On Semi-Permanent Hiatus

First, my apologies.  I made this decision months ago.  It took me two months to fully accept that I had to do this.  Once I made the decision, it was two months of sloth before I found the energy to write this post.  Then, it was a few more months before I actually posted it.  I should have posted this article at the beginning of November but I was overcome by a lack of motivation, which isn’t fair to those who have read this blog over the past four years.  And to you, I apologize.  It was unprofessional of me.

Running of the Bulls is on official semi-permanent hiatus.  I am no longer regularly blogging, which should be blatantly obvious.  I may occasionally post an item on economics, I intend to keep up with my book log – which is on the right – and I may do the occasional “myth-busting” and clarifying misperceptions like they do over on snopes.com. But apart from one or two items in the hopper, I will no longer be commenting on markets and investments.  I may revive Running of the Bulls in the future, but for now, I am in hibernation.

I regret halting publication.  I have enjoyed blogging.  And though this blog never garnered a vast readership (it was the best readership – ed.), it was fun adding my voice to cacophony of financial commentary.

So why am I stopping?  Simply put, I believe it is in the best interest of my employer.  Given my current duties, I believe it is the correct decision for all involved in my professional life.  This is a decision I have reached on my own with no input from anyone else.

Running of the Bulls has primarily been a forum for my own opinions.  I have gone out of my way to avoid giving specific investment advice. An investment program should be constructed around each individual’s unique risk/reward parameters, and my risk/reward parameters are most certainly different than most others.

However, I am going to deviate from this a bit.  I have written an article below giving advice on how to navigate the market.  Read it at your own peril. 

I have also written an article about how I see the future, which I will post soon.  I give zero credence to prognostications.  I suggest you do so too.

Finally, I would like to thank readers and active participants of Running of the Bulls.  It is a cliché but it is true – it is you who made this worthwhile.

I am going to turn off the comments section in the coming days.  I thoroughly enjoy comments from the readers, but this blog will get spammed to death if I do not.  And spammers annoy the hell out of me.

I want to restart Running of the Bulls when circumstances permit.  And I would like to stop blogging anonymously when I do.  I am no one special, but I think putting a name adds more credibility to the words.

Until that time, take care and Godspeed.  I wish you all the best in life and investing.  I hope you make a fortune.

T.

Comments

[Bill Luby]

I'm sorry to see you make this official, but I completely understand. On the plus side, there will remain a lot of valuable insight in the archives and when you resume, this spaces promises to become even more interesting.

Thanks for all you have contributed to the blogosphere along the way -- and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.

Cheers,

-Bill

[Ganesh Rama]

I have greatly enjoyed reading your blog. It is one of the few financial blogs I follow. It is a great loss for "blogosphere".

I know how much time and effort it takes to blog regularly. Thank you!! Wish you the very best in your current endeavours.

[johnb]

good luck @ work... i learnt a lot reading your blog

[JD]

Thank you for all your contributions to this blog. I have learned a lot. Wish you success in what you focus on next.

[psychodave]

You've been quite generous and a quiet voice that resonated loudly due to the distinctive wisdom and extra insight your blog provided.

You are most kind to keep the site up, so that we can review previous posts.

Please tell Italicized Ed I said "Garsh" and "shucks" to his kind remark.
Best, and looking forward to your return.
- psychodave

[CanadianLoonie]

I bet you'll make your next post before Liverpool wins the Premier League...and after the Canucks win the Stanley Cup!

[Mike C]

Thanks for the years blogging. You were at the top of my list as far as useful information and perspective.

I've yet to come across ANYONE else who could so successfully blend the fundamental value investor perspective with technical analysis.

Will miss your ongoing commentary. Hope you'll be back someday. Good luck in your endeavors.

[Dean]

Thanks for all the wonderful posts Toro. "It was fun and funny so we laughed."

Have a great life, til I read you again.

[jag]

Sorry to hear of your decision, of course.

I've enjoyed reading your thoughts which have always been thoughtfully and articulately rendered. Plus, you seem to have a degree of humility about the investing process that is refreshing.

By the way, I've saved your thoughts on basic investing. Couldn't agree more with all of your points.

I'll miss reading you but I'm sure you're making the right decision for yourself and your career.

Good luck in all your endeavors. I hope you come back sometime in the future as a voice like yours; informed, distinctive and respectful is something that is very much appreciated.

Best Regards,
jag

[Sappho]

Good Bye. Good Luck... you gorgeous hunk of financial wizardry you...

;)

[Toro]

Thank you all. Your comments are very kind and appreciated.

T.