It's That Time of Year Again

In case you've been living under a rock, 2013 was a big year. I accepted a new job, sold my house, and relocated my family to the Pacific Northwest. After almost a year, we are finally getting pretty well settled in (as you can see from the picture above). All that disruption however has taken its toll on SG Enterprises. Blog updates have slowed. Speed Bump Chronicles, the next book, has been essentially halted. And due to an amateur accounting mistake on my part, my IRS penalty to income ratio was about 2:1. And now, here we are in 2014. What is a miniature business owner and aspiring author to do?

Celebrate another birthday! 

For the second year in a row, I'm kicking the celebration up a notch and getting you all a little something: a reduced price on the Kindle edition of Not Quite There. Between February 15 and February 17, Not Quite There will feature promotional pricing, with as much as 80% off the digital list price. 

If you prefer the touch, taste, and smell of paper, order a paperback and receive a digital edition for free.

And of course, Amazon Prime members can check out Not Quite There via the Lending Library for free.

Happy Birthday (to me).

Scaling It Back: The Last Days In Renton

Scaling It Back: Issue 2
It’s been six weeks since we scaled it back and temporarily moved to Renton. Even the stuffed animals have contracted cabin fever. Somehow, amazingly, we have not been asked to leave the apartment (yet). No cops have been called and no one has angrily pounded on any of our walls, ceiling, or floor.

Final Thoughts From Renton
Kaitlyn and Alyssa share some thoughts about moving into the new house.

 

Mr. Sean Goes To Washington

Gosh, kind of a lot's happened! Since my last email digest, I've sold, bought, and shipped a house! I've driven over 2500 miles and spent the equivalent of four days in a car with a toddler and a dog. Now I live (temporarily) in Renton, Washington, anxiously awaiting the completion and close of escrow on the new TRS headquarters. I've tried to keep the web site and the Facebook page up to date, but in case you've missed anything, here's a recap of how we got here and a run down on activity in the last 30 days or so.

Friday night at the community BBQ with a view of Lake Washington

First, you can refresh yourself on the what, why, and where of this relocation by reading my official announcement here. It's in three parts because this change is one that actually began way back in 1994, so you get the back story at no extra charge. 

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page has been updated to reflect new information as it becomes available. If you read it before, you might want to check it out again.

There is also now a Speed Bump Edition of the Frequently Asked Questions. Both FAQ's are linked to each other for your convenience. Updates will continue until the information stops changing. 


After my first week at the new job, I traveled to Puerto Rico for an industry conference. I captured my thoughts on that in "The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico."

An update on the first couple weeks living in Renton - Scaling It Back: Issue 1

If you aren't aware, I have begun posting a weekly "Where Are The Road Scholars" photo challenge on the Facebook page. New photos go up every Sunday.
 
Lastly, there is the TRS Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and the TRS Google+ Page. In addition to frequent updates and pictures, I will syndicate updates to the FAQ on those channels.

It's All Happening

If you weren't aware, I have been looking for a new job for a little over a year, ever since I finished my Master's degree. The search has been exhaustive. I've applied to job postings both internal and external to my current company. A couple of times I thought I was getting close to a change, but it wasn't until last week that something finally came through. And not just something, it's what I feel is the right something. In just under six weeks, I will be relocating my family to the Pacific Northwest.

2013 seems to be the year of change. Including myself, I know ten people who have taken new jobs this year. These aren't just friends of friends, these are people I personally know and keep in touch with. In less than three months, that's pretty amazing. Things are happening, and for me, they will be happening very quickly. I probably won't have time to update this mailing list as often as things happen, so I've prepared a few additional resources to keep you informed.

First, you can read my official announcement about the new opportunity here. It's in three parts because this change is one that actually began way back in 1994, so you get the back story at no extra charge. 

Second, I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on the web site. I will update this as information changes or becomes available to me.

Lastly, there is the TRS Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and the TRS Google+ Page. In addition to frequent updates and pictures, I will syndicate updates to the FAQ on those two channels.

Happy Birthday To Me

As many of you know, I enjoy birthdays; I have been known to celebrate mine all month. This year, I'm kicking the celebration up a notch and getting you all a little something: a free Kindle edition of Not Quite There. Simply "purchase" Not Quite There on February 15th and take advantage of a one day promotional price for the book: $0. 

Happy Birthday (to me).

Use It.

Have You Read The Book?

If you've already enjoyed Not Quite There cover to cover (or on to off if you bought the digital version), please consider leaving a review. Even if you didn't enjoy it, this is one time when the only bad press is no press. Links to the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble are provided below, for your editorial convenience.

News Release: Alyssa Achieves Lavatorial Milestone

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sean Genovese, President

At approximately 7:00 p.m. this evening, Alyssa Anne Genovese successfully deposited feces in a white porcelain toilet. The achievement comes after weeks of failed attempts and several hundred dollars in corporate expenditures for disposable "Pull-Up" diapers. Alyssa's parents are very proud, but her sister, Kaitlyn, is beside herself with excitement as the achievement comes with a reward: the movie Barbie: A Fairy Secret.

The event unfolded this evening after both Kaitlyn and Alyssa were sent upstairs to prepare for showers. Alyssa informed the household she had to go potty and was immediately instructed by Daddy to proceed. Daddy, himself having to pee, adjourned to a separate bathroom. Minutes later, Alyssa was running about the second floor of the corporate headquarters asking for toilet paper. As Daddy responded to the request, Alyssa informed him, "and I pooped." Visual evaluation confirmed that indeed a "brownish turd" of approximately one inch by one and a half inches was present in the receptacle.

Once visual confirmation was made, Daddy made an audible announcement to which Kaitlyn immediately responded. A celebration ensued which included the "Poo-Poo Dance" performed Gangnam Style. Following the dance, jammies were installed on all minors and a celebration was held in the company's media room, where attendees enjoyed a screening of the newly acquired Barbie movie with popcorn and hot chocolate. 

This development is expected to improve year-end corporate margins as the need for "Pull-Ups" declines. Recent costs associated with bringing new products to market has contributed to lower earnings on sales of the company's most recent product offering, Not Quite There.

---

Sean Genovese Enterprises Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Helotes, Texas. The company's product offerings include multiple blogs published via http://www.theroadscholars.com and print and digital media published through its imprint, No One Of Consequence. The most recent publication is Not Quite There, a book about journeys and finding your way. The book can be purchased in digital and Paperback formats from http://nqt.theroadscholars.com and through Amazon and Barnes & Noble web sites.

You Heard It Here First!

You Heard It Here First!

I have some great news! Your peer pressure, bullying, and begging has worked. I have officially begun writing Speed Bump Chronicles. The timetable is early 2014, but my publisher is kind of a hard-ass, so it's possible it could be available in time to stuff in next year's stockings. This year please consider giving the gift of laughter, adventure, and step by step instructions on how to get the New Jersey State Police to write you a speeding ticket. 

What's in your stocking?

Have You Read The Book?

If you've already enjoyed Not Quite There cover to cover (or on to off if you bought the digital version), please consider leaving a review. Even if you didn't enjoy it, this is one time when the only bad press is no press. Links to the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble are provided below, for your editorial convenience.

What's In Your Stocking?

Not Quite There does in fact fit in a stocking.

Order Today!

Now Available -- Paperback, Kindle, & Nook

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"Not Quite There" Promotional Video

I know you've all been trying to figure out the best way to share Not Quite There with your friends and family, especially with the holidays approaching. Now linked on the Not Quite There web site is the following sixty second promotional video for your viewing and sharing enjoyment. Please, tell a friend!

Not Quite There Promotional Video Link

Have You Read The Book?

If you've already enjoyed Not Quite There cover to cover (or on to off if you bought the digital version), please consider leaving a review. Even if you didn't enjoy it, this is one time when the only bad press is no press. Links to the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble are provided below, for your editorial convenience.

Now Available -- Paperback, Kindle, & Nook

"Not Quite There" Promotional Video

I know you've all been trying to figure out the best way to share Not Quite There with your friends and family, especially with the holidays approaching. Now linked on the Not Quite There web site is the following sixty second promotional video for your viewing and sharing enjoyment. Please, tell a friend!

Have You Read The Book?

If you've already enjoyed Not Quite There cover to cover (or on to off if you bought the digital version), please consider leaving a review. Even if you didn't enjoy it, this is one time when the only bad press is no press. Links to the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble are provided below, for your editorial convenience.

Story Number 101

A couple of years ago at work, the company solicited new project ideas through an online suggestion forum. Over 100 ideas were submitted. Upon reviewing the first 100, senior management determined the effort was wasted as none of the ideas reviewed were viable. The forum was abandoned. Here’s the problem: what if idea 101 was the next “big thing” for the company?

Having finished writing Not Quite There, I now face a similar challenge. Out of all the experiences I crammed into the book, what if I missed the one that people will really want to read? 

Read the rest...

Twenty Fifty One Hundred

Miss K was supposed to clean the play room tonight. She did not. I told her mommy would be mad. When she got out of bed a few minutes ago to tell me she isn't tired, I told her to go clean the play room. "In the middle of the night?” she exclaimed. “I've never done THAT before." 

It turns out it was going to take a lot longer than I thought.

Read The Rest

Play Not Quite There Trivia, Win A Book

Unless you've been living under a rock, you should know by now that I've written a book. Not Quite There  will be released in both paperback and eBook on November 1, 2012. Links will be available on the Not Quite There web site at http://notquitethere.theroadscholars.com.

Beginning October 1, the Not Quite There Facebook Trivia Challenge begins. The winner will receive a free autographed copy of Not Quite There. To participate, "like" The Road Scholars Fan Page. Participation in the challenge is subject to the rules.

The Tournament of Courageous Americans

At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, Josh Hoekstra had his sophomore American History students at Rosemount High School define "courage". "The students came up with their own personal definition of courage and wrote that definition on the inside of their notebook (where they would see it each and every day)," writes Hoekstra on his web site. When the NCAA basketball tournament started this past Spring, Hoekstra brought a tried and true technology into his classroom: good old-fashioned competition.


Read The Rest

Kaitlyn Offers Hula Hooping Advice

We recently watched a video on Facebook of a friend's five year old son, Jake, trying to hula hoop. Kaitlyn immediately offered some advice to help his technique.


View The Videos

An Update On My Book

Hello Road Scholars fans!


In addition to some new content on the web site I want to make you aware of, I thought I would also share a quick comment or two about my book. I have completed proof-reading Part 2 and have now begun proofing Part 3. It's been many years since I've reviewed most of this stuff and I have to say, it's really really good. I think you are going to enjoy it and I am working as fast as I can to get everything reviewed, formatted, and available in both electronic and hard copy formats by July of this year.


As you are hopefully aware, I published Part 1 of Not Quite There back in February. It is available in both eBook (Barnes and Noble Nook) and Kindle (Amazon) format. More information about  and how to buy it is available here: http://notquitethere.theroadscholars.com.


If you missed them, here are the latest updates on The Road Scholars web site.


The girls fly a kite (PICTURES)
Backyard Playset Refurbished and Ready for Action! (PICTURES)
The Aftermath of Easter (PICTURE)
My Defiant Daughter (PICTURE)

How To Buy My Book

Since publishing Not Quite There as an eBook, I've gotten a lot of questions about how to buy it and, more importantly, how to access it for reading. You can always find out where to buy the book by visiting http://notquitethere.theroadscholars.com (it's currently available through both Barnes and Noble and Amazon). 


For a little more information about electronic publishing and how to read Not Quite There without an e-reader, click here.

Dear Fans

I actually wrote a book eight years ago based on my Road Scholars updates from 1999 through 2003. For a bunch of reasons--many of them silly--I never did anything with it. All these years though, in the back of my head, I heard your voices. Since the very first updates you have told me I "missed my calling."  You told me to "write a book." You have asked me "is it ready yet?" Yes it is. Here's how it happened.


Read The Rest

Another Brick On The Shelf

I am on a quest for a new cell phone and I have a question for Verizon Wireless: why bother operating a brick and mortar storefront if you aren't going to carry live demos of your products?

Read my rant...