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March 2008 Blog Posts (22)

My Day

My job today was in Salem at 9. I didn't get out of here until after 8! I was running late and having a little bit of a time to find the place. When I got there, went up the steps with all my junk in my new big bulgingred bag . . . only to find it's across the street.

So I trudge across the street, go the wrong way, go back. Go in the right door, up the elevator. Tell the chicky behind the window who I was, why I was there. She hands me a visitor badge as she's calling to make… Continue

Added by Brenda Rogers on March 31, 2008 at 19:38 — 9 Comments

My Morson's English Guide

This post is inspired by someone who post on the scoping buddies yahoo group that the inside of her Morson's book was covered with highlights and notes. Mine is too, and I wanted to show pictures to prove Continue

Added by Maria Ellicott on March 28, 2008 at 23:05 — No Comments

Your first job - Oh my God!! What do I do?

You've passed your test. You've paid your dues. You're now a card-carrying CSR. Yeah. You get a flimsy paper card/license. I bet nobody told you that. You've done your interviewing. Now what?

Well, once the agency calls you with a job and you accept, the preparation begins. Make sure you've got extra paper(if your writer is not paperless), your writer, your computer, cables, power strip, Depobook (or some other form of keeping track of your depositions). I pack everything in the car… Continue

Added by Kyung on March 28, 2008 at 8:47 — 12 Comments

Anybody know Lisa Maes, a scopist and proofreader from California? I'm trying to find her number.

Added by Roseleen O'Brien on March 27, 2008 at 10:48 — No Comments

Loving my bag!

I am really likeing this bag. Carried it today and didn't roll it to Parole Boards. Used my lunch pocket as I went from 830 .m. to 4:00 p.m.! Worked out great! And then had to run to my car to call my Mother-In-Law to not have her pick up my daughter and would have missed her if I had my cart; et cetera, LOL. I didn't have my butt pad as I knew the seats were comfy and wore my shoes since the snow is melting right now so it was not heavy. But it is working out very nice. Rho

Added by Rhoda Collins on March 26, 2008 at 19:08 — 2 Comments

More things I wish I knew

When you are a court reporter, you are so many more things than a court reporter.

You are a bill collector. Most of the time the checks will come in on time and they will be correct. Sometimes they won't. Please, for the love of God, look at your check and compare it to what you think you should be getting. Everybody makes mistakes. Lots of math errors and misunderstandings regarding rates. I think you said business lit is this rate and now you're saying it's this rate. Better to ask… Continue

Added by Kyung on March 24, 2008 at 20:00 — No Comments

My favorite parts of my job

I like it when everything is scoped and I only have proofing to do, and there is not a whole backlog of pages waiting to be done. I feel like I can breathe.

I like sitting at cafes drinking coffee and scoping and occasionally hitting the Internet. This can be wonderful on a beautiful, to be able to go out and proof outside.

I like sending in a completed job and cleaning off my desk.

Added by Kyung on March 22, 2008 at 5:47 — 11 Comments

Page rates - what to ask - things to consider when you're first starting out

Ah-ha!! I know everyone is thinking, finally, she's going to talk about something good. But in the interest of not giving anybody a heart attack in the court reporting community, I will refrain from posting my rates. If you're truly interested in the rates that I get paid, feel free to send me a message and I will tell you what my going rates are. These would be my personal rates that the various agencies pay me, and they vary. Honestly, no agency pays the same.

But what does this…

Continue

Added by Kyung on March 20, 2008 at 6:00 — 3 Comments

Dialing for Dollars - things I wish I knew my first year

There will always be slow times and times when you're completely slammed and drowning. When you're slammed and drowning, all you can do is put your head down and work like a dog until you're through the backlog. I do suggest you do not accept any jobs until you're through your backlog. If you do, you're just burying yourself further.

But this is about those times you are slow.

In California, you are a freelancer, an independent contractor. No matter how much an agency may… Continue

Added by Kyung on March 17, 2008 at 20:30 — No Comments

More things I wish I knew when I started

Attorneys lie!!!!

When they say, oh, I've only got an hour, can we work through lunch? He's lying!!!!! They will go on for hours while you're passing out from hunger. If he is saying this at 12. Smile and say no problem, but let's take a five-minute restroom break or something and grab the energy bar out of your bag or run to the nearest vending machine to get a little something to eat.

Attorneys do not like for you to ask them how long the deposition will be. If you must… Continue

Added by Kyung on March 17, 2008 at 16:30 — 2 Comments

Picture of my bag...

This has SO much room! Even more than I could get it to look in the pics, lol. My machine area has a TON more room in it than it looks. Nothing is touching my keys either.

Added by Rhoda Collins on March 14, 2008 at 6:30 — 13 Comments

loosing count of my Revolution days....

I am just LOVING it though!!! I can carry it without that rolly cart! :) It is quick to set up now. I am still getting used to the tablet/pen, but still don't want my laptop back, lol. I can relable things/etc when I get home. Not much time to edit when there are only bathroom breaks, lol. my new bag should be here tomorrow, but I have to be at Grand Juriy torso won't see it until I get home. Sigh. I can't wait to see it!

But the machine is running smoothly. I don't seem to have any… Continue

Added by Rhoda Collins on March 11, 2008 at 15:37 — 10 Comments

photo fix

Does anyone know how I can enlarge the photo I added to my page?

Added by Kris on March 10, 2008 at 23:54 — 3 Comments

Why I hate it when my people ask me did I work today?

Of course, I worked today. I work every friggin' single day. Just bec. I happen to be home in my bunny rabbit slippers does not mean I am not working like a dog. I am scoping, proofing, shredding old notes, following up on bills, archiving old transcripts, calling around for my next job, calling the agency for more information on the job I'm working on, and a bajillion other things.

Of course, what they mean is did you leave the house today? Did you go on a deposition outside of your… Continue

Added by Kyung on March 10, 2008 at 15:41 — 8 Comments

The Mira or Stentura Fusion

I would just like some feedback from anyone who has purchased one of these two writers recently and used the AudioSync on them. Is it comparable to notebook capabilities??? Just looking into it for a backup program for scoping and was wondering what the quality is. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Mary

Added by Mary Heederik on March 10, 2008 at 9:49 — 3 Comments

The taxman cometh - sitting here waiting for the tax person

Well, the tax gal is running a little behind schedule so we're waiting. And I thought I'd share more things I wish I knew my first year out.

TAXES - Here in California you are an independant contractor, a freelancer, not an employee. The term "staff reporter" means nothing in terms of your taxes. If you work for an agency, then you are going to get a 1099. Not a W-2. The only way you will ever be an employee as a reporter is if you're working for the Superior Court, Federal Court, or… Continue

Added by Kyung on March 9, 2008 at 11:58 — No Comments

What I wish I knew my first year out as a court reporter.

I know a lot of court reporting students are out there who go to school and can't wait to start reporting in the "real world." And you guys have lots of questions about what it's like reporting out there. You wonder about is there going to be work for me? Am I going to make enough money to pay off my debts and live the "glamorous" lifestyle?

Well, this is a great place to ask those questions. And if you have any particular topic that you want discussed, bring it up. But I thought I'd… Continue

Added by Kyung on March 8, 2008 at 12:00 — 14 Comments

Quick intro, for those who are interested

I decided to create a blog entry introducing myself, since I'm under the impression we're not to send messages to entire groups. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm Alma, and I live in Missouri with my son, who will be six in September.

I recently passed our certification exam and have been applying for full-time official or work comp positions as I see them come open.

In the meantime, I've also been enjoying transcribing for court reporters from… Continue

Added by Alma Rodick on March 7, 2008 at 17:52 — 11 Comments

Ordered a new bag for my machine/etc!

https://www.luggageonline.com/product.cfm?product_ID=8984

I am in LOVE with this bag! I got red, my favorite color, lol. Comes in black also.
And found a coupon code for 10% off also! LSGEN3
So wanted to share, lol.
Rho

Added by Rhoda Collins on March 7, 2008 at 17:00 — 3 Comments

Found a negative with my Gemini.....

The bag is too small, lol. Once I put in my extension cords, plugs, ampliphier, Depobook, etc, my zipper can pop...sigh. they offer a larger bag for us over-packers/over-planners, lol, I just did not 'get' it.... I need space for my butt cushion! I hate showing up and not having a soft chair. So may do some searching for a new bag.

Otherwise, another work day which went great with my Revolution.

Rho

Added by Rhoda Collins on March 7, 2008 at 16:00 — No Comments