Oh, yeah... Yes, I do subscribe to the JCR. Tell me what issue to look at : )

Wait a second... Mr. Softy? What is that?! Don't tell me it's a truck that cruises aroung the neighborhood selling soft-serve cones?!?!?! We had an ice cream truck that you could buy packaged ice cream (you know, like the ones you can just get from the store and have in your freezer at home)but, if what you're talking about is what I think you're talking about... well, we're definitely deprived here in CA.

Wow! What an experience you had at that convention. I am familiar with who MK is. Jeez, why'd you have to tell me that? now I just know my experience will be a let down. (just kidding) I can't possibly get that lucky...Do you care to share any of his writing principles? -- or is that like asking "Hey, tell me all about your theory" (BTW mine is StenEd) I'm sure you have figured out by now, that I just want to soak up all the advice I can get : )

I had CAT class tonight, and we are at midterm week. We were given our assignment for the final. Take down a whole speed or requirements class (any speed at or below your level) in realtime. So, what do you think? Should I take the easiest way out and do the 60-80 class? Or be ambitious and go for my own class? What would you do? The speed chosen has no impact on your grade.

Okay... So I made an interesting observation about myself today and would be interested in your opinion. Today was Q&A day. I did my own personal warm up long before class at speeds ranging from 120-150. It was okay. Not great, not horrendous. Come class time, we start warmup at 120 and quickly progress to 150, and it felt GREAT!!!! I mean, I wasn't getting everything, but it was the most confident and comfortable I have ever felt in 2V. Next comes the actual tests: HORRIBLE!!! Now, I wasn't going in with a bunch of confidence, or even trying to psych myself out the other way. In fact, I really had no nerves at all. But it just sucked! I'd have great 1 minute spurts, followed by pure sh*t, followed by another great 1-11/2 minute spurt. When I got to the 120, I had completely lost concentration and couldn't even get that. ARGH!!! I am so determined to get a freaking Q&A. It's just a bummer that we only get them on Wed. I will not give up though!!!

Well, I'm going to forego my practice tonight for some well-needed sleep. TTYL : )

~Kyla

Hi David.

Bailey's party went well. The Chuck E. Cheese thing worked out all right for us. It unfortunately is not the same as I remember. The one I went to as a kid was HUGE! It was two stories and had the separate room for the "band" as you remembered it. The one in our area is tiny. Everything all in one small space. She enjoyed herself but was dissapointed that they smashed another party in right next to our table when they had plenty of space 3 or 4 tables over. I have done all of my kids' birthdays at my house until this one, and it was wonderful to not have to fret over the food and the mess.

Had an instructor not show up on Monday -- very irritating! We just sat around all period talking about the convention. I love to chat and all -- don't get me wrong -- but I hate the thought of my time and money going to waste like that. Then for the first 15 minutes or so of the next period, the department chair came in to lecture us about policies, and it just gets on my nerves. If someone is editing their notes between tests, I think he/she should be dealt with individually. If there is a problem with cheating, again, deal with the cheater. Stop wasting my time and money!!! Sorry. Just had to get that out one last time so I can have a chance at having a decent attitude tomorrow.

I am excited I am going to the convention in Anaheim. Are you? Have you ever been to one?

I certainly don't mind chatting about things other than CR. Sometimes I need the break. KWIM?

I haven't passed a test in a while. I was kind of on a roll there, but my streak has ended. I'm trying not to stress about it too much. Honestly, I have not been practicing much, and that is probably why. Sometimes I just get burnt out at home with all of my other responsibilities. And I miss my kids. The weather is getting nice, and I'd rather just play in the sprinklers with them. LOL.

Well, I figured out how to use my machine to write to other documents.(Great fun!)
How's it goin'?

Hi David.

I am so glad we met here! I just love "talking" with you!
Hey, before I forget, I have been meaning to ask someone before I call stenograph: do you know how to set up using your writer and Case software to write to email and other text documents? I have the current version(9) of Case, and I was told that this version has this capability. Boy, could I save some time if I learned how to do that. And I would get the added benefit of being on my machine!
I think you are right, we seem to be a lot alike when it comes to CR school! That seems unfair that you have to wait for your pass to "count". Why would they want to hold you back? I think you and I could probably design the perfect CR training program... LOL
I'm getting irritated with my requirements class. I don't know if I am just tired of my current teacher and her particular style, but I am hoping that she is not teaching the 150-170 requirements class. I could go on and on about my gripes with her, but I'll spare you.(Besides, I don't want you to think I am a total whiner)
I'm with you on freelancing. I am afraid I couldn't report in criminal court. I don't think I can separate my emotions. It is something I have to work on. Even some of the tests we have had which dealt with criminal charges against children have been difficult for me, and they did not include any real details. I know this is something I need to overcome to be a reporter in any capacity.
We had a challenging medical Q&A in CAT class on Wed. night and I just finished editing it. This is how neurotic I can be: I am extremely annoyed with my instructor for giving us the following preview spelling: John Hopkins Hospital. Is it not Johns Hopkins? Ugh....

Bailey's birthday is on Sunday at Chuck E. Cheese's. Thanks for the good wishes.

I hope you have a good weekend.

~Kyla

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond in such detail. I feel a lot better knowing you can relate to my issues. I think your explanations sound right on the money.

Regarding the CAT class: so far I am a bit disappointed with it. We are in week 5 of the class and so far we haven't even covered dictionary building. We've learned how to make a cover sheet, a cert page, and we take dictation in realtime each session. I was actually discouraged from taking the class this early, but I got my way--heehee--I can be very persuasive. Hopefully, it will get better in the coming weeks. I have a lot of complaints about the structure of the program at my school, but I'm trying to make it work for me. There are things I like about it too when compared with what I have heard about other programs.

So, what do you plan to do once you are out of school? Freelance, Officialship? What's it like living in New York? Have you lived there all your life?

Sorry about the typos in that last message... : ) I know they are annoying

I thought I might tell you a little more about how I am doing in school with the hope that you may be ale to offer me some advice on how to improve...

I think I already mentioned I am at 130. I have already passed a 130JC. At my school each speed class is a range, so right now I am getting dictation at 120, 130, and 140. We have Straight matter (literary, congressional, legal opinion, etc.) Jury Charge, and 2 voice testimony (Q&A). Jury charge comes pretty easy for me--those are always my first passes. I have never passes a Q&A at my goal speed. (We are only allowed 1 JC and 1 Q&A at each speed, but you may use 1,2,or all 3 straight matter - 3 passes to advance to the next speed) I have been sitting in on the 90-110 class for extra Q&A practice, and I am able to get the 90 and the 100 and most of the time the 110. We also get 3V practice, but it is not timed and is read considerably slower than 120-140.
I was taught StenEd theory, which is conflict-free, but I often write conflicts during speed tests. I figure I am not going to be a realtime writer fresh out of school and I would rather get my speed and work on perfect writing as a paid reporter.
I tend to carry quite a few words, and I find that when I am "right on" the speaker I make really stupid careless mistakes, almost as if I have too much time to "think" (Does that make any sense at all?)
Nerves tend to get to me most on dictation for readback.
I am not able to practice everyday, and this is going to sound ridiculous, but whenever I have a ton of practice before the next school day (more than an hour or two), I feel like the next day, I am writing slower! And not as clearly!

One more thing: I am taking the CAT class and just learning how to use the software and build my dictionary.

So.... If you think, based on all this info, you might be able to offer me some tips, or see some way I can tweak anything, please let me know.

Hope to hear from you soon : )

~Kyla

Hi David.

Don't ever worry about writing too much! It is a pleasure to have something to read, and I appreciate any advice, knowledge, and experience you are willing to share.

All I can say about your ride on the CR School rollercoaster is... Wow. Kudos to you for getting through all of that.

I have had one heck of a week this week. I will have to elaborate on that later, though. Wednesdays I have night class, and I just got home to a house in shambles, and I don't want my husband to have to come home to this mess.

~Kyla

I'm sorry for not properly introducing myself. My name is Kyla.

And BTW, Congrats on being almost done! How long have you been in the program? How was interning?