Sue Baker's Posts - CSRNation2024-03-19T06:28:30ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBakerhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/61944072?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://csrnation.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=1pc23scedzi5x&xn_auth=noStackingtag:csrnation.ning.com,2009-07-02:1736041:BlogPost:10451252009-07-02T15:44:38.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
What can I say? I'm not sure it's me or the machine anymore. I always thought it was my 8000LX, but now maybe it's me. I don't have a new machine yet, no, hopefully soon, but I had a doozy yesterday I wanted to share.<br />
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Q. Do you have a TKHAOEUFP application? TKHAOEUFP = copy of that<br />
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Yikes! Triple stacking now. Like a triple cheeseburger, but less fun.
What can I say? I'm not sure it's me or the machine anymore. I always thought it was my 8000LX, but now maybe it's me. I don't have a new machine yet, no, hopefully soon, but I had a doozy yesterday I wanted to share.<br />
<br />
Q. Do you have a TKHAOEUFP application? TKHAOEUFP = copy of that<br />
<br />
Yikes! Triple stacking now. Like a triple cheeseburger, but less fun.Attorney Funniestag:csrnation.ning.com,2009-05-11:1736041:BlogPost:10171442009-05-11T16:34:13.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
I love the attorneys' sayings down here in the South. The other day, we had this exchange (names have been changed) and I thought it was so cute. The (male) witness didn't even blink an eye when the (female) questioning attorney said it to him, either. In another state, I'm not sure it would fly:<br />
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Q. I appreciate the clarification, Mr. Jones.<br />
A. You bet.<br />
Q. I don't need the sass. How about that?<br />
A. I'm just making sure we're clear.<br />
<br />
Cute, right?
I love the attorneys' sayings down here in the South. The other day, we had this exchange (names have been changed) and I thought it was so cute. The (male) witness didn't even blink an eye when the (female) questioning attorney said it to him, either. In another state, I'm not sure it would fly:<br />
<br />
<br />
Q. I appreciate the clarification, Mr. Jones.<br />
A. You bet.<br />
Q. I don't need the sass. How about that?<br />
A. I'm just making sure we're clear.<br />
<br />
Cute, right?All Court Reporters Must Read this and Respond Quicklytag:csrnation.ning.com,2009-04-26:1736041:BlogPost:10088382009-04-26T15:29:49.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
This is an urgent matter requiring your attention. Read http://motiontorescind.wordpress.com/ Print the petition listed there, have it signed and send it in, details on the site.<br />
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Dear Reporters:<br />
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In November of 2008, the NCRA Board of Directors voted to explore/develop a plan for the testing and certification of non-steno methods. These methods include electronic recording/digital audio recording and voicewriting.<br />
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As members of NCRA, we believe it is in contradiction to the Constitution &…
This is an urgent matter requiring your attention. Read http://motiontorescind.wordpress.com/ Print the petition listed there, have it signed and send it in, details on the site.<br />
<br />
Dear Reporters:<br />
<br />
In November of 2008, the NCRA Board of Directors voted to explore/develop a plan for the testing and certification of non-steno methods. These methods include electronic recording/digital audio recording and voicewriting.<br />
<br />
As members of NCRA, we believe it is in contradiction to the Constitution & Bylaws of this Association and outside the scope of purpose of the Association to spend Association money and resources on certifying non-stenographic methods, especially when members of this Association, steno reporters, are losing jobs all over the country to these competing methods.<br />
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Although we understand that no actual plan for testing non-steno methods has been developed yet and is only in a discussion stage, we object to any time and/or money spent on an endeavor that we believe will be harmful to the core membership and the profession.<br />
<br />
We understand there is a perfectly valid opposing opinion that if these alternate record-makers are working alongside stenographers, they should be held to the same standards. However, our belief is that it would be very hard, if not impossible, for NCRA to remain an advocate for the stenographic method if it were to test/certify other methods’ competency; that it would fundamentally change the Association from a trade association for verbatim stenographers to a testing agency for all makers of the record.<br />
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An analogy from the NCRA Forum was that GM wants Hondas tested equally by the NHTSA. We agree, but GM isn’t in charge of testing Hondas, and shouldn’t be (conflict of interest.) So the question is whether members want NCRA to become the independent testing authority (NHTSA).<br />
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We believe this is such a significant policy shift that it should be presented to membership to decide on, not just the board of directors.<br />
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In response to this action by the board, a group of reporters have created this Members’ Motion to Rescind Board Action, pursuant to NCRA Constitution & Bylaws, in order to have the issue debated and voted upon by the membership at the annual business meeting this year. Below you will find the actual motion, supporting documents, as well as how you and others can become a signatory if you agree.<br />
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Please understand, this motion is in no way meant to insult, harass, or annoy. We are not pointing fingers or making character assaults of any kind. What we have here is a difference of opinion. However, we truly believe that allowing the board to continue down this path would be detrimental to the careers of our membership.<br />
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Our passion is great; our motives are sincere.<br />
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You will need to attend the annual business meeting on August 6 in Washington, D.C. in order to actually vote. Online voting is not available for this purpose. However, your support as a signatory is also needed to demonstrate to those present the will of the members.<br />
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Thank you for your consideration.<br />
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*** For further reading on this issue, please visit:<br />
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NCRA Forum<br />
depoman.com<br />
concernedreporters.comExtreme Case of Cancelitistag:csrnation.ning.com,2009-04-24:1736041:BlogPost:10080752009-04-24T17:25:34.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
For the past two weeks. I think it's terminal. I'm giving myself two days to live. Luckily it happens to be Friday so that means I have the weekend. Almost every single job I have taken, the witnesses have not shown up. The two that went, the attorney ordered a rough draft, took it, then said they thought it was a courtesy copy and won't pay for it. The other that went, they ordered rush one-day delivery in the morning, canceled it in the afternoon after I had been feverishly working like a…
For the past two weeks. I think it's terminal. I'm giving myself two days to live. Luckily it happens to be Friday so that means I have the weekend. Almost every single job I have taken, the witnesses have not shown up. The two that went, the attorney ordered a rough draft, took it, then said they thought it was a courtesy copy and won't pay for it. The other that went, they ordered rush one-day delivery in the morning, canceled it in the afternoon after I had been feverishly working like a maniac to finish it and had finished it. That, added to the fact that NCRA is earnestly trying to put machine writers out of business, has me wondering, is the universe trying to tell me something?Best Buy Rocks! Thank you for connecting me to the world again!tag:csrnation.ning.com,2008-09-18:1736041:BlogPost:3732532008-09-18T00:37:14.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
Hi from Hurricane Ike country. I am still out of work and out of power, but thankfully the temperatures have been very comfortable since Monday so we can sleep at night. One of my problems is no internet access or computer access (as well as no fresh meats, perishables, ice) but we've been dealing with it, very fortunate our home was spared. I have been looking for electric access to charge phones or get to my email and saw this Best Buy was open on I-10 and Blalock. They have a nice long table…
Hi from Hurricane Ike country. I am still out of work and out of power, but thankfully the temperatures have been very comfortable since Monday so we can sleep at night. One of my problems is no internet access or computer access (as well as no fresh meats, perishables, ice) but we've been dealing with it, very fortunate our home was spared. I have been looking for electric access to charge phones or get to my email and saw this Best Buy was open on I-10 and Blalock. They have a nice long table with a power strip to charge your stuff, a computer, printer, TV, comfy chairs. It is awesome!! It's my first time to see TV or the internet since Friday. Hope to get back to work next week, but I kind of doubt it. Downtown had a lot of damage, I heard. The Chase tower lost windows on all 74 floors on the east side of the building, just for one. I talked to someone who saw Vinson & Elkins paperwork all over the streets, computers, desks littering the sidewalks, unreal. I'm sure it's cleaned up some and some buildings have re-opening, some have not. Schools are not back in until next week, hopefully Monday. We now know what a POD is (point of distribution for ice, water and MREs, which are Meals Ready to Eat). We are all laughing about eating "government cheese," which my kids actually like. (Did you ever see Chris Farley on SNL with the "eating government cheese in a van down by the river" skit?) It's my first time to get help from the government, a new experience. So we are doing okay here, thanks to FEMA and some very nice folks here. And thanks again, Best Buy!Let's Help Each Other!!tag:csrnation.ning.com,2008-07-07:1736041:BlogPost:731852008-07-07T14:00:00.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
Sorry, I'm going to have to rant about my pet peeve. If you are part of a reporting TEAM working a multi-day job, why do other members of the TEAM not communicate with the next person coming on, at least a note about what attorney is present or maybe a topic area? Let alone a few spellings? I have encountered this too many times to count and it aggravates me no end. When I start off a multi-day job, I leave a seating chart, appearances, spellings and instruction from attorneys about how they…
Sorry, I'm going to have to rant about my pet peeve. If you are part of a reporting TEAM working a multi-day job, why do other members of the TEAM not communicate with the next person coming on, at least a note about what attorney is present or maybe a topic area? Let alone a few spellings? I have encountered this too many times to count and it aggravates me no end. When I start off a multi-day job, I leave a seating chart, appearances, spellings and instruction from attorneys about how they want things. Or I call or email the next reporter. It really doesn't take much time and it makes us look more professional and on top of things. Are reporters just typically not team players? I mean, even if you don't personally know the next reporter, why can't you just help them out and make their day a little bit easier?<br />
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There, I'm done.Late Cancellations are Putting Me in the Poorhouse!tag:csrnation.ning.com,2008-06-24:1736041:BlogPost:715172008-06-24T23:13:30.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
The past month has been a nightmare of 4:55 pm cancellations for the next day, after I've already turned down six jobs, and then I end up with no job at all when it seems like everyone in town is taking a deposition. What is the deal? I know there are a lot of factors to cancellations, but I am beginning to think it's a trend due to the commitment-phobic state everyone is in nowadays. "Well, if I wake up in the morning and just don't feel like it, I won't go!" or maybe it really is some of the…
The past month has been a nightmare of 4:55 pm cancellations for the next day, after I've already turned down six jobs, and then I end up with no job at all when it seems like everyone in town is taking a deposition. What is the deal? I know there are a lot of factors to cancellations, but I am beginning to think it's a trend due to the commitment-phobic state everyone is in nowadays. "Well, if I wake up in the morning and just don't feel like it, I won't go!" or maybe it really is some of the flimsy excuses I've heard this month, "We forgot to tell our client we were taking his deposition tomorrow and he can't come." This at 4:50 p.m., no kidding. My family and friends all say, "Y'all should charge cancellation fees!" I say, "Heck, we can hardly get them to pay the bills when we produce a nice trancript for them. They sure as heck won't pay a cancellation fee!" That, and all I know is, it is really hard to make decisions based on little or no information about upcoming jobs. How many of us have driven to East Jesus for a "fantastic" job, only to find out the witness has to wait for her husband to get home so he can drive her, so we sit and wait for two hours, she shows up and the depo takes thirty minutes? Two weeks ago I showed up for a court hearing -- had the summons in my hand -- and the courtroom was closed, locked and dark. Someone finally came down the hall and said, "You're not waiting for court, are you? Because he never has court on Fridays." The only thing that made me feel better was the defendant was there, did not know I had been hired for his case, so since his attorney didn't show up, I was able to calm him down and put him with the right people so he could find out what was going on with the case, poor man was a nervous wreck. I am starting to wonder if someone is trying to tell me something, like maybe it's time for a new career for me. I guess I'm going to hang in there for now. I feel like I am in my prime as a reporter, seriously. It would be a shame to waste all this talent, boys and girls, now wouldn't it?Why I love Houston!tag:csrnation.ning.com,2008-06-05:1736041:BlogPost:681642008-06-05T13:45:41.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
The people here are so great. Yesterday, in a four block walk to my car, three people told me they, a, liked my outfit; b, wanted to help with my equipment; c, just a comment on the weather. That is amazing in a huge city. You get in an elevator, someone usually makes a funny remark or says good morning. In the grocery store, you get in conversations. In fact, almost every line you have to stand in, including DMV, you can get into a pleasant conversation with someone. Very friendly, warm and…
The people here are so great. Yesterday, in a four block walk to my car, three people told me they, a, liked my outfit; b, wanted to help with my equipment; c, just a comment on the weather. That is amazing in a huge city. You get in an elevator, someone usually makes a funny remark or says good morning. In the grocery store, you get in conversations. In fact, almost every line you have to stand in, including DMV, you can get into a pleasant conversation with someone. Very friendly, warm and helpful people. Been here since I was 23 and I didn't plan to stay this long, but I'm glad I did.My baby is graduating high schooltag:csrnation.ning.com,2008-05-22:1736041:BlogPost:655452008-05-22T13:36:17.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
It seems like yesterday a client told me I looked like a big blueberry in my blue maternity dress at a hearing. Or that I packed my little ice pack and pump to pump at lunch. Or the happy little people jumping on me and hugging me at the door when I arrived home. Or the stressful mornings when I had crying babies to drop off at daycare (ripped my heart out daily; dad always got pickup, the happy time). Working on a rush, the baby gate across my office door with babies yearning to get at mommy,…
It seems like yesterday a client told me I looked like a big blueberry in my blue maternity dress at a hearing. Or that I packed my little ice pack and pump to pump at lunch. Or the happy little people jumping on me and hugging me at the door when I arrived home. Or the stressful mornings when I had crying babies to drop off at daycare (ripped my heart out daily; dad always got pickup, the happy time). Working on a rush, the baby gate across my office door with babies yearning to get at mommy, who was working on a transcript. Lying in bed with them, reading books out loud every night, favorites over and over. Diapers, lots of them. Eight years straight. I used cloth in the day, so washing diapers every other day. Lots of trips to the zoo. In fact, this past Mother's Day, out trip to the zoo with now teenagers for our annual picture by the pond, which started with one little blond boy, fourteen months old, and most recently featured two young men, 6'2" and 6'0, and a 5'6" tall young lady. (Who all hate each other right now, by the way). The past four years have been a total blur, and he is the first to get ready to fly away from the nest, but the milestones for the others will come faster and faster, I am sure. Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt are coming for the ceremony and we are going to really enjoy the moment. In fact, we are already enjoying it, because as you know, anticipation is sometimes more fun than the actual event itself. My very first, life-changing baby is 18 and graduating high school.I'm going to lose my mind if my kids don't get over "Deadliest Catch"tag:csrnation.ning.com,2008-05-07:1736041:BlogPost:622432008-05-07T01:30:00.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
That's all they want to watch and it seems to be on TV all the time. It's the boys who watch it, of course. I guess it's better than Bam and Jackass, for sure. But jeez, it gets boring. I even went out and bought some crab legs one day, I had seen so many of them on the TV.<br />
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We just got cable TV for the first time about six months ago and I became a total CSI nut and cold cases and stuff. They had nagged me for at least seven years to get cable, but the digital TV deal coming up next year, and…
That's all they want to watch and it seems to be on TV all the time. It's the boys who watch it, of course. I guess it's better than Bam and Jackass, for sure. But jeez, it gets boring. I even went out and bought some crab legs one day, I had seen so many of them on the TV.<br />
<br />
We just got cable TV for the first time about six months ago and I became a total CSI nut and cold cases and stuff. They had nagged me for at least seven years to get cable, but the digital TV deal coming up next year, and I tried a converter box on my antennae and it just wasn't very good, so I figured we couldn't get around it much longer. I got Dish TV and I've been pretty happy with it. It just amazes me how much I spend on phone, internet, TV, cellphone. But internet of course is the greatest thing to happen to court reporting. When I think of how we had to research things back in the day, call the library research center, call car dealers, call pharmacists, whoever. This is sooo much better in so many ways. It's definitely a bargain.Court Reporter Nightmaretag:csrnation.ning.com,2008-04-28:1736041:BlogPost:600312008-04-28T23:09:23.000ZSue Bakerhttps://csrnation.ning.com/profile/SueBaker
Horrible experience. I went on a job and took my spare machine, SmartWriter. Well, it wouldn't turn on. At all. I called the local machine repair guy, he advised me to throw some C batts in there. With 15 minutes before start time, I ran to my car, paid $3 to get out of the garage and zoom to a local store to pay $14 for C batteries. Ran back. put them in the machine. Still dead. Turned on the manual switch and prepared to pound out a depo the old fashioned way, no computer, no disk, no…
Horrible experience. I went on a job and took my spare machine, SmartWriter. Well, it wouldn't turn on. At all. I called the local machine repair guy, he advised me to throw some C batts in there. With 15 minutes before start time, I ran to my car, paid $3 to get out of the garage and zoom to a local store to pay $14 for C batteries. Ran back. put them in the machine. Still dead. Turned on the manual switch and prepared to pound out a depo the old fashioned way, no computer, no disk, no electric-assist.<br />
<br />
It was HORRIBLE, like typing on an old black 1930's typewriter. Of course it went about 100 pages, wish it would've been 50. Then I decided to re-write it instead of typing the whole thing. I still had my little Stenograph notebox from the '70's. Wish I would've had an electric note-puller, because I did something to my neck rewriting that dang thing.<br />
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So far for this job, I've been working on it all weekend. Then I had an audiotape, so I listened to the whole thing, proofed it again and now I'm finally going to correct it and get it the heck out of here. I figured it would give me some extra note-reading experience, but beyond that, I don't see a silver lining on this one.<br />
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Thank GOD for computers.