One more note -- I see you know Tori Pittman! She's my on-line mentor through the NCRA! Small world...

Hi Anthony, I am still trying to figure this site out. I will get it soon. It does seem to have quite a bit to it.
School is good. I passed my second 150 Q&A, and that's about it so far. I am okay with that. Since I finished all my other classes I only go part time, which for me is a major stress relief.
How is work going? Life in general? Drummer?? In a pipe band? Didn't see that one comming!!

Hi Anthony,

Thanks for letting me know about this site.

They are cute, Anthony. As am I when I wear them. ;-)

Hi, it's Renate again, the one driving you crazy at the test? Thanks for your patience. Even though I got there early, things seemed to be going wrong for me! I just read your bio and I'm impressed at how active you are in the world of court reporting! Just have to tell you, reason I was taking so long jobbing test words, I forgot I was doing all caps this time...not used to it. Certainly makes a difference. Next time....which I hope there won't be....I hope to have a smoother ride. Practice makes perfect!
Thanks for your very good proctoring.
Renate

Well, I did it! I gave notice today to leave my full-time legal secretary job and begin a career in reporting. I gave a months' notice -- I'm generous...

Thanks, Anthony! I feel so much better now that I told my employer my intentions. They're happy for me although sad I am leaving. I am leaving on very good terms and will get an excellent recommendation. I haven't called Kevin yet -- maybe I will -- I don't know -- that will be next my "courage" hurdle, I guess. There are about five other agencies in Buffalo I am planning to sit in with and hopefully one of them will hire me. Who knows, maybe I'll want to go the independent route. I want to join the NYSCRA but I don't know what category I would check regarding my status. I'm really not a student, I'm not a reporter (yet), I'm not a teacher, scopist, etc. Maybe a box marked "Other" would be great to have added to the application. Let me know what you think I should check. Do you think I could join NYSCRA as a "student" member even though I haven't been a reporter and I will need to be trained? Let me know. Janet

Hi Anthony: I just read an article in the Forum about work slowing down. Is work slowing down in your area? That makes me leary about sitting in this summer. I hope I won't have to wait until things pick up. I haven't found anybody from Buffalo on this site to ask. I guess I could call around. It seems like alot of people are blaming the slow down on the election, economy, cases settling, etc. I thought things picked up for reporters in bad times. Any thoughts?

Is it considered a conflict of interest if I were to work part-time in a law firm while I am sitting in with reporters? Is it allowable?

Thanks so much, Anthony, for your words of wisdom! I'm excited to join this great group of people who are court reporters ~ however long it takes! I see you're from Staten Island; I'm originally from Brooklyn (please don't hold that against me!!) haha

Now I'm super-jealous! A slice and a ride; if you throw in an egg cream I'm on my way!! Florida just doesn't get how to make these things... sigh..

You could not be more right!! I will look you up next time I get to the 'homeland'! I grew up around the corner from the pizzeria where they filmed the opening of Saturday Night Fever; right across from the train on 86th Street.

Yes, it really is. I always say, you can take the girl out of Brooklyn, but you can't take Brooklyn out of the girl. Ahh.. the memories endure ~

As far as a work slow down, I'm a freelancer and May, so far has been a little bit slow, but April was CRAZY busy. It's always ups and downs with this job.

Thanks so much for your excellent advice, Anthony! I think you nailed it on the head and I printed out your comments and will follow them to a "T". There definitely ARE words that I stumble over and try to figure out finger placement and then miss the next ones as a result. This website is amazing and I'm so happy to have been directed here so early in my CR schooling. Thanks again!

It is so wonderful that there are reporters like you out there to help students like me. Thanks for the add. I am eager to receive any and all advice you have to offer. I am currently at the 130 speed level. My biggest struggle right now is Q&A.

I think you have it backwards, Anthony! YOU inspire ME! I have been reading some older issues of the JCR and have read some wonderful articles and notes by and about you. The fact that someone so successful is willing to help a virtual newbie at all speaks to your character. I appreciate all of your kind comments and very very helpful hints which I am taking to heart. I have written the word Straight STRAEUGT 50 times and it's getting easier - it was one of my hardest words to date! Thanks again, Anthony!

Hi Anthony, You actually sent me this site. I was looking for some guidance last year when I was thinking about boning up for the court test and you were very helpful. Unfortunately, I never followed through. Anyway, the site is a great idea! I'm going to spread the word. Thanks for adding me to your list.

You are so fortunate to be able to combine your love of writing, teaching as well as officialing (is there such a word?). thanks for all your support. I am forging ahead and am so grateful to have been sent this site; it's a wonderful place to share with and learn from. Have a great day! Janice

Congratulations, Anthony! I just received the May JCR and see that you have earned your RDR ~ Awesome!!

Hi Anthony, thanks for accepting my friend request. I have a question for you. Is it true that if you have your RPR, you still would have to take a state certification test for the state you want to work in?

Hi Anthony, I see that you are chairing the mentor program. I am a student, have passed everything except the 225 for the RPR, am interning at a freelance firm in Allentown, and having a mentor probably saved me from quitting several times. :) I'll take any advice. I am trying to decide what CAT software to go with. I have been using the Eclipse student version, but I'm finding it a little difficult. I did my schooling through an online RPR prep program. It was perfect for me, but didn't have any lessons for software. Are you familiar with DigitalCat? It looks like it would be very economical for a beginning reporter. If you know of any pros or cons, I'd be grateful for any direction.
Those boys are gorgeous. I have three! Aren't boys just the best? Kim

Hi Anthony,
Since you are a generous mentor for students, I have a question for you! ha ha I am an online student, and I started last July. I am currently in my first speed building class (80/100) and I am constantly worrying about how well I really grasped Theory. It seems like ALL THE TIME when I am writing while listening to dictations (especially literary) I hesitate a LOT on words and sometimes can't figure out for the life of me how to correctly write a word. I have a great support system in the discussion forums with other students like me who all say they are in the same boat, but I still worry that maybe I'm worse, maybe I should have repeated the last Theory class, maybe I will never fully grasp it all like I should while writing 225wpm+. I LOVE online school because of the convenience of it all, but this is definitely one thing that I don't like about not being in a real classroom where I can physically "see" how the other students around me are doing, and where my instructors can physically "see" me writing. Recently, I have gone back to my Theory book (Phoenix), starting with lesson 18, and practice from that. I guess that's all I know how to do, to make sure I'm really remembering all of the principles. Is that what you would recommend? Any advice that you can take the time to give me would be SO much appreciated. Thank you!!

Hi Anthony,
My name is Susan. I saw your comment in the student section about speedbuilding. I am currently a student at Long Island Business Institute in Commack N.Y. I am in 160-180 speed. I am trying for the third semester to get through this speed. I got through the 160 speed but am stuck at 180. I practice an average of 2-3 hours a day. There are days I just say maybe this isn't for me, but I feel I have invested to much time into it, and can't stop at this point. Any tips you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Anthony,
Thanks so much for the quick response. I will try your suggestions for speedbuilding. Thanks again.

Susan

Hi Anthony,
I just wanted to ask you what the qualifications were for working as an official in New York. I have been a certified reporter in New Jersey since 1986. I was an official in court here, but gave it up when I had my first child. I would love to work in court again, but it is very hard to get an officialship here. Was just wondering if there was any way to get one in New York. Thanks for your help.

Hi Anthony, I would appreciate it if you would send me the information on the officialship. You can e-mail me at jlckj@yahoo.com.
Thanks again, Lisa

Anthony, Happy 4th of July. The facial hair looks good. Keep up the good work, Pisan.

Bill Gennaro

Hi Anthony, check out The Brief Zone !
Great Drilling Material For Any Steno Theory...
www.thebriefzone.com
Spread The Word :-)

Thank you

Sherri

Thank you! I appreciate the tip. I will try the CBT - I got so frustrated with it the first time, hopefully the second time around will be easier. I will definitely be contacting you if I need help!! THanks.

Hi Anthony,
I am a third year, full-time court reporting student currently writing 180 here in Austin, Tx. I have started really feeling discouraged with my rate of progress and what I perceive to be a lack of sufficient education from my school concerning procedures (how to put together court transcripts vs expert witness depos,etc) and I don't feel as though I've gotten any true direction or advice from the teachers. I am now considering moving to an online program and moving back to Washington DC to live with my dad and pester court reporters to let me follow them around so I can see how it all works.. Since you work with students and pair them with working court reporters(very exciting!), I have a couple of questions I hope you can answer: Are there very many good court reporters who completed training online? Is it very common that people don't feel that their school is providing the education and support necessary to prepare us for certification? Is it possible for me to obtain my RPR without having been a graduate from an actual school? I really appreciate any words of advice you may have as I'm at this junction. Cynthia Cooper

Thank you so much for taking the time to get back to me so quickly! I think that I am just going through a freak-out phase because I had planned on being finished with school, or close to it by now. It's disheartening that I go to school with so many people that have been there for 5,6,7,and even one person 8 years! I have taken almost all the academic courses required, made all A's, and am just waiting for my school to offer the other academic courses needed(it's a small school). I still need medical transcription, real time, and multi voice. At any rate, I had not planned on staying in Texas after school, so I'm not too concerned with the CSR. I really want to work in DC, Virginia, and Maryland to be closer to family and I think in those areas I can work if I just have the RPR. It's crazy that there isn't one school for me in that whole area! I will start interning here soon, and that will be a big step. If I move over to online courses I know that I will still make this happen because it's the only profession I want to have...except maybe for being a professional tequila taster in Key West! I only wish I could have discovered this profession years ago-- you and I are the same age, I could have been where you are now! Thanks again for your advice, I will continue to seek out help from everyone I can and, luckily, I really do enjoy practicing outside of school. I'll keep in touch!

Hi again,
You are definitely right about how we shouldn't look back with regret.
Throughout my 20's I worked and lived seasonally in Alaska, just goofing off and traveling all over the place every winter. I wouldn't want to trade that for anything! And you are right about the progress of other students, their lack of movement through school has been affecting me too much. If anything, it just made me wonder what the "normal" rate of progress through school is. I think the next RPR is in January here, I am definitely going to take it, even the speed portion just for the experience. I am very happy to hear that each time you take the RPR your passing grades are saved for the next time you sit for it, that's awesome! And another good thing for me is that the NCRA is located in Vienna, Virginia. If I do move up there before I finish school, they will be close for support. I have already received some literature in the mail from them concerning NCRA approved online courses. Thank you so much for all your kind words and support, I'm feeling a lot more confident already. Well, gotta go now and work on 4 mock depositions I took at UT school of law last week...practice, practice, practice!

Hi Anthony,

You have done so much in the Court reporting field at such a young age. How impressive! I decided to go back to court reporting school later in life. I recently graduated from Long Island Business Institute in Commack, NY. I thought I would be thrilled. Instead I am depressed. I have called five agencies, and they don't even want you to sit in on depos. How in the world are we going to learn? My school promised 100% placement. The only reason why I went back into this field is b/c court reporters were in "high demand". What happened? What is the NYSCRA mentoring program? I find this is what the problem is. You graduate, and their is no mentor after that.
What I really want to do is work with the hearing-impaired student. Do you need experience to do that?

I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you,
Susan

You're very welcome. Sounds like Kyung could really use your help.

Hey,

I see that you are an early bird like me. Just wanted to say thanks for all your suggestions and your constructive criticism about plunging ahead into the court reporting world.

I'm really glad I did decide to work in the Federal courts. I remember when I was a student thinking I want to do everything. Then I took my first arbitration. I got a little scared after that, and I did not do any arbitrations or court-related stuff for a while. But I've been doing this for a while now. I'm past the newbie stage, I think. And it's time for more challenges. This is really good for me bec. it's forcing me to grow and become a better reporter.

I thought your post about the presidential election was wonderful, Anthony. Too bad it went south.

What do you think of Mira versus the Fusion? They both seem to have the same bells and whistles. They both cost the same. I think the biggest difference is paper/paperless for the Fusion and Mira is just paperless and the tilting screen.

And is there a big difference between the A3 versus A2 versus G1?

Also, I am on Eclipse.

I really don't think you should change a thing, Anthony. You're such an asset to the CR industry! We're lucky to have you!!

Hello Anthony,
Sorry I had to delete your blog... it wasn't personal at all.
It turned into a huge nasty fight as i am sure you are aware of.

I wont lie and say I read it or any of the reply posts. deleting it was the cleanest and fastest way to end the problem.

you will be happy to know that your blog had the most replies ever on CSRnation... lol!

Thanks.

Haha..
I am trying to implement a way to give points to members for example.. the quality of posts, blogs, videos, maybe if they donate.. etc
I just have to find the time to do it.

cheers!

thanks for the welcome.

Thanks for the answer on the word index. It is very much appreciated. :D

Hey,

Have you done an evidentiary hearing before? What's it like?

I just took a divot out of the right side of the pad of my finger when a piece of glass broke while holding it. It didn't look like a huge deal, but that puppy was a bleeder. Over 24 hours later and still bleeding, which required gauze and tape, making it difficult to type. It's much better this morning, thank goodness. No bleeding, pain's going away. Thanks for your concern.

Thanks for the info on the evidentiary hearing. It seems the magistrate judges do a lot of those.

Do you set the format up with Opening statement, closing statement? Will they have witnesses?