Cirque du Storytelling

So you remember last year, when I was invited to speak at the Story @ Home conference, right? I spoke with my friend Jenny Eckton? Remember? About how to blog about your faith? You gave us a standing ovation and through your tears you hurled candy, flowers and money at us. Remember? Ah, memories.

Well, as a result of your enthusiasm and fan mail (that I’m assuming the USPS lost or maybe Jenny ended up with, because I never saw any of it), I have the distinct privilege of speaking at the Story @ Home Conference again THIS year! I KNOW!

This year I will be joined by my outrageously talented and lovely and delightful wife, Katie. Our presentation is titled Being Present in Your Own Story, and here is our description of the class: Are we so busy documenting our lives that we aren't living them? Or are we so focused on our presentation that we are missing the moments? Learn real-life strategies for enjoying and documenting life in a fun and humorous way!

In preparation for our class, Katie and I have spent hours upon hours practicing our Cirque du Soleil routine and we are going to incorporate it into the presentation to amaze you all! It’s going to be spectacular! (It’s going to be a single pose with Katie standing on my knees. But you simply have to see it to believe it!)

The Story @ Home Conference is really all about storytelling and the joy of telling your own story. Whether it’s blogging, bedtime stories, or entertaining a crowd, you can find classes that provide training, presentations, and workshops to develop and refine your craft.

Something else remarkable is that in only its sophomore year, the Story @ Home conference is combining with the RootsTech Conference, a renowned Family History conference held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. And while I can’t promise everyone will be doing Cirque du Soleil acts like Katie and I, you can get a pass for the entire Story @ Home conference for $79!

Mark your calendars, folks! March 21-23. See you there!

Self Promotion! Everyone Enjoys That!

To avoid being fined for ignoring my civic duties, there are a few things I need to let you know about.

One: Katie and I recently did an interview on The Mormon Channel, speaking on a show called Tech Savvy about Parenting in the Tech Age. We were interviewed by our new friend Elisa, the delightful host of the program, and we were appearing with Richard and Linda Eyre. Yes, those Richard and Linda Eyres, the authors of over a dozen bestselling books, including Teaching Your Children Values which was the first parenting book to make it to the position of #1 New York Times bestseller since Dr. Spock's book.

Are you keeping score here?

Authors of Bestselling Books: Eyres: 12, Craigs: Less Than Zero.

Sought After for Parenting Advice: Eyres: Constantly, Craigs: As of This Afternoon, Not Once.

Raising a Large Family: Eyres: 9 children, Craigs: 7. (Ok, we’re closer on that one.)

BUT…Richard Eyre ran for Governor of Utah in 1992, and lost to Mike Leavitt. Katie ran for Student Council President that same year at Ryle High School…and won! So yeah, I guess we were pretty evenly matched for this interview.

Sincerely, the Eyres are a most wonderful, genuine, and kind couple. It is no wonder they are so accomplished. It was intimidating to be sitting next to such prolific people, but they made us feel like we belonged. Every time Richard made a comment I was so tempted to say, “I’m going to have to disagree with you there, Richard.” Because – HA! – it would be hilarious. Because nobody disagrees with him. Because he’s kind of a maharishi in his field. So it would be funny. You get it? No? See, I was kind of worried nobody else would either, so I didn’t do it.

Anyway, you can listen to the interview right HERE – but be warned, you aren’t going to hear anything from us that you haven’t already thought of yourself. In fact, if you don’t say, “Uhm…no, doi!” at least three times after I speak, you aren’t listening close enough. Here is a two-minute clip of the show, and soon you'll be able to see the entire episode. 

Second: It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday, and you need to get her something! I can’t believe you’ve even waited this long! But your secret is safe with me, and I’m even going to help you out. Order this book, “Tell Me Who I Am,” and you will get a special bookmark and chocolates to go with it. And your mom will love you! I am a contributing author to it, so finally, one day, it will change the score to Bestselling Books: Eyres: 12, Craigs: 1. Order today in order to get it by Mother’s Day! Order by clicking right HERE!

Finally, and most importantly: Shakespeare. He’s dead. But just as I anticipate with my blog, Shakespeare’s writings are still celebrated years after his death!

If you live nearby or just across state lines or you’re related to me and have no choice in the matter, you simply must attend this weekend’s performances of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night! You won’t regret it – because I SAID SO!

This play’s got everything! Sword fighting, flirting, drunken 12 year olds, sad clowns, and a spit-take! What’s a spit take? You know, it’s that thing, where you have water in your mouth and someone makes you laugh or makes you angry so you spit water all over everyone… (And yes, there is a “splash-zone.” That’s just good theater.)

My son, Garren, plays said drunken 12 year old. And more proud, I could not be. He is so delightful to watch, you’ll want to take him home with you. But you’ll regret it. Because he eats two double-doubles whenever you go to In-N-Out; and folks, that adds up! But WAIT – the talent doesn’t stop there. The play is being directed by my triple-threat wife, Katie! She speaks on technology, she directs plays, and she…well, she does everything else under the sun with impeccable talent and good looks. And my daughter, Abbie, is helping direct the play. It’s a family affair! And you’re invited!

THIS Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. matinees for $5/ticket or evening shows at 7 p.m. for $10/ticket. They are performing at Family Music Center, 8125 West Sahara Avenue  Las Vegas, NV 89117. Let me know if you’d like tickets, as Garren is selling them and needs money to support his In-N-Out habit.

That is all the announcements I have for today, friends! Thanks for coming by. I can't tell you how much I love you for it. 

It's Published!

You may have recently heard some news about a book being released in which I am a contributing writer. I would like to dispel all rumors at this time. (Well, not all rumors. Because then the world would be boring. But the rumors about this book? Yes, I would like to dispel those right now.)

It’s TRUE! Our book is complete and ready to launch!

This miraculous publication could not come at a better time! Our world NEEDS THIS BOOK! It will inspire the human soul, delight the intellect, and fight tooth decay! It will heal hearts, mend relationships, and probably finally get Two and a Half Men off the air! This book will save the country and maybe even the world, I tell you!

But only if you buy a copy!

So, here is the deal-io, my friends. Allll of you who have told me in the past that I should write a book because you would tooootally buy it – and you know who you are – (Mom) – that time has arrived!

In all sincerity, it really is a wonderful collection of stories, from some gifted authors/story tellers. These essays are humorous, spiritual, personal, and well told. It would make a fantastic gift for any of the major holidays coming up, including the Academy Awards.

Tell Me Who I Am  will be available soon through more traditional means (Amazon) but we are offering it now for a discount of 30% off the regular price if your order before March 10. That’s right, order this instant classic by March 10^th and get this $15 treasure for only $10.50!

And if you come find me I will autograph the book AND give you a dollar for boosting my self-esteem! So then we both win! You get the book for $9.50 and my self-worth is validated.  

Happy reading! And thank you, everyone, for your love and support. I am really excited to be a part of this amazing project!

The Power of Storytelling

Something you might not know about me is that I keep a blog.

It’s true.

I started it in 2005, back before the Internet was even invented. It all began when a handful of my friends from college decided to entertain each other with storytelling via blogs.

That was what hooked me. I’m a sucker for storytelling.

I don’t think I am unique in my love of stories. I do think I am unique in that I find a full-size Butterfinger bar just too rich for me, but I have no problem eating an entire bag of Hershey’s Nuggets with Toffee & Almonds in one sitting. But story telling? Doesn’t everybody love that?

I find myself drawn to stories. I crave them. Love reading them, writing them, telling them and hearing them. If somebody sits down next to me and says, “Did I ever tell you about the time in college when the whole seventh floor of our dormitory was about to ambush this guy in his room, not knowing the entire BYU football team was on the other side of the door, waiting to crush us?”* I will say, “Start from the beginning and tell me every detail. What were you wearing and did the team sing their fight song as they pummeled your face?” (*True story. I can’t tell you who it happened to, though, because I don’t want to incriminate anyone. But yes, that is how my face got this way.)

Well, the reason I bring up stories and storytelling is that I have been asked to participate in this delightfully hip storytelling-and-personal-and-family-history kind of conference being held in Salt Lake City in March! And I wanted to make you aware of it, since we just established that we are all fans of storytelling and eating Hershey’s Toffee and Almond Nuggets. (I’m actually not sure precisely what the refreshments will be. But I can tell you what tasty treats will be in my satchel, so come and find me if you need a fix.)

This fantastic event is happening March 8-10, 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah. It's called The Power of Story @ Home, and it's sponsored by Cherish Bound, Family Search, and the Casual Bloggers Community.  This is a link to their website.

This event is really ideal if you have a hankering to learn more about

-different mediums for recording personal and family history,

-blogging, or

-searching out your family history.

I hope to see you there! Yes, YOU! You’re so adorable when you pretend you don’t know I’m talking to you. If you have any questions, not about dorm room ambushes, let me know!