Wow, this Club is going off!! Haven't been on for a bit and had a lot of catch-up reading to do.

Tami, I'm glad you like the photo. Thanks again for starting our little club.

Well, Veronica, to answer your question, the gun in this picture is a Ruger Vaquero Single Action with a 4 5/8" barrel in Stainless Steel.

And, Alexis, yes, it's a pretty big gun. Has a pretty good recoil too!

Mark, so great to see you here!! I don't know if I've shot the Colt Python or not. Do you own one? I really need to move to Texas so the gun collection could grow rapidly, unimpeded by the registration hassles.

Monti, I want to jump in on all the thank-yous. You really do an amazing job here and are so appreciated.

I may have to join the "Dorkie mom club." If you don't have a son, can you join anyway? Megan has 4 more tests to pass to qualify for the June CSR. She has been writing the Magnum Steno Club multiple times in a day. She's giving it her best shot.

The video Mark showed at the San Diego seminar was quite impressive. What an amazing machine God has created in the human -- and so adaptable.

Let's keep up the hard work -- and, oh, it is hard work -- but certainly worth it!!

Yes, Christine, you'll never be as dorkie as me, but you definitely qualify to be in the unofficial "Dorkie Mom Club."

I'm so happy Megan's doing so awesome. She is such a very special person! I'm glad to hear she's working hard in the "Club." I know it will pay off.

So we're up to 39 members -- and I think I noticed one more dude, Tim. SUPER!!

Christine, the only qualifications to be in our unofficial Dorkie Mom Club is to be a Mom and a Dork...oops. Did I say that out loud? ; p

Tami, I think I just out dorked you today. And Trevor will probably agree with me on this one. Well, good news first. I passed my last 200 and am now officially in qualifiers! Then what do I do? I started crying and shaking like a blundering idiot. Geeeez, what will it be like when I pass my qualifier and then my CSR test?!?

Mark, do you have a seminar on controlling emotions? If so, sign me up.

Going to the Mark's seminar has really pushed me over the top. Since his March seminar, I have passed three tests and am now in qualifiers! THANK YOU MARK FOR ALL YOUR HELP.

Well, let's just say I'm officially qualified for admittance into the unofficial club. Alexis, congrats on qualifying!! That is so great.

Magnum fans, I think I have the intel on the pistol that shoots rapid-fire steno. I have been informed it is a Smith & Wesson model 29 .44 Mag. And, apparently, I have shot it. Good pick, Monti. Very sleek!

Sure thing Mark, Here is the Colt pic i used

and here is your Python:

I'll be happy to change it if guys likes.
and of course, anyone feel free to use that anywhere, anytime.

By "that" i mean the logo thingy.

Congratulations, Alexis!!

I told you you should do whatever it takes to get you and Trevor to that seminar in March. I'm so glad it's paying off.

The great news is it will keep paying off, too. Writing will get easier and easier, and you'll get faster and faster.

I do have to say I'd get overwhelmed at times because I'd try to change too many things at once, but I'd back it back down and take smaller steps.

Hey, maybe you and Trevor will qualify on the same qualifer!!

Hey, another dude. I'm losing count.

So glad you joined us, Anthony!

WooHoo!!! Hooray for Alexis!!!!! Congrats!
I think Humphreys should still throw you and Trevor a CSR reception when you qualify! ; P

Hey, Tami!

I thought I'd try again to post on this site/computer. Thanks again for inviting me. You're the best ;)

Thanks, Patty.

Glad to see you here!

Have you had a chance to try out the Magnumsteno Club?

Hi, Tami, glad to see you, too!

I haven't had a chance to try the Magnumsteno Club. Looks like the seminar would be more affordable for me. I have to eventually start making car payments (don't have a car yet but in the market).

Thank you for reminding me about the Magnumsteno Club. Definitely something to keep in mind.

It's only $29.95 a month, and you can join monthly.

I know any amount is tough for starving students, BUT if it gets you to the CSR one test sooner, how much are you saving in the long run??

You can also join for a free day and check it out, even though I really think just diving in on the month is the best way. It can be a little overwhelming at first glance because the dictation is extremely difficult, BUT after you study Mark's videos on how to approach the dictation (Mark's 1, 2, and 3), I think you'll have awesome results.

Maybe you can practice in shorter spurts, too, to keep less stress on your hands.

Take care, Patty, and keep me posted on your progress. Good luck on the car situation, too.

Monti,

The Colt Anaconda you have posted is very good; I don't think the gun I found looks better. The only negative would be the darkness around the cylinder. The grips on your pic are nicer than the grips on the one I found. Thanks for making this nice site, and this nice club!!!

Christine,

I do not own a Colt Python - they start at about $900 and the nicest ones are a few hundred more. Cocking back the hammer is so light, a child could do it. Fine piece of work that they don't make anymore. I do have a .38 Colt Detective Special nickle plated Pachmayr grips that I love. Someday I'd love to have a .357 Magnum Colt Python. Until then my Dan Wesson 3" barrel will have to do.

WooHoo! Way to go Tami for actually starting the fan club!

Boy, you don't log in for a couple weeks and look what happens! I suggested to Mark that he should chime in here on CSR last month when we first had the discussions about the seminars and then unofficial fan club. Hi, Mark! Glad to see there's so many fans!

Now I know why Mark was wearing his gun shirt last week, after reading the comment wall - doh! I know, I know, someone should smack me for not checking in -- but I was busy practicing, which is where I'm off to now -- Test Week, ya know.

P.S. My daughter's only three, that good enough for the Mom's Club, girls??

My fav this week is used to/used to be/used to go/etc!!! Still driving myself to have them stick, then to move onto another! :)

Hi, Michelle! So glad to see you here, and thanks for telling me about it last month.

has to HAFD has to go HAFGD has to be HAFBD has to do HAFTD
(half the HAFT)

I completely agree that Humphreys should throw you guys a reception when you head to the CSR Alexis and Trevor since no matter what you're still family and just because you are finishing at another school doesn't mean anything! There I said it! :P

used "supposed to be" a TON today!!! The most ever!!! the witness said it every answer, I think, LOL!!!! TY, Mark! Got good practice w/it too. Is a little awkward at first, but it is coming!!!

has to HAFD has to go HAFGD has to be HAFBD has to do HAFTD

So for "had to go," "had to be" and "had to do," do you just leave out the A?

My 'had' is 'just' the H....does that work for you??

Yes, my H is "had." I was just wondering if Magnum Steno teaches those same "has" phrases with "had." You know, by leaving out the A. :D

LOL, me too, Barb!!!

I mean, me either, Barb!

SPOEFD = supposed to
AOUFD = used to
Just drop to add the B = FBD
Go = G

you can build others from this too! GOEFD = going to (for myself)

Look what happens, I have to work all day, and all of a sudden we're up to 50 members. WOO-HOO!!

I'll catch up with you all later!

had to go THOG
had to be THOB
had to do THOD (basically these are purposeful stacks)

Tami, this group should easily reach 100 by the end of this month... easily.
if we only had some short demo videos to add here, it would be cool.

Monti, Most of our videos are 10 minutes long, and in Flash format. What would be a good length?

Mark, the length is up to you... the flash format is supported, simply click on the "videos" tab (under the community tab) then simply follow the instructions.
I will be happy to do it for you if you like, i just need the videos.

once you have uploaded it I will surgically embed it in this group.

I would like to turn this group into a place where your fans can find lots of great content about your talents.
of course with Tamis approval :P

A sampling of Mark's videos??

Now how am I going to object to that!! :)

You would if I add clips of me dancing in the middle!
well, I will be happy to work on this group to add lots of relevant links, videos ..etc
see Marlas (SoCal) group.

Thanks!

Wow! We've got Mark Kislingbury, big guns, and Monti dancing. All on this wonderful club you started, Tami. I'm learning so much AND being entertained at the same time. I LOVE THIS CLUB!

So, Mark and Monti dance with big guns? That's how rumors start! LOL!

LOL!
see, now we cant stop those rumors even if we try!

I bought the Magnum Steno book last week and talked with Samuel over the phone. He was so very helpful and had so much positive energy. I'm excited to get the book in the mail sometime this week and get started on this new way of writing -- short and fast, right? It's GREAT that not only newbie CR students like me are benefiting from the Magnum Steno ways, but that seasoned professionals are too! Gives me great hope and expectations (that I'm sure will be met and exceeded!) with Magnum Steno! One of the great things I love about stenography is that you are ALWAYS trying to improve your writing. It's always a challenge, and I know I can never get bored with this profession!

I'm also very glad to have found this great site for us to network more easily and readily! I found Magnum Steno because of this site... and I'm spreading the word to my fellow CR students at Tri Community in Covina, California!

I just have to get on here and rave about the informational video on the elan mira. I have never written so well. Although it could have something to do with the three hours extended practice yesterday, but I absolutely love that I can change all the settings to make my keys really shallow and really sensitive. I love it, and I am even more sure that I will love the lightspeed now when I get there! (Which I HOPE will be soon!):)

All schools should be teaching that in theory on the very first day. Set your machines to the lightest, shallowest stroke.

You might like it if you raised your vowel keys, too, Erica.

And, Chrstine, I think most reporters who get bored just keep writing the same way every day, day in and day out. I can make the most boring trial, hearing, etc., into a pretty fun event because I'm always trying to perfect my writing and be more efficient.

Congratulations on the book purchase. I think you're going to love it!

Never stop.

Tami, I was wondering if you used the lightspeed? If not, have you tried it and found a reason you don't like it? Just curious.

I have also inquired about getting the Magnum Steno book very soon. Hopefully within the next 2 or 3 months I will have the pink LS and Mark's book:)

I sent Christine and Megan a list of small-word phrases culled from just the first few minutes of my job the other day. Small-word phrases are a GOLD MINE that 99% of court reporters do not prospect:

I have a A*EUF
for you TPOU
if you TPU
on the OT
and if SKPEUF
to come TOPBLG (-J is "come" in phrases)
that the THAT
to the TOT
is this STH-
is a SA
is the S-T
as the S*T
we are WER
do they TKAOTD (-TD is "they" in phrases)
so much SOFP
to have TO*F
I want to TOEUPT
at the TE
last night HRA*PBSZ
and it's SKPEUTS
pretty much PREFP
that I THAEU
with them W-FPL (-FPL is "them" in phrases)
we have to be TWO*EFB (simply a purposeful stack)
in order TPHORD
in order to TPHORTD
they had THED
to do TOD
and they SKP-TD
they had to THOED
sort of SOFRT
who had WHOD
off the OFT
but the PWUTD
was to TO*FS
as far STPAR
they have TH*EF
they think TH*EPBG
and yet SKPWRET
with us WUS
we shouldn't W*ERBD

Wow, Mark. That list is great! Many of them I know and use every day; others I never even thought of. I'm going to pick a few at a time and work on them.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the list, Mark. And thanks for taking the time to put the list together. We appreciate it very much :)

If tot is to the, then how is the word tot written?

If on the is ot, is on it o*t?

Mark,

Thanks for the list, and for taking the time to put it together. I second Christine's thoughts.

And I wholeheartedly agree with you on the use of small-word phrases.

A few quick questions:

Is ont used for anything? If not, could it be used for on the (and of course, o*nt would be on it)?

and if SKPEUF
If I made SKPEUF to be and of
and SKP*EUF to be and if
and SKP*EUFB to be and have
and SKPEUFB to and have been
would it work?

Mark,

Does Magnum Theory use -FBT for anything?

Would -FBT be considered to difficult a stroke for use in words or phrases, especially at high speeds?

Gary,
I know you were addressing Mark regarding these outlines, but I thought I'd post these in the meantime. I know Mark writes the the following for these outlines:

SKPEUF = and if
SKP*EUF = and I have
SKP*EUFB = and I have been
OPBT = onto
O*PBT = on it
T*OT = tot
FBT = was not

Hope this helps :)

I know you asked Mark -- hopefully he has time to answer -- but my feeling is there is no stroke too difficult -- if you have the right amount of fingers, that is.

My hands have slowed down so much by writing short that I have more time to get them into tricky strokes, and I've found the more I write things that I once thought were tricky, they become just like a regular 'ol stroke for me.

"If I made SKPEUF to be and of
and SKP*EUF to be and if
and SKP*EUFB to be and have
and SKPEUFB to and have been
would it work? "
Gary,
Why are you putting EUs in these? you are going to ruin adding "I" to it.
and have SKP*F or it looks like SKP*FB in your case, but then you're going to ruin "and have been" unless you think of another way to do that..
anyways back on topic.
and have SKP*F
and I have SKPEU*F
maybe you just meant to say that. Otherwise, there's no reason to put the EUs in "and have," etc.

on the OT
on it OIT
onto ONT
on to O*NT
was not FNT

again, why make "and of" "SKPEUF?"
SKP-F

Gary,

I like your idea for -FBT. No, I do not use it for anything, but I'm going to think of SOMETHING to use it for!!! I need a ~when on the right side, so maybe that. Not sure.

About your other questions, I write:

OPBT onto
O*PBT on it

I see now that Clay and Christine and Tami have answered for me - CORRECTLY (KREL) I might add - so I need not go further.

the -FBT is actually a MISSTROKE of was not; "was not" correctly stroked, for me is -FPBT. So I think -FBT can be used as the right stroke for something else.

Let me know if I missed something! :)