Favorite Wall Street pastimes: recreational dwarf tossing

Not TCD worthy news: According to the NY Times, James S. Shorris, the No. 2 dude at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (Wall Street’s self-policing organization) is leaving to pursue a job in the private sector.

TCD worthy news: some of the cases he oversaw in his time at FINRA

At the height of the crisis in 2008, Finra filed 1,073 disciplinary actions, down from 1,204 two years before. Last year, Finra brought 1,310 cases, but levied $41 million in fines, roughly half what it collected in 2006.

Cases Shorris over saw included, but were not limited to:

$7.5 million fine against Deutsche Bank for misleading investors about the danger of its subprime mortgage-backed securities.

Boring

The case against the securities firm Jefferies & Company, which bestowed lavish gifts and entertainment on Fidelity Investment traders — including private air travel, tickets to the Super Bowl and a weekend-long party that featured recreational dwarf-tossing.

According to a TCD source, dwarf-tossing became popular in the 1980s (obviously). It involves throwing a dwarf dressed in a Velcro suit at a Velcro-covered wall. The dwarf usually wears a crash helmet and has handles on the back of his (or her) padded clothing which are used to remove him or her from the wall to which he or she is stuck. No word on whether the dwarves at the Jeffries party were properly outfitted.

Heighties hockey hits

This video is so 80s (and possibly early 90s) in so many ways. First of all, the NHL is cracking down on the types of hits that are the epicenter of this clip. Then there are the jerseys, teams, equipment, players, and the fact that the Islanders seem to be portrayed as a quality franchise. But it is the soundtrack that really seals the deal. As always. Enjoy and thanks to Don Cherry.

Blogging 101: Give them what they ask for

Rob Delaney tells TCD in the quote of the day that he wants more songs yelling lists? TCD will give him yelling lists.

Except not entirely.

In addition to a solid audio track, this video throws down as solid a list of montages from 80s/early 90s movies as any I've ever seen. The theme of dance scenes is rock solid. The prevalence of Karate Kid, Footloose and Nerds is palpable. Rusty's highlight from the Family Vacation series shines. And the ode to Candy at the end spells class. Good things.