Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday, shop til your mouse drops, or carpal tunnel whichever comes first...

Well friends if you have spent any time on the computer this weekend I'm sure you couldn't miss the ads bombarding you for Cyber Monday.  Cyber Monday?... Um it is still Friday (at least it was when I started typing this blog) Seriously?...  Not to be a Debbie Downer or anything but I have to ask - What is becoming of us as a society, really.  Is nothing sacred anymore, or is it just me?  I mean my leftover cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes are not even gone yet, and the media has already gone gaga over Christmas or shall I say the glorification of the "commercialism" of it.

Now, don't get me wrong the Greek Girl loves shopping just as much as anyone does.  What gets me is the fact that the meaning of the holidays is getting lost entirely in the whirlwind of shopping, decorating, shopping online and everything the media tells us we "should or could be doing" or better yet buying.  I hate to have to be the one to point this out, but there are just some things that can not be put into a package and placed underneath a tree.  What ever happened to spending time with the special people in our lives who make our lives worth living? How about taking time to reflect about what we have to be thankful for and how blessed we are.  I don't know about you, but when I heard about the "Pepper Spray Mom" in California my noggin almost burst.  What in the world would possess an individual to do such a thing? And this woman is raising children mind you, (scary thought).  Think about it, she pepper sprayed people over an X-Box.  I hope they do find her and I hope they lock her up and through away the key.   What kind of example is that to her kids?... "Oh it's ok honey, this is how you get what you want in life, you just hurt other people as long as you get what you want"... Sad.

I know some people enjoy the thrill of the deal and all the power to them, I love a good deal (just ask Mr. Bricks when he is looking for me and I'm not answering my phone because I'm at Kohls spending my hard earned Kohl's cash) ;D but... when the shopping gets out of control it just really makes me wonder.  This year some stores opened as early as 9pm... on Thanksgiving Day.  I mean I know the people who work in retail know they are going to have to work holidays, etc. but what about letting people have a little time to relax. Just my humble Greek Blonde opinion.

Anyway, as for me I stayed home on Black Friday and I will be home on Cyber Monday, but not typing away on my keyboard for deals.  I will be typing away to drive my fans from all my social media to visit my kickstarter campaign.  What?!?!?... you still have not gone to pledge yet?... What in the world are you waiting for?  You can be a part of making my New Album for just $1.00 download and you get a cool song to listen to while you are spinning through the mall or while you're staying home like me! ;-D  (Click the link below to learn more and get involved)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avaaston/ava-aston-new-album

Christmas is not about the gifts.  It is about Jesus, it is time to love your family, friends and cherish the short time we are here on this earth. To make memories and to give to others, yes some people chose to give presents and there is nothing wrong with that, I just wish it would be a little less commercial I guess.  Anyway, I wish you a beautiful blessed day!

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

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Thanksgiving

Stuffing the turkey is complete muckery

Thanksgiving is by far one of my most favorite holidays of year.  I know most of you who know anything about the Greek Girl know how much I love it when it's flip-flop weather and may be surprised about this.  Yeah, that's true, however there is something so magical about this time of year.  I guess somehow growing up in the Northeast where you can really connect with what the traditional aspect of Thanksgiving really was with the Pilgrims helps get you in the mood. Maybe it has something to do with the field trip or two or ten taken to the old world colonial parts of Massachusetts.

I can't tell if it's the turning of the leaves or the cool crisp autumn air when I go out for my run.  Whatever it is yes I might be sad to put away my flip flops, but I get happy again when I breathe in the cold air and stop to reflect on how many things I have to be thankful for.  No, not everything in life may be exactly the way I want it at this particular moment.  On the flip side, I am alive, I have a roof over my head, I have all of my limbs, I am healthy, and I am loved.  Aren't those really the most important things anyway?  So often we can get so caught up in trying to get everything "done" and are so busy chasing things, goals, dreams, whatever it may be that we may forget to cherish the things that we do have.

So today I am stopping to count my blessings (yes even my manager Mr. Bricks and all of the time he spends at Mc Donald's vs. getting me a record deal).  I hope you have a beautiful blessed Thanksgiving no matter where you are, what you are doing or who you are spending it with.  Remember as long as you are breathing you are blessed.   Hope you enjoy this "Thanksgiving Edition of Ava the Diva".

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

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Open Season

Me learning to shoot a gun. Oh no, better look out now!

It seems this time of year brings out something in all of us that makes it like open season.  No, I don't just mean because Hunting Season opens in NY this week, just in time for Thanksgiving of course.  Nothing like a bunch of drunk hill-billy NY'ers running around the woods in upstate NY with a long-gun while stuffed up on turkey and ham. Okay, if there is one thing the Greek Girl does not go for it's Open Season.  The day you ever catch me raising a gun or any weapon for that matter at an animal is the day you check me into the looney-bin.  Now, don't get me wrong, I am not one to supress the right to own and use a gun.  If someone is up for hunting and that's their thing, well so-be-it, just don't offer me any of your dead Bambi.

But aside from hunting for deer or wild-turkey, it seems the Media has declared it's open season on everyone whose running for president in the GOP (figuratively that is). Everyday we hear on the news that one or the other candidate has some sort of scandal they have to uncover or cover or whatever, it all makes my noggin hurt.  Regardless of who anyone may be rooting for, to me there just seems to be way to much muckery and meanness going around.  I don't know why they can't just talk about the facts without getting all personal and loosing their cool, just sayin.  Of course that would probably be too grown up and since when did politicians ever act like grown ups anyway? ;D

Then you go and look at the news and see that all around the country we've got crazies pouring into the streets with tents and bongo's because they don't like banks or student loans?  It's like some crunchy hippie yahoo has declared open season on the banking system.  What I don't understand is how these idiots occupying every city think they are going to accomplish anything other than annoy the heck out of the rest of the country.  It's so counterproductive it's not even funny.

I just wish it were open season for Ava Aston and that Mr. Brick's had my calendar filled with dates and meetings with record execs.  Instead... he's off cleaning someones antiques and eating the last bits of the McRib's before they disappear again.  If it were up to me, I would be Bambi and every record exec and booking agent would be setting their aim on me instead.  Oh well, until then I guess I gotta keep plugging away.  Back to the salt mines...

The cool thing is that in light of all this chaos and confusion as to what "open season" is taking place this week, I did get a bunch of rough cuts  for the new music I am planning to record in January.  Oh wait you didn't know?  Living under a rock again huh?  Well,  the Greek Girl is declaring her own "Open Season", but this one is in the recording studio.  I have signed a production deal with Killingsworth Studio's here in NY.  They helped me record my song "We The People" and some of the tracks on my album "Gone".  Well, once I get my KickStarter.com campaign funded I will be racing on down to record these tunes.

I am so psyched about these songs I can't wait to share them with you.  On top of that, I am waiting on the final song for my 3-Song EP titled "I Don't Even Care" that I made with my oh-so-talented cousin in Upstate NY.  That one should be out before Christmas - for those of you who can;t wait to download it.  If you want to learn more about how you can help make it Open Season on Ms. Ava Aston visit my Kickstarter campaign now.  Hope you have a beautiful day!

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xox
www.avaaston.com

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Girls Kick Butt

We live in a world that is called, "A man's world".  Well, I have to ask, who actually believes that?  Seriously, just look at the way this world works.  Really.  Take a look. You have the one thing in the world that I hate more than anything the - s-p-i-d-e-r - that actually kills it's mate, the mate being the "male" after they eh-hem (censored).

Only in the "human" realm are women more colorful in presentation than anywhere else in nature.  The way I see it, we women rule the roost.  See, we've got the men pegged.  What a better deal exists than this?  We send them out to work, for us, protect us, drive us, open our doors and most die before us.  (not that I wish that on anyone, but hey, it's true).

So I wanted to take a few minutes and point out some really amazing and cool girls that simply put, "kick butt"!.  (in no particular order of course).

Rosa Parks - A woman who changed a nation.

Everyone knows what it takes to stand against the opposition especially when your life is on the line.  Rosa Parks is not only a hero but she is an icon for all women for all time.  She truly is one true Kick-Butt kinda gal.  I see her as someone who is not afraid to take no for an answer and stare down the evil of racism.

Danica Patrick, Nascar's lone female driver.

As I said, we "live in a man's world." Well, Danica Patrick is not one to take that to the bank.  She is not only someone men dream about but she is one heck of a driver to boot. She has fought tooth and nail to compete in a sport entirely dominated by men.  Sure she had to bust chops to get there, but it was worth it as she is a true trailblazer.

Angelina Jolie - one of Hollywood's most powerful and sexy women.

Now I must digress, I have been told that Angelina must be one of the lost Aston girls as there are 5 of us and we do have some similar qualities (so I have been told, remember... the Greek Girl is a natural brunette after all).  But that's not why she's on this list. Simply put she rocks.  She hits it out of the park with every film she makes.  She really knows what it means to be a true iconic figure for modern pop-culture.  Let's just say, if I could, I would love to play the roles she plays.  She truly kicks-butt and takes no prisoners and is a humanitarian too, definitely my kind of gal.

Gabby Giffords - a true patriot who loves her country.

Gabby Giffords, a Congresswoman who reached one of the highest elected offices in the country was gunned down at a townhall meeting.  Now, she fights to come back and serve her country once again.  Truly inspiring and the definition of the word "will".  It takes a woman of courage and true conviction to do what she did.

Martha Stewart - an entrepreneurial power to be reckoned with.

What can be said about the Queen of pristine.  Ms. Stewart is just another one of our kick butt girls.  Why?  Why not?  For someone to go through what she did starting out as a model and working her way up to being a global entrepreneur who's brand is as iconic as anything under the sun.  Not to mention she made going to prison fashionable and came out stronger than when she went in.  Martha my hat is off to you for being a kick butt girl.

Bethany Hamilton - she can take a licking and keep on ticking

Okay, now some of you know how much I love the ocean and relaxing at the beach.  This girl, she takes it to a whole new level.  Not only does she kick butt at surfing but she does it with one arm!  Don't forget, it was taken from her in a horrific accident while attacked by a shark.  Hello?!? That to me is down right crazy!  For her to have the courage to get back in the water and fight to regain her status as a world renowned surfer is Kick butt!  Not only that but she is a positive role model too.  How cool.

Amelia Earhardt - The pioneer of iconic Girls who Kick Butt.

What else can be said about this amazing girl?  Most people, let alone girls don't just wake up one morning and say, "Hey let's fly around the world" and do it, but Amelia did just that.  Not only was it completely unheard of to attempt by most any pilot at the time, but by a woman no less?  Now that took some serious guts.  She paved the way for all of us girls to kick butt.  She is a role model and an amazing example of what it means to live your life to the fullest while chasing your dream.

The American female soldier

But of all those women who have aspired to do great things, there are no girls who kick butt more than the American Female Soldier.  With over 350,000 women who serve in the US Military, there is truly nothing more amazing that a woman can do.  These girls are true hero's who put their lives on the line every day.  They don;t do it for glory, they do it for the honor of serving, so you and I can live in freedom and peace here back home.  Now, that is what I call a girl who kicks some serious butt!

Then you got me... The Greek Blonde Girl.  I can't say I am on the same list as these women, (yet at least).  It is my desire to get such a place in history and yes even kick butt, make that kick some serious butt.  Now, yeah I do kick butt in my own way here and there and no I am not one to back down to a good challenge that's for sure.  But, like all these iconic women, none of them were able to do it all alone.  They all had to have a team of supporters and a lot more nay-sayers who said they couldn't do it.  That's like me.  That's how I feel I relate to them.  I look to girls like them who have faced lifes toughest challenges and the rough road that hasn't even been carved out for them.  They achieved their dreams.  They went for the gold and they won.

So often in life we can get caught up in the minutia of what we "think" really matters and don't realize they are in fact distractions.  So that is why we have to stay focused.  That is why we have to sometimes wear our heart on our sleeve and put our pride on the shelves.  Like me.  A lot of people I meet or talk to think just by the looks of what is going on, I am sitting here counting all my millions of downloads and CD sales.  I wish I were, but I am not.  It takes a lot to admit you need help and support from your family, friends and fans. Without them, everything in life I am aiming for would be irrelevant.  It is my goal to be a positive role model through my music and be a girl who kick's butt.  Otherwise you'll be left to wallow in the likes of the Kardashian's, the Katy Perry's and GaGa's of the world who all think it is super cool to prance around in your bra and undies...  Not on my watch ;D I sing with my clothes on, and I think that is super cool - just sayin.

So, if you want to help me kick some serious butt and achieve my dream, give me a kick @ kickstarter.com (you can watch the video to learn more).

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xox
www.avaaston.com

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Give Him The Boot

What? I didn't see anything?

No I'm not talking about president Obama....  I am talking about Joe Paterno from Penn State.  Nothing sits worse with the Greek Girl than someone who is involved in something like this.  It simply blows my mind how someone can allow such an atrocious act to go unreported for so long and to so many innocent children.  The whole thing just hurts my noggin.

If you ask me all the idiots who stormed the campus of Penn State are just as dumb as Ashton Kutcher for being such a #Twitter #Tool (yeah I said it - so what).  How can anyone in their right mind support someone who didn't stand up for those kids.  Instead he chose to save his friend from being punished.  Needless to say, Joe Paterno should have also been sitting in the back seat of that cruiser with a pair of silver bracelets if you ask me.  The sad thing is, just yesterday before I was winding down I read that there is a probe into other campuses for the same thing!!!  What is this world coming too!?!

I think we need to support the choice to "Give Him the Boot" and kick him off campus, and YES even that bronze trophy sculpted in his likeness.  We can't be continuing as a society to glorify people like him who turn a blind eye.  Our society has become so numb lately to this kind of thing.  It's like those rioters on Penn State's campus were there to "Occupy Penn State" because they couldn't get a bus ticket to Occupy Wall Street.  How ignorant can these people be?  He is just as guilty by allowing it to go on for so long and not saying anything.  It's called being an "accessory" - (Yes I admit it I watch Law & Order a little too much and I was even a body double on SVU once ;D.)  All to preserve a football team... how petty and so very sad.

On a lighter note, you can give me a boot too if you want to!  Instead of kicking me off campus, kick me onto the campus.  What am I talking about...?  My Kickstarter campaign silly, (selfish plug). What, most people may or may not know about the Greek Blonde Girl, is that unlike Joe Paterno who allows bad things to happen to good people, I want to do good things for all people.  One of those ways is by being able to give back, especially to kids/people/animals in need.  However, I can't do that until I move to the next level in my music career. Why kickstarter, why now you may be thinking? Well.... that money tree that I planted in the back yard has not sprouted dollar bills yet. ;D Seriously though, without the assistance of a record label or backing, recording and promoting an album is very costly.

This is why I'm offering Rewards to my Friends/Fans old and new in order to raise the capital to help me make this NEW Album happen, and happen with the means to properly promote it. Up until now everything that I have done has been on a shoestring budget, with little to nothing left for promotion. This project will be the first opportunity to do it right.

So I'm really looking forward to support from my friends, fans and family who all can give me the boot & get some cool Ava loot in return on Kickstarter.  Sometimes, all it takes is a little "kick" to get things moving in the right direction.  Just think, you'll be helping to put one good thing (your happy - go lucky - friendly - squeaky clean - girl next door - who doesn't sing in her bra & undies - music) out there in a world filled with so much "ick".

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xox
www.avaaston.com

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Kick in the pants

Look Out! Or I will Kick You In The Pants!

It seems like everything is so PC these days, you have to be careful what you say. I just hope I don't get kicked off this blogsite for titling my blog "kick in the pants"... Just like Eddie Murphy's producer Brett Ratner got kicked in the pants for saying an "anti-gay" slur.

Speaking of kicking, have you kicked the Greek Girl yet?

What is the Greek girl rambling about today?  I'm talking about my kickstarter campaign. Kickstarter is a really cool website for people looking to fund their own independent projects.  There are all kinds of projects, music, film, watches, just about anything you can imagine.  It empowers artists to kickstart their projects through selling their art in a creative way.  It's quite unique ~ check it out!

Here's my kickstarter link ~  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avaaston/ava-aston-new-album

So what are you waiting for?  Lace up your sneakers and give me a good kick!  And... score some exclusive cool Ava Aston swag while you're at it!

Have a beautiful day!

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

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Veteran's Day - 11/11/11

Remembering so many who gave so much and ask for so little.

Only one time in our history will we ever be able to have the opportunity to experience the calendar reflecting such a number as 11/11/11.  As unique as it is, there is no better holiday to fall on such a day.  We live in a world that is moving so fast it's hard to sometimes catch the "moments".  For many of you, you already know that this Greek Girl is big on family and big on giving back, but most of all I am big on honoring those who deserve it the most.

Not many people know my mom works with Vet's all the time as part of her job with the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  She has shared with me some of the most heartbreaking stories of some of the men and women she works to help (obviously she would never share names or personal details).  Men who have no hands, others who have no legs and some who are completely disfigured.  It breaks my heart how many of them go through life being forgotten and still there are others who never even came home.  So recently I joined up with Operation First Response in helping raise funds for wounded soldiers and their families through sales of my CD's.  They operate only on 10% while giving back 90% to those in need.

Click Here to Help our Wounded Hero's

That is also why I dedicated my song and the video for "I Carry You With Me" to our Veterans, as they have had to deal with grief and loss all too often.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8hVGs1R1Ds?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Have you said Thank you to a Veteran lately?  Please take not just today, but every day to give back to those who have given so much.  Have a beautiful blessed Veterans Day my blog friends!

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xox :D
www.avaaston.com

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Running The NYC Marathon

Run the race set before you!

As I write this we are coming up on just under 8 hours from the start of probably one of the worlds most famous marathons ever to be run; The NYC Marathon.  This year like some of those in the past it's being called the ING NYC Marathon.  Regardless of what sponsor is hosting the event it's still amazing.  I can't quite imagine any one marathon being any more of a diverse event that brings runners of all kinds together in a tradition of sheer will and determination.

As most of you know, I love to run.  Running to me is heaven, aside from singing and being on stage.  Running is something that is like a drug to me.  I get a rush of endorphins that race through my veins as I rush past the each of my own landmarks and guideposts along the way.  Here in my own neck of the woods I have a certain path I like to take.
I Googled it and made sure it was an exact 5 miles from start to finish.  No, it's not 26.2 miles long like the marathon, it's not like the Greek Girl has enough time in my day to run that far.  Although at some point in my life, I do want to run a marathon for charity.

Now, all this talk about running has gotten my noggin thinking.  Though some of you may or may not agree with me on politics or religion or even have a sense of faith, but there is one thing in the Bible I believe holds true to all of us.  One of my favorite passages goes like this, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" Hebrews 12:1.

So what is my point?  Well, like the NYC Marathon some people run to say they ran it, others win for charity and yet still others run it in hopes of actually winning it.  In the end there is only one real winner.  So why do so many thousands of people line up knowing they most likely may not complete it and especially not win the race?  Because, it's just like life. In life we are all here for our very own reason.  It's reason is as unique as our DNA and we may never know what our greatest purpose or cause may have been until we leave this Earth.

So why do we do it?  We do it because we have to.  We have a driving force within us that says we "must" complete this.  We "must" attempt to be great at this thing that we pursue.  We "must" run this race of our life as best we can.  The sad thing, is that so often many of us give up way before we are even half-way to the finish line.  Like the NYC Marathon many people in life set out to achieve great things and to aspire to a goal. They make New Years Resolutions and promises only to be broken.

That is why, today I am setting out on a new race.  It's the same race I have been running my entire life.  It's the same race, I'm just running it on a different track. For the past few months I have been digging down deep inside to find what really drives me with my music and what my source of hope and inspiration is.  In that, I have truly found that my race in this life is not as a sprint like some others may experience.  My race is taking a little longer than I may have imagined, it's more like a steady marathon.  Many of you already know that my goal is to be a blessing to many people and to do this through my music. It's my dream, my passion, and my purpose to use my God-given gift to be a positive influence and role model to people of all ages though my music, healthy lifestyle and positive attitude. I desire to use whatever monetary gain I can achieve through my music to give back to those less fortunate and in need.  People whom life seems to have looked past, to lift them up and make them feel special, cared for and loved.  This is what is truly in my heart.

As of November 6, 2011 (today) I will begin a 60-day journey of faith and trust as I begin a new leg of my race.  I have started a campaign on KickStarter.com.  The goal of the campaign is to raise the necessary funds to produce and promote my next album by offering exclusive rewards and prizes to people for pledging.  Honestly - if the campaign is successful, it will allow me to record my "truest" album to date.  This will be the one project that will be done without cutting corners, or limitations.  I've been writing, writing, writing, and have teamed up with a very talented producer.  This record will surmise everything I have gone through and come to thus far in my life in the pursuit of my goal.  It will be made without trying to "label" it or make it be something the "powers that be" - ie; the music industry gate keepers think it should be. It will just be me, singing my songs the way I have ever since I was five years old singing with the hairbrush in the mirror.  Honest and true to my own unique musical recipe.  It is with great passion that I'm taking this leap of faith.

The whole purpose of the campaign is to engage my fans and invite them to be a part of this very special upcoming record.  Without the aid of a record label or a fiancial backer, I have been pursuing a career as a recording artist all on my own on a shoestring budget and the tireless efforts of a special few.  Now, I am asking all of my friends and fans to join me in my race.  I want to finish strong and the only way I can is to run it with you by my side.  So, I'm asking you all to take a moment to learn about & share my campaign by going to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avaaston/ava-aston-new-album.  Join me in my race and help me make it to the finish line.  It is not how fast you finish the race, what really matters is that you make it to the finish line.

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

Take a minute and learn how you can get involved in my upcoming project through Kickstarter.com