lt cap,

It seems like the whole sector is so badly beaten down, even the mixed news you cite apparently is worth a whopping gain today for NOK. (Yes, we're just making up lost ground, but it's still great to see my losses cut by 25% in a single day.)  I'd like NOK not to just knock on Century Link's door, but to knock it down, grab them by the throat, but a gun in their mouth, and say, "Open your pocketbook, dammit." Capex has been so dismally sluggish.

On INTC, every time I think about selling part of my stake they either kite higher (yes, runaway market, but which among us can call a top? When the DOW was 15,000, 20,000 seemed like a bizarre extreme fantasy - where does this end?)  Or, like in the story I read the other day, it's reassuring that they're paying attention to important areas: They invested $4.5 million in a company that makes/is working on eye tracking technology that doesn't need a camera, critical to the evolution of VR and AR applications. Yes, it's less than 'couch cushion' money, but their pocketbook is in the right place. I like how they are planting seeds. Not that this negates any of the nose-bleed theses on their perch and their challenges. When pennies matter (as is the case with NOK), INTC could have quite far to fall.

Lastly, excuse me if I've posted this before on VR: I've read some info on the Occulus Rift 'Go', and it's underwhelming - it's basically an update to low-end stand-alone headsets (my memory is fuzzy - you might be able to stick your phone in it as a video device?) - might be good for watching movies and such, but for serious gaming and emerging VR applications, you're going to need the power of a computer linked in some way, and the 'Go' apparently doesn't provide that link. At least that's what I've read. So, now that Occulus Rift has permanently reduced the price to $399, that's probably the way to go if one wants 'in' on VR now. Jester has the wise-head on that, which is wait for VR 2.0 or 3.0, and pay less and get more, altho I can't wait.

Even within the realms now encompassed by VR, I see lots of room for expansion. Exercise programs so far in non-VR have been a weak joke. If there was a VR program that would make riding an indoor exercise bike fun and immersive, I'd be there in a second. Likewise for a program that involved fencing: I once took a 3 hour class in fencing, and found that it was both terrrific fun, and the most exerting indoor activity I'd ever experienced. And while 'trash-talking' is greatly frowned upon (one ritually shows respect for one's opponent before fencing commences, much like karate), it's a lot of fun ("I'll poke your damn eye out!") And I doubt the computer would get offended.