Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Latest Stock Market Activity (18 Aug 2014)

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

So… Today, in the stock market, I decided to sell my remaining shares of the XIV ETN which I started selling last week (the XIV ETN essentially bets on a fall in volatility). It gained a little over 4% today and has gained a phenomenal gain of over 23% in the past seven days which is nearly a three and a half year gain on average. The stock still appears to have some room to run, but the indicators that I generally look at indicate that the risk-reward is becoming a bit unfavorable. So it probably made sense for me to go ahead and sell instead of taking additional risk for what might amount to be a marginal gain.

Part of being a disciplined investor, and realizing consistent gains over time, involves recognizing solid gains when you see them, taking actions to capitalize on them, and patiently waiting until the next compelling investment opportunity arises; one where the risk-reward becomes favorable for you according to your risk profile. If you operate in this fashion you will experience much success as an investor. And if you need any help with making any of these determinations, you know who to ask… Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Latest Stock Market Activity (17 Aug 2014)

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

So… The strangest thing happened in the stock market Friday… I was getting ready to sell my remaining shares of the XIV ETN which had gained nearly another 2.5% (for an overall gain of about 16% over a period of a couple of weeks – well over a two year gain on average). Well, as soon as I was getting ready to sell the stock rapidly dropped. It lost about 5% in a matter of minutes! So I then decided to pursue the other side of the trade; being a buyer instead of a seller. A number of times when a stock drops rapidly it falls to such extreme levels due to the fear it generates that it bounces significantly. So I decided to put in a purchase order at a ridiculously low price, because you never know… You might just get it. And if I didn’t I could always monitor the situation and adjust my price upwards if I so desired. Well, as luck would have it, the price dropped another 5% down to the price I had made the purchase order for and I bought the shares. By the end of the day the shares rebounded and I sold them for a 6% gain which is nearly a one year gain on average in a matter of hours! No, I was not going to turn down a gift like that! In the world of investing it is not very often that you can time something as beautifully as this. So I decided to take the cash and run. I will now wait patiently for the next compelling “buy” opportunity to put this cash to work.

This is one example of why it’s good to not always be fully invested so that you have cash available to be able to capitalize on opportunities such as this. You never know when these opportunities might arise so you always want to be prepared by periodically raising cash; rotating out of investments which become less favorable such that you can take advantage of investment opportunities which become favorable over time. You won’t make winning investments all of the time, but the point is to use strategies and techniques which allow you to make winning investments for much of the time.

So… That’s where things stand for me in the stock market right now… Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

☆°▪︎ THE STORM ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

It

.

m

i

g

h

t

. 

almost

.

s

e

e

m

, 

a

.

comedy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

f

–

–

–

not

.

s

u

c

h

. 

a

.

tragedy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

forces

.

t

h

a

t

.

saved

.

y

o

u

.

only

.

months

before

.

f

r

o

m

.

self-destruction

against

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

storming

shores,

–

–

became

.

t

h

e

.

very

hostility

. 

w

h

i

c

h

.

drove

.

y

o

u

.

back

.

t

h

e

r

e

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

drove

.

y

o

u

.

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

drove

.

y

o

u

.

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

drove

.

y

o

u

.

back

.

t

h

e

r

e

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

that

very

.

s

a

m

e

.

stirring,

–

–

whirling,

–

–

rage,

.

.

o

f

.

.

the

storming

hurricane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

hurricane

.

o

f

.

guilt,

–

–

blame,

–

–

abuse,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Do

.

n

o

t

.

cry,

.

. 

a

n

d

.

.

do

.

n

o

t

.

despair 

.

m

y

.

fearful

friend . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

your

.

h

o

m

e

.

remains

where

.

it

.

h

a

s

.

always

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

someday

.

y

o

u

.

may

return

.

h

e

r

e

.

again.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2013 where the affected party going through a difficult time sought comfort from family and friends by reconnecting with them and working to maintain those relationships – only to have them turn against him/her making things much, much worse. This poem was inspired by true, heart-wrenching events.

☆°▪︎ THE FAMILIAR WARMTH (OF WINE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Were

.

y

o

u

. 

the

friendly

face

.

i

n

.

that

crowded

place,

.

.

o

f

.

.

those

spinning

years

.

o

f

.

haste ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

subtle

hint

.

o

f

.

familiar

joy

.

a

n

d

.

warmth,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

warmth

.

a

n

d

.

joy,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

joy

.

a

n

d

.

warmth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ just

a

.

friendly

hint

. 

o

f

.

something

familiar

within

.

t

h

e

.

stampeding

parade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ within

.

t

h

e

.

stampeding

parade

.

o

f

.

lost

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

smile

.

a

l

l

.

the

while,

.

.

o

r

.

.

was

.

i

t

.

merely

.

t

h

e

.

reflection

within

.

m

y

.

mind ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

linger

.

dancing

within

.

m

y

.

eyes ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

t

–

–

–

matters

not,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

I

wear

.

i

t

.

tonight

.

a

s

.

if

.

i

t

.

were

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

wear

.

i

t

.

tonight,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

I

like

.

t

h

e

.

design . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

like

. 

t

h

e

.

warmth

.

o

f

.

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

I

.

like

.

t

h

e

.

warmth

.

o

f

.

wine

.

b

y

.

candlelight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Were

.

y

o

u

.

the

friendly

face

.

i

n

.

that

crowded

place ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

wear

.

i

t

.

tonight

.

a

s

.

if

.

i

t

.

were

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

wear

.

i

t

.

tonight,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

I

like

. 

t

h

e

.

shimmer . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

like

.

t

h

e

.

shine.

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2013 in reflection of how just the slightest warmth, smile, or kind gesture can put into motion positive forces that uplift, encourage, inspire, and create happier, brighter surroundings, and a happier, brighter life overall. Always remember that all you put into the lives of others, comes back into your own – and get into the practice of living in this fashion.

☆°▪︎ GAMES THAT SEEK TO ENTERTAIN (I TURN AWAY) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Some

people

love

.

t

o

.

play

.

t

h

a

t

.

game . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

game

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

seeks

.

t

o

.

entertain

.

w

i

t

h

.

words

.

t

h

a

t

.

maim . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

words

.

t

h

a

t

.

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

words

.

t

h

a

t

.

aim

.

t

o

.

humiliate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

crowd

.

feeds

upon

.

every

flame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

crowd

.

feeds

upon

.

every

grenade

.

o

f

.

bitterness

.

a

n

d

.

hate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

t

u

r

n

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

t

u

r

n

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

although

some

.

m

a

y

. 

love

.

t

o

.

play

.

t

h

a

t

.

game . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

.

rather

fade

.

f

r

o

m

.

places

.

w

h

e

r

e

.

kindness

.

n

o

.

longer

reigns . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

would

.

rather

fade

.

f

r

o

m

.

places

.

w

h

e

r

e

.

love

.

h

a

s

.

forgotten

.

h

e

r

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

t

u

r

n

.

away.

Reflection: This was a forgotten reflective-themed gem of a poem that I wrote back in September of 2013 in reflection of not only those who routinely engage in senseless gossip and create drama – but also those that participate and do nothing to defend or protect the targets of such attacks.

☆°▪︎ THE WORDS UNHEARD (TURNS AND BURNS) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

It

was

.

m

y

.

way

.

o

f

.

saying

.

without

words . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

was

.

m

y

.

way

.

o

f

.

showing

.

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

blur . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

words

.

remain

unheard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

meaning

.

undiscerned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

leaving

.

t

h

e

. 

words

.

t

o

.

stir . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the 

images

.

t

o

.

merge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the 

haunting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

taunting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

lost

opportunity

.

burns . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

turns . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

burns.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2013 where the affected party seeking some kind of reconnection or reconciliation cannot find the words or actions needed to bring about a successful resolution. And he or she remains haunted by the lost opportunities for making this happen.

☆°▪︎ TO THE MOON (I WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED YOU) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

would

.

h

a

v

e

.

followed

.

y

o

u

. 

to

.

t

h

e

.

moon,

.

.

i

f

.

.

you

.

h

a

d

.

asked

.

m

e

.

too,

–

–

back

.

w

h

e

n

.

I

.

wanted

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

would

.

h

a

v

e

. 

followed

.

y

o

u

.

to

.

t

h

e

.

moon . . .

 –

 –

 –

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

did

.

y

o

u

.

truly

believe

.

I

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

choose

.

t

o

.

be

.

t

h

e

.

fool . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

o

–

–

–

would

run

.

t

o

.

you,

.

.

j

u

s

t

.

.

because

.

y

o

u

.

today

.

n

o

w

.

say,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

want

.

m

e

.

too ?

 –

 –

 –

.

.

.

 ~ just

because

.

y

o

u

.

today

.

n

o

w

.

say,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

want

.

m

e

.

too.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in April of 2012 where the romancer refuses to play along when the object of his/her affection in the past suddenly becomes more receptive.

☆°▪︎ A NOTE TO GOD ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

know 

.

y

o

u

.

can

.

s

e

e

.

 it’s

difficult

.

f

o

r

.

us

.

t

o

.

know,

–

–

which

way

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

allow

love

.

a

n

d

.

kindness

.

t

o

.

decide,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

allow

these

.

t

o

.

be

.

m

y

.

guide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

know

.

i

n

.

time,

.

.

w

e

.

.

will

.

a

l

l

.

come

.

t

o

.

realize,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

were

kind,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

not

.

s

o

.

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

y

o

u

.

knew,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

open

heart

.

a

n

d

.

mind,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

although

.

w

e

.

stumbled . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ still

.

w

e

.

tried . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

no

longer

.

w

i

l

l

.

I

spend

.

m

y

.

time,

–

–

trying

.

t

o

.

decipher

.

y

o

u

r

.

grand

design,

–

–

because

.

I

.

trust

.

y

o

u

.

are

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ because

I

.

trust

.

.

y

o

u

.

are

.

n

o

t

.

so

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

y

o

u

.

have

.

t

h

e

.

eyes

.

t

o

.

see,

–

–

it’s

difficult

.

f

o

r

.

us

.

t

o

.

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it’s

difficult

.

f

o

r

.

us

.

t

o

.

know,

–

–

which

way

.

t

o

.

go.

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in April of 2012 as a reminder that the surest path to closeness with God, the universe, or our higher power is simply love and kindness. I played the wonderful, song “Tonight” by Sixpence None the Richer and the poem pretty much wrote itself from that (playing the song repeatedly on low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem). It was written fairly quickly – like a couple of hours or so. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ I WATCHED (FROM AFAR) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

.

d

i

d

.

something

.

t

o

.

free

someone,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

heavy

.

grays

returned

.

t

o

.

tender-hearted

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ leaving

.

t

h

e

.

darkness

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ leaving

.

t

h

e

.

darkness

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

smiling,

–

–

laughing,

–

–

singing,

–

–

dancing,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

bathing,

–

–

within

.

t

h

e

.

warmth

.

o

f

.

sunshine,

–

–

felt

.

f

o

r

.

the

.

v

e

r

y

.

first

time,

.

.

i

n

.

.

a

.

l

o

n

g

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

joy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

beauty . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

a

s

–

–

–

so

fine

.

a

n

d

.

divine,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

it

nearly

.

brought

tears

.

t

o

.

my

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

nearly

.

brought

tears

.

t

o

.

my

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

watched

.

f

r

o

m

.

afar . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

little

.

d

i

d

.

I

.

realize

.

a

t

.

the

time,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

deep

within

.

m

y

.

heart

.

a

n

d

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

of

.

t

h

i

s

.

love,

–

–

joy,

–

–

beauty,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

sunshine,

–

–

would

.

b

e

.

forever

mine.

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in April of 2012 in reflection of how just the slightest warmth or kind gesture can put into motion positive forces that uplift, encourage, inspire, and create happier, brighter surroundings, and a happier, brighter life overall. Always remember that all you put into the lives of others, comes back into your own – and get into the practice of living in this fashion. This poem was written in reflection of a specific something I did for someone – who was anxious and highly stressed out about certain life events – so that I could put him at a peaceful ease. Often the love, warmth, peace, and kindness you offer to others become your own.

☆°▪︎ A DREAM CRUMBLED (INTO DUST) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

REWRTE

My love has gone

behind the sun,

since you left

darkness has begun,

your smile used to

shine upon me

but now we’re nothing

. . . more than a memory . . .

–

–

–

. . . I see your face . . .

–

–

. . . I feel your touch . . .

–

–

within the dream that somehow

crumbled into dust

. . . breaking my faith . . .

–

–

. . . breaking my trust . . .

–

–

. . . with each and everyone . . .

–

–

–

so today

my clouds hang low,

over the summers

that used to smile

. . . so wide . . .

–

–

. . . so bright . . .

–

–

within mine heart

. . . dying out . . .

–

–

–

–

–

dying now.

Reflection: This was a melancholy-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2005 where the contemplator looks back with regret on living a life within the tight confines of societal norms just to fit in. We get the feeling he or she will never be happy living in that fashion – because living an authentic, “true to yourself,” kind of life – independent of what others think, believe, or try to convince otherwise – is the only way to truly be happy.