State of the "X"

This post has been a few weeks coming - sorry for the delay.

I mentioned in June that I was doing some consulting work and part of my agreement is that I don't post charts and technical analysis on public forums until the end of the engagement. That consulting work has turned into a business opportunity and I am going to join a small group of talented traders and [hopefully] increase my earnings drastically. What's in it for me as an already successful trader? Access to a lot more equity than I currently trade with, and a few great minds who can crunch numbers and test a lot of my theories and practices across many markets and many instruments. And since most of you know my ultimate goal is to travel the world and only work an hour or so a day, this will accelerate what I want to have in place before I embark on that lifestyle of fun and adventure.

I have been in talks with Tom C. to take over the blog completely, but as any of my fellow bloggers will tell you it can be a time-consuming and sometimes thankless job. Of course, there are many positives too - like getting to know, interact, and exchange ideas with some great people (yes, you). And getting a good warm feeling that you might post something every now and then that benefits someone.

Tom C. is still undecided, but has agreed to continue posting a few charts now and then until he makes a decision one way or the other. He has been absent because of some health issues in his family, but as time permits he will be back. And maybe he will decide to take the plunge and do it more often - only time will tell.

As for me, I am still prohibited from posting charts and technical analysis on public forums until the end of the engagement. I can make other posts pertaining to non-trading subjects, and I know how much you all love my political views and witty sense of humor...so I may make a post periodically. But until the end of my agreement, you will not see any charts or analysis from me.

So stay tuned. Add the blog to your reader or subscribe via email (links at the top of the page) and you will be notified when Tom or myself makes a new post. Until then, I wish everyone all the best!

PS - if you are new to the blog, there are 3+ years worth of charts and posts that have a lot to offer...just click the "THE TRADER-X ARCHIVES" box on the right.

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Is the year really half over?

2009 is flying by. I have received a few emails asking if the Trader-X blog is dead. I hope not, but there are many things going on in my life and while I would love to have Tom C. post more often, it is not a priority for him. I can't say I blame him, as he doesn't get paid much ($0), and it can be a thankless job.

In my defense, I did send him a nice birthday e-card!

I will try to bring everyone up to speed on what I have been doing, Tom C., and the future of Trader-X. My goal is to get a post up by week's end. In the meantime, I have faith that Tom C. will post a few charts before then!

But, I have been wrong before.

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Tom C. - present and accounted for...

Posted by Tom C.

No, I did not attend Michael Jackson's funeral. But I did enjoy a great vacation. I am back and will continue making a few posts a week. I have to leave early today, so most likely you will not see anything from me until late tonight or tomorrow. I know there are probably comments I need to address too, and I will try to get to them over the next few days.

One of my goals that has been on my list for several months was to write my "Five Rules for Life". Readers of this site have most likely visited that site, and many have contributed their rules. I found it a useful exercise, and it led me to do some reflection and "soul-searching". You can read mine here, and do a search on the five rules site to read Trader-X's.

Five Rules For Life

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Trader-X update

Tom C. is M.I.A. after his vacation week. Actually, rumor has it he is in LA for Michael Jackson's funeral.

A lot has happened over the past week - several celebrity deaths, Sarah Palin quits her job, fireworks. Madness.

I hope to return next week. Maybe Tom C. will post a chart or two this week. In the meantime, I ran across this article and thought I would share it:

HALL OF SHAME: 12 OF THE WORST FINANCIAL GURUS

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RunPee for the iPhone

No charts this week, but where can you find REALLY useful stuff like this besides the Trader-X blog?

RunPee solves the age-old problem of having a small bladder, drinking too much Coke, and sitting in a movie theater watching a really good movie. You need to know when there is a boring scene so you can go...pee.

Creator Dan Florio:

"Our iPhone app gives movie goers “immunity” from the effects of mega-sized sodas and flushes away those grueling post-movie restroom lines where you have to wait your turn in pain and avoid awkward eye contact with the 30 other people in the restroom with you….a bladder is a terrible thing to hold."

Here is Mashable's coverage and a link to the iTunes store.



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Happy 4th of July America

Tom C. should be back next week, and I will return sometime in July.

In the meantime, I ran across this video...hot women teaching technical analysis. This has to signal some kind of bottom. Or top. Or something.



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