Good Riddance

Let the countdown begin!

Well I was just about to write this weeks blog about the things I most would like to see happen in 2014. Then I happened to be watching the news and heard that Saturday was the seventh annual "Good Riddance Day" in NYC.  Yeah you read it right, I was thinking the same thing, it is not a joke. For real, people actually gathered in NYC's Times Square to say goodbye to bad memories from 2013.  They even dumped actual memories into a giant shredder to destroy them once and for all.  

I gotta say, I wish I knew where this shredder were all these years and that this "day" actually existed cuz this Greek Girl has a few memories of her own she wishes she could put in the hopper and say "Sayonara" too.  Yeah, believe it or not, even I have things I wish I could erase from my brain.  So, in honor of this day I decided to make a hybrid blog.  Instead of just listing the Top-10 things I wish I could erase from my memories from 2013 I will be including a replacement option for 2014 to go along with those unwanted memories.

10. Boston Marathon Bombing.
2014 Replacement: How about - no bombing, anywhere.

9. Twerking, Wrecking Ball and well pretty much anything Miley Cyrus.
2014 Replacement: Congressional ban on Twerking and Miley Cyrus joins Bieber in retirement, wouldn't complain if Lady Gaga joined them as well.

8. GLAAD's crying foul over the Duck Dynasty "Tolerance" issue.
2014 Replacement: GLAAD is disbanded and embraces the fact that there are more Christians than they think, and the Word of God is more powerful than anything they can cry about.

7. Kim Kardashian and her selfies.  Do we really want to see her butt again in 2014?
2014 Replacement: People stop taking "Duck Lip" selfies, they are stupid.  No more selfies in the mirror where you can see the camera you are holding up.  No more celebrity nudie selfies - period.

6. Wolf of Wall Street.  My eyeballs are still burning and it's been almost a week since I saw that debacle of a half-rated porno.
2014 Replacement: How about a little Saving Mr. Banks and Mary Poppins for good measure to cleanse my noggin.  Or better yet, how about bringing back the NC-17 rating since Hollywood is a bit too obsessed with graphic nudity these days. (We actually don't "need" to see everything to get the point) Just sayin'.  

5. The time I took a bite out of that Twinkie and allowed myself to be caught on camera while doing so.  No I didn't have three of them either as my husband would like the rest of the world to think.
2014 Replacement: Low-fat Oreos.  Hey, if I am gonna splurge on sweets it should be good.  That Twinkie tasted like cardboard.  

4. Beyonce's Superbowl Halftime Show.  My eyeballs are still burning from that too.
2014 Replacement: Definitely not Bieber, Miley or Gaga.  I would rather have Barney or Mickey Mouse do it.  No matter what for the love of God, please let it be a real band or somebody who can actually sing. On key preferably, and who doesn't need the words to the Anthem written on their hand.  

3. The Obama Inauguration.  I am still in denial that he actually won... again.  Ask me, it was rigged.
2014 Replacement:  We dig up Reagan. In my world we would have Rush Limbaugh as President and Mark Levin as the VP.  Don't like it?  Too bad, it's my Top-10 list so GLAAD can kiss it.  

2. The millionth season of American Idol. Seriously... how many more sad sappy stories do we need from mediocre singers? Do we really need another "Idols Tour? Good gravy.
2014 Replacement: How about record labels actually doing their job and finding actual talent. There's plenty of it out there, just not all of it has orange hair, crack addicted parents, or missing a limb.   

1. The disastrous Obamacare implementation and rollout.
2014 Replacement: Obama Impeachment. Need I say more?

So there you have it.  As we move into the new year of 2014, I pray and hope for good things to come.  

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

The Hypocrisy of Tolerance

Speak now or forever hold your peace...

(WARNING: This blog is not Politically correct - anyone caught reading, sharing, tweeting or posting to facebook might be thrown into a PC Police Jail cell)

There's been barely a place one could go to without seeing a blog, article, news clip or blurb somewhere about the Duck Dynasty fiasco in the last week.  If you're sitting there thinking "What is Duck Dynasty, and what fiasco are you talking about?" Then I'm guessing you've been living under a rock for the last week, so let me fill you in.

For anyone who is a regular reader of my blog you know a few core things about me if you know anything.  Number one, I am a Christian, therefore I believe that the bible is the living word of God and I believe what it says to be true.  You also know that I have for a long time felt that pop culture is totally out of control and we are living in a world where things are essentially upside down.

What do I mean?… well lets see why do we see trash everywhere, on TV, on the radio, in magazines… When and why did it became cool to sing in underpants for guys or girls? Why are there so few people in the Mainstream Pop Culture who actually have decent morals and values? Actor goes to rehab, great lets give them another movie or TV role. Singer beats his girfriend - awesome lets give him another Grammy. Better yet lets buy more of his girlfriend whose also a singers records after she goes back to him… Someone Please Stop the Insanity.

These days you can masturbate on TV, and you're celebrated for expressing yourself. Answer a question honestly about your Christian Faith and... you're fired, got it.

Yet the people who are promoting all of this negative "entertainment" (which is essentially minutia if you ask me) these people are the ones pushing the victim mentality. If you disagree with someone about politics you must be a racist, if you do not believe in gay marriage then you must be a caveman and a "homophobe". No I'm not a homophobe, I just do not think it makes any sense whatsoever for gay people to want to take a "biblical" term and slap it onto what they choose to do with their sex lives. The bible (which I and millions if not billions of other Christians believe to be the living word of God) clearly states that Marriage is between One Man and One Woman, period. 

Now do I think that gay people should be bullied, discriminated against, shunned, or treated any differently than straight people? NO! I just do not believe it should be called "marriage".  Do I think their should be some sort of legal status for them to have rights to protect the ones they love, yes. It is not for me to judge them, I do my best to love all people and show the same love that Jesus showed me by dying on the cross for my sins. I don't believe fire and brimstone gets to peoples hearts, the best way to break through to people is with love.  So although I do not believe in "gay marriage" I do think they should have a legal option say "civil union", but this does not mean I condone someone being gay. We're all Gods kids and I do my best to live an example of how Jesus wants us to live according to the instructions he gave us in the bible. Hopefully my life and actions can help to change some hearts along the way.

However "Tolerance" is a two way street. Often times these same people who are gay make being "gay" their entire being. They immediately go into victim mode, where anything and everything anyone says or thinks or believes must be a personal affront of their "sexual orientation", which it is not. It's perfectly OK for these same people to give their opinions about all sorts of things including what us "Wacko Christians" believe - yet when someone is asked their opinion about a topic and they tell the truth vs. giving a PC answer all hell breaks loose. Sad days we are living in people. 

So let me get this straight... we have to be "tolerant" of everything except Christians because that is offensive. Got it. See…. Upside Down World!

What bothers me the most about the Duck Dynasty situation is the fact that Phil did not go off on a rant. He was asked a question about his beliefs and he answered honestly. Most people don't tell the truth these days, they say what they think other people want to hear.

I am willing to bet that if Phil were Muslim and he stated beliefs that most Americans find deplorable like jihad, child marriage, etc. that no one would be firing him because God Forbid we offend anyone… (except Christians) that is. Which BTW if he were Muslim he would not just be saying he believed being gay is a sin, he would be saying he believes gay people should be killed (in a barbaric manner btw). So isn't it ironic that most gay people are so supportive of Islam, think Muslims are so peaceful and that Christians are the hateful ones, makes zero sense whatsoever.

The fact is Christians in this country are just about the Only group who are "Not tolerated", yet we are expected to "Tolerate" everyone and everything including participate in things forced on us by the Government (which it has no right to do according to the Constitution) but who really cares about that document anymore anyway, right? After-all Barack Obama says it's not a "fair" document anyhow.

If you expect people to "Tolerate" you whether you're gay, straight, green, blue, purple, democrat, republican, or whatever - you have to be willing to also "Tolerate" people who do not share your particular beliefs. That is what "Tolerance" is. Which btw is what this country was founded on, Individual Freedom.

Someone ought to give the memo to A&E it's probably not the brightest move to start messing with the most successful show on your network in the history of ever… just sayin. Not to mention the fact that an employer is not supposed to discriminate against age, race, religion or sexual orientation, yet A&E just put someone on "Hiatus" because they did not like his beliefs. Hello can anyone say "hypocrisy" ?

So this should be a lesson to all Christians out there. If you want to see a change and see a difference in what is going on in our society then we need to collectively stand on our faith and principals, stop turning the other cheek and instead flip the tables on the money changers like Jesus did.  (Matthew 21:12) 

Which in essance what the cast of "Duck Dynasty" just did.  The folks at A&E who sought to poke fun at a bunch of backward hillbillie closed minded Christians soon found out that America was not laughing "at them" like they had hoped, we were laughing "with them" because we are fed up with the trash entertainment we have been having shoved down our throats for so many years.  

Should it be surprising to anyone that America embraced a show that promoted God, family, and that dirty little four letter word "work"? The bible clearly says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "That if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  

My point is for too long Christians have engaged in and supported entertainment that goes against our values. As well as supported organizations and companies that promote an agenda that is contridicatory to our beliefs. By supporting Duck Dynasty to the point of the show becoming a runaway success, and subsequently now standing with Phil, it might just be the spark to help turn the tide.

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

Tis The Season

It's that time of year to make some Joyful Noise!

It should come as no surprise at all that around this time of year Greek Girl has reprogrammed her iPod to stay on Christmas Songs.  Yup, I'm a Christmas song junkie, some I can never hear enough no matter what time of year it is.  Hey they make me smile what can I say?

There is one song though that makes me nuts and if I never hear it again in my life it would not be soon enough. What is it?… "Feliz Navidad", it might have something to do with the fact that I've probably heard it a billion times in my life. Whatever it is, it's definitely not in my iPod that's for sure and I change the channel when it comes on the radio.

With that being said, here is a list of my Favorite Christmas Tunes: (in no particular order just as they randomly appear in my noggin)

Do They Know it's Christmas - Band Aid
Where Are You Christmas - Faith Hill
All I Want for Christmas – Mariah Carey
Do you Hear What I Hear – Whitney Houston
River – Robert Downey Jr.
Chestnuts Roastin – Nat King Cole
O Holy Night – Linda Eder
O Holy night – Josh Grobin
Gabriel’s Message – Sting
Don’t Save it All for Christmas Day – Celine Dion
Ave Maria – Celine Dion
Christmas Baby Please Come Home – U2
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – The Pretenders
Christmastime – Smashing Pumpkins
It Must Have Been Good Ol Santa Claus – Harry Connick, Jr.
Breath of Heaven – Amy Grant
Panis Angelicus – Charlotte Church
If I Can Dream – Della Resse
Walking In The Air – Kenny Loggins
Miss You Most At Christmas Time – Mariah Carey
Face of Love – Jewel
Auld Lang Syne – Ann Wilson
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm – Billie Holiday
Sleigh Ride – Ella Fitzgerald
I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Bing Crosby
Button Up Your Overcoat – Dick Haymes
O Little Town of Bethlehem – Nat King Cole
The Man With the Bag – Vonda Shepard
Silent Night - Stevie Knicks
Merry Christmas Darling - Karen Carpenter
Miniature Overture & March of the Toys, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite – The Glenn Miller OrchestraCannon in D
"The Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah
*Anything 1940’s, jazz, or classic standard.

*Also, anything Christmas or otherwise that Robert Downey Jr., Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Nat King Cole or Linda Eder sing make me smile.

So there you go, how Greek Girl rolls at Christmas! Hope you have a blessed week!

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

The Final Countdown

Last Day to PLEDGE to "Operation Mustard Seed"!

The Deadline on “Operation Mustard Seed” is FAST approaching. 

If you're a regular reader of my blog you almost definitely know all about Operation Mustard Seed.  However for anyone new to the Greek Girl blog, let me bring you up to speed.  People have been asking for more music, so after a life-changing event, much prayer and reflection I've decided to turn my dream over to God Focusing on making my 1st Faith-Based Contemporary Christian Music Album!  

So my husband Keith (my hero who makes my website, music videos, and pretty much everything you see of Greek Girl besides the music) and I put together a crowd funding campaign on fundanything.com to raise the funds to do the recording through selling Advanced Copies of the New Album & other creative rewards in return for people pledging. I would be honored to have your involvement & support on this journey!

There are many Pledge Options, and all pledges over $5 come with cool REWARDS including Music, Art & More! I believe with all of my heart that my Music & Message have made a Positive Impact.

So, if you're like me and think the world could use a little less #twerking, Auto-Tune & Shock & Awe in Music and more "Music" in the Music Industry that Means Something…. I'm asking YOU to join in helping to make this NEW Album. 

Time is Running Out! ENDS This FRIDAY DEC. 13th!

Please watch the video, I would be honored to have your support and appreciate your time, resources, and sharing the link with friends, family & social media!  Have a Great Day!

PLEDGE Here:

https://fundanything.com/en/campaigns/operation-mustard-seed?col=-29526

Blessings ~
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com

Who What Where When Why

Pledge & Get Rewards for helping me make my
Very 1st "Faith-Based CD"!

What in the Heck in the World is "Operation Mustard Seed" and why on earth has Greek Girl's weekly blog been hijacked for the past several weeks talking about it?

It's simple. Operation Mustard Seed is my campaign on a New Crowd funding website called fundanything.com - to fund my very 1st Faith-Based CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) Album.

Why crowd funding you might be wondering…? Well that's simple. Greek Girl does not have a record label or minions (yet). So in order to produce, manufacture and distribute music I rely on the people who love my music to in essence be the record label.

It's YOUR chance to be a part of my Very 1st Faith Based CCM Music Album. Pledging will help me to utilize my gifts and talents to make a Positive Impact. Music to encourage and lift people up… Music that Means Something.

This Can Only Happen With YOUR Support! 

I believe the best way to share the New Music is to give the people who love my music & message the chance to invest.  You have the opportunity to be a part of my journey, as I hope my music will be a part of yours.

I am truly honored to have your support. Please considering pledging to the campaign, All pledges over $5 come with Music Rewards! Each and Every Pledge helps get these new songs recorded!  So check out the "5W's of Operation Mustard Seed" video for more info.

It's the Holiday Season… why not #FeedTheSeed ... #OperationMustardSeed that is.

Thanks so much for your support! Have a beautiful day!

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