you allude to us crossing paths before, something i'm not aware...

you allude to us crossing paths before, something i'm not aware of, however, i wouldnt have given you "advise" or "advice"....i'd offer an opinion, you ultimately make your own decisions.
as for " a reminder of what NOT to invest in", well, i'd prefer to use my capital more wisely, i still possess a memory thats more than capable of remembering management/transactions or whatever, that didnt go to plan, i dont need to have money tied up in a failed decision simply to "remind me"....
If i ever get into a stock that goes pear shaped, i simply sell, take the hit and wait for the next bus...( as you claim to know me, you should have picked up that thats how i punt at this end of town).
i make no pretence that this is a golden stock, i view it as a potential turn around, based on several factors, such as the introduction of new management, a consolidation, clean up of of assets etc etc. the signs are clues to me, i have no interest whatsoever in the the "sins of the last 9 years" or whatever.....its history.....i go into these stocks with a forward looking view.
Occasionally i get it wrong, thats simply the cost of business.....get 4 right, get 1 wrong (as a rough average) for whatever reason.
Am i stuck?....to a degree, yes....i started buying too early, a common error on my part, not realising the time scale that boards and dealmakers work on. However, i enjoy the illiquid nature of stocks i enter as it presents unique buying opportunities, the end game, as always, is a major liquidity event, such as an acquisition. As that event hasnt eventuated yet, i'm happy to sit tight, gnawing away at distressed sellers.....i've built a T10 position and still have ammo left over.
If i get it wrong, the blame lies purely with me, ive done my research, i've taken onboard the negativity of certain holders ( in fact, the more folk gripe about a stock, the more it piques my interest!!).
If it doesnt play out, i'll simply sell and move on, i have learnt (very quickly) that holding on and harping on about bad management or whatever, achieves nothing but angst and prevents you from using your capital effectively. I occasionally buy duds, but i dont hold them long, i dont have the time or interest in beating myself up about them.

No doubt, we'll chat again....i look forward to it...