• What we’re all about

Fresh Ground Stories

Fresh Ground Stories

Monthly Archives: September 2019

FGS: Au Revoir – Stories of walking away

27 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by Paul Currington - Fresh Ground Stories in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

I’ve run away from a lot of things in my life but I haven’t walked away from many. I guess that means I usually wait until it’s too late to exit gracefully. By the time I decide to leave a job, a town, a relationship, a belief system, it’s almost always long after I should have.

The few times I have walked away from something it’s often with a look over my shoulder and a feeling that maybe for once my timing is right. It’s a pretty rare feeling for me but I hope it’s not for you. This month, we’re looking for stories of walking away and moving on. You might have left a person, a job, a place, old convictions, almost anything. We’ve all left something or somebody sometime. Why did you leave? Was it a quiet so long or a cataclysmic goodbye? Maybe you even went back later on. Was it different the second time around? We’d love to hear the story.

Remember to keep it clean, and practice out loud as often as you can. All stories must be under 8 minutes. It can be as short as you want but not over 8 minutes. We’re getting more names in Mr. Coffee and some folks aren’t getting to share their story because we run out of time. Thanks for understanding.

Here are the rules and guidelines for telling: https://freshgroundstories.com/2013/01/22/storytelling-rules-and-guidelines/

I hope to see you all October 17th at 7 pm at the Olive Way Starbucks Feel free to email me if you have any questions

Paul
freshgroundstories@gmail.com

Advertisement

Thank you!

24 Tuesday Sep 2019

Posted by Paul Currington - Fresh Ground Stories in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Thanks to everyone who came out to our first show of autumn. I don’t know if it’s the rising humidity or the soft thrumming of rain that brings out the most amazing stories. Whatever spell we were all under last week made for beautiful stories.

I want to offer extra-special thanks to the folks who brought all the first-timers who told that night. Every single first-time teller nailed their story. Thank you so much for the work you put into your writing and practicing. It was one of the strongest nights of new tellers I can remember.

Miriam, who’s been coming for years, finally told a story on the last show she’ll be attending because she’s moving to Miami. It was a sweet story of how a chance meeting in a coffee shop led to her being able to accept quitting grad school. I loved her story for a lot of reasons, but the main reason is that she reinforced my belief in the importance of sharing yourself with more than just friends and family.

Carol, another first-timer, shared another story about the power of strangers when she told us about having to navigate through Italy without speaking Italian. Did the first stranger she met really sell costumes to children? Who knows. It made sense at the time. And how did another man, who didn’t speak a word of English, know that she needed to go to Pisa? Did he walk up to every American in that train station and yell, “Pisa in macchina!” at them? Who knows. It makes me wonder if Italy is just a magical place where people show up right when you need them.

Sue, who is not a first-timer but a second-timer, told a great story about getting schooled by a couple of toddlers she was babysitting. You know you’re having a rough day when you hope the firefighters show up before the parents do. Thank you, Sue, for letting all the parents and babysitters in the audience know we aren’t the only ones who’ve been surprised by how much trouble a toddler can get in when you look away for a second. Story bonus: a number of people mentioned to me after the show how they loved the rhythm and cadence of her story. Everything was said just the way it needed to be said.

Nick, another first-timer, told a beautiful story about his Catholic mother lighting candles for all the people she wanted to protect. I know I wasn’t the only one in the audience that night who’d left their childhood religions. Hearing his story reminded me of all the old traditions of mine that are still inside me. Now that I’m older, I look back on them a little more fondly than I used to. Thank you Nick for reminding us that we can keep some of those old rituals and still be true to who we are today.

Pykasu, I am so glad you survived those years of diving in and out of cars. It was great to hear a story about the gumption of a 13-year-old and the kindness of strangers. We need to hear more of those. Thank you also for taking the time to craft that story. It wasn’t an easy story to figure out how to tell and the work you put into it really showed.

Kathy, whose husband was a first-timer last month, shared a story with one of my favorite lines. “I lift up mine eyes….” Those words have always struck a chord with me. I think it’s because, whether you’re an atheist, an agnostic, or a person of faith, we always seem to look up when we need help. Like Kathy, my mother was a missionary and often looked to the heavens to either ask for help or shake her fist in anger. I like to think the universe has a sense of humor and that’s why a cat burglar showed up out of nowhere to help you break into your car 🙂

Greg, your story went straight to my heart. I don’t often struggle to say something after a story but I struggled with yours. You had no idea when you began that story how much of it I shared with you. Thank you for having the courage to tell it. And thank you Melissa at Story Fruition for knowing Greg needed to tell it at FGS. (Melissa, by the way, did a great job opening the show with her cicada story. )

Chris, how is it that I’ve known you for years but never heard that story? Sometimes it’s nurses that heal us more than doctors. You met a special one that day who went out of her way to acknowledge what you were going through. Kindness is a medicine that continues to heal us long as we remember it.

Connie, I want you to know that I did some research and found out that Iceland does have an extradition treaty with the U.S. but they don’t always honor it. Lucky for you! I don’t know what the penalty for camping fraud is but it seems like they take it pretty seriously. Call me if you’re contacted by Iceland FBI. I know a safehouse you can stay at.

Maryanne told the most touching story I’ve ever heard her tell. The whole room was silent when she finished. Maryanne is that kind of teller. If you ever see her onstage at FGS, look behind you. You’ll see people who didn’t come for the show, putting down their phones and closing their laptops. That’s what you do when you hear Maryanne. You stop what you’re doing and listen because you’ve never heard anyone like her. I hope every single one of you starts going to Maryanne’s own show at the Olive Way Starbucks on the last Thursday of each month. Go see her tell live so I don’t have to try to explain her to you.

Vanda, an old friend of mine, closed the show with a powerful story of why we should hold our beliefs lightly so we can allow space for others to hold their own. What would happen if we all quietly added “maybe” to our convictions? Would the world seem a little safer? Would conversations seem a little less aggressive? I think they would. I’m going to try to use the word maybe more often and see if that helps me feel a little more hopeful for the future.

Before I let you go, I want to thank two final tellers, Kris and Roy. Kris has been helping me with the show for a while now and I don’t thank her enough. I pay her in hugs and eternal gratitude and she keeps showing up. There’s no one I’d rather have sitting next to me every month trying to keep this train running. Last Thursday she told a sweet story about a magical dog named Mariposa she met in Cuba. Mariposa’s magical power is talking larger dogs out of eating Kris. How she does this no one knows. But without Mariposa there would be no Kris and for that we should all send a puppy treat to Havana.

After Kris’s story we had a special treat. Her father Roy got up and told his own story. It was clear from Roy’s performance that storytelling runs in the family. His story of growing up near Cleveland and how a family secret was finally revealed to him was perfect. I could see Kris glowing as her dad got further and further into his story. It was a beautiful moment for me seeing a father and daughter connect over stories. I hope more people bring their parents to the show. Even if you never get on stage, there’s something powerful about sitting together in a little room listening to people share stories. If you’re anything like me son and me, you’ll end of telling each other stories on the car ride home.

Even though I let the show run long that night I still had to bump four tellers: Sepee, Colleen, Sara, and Marjorie. As much as I feel blessed to have so many people wanting to tell stories, it still hurts when I have to tell people we’re out of time.

Our next show is October 17. The theme is “Walking Away.” I’ll get the official invite out as soon as I can. In the meantime, I hope a bunch of you can make it to Maryanne’s show this Thursday in the same place at the same time. Her shows are filled with stories, music, poetry, and who knows what else. It’s one of the few shows that’s been running longer than FGS. Here’s the link for more info:

https://www.maryannemoorman.com/upcoming-live-events

See you next month!

Paul
freshgroundstories@gmail.com

Two great opportunities coming up!

11 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by Paul Currington - Fresh Ground Stories in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Hi All,

There are two great opportunities that I want to let everyone know about. The first is a storytelling workshop with Kevin Allison from the Risk! podcast, and the second is a paid gig for anyone who has a story to share about how they interact with technology.

Opportunity the First:

Storytelling Workshop with RISK!’s Kevin Allison Wednesday, September 18 6:00pm – 8:00pm 

In this class, Kevin Allison (founder of The Story Studio and RISK! and member of The State) will teach you the skills to wow a crowd with your story. You’ll learn how to select compelling story topics, use the 5 Beat structure to build suspense, bring vivid dramatic action to life with sensory details, and unpack the larger thematic meanings of your narrative. This class encourages participation: everyone will be given the opportunity to apply storytelling techniques to one of their own stories. A few students will be given the opportunity to share aspects of their story live on stage, and receive criticism so that we all can learn together.

Each participant will leave with a 4-to-6 minute story that builds upon the principles taught during the class.

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/storytelling-workshop-with-risks-kevin-allison-registration-62951820590

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2471697732869827/

Opportunity the Second:

A brand strategy consultancy in NYC just reached out to me and asked if any of our tellers would be interested in participating in a panel discussion/research project. 

I’m pasting their text below so I don’t rewrite their description. It sounds interesting and they will pay you for your time. Yes, you can get paid to tell them about your experience. What better gig is that?

From TRIPTK Consulting:
We’re hosting a series of panel discussions in Seattle on 9/23 and are looking for people to participate who have a story they can tell which can help to illuminate the challenges and opportunities we face as we interact with tech, phones, Google, Facebook and the rest. 

Examples not limited to but might include: 

Challenging:
– Unusual or challenging experience with Google or Amazon or any other company related to your data
– Case of mistaken identity or privacy issues related to online data
– Racism, sexism or being excluded due to digital identity
– Impacted by lack of representation or diversity in a digital space
– Problems faced due to lack of access to technology, or tech knowledge 

Positive:
– An instance where your data has been used in a really positive, impactful way
– Amazing experience of being included online
– Case of “minority” or non-mainstream issue being solved by data or tech
– Tech has enabled you to do something brilliant or unthinkable
– Your data has solved a problem for you

Morning session: 9am-11am PDT
Afternoon Session: 12-2pm PST
Evening session: 4-6pm (or 5-7pm) 

They can also be flexible pending availability.
Contact Marie Reno-Gaffey at  monique.reno-gaffey@triptk.co to sign up for the panel.

______________________________
See you on the 19th for our next show!
https://www.meetup.com/Fresh-Ground-Stories/events/264180502/

Here are two Moth stories to inspire you 🙂
https://youtu.be/ChjVuvyzru4
https://youtu.be/uVFTjaUFGw4

Paul
freshgroundstories@gmail.com

Follow Us on Meetup

  • Meetup

Fresh Ground Stories

Fresh Ground Stories

Rules and General Info

  • What we’re all about
Follow Fresh Ground Stories on WordPress.com

Recent Posts

  • FGS: Starting Over – Stories of moving forward
  • Thank you!
  • See you tomorrow!
  • Good news!
  • December’s show is cancelled due to storyworthy 24 hours

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • October 2013
  • June 2013
  • January 2013
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
stats for wordpress

Recent Comments

FGS: Strangers… on Storytelling Rules and Gu…
FGS: Cravings… on Storytelling Rules and Gu…

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Fresh Ground Stories
    • Join 47 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Fresh Ground Stories
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar