Carolyn Bodley - Legal Verbatim Transcriptionist of Audio, Video & Digital Files

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blog entries are strictly the opinion of Carolyn Bodley and may not reflect the opinion of others

(to see archived blog entries, click on the links to the right of the top blog)
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Some photos are compressed or removed in archived blog postings, leaving only a description of the photo. The blog postings remain complete and unchanged.

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Thursday, February 28, 2008

BLOG - Rolo has been given his freedom
For anyone that missed it on my home page, an earlier Judge last summer ordered Rolo, a German Shepherd to be put down. After being locked up in basically solitary confinement for more than six months, a new trial was ordered. Yesterday, the *new* Judge gave Rolo his life back and ordered him set free.

If interested in reading the whole story, check the left-hand side of my home page.
[end of blog]
9:29 am mst 

BLOG -- What a bunch of cheapskates
Anyone that follows my blogs knows by know that I tend to speak my mind ...

I've recently read a thread on the Internet that really doesn't surprise me. The thread is talking about meeting Borrowers at a "convenient 'restaurant' location," taking up a table to conduct business, and neither the Borrowers nor the Signing Agent ordering anything (whether it be coffee, a soft drink or food to be served after the signing), nor even having the common etiquette to leave a tip at the conclusion of the signing.

One poster even responded that the restaurant employees stare and give dirty looks -- Well, I wonder why?

The next time you're planning on being so cheap, may I suggest doing the signing in the back seat of your vehicle along the side of the Interstate! If you are going to continue being a user and abuser, stop off at the homeless shelter on the way to the designated meeting spot of the Interstate and tell four or five "residents" that they are invited to just hang out and chill at your house.
[end of blog]
9:22 am mst 

Monday, February 25, 2008

BLOG - If it sounds too good to be true ...
Although it's too late to tell my Dad that I was listening to him (at least in one ear), hopefully, he's looking down and can see that he didn't raise no fool!

How many times did I hear growing up:

          "There are no free rides."
          "If it sounds too good to be true, then it is."
          "You don't ever get something for nothing."

It's amazing, and actually quite comical to read the "carrying on" of a number of PO'd people on the Internet who, over the weekend, actually thought that not only were they going to get a FREE printer/copier, but that it was also going to be shipped FREE.

Hmmmmm, I know of some swamp land and a bridge ...
[end of blog]

9:07 pm mst 

Saturday, February 23, 2008

BLOG - What a novel concept ...

Yesterday I was given a few tapes from a new attorney I've picked up from my recent marketing campaign (geared at the transcription side of my business).

I've only spoken with this attorney over the phone and through e-mails. He was on the phone when I arrived at his office, so I still have not had an opportunity to meet him. Returning back to my office, I opened the first manila envelope and a piece of paper fell out. I had to get on my hands and knees and crawl under my desk to retrieve it. What?--are my eyes deceiving me? It was a check made out to me and marked as "deposit."

hmmmmmm, what a concept -- paying a deposit IN ADVANCE for work/services performed. Thank you Ken!
[end of blog]

9:33 am mst 

Friday, February 22, 2008

BLOG - Update on my chicken story
A few weeks ago I posted about my customer service incident at the take-out chicken restaurant --

Last night I "re-visited" the restaurant. At 4:30 the place was packed with people waiting on their take-out orders.  The one young girl who had chased me down regarding my "unpaid" drink was working the counter. The owner, whom I complained to, saw me and came from the kitchen to take my order. Within a short time my order was ready. I already had my check made out except for the amount -- the owner told me that my money was no good tonight because the order was being paid for by the young girl.

Just goes to show - if you are treated unfairly, speak up!
[end of blog]
6:27 am mst 

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

BLOG - Norton Internet Security is the biggest piece of dog doodoo there is!
I have been running Norton (Symantec) Virus software for a number of years -- for at least 10 years, and I'm sure closer to 15 if I actually looked it up. Today I have it on five machines -- well, now actually only four, and I'm on my way out the door to buy a different program from someone entirely different than Norton.

Everytime they update or renew the yearly contract, it takes anywhere from two days to two weeks to solve the problems because the program has gone into the computer registry and #$#%#$#EED%# it up. Add this time up for five machines, and it is BULL!!!!!--and a complete scam.
[end of blog]
11:49 am mst 

Thursday, February 14, 2008

BLOG-Hang up your @$#%#%#%# phone
I come to your house to witness you signing loan documents. Even though it is in YOUR home and I try to make the appointment and signing as relaxed as possible, it is still a business transaction.

It should be a given and shouldn't even have to be addressed - turn the cell phone(s) to silent, and let the home phone and cell phone(s) go to voice message.

I recently did a signing where I was not interrupted just once, but count 'em, EIGHT times by the Borrower's cell phone. The calls were bad enough, but Borrower proceeded to have lengthy conversations with each caller.

RUDE and INCONSIDERATE.
[end of blog]
8:27 am mst 

Monday, February 4, 2008

BLOG - Shaking my head from January through April
Self-employed, small business owners want to be taken seriously, but how can they when they insist on showing their stupidity and ignorance on open forums?

I'm talking about taxes. Have your taxes figured by a CPA or an accountant - don't ask tax/filing questions to people that most generally don't know what in blazes they are talking about. Do you actually want to trust dodging an audit on the grounds of how someone answered your question?

My two favorites are questions regarding 1099's and notary income.  "It's February and I haven't received my 1099's -- what am I supposed to do?"  First of all, you shouldn't be depending on receipt of a 1099 in order to file your taxes. You should know at any given moment throughout the year how much money you have made total; how much much you have made from each individual client; how much money is outstanding; how much money you have paid out on supplies/equipment.  You should have a business accounting software program that one, two, three click and everything you need to know is there.  IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE A 1099 !!!

Second, it's hysterical reading incorrect and inaccurate advice posted on the notary forums - "don't report any of your notary income, as it is all exempt" -- "pay taxes on this much, but you don't pay it on this much ..." Talk about the blind leading the blind. Any and all income must be reported; however, leave it to a professional to advise what part, if any, of the income is excluded from self-employment taxes.

Is it any wonder why home-based businesses aren't taken seriously? Additionally, is it any wonder why the IRS is cracking down on Independent Contractor status and the red flags triggered with filing self-employment status?
[end of blog]
3:57 pm mst 

Friday, February 1, 2008

BLOG - Lack of planning on your part ...
We have become a spoiled nation - or, obviously, I was brought up with a different set of rules.

My day begins at 4:30 a.m. Therefore, I usually fall asleep on the couch (while unwinding) and watching TV around 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. Last night the phone woke me up at 10:15 by someone needing a notary immediately. I guess this is where I was raised differently - you NEVER call someone after 9:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. UNLESS someone has died, or you've been in a serious accident - NO EXCEPTIONS. Even if you've gotten yourself thrown in jail, you can use the time to cool your jets before using your "free" call.

No where do I advertise as offfering 24/7 service! If you know at 10:15 p.m. that you need something notarized, then you knew hours and probably days earlier that you needed the same piece of paper notarized.  Lack of planning on your part does not make it an emergency on my part!
[end of blog] 
6:13 am mst 


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With a typing speed of 120 wpm, Carolyn Bodley began offering independent contractor/secretarial and transcription services to the Denver metro legal community in 1992.

I am not a court reporter or medical transcriptionist and I don't videotape depositions -- I'm strictly a legal transcriptionist which means putting spoken words on paper. All my transcripts contain a certification stating that to the best of my knowledge, belief and ability, the audio/video I received has not been altered in any way, and the transcript is true, accurate and complete. I have never been advised that a court rejected one of my audio or video transcripts. If my transcript is rejected by the court, you will be reimbursed in full for my services. Because I certify that the transcript is true and complete, the entire audio/video must be transcribed--I am unable to transcribe "just a portion" that you need. 

I guarantee that your transcripts will be typed confidentially, accurately and with attention to detail at a fair price.
 

  • Discovery is often turned over in a format other than hard copy. This discovery includes, but is not limited to, recorded telephone conversations, police interviews, depositions, investigations, witness statements, and more. The audio and video "words" need to be put to paper, and your already overworked legal staff often don't have the skills, equipment, the inclination or the time.
  • Discovery is often the deciding factor of whether a case goes to trial. Most of us hear, but do we listen? Recently I transcribed a video that had been viewed and listened to several times and by several people before I transcribed it. There was a one sentence statement that not one person caught -- this one sentence was not the only reason the case was dismissed one day before trial--however, it carried quite a bit of weight -- and I'm the only one that "heard" it. Had the video never been transcribed, how many other words would never have been heard?

Add-On Services:

  • laser color printing
  • laminating
  • spiral binding
  • proofreading/editing your work product

Your Documents are Your Reputation ...
Making Them Look Good is Mine!©1992-2016 Carolyn Bodley


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