Slope of Hope Blog Posts

Slope initially began as a blog, so this is where most of the website’s content resides. Here we have tens of thousands of posts dating back over a decade. These are listed in reverse chronological order. Click on any category icon below to see posts tagged with that particular subject, or click on a word in the category cloud on the right side of the screen for more specific choices.

The Analog Unfolds Gloriously

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Way back on September 7th, a Sloper by the screen name of Phantom Capital thoughtfully sent me an analog, richly detailed, as to what he believed the market would do. I published this analog on the blog, and since that time, it has performed astonishingly well.

I have been exchanging emails with Phantom, and he and I see eye-to-eye on the market's future. I submit to you my belief that:

(a) we will indeed see a "from 13 to 14" drop, irrespective of what that traitorous douchebag Bernanke says tomorrow;

(b) once we approach 1000 (let's call it 1030 or so), The Powers That Be will issue forth their final, desperate attempt to save the world. Everyone will buy into it again, lifting the market somewhat. Because, Slopers notwithstanding, people are pinheads and always think it's different this time;

(c) Around March or so next year, TPTB will have lifted the market high enough to permit Facebook to IPO. This will be the last major IPO for a long time to come. The Facebook IPO, in my opinion, will almost pinpoint the top of 2012.

(d) After that point, all holy hell will break loose, and Slope will ascend to heaven in a blaze of chart-filled glory amidst wailing and gnashing of teeth. Yea, verily so.

And that's all I've got to say about that.

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99 44/100% Pure

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I have started the task of going through the nearly 5,000 emails I've received over the years from readers. I have my reasons for doing so, but that's not the point of this post.

The vast majority of folks who read this blog are lurkers, and I can understand that. Some feel they have nothing to add; some feel a little intimated by other traders; some just don't want to bother. I am a passive reader of many sites myself. I go to Reddit.com several times a day every day of the year, and I've never done so much as log in.

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Blessed Slopers

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Iggy, who already has set Slope agog with his Christmas-light-hanging prowess, has now undone himself. He unveiled today his own special Nativity, honoring the blessed late December event. Nicely done, Ig.

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The unfortunate thing is that he was so preoccupied with his culinary hobby that he neglected to inform all the participants for Slopefest North Carolina about the date change. The Hun dutifully showed up at the originally agreed-upon time, and he wasn't happy at all about this screw-up.

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Slope Generosity and Best Friends

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Last night I got a very nice email, which read:

 

Tim,

Let me start by saying I love your blog. Since finding it several months ago, I've learned a great deal about trading from you and a handful of others. My profits from (mostly swing) trading have since surged.

Reading your thoughts about eclectica have also proven most profitable (in a less material–but no less satisfying–way). Again, thanks.

The reason I write to you is my desire to give back. I get a lot from SOH but I give very little in return and this troubles me. I realize the site makes money from ad clicks, but I've installed Adblock Plus on my PC and thus, cannot see the various ad banners on your site….I'd like to ask to contribute to you via PayPal each month to compensate my lack of ad clicking. Quote me a figure and I'll be happy to send you the sum.

Best regards.

 

Now, in seven years of doing this blog, and countless tens of thousands of readers, no one has ever made me such a direct offer (although I've received a box of chocolate or two and some nice wine in the past from a few readers). I wrote the gentleman back:

That's a generous offer.

I've actually toyed with the idea of accepting donations, but I've elected not to do so. I've read from other bloggers that it changes the "relationship" between the writer and the reader, and that makes a certain amount of sense to me. Also, I'm a little gun-shy about even one penny actually changing hands. In seven years of blogging, I haven't received a cent of currency from anyone.

I actually think you're the first person who's actually asked how they can send me money, so consider yourself remarkably generous  I must politely decline.

– Tim

 

And then, a few moments after sending my email, I realized I was being an idiot, so I followed up:

 

So as not to waste your generous urges, feel free to get your Karma Points for your benefit from Slope by donating to a favorite charity of mine

https://www.bestfriends.org/donate/detail.cfm?action=df&df=give&tc=WDGENB

I tend to like dogs more than people, so I always send readers this link.

– Tim

 

I wasn't sure if he'd donate anything, but I was hoping he'd send ten bucks their way or something.

And, so, this morning, I receive….

 

Based on your selfless recommendation, I made a small donation to BFAS in your honor. You're on the right path, Tim. 

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I asked the writer his permission to anonymously recapture our conversation, and he agreed. I wanted to relate this story not just because it makes me feel good, but because it shows the kindness that some people can exhibit. Particularly Slopers. (Can you imagine someone from IBC doing anything like this? No, you can't. Because we're better than them).

If you want to help out as well – even if it is the ten bucks I was originally expecting! – here's that link again (although, looking at the form, I notice the reader actually had to hand-enter his amount, since the highest amount suggested is $500!) And if not….you could always throw me a click or two.