A long, long time ago last week I was relieved to learn the Mayan's were wrong and thank God because I wasn't done yet. So, since everyone is so focused on what went wrong in 2012 or what topped the list of worst this or craziest that I figured I would make my own list. However, instead of focusing on the past, I'm going to focus on the future. No not like Marty McFly in his Delorean time machine, but the way the Greek Girl wants to see things in 2013. Well that is besides me getting a record deal (since we all know that is the top of my list, every list).
10. Dunkin Donuts invents a protein/fiber blended coffee smoothie that allows me to live off of nothing but coffee.
9. Mr. Brick's children's book series "The Rat Pack of Hollywood" make it to NY Times best seller list.
8. The UFC doggie-fighting ring between my dog Bobo and the new rescue Pepe comes to an end at my house. ;)
7. Congress passes a law that bans all puppy mills, and the sale of animals in pet stores.
6. My sweetie gets funding and begins production on the first of his many feature films. (I wonder if I can canoodle him into writing a part in for Greek Girl).
5. Lady Gaga, Bieber, Katy Perry & Rihanna, Kathy Griffin, and Perez Hilton are all cast on a Gilligan's Island remake and are lost at sea and are never heard from again.
4. Chevy decides to start making the Bumble Bee Camaro in a diesel version with amazing mileage like the VW TDI, so I can finally buy one. ;D
3. American Idol, X Factor, The Voice, America's Got Talent and all other annoying reality TV Talent shows that milk the saddest stories are cancelled and replaced with actual scripted TV, aka Real Entertainment.
2. John Rzeznik offers to produce my next album and I get to go on tour as the opening act for the Goo Goo Dolls. (sweet - way to kick of the new year)
1. There is a recount and it turns out Obama didn't win the election after all. (hey this is my list, I can wish what I want).
Seriously though, I just want to wish you all a happy and wonderful New Year. I hope all of you find your dreams come true or at least some of them in 2013.
All I want for Christmas is - people to stop acting like the world is going to end!
I know this is "supposed to be" the season of peace, joy, love and giving - yadda, yadda. Well, for some reason some people in my neck of the woods sure didn't get the memo. I don't know if it's the economy, Hurricane Sandy or that Obama is still the president and either some people are pissed and others are still high on wacky weed and claiming residency in Colorado but still living here or what. All I know is that little thing known as "The Christmas Spirit" sure has been missing round here.
What am I talking about? Well, let's put it this way, I was quite literally accosted the other day while walking into the post office. Yes you heard me right. Picture this. My sweetie drops me off with arms full of packages and cards to be shipped when all of a sudden a guy in a large SUV starts backing up and almost hits our car. Next thing you know he's jumping out of his car screaming at us and calling me everything under the sun. For those of you who know me, you'd be proud to know I just sat there and grinned while I waited for my sweetie to come back and join me to get in line. But then this jerk decided to jump in my face and almost knock me over while calling me the "C" Word. Then I flipped and had to do something ( I mean he was an inch from my Greek noggin and flailing his arms in the air like he was going to hit me...) So I kicked him in the shin of course, he had it coming and besides I had to get him away from me. I mean what in the Heck in the World is wrong with people?!?
All I know is Christmas is not what it used to be. Sure, I'm not a kid anymore but really, when did Christmas become all about ruining Thanksgiving and starting 24 hour shopping hours before the turkey was even carved? Don't forget the week-long black friday and cyber monday deals, X-Box lines and Neimen Marcus at Target? Seriously, this is insane!! Who in their right mind cares about Neimen Marcus at Target? Anyone who waited in line overnight to buy a Marc Jacobs glitter purse from Target needs to get their head checked.
It's like you would think the world were coming to an end and they had to get the last deal of their life. Newsflash - the Mayan's were wrong people!!! Get over it already. Life will go on regardless of if you get that Nook or Kindle. This just begs the question, Where is the fire? It's like there are a bunch of mind-numb robots on crack driving like they are in a Nascar race in the Target Parking lot. Which is what caused my mom to blurt out in frustration, "What is with these stupid Christmassholes!?!?" Which caused me the Greek Girl to choke on my coffee and nearly get in a car accident; yes another one! That would be the last thing I needed this Christmas.
So this Christmas we are in protest of this nonsense and how chaotic and out of touch everyone is. Instead of a Christmas wish list and musically choreographed Christmas lights we decided to not put up a tree or do any sort of decorating. Instead we are just spending time with family and remembering to stay away from the muckery at the malls. But most of all, we are keeping in mind the most important thing, that JESUS is the "REAL REASON" for the season people.
In the meantime if you want something to help put a smile on your face and break the monotony of the Christmas muckery, here is the "Ava The Diva" Christmas Cartoon episode for your viewing pleasure.
My heart was very sad to hear about the unthinkable events that unfolded a few days ago at an elementary school in Connecticut. When I sat down to write this weeks blog which is usually full of all sorts of "muckery" (aka funny stories about the episodes that are my life), my first thought was to try to lift people's spirits with some humor and totally avoid the subject. However after a few drafts about other topics, all I wanted to do was to share what was on my heart about the tragedy.
So many people are asking "why". They are horrified that this kind of violence could hit so close to home and take so many innocent victims. The pundits are quick to yelp for tighter gun control laws, to argue, to point fingers here there and everywhere.
I don't think any of those things are going to have productive results. Nor do I think they will curb the violence that is plaguing us. I think as a society we need to ask ourselves a much deeper question. How did we get onto this track. Could it perhaps be that something is broken? Could it be that the invisible lines that people should not and do not cross have all but been erased from society and life as we know it.
Something keeps running over and over in my mind ever since this happened. A video that I have seen on youtube many times. It is a speech from the Great Paul Harvey, which was done back in 1965, set to a video with images that are chilling. It is titled "Warning for a Nation". The idea that he was talking about these things back in 1965, and to see the effects of the removal of the word God from practically everywhere in our country has resulted in so much chaos and confusion, it really scares me.
It scares me not only because of how accurate his predictions were and are, but I wonder how many more innocent people will leave this earth before society wakes up to the reality that when there is no moral compass to guide people, when family units are dysfunctional and falling apart, when mediocrity is not only celebrated but glorified, when people are conditioned that we should and can and deserve to have everything "Now", and that everything has to be fair, that you can not discipline your children, when sex and violence are glorified and celebrated, when we make idols out of reality TV stars, and I can go on and on and on. When we continue to do these things, to teach these things and to encourage these things, we should not be surprised when we have sick individuals popping up left and right that do terrible acts that get worse by the event.
The moral compass in our society in our world today is broken. In order to stop this madness we need to fix it. I do not have all of the answers and I am not an expert. It is just my humble Greek opinion that we need to restore the Moral compass back into our society in order to stop the insanity. Evil exists, it is real and right now in our world today it is overshadowing the light.
My heart goes out to everyone who was so tragically effected by the events of this past week. My prayer is that people will begin wake up to what is going on and that we be able to repair what is broken.
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more."
Christmas is only sixteen days away... Yikes! Normally I love to decorate and usually start before December rolls around. However thanks to an unusually large dose of muckery in the last year, Greek Girl has decided to go Grinch this year and not decorate.
I know what you're probably thinking, "whatchutalkingaboutwillis - not decorate for Christmas - that's sacrilege" well maybe not that exact phrase, but maybe something like it. Well before you go imagining a mean old Greek Girl - it all started when my sweetheart and I were rear ended just over a year ago by an SUV who was going about 50+mph while we were stopped at a stop light (in a vw jetta I might add). Wasn't fun as you can imagine, has resulted in multiple surgeries for my honey, and multiple herniated disks for both of us. To make matters more interesting, just as we had started heading towards the upswing from the first accident, we were rear ended again in late March. I did warn you there has been a whole lotta muckery going round the Aston house this year. Did someone put a curse on me or something?... hmmm starting to wonder)
As if we didn't have enough going on, the Pekingese Rescue where we got our beloved "Bobo" from called in early October asking if we could foster a Pekingese needing to be jail broke as we call it from the Harlem Kill Shelter in NYC. Ever since, Pepe-(laden) as we like to call him has been wreaking havoc around here. He and BoBo act like they are UFC Fighters.
No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Yes you do see five dogs. Notice little Pepe' Laden dressed in the back as a "jail-bird".
Speaking of decorating, just as we were about to decorate our fur kids for Halloween, Hurricane Sandy decided she would have a party with Paul Bunyan in our yard along with practically everyone else's yard in our area. Seriously it looks like they had a drunken brawl out back, and during the storm a giamungo tree fell onto our house and deck. It left a hole in the roof, and the deck partially destroyed. It was fun, no heat, no water (as we have a well) and five fur kids, two of which want to kill each other... lol
Needless to say there has been a lot of cleaning up to do. I also have a tendency to let my HGTV genes takeover at times, and since we've been doing so much clean up, I have also painted, and rearranged, a bunch of rooms. Add into the mix trying to keep up with auditions for acting and continue to work on my music the entire time. Sometimes things just have to be pushed back, and you know what - that is OK. With all of this I just decided that with only a few weeks left before Christmas it is silly to decorate this year.
Christmas Past with the Aston Doggies (pre Pepe' Laden)
I mean of course I will decorate the dogs and yes even little "Pepe- Laden" since he is still with us until he finds an approved foster home through the rescue, or he and Bobo decide they can get along and he stays with us forever. Either way, Christmas is not about the Tree, or the decorations. At the end of the day it is about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Having your heart filed with the true miracle of Christmas and with the love of Jesus is what it's all about.
So call me Grinch if you like but hey, everyone needs to take time to rest and relax. It sure has been one heck of a year or so for us here, but I know that God is in control. With Jesus on my mind and in my heart, I know that the next year will be better than the last.
Warning: True story alert. For people who have been reading my blog a while, you know how the Greek Girl rolls. I call it like I see it and do not accept the "status quo". So for people who are perfectly happy to accept things as they are, well this blog might be a little uncomfortable for you. Anyone else grab your favorite beverage and read on.
The past week had been well... let's just say I've had better weeks. I'm sure you can relate. Everyone has at some point or another experienced times when the road to getting to where we want to go can be a bit difficult. Normally when people tell me no, or that something can't be done, I just stuff my ears full of cotton balls and go "la la la la la"... Onward and upward.
However in this instance it just irked me. I was considering new representation for my acting (and my music or so I thought). Well... what else is Greek Girl going to do while Mr. Bricks is off doing his "Rat Pack of Hollywood" books? Someone has to bang down the doors to get me my record deal dangit. So anyway I was having a phone conversation with a manager I met through a friend. Not an A list guy, but definitely a step in the right direction. To make a long story short, the following is how the conversation went:
Manager: "So how old are you?"
Ava: "How old do you want me to be?... (laughing) well, how old do I look - you have seen me in person up close. Do you want my real age or my actor age?" Then I tell him my real age.
Manager: "Oh, wow I wouldn't have guessed that."
Ava: "Thank you."
Manager: "Well, I can't do anything for you with music. You are too old, the gate keepers do not allow new artists to be your age." "So I would rather focus on your acting, then after you get some notoriety, then maybe that can open up an opportunity."
I'm sure you can imagine what my inside voice was saying. Seriously... "Do Not Allow" Um when did people start "allowing" anyone to do anything anyhow? Are we talking about pre school here where we have to ask permission? Note to such "gatekeepers". People who buy music (you know the ones who are not buying the crap you keep putting out artist after artist) they do not give two flying flips how old the artist is who is singing the music. If it makes them feel something, they like it, it's that simple.
Why not look for music that makes you feel something first, then worry about how to market it. Putting the package ahead of the talent is the downfall of the entire music industry. Setting up this unspoken rule that no new female artists are allowed above the age of 28 is utter insanity. I predict that if the music industry continues to churn out, use up and spit out the same thing year after year, it will not only continue to see losses, but it very well could be it's undoing. When "executives" who do not know their ___ from their elbow, are sitting there making decisions, meanwhile grammy wining producers are selling jingles to make a living because they can not even get a meeting at a record label these days... that is a problem.
Needless to say I did not sign with the new manager. My point in telling you all this is so you can have an idea of what was going on inside my noggin when I saw the video I'm about to tell you about. So the following morning I'm scrolling through my facebook newsfeed when I see a video titled "Never Ever Give Up".
By the end of the video I was in tears. Not only because it light an even bigger fire in me to reach my own goals, but because it reminded me that nothing is impossible for anyone. No matter what you desire (for me a record deal) but it could be a new job, a mate, fly a plane, be a ballerina, be president, run a marathon, get out of debt, be cured of cancer, whatever you can imagine... and yes even to lose over 140 lbs, if you have it deep down in your gut. If you know like you know like you know you know, and you believe in yourself, it IS possible.
I've been at this a long time, and I am not about to let anyone tell me that it is not possible. All of us can do whatever it is that we put our minds to. It all comes down to your will. How strong is it? Do you hang in there when the going gets tough? When everyone tells you that is can not happen, it's been too long, you do not have the right contacts, the right background, the right this, the right that, blah blah blah.... I want you to do like I do. Stuff you ears full of cotton balls and go "la la la la la I can't hear you".
I wrote my newest song "I Don't Even Care" because if this exact thing. A few lines: "Don't let them tell you what you're gonna be or gonna do - don't make a left don't make a right just look in front of you". The message is simple: Don't let other people tell you what you can or can not do and keep your eyes focused on the goal. Just like the man named Arthur in this video, a Military Veteran. He tapped into his will and was able to defy the odds and do what everyone told him was impossible. Everyone had given up on him, and he had listened to them for so long, he had even given up on himself.
But because of one man, a professional wrestler and yoga teacher named Diamond Dallas who believed in him, Arthur started to believe in himself again. He found his will and focused on his goal until he reached it. I wish that more people would be like that yoga teacher. To be the one person who believes in someone even when they don't believe in themselves anymore. Help someone to see that nothing, no matter how big is impossible. Hope you have a beautiful day!
Blessings, Love & Music ~ Ava :D xox www.avaaston.com
I like doing my own thing - regardless of what others around me are doing.
Life is full of them. Everywhere you go and everything you do expectations are everywhere. Sometimes they are obvious and other times not so much. It's like the song, "Signs" by Tesla. We are always faced with signs and expectations put on us by people and circumstances around us. The song says it quite well, "Long hair freaky people need not apply." My question is, "Why not?".
What am I talking about? Well, take this week for example, it was Thanksgiving. So what is it everyone immediately equates with Thanksgiving? Turkeys. But why? (I know Greek Girl did take history... and I know it was the Pilgrims giving Thanks for surviving) But why can't we do the unexpected? Why do we have to get together with the whole entire family? Why do so many people follow it up with a trip to the mall on Black Friday? If you ask me it's because we are programmed to thinking and doing what is expected of us. So, instead this year we did things different at the Aston house. We had a London Broil cooked on the grill with a little A-1 Steak-sauce.
A-1, It's how Thanksgiving is done. :)
Now take me for example. I am an independent recording artist who aspires to be an internationally known act on the same level as The Goo Goo Dolls and Kelly Clarkson. But because I am over 20 years old people tell me I can't be serious and have to give up. Or they hear I would love to be able to perform on Broadway and immediately I am told the "standard expectations" that go along with if you can even be considered for Broadway. Then my all-time favorite is that because I am married I should have 2.5 kids by now, love sewing, and be up baking apple pies at 5AM. Nope no way, my honey does the cooking around here while I'm downstairs in my sanctuary working out! That's just how we roll. And we don't have kids, we have dogs.
Don't get me wrong, I am all for a good apple pie but really? Why all the silly expectations? Why the rules and the stereotypical answers to everyday situations? It's like my newest song, "I Don't Even Care" (lyric video below), that talks about this very thing. There are tons of people and expectations we place on ourselves and molds we try to fit into in order to do what - keep up with the Jones' - or to please others?
All I am saying is, life is way too short to not do what you want and not what others expect of you. It's one thing to be respectful and to maintain a civilized manner and of course obey the law. That's not what I am talking about. I am saying, too many times in each of our lives we are faced with people and situations - mostly people who don't like our choices. They feel like they are an expert at how you can best live your own life. They act like because they have been around the block a time or two that the rules and situations they encountered must exist for everyone including you. This is especially true to those who are either close to us in our own lives or they are the gate-keepers who can help you along your journey.
Basically, I see it like this. God gave us all a free will. He also called us to stand out and to go the extra mile. He even said we should walk the road less traveled. People will know us by our fruit and if we are all bearing the same exact fruit all the time, then how will they know us to be any different? How will people want to come to know God through us? For that matter, how will God know us as being responsible with the gifts He gave us? He put in each of our hearts a gift and talents. Each of which are specific for our purpose here on Earth. So, in order to fulfill that purpose, one that can only be fulfilled by yourself, then you can't live by the expectations and rules placed on you by others.
So if things weren't bad enough that I had to skip my work out for almost 3 days but then I found myself debating with my husband over which was more healthy, McDonald's or Five Guys Burgers and Fries. I know what you are thinking... and no I did not hit my head, not this week at least. But I did break down and yes in case you were wondering, it was Yummo.
Let me set the stage for you (this was an actual conversation). We were out running errands and of course the Martha Stewart in me had to change things up in our house. Because truth be told, I have a little OCD and nothing bugs me more than my house being out of order, or just blah. I can't be creative when it is, and once I get too much HGTV into my Greek noggin, the "I have to paint this room or change that rug" urge kicks into high gear. So, we were out at Home Goods (for those of you who don't know what that is, it's a TJ Maxx to the 10th power only with stuff for your home). It just so happens that Home Good's is in a plaza that is home to a brand spanking new McDonald's which sits across the parking lot from a Five Guys. There we were, smack-dab in the middle of both of them and of course my husband who doesn't work out for months and still has a 6 pack says to me...
Keith "Oh man, can you smell that? Those McDonald's french fries smell so good."
Me Okay well, I'll make you a deal.
Keith
Oh...?
Me "Yeah. How about we get McDonald's for dinner and you stay out and help me pick out the paint, rug and new office chairs."
Keith
(Pointing) "Okay. But there is Five Guy's over there."
Me "What?? Five Guys? Are you serious?"
Keith "Yeah. Think about it. They are healthier."
Me "How do you figure?"
Keith "They have to be. They cook all their burgers made to order. They don't over process their food like McDonald's."
Me "You think? Hmm. I wonder if they really are. Maybe you're right. Let's go there instead."
Keith "For real? You know you can't order a turkey burger there and they don't have salads right? Cuz I don't want to go in there and have you ask for one Go Greek on me and then decide to go to McDonald's instead."
Me "No, I know. You are probably right anyway. They probably are healthier.Should we drive the car over or walk? Probably walk."
Keith "Why?"
Me "Well, this way at least we can somewhat earn that burger."
No, that is not me eating a french fry at Five Guys. No way, I would never do that. I was at home working out when this photo was supposedly taken. ;D
Then we both strolled across the lot and past the golden arches right into Five Guys Burger's and Fries. I felt like I was doing something so wrong but it kind of felt good. Before I knew it I had actually ordered a cheeseburger with extra lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion. We both shared some fries and a Coke. No, not a Diet Coke either. You know what the best part was? I didn't even spontaneously combust, and I actually enjoyed it. Which made me totally forget the question of which one was better or worse for you. In the end they both were about the same and equal to some sort of junk food. But who cares since I got to do it with my favorite person in the whole wide world. Besides, like they say - everything in moderation.
November 11th is special for one reason and one reason only, our Veterans. This day is a very special day. It is a day we take the time to reflect on and honor all the men and women who have been so brave to offer their lives a living sacrifice for all Americans and the rest of the free world. They do it not because they are forced or obligated. They do it for the love of country and the compelling nudge in their heart that is to serve.
Some of you know I am very much a strong supporter of our military and the Veterans. Even though I am married to a veteran, and my mom works for the Military Order of the Purple Heart and have a father-in-law who also served, I still have a special place in my heart for each and every one of them. There is something unique and special about each of them. Those of us who have never served will never truly know what it is that unites them all in this amazing capacity.
What saddens me about our Veteran's is the number of obstacles they face. This year, like many years lots of our veterans and their families will suffer in a number of ways. There are thousands who are homeless and many more who are struggling to just get by. This is in addition to the many who suffer wounds, some we will never see that have dramatically changed their lives. Many others struggle without being able to get jobs or hold down jobs, while others can't find ways to cope with the transition back to being a regular citizen.
The sad truth is that they often have no place to turn and don't know what resources are available to them. What is worse is that because there is so much beaurocracy in the VA system some vets are waiting up to 2 and 3 years before they can be granted the benefits they so humbly have earned through their sacrifice. On top of that, they have to struggle and navigate the red-tape and frustration of the VA Hospital system. It is one where it can take months and even several years to get things diagnosed and appointments for certain procedures. Let alone just even to set an appointment for a routine exam... It is a muckery sandwich to say the least.
If you ask me there is no excuse. Our Veterans are a quiet group of people who willingly put their lives on the line every single day. They do this in order for the rest of us to live in the peace and enjoy the many freedoms we take for granted. Because of those who died we can vote. Because those who serve we can still speak freely. Because lives are on the line we can sleep well at night. Yet for no excuse I can imagine these brave souls are constantly misunderstood and mistreated. If you ask me our Veterans should never have to wait in line and should never have to deal with bureaucratic red-tape - NEVER FOR ANY REASON. They need to be revered and held with esteem and given any help they may need. This year, I am encouraging each of you to do something to help a veteran.
To Be, Or Not To Be... Blonde or Brown? That is the question...
Hi, my name is Ava Aston, I am Greek. No, I am not kidding. Yes, this is my real hair - I just color it. What am I talking about? Well, it seems a lot of people don't realize or even think it is possible for me to be Greek when they are first introduced to me. For some reason people always ask me, "Are you Russian?" or "Are you from Germany?" then I just look at them with a slanted glare and exclaim, "No, I am Greek!" Paidimou... (that means "my child" in Greek) Like they should have known this information.
So why am I sharing this amazing tid-bit with you today? Well, I figured it would be best if I finally cleared the air of any confusion. When I was a little Greek Girl my dad used to take me and my sister to the local Greek school. There we would learn all sorts of things about our Greek heritage. That is where I learned we invented many great things like Coffee, Politics, Drama, Music, Olympics and lets not forget the Windex. So, if any of you know me, you know right away just by my behavior that I must be Greek just based off of these simple facts. Here, let me prove it. I can't live without coffee, seeing as I have 3 coffee machines at home. I love to argue politics especially with any uninformed liberal in New York. I am always overly dramatic especially when I am hungry, and I like acting on camera too. Don't forget I am first and foremost a singer and I love to work out and wear sneakers. Last but not least, I am OCD when it comes to keeping my house clean, that would explain the Windex. So, it would be clear to anyone just by a simple observation that through calculated deductive reasoning I must be Greek, despite my Blonde hair.
I feel some new characters coming on for my Politichicks video parodies...
Now in an effort to tap into my Greek roots and dispel any doubt about the issue I took a trip down to the mall. There I found what else...? A wig store! Yep. So I decided to go put on a brown wig and show you all just how Greek I really am. Once you see me in the brown hair - the color that God gave me, you will know I am in fact truly Greek. But wait you say... "What about the blue eyes???" Okay, like I was saying earlier. When we went to Greek school we also were made fun of because we had blue eyes and light skin tone unlike most of the kids there. When my sister and I came home crying, our dad explained something very important. He said, "The real Greeks came from the north. They were Dorian and they all had light hair and blue eyes. The only reason they got the dark skin and the dark eyes is because.... (raising his voice and pointing finger on the table) they mixed with the Turks!"
Now I know what you are wondering... "Why do I even bother dying my hair since it looks good both ways?" Well, I do it because like any girl and Bobby Brown said, "It's My Prerogative" and I like it like that. No I'm not going to dye my hair brown Mr. Bricks if you are reading, so step away from the McRib please. Just wanted to ask my blog readers - So what do you think? To be or not to be... Blonde or Brown?
