Hey, it's slow out there and I don't have transcripts.

[Kyung]

Got you!!! You thought this was going to be another, oh, no, the economy is in the dumps story or I need work story. Nope. I want to be more positive than that.

It is slow out there. I don't know why. I don't know when it's going to pick up. Probably right around the holidays when you are buried under festive events that you have to go to or make huge meals for.

But in the meantime, you're wondering, what do I do? Enjoy your time off. Go catch a movie. Get your Christmas shopping done or at least get your Christmas cards done now. Spend time with your spouse, children, or friends you can never see bec. you're buried under a deadline.

Work on your realtime. If you're not getting jobs bec. the agency is calling and asking you if you provide realtime to the attorneys and you say no, then start working on it. Work on your dictionary. Work on your speed. Bottom line, it will make you a better reporter.

Practice!! IF you want the CRR or your want that last leg of the RPR, now is the time to practice, practice, practice.

Catch up on all your favorite tv shows. Frivolous, yes; but fun. Go to the library and catch up on your reading.

Go over your taxes and make sure you're ready for the taxman in April. It will be quicker than you realize. Find all those receipts for those miscellaneous things that add up quickly. Figure out how much you spent for gas. Add up all those parking receipts that you didn't get reimbursed for. If you have a scopist, figure out how much you paid them so far this year. Decide whether you're going to send out 1099's or not. If you do that last one, tell me how you do it. I've got to work on that as well.

Anyway, just some thoughts. And I do believe it will pick up eventually.

[MARY RIDENHOUR]

I am available to go into "lock-down" mode with any reporters who are facing daily copy. I live in Austin, but can make myself available for those big jobs that require scoping/proofing on-sight for daily copies. Just need a couple of days' notice to get my Golden Retrievers baby-sitters. Mary Ridenhour

[Kyung]

I just thought of some more things two do during the downtown. These will not cost you any money.

Write copious blogs on CSRNation.
Invite all your court reporting friends to join CSRNation who haven't already joined.
Surf the web (this may lead to shopping.)

[Anthony D. Frisolone]

Kyung, I couldn't agree with you more. Take advantage of the down time and put it to productive use!