Hmm, the markets crashed since my last post and my minor gains have turned to minor losses. So what did I do, bought more. I do believe like most people that this market crash or correction is a temporary thing, the long term investor in India will benefit. My regrets with the crash
1.I didn't have enough money to invest when it did crash
2.I bet on the metal sector after the crash and I ain't happy about it, since I now believe the prospects don't look as good as I earlier thought.

Even with the crash, I think a good 15-20% return year on year on my current portfolio should be possible. But most importantly, I am gaining experience and understanding the market better. I did predict a crash the day before it crashed and told my dad that I should sell the shares. He asked me not to sell mainly coz he was too lazy to do the paperwork for short term capital gains.

I have made (unrealized)losses but I still love investing. I had gotten into it thinking even if I lose half the principal I am fine with it. Luckily, I am still far from doing that. I would invest into futures and options but I am restricted to do such trades. So I shall be a boring buy and hold investor.

Here is to a surge in the sensex, that will surely bring me back to writing another post. Cheers!

Hmm a post after a long time would mean I have started something significant enough for me to write about. Well I have and it is playing with money. No no I am not obsessed gambler who put all his money in 4D or Toto. Nor did I make a trip to Genting just to throw away a bucket of money. I have started gambling in the most sophisticated gambling there; yes no prizes for guessing it’s the financial markets. Now before I start acting all knowledgeable about the market let me be very honest and tell you all my education and this includes a fair bit of financial education was absolutely and utterly useless while I was investing.

I honestly don’t even know why I started investing. I think the reason could be my dad. He thinks I am some great financial whiz kid and keeps asking me for advice. I tell him simple silly stuff like diversify. Yeah like I needed to study finance for two years to tell you that! Anyway, he kept asking me to invest some of my cash, so I said what the hell let me invest whatever I have saved so far, which is not much honestly($8,000 to be precise) into the market. Sod off whoever gives me the crap of save some money for the rainy day.

Ok so I bought my first share SAIL, a steel company in India on the 30th March thinking well lets hold it for a while. Why did I buy it? Well, it had fallen about 5% the previous day so I convinced myself it should bounce back. And Bravo, the lord be praised it did bounce back and that too 6%. I decided to sell immediately seeing the profit I made. Of course I forgot the fact that I had to pay the broker around 1.5% for the transactions and another 30% in tax which really cut my gain down to 3%. It didn’t matter, I made my first profit and that feeling itself is satisfying. It gave me enough confidence to invest more cash and right now I have bought shares of 3 companies, shelling out nearly 3000$ in the process.

I am also in the process of convincing my friends that not only is there money to be made in the market, but it is amazing fun. Some of them believe that investing using virtual money creates the fun without the risk. I beg to differ, unless your money is on the line, there will be no interest. I had tried the whole virtual money investing and it lasted a whole of 10 days. Beyond that there were just too many more important things to do. I would suggest taking up investing more as a hobby/pastime/sport than as an activity to make money. But be careful, it can be pretty darn addictive!

Hmm a post after a long time would mean I have started something significant enough for me to write about. Well I have and it is playing with money. No no I am not obsessed gambler who put all his money in 4D or Toto. Nor did I make a trip to Genting just to throw away a bucket of money. I have started gambling in the most sophisticated gambling there; yes no prizes for guessing it’s the financial markets. Now before I start acting all knowledgeable about the market let me be very honest and tell you all my education and this includes a fair bit of financial education was absolutely and utterly useless while I was investing.

I honestly don’t even know why I started investing. I think the reason could be my dad. He thinks I am some great financial whiz kid and keeps asking me for advice. I tell him simple silly stuff like diversify. Yeah like I needed to study finance for two years to tell you that! Anyway, he kept asking me to invest some of my cash, so I said what the hell let me invest whatever I have saved so far, which is not much honestly($8,000 to be precise) into the market. Sod off whoever gives me the crap of save some money for the rainy day.

Ok so I bought my first share SAIL, a steel company in India on the 30th March thinking well lets hold it for a while. Why did I buy it? Well, it had fallen about 5% the previous day so I convinced myself it should bounce back. And Bravo, the lord be praised it did bounce back and that too 6%. I decided to sell immediately seeing the profit I made. Of course I forgot the fact that I had to pay the broker around 1.5% for the transactions and another 30% in tax which really cut my gain down to 3%. It didn’t matter, I made my first profit and that feeling itself is satisfying. It gave me enough confidence to invest more cash and right now I have bought shares of 3 companies, shelling out nearly 3000$ in the process.

I am also in the process of convincing my friends that not only is there money to be made in the market, but it is amazing fun. Some of them believe that investing using virtual money creates the fun without the risk. I beg to differ, unless your money is on the line, there will be no interest. I had tried the whole virtual money investing and it lasted a whole of 10 days. Beyond that there were just too many more important things to do. I would suggest taking up investing more as a hobby/pastime/sport than as an activity to make money. But be careful, it can be pretty darn addictive!

It was a Sunday evening around eight pm and I was about take my evening nap. The phone rings and I hear an Indian voice


Mr Siva: Hi, I am a speaking to exhaustpipe.

Me: Yeah

Mr Siva: I wanted to speak to you about a business opportunity. Mr Krishna referred your name.

Me: Err ok. (Who the hell is Krishna…oh yes a friend of my father’s friend…met him like once or twice)

Mr Siva: I guess you know that Mr Krishna has returned to India.

Me: Err not really.

Mr Siva: Anyway, we are looking bright ambitious talented people to expand our business.

Me: (suspiciously) Ok!! (Its one thing when the person knows you and calls you bright, ambitious and talented, it’s a whole different thing when it’s a stranger)

Me: What kind of business is this??

Mr Siva: (in admiration) it is run by Mr Sadanand and his wife and they have about 100 people working for them.

Me: What products do you sell?

Mr Siva: We can talk about it over a cup of coffee

Me: (annoyed) But I would like to know your business model and what do you sell?

Mr Siva: We mainly look after FMCG that is Fast Moving Consumer Goods.

Me: (thinking, oh no not again) Are you guys from Company X?

Mr Siva: (5 second pause, guilty as charged I think) Uh yes

Me: I have attended Amway seminars and I am really not interested. Besides I don’t have time to devote to this.

Mr Siva: Why don’t we discuss it over coffee?

Me: Hmm, I am very busy at the moment. I am going out of town for Christmas and will be back only in Jan or so.

Some noise on the phone, a suddenly a new voice

Sadanand: Hi, I am sadanand. I heard you are interested in our business.

Me: Eh, no not really. I was telling Mr Siva that I really don’t have time to devote to Multi-Level Marketing apart from other reasons.

Sadanand: Err ok. Thanks for your time.

Me: Yeah sure. Bye!



It really started a year ago when I met this investment banker who had done his MBA from IIM. He tried his level best to get me to join; he even managed to convince me to attend one of their meetings. The only valuable thing that I learnt from the meeting was to identify an MLM from a mile off.



I still remember that meeting. It was a like a cult, an organization which believed that MLM is doing a great favour to humanity. They were displaying some of the new products. Admittedly, some of the products were good, but some of them were rather bad. No matter how bad or useless the product, everyone in the room would cheer it



A few points about MLM

- They would normally talk to you on a Sunday evening. I suppose it is the best time to call a potential “sucker” is when he is thinking about how his weekend has gone by so quickly and he must do something useful, the following week.

- When they call you, they will either say good things about you or ask a dumb question like “Are you ambitious?” Wonder who says "Naah, I am not ambitious"

- They will ask you thrice before they give up unless you are very firm with them the first time

- They never call it MLM, always something like a business or a private franchisee.

- They believe that the guy that recruited them is a genius so if they have to convince you to join, they would get their “boss” to speak to you. Not that the boss is any better at convincing anyone.

- They think they are god’s gifts to humanity, helping the charitable cause of helping fellow users.



I swear the next Multi-Level Moron that gets in my way will get piece of my mind.

Battle lines were drawn, swords were crossed, the volley of arrows piercing the heart and blood spilled on the grass and the war cries, could be heard by our annoyed hall officer. Yes, this was the age, the Age of Empires
 

Right after dinner, without any doubt, the POA was AOE 2. This was lamented by our other friends who thought we didn’t have a life. Yes, we could have gone for a movie or clubbing like we do now but I am sure that at that point of time there was no greater fun than the game.

 
The teams stuck to each other throughout, never was there a team change even if it was suggested a million times. Why would you change perfectly balanced teams! Team 1, consisted of Anshul, Sh and Astitva, each unique in their playing style. Anshul was the most balanced player. Used the keyboard extensively and had a good amount of resources. Sh was a myth when it came to playing styles, some days he was the best on display and other days he was the worst. Astitva was a late late bloomer, who came to life only in the final age. He pretty much slept in the beginning, much to my advantage.

 
Team 2, had Av, Ravioli and myself. Av was a loner; he ever liked fighting with someone beside him. He would do his own attacks, huge attacks, massive armies of cheap troops fighting away and reinforcements running to join the battle at the same time. Ravioli was the gatherer, typically the man with the most resources and no idea of how to use them. He was a very good support warrior and he and I fought many battles together.

 
My playing style was completely different. I would be the first to attack and the victim was the late late bloomer. Actually, he would be only a late bloomer if I didn’t hit him early on. I was very aggressive when it came to fighting, always hitting someone with the troops available. It has worked against me at times when I have terribly outnumbered.

 
We had many memorable games and though its been a long time I still remember a few.

 The Shortest game – This was one of the shortest games we had engaged in. I with a small force strategically placed next to a castle destroyed 2 of the opponents when they hadn’t reached the final age. The third one was charged on by all 3 of us and he resigned soon after. Time: Approx 30 mins

 The Longest game - This was an oasis map, which meant the teams had only 2 ways to attack an opponent. This game went on and on and on and on. We gained a little ground and lost it. Then they gained a little and lost it. The centre of the map was surrounded my trees which cover nearly 1/4^th of the total area. By the end of the game, by cutting the trees for wood, we had reached that lake. A feat, never achieved and I doubt it ever be. Time: approx 6 hours

 The Comeback game- In this match, we had nearly lost the game. I was even tempted to resign but we held on with cheaper troops aka weaker against their heavily armored troops. We started collecting gold via trade which initially is painfully slow. We counterattacked and won the game. This was, according to me, Ravioli’s best game.

 The Rush game– This match was right after the longest game, and was again an oasis map type. I decided to do something different. I sent a lone villager in the Dark Age and started building in the middle of 2 enemies. By sheer luck, they didn’t spot me and by the time I hit the 3^rd age. I had hordes of knights which raided both astitva and anshul, weakening them severely. Then it became a war which was heavily tilted in our favor.

 
I am sure each one of us has different games which might have stuck in our memories. We had a great time playing and though we would like to recreate the past with games like AOM or AOE 3, I just don’t think it is possible. We all have graduated now, got busier with life and work. The levels that we reached in AOE can’t be achieved without devoting ample amounts of time to it and the dedication to learn the finer points. I guess we don’t have the time or the patience to do it anymore. However, we do have some fine memories of the games and the fights after the games which will remain with us.

 Kudos to the AOE gang!

Man, am I confused and I think a lot of people in the same boat. The confusion arises from my naive plans of an being a masters in business admin.

 

Firstly, when do I take the GMAT?

Initially the plan was to take it in Feb but that would mean about 3 months of prep. Now that should be enough except that the festive season is around the corner which basically means no studying. Also, according to some people one shouldn't rush into GMAT. It's an exam which takes slow and steady prep!!! I have finally decided to take it in August/September which is only 2 months after my CFA. I would ideally like to take a break between my CFA and GMAT papers but since most US schools have their first deadline in October, I am already cutting it too fine

 

Phew, at the least I have some idea on when I will give the GMAT. The biggest confusion is when to go for the MBA. I could go in 2007, 2008 or 2009. The pros and cons are:

Pros: Get out of B school early and sky rocket my career

Cons: Due to lack of good work experience (5 years), admission into a top B school would be very tough. I would not have spent enough time writing my statement of purpose and getting good references. Also, I would have to pay a lot of money as liquidated damages in order to break the bond.

2008

Pros: Due to a little more work experience, chances of getting into a good school would be higher. Also, I would have more savings making it slightly easier to make the transition.

Cons: Even though I would have only a year remaining, the bond money is still a significant amount

2009

Pros: I am a free man, no bond and no liquidated damages

Cons: I am an old free man, what's the use. Sigh!

 

AR, a friend of mine went on a 3 week trip to the US finding more about the B schools, sitting in some of their lectures. I am tempted to do the same. It is a good excuse to visit the US and tour the country. However, I don't see it happening in the near future. I think the B-school dream would have to wait till 2008.

 

On a different note, someone told me that using the phrase in "XYZ, a friend of mine" is girly!!! I don't get it, do you?

K, a friend of mine is considering taking the “speed dating”/”internet dating” option.  He is quite a nice charming fella but has never ever been successful with women and by my reckoning never ever will be successful. He is like Jeff from coupling without the funny rants. After all, I guess nice guys finish last.

 

An interesting incident happened the other day. K and I and were walking along Orchard road. As usual there are promotions of various products and one of them was coke light. Suddenly, my eye caught a banner which read live auditions. It turns out to be a speed dating program to be hosted on TV, much along the lines of Bachelor, Eye for a Guy etc. I notice Vivien Tan who happens to be my first Chinese celebrity crush. She looks a bit older now (it has been 6 years) but still is very pretty. I shall keep that story (Good looking Chinese celebs) for later.

 

K did all the enquiring and he gets dragged and I am not exaggerating when I say that he literally got dragged into it by one of the girls. Hmm, wonder if she was interested in him. His audition last all of 2 minutes, of which mike adjustment took a minute and a half. : p

 

Interviewer: How old are you?

K: 24

 

Interviewer: How would you rate you success out of 10 with women

K: Err….5 (Oh, c’mon now stop using the log scale)

 

Interviewer: Do you find yourself sexy?

K: I would like to think so. 

 

Honestly, it would be a whole lot of fun if he does get selected. After all, TV shows should have an average joe who gets the girl. Will K get the girl, we will have to wait and watch. I am cheering him all the way :p

I bought a new video card, Powercolor ATI Radeon 9600XT 256MB for 169 bucks. What an utter waste of money, not that I am a prudent shopper. Still, I would rank this as horrible buy #2 (#1 goes by a huge margin to Ngage). The picture quality is terrible, the fonts are hazy and it hurts the eye to work on my comp for more than an hour. I tried everything, installed new drivers, changed resolution of the monitor, installed monitor drivers, spanked the pc and the monitor. I finally gave up and took it to Simlim this morning and video-pro tell me since I bought the card on 22/10, it can’t be exchanged. The exchange offer is valid for 7 days and I took it 11 days later. Its only a matter of 4 days for crying out loud. I was so angry that I even considering punching the sales guy. In hindsight, I probably should have. I wanted to take it last weekend but after the football I had no energy to go all the way to Simlim. Anyway, I can only hope it’s a video card error and not a compatibility issue and it can be repaired or replaced with minimum fuss.

Why o, why did I buy a new card when my old card was working perfectly fine. Agreed, it’s only a 32 Mb video card, but it still ran the latest games. Ok fine, I couldn’t run them at the best possible resolution and the best possible graphics level. Also given that it was a sore point considering the 64bit computer and 512 MB ram but it worked and worked reasonably well. A good lesson learnt; if it isn’t broken don’t fix it.

Your Seduction Style: Fantasy Lover

You know that ideal love that each of us dreams of from childhood? That's you! Not because you posess all of the ideal characteristics, but because you are a savvy shape shifter. You have the uncanny ability to detect someone's particular fantasy... and make it you. You inspire each person to be an idealist and passionate, and you make each moment memorable Even a simple coffee date with you can be the most romantic moment of someone's life By giving your date exactly what he or she desires, you quickly become the ideal lover. Your abilities to make dreams come true is so strong, that you are often the love of many people's lives. Your ex's (and even people you have simply met or been friends with) long to be yours. No doubt you are the one others have dreamed of... your biggest challenge is finding *your* dream lover.

Wrong wrong wrong, this whole blogthings is so wrong that its actually fun to do.

Anshul, thanks for the link. But seriously Captain Kirk!!!


James T. Kirk

An impassioned commander with more respect for individuals than for authority, you have a no-holds-barred approach to life and its obstacles.

I don't believe in the no-win scenario.

James is a character in the Star Trek universe. STARTREK.COM has his Starfleet record.