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::

11.17.2008 Tuesday: Show Me the Money?

Picture of: ingredient cans from chili we made yesterday...cans are waiting for recycle bin

Today I: did the post office run- still not completely paid from one of my big gigs a few weeks ago; worked on new ideations of stories, one about worm farming and another about popcorn; submitted ezine articles; followed up with participants from last night's teleconference; spoken on the phone with a potential corporate storytelling coaching client; twittered a bit; ecoached a few folks; made dinner for my family; worked on post card designs for new marketing.

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

11.17.2008 Monday: Grumpy Burgers Telecourse

Picture of: A bottle of my nectar of choice on top of the outline script for the "Grumpy Burgers, Wood Fires and Cheap Whines: The Economy is Not Your Business" telecourse for working artists. ( www.prostoryteller.com )

Today I: researched a new set of stories for future storytelling events; investigated a new service for marketing speaker services; created the pdf flyer for the www.executivespeakertraining.com workshop series; twittered at www.twitter.com/storyteller ; made chili for my family; wrote the final script for tonight's artist-marketing telecourse; got a fantastic email from a previous coaching client thanking me for our OISBC training and how it is really starting to pay off for her; presented the telecourse with a great group of attendees; did a milk/bread/teabags grocery run; dropped off some items to family members; calling it a night- fibroarama; I know tonight's course went well, I could hear a couple of people having "aha" moments.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

11.16.2008 Sunday: Miss Ellainious, Storyteller

Picture of: price per gallon for gasoline paid this morning at 4:58AM.

Today I: took daughter #1 to work at 445am; went back to bed; worked on storytelling website update; picked up daughter after her 8 hours; finished update for and registration form for the corporate storytelling workshop at www.executivespeakertraining.com; did research project for this week's teleseminars at www.prostoryteller.com; posted new audio files at www.storyteller.net/stories ; cleaned my kitchen for my ADD therapy- heh; twittered a lot at www.twitter.com/storyteller ; welcomed home wife #1 and daughter #4 from their camping trip held at http://www.forttuthill.com/ ; laughed a bunch with daughter #3 about her guinea pig at www.guineapighutch.com ;

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

11.14.2008 Friday: Grumpy Burgers: Working Artists Economy Survival Guide

Picture of: pages of notes for new telecourse.

Today I: made an early morning errands run and sat in a fast-food joint working on notes; I have released our latest Storyteller.net TeleCourse "Grumpy Burgers, Wood Fires and Cheap Whines: The Economy is Not Your Business for Working Artists" come register; built the websites for those workshops over the last few days; twittered; ran daughter #1 back and forth to work; bought Friday-night snacks with daughters #2 and #3; wife #1 and daughter #4 are away on camping trip; I have more storytelling ideas, projects, writings and seminars that I can get out of my head.

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

10.17.2008 Friday: The List Arrives

Picture of: the list of all the children in our extended family, with the numbers of who is which number of daughter, cousin, niece and nephew. My wife made the list for me because I always get them wrong on this blog. Well, not the daughter part. For example, third-grade nephew #3 is not playing high-school football as I incorrectly posted earlier. That would be nephew #2. You may now sleep better at night, I know.

Today I: spoke on the phone with a client about an upcoming storytelling engagement; went to the bank and post office; wrote draft of future blog post; planned a wedding; caught up on Email; did some research on a new storyteller project; listened in to telecourses being taught by others; made pans and pans of cornbread for family party on Saturday.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

09.11.2008 Thursday: New Life and Big Storms

Picture of: a traffic instruction sign that was unhinged after big storm in the city tonight. Now, if you live in England or Australia, you might be able to follow these instructions. Here you can not.

Today I: got a 2am text message from my Dad advising us that grandchild #11 had arrived- congrats to brother and his wife; secured final prep for gig in Austin on Monday; booked hotel and air travel for Monday; participated in multiple teleconferences for mastermind coaching groups; picked up rental car in order to drop off broken mini-van (again) to repair joint; drove across town in storm to work with coaching client on her latest storytelling presentation; talked to new daddy brother on the phone; read the guinea pig's blog and it is phabulous, Phineas.


::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:

07.24.2008 Thursday: Make a CD and Close a Bookstore

Picture of: the road (out the window of the van) near my house as daughter #3 takes a picture on my daily errand run.

Today I: made the errand run to the post office and bank; spoke with a client about a new creativity workshop I'd like to do for her in California; made the official annoucement to the vendors that we are closing the storytellingproducts.com store; bought a few groceries; sorted through an old stack of paperwork; presented the latest of our telecourses on making a storytelling CD; spoke afterwards to a new coaching client regarding their audio work.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.22.2008 Tuesday: Of Chocolate Chips

Picture of: me telling stories to the 2nd grade and under group at a local summer school show.

Today I: prepped for the storytelling school show and talked with their staff; travelled to the show and set up with daughters #1 and #3; performed two shows; did the post office run; attended yet again more marketing telecourse-workshops presented by others; laid out the plan for new storyteller products to be released from Storyteller.net; posted a blog about today's show; ate daughter #3's cookies she baked- nicely done.

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

07.21.2008 Monday: Teaching and Learning

Picture of: the schedule for the Tuesday school shows I am doing this month.

Today I: took my kids to the movies and the other kid to work; did a post office run; at the bank, dealt with a bounced check presented to me by a client- mistakes happen but yikes it's expensive; updated and adapted the "Ancient Secrets" telecourse; presented the telecourse; worked on a new "back of the room" product; attended a telecourse presented by another person; started to inventory what promo products I have and which I do not have; prepped through some ideas for the school show tomorrow; answered emails I was behind on; spoke to a person on the phone who was mad I did not return their sales call- that's just a low priority for me; realized I don't have enough energy to respond to all the blogs I'd like to respond to; realized that I can't spell "tomorrow" and "scissors" ever correctly the first time.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.17.2008 Thursday: TeleCourses Some More

Picture of: My oldest daughter (young adult) playing on the floor with kittens. She volunteers (around 5 years now) at a no-kill shelter every Thursday. Folks, please get your animals spayed or neutered. Really.

Today I: did the last of this week's TeleCourses. Three in a row; set up registrations for future Telecourses; responded to inquiries about future show dates for some libraries; researched a new project for corporate tellers; replied to conversations on a forum about working challenging gigs; ran to the bank and post offices many times over the last few days; weeded out old Emails that were clogging my mail system'; updated my mailing address database; began work on a letter to "lost clients"; created some coaching offers
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.13.2008 Sunday: Rain. Opportunities

Picture of: daughter #4 walking around in our rain-soaked back yard today after one of our monster (really) monsoon storms.

Today I; exchanged emails with a California man who wants to work a joint-venture project with me creating stories for some of his work- interesting; worked on the storytelling store and created some coupons; took my family to the bookstore; picked up the eldest daughter; enjoyed the rain (when taking the picture for today, daughter asks me, "Is this going to be in your blog?"); listened to tons of training .mp3's; answered Emails; wrote lessons for my free email training course; checked the registrations for this week's free telecourses (wow!); goodnight
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.12.2008 Saturday: TeleCourses

Picture of: the outline for the TeleCourse I presented earlier today.

Today I: took my eldest daughter to work much earlier than I ever see the sun, let me tell you; reviewed the "So You Want to be a Professional Storyteller" telecourse notes; presented the telecourse- we had more folks on the call than ever; must remember to include a brief moment or two on etiquette for telecourses- if you are in a noisy environment, then move or mute your phone; did the bank and post office run; worked on distribution files for other events; researched another telecourse style; answered emails; did some phone coaching; watched a movie with my wife and kids

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

07.11.2008 Friday: Old Stuff

Picture of: old pictures of me and my performing arts troupe ("Friday's Faces") from years back: we started in 1986.

Today I: talked at length on the phone with someone who may be coming to Arizona for the next "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp.";sorted through tons of old paperwork including old press kits from 15-20 years ago; sorted through (my wife did most of the sorting) old paperwork from our old "brick and mortar" store and training center we had back in 1993/94; I will have to blog on daughter #4's reaction to the idea that her parents had a center with a bookstore, "Wow...were you rich?" "No, we weren't"; worked on new registration forms for more of this month's free telecourses; sent out a storyteller.net update which I realized I have not done in some time; picked up my van from the repair shop and exchanged a huge pile of money for the keys...sigh; went shopping for frozen pizza and treats for family dinner; watched "Joan of Arcadia" on TV; listened to two conference calls on book marketing and unique speaking niches...fascinating
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.08.08 Tuesday: "Hot" School Show

Picture of: me telling at summer-school program today.

Today I: slept in a bit, my brain hurts; ran my morning errands to the bank and post office; grabbed a quick early lunch and wrote notes; talked to a school district about a semester of school shows; packaged up my school show equipment, was pleasantly surprised when my daughters #3 and #4 decided to go with; picked up daughter #1 from work (planned for her to go) and drove out to school show; set up and presented two storytelling school shows- split ages are best- I especially love it when the adolescents stop breathing while listening; building had a choice between an air conditioned gym that had the loudest a/c fan EVER or a room that was 1/2 as quiet and no a/c, we were between a loud rock and hot spot; finished the show, took detour to have oldest kid look for copies of rare books at booktrade store; attended a great teleconference on corporate marketing; prepped for my teleconference Wednesday morning; fixed registration form for Tuesday's teleconference
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.07.08 Monday: Picking and Chosing.

Picture of: pile of letters on my desk, waiting to go out tomorrow.

Today I:Over the last few days I: Laid low for the holidays and worked out what to keep and what to throw away; updated my mailing database with another handful of new clients and interested parties; worked through some registration issues for the OISBC Marketing event; produced a mailing for a super deal on camp registration- I can't tell you HOW DEEPLY I FEEL THE NEED FOR YOU TO JOIN US AT THIS CAMP in August of you are trying to build your business- a hard economy makes it a GREAT time for marketing opportunities; had dinner with a kid who used to be in one of my youth groups a long time ago, he's not such a kid now; edited audio files for release; added more lessons to the free Ecourse I am running (join); rewrote the scripts for the next free TeleConferences (join them too); prepped show order for school show tomorrow; sorry for missing days with you, some days there is only so much energy left in my fms-filled days; spoke on the phone to a storyteller in a nearby state about the state of storytelling in our states.
::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::