Thursday, November 12, 2009

First Day on New Job - Not so Bad

Today I was to complete the transcription and synchronization of the first five minutes of my first assigned tape. That took only a few hours. I had to learn how to work the text portion and then the sync portion. I think I've got it figured out now, and if I did it all correctly, it should all go smoother and quicker from now on.

When I did transcription in the law firm, I listened to a very concise, well-paced attorney's voice, and was able to backtrack with a pedal (much like a sewing machine pedal) when I needed to. What I am doing now is listening to very fast-paced speaking, joke-telling, distractions caused by the audience, while learning to use "HOT" keys to move the video backward, forward, pause, restart, etc. Very different, but will be fine when I get it in my muscular memory (the same term I use for piano students!).

I cannot watch the video while I transcribe . . . that would be too distracting and would slow me down. I just listen and type. If I want to watch some particular ones, I could probably rewind and watch whatever parts I want to when I've completed the task. But, I doubt I'll have much time for that. I'm a very busy girl!

MK didn't feel very well today. She wasn't really ill, just felt as if she is coming down with something. So, she stayed in her pajamas all day, did homework in bed and she did practice the piano. She is allowed to listen to classical music/piano music while doing homework. She uses earphones, so I often catch her listening to pop music on the radio! I don't think she can focus and learn when listening to vocals. So, if I catch her one more time, radio is off limits during homework.

I think I am going to enjoy this new job. What scares me is the old saying, "It's too good to be true!" Let's hope this doesn't apply in this case.


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

New Flippin' Cool Job

Today, I signed a new freelance contract for a flippin' cool job where I will be part of a transcribing team for work in the entertainment media. This appears to be a long-term position.

We create online transcription and sync to video software. The current project our team is to work on is 3300 old (very famous talk show host) Shows.

Future projects may include transcription for the Department of Justice (my legal secretary transcribing experience helped me get this job), and other TV shows that I know about, but I don't think I can list the titles since we have a confidentiality agreement. Believe me, though, it is exciting!

The only bad part, at this point, is that pay is always a month delayed. So, for instance, the end of this pay period will be the 15th, and I won't have much on it yet, AND I won't get paid for it until December 15. But, I'll manage somehow until then. There are two pay periods each month. Pay varies with the projects, but should pay okay.

MK and I have been doing a rather unusual job this week. On Monday we painted three street sign posts and the backs of stop signs and other signs, and today five more. We are painting these black, like Duke Energy did on the big street light poles. We are doing this for money to fill in the gap since I lost that last copywriting contract. I sure don't enjoy it. I don't like being that high on a ladder next to busy traffic in the dang wind. Money is money. The things we do to keep the utilities on or a roof over our heads.

Squash Bloom

Squash Bloom
I found a new setting on my camera for shooting flowers!

Bean #1

Bean #1
So far, we have three bean pods. Bugs are eating the leaves.

Bean #2

Bean #2

Bean #3

Bean #3

Second Strawberry

Second Strawberry
The birds found the first strawberry (pictured yesterday) and ate right out of the center of it! This is a new one that showed up today. I'm sure it will be gone soon. We have buds for more.

"FLOWERS" NOT

"FLOWERS"  NOT
Actually, squash, lettuce, flowers, and grass where we planted what were supposed to be flowers! This is what happens when children help you garden. But, the squash looks excellent!

Our Recession Garden & First Harvest

Our Recession Garden & First Harvest
These are the beautiful squash plants growing where we planted what the package said was FLOWERS! Actually, I think MK may have mis-labled them in the spring planter box we started everything in.

Peony

Peony
The peonies were beautiful only a few days before being ruined by rain.

Leaf Lettuce

Leaf Lettuce
Recovering from being beat down by rain

First Harvest from Recession Garden

First Harvest from Recession Garden
This is actually from a "thinning" of the garden.

Parsley

Parsley

One and Only Strawberry

One and Only Strawberry
The birds had not found this strawberry, and so far, it is the largest one we've ever had left on the vine.

Onions

Onions
We planted MANY onions, but this is the only patch growing well. We thin it to get our green onions and they are tasty!

Potato Plants

Potato Plants
They are growing like crazy!

Hosta

Hosta
Aren't the leaves pretty?

Potato Plant Blooms

Potato Plant Blooms
Pretty light purple with bright yellow centers. I've never seen any before.

Our First Recession Garden Salad

Our First Recession Garden Salad

First White Rose of Summer

First White Rose of Summer
This is the first bloom on the white rosebush this spring.

Max the Mouse

Max the Mouse
Max the Mouse in Cinderella, Cinderella

Sledding Fun

Sledding Fun
FUN!

Sledding

Sledding
Another one bites the dust

More Sledding

More Sledding

Oh, that's gotta hurt!

Oh, that's gotta hurt!
And yet, another one bites the dust . . . er, snow.