12.21.2008 Sunday: Assembling.

Picture of: the assembly line of family gift boxes. There are at least twelve sets of boxes we put together for families large and small.

Today I: took my eldest to her agility compete; no business today; worked on holiday packages; had dinner and gifts at in-laws home; flat tire outside their house- brothers-in-law jumped in and changed tire for their older sister and brother. Thanks guys. Fast too; Happy Chanukah to Sarah and the rest of you who celebrate the feast.

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

10.18.2008 Saturday: Party Party

Picture of: just some of the crowd at our house tonight for the October birthdays- both sides of the family- 33ish people ranging in age from four weeks to 69. Intergenerational, lol.

Today I: prepped, cooked and presented this party. No time for anything else. Fibro now attacking back. Bad Fibro; love the parties, hate the recovery.

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

10.15.2008 Wednesday: Beans the Magical Fruit

Picture of: stack of beans, tomatoes and hot sauce.

Today I: continued the search for the top of my desk, purging old files, making new ones; ate lunch with my wife; led a teleconference for those who ordered my "Outside In Storytelling Marketing" audio course; went grocery shopping for the family party coming up this weekend, hence the picture to the left. Making chili(s) for 30+ people takes a LOT of canned goods.

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

9.28.2008 Weekend: Family

Picture of: the strawberry birthday cake for my niece #..sheesh I can't even figure out which one.

Today I: This Weekend I: had a family party for the birthday of one of my nieces, love the family parties after having been gone on huge road trips; worked with a new corporate storytelling coaching client who needed customized stories for upcoming interviews and promotions; worked on changes at storyteller.net and started to receive the hate mail that happens when you try to pull folks up to the next level; talked with other smart peers on the phone.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

09.25.2008 Thursday: Home Again, Please.

Picture of: my hotel breakfast before I started this long day. Mmmm, oatmeal.

Today I: woke up earl(ier) than usual to finish a project that was bugging me in my brain; grabbed the hotel breakfast and ate it in my room; packed up my suitcases and supplies; checked out of hotel; taxi I prearranged did not come so I took the hotel shuttle to the airport and grabbed a taxi there; missed taxi meant I missed the group bus to go run up (or even amble up) the "Rocky" stairs in Philly; presented my brief workshop on the use of folktales/fables in business and corporate storytelling settings; talked with several people afterwards who might be interested in my services as a storytelling coach; had a great lunch with lots of positive conversation; attended a workshop on the use and development of telecourses; "split" a cab with another person back to the Philly airport; took a B767 plane from Philly to Charlotte- first wide-body (umm, sorta) that I had been on since I was in high-school; barely made it in time for my flight to PHX-which was a cramped, painful trip and otherwise uneventful. BOO to USAirways for the $15 baggage fee. I don't pay it 'cuz I travel so much but others try to get around it by taking everything on board causing chaos and unhappy people. (BOO USAirways for this!); finally got home to my lovely family at the airport and the drive home- just about 10 days straight on the road; ate some late dinner; wrote to you; crawling into bed. Whew!

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

09.22.2008 Monday: Third Plane/24 Hours

Picture of: a myspace inspired self-portrait taken in the airplane lavatory. See, nothing is too good for my readers. LOL.

Today I: after catching up and doing laundry, I took a nap until my alarm went off; repacked my suitcase with my newly cleaned clothes; drove to airport with wife #1 and daughter #4; took the plane "ride" across the country from Phoenix to Philadelphia wherein I was able to take this high-class picture for you; checked into hotel; changed rooms in hotel; finished the sleep I missed last night; ate dinner at restaurant on premises; laid out my storytelling-business related work for Tuesday; goodnight.

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

09.20.2008 Saturday: Work. Shopping.

Picture of: the trolley stop right outside my hotel in Gatlinburg, TN.

Today I: ate the hotel breakfast and headed down to Touristburg Gatlinburg downtown for the workshop I am taking/presenting at; talked with booking agents here at the conference- good folks; good lunch provided as part of the conference; more workshops and networking; stopped by Walmart for few things I need; went back to hotel and worked on a storytelling coaching phone call with one of my clients- I love it when folks are open to learning; talked to my family on the phone; worked on a new mailing; settled in for the night. By the way, how can you tell a resident of this area from the tourists? All the residents were watching football tonight. You have to be a Tennessee fan here or they beat you with orange sticks. LOL.

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

08.26.2008 Tuesday: The Man Needs Storytelling Coaching

Picture of: fortune-cookie fortune that reads, "Things are turning for the bright side."

Today I: odd day; went to quick and cheap Chinese-food lunch with a few family members; worked on new flyer and postcard for "Ancient Secret of Public Speaking" workshop; attended a telecourse presented by another; answered some mastermind-group emails; updated some URL renewals and cancellations; researched Google search word ratings; watched "The Daily Show" tackle the Democratic Convention; sent a Twitter to John McCain's PR people advising them that they need to hire a storyteller coach (who is in the Senator's state) to help said Senator compete with the storytelling going at the DNC. Call me, McCain PR people, your man needs me.

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

08.25.2008 Monday: Notify the Press!

Picture of: last piece of bread from our meal tonight.

Today I: had a staff meeting at breakfast and worked on calendars; updated and retooled the Storytelling 101 package to a different, lower price point; worked on the press release for the "Ancient Secret of Public Speaking" workshops coming up in October and November; set the date for the next live version of the "Outside In Artist Marketing Workshop" for February 26-28 in Phoenix Arizona; did some research on a new story and found some interesting old variants- that kind of storytelling stuff is what I love in creating new stories to tell; had a late night dinner with my wife to celebrate our anniversary (Aug 15).

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

08.22.2008 Friday: Driving to Events.

Picture of: the long road as I drove through Arizona today.

Today I: took daughter #1 to work; did some banking; drove to my hotel today in Payson Arizona, on the Mogollon Rim, about 2.5 hours and a lot of gas from my home; got settled in hotel; drove to the event tonight and performed a small storytelling program; back to hotel and dinner; calling it a night and I will be back out to the event in the morning. Extra Credit: Can you pronounce Mogollon?

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

08.17.2008 Sunday: The Camp Concludes Cordially.

Picture of: screen of the video camera as daughter #1 video-ed me as I taught today at the"Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp" today.

Today I: got up really early to print up a few things for my students today at the camp; spent the last morning of camp today with good students, good family, good learning and good food (okay, the box lunches were not as good as I wanted them to be); hotel had a revivalist-style church in the meeting room next to us and they were *loud*- gladly my students were hang-loose types of people- thanks; got to teach something today in the OISBCamp that is really a cutting-edge marketing process for artists- fun and challenging to start sharing that learning with others; had one student take the discount coaching slot at the end of the camp so we spent an hour talking about her "map"; cleaned up the camp- but actually my fine family had already done much of it while I met with the student; made the trip home and took a nap; wandered down to make dinner; edited some audio files; wrote you this note; gonna go lay low for while.

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

08.16.2008 Saturday: More Boot Camping

Picture of: the lunch buffet at this weekend's "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp."

Today I: presented day 2 of our OISBCamp experience. Tons of learning (for me and the students), good food, really open and friendly students; received lots of help from my "staff" which consists of my wife and children who really ARE helpful and supportive the the entire experience. They do so much more than just "helping Poppa" with busy work; after the event had a coaching session with a local teller who came by afterwards- she took the camp last February; got some sandwiches on the way home for my crew, arrived home, figured out this picture and am hitting the sack as Sunday morning is coming fast

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

07.29.2008 Tuesday: The Vanishing Post-Show Soda.

Picture of: me telling stories to kids in the school gym today. Musta been a wide angle lens.

Today I: made the post office run; packed up for the school show and took daughters #3 and #4 as well as cousin #3; presented two storytelling school shows; bought my assistants fountain drinks on the way home. Learned that there is a problem with counters that have cut-out holes for trash cans below, "Umm, Poppa, my drink just vanished off the counter...oh there it is down there."; followed up with client regarding previous invoice; did some historical and on-site research into some local history stories (more on that tomorrow); responded to some good comments about a new model for a storytelling conference; made a steamed colcannon dinner for my family.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

06.15.2008 Sunday: Happy Father's Day

Picture of: parts of my family at the Father's Day party today. Notice that most of them are moving.

Today I: ran to the store to pick up some last minute things for the party; partied with my family- smaller group this time, only about 15 people; went with my brothers to Sports Authority to pick up tips and flights- my BIL is a sanctioned darts player, the best any of us can hope for is second place; came back home, looked in my home office and thought: where do I start?; sent out email proposals requests to Philadelphia area hotels for the Storyteller.net Live (Old flyer here)event in Philly on September 27, 2008; Happy Father's Day, Dad.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

06.12.2008 Thursday: Freedom from Philadelphia

Picture of: a model of the Liberty Bell, this one made of Lego blocks and in the "A" terminal of the Philadelphia airport.

Today I: grabbed the hotel breakfast; packed up my stuff and took the hotel shuttle to the airport; I actually liked both hotels this time around for this long trip; hung out for a bit in the USAirways club as I got to the airport really early; made the long trek from the C terminal to the A terminal- where I found the creation pictured to the left; flew across the country (back to Phoenix) in seat 10F while watching my Ipod, napping, looking out the window and generally trying to not engage my mind in much of anything for the 5 hours of flying; grabbed my luggage and met my family outside the elevators; took a nap; caught up on my storyteller Email; ate dinner with my wife; calling it a night.

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

06.06.2008 Friday: School Shows and Tomatoes

Picture of: the wall at the Cotton Boll Elementary School with their bulldog logo on it.

Today I: performed two storytelling shows at the above school that was actually for another school that is doing their program at this school; had a great time with both groups of kids- lots of laughing; worked on some calendar things while sitting at Denny's sans tomato on my meal as apparently all tomatoes are poisonous now; took a quick nap to let me fibro head and my wounded voice (newbie mistake) settle down; returned Emails and phone calls; met a kid behind the counter at local restaurant who asked, "Can I ask you a question? Are you a storyteller?" It appears this young man made a few stops at our "Storyteller.net @ Borders" nights over the last year. Thanks, Josh.; made grilled cheese sandwiches for family; watched BSG.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

05.31.2008 Saturday. (Un)Graduation

Picture of: one of the five tables we made up for our eldest's (un)graduation party tonight. We had some 300 pictures of her life all spread out on the tables underneath a clear-plastic table cloth. Lots of memories.

Today I: prepped, presented and attended my daughter's party with 30 members of our family. Good times. Picture ideas was good for conversations and memories. 18 years of unschooling. Excellent. Congrats, Katie.

::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::

05.17.2008 Saturday: She's Got a Way About Her

Picture of: my sister, her husband and three daughters after the Welcoming Ceremony (note rose petals all over the floor) for their new baby- at my folks house today.

Today I: visited the bank; did a post office run; spent family time today at my folks house for the ceremony referenced above; worked on travel plans for upcoming trip; edited audio for the OISBC recordings that will be released in a kit this week; doodled some chapter ideas for my next book; answered some posts


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

04.26.2008: The Family That Parties Together...

Picture of: the table at a family party today.

Today I: returned the rental car; participated in a family party; got beat over the head with my FMS; watched the Depp "Sweeney Todd-" much better than I had hoped for; not a good storytelling business day, but these days are okay, too, considering I will be 24/7 Monday-Wednesday.




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