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November 2008 Blog Posts (35)

MY FAVORITE NEW REPORTER!!!!!

Yes, it's a great day. My son Clay found out today he passed the CA CSR machine test. Did I say "passed"???

I meant he killed it. Five errors. (99.75%)

He thinks I'm a dork, hates how I gloat over him, but, MAN, THAT BOY MAKES ME SOOOO PROUD!!!!!!

Since he's already received word within the last two weeks he passed both academic portions of the CSR, he's made it over to the other side. He is really MY FAVORITE NEW REPORTER!!!!

Added by Tami on November 17, 2008 at 21:23 — 23 Comments

What's the furthest you've driven?

Well, times are slow for some of us and gas is high. Although it has come down a little bit. Just a smidge.

But what's the furthest you've driven for a depo? Timewise? Mileagewise?

I used to try to keep it around 30 miles, but I think I"ll have to bump it up to 40. Bleh. And that could end up being anywhere from and hour to two hours depending on traffic. Double Bleh.

When I first started, I drove to Palm Springs once for a depo. That was over a hundred miles… Continue

Added by Kyung on November 16, 2008 at 7:20 — 17 Comments

I Love it When a Plan Comes Together

After weeks of planning, the second semiannual student seminar that I was in charge of organizing was held today. The event was held at the Federal Courthouse where I work and It was called the Basics of Writing Multivoice Dictation. I came up with the topic as a result of students writing to me saying that the schools weren't doing enough to give them multivoice dictation. Again, no fee was charged to any of the 63 students that attended. 93 students registered for the event in… Continue

Added by Anthony D. Frisolone on November 15, 2008 at 17:30 — 3 Comments

HELP ON CORRECT SPELLING OF COMPANY NAME

Can anybody help with the correct spelling of a company name? The doctor was talking about a company that do studies on college students IQ. What I heard and wrote, which may be totally wrong, is "Dodgeroll and Wonderlick Corporation. Any help would be so much appreciated.

Added by Rosalie DeLeonardis on November 14, 2008 at 8:21 — 4 Comments

Snagging music!!!

OMG. I learn great and wonderful things about this site everyday. Did you know that if you like a song on someone else's page, you can add it to your page? I did not know that.

It is so coool!!! I will probably spend the day visiting people and listening to their music. Hope you all don't mind.

This is why this is such a cool site.

THANKS, MONTI!!!!

Added by Kyung on November 14, 2008 at 6:24 — 2 Comments

Who likes it hot and spicy?

Now, that I've got your attention. I'm talking food again. Indian food this time. There are some really good Indian places around SoCal. The thing about Indian food is that they have those really great buffets. I always overeat.

One of my top favorite Indian food places is Natraj in Laguna Hills. My girlfriend who is Indian says this place is very good. Their kheer (rice pudding) is delicious. I'm not sure if the fast food Natraj is owned by the same people. They're kind of the… Continue

Added by Kyung on November 12, 2008 at 20:28 — 7 Comments

Help, my paper is sliding to the left.

Hi, I have a 400 SRT and my paper is sliding to the left on the platen. It is very noisy and the strokes aren't coming out clear. I called the Stenodoctor who said to send it in. Has this happened to anyone who might have an idea about an adjustment I can make before I send it in? I am also using different paper pads than I normally do. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Trudi

Added by Trudi O'Brien on November 12, 2008 at 17:04 — 1 Comment

Sushi Lovers Unite!!

It has recently come to my attention that there are some people on this board who love sushi. I LOVE SUSHI.

Since we're usually driving all over the place for our depos, it would be nice to get recommendations for good sushi places all over Southern California, so if we happen to find ourselves somewhere, we will be able to eat there with confidence.

In Costa Mesa/Santa Ana, CA, off of Bristol there is a place called Kaisen Kaiten sushi. Kaiten basically means conveyor… Continue

Added by Kyung on November 11, 2008 at 19:36 — 10 Comments

Stricken from the record/strike that.

What does that phrase really mean? Is it just something attorneys randomly say when they flub their questions and they want a fresh new start? Probably.

As a depo reporter, it just means another two words that I have to stroke. It's not like I'm actually going to delete it out. It still goes into the record and stays in the record permanently.

Digression - I've had witnesses, when the attorney keeps saying strike that, start saying strike that in the mistaken belief that… Continue

Added by Kyung on November 9, 2008 at 7:00 — 7 Comments

How things have changed since I've been working in court.

Writing - Well, it may be a little premature, and I'm sure my writing will change even more more, but I've added a lot of stuff to my writing. Lots of briefs and court-related phrases. But I'm finding that the briefs that I'm adding to my dictionary are really helping when I take depos.

I don't know if depos are getting easier for me or they're easier in comparison to courtroom proceedings.

It's funny but I've been going out fewer days as well. Not just bec. of the… Continue

Added by Kyung on November 8, 2008 at 6:00 — 1 Comment

What would you save?

Well, I had a court reporter nightmare the other night. Of course, one of those that doesn't make sense involving a logging camp and taking a deposition in a tent. Anyway, for reasons that make sense in my dream, we had to evacuate bec. it was going to blow up. I took off with my laptop, but I was debating whether I should go back for my writer.

And it started me thinking. I often take depositions in high rises. In fact, I've been in a building when the alarm goes off. If this… Continue

Added by Kyung on November 6, 2008 at 12:30 — 2 Comments

Overturn Prop 8

I am saddened that Prop 8 passed, which bans gay marriages.

Sign petition

Added by Kyung on November 6, 2008 at 12:25 — 10 Comments

It's raining, it's pouring.

I live in sunny Southern California, and for the last few days, it's been a little wet. However, I love rainy weather. It's a nice change od pace. That plus the falling back is really marking the change of season for me. I really like working at home when it's raining.

How's the weather in your neck of the woods? Have you guys noticed any difference sine the globe started warming up and the ozone layer started dissipating?

Added by Kyung on November 4, 2008 at 5:00 — 2 Comments

Non-court related random musings.

Well, Saturday is shopping and chore day.

Today we went to Costco. I foresee Costco becoming every busy in the coming weeks as everyone looks for bargains.

Anyway, when I was in the dried fruit aisle, I saw dried apricots and dried cranberries and prunes. But they are no longer called prunes. They are now labeled dried plums.

I find this particularly funny because just a couple of weeks ago, I was in the fresh fruit section of Costco and I saw a box of plums… Continue

Added by Kyung on November 1, 2008 at 14:54 — No Comments

Huge learning curve

There is always news thing you can learn in this profession, whether you want to or not.

There is a huge learning curve for me right now going into the courts. And I despair of ever getting better. It's like starting all over again from my first year out as a reporter. It's learning about new formats, new parentheticals, new forms, new administrative details. So much to learn and so little time. I really don't know how full-time officials make it their first year. I only work in… Continue

Added by Kyung on November 1, 2008 at 8:30 — 14 Comments