10.30.2008 Thursday: Spooky or Just Creepy

Picture of: me performing for the Halloween party at the social center on the other side of town. This is a screen-grab of the story I am posting Friday for Halloween. Details Friday.

Today I: drove daughter #1 waaay across town for her volunteer time with the dog agility show and drove back; picked up the rental car; post officed; banked; re did the set list for tonight; washed clothes; packed equipment; messed around with new cell phone insurance company sent me...it is broken, too. sheesh; drove waaay across town during rush hour, along with daughter #3 as my roadie; set up and performed a 50 minute storytelling set for the senior center (Hi Lisa!); lost my keys, daughter found them; as I was leaving the grounds, one Senior woman on the way back to her apartment said to me, "I am surprised that none of your daughters have run away from home when you tell stories like that. This was some experience." hehe; daughter #3 responded to me in the car that it is because of my stories that she would not run away; ate Wendy's dinner in the car while I waited for my fibro flare to pass; drove back across desert; looked at the video quickly; twittered; calling it a night.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

10.14.2008 Tuesday: (Big) School Show

Picture of: my laptop (oh the pain) sitting on the table at the Rubio's restaurant today during my lunch and writing session.

Today I; picked up a rental car; spoke at the South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute, demonstrating the "outside in" one-on-one coaching experience as well as telling two stories; ate lunch at the above mentioned eatery; went to the bank in the same parking lot; bought a stack of needed supplies at the Target in the same parking lot; came back to office and went on an overdue shredding/trashing spree with daughter #3; went out to nephew #2's football game; twittered; caught up on email; returned rental car

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

10.04.08 Saturday: Library Show.

Picture of: me telling stories at the library today. Great big storyteller, little-tiny stool.

Today I: took my kid #1 into work at 445am; fine-tuned one of the new stories that was on the set-list for today; presented the library storytelling show to a small group of children- I must note that today the adults in the back of the room were *wonderful* as they participated and modeled excellent behaviors for their children- this was at a library in a tough section of the city- great great parents and library staff; worked on updating Storyteller.net; did more of that background stuff I've been not-telling telling you about; attended a family birthday party (HB Jay, Richard and Alexis); came home to work on "Nicodemus" for a sacred storytelling and acting engagement I have in the morning.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

09.21.2008 Sunday. Cramped, Missing Travel.

Picture of: gate 8 at the Knoxville airport

Today I: slept in; checked Email; packed up my bags and boxes for the trip home; drove to the airport from Gatlinburg- freeways closed for construction- many detours; returned rental car; checked in bags and did the security thing; loaded on first tiny, small, little plane which pulled back from the gate just a few minutes late only to go get parked on the tarmac for a 30 minute air-traffic-control-hold. Umm, you couldn't NOT load us up after the traffic delay instead of making us wait on this cramped plane?; plane arrived late and I did not make my connection to Phoenix- bumped to flight two hours later; ate dinner in the airport and worked in the USAirways club for a while; boarded flight out to Phoenix and had uneventful four hours across the US; family met me in airport and youngest daughter ran to greet me as kind of a silly joke- older couple sitting in seats in waiting area were very touched by her gesture- giggle; drove home with stop for quick food; copying VHS video of corporate storytelling presentation this weekend to DVD's so I can edit it during down time over next few days; washing clothes now, repacking for trip in the morning and blogging to you
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

09.10.2008 Wednesday: Last Minute Event

Picture of: trays at dining place tonight wherein I took six cousins and sisters, to have dinner.

Today I: had a surprise phone call from a client in (Austin area) Texas who wants to hire me for Monday night- last minute opening in an event, etc. I am the *perfect* person to do what they want and I have astongishingly, the time open before I head out for nearly two weeks travelling; spoke with potential corporate storytelling client; wrote and email proposal to same client; spoke again to same client and other decision maker some more- if nothing else in this business of being a full-time storyteller, I do get to talk with very interesting people- gotta love that part; spoke with another client for to expand my role for another project later this month; went to lunch to have business meeting with staff; began new writing project; took daughters/nieces to dinner and walked home with them; heard from youngest brother and his wife who expect new/first baby tonight some time.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

05.28.2008 Wednesday: Swing. Of Things.

Picture of: view through the front window of my van as I pull into the garage at my house, finally done for the day.

Today I: finally got caught up enough to get back to my updates, sorry for the delays, I am still here; booked airfare tickets to a storytelling gig in Houston; took care of my parents' dog while they were away; talked via Email with a potential client who knows they want corporate storytelling but doesn't know what they really want- typical beginning of the process; booked hotel room in Philly for upcoming event there; twittered; did the bank and post office runs; talked with my wife about the plans for daughter #1's ungraduation party this Saturday; got my hair cut; did some brainstorming on a new idea for group corporate storytelling training
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

03.22.2008 Saturday: It's Times Like These

Picture of: Steve Ferreira's work on the drum today during the workshop I attended.

Today I: worked on flyers for copies; went to breakfast with the whole family to celebrate my daughter #1's 18th birthday; made copies at Kinko's- found typo as I was printing. That is pretty darn rare; made a run to the post office- found check in the mail- yay; went to a great workshop on spoken word and storytelling with Steve and Resa who spoke at SMCC's Storytelling Institute today; prepped envelopes for mailing; sent orders to storytellers who sold CD's today from storytellingproducts.com; continued to watch the interactions of enabling behaviors in the storytelling world. Sigh.

Today's Bonus Picture of: the end of the breakfast meal where many hands were moving so fast over the plates.

"It's times like these you learn to live again

It's times like these you give and give again

It's times like these you learn to love again

It's times like these, time and time again

I, am a new day risin'

I'm the brand new sky

To hang stars upon tonight."
-Foo Fighters

Happy Birthday, Katie.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

03.19.2008 Wednesday: The Ink and the Frost

Picture of: the ATM machine at a my local bank branch.

Today I: no school show today- the school district is on "spring break"; hammered out contract details with a sponsor for an August event; booked hotel room and rental car for the August event; got a surprise phone call from a friend in Indiana; worked with a sponsor in Texas to book an event for June; spoke with some other folks in Texas about promoting our Storyteller.net Live! event in May; updated teller pages at Storyteller.net and deposited checks into the bank from directory members; took daughter#4 and wife #1 to lunch; spent even more time on the phone booking room space for meetings-sigh; wrote a short paper for school; did a lot of 15 minute spot cleans; bought ink for my printer; read some Robert Frost for school- giggle

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

03.17.2008 Monday

Picture of: a cupcake with green sprinkles and serving of my potato soup.

Today I: "got things done"; worked on the St Pat's day podcast and somehow ended up with a bug that wouldn't let me post it- sigh- it will be up on Tuesday; otherwise laid low today and made Irish dinner for my family, feeding them potato soup, fancy cupcakes and Culcannon, which daughter #3 refers to as (say it like a leprechaun) "fiddlelee dee potatoes"; passed out green cupcakes to various family members; tried to figure out what I am supposed to be doing for the school class I am taking. Sigh, I really don't need to learn how to appreciate classic literature...again.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

03.13.08: Thursday: My Nu Sha

Picture of: the soda fountain at my local convenience/gasoline/hotdogs place. Between needing soda/gas/hotdogs, I am in one of these places almost everyday for one of those three. Lately, mostly gas.

Today I: finished up lots of loose ends in the Storytellingproducts.com online store- still some things to do; "got things done'; sent tons of Email; finished more things for school; did the initial edits for some sound files from Tim Ereneta's appearance at our festival back in January; finally got the caterer menu for our next live events- these events are not cheap to produce; mailed thank you notes to sponsors; watched my daughter #1 buy herself her 18th bday present- picture tomorrow if the alpha dogs don't eat it first; Twittered; thought long and hard that "power is taken not given."

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

03.12.2008 Wednesday: Po Pour Ree

Picture of: setting up the room and kids trickling in for the school shows I did today. My roadie, aka Daughter #1, is on the left.

Today I: did two school shows, age skewed, went great; edited two new audio tracks for my next two CD's; sent invoices to a sponsor; tickled another sponsor about a contract; did some planning work with meetings room coordinators and caterers- if you don't call me back, I can't give you any money, kids; made tweaks to the Echo Chamber posting; added audio stories to Storyteller.net; sent a note out to my Arizona Emailing list about the next http://www.storytellingatborders.com/ event; sent my learning contracts to my school; updated my web page calendar at seantell.scom; bought another URL, I think I own 175 now; bought diet dr pepper and apple juice on a late night run to the store with daughter #3
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

03.08.2008 Saturday: Ketchup-ing

Picture of: little paper cup of ketchup (catsup?) on the tray as I ate lunch with my kids today. We all agreed that ketchup is best served in these little cups. It tastes better.

Today I: thought I better let you know that I am still here, just not feeling up to par and caught up in a whole restructuring process right now; reading Email floating around that question my sanity, lol; I am here. I am storytelling. I am a storyteller. Updates will resume shortly.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

03.05.2008 Wednesday: Flooded

Picture of: kids leaving at the end of the school show I did today. Yes, that is my finger in the top right corner. Thank you. Please stop applauding and laughing at the storyteller.

Today I: whew! Did a tough storyteller school show and then so many other planning and producing things that I am fried. Going to bed, my FMS is winning today and some days that is just the way it is. I will try to write more accurately on Thursday.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

03.01.2008 Saturday: Mind Altering Event

Picture of: my kids eating dinner out with my wife and I tonight.

Today I: was in a fog and trying to recover from one great storytelling Marketing camp event. Organizing and presenting a first-time, multi-day event is so much work. Someone wrote me and said, "This was a mind altering event for me." Wow. It was worth it. Goodnight.


::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

02.23.2008 Storytelling for (a couple of) Children

Picture of: me storytelling at a local "non corporate" bookstore in the children's section.

Today I: told stories to children at this local bookstore for their "Love of Reading" week. Truly one of the most bizarre storytelling events I have done. The store apparently did not get any advertising out for the event (personnel change) so no patrons knew I was going to be there. There were NO children there when I began with the exception of my two who dutifully sat in the chairs (thank you, precious ones) hoping others would come. They did. They came. They stayed, they moved on. Others came. Some participated in the longest, funniest, audience-wrapping version of the Lion and the Mouse I have ever done. Really, it was me the giant, loud storyteller just telling into the air at some points. Totally surreal experience. So grateful to sponsors and the good staff there, but oh, this was odd. Side note: one guy started to do a mime act right next to me at one point. So good to know he majored in recreational drugs and theater in high school. This was kind of like a Fringe for the kindergarten set. LOL.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

02.14.2008 Thursday: Chocolate Samples

Picture of: the chocolates in the gift box my wife and I gave to each of our children today. Please note that this box is from the nine-year-old who took a bite from each piece (you can see the bites) as soon as she opened the box. She wanted to test each one to figure out which she would eat first. I want to be nine again.

Today I: was generally ill but managed to take some time to go out to lunch with my sweethearts. That was fun; learned that my health insurance has gone up $125 per month starting next month, yes, please come join the wonders of the self-employed storyteller; talked with the hotel contact regarding the Marketing Boot Camp schedule and we'll talk about meals on Monday; traced my anonymous friends' email to Virginia and Tennessee- hey at least I sign my opinions; prepared my story work for Friday night's concert.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

02.13.2008 Wednesday: Phineas Eats Grammy

Picture of : Phineas Phig the Guinea Pig. Please note that he is playing on the table underneath my invitation to the "50th Anniversary Edition of the Grammy Awards" held last week. I didn't go, I didn't have the right clothes. LOL. Mad props to the Recording Academy folks for nominating real storytellers in the last few years.

Today I: was locked in my office doing storyteller paperwork, spending too much time answering Emails that won't move things forward; stood in line at the post office which I never do any more and talked about the "Storyteller.net at Borders" event with the guy who handles my POBOX mail; didn't have a school gig today as they are all doing conferences; finally escaped last night with my wife to go eat a salad before I lost my marbles sitting in front of this darn computer; came home to find Phineas wandering about the table with my Grammy invites. He said they were delicious.


::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

02.06.2008 Wednesday: School Gig, Party Gig

Picture of: my "roadie" (aka Eldest Daughter aka grandbaby #1 (see below)) setting up the sound system for the school show I had this afternoon

Today I: worked on paperwork for the Outside In Marketing Camp and picked up copies of the participants' homework from the post office (Yeah, homework. This is the real deal at this camp. Come ready or don't come. LOL.); did a storytelling school show for elementary school kids--the school divided the kids by age groupings and the event went great. The best of this series so far- the type where the kids all hold their breath waiting for the story to finish. Love it.; had a big mid-week family party for the January birthdays in our clan. Even a casual pizza-and-cake school-night party still gets 20 people.

Bonus Picture: this is my newest niece, Ivy Winter, resting on my chest during the party. Been a long time since I held one this little. My hand is bigger than her body. My Brother#2 also announced that since Ivy is grandbaby #10, he and his wife wil be bringing in grandbaby #11 this Fall. Awww. Yes, I know this is a storyteller business blog, but what is business without the foundation of our families, which is what really counts, huh?

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

02.05.08 Tuesday: Conversations Early and Late

Picture of: getting petrol in the lorie late at night, when I finally got back out of the home office. I am often the last person at the gas station at night. I know I am the only storyteller, too.

Today I: spent a long time (late late night) on the phone with one of my peers making my new "to do" list for the next several months- thanks "one of my peers" for your input; spent time on the phone with the program coordinator for the school program I am doing tommorrow; spent some time trying to figure out the right way to say to a few people.."have you thought about maybe you don't belong in full time storytelling?"; wondered why Tim wants to make me talk more; resolved once again to quit making political statements; got a nice note from one of my last-week's sponsors thanking me for my work with her freshmen boys group.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

02.03.08 Sunday: Travel and More Travel.

Picture of: my view from my exit row seating on the A319 aircraft- flying home from Baltimore to Phoenix.

Today I: slept in a bit late at the hotel after my storytelling gig with adolescent boys yesterday; caught up on some storyteller paperwork; packed my bags and chased off housekeeping at 1250PM--I had a 100PM checkout, thank you; ate at a Bob Evans restaurant for lunch-- meh--I guess one glass of iced tea is considered to be a huge portion in the NorthEast; returned the rental car; got bumped OUT of first class; five hours across the U.S.; got to baggage claim and my youngest who still runs to greet me at the airport; drove home in the opposite direction of all the SuperBowl traffic; watched my youngest sing on video tape for her school co-op talent show; processed a new registration for the Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp; read a great christmas letter (yes they sent it in January) from a friend with the Xmas card picture of his really young adolescent boys--which takes us back to the start of this paragraph. Whew. Good night.

Bonus Picture: the inside of the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel from last night as I drove back to hotel. I am still southwestern-desert bred enough to still be the "country mouse in the city" when it comes to roads that go under water.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::