11.23.2008 Sunday: Whoosh!

Picture of: the last cupcake from our family's mini party for daughter #2's 16th birthday.

Today I:In the last several days I: presented another of the "Grumpy Burgers" telecourses; talked with a library sponsor about booking multiple summer shows; spoke with a client to book February events; wrote more articles; back and forth to the post office and the bank; lots of things going on, making me very busy, causing delays in these posts. Hang in there; happy birthday, Colleen.

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

07.28.2008 Monday: Can You Hear Me Now?

Picture of: mail from my PO Box.*

Today I: drove out to the post office; took check from the mail and deposited it in the bank; balanced bank statements (this time of year it's easy to do LOL); prepped for tonight's telecourse; baked blueberry bread in my bread machine; presented telecourse- the conference service had many audio problems tonight- thanks for hanging in there; re-did flyer for California client that vanished off my laptop this weekend (the flyer not the client); got a package of 40 hours of audio I need to review- yikes!; prepped for school show tomorrow; created invoice for school district for July shows

*Blogish stuff: We're about 2/3 the way done with 2008 and you'll notice I post a lot of the daily minutiae of being a working artist. For example it's another picture of mail today. Although I don't post every gig I have on this blog but here is just a thought for those of you contemplating a career as a full-time artist: I hope this blog helps you to recognize the daily grind of this lifestyle. A grind like every other job also has. I am honored to work with my audiences, but the storytelling business is a business. It's not all hearts, unicorns, peace and flowers. It's a job. One I love and one I am lucky to have created...but it is a job. Our telecourse tonight was about this as well. I always appreciate your comments and thank you for sharing them.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com:

06.30.2008 Monday: Posted New Things!

Picture of: the first draft of the new Etips list I am putting together. GTD folks will recognize the ubiquitous capture mechanism, don'cha?

Today I: was in need a sit and hold still day; worked on the new and next nine free Telecourses from Storyteller.net; designed and posted the autoresponders for several of the Telecourses- you can register now!; posted and created the new and also free Storytelling Tips Email newsletter- you can also register for that now; worked on the menus for the August Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp; registered another person for the same boot camp- this camp is going to be nearly one on one, come now 'cuz it wont be like this again; posted the "Storytelling 101" training kit; done for the day;
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

06.24.2008 Tuesday: WOW!

Picture of: package I picked up at the post office containing a book someone wants me to review for them. Too late, the book is already not good, so I won't be reviewing. I wish folks would get good storytelling coaching from a working storyteller coach before they launch these types of projects


Today I In the last week I: have been writing, producing, coaching, running the biz side, contracting; thanks for checking in; I packed up tonight for my Houston trip; I am looking forward to sharing with you all the great things going on- so many new things for you, too!

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

06.08.2008 Sunday: Man, Are My Arms Tired.

Picture of: flight 1192 PHX to PHL unloads at the end of a long flight.

Today I: flew from my home to Philadelphia; read a great book on marketing during the plane flight; cab driver this time, as opposed to my last cab driver, said not a single word the entire time from airport to hotel; hotel room is rather large considering it is an east-coast hotel; checked into hotel; at dinner; reviewed maps and notes for Monday; talked to wife on the phone; went to bed.

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

05.22.2008 Thursday: Catching Up

Picture of: front of thank you card my eldest daughter got from the owner when said daughter found wallet in parking lot at work and turned it in. Owner was, apparently, profoundly happy to have her wallet back.



Today I:In the last few days I: have missed updating you; had a bad FMS day and fell behind a bit; Twittered; wrote blog posts; bought airlines tickets to multiple destinations; talked with sponsors on the phone; booked school shows; didn't book other shows; started an outline for the next book; had lunch with a person who might be able to do a cool workshop with me; had a huge, historic-type storm in AZ today; booked hotel reservations; booked rental car reservations; talked at length with other national storytellers; called the A/C guy to come fix my air conditioner; chased my kid's rats out of my office (you didn't expect that one); drove around parking lots with learning-to-drive learner's permitted child; ordered pizza; re-evaluated and made some tough decisions and started to move forward; thanks for being with me on this blog-more to come; happy birthday to my brother Mike.

::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::

04.21.2008 Monday: Assemble John.

Picture of: the story of Iron John all cut up in pieces.

Today I: woke up early to get some Emails out that were dogging me; travelled through the hours of rush to get to the school- timed it better this time and realized I left the correct papers at home so then had to hit Walgreens for scotch tape and remade the handouts in my car- sigh; worked with the 8th grade boys group again at the school with the chopped up Iron John (as I said to the boys, that is his name not a reference to a metal toilet); ran with said boys and teacher to set up for the 6th graders; performed a compact for 250 6th graders; talked with teacher who told me she was amazed that anyone could hold the attention of that many kids for so long and so well- just doing my job, ma'am; had a conference call sans the conferees- maybe Tuesday's will be better attended; got more "whadya think about all the NSN news?" emails; had two more telephone meetings; took my kids out for pie; worked on another presentation for one of my several next week's sponsors;

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

03.28.2008 Friday: Just Five a Day??

Picture of: wide view of the theater tonight for Liz Weir's storytelling concert at South Mountain Community College Spring Festival. Picture looked much better on the phone screen, lol.

Today I: spent time talking about goals and needs with a new corporate client; got a rental car to cover while van in the shop; took my van and its bad brakes, bad undercarriage bad blah blah blah into the dealer for service; picked up my lost and found cell phone from SMCC office; spent time on the phone with my core faculty advisor; had second phone meeting with corporate client- I love learning new things with people and hearing them learn; spent much phone time with a peer in the biz talking about possibilities, hold backs, value and on and on; dealt with catering order for huge family party tomorrow; spoke with another local client who thinks artists are booked by the hour. explained how one hour of performance takes up to three hours of support; spoke to my brothers both #1 and #2 and sister #1; resolved billing issue with hotel regarding presenter's room; communicated with school regarding my upcoming "substitute teacher" gig for college class; prepped my presentation for Sunday morning event; answered Emails about an October event; picked up car from dealer and paid with a pound of flesh, a pint of my own blood and my first born child's future earnings; had lunch with my kids; went to SMCC for the Liz Weir concert- great evening; spoke with storytellers Dustin, Elly, Sandy, Liz, Mark, LynnAnn, Loren, Don, the other Liz; restarted my 43 folders; added yet another topic to my "blog and write" list.

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

03.10.2008 Monday: New Coaching Method

Picture of: the signage outside the door to the Arizona Storytelling Guild meeting, meeting held tonight.

Today I: did a bunch of 10 minute cleanings; sent invoices for previous storyteller events; wrote new flyers for upcoming events; secured room space for said events; planned out two CD playlists; "yes, I do know that it was an attempt to get me to be quiet"; debated with myself about visibility; talked with a Subway owner about why wi-fi makes me choose one restaurant over another, led and participated in the AzSG meeting where we introduced the new "Outside In Coaching Method"; ate dinner with my wife late night.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::