October 4th - Monday

I didn't get to put this chart and paper-trade record on the blog last night after market close. Between day-job appointments, I had about 20 minutes at the office around lunch time to look at the markets. I found TNA near the bottom of a long move down and decided to take a long trade where I thought appropriate. I held through a slight drop in the following candle, saw some movement in a positive direction in the next candle, then a pop up. Shortly after the trade went positive for me, I added to it. A slowing of momo in conjunction with having to be at my next day-job appointment at noon suggested that I should exit. I scaled out for two winners.

Because of day-job, I might not get to practice-trade today. I'll see how the schedule breaks down as the day goes on.

October 1st

Today was a real treat for me as I had a chance to watch the markets from 10:00 am until the close. This used to happen a lot in 2009 but not so much anymore. I loved it... At times I just made marks on the charts where I thought things would move along with thoughts about where the market might go.

I paper-traded with TNA looking to take advantage of consolidation breaks as well as paying special attention to S/R levels. Also, used the high likelihood of markets to close gaps in my early evaluation of the markets; something I've paid closer attention to since discovering http://www.coiledmarkets.com/ .

Also, I have found that Adam's blog at SMB Trading ( http://www.smbtraining.com/ ) has been very helpful in understanding technical analysis as it is put in practice. More specifically, this post was interesting and I saved it to my favorites list:

http://www.smbtraining.com/blog/one-of-my-favorite-plays

And of course, no day is complete without reviewing Scott Farnham's many posts at http://bankrobbertrades.blogspot.com/ .

On days like today, it feels to me like the shades are parting and the light is beginning to shine in. I have faith that it will continue, with the proper effort and attention. When, I don't know? But it will. Without faith, we have nothing.

September 29

I am swimming in administrative work for the day-job then have to prep for a celebration dinner for a friend so I don't have time to comment on todays paper-trading.

Suffice to say that all three were clean trades (no averaged/blended prices).

More comment later if I have time.