Quick Hits

* The week prior to options week expiration, is normally down. We're due for some profit taking somewhere. This is my guess when it happens, though I'm not shorting or selling anything. We're also pass the early month strength that sees money flow into 401(k) plans.

* The movie Elf was a real stinker.

* I can see why Anna Benson is on Yahoo Buzz. My goodness!

* Fleckenstien on the US Dollar.

* Have you seen the new Nintendo DS? Will that multi-screen idea work?

* After ALL THAT, Ricky Williams decides to stay retired. Good grief.

* Did you read that Tyra Banks turned 31? I like her show, America's Next Top Model.

* Cal Bears GOT SCREWED in the BCS. How can Texas leapfrog the Bears, when CA beat SMU and the Longhorns were idle??? I guess that's what happens when the NCAA decided to settle the "who's best" argument with a computer instead of out on the playing field. WHERE ARE THE PLAYOFFS AND CHAMPIONSHIP???

* USC or Oklahoma?

* The deaths continue in Iraq.

* Now come ETFs with load fees. They plan on adding 26 loaded ETFs that try to beat the benchmarks via "sophisticated means incorporating trading and earnings momentum and other technical factors." So, what's the difference between that and a mutual fund? The reason folks buy ETFs are low fees and performance that matches a benchmark, realizing that outperforming the index is close to impossible over the long term.

* Sunday night - no Desperate Housewives? HUH? Bastards.