October 12, 2009
Overland Park Convention Center
Johnson County Library Staff Appreciation Day
I am excited about this opportunity to perform for the Johnson County library staff. I will share a few original tales, perhaps a Grimm fairy tale or two, and offer advice on how to read an audience and maintain their attention.
October 28, 2009
Holy Trinity School
Lenexa, KS
Happy Birthday to me! I will share a smattering of imaginative and musical tales with a group of young elementary aged children. This event should prove to be interactive and a lot of fun!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
At the Melange Apron
I will be performing a couple of small sets on Saturday, Sept. 12 between 6:00pm and 7:30pm at the Melange Apron's grand opening in Baldwin City, KS.
From their website:
----
Our atmosphere is family friendly and we would love your family to come for a great meal! The bar and lounge area will be very laid back for those who want to have an after dinner drink or cup of coffee and the children's play room is nearly complete as well. We expect to shut down our kitchen around 10:00 pm; the bar area will stay open until last call.
----
The Melange Apron offers a little something for everybody and promises to be the perfect spot for a great meal or drink at any time of the day and night. The grand opening will feature several live acts and activities throughout the day.
Bring your appetite and your imagination as we all become a part of the Melange Apron's story! I hope to see you there!
From their website:
----
Our atmosphere is family friendly and we would love your family to come for a great meal! The bar and lounge area will be very laid back for those who want to have an after dinner drink or cup of coffee and the children's play room is nearly complete as well. We expect to shut down our kitchen around 10:00 pm; the bar area will stay open until last call.
----
The Melange Apron offers a little something for everybody and promises to be the perfect spot for a great meal or drink at any time of the day and night. The grand opening will feature several live acts and activities throughout the day.
Bring your appetite and your imagination as we all become a part of the Melange Apron's story! I hope to see you there!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A Dog's Day
I am attempting to write a tale from the point-of-view of a forgotten dog. Here is my beginning, I would welcome input. Thanks!
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Most days start with a biscuit. If I’m lucky, he’ll give me a whole biscuit sopped in rich, melted butter. Maybe he’d even dip it in bacon grease before setting the fluffy loaf on the floor for me to devour. Usually though, I spend the early morning sitting by his chair, looking up at his hand longingly as it moves from plate to mouth. “No, this isn’t for you!” seems to be his mantra, though it doesn’t stop me from licking my chops every time I see a little grease drip onto his thick, tangled white and peppered beard.
He finishes his breakfast and my stomach growls. I’m careful to make sure it is just my stomach growling and not my throat. Heaven knows what would happen if I let loose a snarl at my master on account of my hunger! They say never to bite the hand that feeds you, and even sparingly, his is the hand that feeds.
Master rises from his chair and takes his empty plate to the kitchen sink. He takes his time washing the crumbs and grease. By the time he’s done, the plate is sparkling. Water droplets catch the early morning sunlight as it pushes through a streak-free window. They seem to dance across a sparkling field; free, new, and pure. I bark at the plate, wanting to dance too, but Master puts it away to await its proper use once again.
He crosses the kitchen to the back door. I know what’s coming, it happens every day. “Outside boy,” Master says, “I can’t have you underfoot while I’m working.” I never feel like I’m “underfoot”, but he doesn’t seem to like it when I chew on his furniture or pee on his carpet or get in his trash or drink from the toilet or scratch the wooden doors or bark at the television. I’m easily distracted and like to play. That’s just how I was made. Master doesn’t understand, he was made another way.
....
----------------------
Most days start with a biscuit. If I’m lucky, he’ll give me a whole biscuit sopped in rich, melted butter. Maybe he’d even dip it in bacon grease before setting the fluffy loaf on the floor for me to devour. Usually though, I spend the early morning sitting by his chair, looking up at his hand longingly as it moves from plate to mouth. “No, this isn’t for you!” seems to be his mantra, though it doesn’t stop me from licking my chops every time I see a little grease drip onto his thick, tangled white and peppered beard.
He finishes his breakfast and my stomach growls. I’m careful to make sure it is just my stomach growling and not my throat. Heaven knows what would happen if I let loose a snarl at my master on account of my hunger! They say never to bite the hand that feeds you, and even sparingly, his is the hand that feeds.
Master rises from his chair and takes his empty plate to the kitchen sink. He takes his time washing the crumbs and grease. By the time he’s done, the plate is sparkling. Water droplets catch the early morning sunlight as it pushes through a streak-free window. They seem to dance across a sparkling field; free, new, and pure. I bark at the plate, wanting to dance too, but Master puts it away to await its proper use once again.
He crosses the kitchen to the back door. I know what’s coming, it happens every day. “Outside boy,” Master says, “I can’t have you underfoot while I’m working.” I never feel like I’m “underfoot”, but he doesn’t seem to like it when I chew on his furniture or pee on his carpet or get in his trash or drink from the toilet or scratch the wooden doors or bark at the television. I’m easily distracted and like to play. That’s just how I was made. Master doesn’t understand, he was made another way.
....
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
My Office Space
This week, Kansas City Ink writer, Sarah Benson, wrote a feature article on me in my "office space". It's pretty exciting to see your name and face in print. Of course, I've had to share this with all my friends and family.
Support the Ink by picking up a copy if you live in or around Kansas City. It is a free publication, but you can always visit their sponsors.
If you read the article and are interested in scheduling a performance, mention that your heard of me through Ink and save $20 on a 30 minute performance or save $30 for an hour performance. This offer is valid through July 31, 2009.
Thanks to Sarah Benson and Ink for the feature and Susan McSpadden
for the great photography!
Click Here to Read the Online Article
Support the Ink by picking up a copy if you live in or around Kansas City. It is a free publication, but you can always visit their sponsors.
If you read the article and are interested in scheduling a performance, mention that your heard of me through Ink and save $20 on a 30 minute performance or save $30 for an hour performance. This offer is valid through July 31, 2009.
Thanks to Sarah Benson and Ink for the feature and Susan McSpadden
for the great photography!
Click Here to Read the Online Article
Thursday, May 28, 2009
What They Didn't Know
I’m not often a people watcher. But when I travel, I find myself falling into this common sociological pattern; people watching. We watch others to find common ground among the throngs of souls that, even if for the briefest of moments, cross our path. Or, we watch in self-righteous curiosity at the social atrocities of other humanity. They are the less evolved – the step between homo sapiens and the missing link. And we watch them, eyes glued to their awkward ambling, and we smile ruefully – gladdened that they are not we.
Airports are the best for people watching. You can see people from many walks of life and varying cultures. I spent some time living in Japan. I loved my time there. I loved the culture. I loved the people. Of course, I had spent my fair share of time at Narita International Airport near Tokyo.
I made a game of trying to guess their nationalities. Americans were easy to spot. Americans most typically travel in comfortable clothes. Loose fitting pants. Shorts. T-shirts. Sometimes even pajamas. Americans often had the most luggages and walked with a certain swagger not found in other nationalities. It’s been well over a century since the west was won, but we all still walk like cowboys lookin’ to rustle up some grub after a long international flight.
The British were easy to spot as well. They usually walked off the tarmac wearing suits that looked freshly pressed and not having been crunched into a two foot wide chair for 13 hours. They had perfect posture and had an elegant spring in their step, like lithe elves whose demure etiquette would breach no disrespect or rough word. They had a determined look in their eyes that said, “I could kill you with a spot of tea.”
Of course, there are other things to look for when you’re people watching. Once, I thought I saw my future wife. My eyes locked on her shapely form as she walked down the aisle towards her gate. The scene changed and suddenly she was on red carpet walking down the aisle towards me. Her long blonde hair was being blown backwards by an unseen breeze and her neck swathed her head back and forth, swishing her hair ever so slightly. Her eyes locked on mine and I…. I realized I was staring. She gave me a look filled as much with pity as incredulity. I took a deep breath and tried to read a book for a while, trying to take my mind off of people watching. But a few moments later, I saw my second future wife – this one with curly red locks – and the process began once again.
I’ve seen a lifetime of wives or would-be girlfriends at the airport. I’ve seen kindness and cruelty. I’ve seen pain, heartache, loss, and love. I’ve seen friendships re-forged and relationships broken. I’ve seen humanity at its weakest, its worst, its most self-serving. I’ve seen generosity and beauty – oh, have I seen beauty – and I’ve seen what once appeared simple become complex and mysterious. I’ve seen stories unfold among the lives of people I would never know, and I’ve wondered what brought them there and where their tale would take them next. And what they didn’t know, was that I saw them: for glory and shame, I saw them and I watched. Their stories entertained my dull moments stuck alone in a grayed and metallic airport. They brought light and flickered my imagination.
But what I wonder now, is if they saw me too? Who was watching the watcher? I wonder, what have I revealed about myself that I would rather had been hidden? What do they know that I wish they didn’t?
Airports are the best for people watching. You can see people from many walks of life and varying cultures. I spent some time living in Japan. I loved my time there. I loved the culture. I loved the people. Of course, I had spent my fair share of time at Narita International Airport near Tokyo.
I made a game of trying to guess their nationalities. Americans were easy to spot. Americans most typically travel in comfortable clothes. Loose fitting pants. Shorts. T-shirts. Sometimes even pajamas. Americans often had the most luggages and walked with a certain swagger not found in other nationalities. It’s been well over a century since the west was won, but we all still walk like cowboys lookin’ to rustle up some grub after a long international flight.
The British were easy to spot as well. They usually walked off the tarmac wearing suits that looked freshly pressed and not having been crunched into a two foot wide chair for 13 hours. They had perfect posture and had an elegant spring in their step, like lithe elves whose demure etiquette would breach no disrespect or rough word. They had a determined look in their eyes that said, “I could kill you with a spot of tea.”
Of course, there are other things to look for when you’re people watching. Once, I thought I saw my future wife. My eyes locked on her shapely form as she walked down the aisle towards her gate. The scene changed and suddenly she was on red carpet walking down the aisle towards me. Her long blonde hair was being blown backwards by an unseen breeze and her neck swathed her head back and forth, swishing her hair ever so slightly. Her eyes locked on mine and I…. I realized I was staring. She gave me a look filled as much with pity as incredulity. I took a deep breath and tried to read a book for a while, trying to take my mind off of people watching. But a few moments later, I saw my second future wife – this one with curly red locks – and the process began once again.
I’ve seen a lifetime of wives or would-be girlfriends at the airport. I’ve seen kindness and cruelty. I’ve seen pain, heartache, loss, and love. I’ve seen friendships re-forged and relationships broken. I’ve seen humanity at its weakest, its worst, its most self-serving. I’ve seen generosity and beauty – oh, have I seen beauty – and I’ve seen what once appeared simple become complex and mysterious. I’ve seen stories unfold among the lives of people I would never know, and I’ve wondered what brought them there and where their tale would take them next. And what they didn’t know, was that I saw them: for glory and shame, I saw them and I watched. Their stories entertained my dull moments stuck alone in a grayed and metallic airport. They brought light and flickered my imagination.
But what I wonder now, is if they saw me too? Who was watching the watcher? I wonder, what have I revealed about myself that I would rather had been hidden? What do they know that I wish they didn’t?
Kansas City StorySlam
When: Friday, May 29th, 7pm
Where: Barnes and Noble at 95th and Quivira Rd. in Overland Park, KS
Theme: "What They Didn't Know"
This is a free open mic event for adults. All stories must be family friendly. Stories should be no longer than 7 minutes and should fit, however loosely, with the evening's theme. After everyone who wishes to share a story has done so, we will vote for the winner. The winner will receive a Barnes and Noble Gift Card!
I will be the event's emcee and am looking forward to hosting the first StorySlam event in Kansas City!
Where: Barnes and Noble at 95th and Quivira Rd. in Overland Park, KS
Theme: "What They Didn't Know"
This is a free open mic event for adults. All stories must be family friendly. Stories should be no longer than 7 minutes and should fit, however loosely, with the evening's theme. After everyone who wishes to share a story has done so, we will vote for the winner. The winner will receive a Barnes and Noble Gift Card!
I will be the event's emcee and am looking forward to hosting the first StorySlam event in Kansas City!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Storytelling Podcast?
I am in the process of researching podcast creation to share some of my stories and/or discuss the business development edge to storytelling. If anybody has any advice or has any experience in developing a podcast, please feel free to share. Thanks.
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