Thursday, December 31, 2009

Another Round Of Selling RIMM Calls

The Research In Motion (RIMM) December $75 calls expired worthless a couple weeks ago. I held off on selling more calls thinking that maybe the stock might move up more following its strong earnings report. That didn't happen, and so here I am selling calls on the last day of the year.

Sold RFY January 2010 $70 calls for $1.08 covering the entire position.

Effective cost basis for RIMM shares now sits just under $63.50.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Absolutely Fantastic 5-Year Old Movie

How is it that I made it to the end of 2009 without ever having seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? On a whim, I decided to watch a movie from my sister's DVD collection, and this is the one I chose having vaguely recalling that it was good.

Needless to say, I thought it was more than good. I thought this movie was simply fantastic. It's really a bit abstract, but wow, it's just very well put together and I felt that it was generally moving. I liked everything about it, and I was surprised at Jim Carrey's performance, which I thought was quite strong. It's definitely a romantic movie, but it's not the mushy kind that most guys shun.

So, if you haven't seen it yet (though, it seems that everyone I've talked to has), you want to watch this. You don't want to make the mistake that I almost made... that is, letting this one pass you by forever. I really can't believe that it took me 5 years to watch it.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Chromatic Trickery

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. A friend posted this up on their site, and I thought it was pretty cool. And, in case you don't believe the illusion is real, I did extract the individual frames of the animation and found that there's nothing phony about this at all. It is definitely a real perception phenomenon that is taking place.

Go here: Perception Image.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Duke Nukem For Never

If any of you were gaming in the good ol' days of 3-D shooters, you'll definitely have remembered and played Duke Nukem 3-D. It was just a really fun game with cool weapons, fun maps, and just all around good multi-player gameplay. And, I'm sure those of you who played the game (and loved it) were at one point eagerly awaiting their sequel, Duke Nukem Forever.

We all know that it never did make it out to market and it was just an epic failure. But, what really happened? Just recently, Wired came out with an article that seeks to answer this very question.

Enjoy: Wired's Story -- Learn to Let Go: How Success Killed Duke Nukem

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Unintentional Traffic Humor

So, I was sitting in some minor traffic yesterday on my way to work when I glanced at my rear view mirror. I had to do a double take when I saw a female driving the car behind me that had a vulgar word for a part of the female anatomy pasted across its windshield. I turned around quickly to learn that she was apparently a Looney Tunes fan.

The full message was: I TAWT I TAW A PUDDY TAT!

Due to the symmetry of the individual letters, TAWT sure does look funny in a mirror. I wonder if this ever crossed her mind before she put the stickers on her windshield... my guess is not.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Edgar Allen Poker Poe-try

This is just too good not to share. Before you can fully appreciate the awesomeness contained in this poem and its reading, you need to know a bit about the history of Bing Blan Blaow. Some time earlier this year, some online poker player named ch3ckraise created a song that he would copy-and-paste into the chat box whenever he took his opponent's money in a head-up match.

It went like this, and somehow it got popular (a Google search gets over 400,000 hits on the exact search phrase). Just a silly, silly thing to say.

ch3ckraise: BING BLANG BLAOW
ch3ckraise: CH3CK RAISE IN THA HOUSE
ch3ckraise: I JUST WON $50.00 FROM YOU
ch3ckraise: U COULD HAVE USED IT TO BUY SOME FOOD
ch3ckraise: BUT YOU CANT NOW
ch3ckraise: CUZ IMMA CASH IT OUT
ch3ckraise: AND RUB IT ON MY TITT1ES

The original song can be found on YouTube here: Bing Blang Blaow.

But, this poetic interpretation is pure genius.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Quick Update

Today, I sold the Wet Seal (WTSLA) shares that I picked up on December 1st. Had an all-or-none order filled at $3.42 (+17.5%). If for some reason shares go back down to the $3 mark, I will gladly repurchase them. I'm still holding onto my core position, which is still significant; it remains my largest single stock position.

I have also sold my small Citigroup (C) position at 3.91. I'm just not willing to hold onto it with the uncertainty of the dilution shares will face with respect to the TARP money repayment. Couple that with the government's eventual sale of its shares, and it's just too much risk for me. Gladly taking profits on that one, though I could have had a lot more if I had dumped it in the $5's not long ago.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

RIMM Calls Sold

Research In Motion (RIMM) has been on a bit of a tear since their Blackberry distribution deal in China was announced. With shares now trading near $66, I sold the December $75 Calls (RFYLT) for 0.55. This brings the effective cost basis of my RIMM position to about $64.50.

My belief is that even if their earnings report is better than anticipated, I don't see too much upside risk above $75 given that expiration is the very next day. And, I suppose that if I did get called away due to a serious explosion in the stock price, I can't really complain about the exit. In the case that I do part with my shares, I will be looking to re-enter, as I am still bullish on the company.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

The Road, A Great Feel Bad Movie

We went to see The Road tonight. It's a film based on the novel with the same name. The story is about a young boy and his father on an uncertain journey set in a bleak post-apocalyptic world. It was a really good movie, but at the same time it's probably the most 'feel bad' movie that I can remember watching.

Anyway, the movie is definitely worth checking out. Just don't go in expecting sunshine and roses.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

I've never seen them, and I had never even heard of them until I saw a commercial recently selling tickets to one of their events. It just so turns out that my sister and her boyfriend went to one of their shows, and I just happened to find their very negative reviews somewhat amusing.

For that reason, I will share.

My sister's review of TSO
Her boyfriend's review of TSO

Added to RIMM

I just added to Research In Motion (RIMM) at 58.82, more than doubling my position. I'm done with this one, as I what I have now is sizable. Average cost basis for all shares is now just above $65. They release their earnings soon (December 17). I guess time will tell if this turns out to be a disastrous move.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Rebought Some Wet Seal

During yesterday's trading session, I bought back some of the Wet Seal (WTSLA) shares I sold. Got filled at 2.92, which is a large discount from the original ~$4 selling point. I will consider buying more shares back if the stock stays at these prices, and that I have free funds (damn you, property tax).
Quantcast