Sweet

Median wealth in many European countries is higher, some much higher, than the median wealth in America. America has higher median income, not really sure where all that goes. I think Spek overall is right. Americans just have a lot more go than Europeans. Good and bad sides to that.

I tell this to people, the average European doesn’t understand just how much wealthier the average American is. However, I wouldn’t say Americans live better overall, Europeans mostly seem content to be a bit poorer in exchange for a stronger safety net.

Back in my trading days I looked at these positioning tools of day traders. In almost every case whatever the position was of retail it was inversely correlated with how prices was moving. I checked it back for years. So yes, most retail traders suck, but also, many of them are just fading price rather than going with the trend.

+1. This is a capex bubble first and foremost.

The BBC today. Yes Sam Woodhouse, the American economy is the way it is because of Alan Greenspan.

I know roughly if I am doing better than the index but no, I don’t track my performance. Not sure why I need to know what my cagr is.

I wasn’t aware you weren’t well John. I’ll keep you in my prayers.

Pretty much everyone knows Trump is lying, he basically says this stuff over and over about people he is dissatisfied with for one reason or another. I’ll admit it was funny in his first term but his whole shtick has gotten lame partly because he takes himself much more seriously this time around. Meloni too has been a bit of a drama queen in photos, deliberately pulling faces, which is mildly irritating. I like many of the policies of both, but for Trump specifically, I just don’t like him as a person - I’m sure he will be devastated!

@Blake Hampton you need to stop whining all the time. I’m sorry, but if you are like this in real life, no one will want to hang around you. I hope you have close family and friends who are able to tell you to shut up - if you lack close relationships maybe look inwards. Even if you are right, sometimes it’s just better to say nothing and muddle on through.

One of the most pro-Trump leaders in Europe: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqj77909jpo A perfect example, if one was ever needed, about why it’s pointless to try and be Trump’s friend. Because if you aren’t kissing his ring constantly he’ll turn on you.

Ah that's a shame. Our pond nearly had the same fate earlier this year. We don't have a huge garden and we were thinking about removing it at the end of the year so the kids have more area to play... however just as I had resigned myself to taking it away (I really didn't want to), the kids got interested in all the plants and creatures in the pond and now they help me feed the frogs. I can't believe the heron got them all, I know the law is the law, but I would have killed it, law or not

Barcelona is special too, however I must say, I think Barcelona has a much greater amount of rude people than other European cities. Must go to Prague. I remember thinking when I was there earth how did they afford or think it wise to put three buildings, the two cathedral and the Belfry, right together. Makes for a wonderful area.

The picture of the bridge, looking at the two cathedrals, it's like an AI image.. it's just too perfect. One of the best pictures I have ever taken. Even when I was there I remember thinking this place is barely real. I went to Bruges in Belgium, it was nice, but I much preferred Ghent.

Wow, your pond is way bigger and better than mine. Is the heron still an issue are any of those fish still alive? I’ve always wondered, do the fish tolerate frogs in the pond?

Yeh we were at the university actually for a few days, at a conference. I don’t have pictures on my phones, but I have some great shots of the cathedrals. The weather was great the week we were there, and the beer was the best I’ve ever had, even with the higher alcohol content. I was standing near the bottom of the main square, and this bagpipe player appeared and started playing, it was very moving given the surroundings. I’m going to dig some pictures out tomorrow and post some of that lovely place.

This reminds me of Ghent. Is it? I was once there with work, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Spent a few days and nights in the place, the main square was beautiful and canals right off it. Didn’t want to leave.

Bastard heron. Would have shot it. I probably check my pond and how this years tadpoles are doing about 5-10 times a day. I thought about getting some small fish, but I was worried they might eat the tadpoles. Frogs often don’t have many places to go in cities, and since we are the only ones that have a pond they all seem to come to mine. Our pond is small - maybe 2m by 2m, but I could 20 frogs in it a few weeks ago. In a couple of weeks all the tadpoles will get their legs and start climbing out. I’d put more small ponds in around the house when the kids are older and if the wife lets me. If she doesn’t I’ll buy some land and do something with it. I just like seeing what wildlife I can attract to the garden. We put in some California lilac a couple of years ago and it took off, when I go near the bush you hear a swarm of bees, love it. people don’t realise that the small things they do in their garden can have a big impact on the immediate wildlife.

Yep, the buildings in Europe are a lot nicer, the older ones at least. Modern buildings are often truly ugly. I had a friend who used to say that beauty of a city and landscape really mattered. He took his own life some years ago unfortunately. He wasn’t right about many things, but ive come to realise he was right about beauty and how it makes you feel is important.

Brilliant idea. One thing that really makes cities and towns beautiful are trees and managed green spaces along roads, houses. That’s one thing I notice and really appreciate about some American cities. And it invites in all sorts of wildlife which you don’t really get in the UK in built up area. Ditto. Part of me wants to farm it but as I get older the more I want to buy an area up, and rewild it as a private park. If it wasn’t for my kids I’d have small ponds all over my property. I have one pond and the place is jumping with frogs

I think I like Comcast too, certainly prefer it to charter. Making bank, just needs to get debt lower. Think risk from new entrants aka Starlink is over rated.

Lol!

He has made a billion from boxing and apparently just blows it all the time. Buying stuff never made me happy, but apparently it makes others happy to blow their money on cars and watches. He should be a multi-billionaire by now.

There is just a certain type of people in this world. War with Iran was every permabulls wet dream, as was closure of the strait. Kinda funny, even I’m surprised it didn’t spike higher. Part of it was Trump’s shit talking, he talked prices down.

Did Trump say that?

Put 1 million troops on the Iraq - Iranborder and then ask for the enriched Uranium, see if they still like playing stupid games. I don’t even know if you need to go in, I think their own people might chase them off.