Thanks, Tami, for the birthday greeting! It hasn't been the best birthday as I've been in bed sick since last week. (I've gone out a few times inbetween.) But feel like X$.?#! Yeah, you paid me back for the gorilla gram. I can't believe I did that! I'm sorry about having done that. Anyway thank you again for remembering my bday. Take care.

I had fun at the party too! Thanks for bringing me! I think the chicken dance was the highlight of the night haha.

I think I will be seeing you this weekend for Superbowl Sunday..yipee!

Tami, she's apparently a barmaid! Totally amazing. I watched it without sound on this computer, but when I go downstairs, I'll watch again on the "big screen." Now that's a talent! Mom and I watched in extreme fastforward the Miss America contest last week. Your daughter has a far more interesting talent!

Eclipse has that suggest a brief that's already in your dix feature, but there are a few bugs the last time I checked. However, there is a new dev version just out and it may be fixed. When I'm done fooling around on the Gemini Grand, I'll check it out. The best feature Eclipse has BY FAR is translation magic! (Yes, the Grand comes from the same company.)

The owner of the company that makes the Grand is on this site: Jason Pardikes.

I think she'll be fine Well, I think she'll be great! I'll have to look into that show now myself! Pretty exciting! Are you sure there isn't a video of her really performing her bar skills (don't know what they call that!) for a camera somewhere? I'd love to see some closeups!

My week is going quickly. I've not been walking, and I've got to do my tax stuff. My office is disgraceful, as usual. I was just whining about it to my mom a few minutes ago. She's so great - she said it's only so messy because it's so small. Not!!! (Well, yes, it is tiny, but you wouldn't let it stay in this horrid state, I'm sure. I'm tripping over stuff!)


glitter-graphics.com
Well, not quite like this, but you get the picture!

Tami, I figured you wouldn't mind that pic, and may be even kind of familiar with it - what with having so many boys at home! Last night, instead of organizing a bit, I finally got on Quicken again and figured out my 1099 situation. So I feel I accomplished KWAOIBT (quite a bit). I also orgainzed and deleted most of my Eclipse files. With all that testing in there, there was so much to delete! Going to the chiro today - need it! Then jumping on the Grand for more ... yes, testing! Hope you have an easy, easy, fun day!

Calling all Survivor fans! It starts this week :-)

Tami, I just woke up at 10:00! Have a wonderful family birthday brunch. That sounds so good to me right now as I just had coffee! Yes, I know about Chuck. My news is that after spending five hours on the Grand yesterday, I now will be taking it to my job tomorrow. Unless I mess it up today, that is! I have brunch envy now - maybe I'll break out the real bacon in a bit instead of my oatmeal! I'll tell you more about the Grand as soon as I take it on a few jobs.

Tami, I haven't been on this site for so long. I just read Clay's blog and sent him some words of encouragement. I hope I didn't sound too "mom-like." But, hey, I have a son a year younger and that's just the way it is -- It takes a village. ; ) I love how you do NOT hide how proud you are of Clay! I am also a member of the "dork" club. And proud of it. I only have three that shake their heads at me thinking, "OMG! There she goes again."

Anyway, I told Clay about my son's progress in school. He's doing great. Flying by me and his writing is so clean. I have speed, but accuracy stinks! He has two more test passes till Qualifiers.

As for me, well, the dictation is very good right up to the end then I don't know where my mind is going or what my fingers are doing. I've got too many things going on upstairs and I need to turn off the switch. Also I'd have several passes but I'm struggling with my "a, the, this, that" words. If it's suppose to be "a" I stroke "the" or "this" instead of "that" I'm working on finger drills.

Hi, Tami.

No, I haven't listened to Mark's dictation yet; I'm far too slow to benefit right now! :o)

I'll probably start once I've finished going through my theory book. Right now I'm basically doing all the lessons, along with Fast Track, Mastering Machine Shorthand, and the occasional hard copy drill. I'm also using the Drill Machine to practice the words and phrases that need to be reviewed ... and soon I'll be adding The Magic Drill to the mix for phrases ... and that should take me through theory.

After that, I have a bunch of CDs full of dictation to work with ... plus the dictation on YouTube ... so I have some work to do!

Besides ... I don't want to waste the free look at Magnum Steno when I'm barely scraping along at 60 wpm!

Don't worry, though ... I'll check it out.

--gdw

Hi, Tami! Mr. Sonntag wrote such a good post on CRF I'm pasting it for you. I can't remember if you ever get over to that forum. Hope this isn't too big!

Hey Guys and Gals:
I've got two comments.
First, learning to write a method of shorthand is learning a science. Think about it and you'll agree.
Practicing the science is an art and every artist paints differently, different media, different application and different approach.
Why should court reporting be any different? This is the reason the teaching model has failed of late: trying to have the students learn how to write to the dictionary. It won't never work, nada, no way.
Second is: I just attended Mark's seminar. He is right, it is shorthand... emphasis on the short... as we can only stroke so many strokes per second.
I've been a reporter 50 years now. I joined NSRA... now NCRA... in 1960 as a young reporter. I'm still shortening down my writing and Mark's seminar has given me more ideas on what to do... no I won't do it all... no one could but Mark. .... but I can certainly find a way to shorten down another 20 percent and that will keep me writing some years into the future, despite the fact that we're known to slow down as we age. So make up for it by writing short and you will be able to continue as a reporter as long as you wish.
Allen Sonntag, still hanging around.

Hi Tami,
Alan at Otec, is an authorized Stentura/Mira fix-it-place. Alan devised a plan to solve the repeating letters. So far, it's helped a lot! But I really haven't written on my machine lately like I used to. The repeating letters seems to get progressively worse, though. And now I haven't had any problems. I think Stenograph also may have a fix. It's a mechanical problem with the Mira. Google OTEC in Seattle and Alan or Kat can tell you more. Good Luck!

I personally think the whole CR world should listen. Ditto!

Ha! You're just preaching to the choir, but I never mind this particular sermon!

hahaha me too! All of a sudden my work clothes don't fit..haha but it was worth it. Thanks for taking me! It was a lot of fun. Good times :)

Doing well! Working, churning out tripts, same-o, same-o. ;)

hahahahahahaha! Now, here I was, trying to be nice and not say that "S" word, even though I was THINKING it. I seriously don't think she's gonna make it!

BTW -- I only occasionally watch Amazing Race, but I did see this last episode. I was cracking up with those poor saps trying to get down that hill with all that cheese. I kept wondering why they didn't just let it roll down on its own. Then I saw that one roll got away and went flying off into the wild blue yonder. I quickly realized why they decided to push, pull, and drag it down.

I really got emotional when the mother/son team reached the check-in point I realized the son is dear. What an inspiration.

Well, I guess to his mother, the son is dear. But I meant deaf.

So do you think there's some apostrophies missing in Mommies and Daddies Group?

Yes, isn't she beautiful? She was such a strong player. I can't believe everyone sided with Coach on that one. I think he's the one that needs to go.

Tami, THANK YOU so much for your comments - if you've read anything I've written on this site, you know I am beyond frustration at this point! So, your comments are a real treasure - I appreciate it.

Yes, I'm trying to write shorter and I think that is always a goal that everyone should keep in mind, but Phoenix is really stroke intensive and, you are right--there are days that are very frustrating.

thanks for the tip about Wade - I will go over and check it out again - I haven't been over to Depoman in a really long time and not with that thought in mind!

Thanks for the tips and encouragement (and I didn't mean to sound like I was trashing Phoenix, sometimes the written word comes out a bit harsher than we like)!

Congratulations to your son! What a shining star he is! And I know you are proud!

Have a great weekend and thanks again!

Thanks, Tami - I agree with you and I pretty much feel that since I didn't know anything about any theory when I enrolled for school (I actually thought there was only one way to write and everybody wrote that way), and since I had to begin online (which may change in the next six months - I may actually get to go to onground school), then I didn't really "have a choice" - so, I know my theory pretty well and since writing is a dynamic process, I just have to tweak it. I've been very frustrated the last 3 or 4 months, but, amazingly, in the last week, with all the wonderful tips from my friends here at CSR Nation, I'm not as frustrated. I'm able to take that deep cleansing breath and get my head together and soldier on, but with a much, much better attitude and much more peace.

It's people like you who make a difference in this profession - and I really appreciate it. I've been a paralegal for so many years (26) and never, on any board or in any meeting or in any work situation, have I ever found the niceties, commaraderie, and helpfulness that I find in this profession.

People like you ROCK!

Hi Tami!!!!!

He did it...Trevor is in qualifiers. What an exciting time. I don't have to tell you that. You've been here, done that. Okay, okay. gotta breathe or my dorkiness is going to shine through big time.

Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you, from one proud mama to another.

Oh, and thanks for the info on Mark's seminar. I will look into it. Have a great weekend.

Tami,
Thanks so much for the info. I really appreciate it. I still don't know what to do. It's such a big expense!

Stacey

Hey, dear one! We are all fine! I have missed seeing your contributions to Depoman lately! Wondered what was up with you!
Hope your household is well, too! You have any wrestling stories?

Give Clay a "hey!"

Tami ~ thanks for the info on Mark Ks seminar in Sac. I am going and I was able to get a deal of $75 for 5 or more students and now it looks like I have at least 8 - 10 students interested and so I got a rate of $50.

If you know of any other students in the area interested, PLEASE have them register and if they tell them they're with my group, "Alexis McCutchen" they can get the $50 rate.

They need to register by Wednesday, Mar. 4.

Tami, I sold it in November. It's not listed on this site (as far as I know) because I deleted it, but I'll double check.

No Tami, your the bomb!


Sorry, I just noticed the comment you left me.

It is a new haircut. Thanks!

It plays if you click the arrow to play. Listening to it now!



You need to set it to start automatically in Edit or Settings or whatever it's called.

Does Eclipse have the feature where it suggests what's already in your dictionary?? Yes, they do, I'm happy to report!

Does Clay have the -FPLT defined as {.} Maybe the curly brackets are off. All the punctuation should be surrounded by them to come out right. He should also have "allow punctuation toggle" checked. It's in the edit tab.

I don't know about the pricing of Eclipse as I paid full price almost six years or so ago. It's great if you can get a deal - I'm so excited you've made the big decision! So nice Clay got some work to help cheer him up a bit. I've been communicating (bossing) a student in Canada who has recently joined this site. He's been sick with a bad cold, but I told him to say hi to Clay as I feel they'd have a lot in common. He's been reading depoman and he recently purchased a LightSpeed! His name is Jason Wall, and he ... wants to write SHORT! I knew that would make you happy!

Enjoy your soaking!

Clay isn't using the translation magic, etc. What!!! Don't make me mad. Why not??? Has he tried it at zero? I need to have a talk with him!

Yes, you can learn Eclipse. We are more than willing to help - no question is too small. Wish I knew what was going on with that period space issue, though. Do you know if he took someone else's metadictionary? I can send him mine. It has some good additions in it if he wants the latest stuff - and he should!

I did want to tell you that the suggestion of what's in your dix, will only work if you ask for a brief for that word. Like if they say anti-inflammatory and you write it out but know you have a brief. You need to stroke your word and then stroke the request an auto-brief macro which is 1-bz - or whatever you want, really. Then AEFL or whatever your old brief is will pop up in the A/B window. EASY!

Tami, a class wouldn't hurt, but it's not necessary. I can help you over the phone to set up a bit. I'm assuming you get no training at all with your software purchase. I did have a gal come to my place and she got me set up somewhat, but she was a bit ... flaky???

Clay needs to try TM at 0! He doesn't like the A/B pop-up because he probably doesn't have the A/B macros!!! Has he downloaded the RT editing kit from the Advantage website? It's in the updates column. Why am I telling you this? If he wants some streamlined Eclipse use, he needs to ask for it himself!

If you put a checkmark next to Translation Magic, but set the dial to 0, it will ONLY kick in when you stroke something that's not in your dix. Mine is at 25. He should start there and see what happens.

Can you open this:
http://community.compuserve.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?msg=58640.13&nav=messages&webtag=ws-crforum

That's so great you get the support, but will some trainer help you get set up? If not, never fear! I can't wait until you're seeing how your translations work on it!

I think no relation -- but somehow I should get to know her! I took a look at your comments and blogs, and I'm impressed! You have a REAL LIFE outside of reporting -- me too, but only in the last few years. Keep it up -- a mentor of REAL LIFE. Thanks, Lori

Wow, hope that check clears soon! I came back home from Mom's and found my Grand waiting for me. Just set it up. One of the keys is slightly chipped, though - rats! I'll give it a spin in a bit. I'm making chicken soup with pearl onions to give me the strength to start tweaking anew!

Ha! I am extremely patient. Maybe because I'm the oldest of four and I'm still dealing with my sibs on a daily basis??? Anyway, I'm taking the LS as a backup until I decide for sure I like the Grand. If the Grand doesn't work out, I'll try the LS again. If it does, I'll probably sell it to the highest bidder! I'll keep everyone posted! Hope you're on your way to your massage! I haven't had one in two weeks, and I sure need it! Hope Clay solved that period issue by calling support or something. That was bugging me! A nice distraction from my own problems!

Welcome ... I'd like to meet you and your family!

Oh my god Tami!!
I just noticed you got more comments than I do on your wall!
my 701 vs your 740! that's amazing.

Tami, I think I finally realized what happened regarding those spaces you were editing on Clay's computer. I don't suppose you were editing using Hyperkeys, were you? That's the trick. If you use Hyperkeys, the punctuation is so, so easy. You can be anywhere in the middle of a word, press a comma, and the comma will position itself in the right place. Same thing for the periods. I am so used to editing with Hyperkeys, that I assume everyone else is. You have absolutely got to learn them. Don't read any of Lisa's posts where she says she does not use Hyperkeys. I lectured Brenda so severely that she finally learned them, and now she will never go back. Maybe you already read that on my page. Don't make me lecture you and Clay. He's got to learn Hyperkeys, and he should do it while work is slow. If he wants to argue with me, send him over!

I have been tweaking my grand all morning, and it is coming along nicely. I have been real timing while testing, and asking for briefs that I knew were in my dictionary but had forgotten. For example, economy. I knew it was in there somewhere. I stroked the word in two strokes, then hit my request a one word A/B macro, and up popped - directly from my dictionary - the stroke KPHEU. So nice!

glitter-graphics.com
Too funny, Tami! I just read Monti's post to you. My little comment here, however, could be used on my page as well, I'm sure!!!

Thanks for the suggestion. I doubt I'll be able to find a group of people to go with, but I'll try to make it.

Dear Comment Wall Queen, I'm glad you only saw the funny side of my little gull! I'm counting the days until you get your new wonderful software! How many fingers do I need, do you think? Oh, I should forward you the email thread Brenda and I have got going regarding writing shorter with this link to the most common 3,000 words I got from Jason Wall on this site. You'd be so impressed. Truthfully, though, I don't want to bog you down with emails. I know you don't get to them as you're not plastered in front of the computer like Brenda and I are - big, big bonus points for you! Minus points for us! Here's the link. When you have some time, try RT'ing these and see how you do!
http://www.paulnoll.com/Books/Clear-English/English-3000-common-words.html

Hi Tami! I am a court reporting student and I was told to ask you about some briefs for the years 1970 - 1999 that I had posted a bulletin about. :)
Well, thank you for your time! :)

Hey there!!! First, let me start by saying I had been meaning to give you the scoop on our day with Mark, but...did you hear about the Stockton courthouse incident? Well, I was the student court reporter in there that day. Actually, I have been sitting in on that trial for some time. My dad is the bailiff for Judge Fox. They are very good friends. What a frightening experience. I'd say that I've been fully initiated into the official Sisterhood of Court Reporting. And after that experience, my intern hours should be fulfilled. Or at the very least, get Xtra credit. So needless to say, I'm just trying to get back on that old horse again and Ride, Sally, Ride...oops, I don't know why that song popped in my head. Or rather I should say, Write, Alexis, Write!

Okay, so I'm crazy. The next day, I went to retrieve my thousands of $$$ of equipment and personal belongings from evidence (all I could think was they better not have damaged my stuff while they were checking my files on my machine and Case.)

So since I was at the courthouse anyway, I asked to be placed in another dept to intern. And what do I get? Another case almost identical to the one from the day before! With a more violent defendant. Okay, you're thinking, "She did NOT stay knowing that?" Weeel, you're half right. I stayed only til the noon break. Then I went and joined my sister (she works for 911 dispatch) and several ladies from dispatch for a massage and drinks the rest of the day. I didn't get home til around 9:00 pm. We called it a mandatory "debriefing" session. We need those at least once a week.

Pardon me for being so loooooopy lately. ; o

Well, I just realized how much I've said and you're not even getting paid to be my therapist!

So, with that said...

YES! We had a SUPER day with Mark. He is such a nice guy. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for suggesting I check his seminar out.

I rallied up about 12 students and got a super rate and we all came back jazzed from the experience. As you noticed, Trevor was in such AWE. He has always wanted to meet Mark. I met him in 2003 at NCRA in Reno, but never really got to talk about his theory.

It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I'm talking some of his concepts and implementing them into my practice, one section at a time.

Bet you weren't expecting a novel. so I'll go for now. Got a mock Depo at McGeoge School of Law today. Have a super day.

PS I realized I wrote "sisterhood." I'd better add "Brotherhood" for Trevor and Clay's benefit.

Hello, Tami. You must be the other "mom" of the "mom and son" court reporters!! lol. My mom told me good things about you. Does your son also get embarrasseed how his mom brags and beams on his progress?? :-P

Anyway, I enjoyed the Mark Kislingbury seminar, VERY VERY MUCH! He is such a friendly, helpful man, and has a great sense of humor. Everything he spoke about, I agree w/ and do completely, such as practicing 60 wpm faster than my current speed, studying briefs and phrases daily, and even down to pretending that we're playing a video game!! HAHAH I could totally relate to that comment. (Must be a guy thing!)

I heard your son, Clay?,, learned from Mark's theory and has a close relationship with him. He's very lucky. I'm going to try to change my writing style to mirror Mark's, or at least some of it.

I'm hopeing I'll be able to see Mark again. He told me to tell him when I'm a C.S.R, so I'll have to give him notice! Hopefully w/ incorporating his style w/ my own, I'll be one soon!!! :-)

Tami, just click on this link:
http://www.paulnoll.com/Books/Clear-English/English-3000-common-words.html

My sister April came to get the loaner Grand today. She really likes the idea of it being split as she has elbow issues too. She's a bit overwhelmed with using it and doing RT as for 25+ years she has just brought her Stentura to a depo. She just recently got a laptop, and has only used it on her last two jobs!!!

As she was writing here, I was checking out her strokes. OMG, does she need to shorten up. So funny, too, she thought a C was KH- and has been doing that forever. She writes account K-T instead of -KT so she can't do B-KT, bank account etc. I said, "Then how do you write can the?" "Two strokes." Yikes! But that's up to her to shorten up. I've got work of my own to do, right???

I'll definitely take a look at his seminar schedule and see if I can make it. Thanks again.