Wed May 31 Trade Summary

20170531
Long 1 TF 1366.5, -1.4
Long 2 NQ 5797.5, 5797.5, -2.0, -2.0
Long 2 TF 1357.3, 1357.3, 1357.2, 1357.2, -1.4, -1.4, -1.4, -1.4
Long 6 TF 1354.9, 1354.9, 1354.9, 1354.9, 1354.9, 1354.6, 1354.6, +1.0, +1.0, +1.0, +1.0, -0.5, -0.5
Long 4 TF 1352.8, 1352.8, 1352.8, 1352.8, , +1.0, +1.0, -1.0, -1.0
Short 4 TF 1355.9, 1355.9, 1355.7, 1355.7, -0.4, -0.4, -0.5, -0.5,
Long 4 TF 1356.3, 1356.3, 1356.3, 1356.3, , -0.2, -0.2, -0.2, -0.2
Short 6 TF 1357.9, 1357.9, 1358.5, 1358.5, 1358.4, 1358.4, -1.0, -1.0, -1.0, -1.0, -1.0, -1.0
Short 4 TF 1360.5, 1360.5, 1360.5, 1360.5, -0.6, -0.6, -0.6, -0.6,
Short 2 NQ 5790.0, 5790.0, -1.0, -1.0
Short 4 TF 1364.0, 1364.0, 1363.8, 1363.8, +2.0, +2.0, +2.0, +2.0,
Total NQ -6.0
Total TF -7.0

Tues May 30 Trade Summary

20170530
Short 2 TF 1379.8, 1379.8, +2.5, +2.5
Short 2 TF 1380.1, 1379.9, +1.5, +1.5
Long 1 TF 1373.1, -1.4
Long 2 TF 1372.1, 1372.1, -1.4, -1.4
Long 2 TF 1369.6. 1369.6, 1369.6, +1.0, -0.7, -0.7
Long 3 TF 1368.7, 1368.7, 1368.7, +1.4, +1.4, +2.7
Short 2 TF 1375.4, 1375.5, +1.6, +0.7
Total TF +11.2

Fri Mar 26 No trades, away

Thur May 25 Trade Summary

20170525
Short 1 TF 1384.9, -1.4
Short 2 TF 1386.7, 1386.8, +0.7, -0.8
Short 2 YM 21061, 21061, -7, -7
Short 3 TF 1389.5, 1389.5, 1389.5, +0.7, -0.0, -0.0
Short 2 NQ 5755.75, 5755.75, -2.0, -2.0
Short 3 NQ 5765.5, 5765.5, 5765.5, +2.0, +3.0, +3.0
Short 3 NQ 5768.25, 5769.0, 5769.5, -0.0, -1.0, +2.0
Short 2 NQ 5777.0, 5777.0, -0.0, -0.0
Total YM -14
Total NQ +5.0
Total TF -0.7

Wed May 24 Trade Summary

20170524
Short 2 YM 20938, 20941, -10, -10
Short 2 YM 20948, 20948, +10, +10
Short 2 NQ 5712.0, 5712.5, -0.25, +2.0
Short 2 NQ 5712.25, 5712.25, +2.0, -0.5
Short 2 YM 20949, 20948, -0, -10
Short 1 TF 1384.0, -0.0
Short 1 YM 20956, +10
Short 2 TF 1386.4, 1386.1, +0.7, +1.4
Total YM -0
Total NQ +3.25
Total TF +2.1

Tues May 23 Trades & Journal

20170523
Long 2 TF 1373.5, 1373.6, +1.0, +1.3
Long 4 TF 1371.1, 1371.1, 1370.7, 1370.7, -0.0, -0.0, -0.5, -0.5
Short 2 TF 1370.2, 1370.2, -0.0, -0.0
Short 2 TF 1372.2, 1372.2, +0.7, -0.7
Short 2 TF 1373.3, 1373.2, +0.7, +3.0
Short 4 TF 1371.4, 1372.0, 1372.4, 1372.6, -1.4, -0.0, +0.5, +1.2
Short 1 NQ 5706.0, +3.0
Short 5 TF 1377.5 13775. 1377.5, 1378.2, 1378.2, -.0.0 +0.4, +0.4, +1.0, 1.0
2nd frame trades:
Short 2 TF 1379.6, 1379.6, -1.4, -1.4
Short 4 TF 1381.3, 1381.3, 1381.3, 1381.3, , -0.2, -0.2, -0.2, -0.2
Short 2 TF 1381.9, 1381.9, -0.1, -0.1
Short 2 TF 1382.1, 1382.1, +0.9, -0.3
Short 1 NQ 5708.5, +10.0
Short 3 TF 1382.6, 1382.6, 1382.8, -0.0, -0.0, +2.0
Total NQ +13.0
Total TF +6.1

Grinding action can really draw you in. A climax is expected at every over-bought resistance level, and yet it won't break. Today I lost half of the 1st frame profits trying to find a sharp TF break into the 2nd frame. When it finally came, I was just trying to get back my loses, and thus did not milk the excursion of even half what it was worth. consolation prize was that I held a single NQ short contract much longer, but netted very little better than I already had at the end of the 1st frame...
If you're caught in a grinding trend, expect that it will be fed by opinions exactly like yours. Each premature short position only helping to float the grind further. Not until market action has cleared all those traders out who were just to smart to be fooled by the grind will prices finally crack, frustrating the majority, just as the market is designed to do.

Mon May 22 Trade Summary

20170522
Short 1 ES 2389.75, +1.0
Long 1 TF 1370.9, +2.0
Long 2 TF 1372.5, 1372.3, -0.9, +0.7
Long 1 YM 20868, -3
Long 2 TF 1369.2, 1369.3, +0.7, +2.0
Total ES +1.0
Total YM -3
Total TF +4.5


Fri May 19 Trade Summary

20170519
Short 5 TF 1369.4, 1369.4, 1369.2, 1369.2, 1369.4, +0.7, +0.7, +1.0, +2.0
Short 3 TF 1371.7, 1371.7, 1371.5, +0.7, +1.0, +2.0
Total TF +8.0

Thurs May 18 Trade Summary

20170518
Short 2 TF 1354.5, 1354.5, -0.2, -0.2
Short 1 TF 1355.0, +2.0
Long 1 TF 1352.4, +2.0
Short 2 TF 1355.2, 1355.6, +2.0, +2.5
Long 1 TF 1351.2, +1.0
Total TF +9.1

Wed May 17 Trade Summary

20170517
Long 1 TF 1371.7, -0.0
Long 1 NQ 5684.0, -2.0
Long 2 NQ 5679.0, 5679.0, -2.5, -2.5
Long 2 TF 1370.9, 1370.9, -0.9, -0.9
Long 2 NQ 5670.75, 5670.75, -2.0, -2.0
Long 2 NQ 5662.0, 5662.0, , -2.0, -2.0
Long 4 TF 1368.6, 1368.6, 1368.6, 1368.6, +1.4, +1.4, +1.9, +1.9
Long 2 TF 1369.4, 1369.4, +0.7, +1.1
Long 2 TF 1367.7, 1367.7, -0.5, -0.5
Short 2 TF 1367.2, 1367.2, -0.0, -0.0
Short 2 TF 1366.7, 1366.7, +1.0, -0.0
Short 2 TF 1368.1, 1368.1, +0.5, +1.4
Long 2 NQ 5631.5, 5631.5, -2.0, -2.0
Long 4 TF 1365.2, 1365.2, 1365.1, 1365.1, -0.9, -0.9, -0.2, -0.2
Long 4 TF 1363.8, 1363.8, 1363.8, 1363.8, +0.7, +0.7, -0.0, -0.0
Long 2 TF 1362.5, 1363.5, +3.0, +0.7

2nd Frame Trades:
Short 2 TF 1365.4, 1365.4, +0.7, +1.6
Short 2 NQ 5645.75, 5645.75, +2.25, +8.0
Total NQ -8.75
Total TF +13.7

Tues May 16 Trade Summary

20170516
Long 1 TF 1394.9, -0.7
Long 2 TF 1383.6, 1383.6, +0.7, -0.7
Long 2 TF 1392.9, 1392.9, -1.4, -1.4
Short 2 TF 1392.7, 1392.7, +1.0, +1.4
Long 2 TF 1384.0, 1384.0, +0.7, -0.7
Long 2 YM 20921, 20921, +7, -7
Long 3 NQ 5702.5, 5202.5, 5701.5, +2.0, +5.0, +2.0
Short 3 TF 1390.5, 1391.0, 1391.0, -0.0, +0.7, +1.6
Total YM -0
Total NQ +9.0
Total TF +1.2

Mon May 15 Trade Summary

20170515
Short 2 TF 1391.1, 1392.0, 1392.0, -0.0, -1.4, -1.4
Short 2 YM 20930, 20828, -0, +7
Short 8 TF 1395.9, 1395.9, 1395.8, 1395.8, 1396.1, 1396.1, 1396.0, 1396.0, +2.0, +2.0, +2.0, +2.0, +0.7, +.7, +1.0, +1.0
Total YM +7
Total TF +8.6

Fri May 12 Trade Summary

20170512
Short 2 NQ 5681.75, 5682.5, +5.0, +2.0
Long 1 NQ 5673.5, +4.0
Long 1 TF 1380.0, -0.0
Long 1 TF 1 1379.8, +2.5
Total NQ +11.00
Total TF +2.5

Thur May 11 Trades & Journal

20170511
Long 1 YM 20819, -7
Long 6 TF 1384.4, 1384.4, 1383.4, 1384.4, 1383.4, 1384.3, -1.4, -1.4, -1.4, -1.4, -1.4, -1.4
Long 8 TF 1380.89, 1380.89, 1380.89, 1380.89, 1380.89, 1380.89, 1380.88, 1380.88, -0.0, -0.0, -0.0, -0.0, -0.0, -0.0, -0.0, -0.0
Long 4 NQ 5641.25, 5641.25, 5641.25, 5641.25, +7.0, +7.0, -1.0, -1.0
Long 2 TF 1380.3, 1380.3, +2.6, -0.3
Long 4 NQ, 5639.0, 5639.0, 5639.5, 5639.5, +5.0, +5.0, +2.0, +2.0
Short 2 TF 1391.6, 1391.6, +2.0, +2.0
Short 2 TF 1383.4, 1383.4, -0.5, -0.5
Short 2 TF 1384.3, 1384.3, -1.0, -1.0
Short 4 TF 1386.0, 1386.0, 1386.0, 1386.0, -0.7, -0.7, -0.7, -0.7
Short 8 TF 1388.4, 1388.4, 1388.4, 1388.4, 1388.4, 1388.4, 1388.4, 1388.4, -0.2, -0.2, -0.2, -0.2, -0.2, -0.2, -0.2, -0.2,
Short 2 NQ 5646.75, 5646.75, -1.0, -1.0
Short 2 NQ 5648.25, 5648.25, -1.5, -1.5
Total YM -7
Total NQ +21.0
Total TF -9.5

Sometimes the TF can just be a bit too hot to handle. Today, volatility was extreme, at both ends of the big whiplash. Often, it's the NQ that makes the irrational extensions...and lately all to the upside. But NQ far more manageable today .... and saved me. Was able to come off simulator yesterday, with profitable calls and small net profit. But have to admit it's been a challenging week. Stay cool. Keep the behavior governors from your Trade Plan in place. Not every week can be easy, and some just seem beyond an understanding. The market is based on surprise.

Wed May 10 Trade Summary

20170510
Short 2 TF 1391.0, 1390.6, +2.0, +2.0
Short 2 TF 1395.5, 1395.5, -0.0, -1.5
Short 2 TF 1398.1, 1398.1, +1.4, +2.0
Long 4 TF 1390.2, 1389.3, 1389.5, 1389.4, -1.4, -1.4, -1.4, -1.4
Short 4 TF 1393.9, 1392.9, 1393.4, 1393.4, +0.7, +0.7, +1.5, +1.0
Total TF +4.2

Tues May 9 Trades & Journal

20170509
Short 2 NQ 5673.5, 5673.25, -2.0, -2.0
Short 2 NQ 5682.5, 5682.0, -2.0, -2.0
Short 4 NQ 5684.5, 5684.5, 5684.5, 5684.5, +2.0, +2.0, -2.5, -2.5
Short 2 TF 1394.2, 1394.2, +0.7, +2.0
Long 1 NQ 5677.75, -0.5
Long 1 TF 1386.3, -0.0
Short 2 TF 1389.4, 1389.4, +0.7, -1.0
Short 2 TF 1393.6, 1393.6, -0.1, -0.1
Short 2 TF 1393.8, 1393.8, -0.2, -0.2
Short 6 TF 1393.8, 1393.7, 1394.1, -0.5, -0.6, +0.5
Total NQ -9.5
Total TF +1.2

Days with such extreme bifurcation challenging in an of themselves, but I only added to it with mistakes of my own. And those mistakes exacerbated even more by trying so hard not so lose two days in a row. So...I lost two days in a row. And by my Trade Plan rules, that puts me into the penalty box for the opening tomorrow. I must start on the simulator and work towards achieving either 2 of 3, or 3 of 5 wining trades before I can get back off the sim. This is a good rule, but I can't express how much I hate being in it. It's a behavior governor, and prevents running too far amuck in the account before once again establishing some rhythm. And today, it feels good just to get away from the screen...

Mon May 8 Trades and Journal

20170508
Short 1 YM 20917, -7
Short 1 TF 1394.3, -0.7
Short 2 YM 20924, 20924, +7, +7
Short 1 NQ 5642.5, +1.0
Long 1 TF 1391.9, -0.2
Long 4 TF 1390.6, 1390.6, 1390.9, 1390.7, -0.7, -0.7, -0.7, -0.7
Short 4 TF 1390.1, 1390.1, 1390.0, 1389.7, -1.4, -1.4, -0.7, -0.7
Short 1 NQ 5644.25, -1.0
Long 2 TF 1387.7, 1387.7, -0.7, -0.7
Long 2 TF 1385.7, 1385.7, -0.7, -0.7
Long 2 TF 1385.6, 1385.6, +1.0, +1.0
Total NQ -0.0
Total YM +7
Total TF -8.7


Traders often wish for less volatility instead of more. It allows their emotions and their thinking to 'keep up' with the market. But the worse thing for trading is low volatility grinding action. In such an environment, there are few climaxes to light the way, and structure seems just to drift out of any sense of completion. Today in the TF reminded me of trading the pork bellies....many many years ago. The sole aim of trend in the pork bellie market is simply to clear out all the stops, first in one direction, then in the next. Have a loss limit. Know where you must pull all your chips. Have a trade number maximum. At some point, it's just no longer worth it. Not every day is good for trading. Tomorrow is another day.

Fri May 5 Trade Summary

Long 2 TF 1388.6, 1388.6, +0.7, -0.2
Long 1 TF 1388.0, -0.0
Long 2 TF 1386.6, 1386.7, +0.7, +2.0
Long 1 TF 1385.1, +0.3
Long 1 TF 1385.0, +1.0
Short 1 TF 1387.1, +1.0
Total TF +5.5

Thurs May 4 Trade Summary

20170504
Short 3 TF 1391.3, 1391.3, 1391.9, +1.0, -0.0, +1.5
Long 2 YM 20860, 20860, +7, -10
Long 1 NQ 5604.75, +6.0
Short 1 NQ 5612.75, -2.0
Short 2 NQ 5616.5, 5617.0, -0.0, +2.0
Short 2 NQ 5617.5, 56, 5618.5, -2.0, -2.0
Short 2 YM 20872, 20872, -0, -0
Long 5 TF 1387.7, 1387.7, 1387.5, 1386.5, 1386.9, -0.0, -0.0, +1.0, +1.7, +1.0
Long 4 TF 1385.2, 1385.6, 1385.2, 1385.3, 1385.2, +1.0, -0.0, +1.0, -0.5
Total YM -3
Total NQ +2.0
Total TF +7.7

Wed May 3 Trade Summary

20170503
Short 2 TF 1393.0, 1392.7, +0.7, -0.9
Short 2 NQ 5621.0, 5621.25, +2.25, +2.0
Long 2 TF 1389.8, 1389.7, -0.8, -0.7
Short 1 NQ 5615.75, +5.5
Short 2 TF 1390.0, 1390.0, +0.7, +1.2
Long 1 TF 1386.8, -0.5
Short 2 TF 1386.3, 1386.3, +1.0, +1.0
Long 2 TF 1384.8, 1384.8, +0.5, +1.5
Total NQ +9.75
Total TF +4.0

Tues May 2 Trade Summary

Long 1 TF 1405.1, -1.4
Long 4 TF 1401.2, 1401.2, 1401.0, 1400.2, +0.5, +0.5, +1.0, +2.0
Short 1 TF 1402.4, 1402.6, 1402.7, +1.0, +1.4, +2.0
Total TF +7.0

Mon May 1 Trade Summary

20170501
Short 2 NQ 5606.25, 5606.25, +2.0, +5.0
Long 2 TF 1397.7, 1397.7, +0.7, -0.7
Short 1 TF 1397.2, +2.0
Short 1 NQ 5608.75, -2.0
Short 2 TF 1398.6, 1398.6, -0.7, -1.4
Short 2 NQ 5611.0, 5610.5, -3.0, -3.0
Short 3 TF 1402.1, 1402.00, 1302.00, +0.7, +1.0, +1.4
Short 1 ES 2386.25, -0.0
Total ES -0.0
Total NQ -1.0
Total TF +3.0