Mine of course. So, I'll ask for some assistance on the particular question at hand. The clue that Spydertrader offered in reference to the differences between two bars was this... "In one if the clips, at no time during the forming bar does Price resemble a Pennant Formation. In the other clip, Bar Overlap creates the condition where Price sits within the previous bar, for a period of time before continuing. Now, what differences would this create between the two bars as they formed in real time? How would sentiment appear?" and this... "Watch and 'see' the difference between strong, nicely moving trend on increasing Volume (in the beginning of a Price run) compared to how Price reacts near the end of a Price Run." This advice was provided last December. I can honestly say I have been watching these type bars with this advice in mind since that time. So far I have not yet been able to "see" what the advice was driving toward me seeing. I can't help but wonder what it is I'm supposed to be seeing. I've watched the bars form live, and I've tried to dissect (for educational purposes only) these bars using 1min and tick/range charts. Any further suggestions on how I can enlightenment myself on this subject are heartily invited. Thank you for your post.
As Tums suggested, start by taking a step back in order to orient yourself correctly. In other words, monitor at end of bar. No sense chasing a moving target (Intra-bar changes) until you can 'see' what the 'target' looks like. - Spydertrader
I am only M'ing, have been ever since I was advised to do so. And I do feel just a bit stuck, mainly because I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for or not. I can't even tell for sure if I am missing something, but I will continue to M until some kind of aha moment occurs. I respect the advice given from those that have traveled the road and I try and follow that advice as best as humanly possible. One thing is clear: perfect monitoring can't be the goal, no human does any task consistantly perfectly. So if perfection is not the goal post as a sign to move on beyond M, then I don't know what is. I apologize if this discussion bothers some (as it seems to be doing) but I don't think these are unreasonable things to bring up.
pls always include a link to the post... often there is a context in the message... quoting one sentence/paragraph can be misleading.
Spyder has laid out the specific requirements for M, -- there are tasks to be fulfilled and standards to be met before one can say the M is completed. When you are in learning mode, M is a goal. When you can do M competently, M becomes a step in the MADA trading process. p.s. I am glad you brought up this discussion because this is for the benefit of all.
Thank you Tums and all for your help and support. In the future I will link to or provide entire quote. I've got my hands full today with family issues, but my intent is, for the benefit of all, to grab all of the conversation and charts related to this question and post it when I can also post a current chart example of what appears to me to be a similar scenario. After all, SPydertrader has stated repeatedly that the answers lay in the charts. It's clear to me that some (perhaps slight) perceputal shift is all that is required for that aha. I hope so
A blast from the not so distant past http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showt...=November+Putting+it+all+Together#post1676936
Some tips for active monitoring. Nothing is more frustrating than being told that you have to go back to the start and sit and watch price/volume action all day. Nothing that is except losing money. To ensure that you are getting the most out of your monitoring, in addition to full annotation (3 fractals: tapes, dom and non-dom traverses and carrier channels; laterals, dt, db, bo, fbo, ftt, FTT, peak volume, outside bar, reversal bar, DU, VDU etc), I recommend asking yourself honestly the following questions throughout the day: You have a nice point 3 channel. Sketch out roughly the long diagonal dominant traverse. Do you see a "target" price? Note it now (for fun only and to maintain interest). Would you be happy to be L/S right now? Or are you relieved to be on the sidelines right now? Note carefully why and what subsequently happens. What more do you need to know in order to have 100% conviction on L/S now? For any entry, price movement to the close of the bar and volume (pro rata) must support it. What is the first sign of this? When do you look for it? Did that last bar surprise you in any way? Does the current bar show any unusual behaviour or anything that would require an action before close? Note occasions where L/S momentum looks like price will obviously continue. Note carefully what actually happens (contrary to natural impulse and reaction). Where do you think recent entrants will feel pain? Where will their stops likely be placed? What's the worst thing price could do right now for recent entrants? When would you know you are witnessing a stops cascade and how does price behave when it is over? Is price translating or in congestion? If in lateral movement, where are the lines in the sand beyond which price will continue (given increasing volume)? What is the first sign of translation coming to an end? What was the best entry point in the last 15-30 minutes? Recall how that bar formed and what you felt at the time. What was the next best point? What was the very worst point? P2-P3 traverse: You are about to give up on P3 when it does finally arrive. Note this when it happens. Note every WTF!? and what happens after WWT? Put into a sentence (or shorthand code) the context (3 fractals) now and what you anticipate, something like: "Price is in lateral movement in a non-dominant traverse of a short channel, I anticipate the non-dom traverse to fail before increasing red volume resumes dominant." Finally, how's that "target" price looking now? These are just a few idea for active monitoring off the top of my head - as you can see if you keep your mind working there should be no time for frustration or boredom. (And no stress or losses!) If you don't like my list make up one of your own that works for you. It's hard work making easy money.