8/26 (+60)

Sometimes knowing when to stop is good. :)

How do these entries look on your chart?

8/25 (+114) - I'm baaacccckkk....

So, I am taking a small break from my other project and getting back to my blog, statistics, and what I love to do, trade, and trade well.

2 trades just prior to news, and then two after inventory report. The last one was after I already told myself I was done; was a nice one, but my mind wasn't right, thus the quick exit.

Quick weekend post

A few quick links for some posts I made on BMT:

What changed?

Expectancy

Hope everyone enjoys what is left of their weekend.

Still here, just had my focus re-directed for a while

Will start posting again soon. :)

6/25 - And, more stats

Have a good weekend!

+$1 in 1 minute, +$1.50 in 5 mins

You just never know when this kind of thing will happen with CL:

Live chart after hours

6/24 - More stats

Exciting, yes?

Stats based on market replay

I know, easy to do after the fact, right? I did my best to do stats based on market replay using my rules as if I were trading live including some discretion against the rules based on price action. I will be "back in the office" tomorrow ready to go.

You start your statistics tracking yet? :)

Don't forget the news today

6/23 - Out again today

I am going to be out again today, but wanted to post an example of what I look at with the live chart from this morning.

I hope you had a good day!

6/22 (+116) Tracking statistics again

Are you tracking statistics on your setup/system/trades? If not, you're not serious about trading yet. It will help you build confidence in your setup, help you to adjust stops/targets over time, and help you recognize other things you may not normally consider while trading.

Here is an example of what my statistics tracking spreadsheet looks like:

(I need to confirm information is 100%, but you get the idea)

Side note: ES just touched 1089.50 / CL 77.33; and, why did I trade 11-12:30?

6/21 (+36) Out from 9-12; trip to airport

Many things going on outside of my "trading life"; been busy/out/distracted. Tomorrow 100% focus will be back.

Very happy with most of my entries, didn't give them room. 2 of them took off seconds after I felt the need to exit. :)

For today:

6/18 - Switching to the 08-10 contract (Need to update week after confirmation)

Yeah, I still need to update my postings for this week, but wanted to quickly note that the 08-10 contract has over taken the 07-10 contract on volume as of this morning.

I think today is quadruple witching day as well.

Image streaming

I started reading "The Einstein Factor", and I am interested in the technique called image streaming. Anyone tried this before or have any feedback on it?

6/14 (+21) Out this morning

I was out until after lunch time today with personal things. Fun things like getting my brakes done. :)

2 small trades; late entry, after failed pullback, sign .73 was holding, and dom activity supported the entry, second trade was break of small consolidation and again dom supported the entry; didn't give either much room.

6/11 (0, +178 for week) Out today

Went to my hypnotherapy session this morning/early afternoon. Had a very positive experience. May post more details on the experience this weekend.

Until then; have a great weekend!

Making note of failed breakdown/out

6/10 (+70) Strong trend up

Selling the last hour; dow back under 10K

Here is what oil has done the last hour or so:

Hypnotherapy

Does anyone have any experience or know any one who has experience with hypnotherapy whether it relates to trading or otherwise?

I am considering seeing a clinical hypnotherapist and would appreciate any comments/suggestions.

6/9 (+12) In and out all day

No trades that were noteworthy. I may also be out much of  tomorrow and Friday morning.

6/8 (+35) Another day, another $

6/7 (+61) Short day

I was out much of the morning, came in, waited, found a nice trade, passed on the nice short (was exiting the long and not in the right frame of mind). Can't complain.

6/4 - (0, -62 for week) Been out/busy

 My oldest daughter's last day of school was yesterday; and so I was out in the afternoon. Today, we went and did putt putt / go-carts as a reward for A honor roll, perfect attendance, fitness award, and more. Good time off. Look forward to getting back to it next week!

Have a great weekend!

6/2 - Good day for learning

Spent time re-writing/updating my trading plan and rules, and SIM trading today. Got 93 ticks along the way.

I know, not too exciting, but necessary. :)

6/1 (-62) Continue to struggle... Disappointed, but know I can get thru this.

Well, after another down day, and more losing days in a row than I can remember, I have to go back to caffeine and SIM until I figure out what I am doing different.

5/27 (0) Gone to dentist and then early start to the weekend! (As it stands -36 for week +779 for month))

I won't be trading today; most likely not tomorrow, and then off Monday.

I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Random fun post

My wife and I went to Taste Addison last week, and I got to meet Captain Jack Sparrow. :)

Lots of good food, drinks, music, arts/crafts, etc.. Thought I would share..

One of the primary reasons I trade, more time, more time to spend with the family, more time to spend with the family doing enjoyable things. I get reminders often on why I do what I do.

5/26 (B/E) - Relax.....

This week I have given up caffeine, coincidence?

Missed the big move after the news, took a few small ones here and there, still not my usual self. Trying too hard.

5/25 (-69) Start late, get spanked

Started late today; missed multiple entries, then struggled as you can see below; decided to call it a day.

5/24 (+33) Not entirely focused

Not focused this morning; usual morning rituals didn't happen today. Will call it a day.

Very often, simple, but not easy. Support/Resistance/Price

5/21 (+48) Done in 20; TGIF! (+335 for week)

I had a goal to finish early today because it is Field Day at my daughter's school. Done!

Have a great weekend!

Senate passes financial regulation bill

Senate passes financial regulation bill

Now, question is, how will this affect retail traders?

Markets beat down

(courtesy of Google Finance)

My default ATM

Second contract:

I always use buy/sell stop orders to enter a trade, usually at the close of a 'signal bar', sometimes a tick or two earlier if I know the chance of it popping are pretty good, to ensure a nice fill.

This is the default, but I am always changing this based on the current conditions of the trade; ideally I will move the first target to a defined potential target based on support/resistance and then try to give it room to get there. My goal is to leave my runner in to the point where price closes below my MA, but I am still struggling to give it the room it deserves. Work in progress, as always..