10.02.2008 Thursday: Telephone Conference

Picture of: a telephone in my home office.

Today I: worked on lots of not-ready-for-the-public background things; talked with a colleague about the state-of-storytelling issues; talked with a sponsor for event on Sunday; participate in a mastermind teleconference; participated in a speaker-marketing teleconference; had dinner with my wife; researched stories for this weekend; I have been told to correct myself in that I have 5 nephews and not 3 as previously posted; Happy Birthday, Erin.

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

08.31.2008 Sunday: Old Tape.

Picture of: a cassette tape of one of the first audio projects I ever did waaayy back in the day. It's still in it's shrink wrap.

Today I:In the last few days I: moved things in my office and found that one old tape- we redid the recording last year; recovered from damage from huge storm here; spoke to a new client about a show in my area in October; twittered; edited more video; sorted through receipts for my last out of town trip; researched a new story; added names to my address database; reviewed notes for an upcoming storytelling festival; banking and post office where I renewed my PO Box for another six months; ate lunch with my kids; cooked dinner for my family;

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

06.29.2008 Sunday: Picture Them.

Picture of: me and some of the kids from the youth rally I did last week.

Today I: discovered a blog of the Diocese of Beaumont youth rally, it had a couple of pics on it; worked on fine tuning a new storytelling promotional product, had lunch with my wife to catch up after the trip; did a number of family errands, gave in to the blech I have been feeling all day, going to lay low the rest of the day; I am sure the picture above is copyright by somebody in Texas but I don't know who.

::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::

05.29.2008 Thursday: The Same Ol' Stuff

Picture of: the post office boxes at my post office. Mine is waaaay down there at the end

Today I: went to the post office and bank; spent time on the phone with several places to arrange future meeting room sites; reviewed some coaching notes for a program that I am in (I practice what I preach- you need a coach for your work); reviewed another CD (please please get help with your projects BEFORE you make hundreds of copies- what good are the first reviews AFTER your product is on sale. Sigh.); began two storytelling articles and couldn't finish them; ordered pizza for the gaggle of girl cousins who were at our house tonight
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

04.29.2008 Tuesday: Aha Moments

Picture of: my prison dorm-style hotel room in Miami Beach. Clearly these rooms are not designed with the sober in mind. I'll blog about it later.

Today I: woke up in Miami Beach to the sound of the trash trucks picking up garbage outside my hotel room window; realized the smoke I was smelling was from the smoking people standing in the alley right at my room window; ate breakfast in my room for $35- paid $25 too much; tweaked the last minute parts of the PowerPoint presentation for the afternoon gig; walked to the drugstore about 1/2 mile down the road to get a couple of sodas that didn't cost $5 per 8oz bottle; answered email from another sponsor that wants to use me for a corporate storytelling gig in September; packed up the supplies and rolled my way to the presentation; had a great, "a ha!" filled presentation with corporate clients who came from all over the world to participate in this seminar (I was one piece of several days); one of the leadership had great insight into the idea that companies and products have their own folklore- inspires and affirms me when people grasp the concepts so fast. Have I told you that I love my storytelling and coaching work?; moved hotels to one closer to the airport and one friendlier to business travellers (nb: the staff at first hotel were very nice people); had a full conversation with my wife now that my phone has a signal; had dinner at hotel for a much more reasonable price; going to bed now
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

04.19.2008 Saturday: The Borders is Crowded

Picture of: me performing at the http://www.storytellingatborders.com event tonight in Avondale, AZ.

Today I: sorted through and updated my storytelling; wrote a new blog post; worked on two new stories for Borders tonight- if nothing else, the Borders event (three years now) requires that I learn new stories every month; had lunch with daughters #1 and #3; packed up the equipment for the show; performed at Borders to one of our larger crowds; had the traditional after-Borders meal with my wife, mother and children; this event is now "dark" until September, we'll see if we resurrect it.

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

04.08.2008 Tuesday: Packed and Prepped

Picture of: one of my media kit packed up, printed, postaged and ready to go to the post office.

Today I: prepared and packed up several kits to potential sponsors; booked hotel room for future event; made the daily post office trip; spoke to a client about upcoming Houston storytelling event; registered people for the "Storyteller.net Live!" event in Austin; made a second post office trip; spent time on the phone with a few other storytellers; sent orders from Storytellingproducts.com; ordered more inventory; prepared a few more mailings and continued to update my mailing lists.

::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::

02.09.2008: Leading Seminars

Picture of: two discussion groups talking about the stories during the adult retreat I led yesterday at a church in Arizona. Last week, I led teenage guys. This week, I got to lead adult singles. I love the variety that I get to work with as a storyteller. The building we were in has so much well-planned ambient lighting that we don't even need to turn on the electric lights during the day. Great building. I get to use it every few years or so.

Today I: took my eldest to work early in the morning; made my way across the city to the retreat location; led a day-long retreat with stories, discussions and activities for a Methodist singles groups; picked up previously mentioned kid from work; came home and crashed--tonight the FMS wins.

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

01.27.08 Sunday: Putting Away ESS Stuff.

Picture of: storytellers Tim Ereneta and Liz Warren pre-show at the Emergent Storytelling Series last night in Arizona, debating the finer points of water bottles vs crystal glasses vs martini glasses vs margarita glasses for the proper container to hold the water a storyteller needs on stage.

Today I: am in low gear, putting away things from the ESS; took Tim back to the airport; made "notes to self" about the things I learned producing this event; started to pull together the final notes for my Baltimore storytelling trip next weekend.

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

01.23.2008 Wednesday: I Tell Stories Under Duress

Picture of: kids gathered in the school cafeteria during the "lockdown" that was called during my storytelling session today.

Today I: was the guest storyteller and told stories to school children until the school was put into lockdown while a missing child was located. Lots of police, some frightened children and even more disconnected teachers. Are we really off the clock ? It was disturbing on many levels.

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

01.20.08 Sunday: I am Intentional

Picture of: my youngest finishing her 31 flavors ice cream, of which she only had 2. If you have taken any of my corporate training, you know that I teach a process of "Intentionality" in developing your storytelling for corporate or any setting. This is my picture of my "intentional thought" of the day. I'll post about it in my regular blog later this week over at www.seanblogs.com .

Today I: spent a lot of time catching up on family things such as shopping and making dinner, running kids to places, buying ice cream; worked the final touches on handouts for the corporate storytelling gig I have on Monday and Tuesday.

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

01.10.08 Thursday: I Get Walked On

Picture of: the pavement at the office supply store, I have to go there often although I do get more and more of my things from ordering online

Today I: moved around some Arizona Storytelling Guild pieces; booked a storytelling gig with local bookstore; finalized my Baltimore hotel stay for February; was reminded that people will walk on you if you let them. Or, better put, people treat you exactly like you have trained them to treat you- pavement (there it is) is meant to be walked on. I am sure tommorrow's picture will include some comment on this; realized I don't sleep enough.

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

01.09.08 Wednesday: I Network.

Picture of: business cards sitting on the lunch table from a person I met today who specializes in business networking. You never know who can help you out with your work and what you can bring to them.

Today I: met for lunch with this networker. As a storyteller, everybody you meet is either someone you need to work with or someone who is within three contacts of a person you need to meet. Sometimes, they are both. This person has a GREAT idea for busines cards and I will teach it to you at the marketing camp; talked with a friend who I had lost contact with; secured my tickets for the Cincinatti gig in February, travelling through Dayton. Crazy.

NB: I do more in each day than I log here, thanks for the question. LOL.

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

01.07.08 Monday: I Sandbox

Picture of: the counter top for some snacks at our storyteller Sandbox meeting. Once a month, I get together with a few people and share ideas, stories, concepts with other storytellers of various storytelling formats, methods and motivations. It's our collective "sandbox" to work in. Tonight was one of our meetings. Goat cheese and tea. Funky.

Today I: wow, today I sorted through new paperwork; worked on a new flyer for the Emergent Storytelling Series; did some more work the Outside In model to clarify the concepts of macro and micro audiences (which came from the sandbox sessions); said hello to new Twitter friends; went to the library; talked to a group about networking meetings; ate a bagel

01.03.08 Thursday

Picture of: Me and my kids eating at fast food. I travel a lot. When these moments of taking 1-4 of them out to lunch happens, I take them. In 2008, I'll be out of the US several times and on the road more than last year. Such is the nature of the itinerant storyteller.

Today I: spoken on the phone to a Maryland storytelling client, added a new storyteller and coaching client to my list of the people I have the honor to work with; did more publicity for the Outside In Marketing Workshop. Really, if you are serious about being a working artist, you need to come join us for this camp; spent some time in Email with folks telling me that the NSN is really changing; spoke to the folks in Singapore about possible workshops. Full day.

01.02.08 Wednesday: A Storyteller of the Past

Picture of: Me, in 1979, performing in a library. Been doing this for 29 years. Funny, that hairstyle is now back in style. The sons of the 80's fathers now have their hairstyles of their fathers. Funny.

Today I: am working on publicity for the "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp" and sent letters with the above picture. Read the letter at this link here.

01.01.08 Tuesday: New Year's Day

The Picture of: Cleaning up after the party. Those glasses held sparkling grape drink. Family party.

Today I: took the day off, 'cept for fighting with the airlines over my flight I booked in November; and then trying to get to Cincinatti in February for less than $500 flight. I guess I didn't take the day off.