My 2008 or What a Storyteller Does All Day Long

2008: What This Blog Is Was Will Be?

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:18:00 +0000

Picture of: luminarias made from ice, outside our home on New Year's Eve. Yes, it does get cold enough in Arizona to do this.

So, what are you looking at in this blog? I will let me friend and deep-thinker Tim Ereneta tell you about this project:

"Storyteller Sean Buvala recently ended a year-long experiment in blogging not the artistic process but the business process of storytelling --in photos. Aspiring storytellers with the ambition to perform often choose to underestimate or flat out ignore the hard realities of running and promoting a small business. Sean's photoblog is a necessary reminder of not only the unglamorous minutiae required to support a storytelling career, but also of how intertwined personal and professional life can be, especially if you are self-employed."

That is a direct, lifted quote from Tim's Blog at http://storytelling.blogspot.com/.

I am not sure how to continue in 2009, so I will be on hiatus for a bit.

Please check my main blog at http://www.seanblogs.com/ for the next project.

Thank you for following me in this project this year.

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

12.31.2008 Wednesday: So this is the end?

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Picture of: assorted nieces and daughters playing a game at our New Year's Eve party

Today I: shopped for party; did last minute banking; listened to a podcast on developing ethical behavior with storytelling- left me uncomfortable with conclusions drawn- maybe I will blog or article it; picked up kid from work; worked on www.twitter.com/storyteller; in the midst of the party; happy new year to you.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

12.30.2008 Tuesday: Dog Bone.

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:14:00 +0000

Picture of: a really good example of unusual business card. Director of dog care facility with a dog-bone shaped business card that is NOT larger than normal. Still fits in a regular card holder, etc.

Today I: did a huge amount of work on my website, making a major face lift to launch Thursday or Friday; ate lunch with kids; post office and bank; took daughter to interview for job at the dog-care place hence I have the card to show you; worked more on the websites.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

12.29.2008 Monday: Melting Away

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:58:00 +0000

Picture of: fresh, hot chocolate chip cookie dripping onto the table at lunch today.

Today I: met with a friend, who is in town for the holidays, to catch up on life; spoke with a client about a future date; worked on website update, probably done on Tuesday; worked on a cool idea for New Year's Eve party; sorted through some files on my desk.

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

12.26.2008 Friday: More Parties

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:06:00 +0000

Picture of: bags of candy going into the Christmas Party gifts for Saturday's family party.

Today I: pretty much stayed off grid again today; ordered pizza and drinks and took a mini Christmas party to a relative who has been too ill to join the other parties; baked goods for Saturday's party. Peace.

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

12.25.2008 Thursday: Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:06:00 +0000

Picture of: the white reindeer, the very first gift given to my eldest daughter by my dad, her grandfather, 18 years ago. He still makes an appearance every Christmas. The reindeer makes a yearly appearance, I mean. My dad is here all year long. Yay!

Today I: stayed off the grid. Family. Cooking. Party. So, blessings and peace to you in these days of Light in whatever manner you celebrate them.

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

12.24.2008 Wednesday: "Poppa, the bag behind you is on fire. So's that one."

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:15:00 +0000

Picture of: the luminarias on our driveway after the quote in the title was taken care of. A household tradition at our place for Christmas and its eve. The pretty part is the tradition, not the burning.

Today I: did more twittering at www.twitter.com/storyteller than I usually do; prepped, cleaned, baked, shopped, reflected, packed for the holiday tomorrow.

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

12.23.2008 Tuesday: The Cookie is Wrong.

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:02:00 +0000

Picture of: fortune from fortune cookie.

Today I: post office and bank run; laid out a new outline for the http://www.executivespeakertraining.com workshop, sent some messages around www.twitter.com/storyteller; just want to say that although I can normally agree with most fortune cookies wisdom as being just for me on the specific date I cracked it open, I can not on this one. My desire and my purpose are crystal clear to me and very much alive, living and kicking, but sometimes the body just ain't there these days. LOL.

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

12.22.2008 Monday: Nixies

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:45:00 +0000

Picture of: Nixie postcard returns about to be fixed or the addy's deleted from my database.

Today I: got my flat tire replaced, ouch $$; worked on my databases, adding and deleting and recategorizing; announced the kickoff of a 2009 project to a few folks, will roll out more after 1.1.09; spent some time with new folks at http://www.twitter.com/storyteller; put out a new press release you can read here; began a review process of another artist's press kit.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

12.21.2008 Sunday: Assembling.

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:42:00 +0000

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::

12.20.2008 Saturday: Here Come the Holidays.

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:34:00 +0000

Picture of: one of the shopping bags in the back of my van.

Today I: worked on database updates and additions; sent new postcards; did banking and post office; spent the rest of the day doing the holiday shopping thing and running daughter #1 back and forth to here dog agility competition; sorta of a "here comes the holidays" day.

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

12.19.2008 Friday: More of the Sames.

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:39:00 +0000

Picture of: stamps, postcards and more on my desk, prepping for a mailing.

Today I: checked on new press-release postings at pr.com and prlog.com; booked hotels for future Philadelphia event; compared airfares for the same Philly event; read my Avondale, AZ city government page; booked a June event; answered Emails; worked on adding names to my database; further segmented my mailing list (your marketing workshop alumni understand that one) for new categories; developed new mailing for my "lost" segment (oisbc folks again, you know whadimean); happy "anniversary" my dear.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

12.18.2008 Thursday: Sisters and Exchanges

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:15:00 +0000

Picture of: the "sister exchange" at our house. Another yearly tradition where the kids all give each other a single gift a bit before Christmas. Since they are all female, it's the sister exchange.

Today I: spoke on the phone to break loose some new ideas; wrote a major press release regarding Disney's "Bedtime Stories" movie now posted front page at www.storyteller.net or on my blog at www.seantells.com; returned phone calls; went to the bank to process some payments; post officed; updated my data base and prepped new mailings for the www.executivespeakertraining.com project; reserved new URLs for another project for corporate storytelling; sent a new set of notes via www.twitter.com/storyteller

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

12.17.2008 Wednesday: Stamps. Approval.

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:17:00 +0000

Picture of: set of "forever" stamps bought today at the post office.

Today I: ran to the post office; put a few dollars in the bank; worked on the www.executivespeakertraining.com workshop PR; outlined a press release for an upcoming pop culture event; talked with a client about adding stories to his pages with us at www.storyteller.net; updated a page at www.seancoaches.com ; planned out my questions for a discussion; drafted two new articles on business storytelling; shopped for groceries; discussed Christmas gifts.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

12.16.2008 Tuesday: BACK!

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:15:00 +0000

Picture of: the results of our family tradition of "buy ornaments and eat lunch with Poppa" day. From left to right are a bird, a pig (or is it a cow) a small penguin and large penguin.

Today I: finally am able to get back into Blogger to post my blog here, so very sorry but the dashboard has been down for some time; updated my mailing list with new entries; mailed postcards; did the post office and bank gauntlet; researched a new story; spent time with my kids for our traditional lunch and ornament buying trip; enjoyed the all-day rain in our cities today; talked with family members about holiday parties; read new marketing newsletters from the guru's guru.

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

11.23.2008 Sunday: Whoosh!

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:16:00 +0000

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?

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:52:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:56:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:59:00 +0000

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::

11.15.2008 Saturday: Posting New Storyteller Amphitheater

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:01:00 +0000

Picture of: Dustin and I messing around for the camera backstage at last month's Mesa Storytelling Festival.

Today I: ran my eldest daughter to work at 5am- ouch; ran amok going to the postal facility servicing my neighborhood; posted the Storyteller.net Amphitheater with audio, transcript, pictures from the 2008 Mesa Storytelling Festival; worked on new blog postings; moved said daughter from work to school to home; cooked dinner for daughters who remain home with me while wife and other daughter camp out in northern Arizona; photo credit to Mark Goldstein.
::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

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:16:00 +0000

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::

11.12.2008 Wednesday: My Advice Has Changed

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:43:00 +0000

Picture of: mystery storytelling coaching client (he's standing next to his car) I met with tonight for dinner and discussion.

Today I: did the bank and post office run; worked on new publications for storytelling websites; attended conference calls on marketing; worked on developing new performing-arttist TeleCourse; had "let's talk about storytelling" coaching session with a new client in regards to both performance storytelling and corporate storytelling/business storytelling. He asked me a great question about what my advice to new storytellers is- I realized that my advice to newbies has changed a lot in the last 23 years of storytelling and storytelling coaching- I will blog that soon.

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

11.10.2008 Monday: The Last Party

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:01:00 +0000

Picture: crock pots full of pasta sauce.

Today I: worked on Emails; updated websites; continued on secret projects; prepped and shopped for groceries for family gathering this evening; had a small 18-person family dinner with an a cousin in from out of state as well as a mini-bday party for my Mom who's birthday on the 7th got kinda lost in the wedding events; the last party of the wedding events. So happy birthday again, Mom.

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

11.09.2008 Sunday: Recovery.

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:54:00 +0000

Picture of: pictures taken at my brother's wedding yesterday. He rented a "photo booth" and it was in constant use for more than three hours.

Today I: recovered from the wedding and all the work put into it.

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

11.08.2008: Happy Wedding Day

noreply@blogger.com (Sean) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:21:00 +0000

Picture of: me telling stories and doing the official thing at my brother's wedding.

Today I: did the errand run thing; worked on this Internet project for a bit; answered Emails about Storyteller.net; picked up daughter #1 from work- NASCAR is in town and her grocery store is one of the main places the racing fans go to get supplies; cleaned up and packed up family and supplies to head out to the wedding site; added what I could to the sound system for the outdoor wedding; was part of the "storytelling at a wedding" wedding with my variant of "the most precious thing" story; the bride was really really stunning; great reception with lots of laughing and really good food; made photo-booth pictures with family- very cool reception idea; drove home with family; looked at the little bit of video we shot; happy wedding day to Michael and Randi; happy birthday to Mom.

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