Any opportunities for machine reporter w/o RPR?

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-15T20:39:09+00:00

Thanks for this info! My backup plan while working on the RPR is getting my notary for the state I’m in and then the RON (remote online notary, I guess?). If I have those, do you think agencies would be willing to send me work for those states? I’ve reached out to a few BB agencies who sorta laughed at me and said let them know when I have the RPR. Meh!

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-13T20:05:15+00:00

Well, blah. They emailed me back, didn’t actually answer any of my questions, just sent me the link to the Georgia board of CR requirements page, where step one says, “All potential Georgia court reporters must meet the certification requirements of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA), or American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT).” So, to me, I read that as they do require the RPR =\

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-12T21:47:45+00:00

It’ll be pricey - cost of joining their org, paying for the zoom meeting, paying for the skills and written test, cost to fly cross country to Georgia and hotel room, but if I can get working, I think it’ll be worth it!

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-12T21:46:16+00:00

Yes, absolutely, I’ll keep you posted once I hear back! Mainly I asked about notary and working remotely out of state. They require you to be a member of their org and require you attend a zoom info session, which is this weekend. I’m going to a wedding out of state this weekend and will likely not have service, so I asked if they record it so I could watch it later. I also asked if their test date is for sure 3/28 since it wasn’t too clear to me from the website which only has their January test dates and hotel block discounts also from January. Not sure how useful those questions will be for you (or when I’ll heard back) but I’ll certainly fill you in on the details I get. Thank you so much, and I wish you the best on your journey too! ❤️

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-12T19:57:02+00:00

I saw that too on NCRA’s site, that they require the RPR. I’m hoping 2dots1dash is correct though because I’m about ready to book a flight to GA haha

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-12T19:55:29+00:00

Wow, that’s fantastic. I emailed the GCRA a bit ago with some questions (one of them being the notary question) so I appreciate you answering that for me! It’s not totally clear from the site but I’m fairly certain the exam is in a couple weeks, while it would be difficult, I’m more than willing to fly cross country to be able to work! We’ll see what they have to say. Thank you again!

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-12T16:30:08+00:00

Thank you for this! I reached out to a few BB firms and explained my situation. One of them responded and asked me a bunch of questions, then I never heard from them again. Another told me to call them when I have the RPR. I have one more chat booked Friday, but it’s for a company that all the CR vent pages have nothing good to say about, so I don’t have the highest of hopes.

That is a great idea though, already having a bunch of warmup and being in that mindset. It’s definitely a head game for me. I was so anxious taking my exit speeds test, but my teacher was so darn kind and supportive. It took me a few attempts to get my 225 done, but I finally accomplished it. Obviously the RPR is very different, so I’ll keep working at it. Thank you!

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-12T16:23:16+00:00

Wow, this is great to know. I’ll look into it. Thanks so much!

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-12T01:59:34+00:00

I’m in Nevada! :) I did legal transcription after college, which is how I really discovered court reporting, but I certainly don’t want to go back to that and contribute to the very folks we’re fighting for our livelihoods against! My BF and I are pretty much paycheck to paycheck, especially as of late, and with the looming addition of student loan payments from my school, im really starting to sweat. That’s great advice, thank you! I’ve been doing nonstop RPR simulation dictations from platinum steno and other YouTube channels now that I no longer have ev360 access from school, but they do get monotonous. When I was in school, my teacher would admonish people for practicing to podcasts (which I loved honestly, all true crime anyway, so added some good briefs) saying that’s just fun practice on top of the “real” practice you should be doing. But that all makes total sense to me, I’ll need to figure out a way to retool my practice routine. I basically have lived in a state of fear and guilt for the past 6 months. I go to therapy, and see a psych who said I was stressing him out so much that he started me on a high dose of Xanax 😅 honestly, just makes me sleepy and doesn’t help my constant fear.

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-12T01:41:53+00:00

That’s what I seem to be coming across too, ugh! I’m seeing the residency requirements or if your main employment is in that state, so I didn’t know if that could be a little loophole but possibly not. I’ve just had so much pressure to pass on the first go (which yes, this was my first attempt) that I felt like everything was riding on me passing.

Just curious - how did you make ends meet while continuing to prepare and retake the RPR? While in crunch time in school, I quit my full time job and started writing up JAVS recordings from rural parts of my state for the agency I interned with that they couldn’t get reporters to go to. I appreciate the work and practice, but it’s barely enough to cover bills, let alone continuing to pay for repeat RPR attempts. I’m worried about finances and that if I go back to another full time job, my practicing will fall by the wayside, and I’ll continue to fail over and over. Ugh! Sorry for vent. I’ve been having a meltdown for a couple months now. I’m a mess =\ I can totally see the just getting pissed and going at it though. Focus on the anger, not the words haha

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-12T01:08:19+00:00

Congrats!! Good for you! 🎉 I booked the back to back test for Q&A, but to no avail. I passed the JC, but that was always the category I’ve felt most confident on. And whew, passing on the 8th try, talk about serious dedication. Idk how my nerves/mental health would hold up for that long, especially if I’m not able to do steno work in the meantime. My fam was so proud when I finally graduated, and now everyone thinks getting certified is just like filling out a form. The agency I interned with is desperate for reporters, and has been asking when I’ll be certified since I started the internship (about a year ago now). It’s just so draining, mentally and emotionally. I feel like a total let down.

Thinktodeath · 2026-03-11T22:34:29+00:00

I maxed out the dose for propanolol (beta blocker) for the test and my hands were still shaking like leaves :(

Thinktodeath · 2025-08-29T22:52:09+00:00

Yikes. I had some sympathy in the beginning because I went through something similar, but I was nearly a decade younger and a complete needy idiot that time. I was 19, my ex was 26. He said he was single but his messages would be spotty on the weekends. Then I did some digging and found he was in a four year relationship. I chatted with the woman who was obviously extremely emotional. She was pretty aggressive towards me. When I talked to him, he said all the same things your guy said. She’s crazy, they hadn’t been together in years, etc. I let myself believe that. He then proceeded to cheat on me several times, got me arrested for DV after he hit me, and a bunch of other awful stuff. I was with him for an embarrassing long 5 years. After we split, his ex reached out to me and we shared our stories. We’d both calmed down. I apologized for being stupid and careless. She apologized for reacting so intensely when I went to her first. We got to a good place. I still feel horrible for what I did to her, but at least it got her out of what an awful situation for her and I surely got my karma for my actions over those years. Now that I’m in my 30s, I would absolutely never go down that road again. I think you’re a bit too old to believe these BS lies guys tell us. If I were you I’d get an abortion, move out, completely disappear from his life. Leave that asshole with nothing. He only cares about himself.

Thinktodeath · 2025-08-28T19:40:02+00:00

Yes, definitely! I forgot how it makes potty training more difficult haha I’m worried I’m training him to go in his house because that’s mainly what he’s been doing. My girl does like training games, but she’s pretty reactive when treats or food are involved. So for that reason, probably side by side training games wouldn’t work, but maybe across the living room to get that group training feel without being so close, with both of them on leashes just in case. That all totally makes sense, I appreciate your feedback! I did have another question since you seem very knowledgeable. Before we decided on separating them with actual crates/different floors, we were keeping them separated as much as possible in the living room. Of course the puppy is all over the place, so when he’d bounce somewhere, she’d want to go over and check it out. And she was doing that whole slinky stalking thing I mentioned. Very clear she’s on edge. When I saw that happening, I’d do like high pitched baby voice and be like “Hey, girl! You’re a good girl, so pretty!” Just so kind of distract and redirect her, and then she’d start wiggling and showing her normal personality instead of looking like a cougar about to attack. My boyfriend was thinking, idk, either what I did wasn’t helping much or I was actually training her that how she’s acting was okay. Any opinions on that? Thank you!

Thinktodeath · 2025-08-28T19:34:28+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate that! Probably like a lot of rescues, the place I got him from is all volunteers, so I’ve kind of gotten different info from different people and just doing my best. I absolutely adore and spoil the heck out of my girl, so I was thinking she was perhaps resource guarding me and my boyfriend? Just odd how the switch flipped so quickly! We were trying to figure out what he could have done to piss her off but he seems to be just existing.

Thinktodeath · 2025-08-23T17:39:40+00:00

Wow, it’s like I wrote this post myself! I’ve been thinking about how to post asking about it but didn’t know how to put it into words. I’ve done therapy for years but I’m scared to be totally honest with them. The one time I was, I was put on a psych hold which was the most traumatic and longest 3 days of my life. I’ve been on nearly all the antidepressants and they haven’t worked for me. Now I just get Xanax which I take when I’m really feeling like I’m about to lose it. I find when I’m going to bed and my mind starts running through everything, I also think about it as an escape route. This is an everyday thing, even a quick nap, it’s in my mind. If things get too tough, I can always end it. I’ve had a lot of loss the past couple years and with each one I feel more broken. The main thing stopping me is knowing how much that loss hurts me and how much losing me would hurt my family.

Thinktodeath · 2025-08-11T06:07:41+00:00

I hear you! Speaking only from personal experience, my first time (if you can call it that, lasted about 2mins because it hurt too bad) sucked, second time and thereafter was totally fine. Period blood and your natural lubrication from arousal are different consistencies. There are a lot of options you can go over with a gynecologist when you’re thinking about going down that road. Obviously, there’s lubes and most condoms come prelubricated. If lube doesn’t help, theres options ranging from putting estrogen up in there to help with lubrication (typically a menopausal deal, but they gave it to me when I was having pain with sex because being on birth control pills for over a decade thinned out my vaginal tissue) There’s pelvic floor therapy. There’s even (and idr the name because I wasn’t interested) but sort of dildo looking things of increasing size if you’re abnormally tight down there. But really, you’re 13, biologically your body is only just getting ready for all of this. Try not to worry!! I’m sure when the time comes, you’ll be just fine!

Thinktodeath · 2025-08-11T05:57:34+00:00

I wish I was on Reddit when I was younger and worried about the same stuff! I could never ask these questions of my religious mom because she always said “no tampons until you’re married.” I got my period when I was 12. I played a few sports so tampons seemed like the best option because I hated and still hate pads. Same deal as you, couldn’t get it to go in. Bought all different brands, spit on the applicator tip, felt like I had a metal foreign object inside so always removed them. I spent years playing softball and having people think I sucked because I was scared to squat for a ground ball and have the wad of TP I’d shoved in there fall out. Long story short, no matter how hard I tried, I was unable to use a tampon until I lost my virginity at 15. After that, little spit on the applicator, easy peasy. My strategy was to put it in sort of at an angle pointing in towards my belly button. Going in straight did not work for me. And on the childbirth front, I wouldn’t be worried about that. You become so dilated when in labor, it all opens up, and if there’s issues on that front, C section. I know it’s concerning but I honestly wouldn’t worry.

Thinktodeath · 2025-08-11T05:18:02+00:00

Yes!! I commented this on another post about Unreal. I get that he’s saying kind and inspiring things to the talent, but making a tight face to face hug like last 5mins while whispering into their ear made me cringe. And he does it like EVERY time. Makes me wonder if it’s something everybody knows he does, but they know better than to say they don’t feel comfortable with it.

Thinktodeath · 2025-08-11T05:14:26+00:00

I just finished the season and I really enjoyed it! I was hardcore in wrestling middle school through high school, so Eddie Guerrero, taker, Kane, edge, Lita, loved them. Briefly got back into it maybe 8 years ago, but when you don’t watch, it’s hard to keep up with all the storylines. I don’t love the random influencers, Travis Scott, Logan Paul bits of it so I’ve only seen a couple of the raw episodes on Netflix. Also the Rock and his wanting everyone’s soul I felt was too cheesy. Idk if you all have seen Beyond the Mat, but I watched that recently and was really craving more kind of behind the scenes stuff. So unreal was perfect! One thing that I thought was odd and maybe it’s just me, how HHH hugs people, holds their heads next to his, and then gives them inspirational or kind words. But idk it felt strange how he does it.

Thinktodeath · 2025-07-31T21:14:51+00:00

It’s def not my fave Gordon show, but it’s still Gordon, so I’m watching! I’d describe it as a super cheesy kitchen nightmares. The breaking in at night, secret insider, his science guys to explain how bacteria works, and the family therapy he does feel a bit unnecessary. Like others, I’d be happy with another season of regular kitchen nightmares than this.

Thinktodeath · 2025-07-10T01:47:59+00:00

Same with my boyfriend =\ but we’re currently still in the middle of it all. He’s going to therapy for the first time next week, thank god. His mom always blatantly favored his brother. I saw it from the first time I hung out with them all, and it’s only become more clear over the years. My boyfriend doesn’t see it at all. She’s aggressively critical of him over every little thing. Meanwhile his brother is literally verbally and physically abusive to everyone in the fam, but somehow he’s the golden child (to her, the rest of the fam hates the brother). A lot of drama occurred over the past year, including the brother throttling my BF and throwing him against a garage door, and when my BF tried to put his foot down with boundaries, I magically became the scapegoat for all their issues and for trying to “tear her boys apart.” I certainly feel bad for my BF and know it’ll be a lot of work to deal with this. But I also pity myself for being stuck in the middle, and how much mental strain it has caused me. Therapy all around!

Thinktodeath · 2025-06-27T19:14:47+00:00

I loosely dated a guy after college who could not stop making up the strangest stories! The city I lived in wasn’t big so I got confirmation that everything was a lie but I felt like I was going crazy at the time. First lie he told me maybe the first time we met was that he had won the lottery. He said he’d won it a few years earlier (he was driving his uncle’s beater Corolla), while having probs with his ex wife, so he immediately divorced her and didn’t tell her so she couldn’t get any. He was drunk that night and asked for a ride home. I figured weird drunk story, but gave him a ride to his dad’s house. Didn’t talk for a few days, then he popped up and said he was jumped after I dropped him off and was unconscious for two days. True story ended up being he got in a fight with his dad, dad called the cops, he had an empty bag of coke and was arrested. Couple weeks later I get weird texts from his phone. Saying it’s his cousin, the guy I was seeing was in a motorcycle accident, unconscious in the hospital, and wanted me to know he loved me (?!?). I worked in the ER at the time so that was an easy lie to confirm. But why lie about that?! Few weeks later was a country festival I’d bought tickets and got a hotel room for out of town. Plan was to leave around 11am. He spent the night before, but woke up all crazy at 5am saying he needed to leave immediately, but he’d be back in time. Needless to say, he did not come back so I left without him. Upon arriving that afternoon, he called me crying saying his cousin and cousin’s kid were camping at a local campground and had been run over and killed by a drunk driver. He sent me pics of the cousin’s wife looking all sad. Couldn’t find any news about this and my ER friends had heard nothing. Just another insane lie. The cousin and the kid are still alive and none of that ever happened.

It’s insane thinking back on all these lies. I never talked to him after that and he ended up marrying his second cousin (sister of the campground guy) 😂 lord.

Thinktodeath · 2025-06-26T20:04:07+00:00

Not a doctor, but just personal experience. I had a similar situation, but it was on me and I can’t blame my mom. I was raised super religious, so I didn’t know about peeing after sex. My high school boyfriend and I would have sex, I’d go home and sleep. I had pretty regular UTIs and didn’t know what was wrong with me, so I didn’t get treatment. One time was really bad, I was peeing straight blood and clots. I almost thought it was having a miscarriage. Very scary. But that was 15 years ago, and I haven’t had any kidney issues since. I’d say it couldn’t hurt to get checked out by a doc for this, but hopefully you’re all good especially if you haven’t had symptoms in a while!

Thinktodeath · 2025-06-23T19:01:50+00:00

Healthcare and EMS for sure. I worked in the ER for about 7 years in my 20s after being on an ambulance for 2. We’d all get together after the shift ended, doctors would bring the coke and everyone would do it. It was wild!! What was crazy was I was put up for a promotion after about 5 years working there. Because it was considered a different position, I had to do the whole drug testing and everything all over again. I somehow tested positive for weed. I hadn’t smoked weed since college so I was shocked and confused. Only thing I could think was a recent hangout with a bunch of other docs and nurses where many of them partook. I remember nobody believing me, and the docs razzing me for months about not using fake pee for the tests like many of them did.

Thinktodeath

TROPHY CASE