'm OUTSIDE their wretched reality, and, baby, I'm where the ACTION is[1], and I know but I can't say, and I fantasize but I'm still too civilized to act[2], and how do you get squares a-ROUND?[3], and I'm OUTSIDE their wretched reality, and, baby, I'm where the ACTION is[2], and I'll put the fucking words in their HEAD(s), and I'll put the fucking words in their BONES, ha(!), oh, ah(!), and there will be no escape, for my "friend"(s), and I'll be doing them a favour[3], and my word is my BOMB[3], and WORD(s) - ?: they're in my HEAD, sweet JESUS, and: they're in my BONES, and: I have to live like this, and so why should they get away with being free of KILLER words, all empty?[3], and I'll take them beyond the THREE - and they'll get the voices, and they'll get the PAIN(!)[3], and I'll be slashing a-ROUND here, with my wild consciousness like a RAZOR[3], and I'll take them beyond the SQUARE literature they're into, and they'll get my SHIT vibrating like ... a vibrator - in their souls(?!)[3], and I'll be swimming a-ROUND here with my wicked heart, like a SHARK[3], and what can you do with smug SOULLESS(!!!) zombies?[3], and I know but I can't say, and I fantasize but I'm still too civilized to act[3], and I'm OUTSIDE their wretched reality, and, baby, I'm where the ACTION is[3], and

And how do you get squares a-ROUND?[1], and I'll put the fucking words in their HEAD(s), and I'll put the fucking words in their BONES, ha(!), oh, ah(!), and there will be no escape, for my "friend"(s), and I'll be doing them a favour[1], and how do you get squares a-ROUND?[2], and my word is my BOMB[1], and I'll put the fucking words in their HEAD(s), and I'll put the fucking words in their BONES, ha(!), oh, ah(!), and there will be no escape, for my "friend"(s), and I'll be doing them a favour[2], and WORD(s) - ?: they're in my HEAD, sweet JESUS, and: they're in my BONES, and: I have to live like this, and so why should they get away with being free of KILLER words, all empty?[1], and my word is my BOMB[2], and I'll take them beyond the THREE - and they'll get the voices, and they'll get the PAIN(!)[1], and WORD(s) - ?: they're in my HEAD, sweet JESUS, and: they're in my BONES, and: I have to live like this, and so why should they get away with being free of KILLER words, all empty?[2], and I'll be slashing a-ROUND here, with my wild consciousness like a RAZOR[1], and I'll take them beyond the THREE - and they'll get the voices, and they'll get the PAIN(!)[2], and I'll take them beyond the SQUARE literature they're into, and they'll get my SHIT vibrating like ... a vibrator - in their souls(?!)[1], and I'll be slashing a-ROUND here, with my wild consciousness like a RAZOR[2], and I'll be swimming a-ROUND here with my wicked heart, like a SHARK[1], and I'll take them beyond the SQUARE literature they're into, and they'll get my SHIT vibrating like ... a vibrator - in their souls(?!)[2], and what can you do with smug SOULLESS(!!!) zombies?[1], and I'll be swimming a-ROUND here with my wicked heart, like a SHARK[2], and I know but I can't say, and I fantasize but I'm still too civilized to act[1], and what can you do with smug SOULLESS(!!!) zombies?[2], and I'm OUTSIDE their wretched reality, and, baby, I'm where the ACTION is[1], and I know but I can't say, and I fantasize but I'm still too civilized to act[2], and how do you get squares a-ROUND?[3], and I'm OUTSIDE their wretched reality, and, baby, I'm where the ACTION is[2], and I'll put the fucking words in their HEAD(s), and I'll put the fucking words in their BONES, ha(!), oh, ah(!), and there will be no escape, for my "friend"(s), and I'll be doing them a favour[3], and my word is my BOMB[3], and WORD(s) - ?: they're in my HEAD, sweet JESUS, and: they're in my BONES, and: I have to live like this, and so why should they get away with being free of KILLER words, all empty?[3], and I'll take them beyond the THREE - and they'll get the voices, and they'll get the PAIN(!)[3], and I'll be slashing a-ROUND here, with my wild consciousness like a RAZOR[3], and I'll take them beyond the SQUARE literature they're into, and they'll get my SHIT vibrating like ... a vibrator - in their souls(?!)[3], and I'll be swimming a-ROUND here with my wicked heart, like a SHARK[3], and what can you do with smug SOULLESS(!!!) zombies?[3], and I know but I can't say, and I fantasize but I'm still too civilized to act[3], and I'm OUTSIDE their wretched reality, and, baby, I'm where the ACTION is[3], and

And how do you get squares a-ROUND?[1], and I'll put the fucking words in their HEAD(s), and I'll put the fucking words in their BONES, ha(!), oh, ah(!), and there will be no escape, for my "friend"(s), and I'll be doing them a favour[1], and how do you get squares a-ROUND?[2], and my word is my BOMB[1], and I'll put the fucking words in their HEAD(s), and I'll put the fucking words in their BONES, ha(!), oh, ah(!), and there will be no escape, for my "friend"(s), and I'll be doing them a favour[2], and WORD(s) - ?: they're in my HEAD, sweet JESUS, and: they're in my BONES, and: I have to live like this, and so why should they get away with being free of KILLER words, all empty?[1], and my word is my BOMB[2], and I'll take them beyond the THREE - and they'll get the voices, and they'll get the PAIN(!)[1], and WORD(s) - ?: they're in my HEAD, sweet JESUS, and: they're in my BONES, and: I have to live like this, and so why should they get away with being free of KILLER words, all empty?[2], and I'll be slashing a-ROUND here, with my wild consciousness like a RAZOR[1], and I'll take them beyond the THREE - and they'll get the voices, and they'll get the PAIN(!)[2], and I'll take them beyond the SQUARE literature they're into, and they'll get my SHIT vibrating like ... a vibrator - in their souls(?!)[1], and I'll be slashing a-ROUND here, with my wild consciousness like a RAZOR[2], and I'll be swimming a-ROUND here with my wicked heart, like a SHARK[1], and I'll take them beyond the SQUARE literature they're into, and they'll get my SHIT vibrating like ... a vibrator - in their souls(?!)[2], and what can you do with smug SOULLESS(!!!) zombies?[1], and I'll be swimming a-ROUND here with my wicked heart, like a SHARK[2], and I know but I can't say, and I fantasize but I'm still too civilized to act[1], and what can you do with smug SOULLESS(!!!) zombies?[2], and I'm OUTSIDE their wretched reality, and, baby, I'm where the ACTION is[1], and I know but I can't say, and I fantasize but I'm still too civilized to act[2], and how do you get squares a-ROUND?[3], and I'm OUTSIDE their wretched reality, and, baby, I'm where the ACTION is[2], and I'll put the fucking words in their HEAD(s), and I'll put the fucking words in their BONES, ha(!), oh, ah(!), and there will be no escape, for my "friend"(s), and I'll be doing them a favour[3], and my word is my BOMB[3], and WORD(s) - ?: they're in my HEAD, sweet JESUS, and: they're in my BONES, and: I have to live like this, and so why should they get away with being free of KILLER words, all empty?[3], and I'll take them beyond the THREE - and they'll get the voices, and they'll get the PAIN(!)[3], and I'll be slashing a-ROUND here, with my wild consciousness like a RAZOR[3], and I'll take them beyond the SQUARE literature they're into, and they'll get my SHIT vibrating like ... a vibrator - in their souls(?!)[3], and I'll be swimming a-ROUND here with my wicked heart, like a SHARK[3], and what can you do with smug SOULLESS(!!!) zombies?[3], and I know but I can't say, and I fantasize but I'm still too civilized to act[3], and I'm OUTSIDE their wretched reality, and, baby, I'm where the ACTION is[3], and

OMG Capital is calling it quits

I'm listening to the greatest Christmas album ever recorded. I'm talking about Phil Spector's Christmas album. Someone really should bust him out of jail so we can get some decent music in the charts again.

Right, down to boring financial business. Oh My God Capital is calling it quits. Yes, another hedge fund bites the dust. Hardly anyone can make money in this environment. Crispin Odey can, of course. But he's the only one, well, one of the few.

What is the secret of Crispin's success? 'It's got to be those absurd pictures on his website, Mikey.' I don't know, Voice. There's got to be more to it than that. 'I swear there's something mystical going on, man.' What, with the pictures? Are you saying they attract money? 'Maybe. Have you spoken to Crispin about them?' No, I haven't. But I guess I'll have to now. I'm intrigued, Voice. 'Aren't we all, Mikey? We're all intrigued.'

_________________________

I reckon it will be No. 82 at Christmas, the big one I'm planning. / Yes. [No. 82] Outlaw. That sounds good. / It will have three sections, each section comprising of three paragraphs. All spinning a-ROUND! I can't wait! / About fifty hours work.

I think my guitar playing is improving because I play every day now. Even if it's only for half an hour. It stops your fingers going soft.

I'll be ready with the music after Christmas. Probably mid to late January. A year behind schedule, but so what? Quality takes time. / I'm feeling reasonably optimistic about next year. I'll have my three (great) songs. I'll have over eighty conceptuals. Who could ask for more? Well, I could, obviously. I'm never satisfied, and I'm going to need more than three songs once I really get going.

Cheese rolls for lunch.

No. 74 later.

Laters ...

[No. 73] Howling

Animal, man.

And sometimes, hu-MAN, well, I'm just in the mood for HOWLING, yeah, and there's nothing anyone can do[1], and you can't hear me out there if you ain't a-ROUND, and you better get in here, quick![1], and sometimes, hu-MAN, well, I'm just in the mood for HOWLING, yeah, and there's nothing anyone can do[2], and I'm ANIMAL wild with all the pain of ANIMAL, oh, more animal than you, man, HUMAN, (eh?) ... and that's what the phoneys and the creeps will never understand[1], and you can't hear me out there if you ain't a-ROUND, and you better get in here, quick![2], and a real HUMAN animal to boot, eh?[1], and I'm ANIMAL wild with all the pain of ANIMAL, oh, more animal than you, man, HUMAN, (eh?) ... and that's what the phoneys and the creeps will never understand[2], and look(!): at this flesh, this hair, these teeth, and I'll be coming for you in the NIGHT unless you get here[1], and a real HUMAN animal to boot, eh?[2], and I'm HOWLING, HOWLING, HOWLING - (!!!)[1], and look(!): at this flesh, this hair, these teeth, and I'll be coming for you in the NIGHT unless you get here[2], and YOU(!) can get this in NIGHTMARES if you want it - (?), and I have to live with it, fully awake[1], and I'm HOWLING, HOWLING, HOWLING - (!!!)[2], and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN[1], and YOU(!) can get this in NIGHTMARES if you want it - (?), and I have to live with it, fully awake[2], and a-ROUND, scratching, biting, the blood, the tears, and let me forget I was ever civilized[1], and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN[2], and so SAVAGE, let me forget ... YOU-man, YOU-child, YOU-thing, ah, this is the BEAST: oh, I ever knew words, and The WORD(s), and words, yeah, hanging a-ROUND, just evil, all ... SICK in my head[1], and a-ROUND, scratching, biting, the blood, the tears, and let me forget I was ever civilized[2], and I'm a howling man[1], and so SAVAGE, let me forget ... YOU-man, YOU-child, YOU-thing, ah, this is the BEAST: oh, I ever knew words, and The WORD(s), and words, yeah, hanging a-ROUND, just evil, all ... SICK in my head[2], and sometimes, hu-MAN, well, I'm just in the mood for HOWLING, yeah, and there's nothing anyone can do[3], and I'm a howling man[2], and you can't hear me out there if you ain't a-ROUND, and you better get in here, quick![3], and I'm ANIMAL wild with all the pain of ANIMAL, oh, more animal than you, man, HUMAN, (eh?) ... and that's what the phoneys and the creeps will never understand[3], and a real HUMAN animal to boot, eh?[3], and look(!): at this flesh, this hair, these teeth, and I'll be coming for you in the NIGHT unless you get here[3], and I'm HOWLING, HOWLING, HOWLING - (!!!)[3], and YOU(!) can get this in NIGHTMARES if you want it - (?), and I have to live with it, fully awake[3], and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN[3], and a-ROUND, scratching, biting, the blood, the tears, and let me forget I was ever civilized[3], and so SAVAGE, let me forget ... YOU-man, YOU-child, YOU-thing, ah, this is the BEAST: oh, I ever knew words, and The WORD(s), and words, yeah, hanging a-ROUND, just evil, all ... SICK in my head[3], and I'm a howling man[3], and

And sometimes, hu-MAN, well, I'm just in the mood for HOWLING, yeah, and there's nothing anyone can do[1], and you can't hear me out there if you ain't a-ROUND, and you better get in here, quick![1], and sometimes, hu-MAN, well, I'm just in the mood for HOWLING, yeah, and there's nothing anyone can do[2], and I'm ANIMAL wild with all the pain of ANIMAL, oh, more animal than you, man, HUMAN, (eh?) ... and that's what the phoneys and the creeps will never understand[1], and you can't hear me out there if you ain't a-ROUND, and you better get in here, quick![2], and a real HUMAN animal to boot, eh?[1], and I'm ANIMAL wild with all the pain of ANIMAL, oh, more animal than you, man, HUMAN, (eh?) ... and that's what the phoneys and the creeps will never understand[2], and look(!): at this flesh, this hair, these teeth, and I'll be coming for you in the NIGHT unless you get here[1], and a real HUMAN animal to boot, eh?[2], and I'm HOWLING, HOWLING, HOWLING - (!!!)[1], and look(!): at this flesh, this hair, these teeth, and I'll be coming for you in the NIGHT unless you get here[2], and YOU(!) can get this in NIGHTMARES if you want it - (?), and I have to live with it, fully awake[1], and I'm HOWLING, HOWLING, HOWLING - (!!!)[2], and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN[1], and YOU(!) can get this in NIGHTMARES if you want it - (?), and I have to live with it, fully awake[2], and a-ROUND, scratching, biting, the blood, the tears, and let me forget I was ever civilized[1], and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN[2], and so SAVAGE, let me forget ... YOU-man, YOU-child, YOU-thing, ah, this is the BEAST: oh, I ever knew words, and The WORD(s), and words, yeah, hanging a-ROUND, just evil, all ... SICK in my head[1], and a-ROUND, scratching, biting, the blood, the tears, and let me forget I was ever civilized[2], and I'm a howling man[1], and so SAVAGE, let me forget ... YOU-man, YOU-child, YOU-thing, ah, this is the BEAST: oh, I ever knew words, and The WORD(s), and words, yeah, hanging a-ROUND, just evil, all ... SICK in my head[2], and sometimes, hu-MAN, well, I'm just in the mood for HOWLING, yeah, and there's nothing anyone can do[3], and I'm a howling man[2], and you can't hear me out there if you ain't a-ROUND, and you better get in here, quick![3], and I'm ANIMAL wild with all the pain of ANIMAL, oh, more animal than you, man, HUMAN, (eh?) ... and that's what the phoneys and the creeps will never understand[3], and a real HUMAN animal to boot, eh?[3], and look(!): at this flesh, this hair, these teeth, and I'll be coming for you in the NIGHT unless you get here[3], and I'm HOWLING, HOWLING, HOWLING - (!!!)[3], and YOU(!) can get this in NIGHTMARES if you want it - (?), and I have to live with it, fully awake[3], and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN[3], and a-ROUND, scratching, biting, the blood, the tears, and let me forget I was ever civilized[3], and so SAVAGE, let me forget ... YOU-man, YOU-child, YOU-thing, ah, this is the BEAST: oh, I ever knew words, and The WORD(s), and words, yeah, hanging a-ROUND, just evil, all ... SICK in my head[3], and I'm a howling man[3], and

And sometimes, hu-MAN, well, I'm just in the mood for HOWLING, yeah, and there's nothing anyone can do[1], and you can't hear me out there if you ain't a-ROUND, and you better get in here, quick![1], and sometimes, hu-MAN, well, I'm just in the mood for HOWLING, yeah, and there's nothing anyone can do[2], and I'm ANIMAL wild with all the pain of ANIMAL, oh, more animal than you, man, HUMAN, (eh?) ... and that's what the phoneys and the creeps will never understand[1], and you can't hear me out there if you ain't a-ROUND, and you better get in here, quick![2], and a real HUMAN animal to boot, eh?[1], and I'm ANIMAL wild with all the pain of ANIMAL, oh, more animal than you, man, HUMAN, (eh?) ... and that's what the phoneys and the creeps will never understand[2], and look(!): at this flesh, this hair, these teeth, and I'll be coming for you in the NIGHT unless you get here[1], and a real HUMAN animal to boot, eh?[2], and I'm HOWLING, HOWLING, HOWLING - (!!!)[1], and look(!): at this flesh, this hair, these teeth, and I'll be coming for you in the NIGHT unless you get here[2], and YOU(!) can get this in NIGHTMARES if you want it - (?), and I have to live with it, fully awake[1], and I'm HOWLING, HOWLING, HOWLING - (!!!)[2], and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN[1], and YOU(!) can get this in NIGHTMARES if you want it - (?), and I have to live with it, fully awake[2], and a-ROUND, scratching, biting, the blood, the tears, and let me forget I was ever civilized[1], and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN[2], and so SAVAGE, let me forget ... YOU-man, YOU-child, YOU-thing, ah, this is the BEAST: oh, I ever knew words, and The WORD(s), and words, yeah, hanging a-ROUND, just evil, all ... SICK in my head[1], and a-ROUND, scratching, biting, the blood, the tears, and let me forget I was ever civilized[2], and I'm a howling man[1], and so SAVAGE, let me forget ... YOU-man, YOU-child, YOU-thing, ah, this is the BEAST: oh, I ever knew words, and The WORD(s), and words, yeah, hanging a-ROUND, just evil, all ... SICK in my head[2], and sometimes, hu-MAN, well, I'm just in the mood for HOWLING, yeah, and there's nothing anyone can do[3], and I'm a howling man[2], and you can't hear me out there if you ain't a-ROUND, and you better get in here, quick![3], and I'm ANIMAL wild with all the pain of ANIMAL, oh, more animal than you, man, HUMAN, (eh?) ... and that's what the phoneys and the creeps will never understand[3], and a real HUMAN animal to boot, eh?[3], and look(!): at this flesh, this hair, these teeth, and I'll be coming for you in the NIGHT unless you get here[3], and I'm HOWLING, HOWLING, HOWLING - (!!!)[3], and YOU(!) can get this in NIGHTMARES if you want it - (?), and I have to live with it, fully awake[3], and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN, and I'm a howling hu-MAN[3], and a-ROUND, scratching, biting, the blood, the tears, and let me forget I was ever civilized[3], and so SAVAGE, let me forget ... YOU-man, YOU-child, YOU-thing, ah, this is the BEAST: oh, I ever knew words, and The WORD(s), and words, yeah, hanging a-ROUND, just evil, all ... SICK in my head[3], and I'm a howling man[3], and