The UN is in Session

And they couldn't have put this building in the middle of a cornfield someplace, no they had to stick it smack dab in the middle of NYC. Brilliant.

Seriously?... Again. Why? Random thoughts rolling around my noggin today but I just want to know who the rocket scientist is that decided to plop the United Nations headquarters smack dab in the middle of New York City.  Really because this was in my humble Greek Blonde opinion a very dumb idea.  WARNING: (my filter has been temporarily removed).

Really think about it. Logistically, almost every person who has to attend a United Nations meeting or session has to come to America on a what?... An airplane - you guessed it.  Airplanes land at where?... Airports, right again.  Where are the airports in the Tri-State NYC area? That's correct again, "Outside" of the city. Since NYC is on an "island", in order to get to the United Nations all of these attendees must travel from the airports over bridges, tunnels, and through my least favorite word of all time: traffic.

Anyone who lives in or around NYC or who has spent any time in NYC knows one thing, that traffic is not a pleasant. If you spend enough time here you will become accustomed to doing almost anything to avoid it - and at all costs. So why in the heck would anyone with even a smidge of a brain cell in their head decide to plop the UN in the middle of Manhattan? It just boggles my mind.

It is even funnier that when the UN is in session NYC is nearly impossible to navigate if you have to do anything or be near where the UN is located.  Try navigating in a car around one way streets when now a whole block is blocked off, or just closed. Back to the drawing board to start over, hmmm up five blocks, over two just to go back down six so you can get to your destination. Makes my noggin hurt.

Seems like it would have been much more logical to put the United Nations in a more remote location, yet accessible to the city.  I donno say someplace like on Long Island... closer to JFK airport.  No that probably would have been too easy.

What I find ironic is that so many New Yorker's are inconvenienced when the UN comes to town.  Yet many times many of the world leaders are standing up there at the UN telling us how bad we are.  I donno about you, but to me that is just silly. I can name about a dozen countries off of the top of my head that if I as a regular citizen go there and stand in the street and start talking about how bad that country is that I would get tossed in jail, off with my head or even worse things I do not want to think about, you get my drift.  Yet we have become so politically correct that it is perfectly OK to have this "neutral" zone smack dab in the middle of our biggest city so we can basically pay boat loads of cash towards operating so that world leaders can come here and bash us.  To me, this is muckery.

Now add in to the mix that the president is in town...  "ooooveeeey".   Thank goodness it will be over soon until the next time.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com

Nasa's Falling Satellite

Look out below! NASA let this one Go!

We're baa-aack!  That's right "Ava the Diva" and Mr. Bricks are back this week with a new epsiode and once again Mr. Bricks is out of the salt mines causing muckery.

Enjoy the cartoon & have a beautiful day!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

Biggest Loser, Life Without Jillian

Do you see what I see?.... Something is definitely wrong with this picture, NBC someone's got some splainin to do.

Speaking the title of this blog actually hurts me in my heart, yes I am serious.  Anyone who knows anything about the Greek blonde girl knows that The Biggest Loser is my favorite show and this one other thing, that I love my Jillian Michaels.  In fact I admire her so much that I even named one of my cars after her... Jillian Jetta. ;D (yes I name my cars, doesn't everyone?)

Back to the Biggest Looser.  So it stands to reason that I would not be a happy camper to settle in and watch the first episode without one of it's best assets.  Why do I like Jillian so much you may be thinking? Well the answer is simple really, she is real. If you know or have known or encountered any Greek people at all in your life, you know one thing: we are very direct.  We say what is on our minds, if you want to hear it or not, and that is the beautiful thing about Jillian. She tells people what they "need" to hear, not what they want to hear. The things that are in most cases glaring them right in the face, but they have spent years burying or avoiding.  These things usually end up being hidden in poor and unhealthy eating and or exercise habits and then people end up on the Biggest Looser for help.  That is what is so amazing about Jillian, she has a way of cutting through all the crap and getting to the issue and dealing with it. Life is hard and every choice we make effects the quality of our life. Loosing weight is really simple in principle and it is not building a rocket.  Calories in vs. calories out and exercise. It is the "doing" part and the "sticking to it" part that most people struggle with.  Jillian has a way of staring down the truth and presenting the choice to people and challenging them to do it.  It is honest, blunt and yet caring at the same time.

Some of my favorite Jillian quotes:

"I know you're tired, wah wah wah - You want to be skinny, shut up and do your mountain climbers."       

"Remember I can always see you, kind of like a horror movie and if you don't do it I'm going to come through that TV."


"If it is not burning, then something is definitely not right, it should be so hard you should be cursing at me in your living room right now." 


"You have no idea what you can accomplish until you try, you might just surprise yourself at how strong you are." 

Can the Biggest Looser survive without Jillian?... Of course it can because at the heart of the show it is about the contestants. What we love to see is people figure out how they got to that point, then make the transformation to change and then see them do it. The trainers are a really big part of the show and no not all trainers are going to be as enjoyable to watch as Jillian, no one can argue with that. However at the end of the day in the early days of Biggest Looser Jillian and Bob were not the big dogs and the people still lost weight and changed their lives.  

Do I think they could have made a better choice? Well... that remains to be seen. I would never want to discount anyone just because I do not know too much about them yet. Just the same way I wouldn't want anyone to discount my music just because they have not heard it yet? ;D 

Now if they decide to get rid of or if Bob decides to leave, then that my friends is a whole other story, and I may just have to change the channel.  Happy loosing.

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com 

I See Stupid People

I should hang this outside wherever I go...

Do you ever wonder, "what the heck were they thinking?" or, "I can't believe I just saw what I think I just saw?, did I really just see that..."  Well when you live in and around NYC like this Greek Girl does, sometimes you just lose your filter.  Yep it just flies right out the window.  I find it is nearly impossible sometimes to stop myself from blurting out these kind of questions.  Or having the "inside voice" go rogue on me and say aloud things it probably shouldn't.

Now, I know what you must be thinking to yourself, "I see stupid people everyday.  What is the Greek Blonde girl talking about? It can't be that bad? Can it?"

Yes, oh yes indeed.  It is that bad.

Okay let me explain.  What got me going on this was the other day, I am sitting in the quiet comfort of my VW Jillian Jetta, (the white one if you are keeping track as there are two of them.  The blue one is Johnny Jetta, he is a boy, that day I was in Jillian, she is a girl Jetta and she is a TDI).  By the way anyone else think it is funny that the Greek Girls two car colors together make up the colors of the Greek flag?... ;D  So anyway, there I was readying myself before I had to go into an event at Central Park Zoo.  Well, all seems to be going just fine when I look up and there is a woman, I kid you not, walking down the street talking on the phone.  Now okay, I know this is normal unto itself but she had to go and have some old fashioned rotary shiny gold phone jacked into her iPhone.  It was one of the dumbest and stupidest things I have ever seen.

Quite possibly the most stupid accessory I have ever seen.

I couldn't believe this crap even existed.  So I googled it. Yep you guessed it, they exist and you too can buy one for the low-low price of just $45.  Yep, you can look just like that fool I saw walking down the street on your very own shiny gold rotary handset.  The greatest part is that she thought she looked like the coolest and most 'trendy' person on 5th Avenue.  Now this is besides the fact that I loathe shiny gold, and think it is one of the tackiest things in the world.  Of course the only place I find gold to be acceptable is on the inside of a treasure chest, or gold bullion in my safety deposit box.  There was just simply no excuse for this tacky gold piece of plastic muckery.  The best part was the look she gave me when she walked by & noticed I had burst out laughing inside my car sitting there...

So one of my other all-time favorite stupid people stories is when I went in to a McDonalds no, it wasn't for Mr. Bricks this trip, jut for me. (before they had the McCafe coffee bar mind you) and asked the genius behind the counter if they had iced-coffee, (yeah imagine that, me asking for an iced-coffee).  So anyway, there I was expecting to get a nice iced cup of magic in my hot little hands, and I got nothing.... they looked at me like I asked them to explain the theory of relativity (all well knowing they'd probably explain how their mom and dad were related or one or both parents were in jail.) So anyway, they told me, "nope we don't got iced-coffee." So I asked them, "Do you have coffee?" "Yep", they replied.  "Do you have ice?" "Yep", they replied again.  "Then you have iced-coffee don't you?" "Ah but we can't sell it like that" they tell me.

All I am saying people is if you are gonna do stupid, act stupid or just plain be stupid you should probably wear a sign that reads, "Warning Warning - I may just surprise you with my idiocy".  You just gotta love stupidity.  Sometimes you just have to smile, breathe, laugh, and realize, yes they do walk among us.

Blessings, Love & Music,
Ava xox
www.avaaston.com

Warrior

Can anyone say perfect movie?....

So, there is a new movie that just came out and if you know anything at all about the Greek Blonde Girl, then you know I was first in line dying to see this movie!  Anyone who has been reading my blog knows that I number one - love movies.  When you add in that it is a movie about boxing/fighting and overcoming obstacles... Well then you would know that this = a "Trifecta" in the greek girls noggin.

I just loved this movie so much, that I have decided to put on my movie reviewer cap and go to work telling everyone why they simply Must Go See This Movie!  First quoting the movie's website description... it is a "moving inspirational action drama from acclaimed director Gavin O'Connor (Miracle)". This description does not disappoint. It stars Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, and Joel Edgerton and the acting by all three, insane.  Talk about a transformation, Tom Hardy underwent an incredible transformation to turn into this massive MMA fighting machine.  I didn't really remember him from any other movies I had seen, that is because his physique is almost unrecognizable.  After I "IMDB'd" him (what... isn't that what we all do) to see what other movies he'd been in, and he's been in more than a few, I was aghast at how much of a transformation he underwent to do this character.  He is so utterly fierce at the fighting moments, yet shows such vulnerability relating to the family situation, such a contrast.

Nick Nolte, again, nothing but thumbs way up here.  There are moments in this film that just literally tear out your heart.  He did such a wonderful job portraying a man who has made terrible choices and mistakes and wants so desperately to make some sort of a mends for the damage done to his sons.  I mean the topic of the film, an abusive alcoholic father who messed up his family so much that his sons want nothing to do with him, that may have you thinking "and why do I want to go see this movie?"...  The reason is because, the fact is people are imperfect.  Everyone in every walk of life has made mistakes in some form or fashion.  What I love about his character is by watching him go through this process I think it gives one more of an understanding towards others. Possibly a little leeway to give people the opportunity to show that they can truly change, and also what can happen if we don't.

As for Joel Edgerton who plays Brendan the older brother, all I can say is can anyone say "Focus"? Again the physical training and intensity were highly impressive.  However since this isn't just your typical boxing film, it is Mixed Martial Arts, I think it is a lot more challenging.  It requires your entire body to be involved as well as difficult wrestling moves and holds that are just well... extreme.  There were moments where he was clinging for everything in his life that mattered, having to hold a Gimungo Russian Fighting Machine in a position until that horn went off...  The focus to so convincingly portray that action, that my friends is what I like to call "CGA" or "Crazy Good Acting". Besides, he was playing a character that was a total underdog. The old guy, the "has been" who had no chance to make it past round one, let alone to the last round.  That makes it even more special.

The whole story is really moving, and it is a story about an underdog.  Not one, but two underdogs mind you.  Throw in that one of them is a war hero... HELLO?!?...  Can anyone say perfect flick?  Again something that just makes it even better in my noggin. For me there is nothing more inspiring than to see someone go after their dream or goal, work hard at it, then against all odds, overcome the challenge and achieve their dream. No nothing in life is free, no one is perfect, but sometimes if you stick with it long enough and do not let that little fire on the inside go out, you will prevail and end up on top.

Warrior = Thumbs Up!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

9/11 Memorial Ceremony... Gone but Not Forgotten

"...suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character and character produces hope." - Rom. 5:3-4

It is hard to believe it has been ten years since that awful day.  Faithful readers of my blog know that I'm Greek and it is not often that I find myself speechless on any given topic. Really, I can ramble on over a 1,000 words about a new pair of sneakers or about the newest brand of healthy protein bar I just found.  However as many others I'm sure, I find that when it comes to this horrible day in our history, I am left with nothing but an emptiness.  A deep sadness that can not, nor do I ever think will be filled.

Not only as a New Yorker, but as an American I morn for the innocent lost that tragic day.  It is very hard to loose the ones we love.  The heart never forgets.  So my wish is simple, to dedicate my song that deals with grief and loss to anyone who lost a loved one that day.  Also to anyone who just feels that void and sadness for so many souls taken so soon.  I hope it brings peace and serenity to hurting hearts.

Blessings, Love & Music,

Ava :D
www.avaaston.com

It's My Birthday I Can Come Out if I Want To

Happy Birthday to Me ;D

Well friends, today is my birthday and I decided what better time to come out of the closet and get my big secret off my chest. No it's not that, get your mind out of the gutter... This is the Greek Girl we're talking about. You know, I'm your friendly, squeaky clean, girl next door, remember?  No there are no dead bodies hiding in the trunk of Johnny Jetta.  It's my birthday, and as much as it stings me to say this, today I am turning 40. OUCH, yes that did sting.

WARNING: This may be my longest blog ever, just sayin. So grab a hot beverage, make your self comfortable and continue to read on. This is important stuff coming out my noggin today.

Now, I know a lot of people are going to be surprised about this revelation, because I never ever talk about my age.  I even had to bribe Mr. Bricks with McRibs and Double Quarter Pounders with Cheese not to reveal my deep dark secret. He's such a push over for any food with grease in it. So, why did I never talk about my age until now? Well because in my noggin age is irrelevant to talent. It's not that I have a problem with it. The reason is because I am working and have been working very hard my entire life to make my dreams come true. However, the truth is, the entertainment industry in general has a problem with it.  No one comes out and talks about it, but the truth is there is an age bias within the entertainment and music industries. There I said it. So a long time ago, I decided I would not tell people my age, I just let them think whatever they wanted to think.

I'm also an actor as well as a singer, and actors play a variety of characters.  You can play older or younger, and the best actors have done it their entire career.  You can be young and play old, or old and play young, that is the beauty of acting. Here's a quick Greek Girl lesson in English:  Acting = pretend. 'nuff said. If you are already an "established" artist it is perfectly fine to be anything other than a 'tween sensation. However try and call up a record label and say, Hi, I'm 40. Do you wanna sign me?  (insert cricket sounds here...)

So what, I'm a woman (hear me roar).  I'm not a little girl dressing up vampy to look like a woman.  Why do you think American Idol/So You Think You Can Dance, etc. all have age limits? Almost every time you meet someone in the industry who can open up a door for you, whether it be an A&R rep, producer, casting director, agent, or whoever they all have an issue with age, they just don't openly admit it. Even if they are sitting straight across from you, looking right into your eyeballs... and had just listened to your music or watched your work (and said they liked it) until they asked the million dollar question, "so how old are you?"  Silly,  I know. But sadly it is true, and although it is just a number - once they have heard it, it is a game changer. It changes the entire conversation.

Everyone who reads my blog knows that I eat very healthy, workout like a crazy person, and take a lot of vitamins. I guess you can say, I am the anti-Mr. Bricks.  I'm sure my Greek genes have something to do with it, but I don't feel I look like a "typical 40-year-old".  This leads me to ask the question, what is a "typical 40 year old" supposed to look like anyway?  Why is it that some people want write off anyone over the age of 28, and God forbid they think if you are over 30, you are or should be the mother of 3.2 kids, driving a Caravan, look frumpy, and have abandoned all of your dreams? Who said that is even what a 30, 35, or even 40 or 45 year old should look like? I sure didn't get that memo :D

So, I have decided to stuff my ears full of cotton balls, and walk around going la la la la la la - I can't hear you! I have had people say to me things like, "Why on earth are you still pursuing your dream after all this time?  Don't you think it would have happened by now if it were going to happen?"  My answer is Hell to the NO.  It will happen when God wants it to happen.

OK, so why let go of my secret and come out now? I'm finally releasing it and taking it totally out of my hands.  I know if God wants me to succeed it will happen, whether people know my real age or not.  Besides I'm sure I'm not the only person out there who has a dream that feels that they have to hide their age like they are hiding a triple homicide in their background.  By putting it out there and telling everyone my real age, I hope to encourage others to stand up and say hey - I'm here. I am whatever age I am, and I'm talented, deal with it. 

I can not change the day I was born, none of us can.  We are who God created us to be. We all have unique talents, abilities and gifts he gave to each and every one if us. We are all here for a purpose.  I have zero control over what opportunities I have or have not had yet in my life.  Does that mean I or anyone else for that matter is not talented because we have not achieved our dreams by a certain age? No!  What it does mean is that it is not our time yet. Sadly, many people give up before they ever reach their dreams.  They give up because of pressure from friends, family or people who never went after their own dreams. I'm here to say DO NOT GIVE UP! It is never ever too late, as long as you are breathing, you have an opportunity to achieve your goals.

A lot of my fans have the illusion that there is some little machine making things happen in my career.  That I'm sitting in my mac-mansion counting my zillion downloads. I know people like to eat sausage, but they don't want to know how the sausage is made.  The truth is, there is no machine - it is just me and my sweetheart, and no zillion downloads -yet that is.  He also happens to be an aspiring artist, an actor and filmmaker (and he's 5 yrs. younger than me btw, score one for the Greek Girl. ) ;D.  We have chosen not to have kids until we achieve our goals.  So many people have kids and put aside their dreams and goals then end up with regrets later in life.  So nothing but Fur~kids over here - - 4 spoiled rotten doggies. Honestly, one of my goals is to be able to adopt a few kids from countries where there are so many orphans, little souls who don't have a chance and didn't ask to be born into poverty. To give them a chance and a better life.  That however will be after I have a Grammy, Oscar and an Emmy. Yes I know I have a lot of work to do...

Entertainers who are "older" & Look Gorgeous:
Jennifer Lopez 42, Johnny Depp 48, Angelina Jolie 36, Sandra Bullock 47, Mark Whalberg 40, Charlize Theron 36, Elle Macpherson 48, John Rzeznik 45 (lead singer of my fav band the Goo Goo Dolls, hubba hubba) Nicole Kidman 44, LL Cool J 43, Jennifer Aniston 42, Brooke Burke 40, Cameron Diaz 39, Halle Berry 45, Faith Hill 43, Matt Damon 40, Jennifer Garner 39, P Diddy 41, Reese Witherspoon 35, Keanu Reeves 47, Mary J. Blige 40, Gwyneth Paltrow 38, Julia Roberts 43, Jason Statham 43, The Rock Dwayne Johnson 39, James Marsden 37, Cindy Crawford 45, Shania Twain 47... Brad Pitt 47, Tony Horton 53... Hello ~ Shall I go on?...

My point today is, age is just a number.  Everyone is going to get to a certain age, even Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and yes even my little buddy Rebecca Black.  As one of my hero's Tony Horton (the creator of P90X) says "Aging Schmaging, you can get all old and crothchety or you can be in shape." The choice is up to us as to how we age.  It's never too late for your dreams to come true.  As for me, I'm going to continue to press forward toward my goal.  I have an iron will just like one of my very favorite movie characters of all time Rocky Balboa and I for one am not giving up until the fat lady sings. Well make that until the Greek Blonde Girl sings that is.

Blow out your candles & make a wish ;D xox

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

My New Guilty Pleasure

Meet Simon Cowell of the Dating World.

Okay let it be known, Bravo TV has finally done something I give not just one, but two thumbs up to!!  That's right you guessed it, Millionaire Matchmaker... Plop me in front of the TV with a Vitamin Water Zero, a Ghirardelli Chocolate caramel square, and a bag of Orville Redden-backer (light of course) and this Greek Girl is good to go!  Even better a Millionaire Matchmaker marathon :D

Now, I know I have some explaining to do as I'm always talking about things that are insignificant being pushed as news, and lets not forget all of the "brain-numbing" empty TV - hello Kardashians and Jersey Shore.  But at least with this show we have found our female version of Simon Cowell.  Just like Simon this girl does not have a filter and sometimes that is just what people need. Besides, she's actually trying to "do" something good for people.  Though her methods may seem a bit unorthodox to some, she is doing a good thing by helping people to find love, and everyone needs to be loved.

So let me introduce you to Patti Stanger.  She is funny, smart and doesn't hold anything back.  She says it like it is and calls it as she sees it.  This woman really knows what she is doing.  It is really funny to watch people who seem to "have it all" yet are unable to find love come to her for advice, and then most of the time not listen to her.  You have to wonder about these people...  They come to her willing to pay to meet someone and hopefully fall in love, yet they in most cases do not have any intention of listening to her. Now on the flip-side, people who "do" listen to her actually have great results that do in many cases turn into lasting relationships, and true love.

Now if you haven't seen the show, here is how it goes. First she starts by interviewing the client by asking them about their past relationships/dating, etc. What are their likes, dislikes, celebrity crushes, etc. Then she either sets up a mixer full of people she thinks are perfect and also sometimes a test person, the kind of person the client usually dates and it never works out with... and it is hilarious to watch these clients go for the "test person" Patti has planted.  It cracks me up to see the little caption at the end of each episode where it says they never went out again, or never called back, etc. Let's put it this way, it's kind of like survivor meets The Bachelor in one episode.

Here are some of Patti's tips to guys for those not in the "know":

1. Coffee - is cheap. (guess i'm a cheap date then) ;D 

2. A drink - is an audition.

3. Lunch - is a date.

4. Dinner - now that is romance.

If you think you are going to sweep that girl off her feet, you better tune in, even if it's in the dark and you draw the blinds so your neighbor doesn't know you are watching Bravo, it's worth it.  You might just learn a thing or two.

Heres to you finding your perfect match.  Just remember, "Whatever you do on your first date sets the precedent for the rest of the relationship" - Patti.

Love, Blessings & Music,
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com