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Free

after instant rebate
after mail-in rebate
after minimum purchase
sales tax not included.

How is that free? Why am I paying sales tax for an item that I supposedly am getting for free? No money is changing hands here, why do I have to pay sales tax? Am I paying sale tax on the discounted price? What's going on?

Added by Kyung on January 6, 2009 at 9:47 — 2 Comments

Two courtrooms, one court reporter

So today wa a fun day in federal court. We had regular motions in one courtroom. In the next courtroom, we had readback for the F-13 trial.

So court starts at 8 a.m. We start a little late. We do a couple of motions. Judge asks if parties are here for motions set at 8:30. No. Recess.

8:30 start. Of course, for some reason, 3/4th of the attorneys decide to show up at 8:31 a.m. So as the judge is calling all the cases, the attorneys are coming and I have no freakin' idea who… Continue

Added by Kyung on January 5, 2009 at 20:30 — 5 Comments

Newspaper stories

So it's more interesting for me to read the newspaper these days bec. oftentimes I see a newspaper story about a case that is being tried in a courtroom that I am working in. These are by no means "high profile", but it's always interesting to get some of the back story of a case.

As you know, a lot of reporters only get to hear small portions of cases. So it's exciting to learn some of the circumstances surrounding a case that you're working on. And it's also interesting bec. I… Continue

Added by Kyung on January 4, 2009 at 21:54 — 3 Comments

Do you keep all your receipts in teeny-tiny shoeboxes?

Probably not the best filing system. But, hey, at least you have receipts.

Here's a secret. The tax person doesn't really want to see your receipts. Mostly they want to know that you have them. But really, they don't want to see you coming through their door w/ a plastic bag of random receipts.

Basically, they'll sit you down and ask questions. So you should spend some time preparing before your interview w/the tax person.

Documents the tax person will want bec.… Continue

Added by Kyung on January 4, 2009 at 21:08 — 4 Comments

Start the new year off right.

There's lots of discussions on here about backing up your data. And I know you're always wondering what's a good website. There's also a thread about Carbonite.

Well, here's your chance to start your new year off right and back up everything so you won't lose anything. And they're having a sale.

Usually it's $49.95/year. Two-year subscription is $89.95. Three years is $134.95,

But right now you can sign up and get 15% off. That's a deal. So $42.45 for one year,… Continue

Added by Kyung on January 4, 2009 at 10:07 — 2 Comments

Our twins are here!

Hello all,

I just wanted to let everyone know that our twins, Madeline Margaret Lewis and Jackson William Lewis arrived December 15, 2008. Everyone is home and healthy and happy. I would like to express my thanks to everyone for their advice and well wishes. Happy New Year! Beth

Added by Elizabeth A. Willis-Lewis on January 3, 2009 at 20:11 — 6 Comments

Will 2009 be any different than 2008?

I don't know about anybody else, but I have BIG plans for 2009. My New Years Resolution is to simplify my life. I've finally gotten there in my life where I realize I don't really need "everything"? I have a wonderful family, a great job and a beautiful home. This year I plan on spending a lot of time with my family, enhancing my court reporting skills and cleaning out my beautiful home -- yes, cleaning out my beautiful home that's full of so much stuff and things we can't even move around in… Continue

Added by Angie on January 2, 2009 at 17:23 — 2 Comments

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY THERE BE SUCCESS AND PLENTY OF WORK FOR US ALL THIS YEAR

NORMA HADLAND

Added by norma hadland on January 1, 2009 at 9:25 — 9 Comments

Exhibits!! Exhibits!!

Exhibits everywhere but where they're supposed to be.

I dedicate this blog to those exhibits that the attorney takes off with at the end of the deposition so you have to chase them down the hall. I have done this. I'm looking through my exhibits, and they're racing out of the room. I usually chase after them and catch up with them by the elevators. Another reason not to wear stilettos to the depo. Although I hear they do great things for your legs.

Here's to the exhibits… Continue

Added by Kyung on December 29, 2008 at 15:30 — 6 Comments

Online Student has a question - re: Stacking

Hi, everyone - I'm an an online student at the Court Reporting Institute of Dallas and, as such, I really don't have a lot of input or conversations regarding lots of things about court reporting (it's a very lonely world for the online student). On many occasions I have read the term "stacking" and someone has a blog on here about her Mira stacking.

I know this is an elementary question, but if I don't ask, I'll never know, right? What is stacking? How does it occur? How is it… Continue

Added by Jeannie Wright on December 29, 2008 at 13:30 — 8 Comments

No Texting in your car as you're driving as of January 1st, 2009

Come on, people!!

Is it me, or shouldn't this have been taken care of when they made it illegal to drive and talk on the cell phone at the same time w/out your hands-free bluetooth or headset?

It boggles my mind that people are out there on the freeway eating, drinking, talking on the phone, and texting all at the same time? Who are these multi-armed freaks of nature?

Granted, I have eaten in my car. I have had a drink or two while driving (all non-alcoholic).… Continue

Added by Kyung on December 28, 2008 at 20:47 — 4 Comments

Free ticket to Disneyland

Disneyland website

I really like Disneyland. But it is expensive. So if you feel like going for your birthday, here's one way you can get in for free.

Added by Kyung on December 28, 2008 at 20:33 — 1 Comment

Why I Kept Having Kids . . .

So my five boys and I decide to take a drive around town looking at Christmas lights.

We have some wonderful new decorations this year in town. Some of our favorites are the blow-up displays with snowmen, the Grinch, penguins, etc.

So one of the new ones this year is Santa's stable that features Santa and six of his reindeers in this cute little stable.

So we proceed to read the names of the reindeers on the display and start trying to figure out which ones are… Continue

Added by Tami on December 28, 2008 at 10:46 — 8 Comments

The day after Christmas...

Merry Christmas to all of my new friends! My family shared our Christmas morning with two new members, Chad, my daughter Bethany's friend who is a Marine (whorah!) from Pennsylvania and is stationed here at Camp Pendelton (but wants to be in Iraq!) and Joey, my oldest daughter's boyfriend (future son-in-law). We had a wonderful morning opening up gifts, but my son, Mark, kind of got the short end of the stick this year. His Playstation game (an older version of Bugs Bunny) didn't work, and I… Continue

Added by Diane Hickman on December 26, 2008 at 10:35 — 1 Comment

Ah!! The annual traditions

Christmas and Hanukkah are a joyful season. And I love giving gifts and receiving them. But the tradition of the after-holiday return I could do w/out frankly.

But we will be in line this morning w/all the others who received items that perhaps were not the right size or not the right color. Or perhaps a piece got broken off or it just plain doesn't work.

Well, I can guarantee you the lines will be long. But please, just be thankful that you received something that you are… Continue

Added by Kyung on December 26, 2008 at 8:37 — No Comments

So cold!!

Well, at least for Southern California. When I went to open my car door this morning, it had frozen. It pulled up with an audible crackle of breaking ice. Burrrr.

When I got in my car, it said 36 degrees with a little snowflake next to it. Ah, how cute. I turned on the car and started the window wipers. Sccrreecchhhh. Too impatient to let the defrosters and heaters do their job, I decided to roll down the side windows so I could see out. cRRRKKK. Oops!!! Maybe I should be scraping… Continue

Added by Kyung on December 26, 2008 at 8:32 — 4 Comments

I'm backing up on Carbonite right this minute.

I am backing up right no on Carbonite. I am multi-tasking. I'm going to start the New Year right.

Added by Kyung on December 23, 2008 at 19:10 — 1 Comment

My RMR Test Blog ... Finally!

I’m really going to do it this time. I decided for the new year that I’m going to finally take the RMR. So … I’ve pulled out all my practice materials, i.e., 240-300 tapes and CDs. I’m not letting anything get in the way this time, and that includes stress of trials and transcripts. I always want a sense of accomplishment for myself in my profession each year. This year it was to finally get my MO certification out of the way. Got that, now I must move on to the next chapter. I don’t really… Continue

Added by Jessica K. Belcher on December 23, 2008 at 17:18 — 24 Comments

You know it's all about the gifts.

So what you getting for Christmas/Hanukkah? What are you giving for Christmas/Hanukkah?

What do you want for Christmas/Hanukkah? Maybe if you say it here, it will get back to someone who really needs to know.

Me, I wanted a Wii Fit Board, but according to dh they're sold out!!! Bummer.

I got dh a wine cooler. No, not the Bartles & Jaymes. I'm talking a refrigerator type thing to hold his wine collection.

What are the cool gifts out there this… Continue

Added by Kyung on December 22, 2008 at 19:38 — 1 Comment

Good-bye Old Friend; Hello New Friend

The year starts off like a pair of new shoes. They feel stiff, you don't know what to expect from them, and that's it you're stuck with them. 2008 for me startee off with new goals and aspirations, along the way there were rough spots and some things just stayed with me the whole year refusing to go away; an unresolved issue without any answer. To say the least I've spent the past year in a funk although seemingly I've been upbeat and optimistic. I guess I'm good at keeping up appearances. I… Continue

Added by Anthony D. Frisolone on December 22, 2008 at 17:17 — No Comments