Hi, Jackie. Your picture caught my eye. Interesting. And you live in DC, cool. I have a sister in DE and she goes to DC every chance she gets. What school do you go to? Are you full-time or do you have to work, too?

I am on Eclipse, too, and I think you made a good move there, being on it from the beginning.

Hi Jackie, check out The Brief Zone !
Great Drilling Material For Any Steno Theory...
www.thebriefzone.com

Thank you so much for responding!
I am still just trying to do this on my own and I really could use some support and structure! Please let me know when and where you meet up, and I can adjust my schedule to join in. I was at 200, probably by now it's more like 180, maybe 160 for Q and A. I haven't been in school since December, so I've been slipping. I'm excited to meet you all!

I am working full time for a catering company, but I make my own schedule and can make sure I'm off those evenings. I live in Springfield, and if you want to carpool, I could pick you up on the way to Rockville. I am so excited to find this group! It's been rough trying to keep myself practicing and without doing readback with someone else, I haven't gotten anywhere. Yes, I would love to speak with her, if you could email me her number or email address I will contact her right away. I can't make it tomorrow, but I can definitely be ready to start on Thursday! Thanks so much for contacting me!

It's so weird, I received your message with your teacher's contact info last night, but didn't write it down, and now it's not showing up in my inbox! Could you send it once more? I will call her today so I can meet up with you guys on Thursday. Thanks again!

Hey Jackie!
Are you still thinking of carpooling? If it's yucky out tomorrow like today is, I think I am just going to take the metro. So much traffic!

Perfect! that sounds great, I'll call you at the Chinatown metro at 5:30!

Will bring all those things, see you @ 5:30!

Still can't get my eclipse to do the ASCII! Maybe Tammy can do something about it. I just remembered I was supposed to send you my regular email- it's cynthia.cooper73@yahoo.com
See you tonight!

Welcome to the Magnum Steno Fan Club, Jackie!!

Sounds like you're killin' it in school! Good for you!!

Are you a magnumsteno.com club member?? It will push you over the top.

Can you write perfect notes at 160?? 150?? 140??

I feel if you are able to write perfect notes at these speeds -- even lower -- you will never shatter your notes.

When I practice the screaming speeds, I pretend I don't have notes. I don't look at a computer screen, notes, a disk. As far as I'm concerned, my notes do not exist.

I honestly don't care if my hands are hitting the right side of the keyboard when they should be on the left.

I can write perfect notes probably at 240-plus Q & A 100% of the time. I think I can write Q & A sloppy at 300. Maybe even pretty readable. When Mark dictates at whatever that dang speed is -- I know it's way above 300 -- that's when I really don't care where my hands go.

After those speeds, though, the perfect notes at the 240 plus are a guarantee.

You need to break the old hand speed. Depending on how short you're writing, you probably have plenty of room to get faster.

You can increase your speed two ways: by increasing the speed of your hands or writing shorter. If you do both, of course you're going to gain speed quickly.

How short are you writing??

Are you including all the inflected endings (-ing, -s, -es, -ed) in most of your strokes??

When you're incorporating a shorter writing principle, take the ones that come the easiest and, as I like to say, give you the most bang for your buck. That's why I always recommend starting with the inflected endings. If you're already including them, AWESOME!

I'll stop there before I bog you down.

Just have faith in yourself and know you can do it. That's sometimes the biggest hurdle.

Oh, and my head hurts so freakin' bad after writing Mark's dictation, BUT, again, when you drop it down to your goal speed, you'll know it's within reach.

Keep me posted!

Yes, Jackie. The way to reach your goal more sooner than later is to join (start using) the Magnumsteno.com Club. It will help you so much. If you have two hours to practice at home, put a chunk of it over there.

I think you said you are a member but are not using it. If that's the case, start putting the time in. You will see improvement.

I apologize if I have you confused with somebody else, but I think that's what I remember.

My point about telling you I can write clean at 240 Q & A is just trying to stress the point that no matter how fast I try and write, I can still come back and write a clean 240. (If I'm having a bad day, I know I can write a clean 220 Q & A.)

I wouldn't recommend starting the Q & A extensions right now. Maybe the simple ones, but where I'd spend your time is new theory concepts that shorten your writing with little effort. Hopefully that makes sense.
I think Mark's Stenomaster theory book is an awesome book for StenEders on their way to writing shorter.

I also think StenEd is one of the easiest theories to start slicing and dicing on. While it is stroke intensive, it's very basic and doesn't have some of the whacked-out principles some of the theories out these days do.

I still think the inflected endings is the best place to start. Then you can start tucking them, like the -g for -ing. (standing STANGD)

One of Mark's theory concepts that is really pretty easy -- after you get the -ed included in the initial stroke to start -- is the inverted -T for -ed

landed LANTD

Just take baby steps now and don't try to take on too many new concepts at once, BUT never, ever stop trying to write shorter. It will make you love your job forever, you'll have less stress, and your body will last longer. Writing short is truly a win-win situation.

You keep me posted. I'm really excited about your future for you!

Trevor, who just qualified to take the CSR -- mom is also in qualifying (if you saw her most recent posts in the Magnum Steno Fan Club) -- he is a StenEd user that has recently started using Magnumsteno and is really happy with it, and, of course, is getting great results.

Keep in touch!

I flippin' write books! Sorry!!

I forgot to comment on nerves. Here's my philosophy on nerves:

I feel speed cures all nerves. You need to be above your goal speed in order to pass any test. I honestly believe that goes for all of us. My son has always been as cool as a cucumber, but I know if he wasn't always above his goal speed, he wouldn't have passed tests. Even if we're not showing it on the outside, I find it really hard to believe that there's a person out there who doesn't get nervous -- unless, maybe, there's nothing on the line.

I'm a super freak when I hear, "Ready, begin." I would never pass a test -- or even come close -- if I wasn't well above the speed of the test.

So . . . keep pushing!

You are going to the NCRA convention in August, right?

It's in your neighborhood and such an awesome opportunity for you.

I do wish you luck!

You've done awesome so far, so it's just around the corner now.

Jackie, that is SUPER!!

Keep up the hard work!

Yes, I am having a great day, too. I think they're all great!

I'm in my early 100s. It's only taken you two years to get to 200s! You are such an inspiration! :) How did you do it! Thanks for the friend add.

I haven't started yet, but I can't wait to! I will begin in about a month. You are in your 200's? That seems really good for two years!

Hi Jackie! I start in about a month.....it does seem like an eternity! I am going to be going to school full-time....so hopefully I can finish in about two years. when did you start? How long did it take you? Sounds like you are just about done! Congratulations!

hello Jackie, I read your page. I have also been in school two years and is in the last speed class. I finally passed a 200 Q&A also. I still need nine more test. I been practicing like crazy also. I just want to be finish. I love court reporting, and I cannot wait to start working. Can you keep in contact with me? We can give each other support. And interning is the coolest thing. Congratulations on your progress!

Hello Jackie, I attend Long Island Business Institute located in Commack New York. It is an excellent school. I currently need nine more test. There has been so many test that I tried and did not pass. It can be really frustrating. I just keep practicing and trying.

So it makes sense you're LDS. I totally gravitate to you all!!

I worked for a judge for 12 years, LDS, six kids. When I started to work for him, I had four kids. (I now have five.)

His first question to me was "Are you Catholic or LDS??"

HA!

Anyway, what a gem of a guy. Family first. I have so much respect for him, the way he handles himself on the bench and off. I think it's that family first way about you all that I LOVE!!

Anyway, I just started working for a new judge this Spring. Guess what??

LDS. I hope I can last another 12 years with him. He's absolutely wonderful and has a beautiful family, of course -- even though he's a slacker with three kids. :)

Just had to share that with you, Jackie. Hope you don't mind!

I'm from Brentwood (northern CA) But originally from Los Angeles. I just moved here about two years ago. DC? I would still like to go out there...eventually when there are less kids at home..lol...

225s? Wow, so you're at the tail end? I'll be rootin for you!! Its hard to work and go to school for this at the same time..so much time is necessary to get out...I think you'll find too, maybe not I dont know, but anyway, school is not like the real job...school gets you through your speeds, but there is so much more that you can only learn once you're on the job. Do you get to sit out much? You should try to sit out as much as you can..

Thanks for the offer to ask questions, I'm sure I will definately take you up on that at some point. For me it really is a "Wow, really? But why?" kinda thing...I grew up with both parents from the 60s, both drinkin fools...beer in the house was like cool-aid in other houses....I had a good childhood, no issues, but just different..I believe I have good parents ...just no faith or church of any kind...my bro and sister are anti church totally so i can't chat with them about it cuz they want to debate so I learned to stay quiet...

I have four kids..they just recently got baptised about two months ago for my girls (3 of them) and one month ago for my son.....i really like the church and most things about it, definately open to it, but i still feel like i need to know just a little bit more before i get there, know what i mean? initially it felt restrictive but i do understand the reasons behind most things, I guess....i do feel bad sometimes because i am a coffee drinker, have been for 20 years, I guess its not that big of a deal but i feel like im not supposed to....not sure how that sounds to you but anyway...i could probably go on and on...

anyway, yes I have four kids and Mike has four kids all boys..but they stayed in L.A. with their mom...they didn't want to leave their friends....my kids have adjusted well here...

any kids for you?

That's great that you're sitting out, I wish I would have done more of that when I was a student. I probably would have been better prepared for the job. It really was a shock at how much work it really is. I still remember my very first depo and how sick to my stomach I was the night before, the morning of and just minutes before administering my first oath. lol...it is so funny to think about now but back then I probably lost ten pounds just prior to my first depo....it was a car accident and the atty knew i was a newbie..he asked and i admitted it although everyone tells you not to. He made me feel very comfortable and made sure I was okay throughout it...that was good.

We are still meeting with the missionaries. Although I have to tell you, the guys we had coming over before were really great. The way the taught worked for all of us. You know, as an adult it is hard to listen to a kid(basically) telling me things and trying to teach me. I find that i want to, in a sense, start going into mother mode. Now I didn't feel this way with the other missionaries, just the two that are coming now. They had their rotation so the boys that taught my kids and went through their baptisms are about an hour or so from us now. But I just don't have that connection with the new guys. They're nice and everything it is just the way they teach. I have a hard time with getting anything out of what -- actually it is the one out of the two that come. but the one that is doing most of the talking, just doesn't work for me. BUT, at gospel essentials class of the counselors to the Bishop came and taught and it was great. Sometimes the missionaries teach that and again I feel like i don't get anything. Mike goes with me to that class and he usually follows up with me and i ask questions about what the Elder was trying to say so to that extent it is okay. But i know it is hard to teach. it is one thing to know something but it isn't so easy to teach. when I was in my early 20s I was a school bus driver and then became a behind-the-wheel instructor and it was hard for the older adults to listen to me too. so i understand how it has come full circle so I try to be patient with it. i'm in no hurry so i just take it lesson by lession.

congrats for your brother. Any idea where he'll be going? I've asked my son if he's interested in going on a mission. He is new to the church, a senior in high school, and 17 years old. He so far says he's not sure...we'll see what happens there.

work for me is picking up a little..i almost hate to say that because then it will slow down. it seemed to be the pattern as soon as i got excited about working picking up, it slows down. anyway, yes, it is picking up a bit...for a long time i was fighting to get work. See, being in brentwood only two years now, I came to an area where no one knew me. so i wasn't getting recommendations to agencies cuz no one could vouch for me. the way it works up here is different than it was for me in L.A. It is funny how things work. About four years ago I was in L.A. making six figures with this job (yes, it is possible but you are gonna work your butt off) anyway, six figures but I had a crappy personal(married) life..kids were starting to get out of control...my career was awesome, it was what i spent so much time and worked so hard for!!! I was in it for the money and I had it.....

now today...the industry as a whole took a nose dive...I always heard about it happening but never thought in a million years I would see it happen, I thought that was crazy, they will always need reporters...so no more six figures...I started to think oh, my gosh, what am i gonna do .....well, life is funny...

so here I am today...my career had almost slowed down to nothing..went through a divorce and started dating this man who was once my computer guy, which by the way was the last thing i ever wanted or needed because geez, that didn't work out so hot before right? ..... but now i'm working 2-3 days a week and my personal life is fantastic....again funny how things turn out...

so now i don't mind so much not working as much cuz i don't have to...i can enjoy the job without the stress of HAVING to make so much money...

anyway...i'm not sure how i went off into all that but anyway...ugg...sorry i ranted so long....I wanted to ask you what machine you use and what software you use? also, what are the requirements for you to get to the state exam for you out there? I was just curious how different if at all it is.

Woo-Hoooo!!!!

The show will be here in no time!

Wow, Australia?! That is fantastic!! Congratulations to your brother....the next two years will certainly be something he will always remember....how exciting!! I would love to go there, and still hope to make it some day...

I had no idea that those states worked that way...I just assumed they all had certification requirements..that's interesting...hmmm....

Well, good luck with your 225...you will be working sooner than you know it and then you'll barely remember the school days...they will seem easy by comparison, at least at times, haha...

I took the RPR a few times and it was difficult...i lost interest though...maybe i may go back to it, who knows...

well...keep me posted...good luck...

Hi, Jackie!

Thanks for adding me as a friend here. :)

I just saw your family blog... VERY COOL! Thanks for sharing!

Hope you have a great day! And GOOD LUCK on the final leg of your court reporting program! Can't wait till my turn comes!

Christine
stenonerd.blogspot.com

Hi, Jackie.

I go back September 8 (I think? LOL!). Can't wait!

Currently on Jury Duty this week... so I don't really have a free week unfortunately. I'm on call.

When do you go back? I haven't done a great job at all with trying to study over my break. :P

Thanks for the GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK to you as well! :D

Christine
stenonerd.blogspot.com

Hi, Jackie.

Thanks for asking about my Jury Duty. I went to court on Monday from 8 a.m., and they dismissed us all at 2 p.m. They never called my name except when taking roll. So I've never had the experience of even being considered for a Jury Panel yet! Oh well, there's always next time! For now I'm free for the next 12 months.

I'm at Coffee Bean (local coffee shop) to put some hours into practicing today! YAY! FINALLY! Hehehe.

Thanks for the reminder and encouragement to keep on practicing! I'm SO SURE you'll reach your 225 wpm much sooner rather than later! :)

Keep in touch!

Christine
stenonerd.blogspot.com

CONGRATULATIONS ON PASSING YOUR FIRST 225 WPM TEST!!! ALMOST THERE... ;D

Congats ! Jackie, I am so excited for you. It must feel so good to be done. You are on your way to much success. I finally past a 200 JURY, I feel like I will be passing the rest of my test soon. I cannot wait!

Hi, Jackie.

Yes, fleas are the WORST!!! :P But thanks so much for asking. :) Things are getting much, much better. I think we have about 90% of the situation under control. Just gotta continue to be vigilant and consistent and proactive!

How are you?! How does it feel like to be done with school?! Please share all the wonderful things I can look forward to!!! Hehehe. I'm so excited for you!!! :) :) :)

Christine
stenonerd.blogspot.com

I currently need eight more test. I feel I will be passing them very soon.

Hi, I am part of an online group. Send me your e-mail address and I brief you. Sounds like a great group. Would love to hear from your impressions of the D.C. market so far.