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After two years and lots of fun, it’s time to put away the guns, hang my hat and mosey on down the road. I’ll still be here along side you in the trenches from 9:30 to 4, but life’s too short and there are things I need to explore and projects that need developing. Adios amigos.
Don’t let your dreams fade to regret,
-Dopey
One of my favorite expressions is “back in the day”. Today it is used by young Geckos everywhere to refer to some time as recent as, say, 2004 or 2005 to gain cred, or anytime pre-2008-meldown as if that makes the sad author of said statement not a recent wanna be jet jockey. It’s not too different than the common sales trader that refers to Robert O’ Dumper, the head trader at Intergallactic Capital as just “Bobbie”, as if he’s known him since childhood. This is the same sniveling wanker who, seeing the same head trader at a conference, would rally to his side and kneel, knee pads strapped on tight calling him Mr. Dumper Sir, asking if he can get him a cocktail like he’s Howard K. Stern or Bobby Trendy.
The fact is, in this business, “Back in the Day” can only refer to some period before your current spouse, or for you “don’t-ask,don’t-tell” fellows, pre corn hole. I love nothing more than to hear some junior Junior tell me a “back in the day” story, about how he couldn’t believe his customer came in to sell some pile of dog squeeze and put 5c on it, as if that was some modern miracle. Unless you were around when things traded for 1/8s and 1/4s and a real spread was after the close when your secretary bent over the conference room table and you didn’t get sued, you used a Quotron, and did bullets in the can because the smell of 10 day old Steak and Brew coming from the stall next door didn’t matter, you have no clue what back in the day was. Now, I know you’re thinkin’ …”Dinosaur”! Read more »
Trading Places and Wall Street have been favorites among the financial community ever since they hit the silver screen back in the 80’s. They’ve always been a great source of one-liners for us industry professionals and for some, these movies signify much more than that and transport us back into time, a time where Wall Street traders were envied by all. We set the price.
Back in the 80’s, even the early 90’s, if you were a sales trader on Wall Street – you were the Mack Daddy. You would have thought the doctors, lawyers and politicians would have been at the the top of the food chain, but that’s not how it worked. Back in the day we hardly used email, there was no instant messaging and our phone calls were never recorded or listened to. Back then we even had a centralized trading floor known as the New York Stock Exchange. You may have heard of it, the NYSE was the ultimate men’s club and now its just a hand full of traders and clerks on life support, clinging onto some old-school relationships who can’t Read more »
There are two people that have been forced into my life. Two dudes that have nothing in common other than the ability to skeeve me out of my skin. One sits across from me in my office, the other takes the same train I do every morning.
I’m not sure what the train guy does for a living, but judging by his gruff appearance, it’s safe to assume he’s a hard working blue-collar tradesman of some sort. He’s a wiry man probably in his early forties, a bit too grey for his age and wears the same tattered grey sweatshirt every day. He sports an industrial type lunch pail and a hand-truck enhanced toolbox that he carts back and forth to “the job”.
The guy in my office is your typical Wall Street asshole whot makes too much money, thinks he’s under paid and has owned a 15% stake in some lost cause, money losing, trendy bar for the past three years that he never talks about because he chose to ignore all the statistics, everybody’s advice and thought it would be cool to own a bar. Read more »
NYPD is in the media’s headlights once again after a boy arrested for illegally riding a Clydesdale in central park turned out to be Evan Handler and Kathleen turner filming a racy scene for HBO’s Californication series. Kathleen Turner refused to accept a formal apology from NYC’s finest and was visually infuriated when interviewed but simmered down after her head was put into grazing position and fed a few raw carrots.
Actually, I just made that shit up. I like to sit here and pretend I am writing for the NY Post or doing something other than covering accounts that can’t stand me. I think we are all guilty of this day dreaming process which has unfortunately stretched from weeks and months to years for my dumb ass. Where did I go wrong I sit and ponder? I used to be young, masculine, virile and generate revenue. Kathleen Turner and I have a lot in common come to think of it, except she actually succeeded at one point in her chosen profession. Read more »
Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.
If you ain’t got no apples, bob for what you can get.
Dopey
Better Lucky than Smart – The only thing we have going for us.
Buyer Outside – Something sales traders say to force your hand when they get tired of watching you play stock market.
Clean up - If you believe that I have a bridge to show you.
CSA – Clusterf**k Service Alternative: When it’s easier for you client to just write a check rather than trade with your team of farm animals.
DFIU – The latest IM catch phrase meaning “Don’t F**k It Up”.
Discount Bid – Chinese trading fire drill. There’s a 1 in 10,000 chance you actually get a trade on at the price but it’s a good exercise for going through the motions and a great way to kill a few minutes and piss some people off. Read more »
In 1973 George M Steinbrenner III lead a group of investors who purchased the New York Yankees for 10mm from CBS. Since that day the Yankees and the city of New York have never been the same. A francise worth 10mm was transformed into a 1.2 billion dollar enterprise. There has been one stadium renovation and one entirely new state of the art ball park built in the Bronx. There has been the formation a of sports network. Countless hiring and firings of managers. One suspension. Endless controversy and most importantly 11 pennants and 6 world series titles. This period has been rocky, explosive, exacerbating, trying, glorious, magical and iconic all at same time. The only constant during this wonderful chaos was George himself and the city of New York. Read more »
A few years back I was fortunate enough to sit beside one the greatest sales traders of all time. It’s not like he did tons of business, but this guy had the game figured out. For names sake, let’s call him Jack.
