End of the road for the Margarita Lounge?

After a few months of thought, I am considering shutting down the Margarita Lounge for good. I have found it harder and harder to get the time to update it on a regular basis. That and the fact that Facebook is now the preferred networking site has brought me to this point.

So...does anyone out there still read the ol' Margarita Lounge or should I throw it on the trash heap? Of course, Zach's site will remain as he is the man.

Another good article

Here is a great article everyone should read. I think it is an appropriate thing to talk about these days. This guy's point is right on. Didn't we get into this financial problem by borrowing too much money...now the government is doing the same. This article is a good one in that it shows what could happen down the road. Once you get past the first few paragraphs (which is a little over-the-top in the patriotism/the US is the best area) it gets better.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/16/shapiro.entrepreneurs/index.html

Time to get in....

For any of you out there who are wondering my thoughts on the market these days, the title of this post pretty much sums it up. Don't wait for the pullback to get back in because you will miss it. If you are crying at the value of your 401k, please resist the urge to go buy CDs or move it all into the money market. We have had a small rally the past month but dont listen to the talking heads saying to sell now and take what you can get. Hang in there because we have seen the worst of the market.

Gold is going to tank...the VIX is going to break 40...and when things look better it is going to be too late, you will have missed it. No longer do we rally one day and fall off a cliff for the next three. We have already priced in a major recession...any good or even moderate economic news is gonna send us higher...just look at all that money on the sidelines right now. When that money starts flowing in (and it already is), we are going much higher. The world is not going to end, we will eventually return to growth, and the United States will live to fight another day...trust me. When GM files for bankruptcy in the next few months, the market won't even budge because it is already priced in.

So you think I am crazy? Maybe. But I have put my money where my mouth is...in the market. I am 100% invested in the market. I had a 401k rollover check from Wachovia come in a few days ago and it went right into the market without a second thought. What are you waiting for? If you have at least a two year investment horizon (which means pretty much everyone does) you should be in or getting into this market now. If you are already in, relax...it will get better. End of sermon grasshoppers...and dont say I didn't tell you so when the S&P 500 is at 900 and you missed the 35% upside off the bottom....

More socialism coming...

Here is another article I read today about our current financial crisis. This type of stuff is really scary stuff. I know...I sound like a paranoid person, right? I'm not so sure anymore. I mean...do you really want to government having more control over you in future years? I know I sure don't. This type of stuff is a very slippery slope....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123879833094588163.html

The road to Socialism...

I could go on and on for many paragraphs how outright wrong this bill is on so many levels. But, I just decided to let everyone read it and decide for themselves. If this is the way we are going with this government, I am VERY afraid of what the next step is....

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Beyond-AIG-A-Bill-to-let-Big-Government-Set-Your-Salary-42158597.html

JANES and NIN together this summer!

Can you tell I am excited? I just found out last night that one of my favorite bands of all time, Janes Addiction (all the originals) will be touring this summer with Trent Reznor and his crew, otherwise known as Nine Inch Nails. As a college student from the early 90s, I was always a big fan of both groups and have never had a chance to see either one live. Well...the day has finally come! The date is May 8th, which is the first date of the 2009 summer tour...right here in West Palm Beach! And to make things even better, it's on a Friday Night. And I am already hooked up with some sweet pavilion seats and a VIP pass courtesy of my bud Joel. And as if things couldn't get any better, they do. The week before this concert I get to see 311 at Sunfest...another favorite that I have never seen live. Life is good...

My Hero

I was reminded today that my husband is my hero, so I feel obliged to dedicate a post to him. Lucy was barking this afternoon while I was getting Zach ready for a post-car-wash bath. I looked out the back door and saw a 10 foot snake on the screened patio....well, okay, it might not have been quite 10 feet long...maybe 3 or 4 feet, but in my mind it was huge!

I should mention that I HATE snakes...I don't care if they are caged, or on TV, whatever - I don't have any desire to look at them or think about them. Had my hero not "taken care of" the snake, I would not open the back door, let the dog into the back yard, let Zach on the patio, had dinner on the porch, etc for a VERY LONG TIME. Not to mention the countless nights of nightmares I would've endured.

So - my hero got his trusty shovel and chased the snake out into the yard....I won't go into details but I will just say that the snake has been "dealt with" and I sit here now with the back sliding door open and a nice breeze blowing in. At least for one day my husband is being held upon a pedestal.

On the way soon...

I have wondered how long it would take for us to come up with this. Looks like the time frame is two to three years. Sweet!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1161274/Scientists-develop-mobile-phone-battery-charged-just-10-seconds.html

Chugga Chugga Chugga

The Party Train made it until 11pm on Saturday evening - pretty impressive considering that he and Todd got started early afternoon during lunch at Bradley's. Above you are viewing Sean's attempt at reddening the other side :)

He's got another day in paradise before heading back to Dreary Erie on Tuesday...then it will be time for the Margarita Lounge to prepare for the arrival of Jeff & Ta-Ta.

Party Train Fizzles on Friday Night!

We got a big let-down from the Party Train last night, who is in town for a long weekend. We were expecting the train to be chugging half the night - instead, he crashed at 9:30pm after a day of sun (obviously), several beers and some pizza. Perhaps tonight the Party Train will be able to get out of the station!!

What the HELL is he thinking

Ok...everyone who knows me knows that I dont like President Obama. But I was willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt on certain things. I have finally reached my breaking point as this guy obviously has NO CLUE about what is going on in this economy and also has no solutions except nice cute speeches. Speeches are great, but there is a time to talk and then there is a time to actually do something...this would be the latter.

The economy is in the recessionary toilet. The stock market is tanking daily due to no confidence in the system. And this guy is out there talking about how important health care reform is and how it cant wait? WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING? It's like the guy is still campaining. OK dude...we get it...you are now the President and you are an important person. Now DO SOMETHING productive. Health care and Energy are important issues, but they can wait a little while. At least Bush and Paulson acknowledged they were working on it...Obama doesn't seem to really give a shit. Maybe if he acted like he cared people would feel better. I know feeling better wont cause the economy to recover, but at least it would be a start....

A little perspective....

Below is a pretty good "perspective" article for all those who want the real scoop on the recession. Please note that I said "recession" and not "depression" and all the other crap you are all hearing in the news recently. As usual, the media (and Obama) are playing on the doomsday scenario that this is the worst thing since the Great Depression and all is lost if we don't immediately spend a bunch of money.

Does anyone remember a little thing called the TARP last year? This was the $700 Million bank bailout that made all the news last year. Bush and Paulson argued that all this money needed to be spent immediately to avoid impending doom. The Democrats decided to only let him spend half...then grovel before Congress for the other half. Now, 4-5 months later the Democrats are saying it needs to be done right now and the Republicans are saying "not so fast". WTF?

In any case, without blowing a gasket and going on a political rage here is the article...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123457303244386495.html

Beware of Sinking Ship

As you all know, I recently moved my practice from Wachovia Securities to Stifel Nicolaus. I was just tired of getting lied to, having my pay and benefits cut, and having to explain to my clients why they had to pay higher fees. It's really too bad because AG Edwards was such a great place to work for many, many years. When Wachovia took over almost two years ago, everything started going south. So, me and my cohort in crime Kris decided to bail out and go elsewhere in early January. Best move I have ever made.

Well...two more parachuters jumped out of the plane today. I wish them (Mark and Roger) all the best in their new careers at Raymond James. Unfortunately, it looks like Wachovia Securities is a sinking ship these days...especially the Boynton Beach branch. They are losing brokers faster than they can count, Wachovia management doesn't seem to give a shit about them, and rumors are they are seeking another buyer for the brokerage unit...the fouth in two years. It is really sad to see what has happened to a 120 year-old well respected firm. RIP AG Edwards....

My New Employer

Once again I apologize for my lack of postings...since the Atlantis trip there has been lots going on, including a trip to Virginia where I got to go skiing for the first time in 10 years and Zach got to see his first snow. But I can honestly say I have been distracted ever since the Atlantis trip with the biggest life-changing event of my life (outside of my wedding day and the birth of Zach). I have decided to leave Wachovia recently and move on to "greener pastures" at Stifel Nicolaus. I realize many of you are probably saying "Who the hell is Stifel Nicolaus?" They are a small regional broker-dealer headquartered in St. Louis.

Lets think about this for a minute as this all sounds familiar. Regional broker-dealer in St. Louis who has been around for 120 years and has a great reputation. Sounds like AG Edwards before Wachovia bought it and completely destroyed it. Bingo! I am hoping that my move to Stifel will work out as well as my career with Edwards was, at least until Wachovia showed up.

Headin' to Atlantis

Cheryl, Zach and I are heading out tomorrow morning to the Bahamas for a nice long relaxing weekend. Cheryl's cousin Megan is getting married on Saturday afternoon. None of us has ever been to the Bahamas and we are looking forward to a little rest and relaxation. The return flight is on Monday...wish us luck!

Some people should not be allowed to reproduce...

We all know that celebrities seem to give their children odd names at times, but this one has to take the cake. The superficial had this on their front page today and I have been laughing my ass off about it for 5 minutes. Poor kid....

http://thesuperficial.com/2008/11/ashlee_simpson_has_a_boy.php

Look Out Below

So...we are now two days into the "new world" of the savior of the free world Barack Obama. Too bad the market is down almost 1000 points in these two days. I guess higher taxes on businesses and increased regulation doesn't sit too well with investors....hmmm, who would have thought?

After two days of mourning and vomitting at the stupidity of the voting public in the United States, I have realized that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The light is known as "the blame game". It is something that Democrats have become experts at for 8 long years...blaming every bad thing in the world on George Bush and the "evil" Republicans. Now it is my turn for a little payback, at least for the next four years. Any economic news, natural disaster, wars, etc is now the fault of the savior Barack Obama. I feel much better now! Cheers everyone....

Why I am voting for McCain

There is a little expression we use on Wall Street when talking to clients about the gyrations of the stock market..."Beware the crowd at extremes". This means that the stock market is a very dangerous place when people are acting on emotion and not facts. Nothing could be closer to the truth than during this presidential election...emotion is overriding reason and sound judgement. Here is what I am talking about:

On one hand is a guy who has no experience and is completely unproven. This guy has a group of VERY questionable associates that he used to hang out with. His views on the issues are very liberal with some bordering on radical. He "goes with the flow" and follows his political party's wishes to the letter. But he is great at making speeches.

On the other hand you have a guy with lots of experience who is proven. This guy has never associated with radicals, much less a bunch of them. He fought for his country and is considered moderate on many issues. He has gone against his own party on numerous issues where he thought they were wrong. Like most people, he is not a great orator.

We all know where I am going here...I support John McCain for President. I know this isn't the "cool" thing to do...it's what I believe is the best decision given the two choices. I don't support McCain because I like him a whole lot. I don't support him because I agree with him on all the issues. I will vote for McCain because I am making a rational decision based on the facts and I think he would be a better President.

I realize that many people are trying to link McCain and Bush just because they are both Republicans. But if you do the research, you will see that McCain and Bush are only similar on a few issues. In fact, during the 2000 Presidential primary, it is no secret that they did not see eye-to-eye on many issues.

I encourage everyone to get out there on Tuesday and vote. But I ask you not to make your decision based on anger, emotion, a good speech, or what is "cool" to do. If you do this, you are selling your stocks right at the bottom of the market before the rally. Make your own decision based on the issues and your feelings as to who would do a better job leading us through the next four years....

Oh no.....

No, I'm not thinking about Barack Obama and how absolutely scary it is that he could be President shortly. My Sony bigscreen's picture went on the fritz yesterday morning and I now realize how crappy life is without a bigscreen. I am so spoiled. I am also turning 35 tomorrow, which doesn't seem to bother me nearly as much as the TV issue. More on the political statements this weekend, grasshoppers!

Investing 101

Let me know who made what money this week on my suggestion. Hopefully SOMEONE out there made a few bucks cause I made a killing this week....I bought QLD at 30 on Friday last week and sold it Tuesday at 42. Bought it back yesterday at 30.50 and sold it today at 36. Sure I got lucky this time, but with the way things have been in the market lately, I was way overdue for some good luck.

For those longer-term investors out there (which I normally am, by the way...this was a rare trading move that I usually don't have the balls to do), here is a great opinion piece that Warren Buffett wrote in today's New York Times...this is exactly the way you should be thinking right now if you are a long-term investor....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/opinion/17buffett.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin