Well, it's finally here. Today – this very day – Slope of Hope is five years old.
I started this blog under some pretty happy circumstances. I had, just two months prior, finally sold my company (Prophet Financial Systems) after growing it over a thirteen-year period. Those thirteen years were filled with big ups, huge downs, and a few miracles along the way. It was the farthest thing imaginable from an overnight success story, but it was a testament to persistence and the talent of those who worked at the firm.
I had been reluctant to start a blog, even though I had been a writer in other forms for many years. I felt that starting a blog was just a "trendy" thing to do back in those days, and there wouldn't be any point to it. After quite a bit of external urging, I finally signed up for a free Blogspot account and put together my first post for an audience of zero people. You will not be surprised to know that the post was about a bunch of bearish trades I had put on.
The audience grew from dozens (friends & family) to hundreds (Prophet users) to thousands (as word of mouth spread) to millions (OK, that's not true – but it seemed the natural next step).
Slope has, over the years, developed its own culture (and even its own language). Even though the markets have been through what seems like fifty years of changes in the past five years, a few things have remained constant on this blog:
+ A certain level of bearishness (ranging from jumping-up-and-down apocalyptic to, more recently, tempered and mildly skeptical ruminations about the state of the world);
+ Plenty of charts;
+ A deep level of commitment and, when needed, protectiveness amongst Slopers
It would be more mirthful – is that a word? – to be celebrating this quintet of solar cycles were it not for the preceding annus horribilis. But God knows we've gone through worse and, in the end, prospered. I want to extend my humble appreciation to everyone here for being a part of this little corner of the web.
What we're doing collectively is important, I think, for our mutual edification. You helped build it. Thank you.
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile
