Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

October Pop Culture Round Up

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images-1It’s that time of the month, where we talk Pop Culture. Granted, at Yellow Dog Consulting, we always have time to talk about Pop Culture! Here’s a few things I’m enjoying recently!

Reading

I’m currently reading Y The Last Man graphic novels, and just finished volumes 4 & 5 this weekend, which means I’m half way through the series. It’s got some ups and downs, but over all I’m enjoying the series!

I’m still loving Lazarus & am almost caught up on The Walking Dead. I just picked up The Husband’s Secret which I’m hearing great things about. I have some traveling coming up and needed a book on my Kindle! I’ll let you know what I think, as always.

Watching

I am not great at watching movies. I like them, but don’t get around to it like I should. My DVR is usually too full with TV shows to watch a movie. But last weekend I watched The Kings of Summer, and it was AWESOME. I mentioned earlier this year that I really enjoyed The Way Way Back, and this is in that same vain. Nick Offerman (aka Ron Swanson) is fantastic in it, and the main character is a kid from Seattle! I HIGHLY recommend this movie. There is a snake scene, you’ve been warned…

As for TV, my DVR is pretty full this fall with some of my favorites returning, and some GREAT new shows. The Walking Dead (it’s back, HOORAY!!!), Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (not amazing, but really fun!), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (my favorite new comedy), Homeland (oh Carrie…), Masters of Sex (Lizzie Caplan!), Parks & Recreation (London!), Top Chef (Go Seattle gal!), and a slew of others I know I’m forgetting…

Listening

I need to find some new podcasts I’ve decided. I’m pretty caught up on Grantland, The Nerdist, and WTF with Marc Maron. What podcasts do you enjoy?

I am also enjoying the new Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2…

So what are you reading watching & listening to this fall?

Client Management and TV Finales

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imgresIn my pop culture filled world, the fall means season finales, season premiers and series premiers. I love this time of year from a pop culture perspective. My DVR is on overload and my evenings are prioritized by serial killers, super heroes and city council women.

The season finale of Dexter was almost two weeks ago now. I’m still not sold on it. I feel like Dexter got away with being a dead beat dad, and leaving his son in the hands of another serial killer. I’m glad he’s a logger in Oregon and alone, but really bummed he left his kid. My disappointment over the finale is like we can often be with clients. You want what’s best for them, but it’s their company, their show, and their decisions. Sometimes they aren’t going to agree with you, but you have to trust they’re making the best decision for their company (or character or TV show…). It’s not what I wanted, but it works for them.

Returning shows are just like current clients. I could not WAIT for the season premier of Parks & Recreation, my favorite TV show. And it didn’t disappoint! Always on top of it’s game and so FUN. Just like a great client. They show up, ready to do the work, and are on top of their side of the agreement. It makes it easy to work with them and I enjoy the work we do. Isn’t this what we all strive for in business?

Series Premiers? It’s just like that initial client meeting. You may have high hopes (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and it comes together quickly and seamlessly. That’s always great. Or you may be 15 minutes into the meeting and realize there’s no way they can afford you or are really ready to work with you, and really they just want free advice. Hello Michael J. Fox Show (the pilot was bad and I didn’t even make it half way through the second episode. So disappointed!) We’ve all been there, and it’ll happen again but hopefully in time we learn to spot those duds earlier and save our self the time and energy!

So there you have it folks, my feeble excuse to merge a review of TV premiers with client management lessons. What shows are you enjoying this fall? What clients are you excited to be working with or prospects do you REALLY want to work with this fall?

September Pop Culture Roundup!

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imgresIt’s that time of the month again folks, time to share my favorite pop culture finds from the past month…

Reading

I finally finished Someone to Run With and I LOVED it! Such a great story about two teens and a very cool dog, plus it takes place in Jerusalem, which is an awesome city (fun fact: I went in 2001).

I’m now reading Where’d You Go, Bernadette? which is a book I’ve had on my short list for the past year it seems. I got a Kindle for my birthday this summer and I am finally using it, which is AMAZING. Why did I take so long to get a Kindle? It’s awesome! And so is the book. I’m about half way through. Fun fact: the book was written by an Arrested Development writer!

I’m also still reading the Lazarus graphic novels and really enjoying them.

Watching

During the summer I often find myself marathoning a TV series. Sometimes I catch up on a series that’s part of the way through (yes I did that with Gossip Girl), and sometimes it’s an old series (Six Feet Under, United States of Tara). This summer I have been sucked into Scandal. It is the soapiest, most ridiculous show, but I can’t turn away. I’m half way through Season 2 and trying to finish before the new season starts!

We’re thankfully almost ready to return to fall TV shows. I’m excited for the return of Parks & Recreation, my favorite show! I also can’t wait for New Girl, The Walking Dead, Homeland and a new season of SNL.

This summer I’ve been keeping busy with The Bridge (love it), Under the Dome (it’s so bad, but I’m in too deep) The Newsroom (it’s better than last year!) and the final season of Dexter (am I the only one who liked the Colin Hanks season?)!

Listening

I’m listening to the usual podcasts I mention here (The Nerdist, WTF with Marc Maron, Pop Culture Happy Hour, Grantland’s Hollywood Prospectus) and the occasional one off interview I hear about.

I’m going to see The Lumineers this weekend so have been keeping them on rotate lately!

What about you? What are you reading, watching & listening to this month?