Archive for August 2018
I didn’t know what Lands’ End was, and it makes sense.
I was teaching a workshop last month. A storyteller mentioned Lands’ End as a detail in her story. When she was finished, I asked her what Lands’ End was. “You don’t know what Lands’ End is?” she asked. “No. You have to know what Lands’ End is.” A woman sitting beside her said, “I really…
Read MoreSpeak Up Storytelling #13: Leland Brandt
Episode #13 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast is ready for your listening pleasure. Elysha and I start off this week’s podcast by talking about finding and crafting stories in your everyday life using my strategy “Homework for Life.” I talk about how a storyworthy moment can sometimes consist solely of a thought that you…
Read MoreI got mentioned in the New York Times yesterday for a teeny tiny thing that I feel so good about.
I made the news yesterday. A tiny bit of it, at least. From The New York Times: WASHINGTON — A U.S. free speech group on Friday asked President Donald Trump to unblock 41 Twitter users after a federal judge in May ordered him to restore access to a group of individuals who filed suit. U.S.…
Read MoreSeeking submissions for my annual list of shortcomings and flaws
Years ago a reader accused me of being materialistic after I wrote about my lack of a favorite number, specifically criticizing me for saying that when it comes to my salary, my favorite number is the largest number possible. After refuting the charges of materialism, I acknowledged that I had plenty of other shortcomings and…
Read MoreOpen mouth. Insert foot.
Someone recently told me that I always know just what to say in any situation. “You can talk your way out of anything,” he said. “Or into anything. You’re good that way.” This may seem true, but I assure you that it is not. Case in point: Earlier this week, I met a person in…
Read MoreClara’s first Patriots game. NOT WHAT I EXPECTED AT ALL.
I took Clara on a rite of passage last night: Her first New England Patriots game. I’ve been attending Patriots games regularly for almost 20 years, and I’ve been a season ticket holder for almost as long. I’ve spent some of my favorite, most memorable days at Gillette Stadium, tailgating with friends, cheering in the…
Read MoreWe were all changed forever.
Elysha and I took the kids to an outdoor concert on the lawn at Elizabeth Park last night. It’s a Wednesday night tradition at the park, but my book tour, travel schedule, and poorly-timed rainstorms have kept me from attending a single concert this summer. I was excited to go. It was also about 90 degrees…
Read MoreI’m not a skateboard guy, but I think this is remarkable.
I’m not a skateboard guy, and I’ve never been a skateboard guy. I’ve always seen skateboarding as a series of bad equations: Enormous amounts of time invested in learning and practice in exchange for the ability to ride on an inefficient means of transportation and perform a few dangerous, not-so-impressive tricks. Hours of potential fun…
Read More“Tears in the Rain” monologue captures it all
When all is said and done, we are the sum of our experiences. Our thoughts and feelings – who we are and what we believe – are the result of the memories that we carry forward of a life lived. Our minds are a vast storehouse of the millions of minutes that we have been…
Read MoreSpeak Up Storytelling #12: Jeni Bonaldo
Episode #12 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast is ready for your listening pleasure. This week we’re joined by storyteller Jeni Bonaldo, whose story we listen to and critique. We start by talking about finding and crafting stories in your everyday life using my strategy “Homework for Life.” I talk about how a story can…
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