Sunday, May 27, 2012

Gone But Not Forgotten

Honor, Pride, Respect... Remembrance
Most of my regular blog readers come here to read the random thoughts bouncing around the Greek Girl's noggin & have a laugh or hopefully two.  Today however is not about me or any of my usual muckery.
It's Memorial Day, some think of it as the official kickoff to Summer.  For countless American Heros and their families, it is about something much more important.  As you celebrate a day off and spend time with you friends and family, my wish is simple one.  Pause to think of the men and women who for generations have stood up and paid the ultimate price in order to provide the freedom we enjoy today.
Life is busy, people are busy, and days go by so fast it is hard to imagine that just a few decades ago life was much slower, much more simple.  People meant so much more than a line item in a twitter feed.  A smile, a kind word, a simple "Thank You for Your Service" to a random stranger who you notice happens to be a veteran.  Something that takes just a few seconds can mean so much to a veteran and or the loved ones of Veterans who are no longer with us today.
Veterans are important to me not only because I am married to one, or because my mom works as a Veterans Advocate, but because they are the backbone of our country. They deserve our respect, they deserve to be honored.  So as you enjoy your time off, amid the fun, sun, cooking and sales, take a moment to think of those who are no longer with us who paid the ultimate sacrifice.  Every day that I live my life free and able to pursue whatever my little Greek heart desires, I Carry With Me, a little piece of  the men & women who died so I can live free.
"A hero is one who has given his or her life to something bigger than one's self." - Joseph Campbell



Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :) xox



Sunday, May 20, 2012

Battle of The Hudson


and the Blood Feud continues...
So it's like 82 degrees outside today I'm walking around in my flip flops, and I just realized that the NHL playoffs (which are on ice BTW) are still going on.  What's worse is with such a busy and hectic schedule the Greek Blonde Girl didn't even realize her two favorite teams are playing each other in the semi-finals.
How can that be you may be wondering?  You can't possibly like both the NY Rangers "and" the NJ Devils.  It's like this, when you're a little greek girl aspiring to be a Big Rock Star, you gotta start somewhere; and this little rocker chick got her start singing National Anthems.  Living in and around the Tri-State NYC area gives one a plethora of Professional Sports teams to choose from.  So much so that for some sports, there are even two teams to sing for.  Who said a girl has to choose though? wink wink... Yup I have a longstanding relationship with - both - the NY Rangers - and - the NJ Devils.
So what's a girl to do?  There are a few games left before this thing is all said an done, and I have to root for someone.  I just feel like a cheater, if I start to root for one, then I have flashbacks of singing the National Anthem at the other one.  I think about all the nice people on the staff who have always been so kind, and all of the great seats to all of the exciting games I have had the blessing to attend and the guilt sets in.
I could flip a coin?...  naahhh  Maybe I'll just root for whoever gets to the finals (which is so not Greek of me to not pick a side and trust me we Greeks know about "blood feuds", we invented em' along with windex and a whole bunch of other stuff).  It's just no matter which team wins it will still be one of my two favorite teams, and both will be able to clean house on whoever wins from the LA Kings or the Phoenix Coyotes.
Of all the Professional Sports, personally I think hockey is the hardest.  Not only do you have to have insane cardiovascular endurance, but you have to skate on ice at ridiculous fast speeds.  Then there's a whole bunch of giant guys all chasing after the little puck you are trying to get and then push it into the net at the other end of the arena.  Oh and there's this little matter of another guy standing guard to prevent you from putting the puck into the net.  Not the easiest thing in the world.  Plus it's dangerous... seriously.  Just thinking about it makes me get goose bumps.  I love pretty much everything about hockey.  The sound of the blades on the ice, the organ going dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah, the smell of the popcorn in the arena, the pretzels with mustard, and then when the zamboni comes along in between periods to smooth the ice all over and make it like glass.
Yup, hockey is awesome.  No matter who ends up in the finals, blondie over here will not forget this time.  I'll be watching, popcorn in my hot little hands, with cups of happiness galore.  Who knew?  You probably thought the Greek Girl thought the Stanley Cup was a special kind of cup for drinking coffee out of, didn't ya?  ;D
Enjoy the finals, have a beautiful day!
Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com 

Sunday, May 13, 2012

If I Were The Devil


Stirring the pot one soul at a time...
I was recently introduced to a video on YouTube that really made my heart hurt.  Just so you know, there are things that make the Greek Girl's heart hurt like an abandoned or abused animal, a child with a disability or hearing about a fallen American hero.  But this really made my heart hurt in a whole different way.
The video was put together by someone who had heard a 40 year old recording of Paul Harvey.  Unfortunately we recently lost him and his amazing voice, but thanks to technology we still have his wisdom to cherish. What got me was that this monologue from Mr. Harvey was so blunt and talked about what is happening to our society with such clarity.  I absolutely couldn't believe my ears.
Before I go on, in case you weren't aware, there are some things that as an aspiring recording artist I really hold true to myself, and am very passionate about.  In today's world we are bombarded with so many negative influences, images, and given such horrible sources of inspiration.  Everyone from our teachers who are sleeping with their students, to our politicians caught in sexual scandals, even our doctors, lawyers and law enforcement are caught in corruption all around us.
Now, don't even get me started on those in the entertainment industry.  It just blows my mind!  Everything from the clothing these celebrities wear to the lyrics in the songs that artists sing, where they go, and so on.  The Grammies this year... a total debauchery.  That performance given by Nikki Manaj literally made my eyeballs burn. Just a few weeks ago Rihanna was photographed yapping it up, stuffing dollar bills in a strippers undies acting like a clown in a strip bar.  Yet these people are idolized and glorified by not only people but the media as well.
What's my point?
Watch this quick little video and keep in mind it was 40 years ago that this was recorded.




Now, you know what I am talking about.  That is why, it is my intense desire to be a positive role model.  Not only for our youth but for everyone.  Call me a square, but I love God, I love my family, I love my country, I love animals, and I sincerely care that when someone listens to one of my songs or watches one of my videos that they can be rest assured their eyeballs will not burn out. I'm not saying people in the entertainment industry should dress or act like they are in a convent.  However many could learn a lot from looking to some of the classics.  You know back in the days when music artists actually sang songs vs. studio auto tune concoctions, and had some common decency.  The Supremes, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Doris Day, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Mathis, Patsy Cline...  see where I'm going here  ~ Music, people not muckery.
Imagine what would happen if people in the entertainment industry took the influence they have on society just a little bit more seriously. Maybe, just maybe it would thwart the devils plan.... I for one am going to try.
Blessings, Love & Music~
Ava xo :D
www.avaaston.com 

Sunday, May 6, 2012

I Want A Record Deal Dangit


Come on now, what's a good greek girl gotta do, get arrested?... ;D
Okay - I am done being polite, "I WANT A RECORD DEAL"!!!  Now, I know it's not much of a secret that the Greek Girl wants a record deal.  I also know some of my loyal blog readers may be just a tad sick of hearing me say so.  Sorry, sometimes it's off with the filter and full Greek ahead. As well, there are some of you who may think I already have one and will be surprised to hear I actually "don't".  I know - shocking right?!?  Not really.  For some reason or another lightning just hasn't struck yet.
You may be thinking to yourself, "How bad do you really want it?" Well let's just put it like this.  You can take all the coffee, chocolate, sneakers and Kohl's cash in the world and add them up and you still won't come up with how much I want a record deal.  For that matter you can set me up with a lifelong workout with Jillian Michaels, Bob Harper or even the master himself my workout hero, Tony Horton (the creator of p90x) and I would still say "NO" if it meant that OR a record deal.  I think the only thing I would let come between me and a record deal would be my doggies, but it would be a heck of a battle.
So in hopes to figure out just what is wrong with me and why no-one is offering me that contract, I have come up with what I feel are the top 10 reasons why I don't have one yet:
1.  I don't know or nor am related to a Kardashian, a Hilton, a Trump or any other famous person.  Nor am I married to or friends with one.  So there goes that idea.
2.  Even though everyone says to me, "You should get on that American Idol".  What they don't realize is that it's a show designed to highlight singers with a sad story who "need" to grow in their abilities.  Not to mention oh only about 1,000,000 people audition each season and only 20 can make it.  So it's like winning the lottery. Besides I don't have a fluorescent purple mohawk, haven't been to jail or rehab. I guess I'm just too normal.
3.  That brings me to number 3 - I am too old for American Idol so there in itself lies a huge issue.  For some reason there is the horrible assumption I must not be a viable artist with actual talent because I don't wear a training bra (except when I'm working out of course - jk).  Yeah, believe it or not the industry is age discriminatory toward a woman who would otherwise be considered "new" to the scene and over the age of 22.  If I had a penny for every time I have talked with someone about my music the second or third question is always, "How old are you anyway?"  - Like all of a sudden I won't be a good singer anymore if I am over 22?  For reals.
4.  I don't go on stage in my underpants.  Yup that's right.  You will never be able to see me gracing the cover of any magazine in less than what you already have seen on my Facebook page.  So Hugh Hefner can just hold his call cuz I am not posing - ah-hem Lindsay Lohan.  Just sayin'
5.  I don't believe in selling my soul, it doesn't lend itself to what I consider a good exit strategy.  Something about the whole "sold my soul to the devil" thing just doesn't quite sound like a good idea to me.  Just sayin'.
6.  Because my marketing and online presence is good, some have said as good as some artists who "actually" are on a record label, a lot of people have the wrong idea about me.  So they just assume I am sitting in my McMansion counting my downloads and off on a world tour and therefore don't think Ms. Aston needs anyone to help her out. Eeeehhh wrong answer.
7.  Since I do have my morals and am not out boozing it up and being what would be considered a "bad role model" and therefore won't be selling enough US or People magazines or be on the next episode of TMZ, I guess I just don't have what it takes to be signed to a record deal.  What?  You mean you don't like going out partying and clubbing it up Ava?  - no you won't see any pictures of me yapping it up at a strip club (can anyone say Rihanna?) he hemmmm  Nope not here, not the Greek Girl.  That's not how I roll. ;D
8.  Hmmmm... I don't know anyone in the music industry.  Hard to get to the gate keepers, many of whom will toss your stuff in the trash.  Meanwhile they hook their college roommates girlfriends brother up instead.  This kinda makes it really hard to actually get my music through to someone who "matters".
9.   This brings me to not having enough dough.  Unfortunately for some, money no matter how much of it you have can not buy "talent". See there is such a thing out there called, "buying a deal" it happens all the time.  If you have the money you can quite literally buy a record deal. Although I do have a good presence online there is no way I can compete with an artist on a label. It takes a ton of moola to get music out there enough to make a dent. So there is no way I can compete with labels that have sky high marketing budgets.  You know, it's the same reason why you see and hear a song that you hate and it plays over and over and over.... The powers that be are putting it there and keeping it there, and on the magazine covers, and talk shows, with agents, publicists, yada yada yada. Leaving little room for indie artists like me to get into the game.
10. It boils down to this.  As much as you my fans love me, on the grand scale No-one knows who I am, kinda like a needle in a haystack.  My manager Mr. Bricks used to say I was like finding a classic 1960's corvette with only 100 miles on it.  It's that simple ~ the powers that be just haven't heard of me yet.  So I have to keep putting it out there in hopes that someday, some way someone will soon stumble upon the Greek Girl and think, "hey she's got talent, she's marketable and pretty funny too." then they will want to sign me.
So until then, I am just going to keep plugging away.  It all comes down to this thing I call the "know, dough, show".  In other words it comes down to who you know, how much dough ($$) you got or what show you can get on.  Looks like I just gotta keep plugging away.
Hey Mr. Record Label man - "what about me?"
Blessings, Love & Music -
Ava xo :)
www.avaaston.com