I've been indulging my renewed interest in the stock market, studying technical analysis and looking for some good buys. As I've mentioned before, I am a huge fan of Apple Computer. I also have a good bit of Google, which I bought at 340 and again at 380 - glad I finally bit the bullet after watching it double and then triple while I waited for a dip. It's now over 400, yee-haw.

I plan to write on my strategy and such, but I think I should develop my ideas a bit more lest I overly embarrass myself. I think it would be useful to post my results and investments, though. You'd have to be pretty desperate to follow my investment advice, but if you wish to play along, it is of course at your own risk. By posting all my trades here, I also won't have to worry about forgetting to tell my friends when my recommendations change.

The first big lesson I've learned is to use Stops to limit my losses. Stops are orders to sell a stock if the stock price hits a certain amount lower than the current price (If you are short, then the order covers your position if the price rises to a certain level). Stops come in two flavors, Stop Market and Stop Limit. I don't want to go into too much detail, but suffice to say I prefer Stop Market orders and that's what I am using.

Without further delay, I introduce:

Yesterday I purchased Yahoo with the intention of holding it for about a week before selling and buying Apple again before Thanksgiving. That's the plan, and we'll see how it goes. If Yahoo looks good, then I'll probably stick with it; if it becomes overbought, I'll sell. I definitely like Apple through the holidays, so that's my #1 pick overall and I won't hesitate to get more money in to AAPL if it dips close to $60.

Positions:

Apple Computer (AAPL), Price: $64.52, Stop: $62.75
Google (GOOG), Price: $403.45, Stop: $393
Starbucks (SBUX), Price: $31.22, Stop: $29.75
Yahoo! (YHOO), Price: $42.23, Stop: $41

Year-to-date Performance: +32%

Starbucks became a buy when it closed above $30. Yahoo became a big buy when it closed above $40 on big volume. Both should have clear sailing if they stay above their breakout level, but if either falls below it could get ugly. Likewise, I don't think Apple will hit $62.75 or Google will hit $393 unless they are on their way lower still. That's why we have stops set for each stock - if the stock is heading lower, sell. We can look for reentry points for our favorite longs (Apple, Google) afterwards.

For the Artemis fans out there, her portfolio consists of Apple and Google in an approximately 2-to-1 ratio. I don't make frequent trades in her account. Last year her account more than doubled. This year she is up about 36%.

Have a good weekend.

I have lots to write about, but limited time. Which is good! I've been doing more studying on financial stuff, and also making a couple trades. This week I bought Starbucks and Yahoo. Yahoo is a short-term play, but I plan to stay in Starbucks until it begs to be sold (hopefully for a nice profit).

Until then, perhaps you should read The Dilbert Blog, which is the best new blog around. Really funny.

I mentioned Kate Bush's new album Aerial last week. Now I've had a chance to listen a few times and really soak it in.

Aerial is very much Kate - if you are already a fan, you'll love it. If you don't like Kate, this probably won't convert you. It is a very beautiful album - the production is excellent. Every note is carefully placed, tirelessly planned and executed.

Aerial has a very similar structure to Hounds of Love, having two parts, the second of which is a concept piece. This is not a shuffle-friendly CD - it begs to be listed to in order, as intended by the artist. In this sense, it is a throw-back; it could have been produced in 1978 or 1985. Aerial is timeless, floating in it's own world. This is clear from the first words of the first track, King of the Mountain, which are almost incomprehensible. The listener must work to understand, thereby devoting his concentration. The lyrics gradually become more clear, both as Kate adjusts her pronunciation and her style becomes more familiar. She meets you half way, but you're in her world.

In a larger sense, I think this CD is pure, unadulterated Kate. The Sensual World, in my view, was Kate's reaction to her understanding of society's trends, a mix of Kate and the outer world. The Red Shoes was a full-on mash of Kate and her outside world, and left many listeners unsatisfied. While it had several beautiful moments, it also had some unlistenable tracks (How Do I Love You? Indeed). But with her 12 years in seclusion, Kate has purified. She's rinsed the Prince and she's back in her own unique and beautiful way.

Disc 1 is "Kate songs", individual songs that aren't tied together and that exhibit her childlike interests, sense of the absurd, sly humor, and vocal beauty. The second track, Pi, is a math geek's dream - Kate sings the digits of the infinite number to what must be 60 places, drawing out some notes with incredible buoyancy and beauty, while quickly quivering over others. Her ode to her son Bertie is forthright and pure parental joy; non-parents may puke. I only wish I could make such a touching song for my daughter. There are a couple tracks that might qualify as "singles" - only in Britain, certainly not in the US. "How to Be Invisible" in particular is radio-playable and exhibits Kate's understated humor. Kate never winks - you just have to "get it", and you'll often wonder if she's serious. "Mrs. Bartolozzi" is a perfect example.

One thing that clearly comes through is that Kate has been experiencing domestic bliss rather than loss and young, intense love and its attendant joy and despair.

The second disc, A Sky of Honey, is the concept piece and probably what really interested Kate. The precision and care really come through in every note - the subtle backgrounds and track volume adjustments and sonic build-up is sublime. The entire work is unrepentantly uplifting - there's no attempt at balance or irony or even humor - Wonder and Beauty rule.

For Kate Bush fans, Aerial embodies manna from heaven. It's how I would imagine kissing an old lover: relaxed and familiar yet fresh and viscerally exciting. And like such imagery, it's personal, alone music. I can't imagine listening to it with anyone but a lover - it's just too personal, too perfect to allow someone else to judge.

Thank you Kate.