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To: tuck who wrote (11883)	11/23/1999 12:38:00 AM
From: Dan Duchardt	Respond to of 14162

Tuck, Maybe you lurk the PAIR thread. Actually, I seldom do. I have more that I am trying to keep up with than I possibly can. Perhaps if I had, I might have made a better play. I believe in the promise of the future for PAIR's technology, but for a long time none of that seemed able to offset the negative pressure from the manipulation episode, lawsuits, etc. In addition to selling too soon, one of my weaknesses is an excessive reluctance to enter or re-enter once a stock has started to move. I could easily have gotten back into PAIR after that initial run-up, and with perfect hindsight I wish I had. I'm fighting the same thing now with IFMX, which I chose to sell rather than write ITM calls. I wrote OTMs last round and gained little as the stock pulled back. It looked toppy to me (and others here I guess) this time when it paused around 9_1/2. The 10s had too little premium I thought, and the 7_1/2s too little upside potential. Did that just prior to the explosion of course. I think I want to get back in, but the possibility of the market pulling back, and the series of IFMX 25% pull-backs makes me a bit cautious. Looks like we got some real separation from the upper BB on the daily today. We may need to test 11 again (maybe even 10) before going higher. On the brighter side, I bought some MSFT and T on Friday. Took profits on MSFT and half the T today for some nice returns. I've also made some decent trades on ABTE with a combination of some calls I wrote and bought back, and some selling and buying back of the underlying. As of today I've taken well over 1_1/2 per share in profits off the table in the last two weeks, and am sitting with half my original shares waiting for the right time for my next move (buy back my other half if it drops; write a new round of calls if it goes up). Haven't heard from Herm for a while on ABTE, but I'm doing OK with it. Oh, and Dan: you used to be a daytrader, right? Did you declare yourself a trader on your returns? All of my trading lately has been in a self directed IRA, so trader status has not been an issue. I just opened a new account outside of retirement, so that will have some tax implications. Unfortunately, I have quite a backlog of capital losses from some regrettable associations with industry "professionals", so I will not declare trader status in the near term. Once I get flat, it will be an attractive option I think. From what I have seen it may require some advance planning. You may have to declare your status up front instead of just doing it at tax time. Dan

To: tuck who wrote (11883)	11/23/1999 7:59:00 AM
From: virgil vancleave	Respond to of 14162

I agree with you that the market is most likely to start correcting here. But there are some stocks which will hold and even do well. It is my opinion that some of the semi stocks will pull back here. One in particular I am presently short is nsm. I am short at 42 with the reasoning being the chart and the point of long term resistance. Plus, it is overvalued again now at these levels, which don't mean much today. My position is not covered as I fee it can drop some first. I also like lwin on the short side and have been short twice and am now short again. I started shorting at 60 twice and for profit both times. I am now short at 54 and thinking of selling some puts since they have nice premiums. for longs, I like heph, but it gapped up on me so I am waiting to buy. I want it at around 10. I also like nmgc based on the valuation, but it is in a downtrend. One other on my list is glia. All these have decent premiums as well as being good valuations, profitable, cash positive, and low or no debt. hope these help and good luck, virg

To: tuck who wrote (11883)	11/23/1999 8:27:00 AM
From: Herm	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14162

Giving to those in need tempers the heart and takes the edge of the #1 killer human emotion in stock market investing. Namely, greed. It does not take much to become high quickly and lose sight of reality. How, I know that experience. It's a struggle I combat myself. Folks should check out their thoughts and emotions when the spark or thought of giving to someone or something other than yourself crosses their mind. That is, if it even crosses their mind. Does the thought, "I can't afford to give pop into your head?" Does the thought, maybe next time?" Or, perhaps, "as soon as I make more money I will give!" Worse yet, "you know how much more I could make in the stock market using margin?" Watch out! They may be a tad more greedy than they think. After all, they could always go back into the market and extract even more profits for themselves. In the movie, Wallsteet, Sheen asked the question, "Well, Gordon! When is it enough? How much money do you need to make before you are satisfied?" A heavy question. Money is only a means to an end. Making it, putting it to good use for yourself and others, being able to enjoy the fruits of your labor in good health, spirit and mind is the goal. Giving should bring a sense of satisfaction, generosity, and provide a reality check that you can live without it if need be. There are situations that put people in negative positions in life and they had no control over. Our giving makes a difference in correcting those situations. Our giving makes a difference in our attitudes. Our attitudes can make a big difference in our health, our future outlook, and the everyday state of our minds. :-) Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday everyone!