Blue Sky Mining Company

I've spent two hours researching stocks and only one hour playing Gearbox Software's "Brothers in Arms." My beloved fiance, the internationally renowned Skinnerian behaviorist, might surmise some degree of compulsion in each. Some inside buys hit the screen the last couple weeks.

Air Methods CP (NasdaqNM: AIRM). Ralph Bernstein, director and 10% owner, purchased 60,000 shares at $16.88. The Denver company provides air medical emergency transport services and systems in the United States. Other insiders are exercising and selling smaller amounts as the stock gaps up. RSI indicates overbought, but these air angels may have room to run.

Avanex CP (NasdaqNM:AVNX). One of the worst performers of the year, the photonics-based solutions provider has seen Corning, Inc. steadily decrease its stake. CEO and director Jo S. Major picked up 200,000 shares on the 8th. (http://www.secform4.com/insider/showhistory.php?cik=avnx ) . Average price, about $0.895 per share. Off Friday, but climbing in weeks since on strong volume.

American Axle & Mfg HLDG (NYSE: AXL). Director BG Mathis picked up 25,000 shares at the market, average price $18.88. The value plays (price to sales ratio is 0.28) have to pay off some day.

BE Aerospace, Inc. (NasdaqNM: BEAV). Found my screen from Cramer's take. Heavy insider selling into strength. I wouldn't mind getting into some under-nineteen BEAV.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NasdaqNM: CMTL). Director Edwin Kantor signaled confidence in his company at $32.88. His thousand-share buy couldn't stop it from dropping below thirty dollars. I might look harder if they test twenty-five.

Cost Plus Inc. (NasdaqNM: CPWM). The operator of Pier 1 and Cost Plus lost their CFO to Wet Seal last month. The CEO and another director tried defending the stock about two dollars ago, before Lehman hit them with a downgrade to underweight. At least they're not using Kirsty Alley in their advertising anymore.

Dean Foods Co. (NYSE: DF). A mention on 'Mad Money,' and a thousand share inside purchase, two weeks later, haven't yet resulted in stock punching 'through to 43.' The Dallas maker of Silk, WhiteWave, Land O' Lakes and Horizon Organics, among others, is starting to look tasty at about thirty-eight.

eFunds Corp. (NYSE: EFD). Ten thousand inside shares at $21.88 last week, an upgrade by Citigroup, and a new transaction processing deal with the United States Post Office. Buying this on pullbacks should enhance some portfolios, unless there really are nuts out there like in the movie, "Fight Club."

Eagle Materials Inc. (NYSE: EXP). Director Michael Nicolais found an entry point on November 30. His $109.10 shares (all 370 of them), have appreciated by more than ten dollars. Cramer had a take on them on the 17th, calling the cement and gypsum maker a 'mon back.' http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/funds/madmoneywrap/10253535_3.html Their 'problems,' according to Jim Cramer, are insufficient capacity and a possible repeal of the tariffs on Mexican cement. Sounds like a good name for a rock band or a salsa-riffic reminder that every investment has risk.

Two hours later, I'm done with the stocks through the letter 'e.' I'm almost twenty percent finished with the alphabet. And my inside info is older than Methuselah's crusty boxer shorts.

Sam Kinison was on a rerun of 'Married with Children,' appearing as a Dickens' style guardian angel to audit Al's life. I wait with eternal patience for a replay of 'The Ferguson.'