Labor Day Weekend

Looks kind of like what I have in mind...

Did the summer whiz right by or am I just imagining things?  It seems like the mulch episode where I rented a van and scored a bunch of cheap mulch off of craigslist was just a few weeks ago.  Yes I did just say that, don't know what I'm talking about read all about it here.  However it wasn't just a few weeks ago, it was three months ago.

Boy time sure did fly this summer.  Which probably means I spent way too much time working and not enough time enjoying the Sunshine.  Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining, I love the fact that I am able to pursue the thing that I Love music and acting.  Living so close to NYC and yet not "in" it if you know what I mean.  Although I will say that huffing it from audition to audition in different parts of the city when it's 95 degrees isn't as fun as say sitting on the beach getting some vitamin D therapy.  Thank goodness there's a Dunkin's on just about every corner to keep me hydrated with iced cups of happiness to beat the heat! 

Well since the last official weekend of Summer is almost upon us it got me to thinking that I better hurry up and get in some fun in the sun before the snow starts flying.  They say it is going to be higher than average snowfall for us here in the Northeast this year... shocking.

So what am I going to do this weekend?  Hit the beach, detail the VW's Jillian Jetta & Joel Jetta, walk the fur-kids, work on some of the new music I have been writing, and relax.  Oh yeah and the best part... my Birthday is coming and that means my yearly specially made Cartman Birthday Cake will be coming from my mom next week, which means Happy Greek Girl!

Hope you have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend!

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

Business and Pleasure

Put on the glasses and bam we look like we're "working" ;D

Yeah we all know the term and sometimes actually try to make sense of the actual act of mixing business with pleasure.  Unfortunately most of the time when we say that it means we are going away on a trip or doing something that is work related and try to have fun at the same time.  Or on the other hand we go away on a trip or do something that is meant to be fun and somehow we will attempt to build in some form of work/business activity into the fun-filled event we were supposedly set out to do.

The problem most people have with this, me included, is that we tend to over do one and not the other.  We try to squeeze that little bit of business into our pleasure and vice versa and never really truly get a solid balance.  It's like that Nik Wallenda guy trying to have fun while walking across the tight rope over the Grand Canyon.  Sure it starts out as entertainment which is supposed to be fun, but it's insanely frightening.  Meanwhile he is "working" his but off to not fall off that wire.  Ironically he has those moments where he catches a glimpse of the beautiful, yet otherwise frightening world below him and somehow finds pleasure in it.  Which if anyone knows anything about this Greek Girl, me and heights don't mix so I can't see how any of that could be pleasurable.

So this week I've been mixing business with pleasure as best I can.  I was given an opportunity to head out west and spend some time on the "left-coast" (as the too cool for school hipsters like to now call it - Los Angeles).  This trip however has some strings attached, like business but of course with pleasure mixed in.  What am I talking about?  Well, I came out here to hang out with some of my friends and fellow "Politichicks" gals along with some entertainment industry folks for a few major networking events.  During all this time my focus is on how to make the most of the time I have and have it benefit my career without being too focused that I am not able to have a good time.  The good news is, since I love what I do and do what I love sometimes those lines get blurred.  So when I am doing the work side of things it ends up being pleasurable.

Heres a few examples of what I am talking about:

1.  I am able to wear flip-flops almost everywhere, except a dress one night for a "bash" of sorts.

2.  I am staying with a friend, who also happens to be the editor in Chief for the Politichicks. Slumber-Party!

3.  I went to a networking event at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.

4.  I will be traveling to San Diego, (3 hrs away) to be on a TV show and do an in-studio interview.

5. Did I mention I had my picture taken with the Gipper? ;D

Do you see what I am talking about?  It's a mix of business and pleasure all balled up in one.  So sometimes it's hard to differentiate between the two.  I guess in a way it's a wonderful problem to have. It just means I am doing what I love and loving what I do.  I just hope the same goes for you and if not, I pray you can find a way to bring some balance into your own life.

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

Going Back to Cali

You know it's a cool song... 

I lived in LA for a short while about ten years ago and haven't been back there in gosh I can't remember when.  So when Mr. Aston & I were invited to a shin dig at the Reagan Library you just had to know Greek Girl was going to jump on the nearest plane!  (and I hate flying)... 

First off this event is at the Reagan Library HELLO... Ronald Reagan is one of my heroes!  Remember Greek Girl is also a Tea Party Barbie dontcha know?  ;D  I can't say what exactly the event is because it's private, but I will say there is going to be a keynote speaker at the event that makes me absolutely giddy.  Let's just say if Greek Girl were to start her own country... this guy, he would be president.

So since I'm busy packing and still trying to get everything done before I leave it got me to thinking about some of the reasons why I'm super stoked to be "going back to Cali".  I mean besides the obvious ones like we're both actors, I'm a recording artist and all that, after all California = Entertainment.

1.  Sunshine - Vitamin D (living in NY I'm always lacking it).

2.  See top secret keynote speaker give speech... I'm actually still pinching myself.

3.  We're staying with my politichicks.tv editor Ann-Marie Murrell which is going to be super fun!

4.  Meeting a lot of facebook friends who are going to be at a "Rage Against the Media" Rally.

5.  Beach... there is no way I'm going to the West Coast without spending time on the actual coast!

6.  Get to see my little sister who moved there about a year ago.

7.  Did I mention I'm going to take a tour of the Reagan Library?... :D

8.  Alfonzo Rachel... what's an Alfonzo Rachel?  He's our good friend who is super smart and puts the smack down on stupidity for pjtv.com and he lives in LA.  Hence we'll be spending time with him and who wouldn't be excited about that?

9.  "Pinks" what's that you might be wondering... only one of the coolest hot dog stands in the entire country.  It's iconic and they serve a mean mean hot dog, fries and all kinds of other good junk food. :D (yes - they even have turkey hot dogs it's California remember)   

10.  Endorphins... you just know Greek Girl is going to lace on her sneakers and get some quality time on the road with iPod and that California Air!

I hope everyone has a great week!

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

Powerball Dreams

It could happen...

It's happening again... the Powerball Jackpot is back up to a near record high.  So even if you don't play regularly, how can you not be tempted to go get a ticket?  Because just like the guy on the NYS Lotto commercial says "Hey you never know".  

So I guess that means apparently the guy who sold us the two tickets in the Poconos on Saturday night that said he just sold us the "winning" tickets was wrong (who knew)?  Time for Greek Girl to get back out and get more tickets.  Only this time get them from the right guy ;o) I pretty much have a good idea about how I will use the loot.  Do you know how you would spend it if you win?  Here is how things will roll should the numbers come up in my favor.  I mean besides the obvious things like paying off my mom and the rest of my families debt of course.

1.  Start my own record label (hello you had to know that was going to be #1).

2.  Give boatloads of money to animal shelters that are near and dear to my heart.

3.  Fund one of my favorite Veteran Non Profits www.operationfirstresponse.org (check them out, they are doing amazing things for our Veterans who need help in all kinds of situations).

4.   Fund one new Christian business every month.

5.  Buy AETV & make sure the show "Duck Dynasty" never goes off the air.

6.  Pay Justin Bieber to never sing again.

7.  Start my own news network with "real journalists" you know the kind who actually report the news vs. talking points.

8.  Buy a strip mall with a Dunkin Donuts, Kohl's, Frozen Yogurt, Wendy's, Subway, a Massage Therapy Spa, Manni Peddi Salon, and a Gym.

9.  Pay chevrolet to start making the Camaro in a Diesel.

10.  Black opps intervention with Obama until he is reprogrammed into a conservative and decides it is best to repeal Obama-Care. (you just had to know that was going to be in there... didn't ya)?

Well there you have it.  This is how it's going down should Greek Girl win the dough.  Good luck with your Powerball Dreams.

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