Making Farming Fabulous

For most of my professional career, I've written about business. The working life I've carved out for myself is a far cry from the one I imagined when I was a journalism student spending late nights in the school paper office certain that all those long, thankless hours would no doubt get me into the offices of Rolling Stone one day.

Business isn't music, but it can still be a great thing to write about. I think the reason why there are so many magazines and books and, now, television shows about starting and running a business is because that process is so interesting. For the small businesses I'm so familiar with, so much is on the line, it's their houses and relationships and futures that small business owners are fighting for every day. The dramatic possibilities are endless.

It's that drama that my favorite reality show is all about. "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" follows a couple from Manhattan who buy a farm in Upstate New York as a weekend home and then get the idea to turn it into a business and lifestyle brand. In the process, their lives and relationship are turned upside down. The show's second season comes to an end tomorrow night and Planet Green is running a Season 2 marathon that afternoon.

If you haven't seen the show yet, tomorrow's a great day to start.

Josh Kilmer-Purcell, an author and advertising agency executive, and Dr. Brent Ridge, a former Martha Stewart advisor, are The Beekman Boys. They've been together for more than 10 years and have sacrificed pretty much everything to make Beekman 1802—the farm, the line of goats' milk cheese and other products, the store and the website—a go.

The story of the couple's first harrowing year on the farm, in which they both lose their jobs, almost give up the farm, and almost give up each other, is honestly and openly detailed in Josh's memoir "The Bucolic Plague." I enthusiastically read the book in a few sittings during my vacation last year. I'd already gotten to know Brent and Josh a bit after the watching the first season of the TV show, but the book goes into details a half-hour of television just can't.



The first season of the show takes place the year after the book ends, the "Year of Sacrifice" where Brent stays on the farm to start and grow the business, and Josh spends his weeks in the city, earning a living that will support himself and Brent, and pay for their two mortgages and other expenses. At the end of the first season, the business hadn't yet grown to the point to where Josh could move to the farm full time.

The last episode of the season closes out with Josh speaking directly to the camera about knowing when sacrifices are worth making and deciding to push ahead. I know that's a realization so many small business owners have had to make when all doesn't go according to plan—do you give up or forge ahead?

The second season of the show started with the business now enjoying a national profile thanks to the television exposure, the publication of Josh's book and national media coverage. That, sadly, isn't enough to bring Josh to the farm full-time so a second "Year of Sacrifice" is underway. Is two years spent away from the love of your life, burning the candle at both ends to build something you might not be able to enjoy really worth it? Brent and Josh spend the entire season fighting that out.

Every episode of this show offers a peek inside a growing business, a quirky small town and a thriving relationship. It has fun moments and serious moments, offers laughs and occasional tears. Most of all, it tells the truth about how hard it is to start, grow and run a business with the person you love, an adorable cast of goats, one diva llama, and the support of your family, friends and community.

Kiss Me

Ben and Leslie finally kissed on "Parks and Recreation" this week. Following what has often been a very weak and tired tradition, the show played with the "will-they-or-won't-they" theme, putting together two people who are clearly perfect for each other and waiting to see if they realize it or not. Unlike most shows that have attempted this, the writers and actors on "Parks and Recreation" succeeded with this story line, I've actually come to care about these two characters and have been on pins and needles the past few weeks waiting see if they would finally end up together.

There were no false starts and misunderstandings and set ups, and all the old tired ploys writers have been using for years to bring together and pull apart your favorite characters. Instead, these characters were allowed to act like adults, slightly goofy under the influence of budding crushes, but still in control of their lives and actions. They actually had an honest conversation about their feelings for each other and the ramifications a relationship would have for their careers (staff fraternization is frowned upon at Pawnee city hall).

On Thursday night, it seemed like that might be that, that like many stoic characters throughout literary history, Ben and Leslie would sacrifice happiness for duty, and just get in with their lives. Instead, this happened:



That was a damn fine first kiss, passionate, deliberate and realistic. They didn't push each other up against a wall, nothing was swept off the desk. I can't find the exact quote, but I believe it was Entertainment Weekly who wrote about how great the first kiss was between Luke and Lorelei on "Gilmore Girls" because it was all about two adults who knew exactly what they wanted, as you can see below.



That was the Ben/Leslie kiss, so built up and so worth the wait.

I've watched "Parks and Recreation" from the beginning, interested to see what the people behind the American "Office" would do with local politics. The show started off as a pure "Office" clone, the characters and situations in Pawnee having equal counterparts at Dunder-Mifflin. Toward the end of the first season, the show found its own quirky yet optimistic voice and has become one of my favorite TV comedies.

This season's addition of the characters of Ben and Chris, two state government bureaucrats brought in to save the floundering town, has made the show only stronger. The Ben/Leslie relationship has been the icing on the cake. As an adult, it's nice to see grownups have grown-up relationships, not all swoony and silly but not all tortured and angsty either. As "Parks and Recreation" climbs in the ratings and garners more critical praise, maybe other writers will take notice and bring us more honest relationships to get caught up in every week on our favorite shows.

To go along with this fabulous kissing theme, New Found Glory's goofy, fun version of "Kiss Me."

Making a Difference

Today, Gwen Stefani personally made a $1 million donation to Save the Children's Japan Earthquake-Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund. Additionally, Gwen will be hosting a charity auction, a fundraiser and sell limited-edition Harajuku Lovers shirts through NoDoubt.com to raise even more funds for the charity.

"I've been inspired by Japan for many years and have a true love, appreciation and respect for the Japanese people and their culture," Gwen said in a statement posted on NoDoubt.com. "The disaster in Japan is beyond heartbreaking and I want to do anything I can to help. I would never be able to make a gesture like this without the love and support of all the fans over all these years."

Even for someone as successful as Gwen, $1 million is a lot of money. To the kids in Japan dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, the impact that gift—and the publicity surrounding it—will have on their lives is immeasurable.

Like I said on Facebook, this is yet another reason to adore Gwen Stefani.

I don't have $1 million to spare, but if I did I would donate to a cause close to my heart, just like Gwen did. For me, that cause is the African Well Fund, an organization dedicated to the mission of funding clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa that I've been supporting for nearly nine years and serving on the board of for nearly five years.

Yesterday, AWF launched the Build a Well for Bono's Birthday fundraiser, aiming to fund clean water and sanitation projects at girls' schools in Benin. AWF was founded in 2002 by a group of fans inspired by Bono's work in Africa so each year we raise money in honor of his birthday to thank him for setting such a good example for all of us.

Now Gwen Stefani, a bit of a Bono protégé, is doing the same thing.

What I've learned from the example set by globally minded celebrities like Gwen and Bono and Madonna and John Lennon is that it isn't important how much you do, how much you give, but that you do and that you give. Gwen has the ability to give $1 million to her favorite cause. Bono has the ability to meet with global leaders to plead the case for aid and fair trade. Madonna has the ability to start a girls' school for Malawi orphans. John Lennon had the ability to stage concerts and events that raised awareness.

I don't have any of those gifts, but I can donate my time to helping promote AWF's good work and donate the money I raise by saving pennies in the jar I keep on my desk. While my contributions are small, I know they make a difference.

Whatever your cause, whatever your action, know that every time you post about an important issue, write a letter to your representative, buy a charity-linked product, make a donation, take part in a march, stuff envelopes, you, too, are making a difference in the world.

I'm Everywhere but Never Right Here

I've wanted to go to a show at The Hotel Café for several years, ever since I first caught Tweets from John Mayer a few hours late announcing that he would be playing a last-minute show at the club while he was working on "Continuum." I finally got my chance to attend a show at The Hotel Café this past Friday with Bryan Greenberg + as-yet-unnamed band's tour-closing show.

The club is really tiny, which is a total bonus considering the acts that play there. Sadly, it was also a major downside Friday thanks to the miserable crowd. As a native Southern Californian, I take exception when people talk about how lame and horrible LA crowds are, but in this case I have to agree. People talked and texted and Tweeted and Facebooked throughout the entire 90-minute set, and at least three glasses were broken, all of which sucked for me as an audience member, so I can only imagine how distracted and disappointing it was for the band.

As for the band, amazing! Sadly, I haven't been able to track down the names of the drummer, guitarist/bassist/harmonica player and guitarist/pianist/keyboard player that joined Greenberg on this tour, but they were flawless and energetic. Greenberg asked for band name suggestions on stage (something he's done on other stops this tour), so I'm hopeful that's a sign this foursome becomes a permanent thing because the guys worked so well together.

This was my third time seeing Greenberg, an actor/musician maybe still best known for "Prime" and "One Tree Hill," though "How to Make It in America" did catch quite a bit of buzz last year. My first show, back in 2008 at the Canal Room in New York City, was the most fun, with the majority-female audience there to have a good time and enjoy the musical stylings of Greenberg and his fellow guitar-toting singer-songwriters Graham Colton and Michael Tolcher. My second show at Largo at The Coronet in LA in 2009 was the best room, everyone in the tiny theater in rapt silence during the three acoustic sets (Curtis Peeples solo followed by Bryan Greenberg trio and Graham Colton solo). Friday's show was the best performance.

The show was billed as an album release party for "We Don't Have Forever," Greenberg's new indie release, but the set featured a nice balance of songs from that album and his debut, "Waiting for Now." I was excited to hear the songs I knew, especially the dreamy "Someday," which has become Greenberg's signature song after being featured in "October Road" and in various other places, and the completely wicked "Sorta Have a Girlfriend," a song I'd probably enjoy a great deal less if I was his girlfriend.

The new songs flowed well with the old songs. Greenberg definitely has a style, low-key, stripped-down, sincere, so every new song I heard just sounded like him. I bought "We Don't Have Forever" at the show and am liking what I'm hearing.

For now, Greenberg has put his guitar down. Filming on the second season of "How to Make It in America" begins next month, so it will probably be a while before he's playing live again. I do plan on catching his next tour, hopefully in a much-better room to a much-more deserving crowd than what we both got Friday.

Here's a video of Bryan Greenberg and band performing "Someday" Friday night. The video gives you a taste of how great he and his band are, and how crappy the audience was.

Lonely and Dreaming of the West Coast

A year ago I wrote about the complete awesomeness of Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes' "Empire State of Mind" and wondered why a state as great as California hasn't inspired the same intense musical love that New York has.

I still stand by that earlier assessment, but the NPR show "The California Report" is doing its best to dissuade me. In collaboration with listeners, producers of the show have compiled a list of more than 80 songs about the Golden State that is now streaming online. The list seems somewhat heavily weighed toward Northern California (which makes a bit of sense seeing as "The California Report" is produced in San Francisco) and is by no means complete (no Bad Religion? only one Red Hot Chili Peppers' song?), but it's a decent list that spans about 100 years of popular music.

In honor of my beloved state, another song that was sadly left off the list, but always ranks highly with me, Everclear's "Santa Monica."

Pointy Hat Made of Felt

Wow, it's been a really long time since I last posted here. I still intend to run down all the concerts I went to in 2010 because I went to quite a few and they were all awesome. In the meantime here's something I posted nearly six years ago on my old blog.

I found it in an issue of Esquire in 2005, laughed myself nearly sick the first time I read it and had to share it. All this time later, it still makes me laugh.

This is dedicated to all the working stiffs out there. I hope life is treating you well and that you're able to take full advantage of the holiday weekend.

Quiz: Time to Quit Your Job?
Sun and surf beckon. Is it time to bag the office life? Take this useful test and find out.

By Brian Frazer

1. When the alarm clock goes off in the morning you’re …
A. psyched to hop in the shower and start your day (1)
B. cursing. (2)
C. crying. (3)
D. wishing you were handicapped so you’d never have to leave your bed. (4)

2. Which person is most like your boss?
A. Gandhi (1)
B. Ben Affleck (2)
C. Hitler (3)
D. Paula Abdul (4)

3. How long is your commute?
A. Less than a half-hour (1)
B. More than a half-hour (2)
C. Long enough to contemplate driving into oncoming traffic three times (4)

4. What is your mandatory work outfit?
A. None, thank you very much! (1)
B. Suit and tie (2)
C. Suit and bow tie (3)
D. Pointy hat made of felt (4)

5. What do your coworkers do for your birthday?
A. Lobster lunch with champagne and cake (1)
B. Ignore you (2)
C. Punch you in the arm while counting off your years (3)
D. Light you on fire (4)

6. What percentage of your day is spent doing something a nine-year-old retarded girl could do?
A. None (1)
B. 3 percent (2)
C. 50 percent (3)
D. Uh, how severely retarded? (4)

7. What is the number-one benefit you get at work?
A. Learning stuff and whatnot (1)
B. Health insurance (2)
C. Krispy Kremes (3)
D. Black Lung (4)

8. What do you see while you’re working?
A. An amazing view of the city. Crikey, is it beautiful! (1)
B. Lots and lots of graffiti (2)
C. The back of someone’s dandruffy mullet (3)
D. Nothing since the bleach accident (4)

Answer Key: Add up the points assigned to each answer you chose.
1 to 9 points: Stay where you are.
10 to 19 points: Start working on that résumé.
20 to 26: Get fired: collect unemployment.
27 to 33: Apply for a migrant-worker gig.

Is It Getting Better ...

"One" may very well be U2's most-famous song, and maybe it's because of that that the song stirs up quite a lot of debate in the U2 fan community. Since its live debut in the early 1990s, the song has been a concert mainstay and the moment when concertgoers grab their lighters or cell phones to light up the night sky if they love the song, or just wait for the whole thing to be over if they don't.

I do love this song, quite a bit, actually, but I can see how easy it would be for some people to be over it. It is one of the few U2 songs that gets any real radio play anymore, which is so absurd considering this comes from a band with well over 500 songs to its credit, the worst of which run circles around most of today's biggest pop hits.

For nearly 20 years, "One" has managed to hold on, becoming a pop culture hallmark (as evidenced by that Bank of America version a few years back or "Glee's" cover last season) because it's a fantastic, moving, honest song that speaks to people in bad times and in good. That's why I love it.

I think Bono has given a different interpretation for the song each time he's interviewed about it. It's definitely about a relationship, but the exact relationship changes, it's either romantic, platonic or familial. I've tended to connect with the song on the family level, thinking of it after run ins with particular family members I have very strained relationships with. The song fits those relationships so perfectly that I've been tempted to send it off those family members, hoping they'd understand what I hear when Bono sings, "Did I ask too much? More than a lot? You gave me nothing, now it's all I got" or, "I can't be holding on to what you've got when all you've got is hurt." I couldn't have said it better myself.

That's my take on it, based completely on my life, my relationships and my experiences. Like all great art, "One's" meaning changes depending on the audience. A song that garners so many different reactions and interpretations can't have just one video, so U2 made three. I think Anton Corbijn's original version shot in Berlin is my favorite, but Phil Joanou's New York City version is also very special, so I share it with you now. Watch, listen, enjoy and find your own connection to "One."