LIVEDOOR

This Japanese company wouldn't make front-page in the Wall Street Journal if it were in the United States instead of Japan. Knocking a billion plus dollars off of market capitalization is hard on insiders who need to feed on restricted shares, warrants, stock options, etc.

Victor's concentration............

Vic Niederhoffer said that his greatest skill was his ability to concentrate and focus on the screen in front of him one time for 52 straight hours without sleep.

Saving money..............

China had a record 14 trillion yuan (1.74 TRILLION in US dollars) of personal savings by 12/31/2005.

That figure increased 11% from 2004. Chinese families spend 60% of income and save 40% of income. Wait until that money finds its way to United States investment banks scurrying to build presence in China.

American families have on average over $7,000 of credit card debt. Go figure.

Mid-January, 2006

What has changed over the last 14 days? Not much. More buyers than sellers for sure. The Fed putting a halt to interest rate increases, maybe. Right now, the bulls are in control and it's been a stellar two-week run. It is nice to see profits come so fast right off the bat of a new year. Trust me, this torrid pace won't last all year!

To the clients of Chippewa Partners who have called, emailed and sent notes my way I want to say "thank you" for your wonderful friendships, your business, your introductions to new clients of the firm and most of all the faith and trust you place in us every single day with your serious money.

I hope your 2006 is off to a great start. We've been showered with some wonderful gains and the last couple of "down" days were sorely needed to cool the bullish sentiment. We need that "wall of worry" to continue.

Rainy days will come soon enough. Enjoy the long holiday weekend and call me if something good happens.

Go Patriots!

Martin Luther King, Jr.

For a black man to have had the vision and courage to take on a wrong that needed to be corrected is truly worthy of a national holiday. His family should have the same vision and courage to do what is right and keep taxpayer money out of their domain. The King family legacy is under siege and rightly so.

A Hunter's Mars n Venus.........

HER DIARY: Saturday night I thought he was acting weird. We made plans to meet at a bar to have a drink. I was shopping with my friend all day long so I thought he was upset that I was late, but he made no comment.Conversationwasnt flowing so I suggested we go some place we could talk, he agreed but he kept quiet and absent. I asked him what was wrong he said nothing. I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said it had nothing to do with me and not to worry. On the way home I told him that I loved him, he simply smiled and kept driving. I cant explain his behavior; I don't know why he didn't say I love you too. When we got home I felt as if I had lost him, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there and watched TV.He seemed distant and absent. Finally I decided to go to bed, about ten minutes later he came to bed and to my surprise he responded to my caress we made love, but I still felt that he was distracted and his thoughts were somewhere else. I decided I could not take it anymore so I decided to confront him with the situation but he had fallen asleep. I started crying and cried until I too fell asleep. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure his thoughts are with someone and I feel my life is ruined. HIS DIARY: I missed an enormous 10-point buck this morning. I can't shoot worth a damn anymore; maybe my eyesight is getting bad? Got laid.

After a big week of an UP market, here's a laugh ..........

A guy walks into the local welfare office, marches straight up to the counter and says, "Hi... You know, I just HATE drawing welfare. I'd really rather have a job." The social worker behind the counter says, "Your timing is excellent. We just got a job opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a chauffeur and bodyguard for his beautiful nymphomaniac daughter. You'll have to drive around in his Mercedes, but he'll supply all of your clothes. Because of the long hours, meals will be provided. You'll be expected to escort her on her overseas holiday trips. You will have to satisfy her sexual urges. You'll be provided a two-bedroom apartment above the garage. The starting salary is $200,000 a year." The guy, wide-eyed, says, "You're bullshittin' me!"

The social worker says, "Yeah, well... you started it."

Yes..................

"People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to."
-- George Allen