I Shimmed! I Shimmed!

CheapandSleazy.net -> Do It Yourself Shim

I shimmed my manual Sentura 200! While I'm awaiting my realtime machine, tortuously mind you, I'm getting a little antsy. I can't wait to get my own copy of Case Catalyst too, but at the same time I want that soft touch everyone brags about when they use a realtime machine. Even the SRT's have a lighter touch than my manual one. So! I decided I was going to follow the Cheap and Sleazy guide to shimming your machine.

It was incredibly simple, and I did it in about 10 minutes. I'm a little unsatisfied with 2 cards, but this 5-year-old Quizno's card is gonna get chopped once again in a little while. I couldn't believe it when I pressed down that metal bar just below the gears and it made the keys go further down! No wonder people shim their machines.

So! I actually highly recommend following this guide (click here) for an cheap, sleazy, and easy way to shim your machines. I'm really, really liking this. Hopefully my wrists won't feel so tired because of it. All you need is a pair of scissors, an old and expired credit card, library card, or some old gift card, and a ruler. Everything else is incredibly simple. No risk too! Well, unless you consider getting ink and oil on your hands risky.

...Still can't wait for my own realtime writer and software though. Curse being manual, no-techy, court reporting student....

Getting my Realtime Machine!

Alright! Finally I'm ordering my first realtime machine along with software and my theory's dictionary. I got Case Catalyst, which I'm used to using on our college campus, and I'm not going to state what machine I ended up getting considering the unwanted debate it sparked at Depoman.com. All I'm saying is: hurrah! Finally I can start editing and customizing my own dictionary and start doing realtime practices. I'm super excited.

I have heard of a few things people have done to use and practice with their machines, like Gwar and Ellacre's idea about using the Steno Keyboard for other programs on Depoman.com -> Student Boot Camp -> StenoMaster Student Diary. I also know that Simply Steno has games which use the realtime programs to help practice gaining speed.

So what are things you've done with your realtime software and dictionaries? I'm very curious about the things I'll be able to do once I have my student version of Case Catalyst and my new machine!

The only thing I'll say about the machine itself is that I'm ordering it new from Stenograph for the extras it comes with and the warranty I'm getting with it. It was within my price range and exactly what I wanted out of a writer. It'll take a while for everything to clear and set up, as the representative from Stenograph explained to me, so I probably won't get it for another 2-4 weeks. I just sent the order form in the mail.

I can't wait to touch it!

Antioxidant Max Green Tea

In this Field of study its hard to find some motivation sometimes. This quarter I'm taking 5-days-a week of classes and today I need to get a bunch of rip and reads and audio done. However, when I get that done I don't get to look forward to taking a rest. I have to head to my night class at 6:15 PM until 9:45 PM, and wake up at 5:40 AM  the next morning just to get to my 8:15 AM class on time.

It was really difficult managing to get myself up this morning, but yesterday while doing a bit of shopping I found a new tea that caught my interest. Its Dragon Fruit Melon Antioxidant Max Green Tea created by Celestial Seasons. I was a bit wary of trying it, because usually don't like the taste of Dragon Fruit, but the combination of melon and green tea along with it was awesome. It has the highest content of Antioxidants, which "are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals." Green Tea also helps rejuvenate and inspire energy in the body. 

Not only did this tea help me get my caffeinated boost this morning, but along side a bowl of Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal it really helped me feel refreshed and ready for my hell of a week. I've already had one full mug (approximately three cups worth) and I'm working on another mug full. 

This tea is great for motivation when you've got homework and speed takes hanging over your head, while the prerequisites you have to go to at night torment you. 

Picture Source: Celestial Seasons - > Products -> Dragon Fruit Melon Antioxidant Max Green Tea

Jet Stream Rolling Bag

As a full-time student its a bit difficult to carry all my supplies sometimes. I bought my machine from http://www.acculaw.com/ for a good price. Its just a standard Stentura 200, no realtime or battery; just a basic manual writer and its supplies because that's all I needed for theory. It came with a soft-sided case, but it was ridiculously heavy with everything packed in there. I wanted to get a small, rolling bag since all I had was the machine, tripod, and paper tray I needed everyday but they were all so expensive or looked ridiculous.

Today on a chance encounter in Walgreens I managed to buy for $10.00 a Jet Stream 18' Upright Pullman! It fits all my supplies, just barely, but now all I have to carry on my poor body is my backpack. Its really good for just a basic, manual writer set. It fits the paper and tripod in the zip-accessory section of the bag and my writer with its jet bag and my paper tray right in the base of it.

Its so much nicer not having to buy a $200 rolling bag for a machine. Being able to find something that fits everything for a cheap price is fantastic, and its small enough to take into our super small realtime lab at the college with no problems.
Picture Source: Amazon.com --> JetStream --> New Travel Carry On Suitcase On Wheels With Extendable Handle