Tami,
Yes, I'm sure there are crowbars needed to accomplish this insurmountable task. And you probably also hear the line "Did you even take a breath in that paragraph?" followed by laughter -- sheesh!!
Follow-up to the "rupture" brief Mark just gave us. And I'm probably the only one who does this, but don't forget to enter all the variations of a new brief you are incorporating, i.e., the past tense, tucking the G, and the plural.
"attain" I've never found the need to brief. It does get 25 mill. hits on Google which means it should qualify, but I just don't find people using it that much, so never briefed it.
If you really really want a brief for it, I'll do some serious thinking. For example, if you were willing to give up antenna (36mill hits), you could do TAEPB. But even that doesn't allow attained, since that would be TAEND = attend.
Sonja, I've spoken at the Verbatim Studies school. I really like Richard Williams, who helps run the program. They indeed are learning Phoenix, but many of the students there are already working my methods of short writing into their theory knowledge.
It is crucial to write short, if you want to most easily attain high speeds.
Monica, Christine, thank you both for your eloquent support of writing short and Magnum Steno.
Lisa, if you like the StenoMaster Theory book, you'll LOVE the "Magnum Steno: Write Short - Write Fast!" book. I like to say: It is a Ph.D. textbook for writing short!
language HRAPBG
languages HRAPBGZ (I prefer -Z for plurals)
Lang HRAEUPBG
In tomorrow's video, you will hear me ask, "Do you guys think I should slow down the Q&A's a little? I said, my inclination is to leave it, but I asked for people to give me well-thought-out comments on the speed.
As you know, it's mostly 280, 300, 320. I'm afraid if I slow down to 260, 270, 280, it would be too easy for too many of you.
You're a bright spot in my day. Love the videos, always so uplifting, encouraging, and genuine. As far as the speed.....challenging! On some days a little too challenging, but then I work harder and it's worth it. Although, I do like to end my practice sessions with something I can really get.
I have an attorney who says, "I'm going to change topics now." I do topic TOK and change topic KHOK.
I made up ORNDZ for ordinance last week. I think it's only the second time in 15 years that I've ever had to write it, but I heard it enough that day that I had to make up a brief for it.
Mark,
Please, don't change the speed!! Yeah, I know there are some days that I feel like I'm crazy for even attempting this BUT I know that it's so worth it!
Monica,
Your theory is correct it seems - even if you're not the one that invented a brief!
Consider: TOEUBG - topic
TOEUBGL- topical
Your ordinance works fine. I do hear "zoning ordinance" when I handle condemnation cases so you might want to think about some phrases that would work with your stroke.
I admit the first couple of days I started the club a couple of times I just stopped and watched you read because I couldn't believe somebody could read that fast, especially dense material!
But now I have become accustomed to the speed, and even though it is incredibly hard at times I like being pushed! I think maybe it's addictive, in a good way.
Sonja
Monica is SO spot on and could not have stated it better. You will be VERY sorry if you don't learn a short theory, and there is not a more superior theory out there to Magnum Steno. The reporting world continues to get faster and faster and yourhand speedeill max out. Writing long is really not an option.
First of all, I think early on when Tami created this site, we agreed not to pass judgment on any spelling or punctuation errors within our posts. I don't think apologies are necessary. I think we've all been there at some point, whether it be after a long day at work, late at night, or maybe even after a few too many. ;-)
Second, I just wanted to add that I learned a stroke intensive theory and worked very diligently on being 100% accurate. As a result, I firmly believe was a strong factor in the development of carpal tunnel and tendonitis in my wrists and arms. I only wish I had learned Mark's theory from the very beginning.
Writing shorter has definitely improved my stamina and the pain in my arms has decreased significantly. Thank you Mark!
Have you noticed from the very beginning of your career to now that people in general seem to talk faster and faster these days? My sister and her friends, who are in their late 20s and 30s, talk so fast that I can barely comprehend what they are discussing and then they're onto the next subject. Yikes...and they aren't very good listeners either --constantly interrupting over each other.
Wow. I just realized that I sound like a grumpy OLD lady! ;-p
My sister can talk well above 300 wpm and would be a very good challenge for Mark.
You are absolutely right; writing long is not an option.
Clay,
Well, we won't jump straight to genuflection -- no, but in all seriousness, Mark's Magnum Steno theory takes the cake. (Maybe there's a slogan-writing career in your future too :)
Alexis,
Yes, people are talking faster. I recently had a med/mal depo. I was warmed up -- so I thought -- but it didn't matter. I had some really fast sections, some parts of which I had small drops; others I got -- by the skin of my teeth. With Mark's help I was able to calculate the WPM. Here are the some of the actual WPM on these tough sections:
216
222
238
247
294
360
414
After running these numbers, I was somewhat comforted. What happens in regular conversation, unlike school dictation which tends to be mostly even, is that there are REALLY fast sections and moderate and/or slow sections. But you are able to HANG ON through those speedy sections many times because of the slow down and/or phrases coming up. I dropped on the 414 section, but hung on for the 360 section, albeit short. It is only because I now write much shorter -- THANK YOU MARK -- that I was able to do this.
Is anyone else having difficulty getting to the "Archive" section of MS.com? Everytime I hit "Archive" to practice I get kicked out to the blue login screen!! ARGHHHH!!!! Toddler taking a nap and I was wanting/needing to practice like NOW! Okay, take a deep breath, in and out slowly... lol!
Yeah, I got in too!!
Congrats Stenoray!! Kudos to you!!
I did have to go through the cached pages of Google to sign in though. I clicked on the original link and I, too, had that funky Index page appear. What's up with that?
Phoenix is a great theory, IF no one ever talks above 150wpm. But that's not the real world. It's SO stroke-intensive, it makes it EXTREMELY difficult to graduate at 225, and nearly impossible to get to 260 or 280 unless one does exactly what was trying to be avoided - learn hundreds, then thousands of briefs.
Also, Phoenix students learn their theory, then speed-build 100% of the time. People who learn my theory, they can speed-build half of the time, and memorize briefs the other half, AND they'll get out of school much more quickly. It's a win-win-win-win with my theory: Practice more enjoyable, writing more enjoyable, graduate quickly, gain high speeds easily.
Sorry, friends, the site was down starting Saturday morning, and as of Sunday afternoon, still down. Did the web host (HIT Web design) warn us? No. Did they say when it would be back online? No. Am I a happy customer? No.
OMG Kathryn:) 270 almost a breeze? lol. GOOD FOR YOU!!! You are inspirational, and I truly hope I can say the same someday:)
And just my two cents, Sonja; I don't think any other schools or theories are up to day with the world of steno today, except Mark's. NO ONE TALKS 180. lol. The reason I say that is because I just graduated three years ago, and I am STILL trying ot shorten my writing and go faster. Though my writing is getting better, It's very hard to work and edit and practice briefs and speed. And I still am not able to Realtime yet! And it's like anything else with our world now; everyone wants everything as fast as they can get it. I.e., attorneys want the depos over as soon as possible, which means they talk REALLY FAST. And, the sooner you can give them the transcript, the happier they are with you and are likely to choose you over others again! One of my favorite things of reporting is being requested by clients. So, if I could do it all over, I would absolutely, 100% pick Marks' theory to learn first, so I was writing very comfortable at depos and phrased many more things than I do at the moment. Then my job would be much less stressful!!!!
Good luck in whatever you do, but this group is full of wonderful and awesome people/reporters. The advice they give is invaluable:)
Monica, I had a thought for you. You are practicing all your briefs at slow speeds, because they "go away" for you at the high speeds.
That's good, what you are doing.
However, it't important that you know that everyone, I included, when practicing at our top speeds, revert to writing out some things that we brief at lower speeds. I assume that only the best-learned briefs continute to survive at the top speeds, and the briefs that aren't quite as well learned, well, they fall away at the top speeds.
So, just know that that's the case for everyone.
So this is more reason to practice briefs daily, even for reporters, so we can get them into that "perfectly known" group that do NOT fall away when practicing at high speeds.
Gwen, I'm answering your e-mail in this format because you may get more responses this way.
Mark's system uses the asterisk quite extensively. I have never used the double wide asterisk key, but it would probably come in handy for me because I use both my right and left hand to hit the asterisk, whichever one is most convenient. Mark K uses only his left hand for the * so there's no hesitation.
I think Mark is still offering a 2-week free trial to the Magnum Steno Club. He has a lot of videos on briefs if you want to see some great shortcuts. Or else just be blown away by some really fast dictation, which I hate and love at the same time.
Thanks, LeAnne. I did contact Mark to do the free trial and got the info back from him. Unfortunately, it didn't get me into the site, so I'm awaiting further instructions from him.
I'm really curious to hear the 'fast' dictation. When I've heard really fast dictation in the past, it was hard to understand. I think a lot of people don't naturally talk fast (I talk really fast!) and so it's hard for them to dictate fast in a clear and easy-to-understand fashion.
So I wonder which side, if any, Mark has the extended asterisk on...
Gwen, I've been off raising kids for nine years. I just got my laptop, software, and reconfigured my writer. I was told by several experts here to get wide -D and -Z and right-side-only asterisk. Someone here (maybe Brenda?) writes with a wide -T/-S. Personally, I don't think you should change that, as it accomplishes the same thing.
I didn't have a clue who Mark was either. But why would I? He hasn't made a guest appearance on Sesame Street yet.
Tami (There are two of us here. The other one is more knowledgeable in this area.)
LeAnne, Mark just sent me the 'free trial' login info today, so it should have been good to go, but maybe not. I have kept trying throughout the day.
Tami, nice to meet you. What kind of equipment did you get? My old stuff was a Stenograph Smartwritier and I used Cheetah/TurboCat software. I haven't been able to get Cheetah to return any of my calls or emails, so I guess I'm going with CaseCatalyst. I did really like Cheetah when I used it. And my computer was a 386SX! DOS based. LOL
I was just amazed at what the new software can do. My fave feature is the little window that pops up and gives you suggestions on briefs and short ways to write words you are repeating in a depo. I used to always do that in depos, so I just love love love that feature.
You and your kids are obviously a lot younger than me and mine. I have 2 sons in college and 1 son a senior in high school (hence me return to work, for college tuition money) and it's been a very long time since I watched Sesame Street. But I do miss those days. My youngest just had his 18th b-day on Saturday and I was so sad realizing it was the last birthday I'd ever have one of my kids home to celebrate. My son was a great sport and let me throw a party for him. I love giving parties. Now I'll have to start throwing parties for my friends' b-days.
I live on Whidbey Island in Washington. Are there any reporters here in my area? I would love some input on firms to contact for freelance work.
If you want to save some money on equipment, try Acculaw.
I just bought Eclipse software, two keys, for $3100. I received everything brand new from Eclipse, even though I sent the check to Acculaw. It comes with one year of support and also updates for the year.
They deal with most all the software companies and also sell used hardware.
Gwen, I'm still using my Stentura 8000LX. I bought it only seven months before it was retired; so it is still new to me. I had it reconfigured (shimmed to a very shallow key depth, wide keys for new changes to theory per MS, and higher vowels -- you are going to love those on the Diamante.
I had Eclipse (the DOS version) back in the day. I researched and met with company reps again, and made the same decision. This may not be the place for the Eclipse endorsement, but PLEASE look at it before purchasing. The laptop is a Toshiba.
Had you been keeping up with your practice, or did you have to do any speedbuilding? I kept my license, but didn't practice regularly. Let me just say this, it isn't exactly "riding a bike."
I think I am at about 200-ish now. It is really different this time, obviously much faster progress, but the range of what I can get is so diverse.
Mine are nine and six. Oh, and I am in Southern Cal. Where did you go to school?
I don't know what higher vowels are! You mean the keys are not as low?
I did not keep up with practicing but it's amazing how many times I dreamed about reporting (all the usual nightmares) and also would translate words into my head when hearing people speak, watching a movie, etc.
I was surprised to discover that it was like riding a bike for me. I got right back into it way quicker than i thought I would.
I'm listening to Mark's instructional videos tonight (and taking them down on the machine obviously) and am looking forward to trying one of the speed tapes. I do have some other speed building tapes (the traditional kind) and I did pretty well with them. I feel more confident in my writing than when I first started reporting. However, I was naive then and now I am aware of the kind of nightmare situations you can walk into so hope I don't get any of those right off the bat!
Yeah. The vowels are on the same plane as the other keys. You will love it. I think it is standard on the machine you ordered. I've only had raised vowels for a week, and I can't help but wonder if they are somewhat preventative of carpal tunnel. It really feels more natural.
I'm glad it came back so easily for you (slightly jealous, but happy for you!), but you wrote a lot longer than I did before your little hiatus. I'm getting there.
Yes, I did. And I also played the piano (from 1st grade on), which I have always felt gives a court reporter a head start. I'm sure there are people who disagree with me, but I am convinced! And I type super fast (gifted fingers ) and was also good at Gregg Shorthand in high school (mind already trained to think in shorthand and come up with briefs on the fly). So I really do feel those things gave me an edge from the get-go.
To get back on track with this site, I started on the videos last night. Did a bunch of the instructional videos, two of the beginning briefs, and a couple of the speed tapes. Whoa, that speed tape are something else. LOL I took me 3 videos before I could get into a rhythm to write with a stroke for most of the words for any sustained time, but I doubt more than a few of the words would have even translated out to what they were supposed to be. But hey, Mark said that doesn't matter so I'm taking him at his word. My fingers were flying but I was 'hammering' so I had to try and make a conscious effort to lighten up. A couple of times I really got into the zone (still not actually hitting any of the right keys but mentally I felt in the zone), which was fun!
Tami
Loved the "oops!" story. Too cute!
It's LANG for me, too, Bece, for as long as I can remember. I know use the -Z for the plural since I got corrupted by Mark's theory.
Sep 23, 2009
Tami
Sep 23, 2009
Christine Kirley
Yes, I'm sure there are crowbars needed to accomplish this insurmountable task. And you probably also hear the line "Did you even take a breath in that paragraph?" followed by laughter -- sheesh!!
Follow-up to the "rupture" brief Mark just gave us. And I'm probably the only one who does this, but don't forget to enter all the variations of a new brief you are incorporating, i.e., the past tense, tucking the G, and the plural.
Sep 23, 2009
Bece Kidder
Sep 23, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
"attain" I've never found the need to brief. It does get 25 mill. hits on Google which means it should qualify, but I just don't find people using it that much, so never briefed it.
If you really really want a brief for it, I'll do some serious thinking. For example, if you were willing to give up antenna (36mill hits), you could do TAEPB. But even that doesn't allow attained, since that would be TAEND = attend.
Sep 23, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
It is crucial to write short, if you want to most easily attain high speeds.
Sep 23, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
Lisa, if you like the StenoMaster Theory book, you'll LOVE the "Magnum Steno: Write Short - Write Fast!" book. I like to say: It is a Ph.D. textbook for writing short!
Sep 23, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
languages HRAPBGZ (I prefer -Z for plurals)
Lang HRAEUPBG
In tomorrow's video, you will hear me ask, "Do you guys think I should slow down the Q&A's a little? I said, my inclination is to leave it, but I asked for people to give me well-thought-out comments on the speed.
As you know, it's mostly 280, 300, 320. I'm afraid if I slow down to 260, 270, 280, it would be too easy for too many of you.
Sep 23, 2009
Penny Pabitzky
You're a bright spot in my day. Love the videos, always so uplifting, encouraging, and genuine. As far as the speed.....challenging! On some days a little too challenging, but then I work harder and it's worth it. Although, I do like to end my practice sessions with something I can really get.
Sep 24, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
Penny, thanks so much for the encouragement, you Super Reporter you!
Sep 24, 2009
LeAnne Law
I made up ORNDZ for ordinance last week. I think it's only the second time in 15 years that I've ever had to write it, but I heard it enough that day that I had to make up a brief for it.
Sep 24, 2009
Shelley Ottwell
Please, don't change the speed!! Yeah, I know there are some days that I feel like I'm crazy for even attempting this BUT I know that it's so worth it!
Monica,
Your theory is correct it seems - even if you're not the one that invented a brief!
Consider: TOEUBG - topic
TOEUBGL- topical
Your ordinance works fine. I do hear "zoning ordinance" when I handle condemnation cases so you might want to think about some phrases that would work with your stroke.
Sep 24, 2009
Shelley Ottwell
Sep 24, 2009
Bece Kidder
I think the speed is great. You should leave it.
I admit the first couple of days I started the club a couple of times I just stopped and watched you read because I couldn't believe somebody could read that fast, especially dense material!
But now I have become accustomed to the speed, and even though it is incredibly hard at times I like being pushed! I think maybe it's addictive, in a good way.
Sep 24, 2009
Tami
My boys use drywall hammers.
Have to catch up with everybody else at lunch.
Sep 24, 2009
Christine Kirley
Monica is SO spot on and could not have stated it better. You will be VERY sorry if you don't learn a short theory, and there is not a more superior theory out there to Magnum Steno. The reporting world continues to get faster and faster and yourhand speedeill max out. Writing long is really not an option.
Sep 24, 2009
Christine Kirley
( I am not good at Texting from a phone)
Sep 24, 2009
Clay Frazier
"We are more superior than you"
:)
Sep 25, 2009
Alexis McCutchen
Second, I just wanted to add that I learned a stroke intensive theory and worked very diligently on being 100% accurate. As a result, I firmly believe was a strong factor in the development of carpal tunnel and tendonitis in my wrists and arms. I only wish I had learned Mark's theory from the very beginning.
Writing shorter has definitely improved my stamina and the pain in my arms has decreased significantly. Thank you Mark!
Sep 25, 2009
Alexis McCutchen
Have you noticed from the very beginning of your career to now that people in general seem to talk faster and faster these days? My sister and her friends, who are in their late 20s and 30s, talk so fast that I can barely comprehend what they are discussing and then they're onto the next subject. Yikes...and they aren't very good listeners either --constantly interrupting over each other.
Wow. I just realized that I sound like a grumpy OLD lady! ;-p
My sister can talk well above 300 wpm and would be a very good challenge for Mark.
You are absolutely right; writing long is not an option.
Sep 25, 2009
Christine Kirley
Well, we won't jump straight to genuflection -- no, but in all seriousness, Mark's Magnum Steno theory takes the cake. (Maybe there's a slogan-writing career in your future too :)
Alexis,
Yes, people are talking faster. I recently had a med/mal depo. I was warmed up -- so I thought -- but it didn't matter. I had some really fast sections, some parts of which I had small drops; others I got -- by the skin of my teeth. With Mark's help I was able to calculate the WPM. Here are the some of the actual WPM on these tough sections:
216
222
238
247
294
360
414
After running these numbers, I was somewhat comforted. What happens in regular conversation, unlike school dictation which tends to be mostly even, is that there are REALLY fast sections and moderate and/or slow sections. But you are able to HANG ON through those speedy sections many times because of the slow down and/or phrases coming up. I dropped on the 414 section, but hung on for the 360 section, albeit short. It is only because I now write much shorter -- THANK YOU MARK -- that I was able to do this.
Sep 25, 2009
Shelley Ottwell
Sep 26, 2009
LeAnne Law
Sep 26, 2009
Christine Kirley
Unable to get in. Fatal error. Tried throughout the day and just now.
Sep 26, 2009
Alexis McCutchen
Sep 26, 2009
Christine Kirley
Sep 27, 2009
Shelley Ottwell
Congrats Stenoray!! Kudos to you!!
I did have to go through the cached pages of Google to sign in though. I clicked on the original link and I, too, had that funky Index page appear. What's up with that?
Sep 27, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
Phoenix is a great theory, IF no one ever talks above 150wpm. But that's not the real world. It's SO stroke-intensive, it makes it EXTREMELY difficult to graduate at 225, and nearly impossible to get to 260 or 280 unless one does exactly what was trying to be avoided - learn hundreds, then thousands of briefs.
Also, Phoenix students learn their theory, then speed-build 100% of the time. People who learn my theory, they can speed-build half of the time, and memorize briefs the other half, AND they'll get out of school much more quickly. It's a win-win-win-win with my theory: Practice more enjoyable, writing more enjoyable, graduate quickly, gain high speeds easily.
Sep 27, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
Sep 27, 2009
Christine Kirley
Congratulations!!! You are amazing!! How great you must feel. All that hard work is paying off. You are Stenorabulous ;)
Sep 27, 2009
ToniAnn McCullough
Sep 27, 2009
Erica Abbott
And just my two cents, Sonja; I don't think any other schools or theories are up to day with the world of steno today, except Mark's. NO ONE TALKS 180. lol. The reason I say that is because I just graduated three years ago, and I am STILL trying ot shorten my writing and go faster. Though my writing is getting better, It's very hard to work and edit and practice briefs and speed. And I still am not able to Realtime yet! And it's like anything else with our world now; everyone wants everything as fast as they can get it. I.e., attorneys want the depos over as soon as possible, which means they talk REALLY FAST. And, the sooner you can give them the transcript, the happier they are with you and are likely to choose you over others again! One of my favorite things of reporting is being requested by clients. So, if I could do it all over, I would absolutely, 100% pick Marks' theory to learn first, so I was writing very comfortable at depos and phrased many more things than I do at the moment. Then my job would be much less stressful!!!!
Good luck in whatever you do, but this group is full of wonderful and awesome people/reporters. The advice they give is invaluable:)
Sep 28, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
http://www.magnumsteno.com/members/
sign in there, and you can access the archives
the INDEX page was somehow "deleted" and needs to be rebuilt. today's video may be up later today, if they fix it in time
Sep 28, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
That's good, what you are doing.
However, it't important that you know that everyone, I included, when practicing at our top speeds, revert to writing out some things that we brief at lower speeds. I assume that only the best-learned briefs continute to survive at the top speeds, and the briefs that aren't quite as well learned, well, they fall away at the top speeds.
So, just know that that's the case for everyone.
So this is more reason to practice briefs daily, even for reporters, so we can get them into that "perfectly known" group that do NOT fall away when practicing at high speeds.
Sep 28, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
We have not yet been able to upload today's video; they are working on that.
BUT THE ARCHIVES ARE WORKING!
Sep 28, 2009
Christine Kirley
Sep 28, 2009
Mark Kislingbury
Sep 28, 2009
Christine Kirley
Sep 28, 2009
LeAnne Law
Mark's system uses the asterisk quite extensively. I have never used the double wide asterisk key, but it would probably come in handy for me because I use both my right and left hand to hit the asterisk, whichever one is most convenient. Mark K uses only his left hand for the * so there's no hesitation.
I think Mark is still offering a 2-week free trial to the Magnum Steno Club. He has a lot of videos on briefs if you want to see some great shortcuts. Or else just be blown away by some really fast dictation, which I hate and love at the same time.
Sep 28, 2009
Gwen Brass
I'm really curious to hear the 'fast' dictation. When I've heard really fast dictation in the past, it was hard to understand. I think a lot of people don't naturally talk fast (I talk really fast!) and so it's hard for them to dictate fast in a clear and easy-to-understand fashion.
So I wonder which side, if any, Mark has the extended asterisk on...
Sep 28, 2009
tami carlson
I didn't have a clue who Mark was either. But why would I? He hasn't made a guest appearance on Sesame Street yet.
Tami (There are two of us here. The other one is more knowledgeable in this area.)
Sep 28, 2009
LeAnne Law
Sep 28, 2009
Gwen Brass
Tami, nice to meet you. What kind of equipment did you get? My old stuff was a Stenograph Smartwritier and I used Cheetah/TurboCat software. I haven't been able to get Cheetah to return any of my calls or emails, so I guess I'm going with CaseCatalyst. I did really like Cheetah when I used it. And my computer was a 386SX! DOS based. LOL
I was just amazed at what the new software can do. My fave feature is the little window that pops up and gives you suggestions on briefs and short ways to write words you are repeating in a depo. I used to always do that in depos, so I just love love love that feature.
You and your kids are obviously a lot younger than me and mine. I have 2 sons in college and 1 son a senior in high school (hence me return to work, for college tuition money) and it's been a very long time since I watched Sesame Street. But I do miss those days. My youngest just had his 18th b-day on Saturday and I was so sad realizing it was the last birthday I'd ever have one of my kids home to celebrate. My son was a great sport and let me throw a party for him. I love giving parties. Now I'll have to start throwing parties for my friends' b-days.
I live on Whidbey Island in Washington. Are there any reporters here in my area? I would love some input on firms to contact for freelance work.
Sep 28, 2009
Tami
If you want to save some money on equipment, try Acculaw.
I just bought Eclipse software, two keys, for $3100. I received everything brand new from Eclipse, even though I sent the check to Acculaw. It comes with one year of support and also updates for the year.
They deal with most all the software companies and also sell used hardware.
Sep 28, 2009
tami carlson
I had Eclipse (the DOS version) back in the day. I researched and met with company reps again, and made the same decision. This may not be the place for the Eclipse endorsement, but PLEASE look at it before purchasing. The laptop is a Toshiba.
Had you been keeping up with your practice, or did you have to do any speedbuilding? I kept my license, but didn't practice regularly. Let me just say this, it isn't exactly "riding a bike."
I think I am at about 200-ish now. It is really different this time, obviously much faster progress, but the range of what I can get is so diverse.
Mine are nine and six. Oh, and I am in Southern Cal. Where did you go to school?
Tami, too
Sep 28, 2009
LeAnne Law
Sep 28, 2009
Gwen Brass
I did not keep up with practicing but it's amazing how many times I dreamed about reporting (all the usual nightmares) and also would translate words into my head when hearing people speak, watching a movie, etc.
I was surprised to discover that it was like riding a bike for me. I got right back into it way quicker than i thought I would.
I'm listening to Mark's instructional videos tonight (and taking them down on the machine obviously) and am looking forward to trying one of the speed tapes. I do have some other speed building tapes (the traditional kind) and I did pretty well with them. I feel more confident in my writing than when I first started reporting. However, I was naive then and now I am aware of the kind of nightmare situations you can walk into so hope I don't get any of those right off the bat!
Sep 28, 2009
tami carlson
I'm glad it came back so easily for you (slightly jealous, but happy for you!), but you wrote a lot longer than I did before your little hiatus. I'm getting there.
Sep 29, 2009
Gwen Brass
To get back on track with this site, I started on the videos last night. Did a bunch of the instructional videos, two of the beginning briefs, and a couple of the speed tapes. Whoa, that speed tape are something else. LOL I took me 3 videos before I could get into a rhythm to write with a stroke for most of the words for any sustained time, but I doubt more than a few of the words would have even translated out to what they were supposed to be. But hey, Mark said that doesn't matter so I'm taking him at his word. My fingers were flying but I was 'hammering' so I had to try and make a conscious effort to lighten up. A couple of times I really got into the zone (still not actually hitting any of the right keys but mentally I felt in the zone), which was fun!
Sep 29, 2009
Tami
I'm another piano playing bike rider. :)
Longest time out was about five years, and it took me about two days to get back into the swing of things.
Sep 29, 2009