Guantanamo detainee dies in apparent suicide

Guilty or not... If you're being held captive without due process by the "decider guy," the leader of a country that prides itself on freedom, is there really a better choice? Personally, I don't think so. Live free or die.

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Zecco - Turning Heads and Looking Brighter

Almost immediately after my last post regarding Zecco, and my email to their customer service department, I received a call from CEO Stephen Oliviera. I was obviously surprised, but welcomed the call. We quickly chatted about the road ahead, and what it would take to get my account on that road... Basically it boiled down to "we're working on it" and "these things take time." For a new company with a big idea, I was willing to accept.

Not long after my paperwork got cleared up, I placed my first trade. Not exactly a monumental occasion, but hey, it was was free. The irony is that I quickly bought an ETF for the day and the market closed just under the previous day. Overall my free trade resulted in a net loss of $0.46. Not bad when you consider that included the commission. Perhaps the idea of an easy out will ease the pain some skittish traders face when eying a loss?

So far this has been my "toy" account, but it's getting better. I'm also seeing closer partnerships between Zecco and Motley Fool, which is always good. Keep an eye out for my next post regarding options trading with Zecco.

Will everyone forgive me when I don't care anymore?

I used to think my affliction was apathy. Perhaps AD(H)D mixed with anger, or waves of all three? As I grew older and the layers melted away, I was left with the basics. The fundamental truths I knew years earlier, yet hadn't experienced for myself.

Suddenly, I woke up and realized a change. By that time, I had been loved, hated, in love, rich, poor, taken-in and neglected. From my perspective as a young young man growing up, it left a gigantic void. This void was not apathy however. From my perspective in life, there was nothing left to do but live it! It took a few years to get my bearings, which I think is common. Now, as I look around, I know I have made some mistakes, but I know I have avoided many that my peers are yet to address. I know that life is about to change again, but only because I am where I feel I should be. Living in southern California has drawn me into rubbing shoulders with a materialistic lifestyle which I have not chosen. Regardless, the experience has taught me not to be negative in spite of our differences. I realize now, I have had the expensive things I thought I wanted in life. I am simply most alive in nature; in the woods, on a mountain or in the ocean.

So, if I never impress any of you again, I'm OK with that. I just hope you are too, and can join me some of the time.

Wandering

Cross out all the lines
I've crossed this road a thousand times
Catch your breath
What's it take my friend
Take a step
Which way then
Any step in another direction

Zecco - Why it's (a) Free for All

If you've never heard of Zecco and you actively invest or trade, you should probably check it out. Zecco is like E*Trade or ShareBuilder, but Free. I know what you're thinking: "Free at what price?" My one word answer: Complexity. Despite my years of computer and technical training, the task of funding my account has been confusing and overly complicated, at best. I haven't even started trading yet! However, for 40 trades a month, I'll keep trying.