To: hank2010 who wrote (26516 ) 11/28/2006 10:36:14 PM From: ogi Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 78422 Hi Hank, you are too kind. We are all seeking treasure and exceptional wonders of some sort. Speculating in these stocks is my intellectually deficient substitute for archeology. COULD HAVE ,WOULD HAVE , SHOULD HAVE!! Why did I not study harder? All exploration is a gamble, tempered only by the quality of management. If you have the capital to tie up, proven deposits winding their way toward a production capacity are great money makers. Going through the permitting feasibility etc, leaves many great projects as market orphans that attract a whole new fan base once the objective is achieved. I think my limited abilities are simply fortuitously aligned with the current Bull market. A market that is still so young one has the chance to identify value opportunities. Once the frenzy hits, and it will, logic goes out the window. Nevertheless, top quality remains the same whatever the surrounding furor! Which is why I try, emphasize try, to look at plays that would be good no matter the commodity price, ie EPZ.v As far as the pure untested exploration plays, which Tom will tell you I have coined " NAKED DRILL PLAYS" , short of a frenzy, it is imperative to get in as early as possible and buy as much as possible. Every dog has its day so if you are in early enough the life cycle of the play can afford you the chance to take some profits before results, which usually Suck!:) So, I look to the life cycle of the company and then the real prospects based on results. I know you know your way around and have the benefit of hands on geological experience. The take overs have also just begun. The majors must adjust their targets down and compete with growing intermediates. The odds are you are holding enough stocks that the winners will vastly out pace any losers!!! Takeover or drill bit:) Cheers, Ogi