Steve Jobs took the stage today as he unveiled new IPODS for Apple Inc.  Jobs recently returned to work after a six month leave of absence to recuperate from a liver transplant.  While analysts and investors speculate on Jobs’ health and his future at Apple, I simply wish to revisit my very first post as THE CROSSHAIRS TRADER wherein I focused on Jobs as an inspiration for all of us. 

If you have never heard this speech I suggest you take a few minutes to do so now; if you have, listen again as Jobs provides encouragement that is applicable to us traders and serves as an ever present  reminder about how we should take advantage of all the opportunities that may come

* Reports suggest Xstrata and Anglo American (NASDAQ:AAUK) are engaged in merger talks in a deal which could total about $68 billion and result in the combined firm becoming the world's number-three miner behind BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP) and Vale (NASDAQ:VALE)

* Reuters reported 100,000 of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone 3Gs were sold via preorders, explaining away some of the launch's diminished excitement level. Some news reports said Steve Jobs underwent a liver transplant two months ago in Tennessee, and is still due back at month's end

* Walgreen (NYSE:WAG) is expected to report fiscal third-quarter earnings of 56 cents a share

* UBS (NYSE:UBS) upgraded Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) to "buy," based upon housing and infrastructure recovery

* JP Morgan (NYSE:JPM) upgraded Verisign (NASDAQ:VRSN) to "overweight" from "neutral"

* According to a Wall Street Journal report, Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) may stop conducting businesses with some retailers in states, which would force sales tax payments on online transactions