One year on

One year ago today, I made my first post to this blog.  It was a Saturday morning.  The previous day, the Dow had closed at 13,181.91, Citigroup at $45.72, and Bear Stearns at $108.35.

My, a lot has happened since then.

I did not expect to spend so much time writing about finance.  But we seem to be at a very interesting time in history, and much of that has to do with the economy, so that is the hobby that has taken front and center in this little journal of mine.  I was not qualified to opine on the topic when I started, and I am not really qualified now…  But I am closer.  Eventually, the current crisis will pass, and when it does, maybe I will switch the emphasis to politics or math.

But that may be a while.

What lessons have I learned?

1. Nobody ever clicks on a link named README.
2. It is hard to write a decent blog if you also have a day job.
3. Stocks can fall 20%, 50%, or 80% and still be bad to buy.  Especially banks.

When I can spare some time, I will add a “Best Of” category and link it to my own favorite posts.  (Just another small act of self-indulgence for this site, which is itself entirely an exercise in self-indulgence.)  I am too tired to do it now; I just got home from my day job.