Let the Confetti Fall!

I couldn't be any happier if I tried. Why? Well it all started on Saturday when Punxsutawney Phil gave me a belated Christmas gift with the prediction of an early spring. This had me jumping for joy because frankly last year winter hung around way too long. The Nor'ester that brought trees down all over our yard totaling one of our cars didn't really add any love to the season for me either.

Sunday started out doing my favorite thing in the world which is to sing, at a military event The four Chaplins WWII Memorial Service. It was also a milestone wedding anniversary with the love of my life and on this same day with a hot cup of magic a la Dunkins in my hand I got to watch Tom Brady and the Patriots deliver a fantastic gift to us and Pats fans everywhere by delivering another historic Super Bowl win! There was so much talk about him being too old, and people speculating if he still had what it took, or if he should retire, and on and on. As the confetti was falling down all around and the celebration began I couldn't help but think about my song "I Don't Even Care".  

It was written about stuffing your ears full of cotton balls when the naysayers of life tell you you're too this or too that to do something. When they say that something is impossible. First off they are forgetting what the word actually says, "I'm_Possible". 

Nothing is impossible to anyone period, end of story. It's all in your mind. If you think you can, you can and that is it. Well that is unless you're ninety nine years old and your dream is to be an Olympic skier, but even then who knows really? The power the mind has on the body is incredible. There really are no words to fully express it.

Anyway there are a lot of people with Tom Brady derangement syndrome out there and I think it is beyond silly. He is an athlete who has broken all kinds of records in the sport. There were so just many beautiful things about this Super Bowl anyone should be smiling watching it all unfold. Especially the twins from my little neck of the woods. First time ever twins played together in a Super Bowl. Twins Devin and Jason McCourty were born in Nyack, NY the area where I live in the beautiful historic Hudson Valley of NY.

People should celebrate others success and be happy when someone achieves a dream or a goal because if it happened to them it can happen to you. Anything is possible if you work hard and take the necessary steps to achieve your dream and goal. I listened to a pregame interview of Brady on Saturday night, and he was saying how he makes a daily choice to do the work necessary to do his job. There was a lot more to it, but it was really poignant. Many people today want things overnight, and feel entitled to have them without doing the things required to get them. Here is a guy who has worked practically every day of his life on one thing, and he is the best at it not only because of his talent, but because of his effort. He works hard, stays out of trouble, and has a beautiful wife and family. I think it is a great example and inspiration to people everywhere.

His interview actually reminded me of a great quote from President Ronald Reagan. It was made while he was Governor of California.

"Attitude, not aptitude, controls altitude. Along with a positive attitude, we must have a positive plan." 

Very true. Even more so the more you think about it. Another thing that made the Super Bowl so special this year was the National Anthem. I mean HELLO! Gladys Knight knocked it OUT OF THE PARK! Quite possibly the BEST National Anthem ever in my opinion (and to think she didn't need to write the lyrics on her hands and she was fully clothed)wow - what a concept. I will use my inside voice to describe what I thought about the half time show because my mom taught me if you don't have anything nice to say, sometimes it is best to not say anything at all.

Onto the third and final item in the what made it a Super Trifecta weekend for this greek girl. Well, it is not really the weekend still because it happens on Tuesday. However, Tuesday is the Super Bowl parade in Boston and the grand finale that same evening... if you guessed the State of the Union you are correct!

I have my popcorn ready (organic of course) and I'm all set to watch the President address the nation. I could go on about another major case of derangement syndrome some people have but I won't. I will however say that there are far too many people who show no respect for the office. Even when there have been people in that office I did not agree with in any way, shape, matter, or form, I showed respect for the office. The level of discourse out there is frightening. Where is the common decency? People should be able to disagree and not hate each other as people. Good grief Charlie Brown.

Anyway it's a happy day for me. So go download my song, tell the naysayers where they can go, and go out and make it a happy day!

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

The Fourth Verse

Throughout history God has blessed America. It's time for America to bless God.

Yesterday was the 200th Anniversary of the writing of our National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner". Many people these days don't give the lyrics a second thought. There are even some in the media who have totally misinterpreted the lyrics and feel that our National Anthem should be changed.

When I think about where our nation was 200 years ago, in the midst of a war, I am humbled by the words. Not many people remember or even know the true meaning behind the song. We are also in a war of sorts in our Nation today. There is a movement of people who want to take God out of everything and anywhere he might possibly be able to "offend" anyone. Yet they can not see that very act is causing so much chaos and confusion, thus weakening our Nation.

An event took place at churches all across the Nation last night called "Star Spangled Sunday" put on by the Family Research Council. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn the forgotten story about the Great Acts of Faith behind our National Anthem. Yes as much as some people want to wipe "Faith" from our founding and choose to misinterpret our founding documents, America was in fact founded on Christian principals. Our founders were deeply religious men who understood what happens when a Government can give you everything, it can also take away everything, including how you're allowed to worship. They were farmers, clergymen, ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things not in  their own strength, but with help from almighty God. They prayed and believed for divine intervention from the Lord which happened on many occasions. Stories of these miracles of course have been wiped from the history books. The Star Spangled Sunday event offered an eye opening look at the true story and meaning behind the lyrics to the beautiful song that is our National Anthem.

The event was a call to action to Christians across our nation to Stand Up for our religious freedom. A key point of the event was the Fourth Verse of the Anthem that isn't talked about much these days. Reading it knowing the true story of the situations that led the writing of the song, there is no doubt about the Faith of it's author or the meaning. Although not many in government today choose to utilize our Constitution, it is still incredibly unique and what has made America the beacon of hope for people across the globe for generations. People have risked life and limb including my own father to immigrate here. One little word though misinterpreted can make a big difference to people whose agenda it is to remove God and Christianity from society. They can use the misinterpretation as a weapon in a process of a very slow fade. Done over time to dumb down our society to the point where one day you look around and realize how far its gone and wonder how in heck the world did we ever get here. How did we ever let this happen to our nation? The founding documents say Freedom "Of" Religion. However the people who desire to remove Christianity from society twist it to say "From". Little word, big difference in it's meaning.

Our founders were not Muslims, they were Christians. Christians who fled a tyrannical government in England who risked everything to be free to worship God as Christians. They did not want to be forced to have a Government appointed church, Catholic or any other set denomination. Freedom "OF" means freedom to practice whatever denomination one chooses. Yes I know, many people choose to ignore God and want to be free to do whatever they want regardless of the consequences and so they twist a lot of things, including history. The problem is when we Christians turn the other cheek, remain silent and complacent, decades go by and all of a sudden we are living in a modern day war of sorts. Not that much different from the war of 1812 when Francis Scott Key wrote that beautiful song.

We are on the front lines of a war on Christianity. Government and organizations like the ACLU bend over backwards to make sure we do not offend homosexuals and Muslims. While at the same time will not lift a finger to respect the rights of Christians. In fact going out of their way to marginalize and prohibit Christians from exercising their Faith. So far as to even prohibit our Military men and women from sharing their Faith. Really? Think about that for a minute... America is where it is today because of the brave men and women who have stood in harms way in engagement after engagement throughout history; who have relied upon their Faith in God to deliver them. So here we are, government is standing for the rights of everyone except Christians. The question is what will "we" do?

As I watched the event last night so inspired by the passionate speakers, time after time chills ran down my spine as one after another they quoted lines from a song I wrote about this very issue. Ironically I wrote my song right around September 12th, 2009. The day after the very first March on DC, where Americans gathered to Stand Up and send a message to Barack Obama and his minions that "We The People" were not happy with his hope and change. During the War of 1812 the key miracles and God intervention leading to the writing of the song took place September 11th through the 14th.

As the daughter of a man who came to America with $20 in his pocket to live the American dream, I grew up with a reverence and appreciation for the incredible opportunity that is available here in America. Opportunity that does not exist anywhere else on the face of the earth. When I saw hope and change a la Barack Obama my heart was saddened. Sad that millions of people were hypnotized into a state by the media and entertainment figures and blindly led into letting others do their thinking for them. Allowing the government to speak for them and ultimately to speak for the rest of us. By instituting things like government run health care, and so many other actions that are diametrically opposed to the entire concept of our founding principals.

The question is what will we do... the following are some of the lyrics to my song:

"What's going on, I look around, and I don't recognize this place anymore. Foundations crumbling down, when only lies abound. We can not afford to sit back and ignore. 

"Time to Stand Up, Time to Speak Out, We've got to Fight to get it back... This Country's Our's and We're Taking it Back, We The People."

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jut7s68pnpg[/embed]

(Click to read entire lyrics here)

I wrote that song on a cocktail napkin while working my pay the bill job as a bartender at a catering event during Fashion Week in NYC. An environment full of ultra left leaning liberals who were all under the spell of Obama praising the hope and change. After five years have passed it is frightening to see how more eerily true the words become by the day.

The Star Spangled Sunday event was a call to action to Christian Americans to stand up and fight. How do we fight? No we're not all ultra wealthy, or media figures, or talking heads. What we are though is Christians. All of us, the moms, the dads, the firemen, the Pastors, the nurses, the military, ordinary people who do the things that make our country work, we must all stand united. We must start to pay attention like never before. We must support the things throughout pop culture that represent our values especially in film, and music. Because if we don't the mainstream media will continue to produce and promote entertainment that is denigrating our society. Then we must vote our values. The Family Research Council is on the cutting edge of a movement to ensure we have the tools to do just that. They announced two new initiatives to help Christians vote our values. To make an impact to stop this slow fade and fundamental transformation of America. Visit 123vote.com and ipledgesunday2014.com to get involved and learn how you can make a difference!

Remember, if we do not speak up someone else will speak for us. As we have already seen over the last five years, we will not like what they have to say.

Fireworks Scrapped

You've got to be kidding me!

When I read this on my Yahoo homepage recently the words screaming in my coconut were "Whatchutalkingaboutwillis?!"  Seriously...  I actually almost spit my Dunkin's hot cup of happiness all over macbook when I read it.  We have resorted to canceling Fireworks on Military bases to save money, really?

OK it's no big secret that Greek Girl rolls to right side of the political isle but this should be a no brainer for anyone using their brain on either side of the isle.  HELLO our men and women in uniform are the reason we are free to think, be and speak freely.  They serve at home and abroad in countries across the globe in conditions that most of us wouldn't last five minutes in.  Yet we can't find any other place to make cuts to our budget than to cut the one thing that represents that freedom to the people who are standing up to keep us free on the day that represents Freedom?

Houston I think we have a problem.  The king on his throne in DC has no problem shutting down tours to the White House to make a political point, yet at the same time could not find anywhere to cut any money from the $100 Million trip to Africa?  It's common sense people, simple math at the most elementary form 2 + 2 = 4.  In order to cut a budget you need to make actual cuts.  Cutting from one place and then continuing to spend uncontrollably adding extravagances to other places will not change the math in the end.

So while all this finger pointing goes on the people who do the most are getting short changed and on the most important day, of all times.  Independence Day is sacred to our History as a Nation.  It's not about the sales and the barbecues, it's about Freedom, Liberty, and Independence.  An experiment called America that was once and although being stressed to her limits still is the last great beacon for Liberty and Freedom from Tyranny in the entire world.  While the media slug it out for their guy our men and women in uniform will be left standing there to an empty sky.

I find this so sad... where is the reverence, the respect, the honor for the job they do?  Sure we can get sponsors to put on a great Macy's Fireworks display and concert to be televised across the nation.  Yet where are these same sponsors to put on fireworks displays at the bases who are getting the cuts?  Just wondering...

I might not be a big music star yet, but if I were I would surely be putting on a big show for our men and women in uniform with Fireworks!  In the meantime I offer what I have.  Inspired by ignorant comments from Bill Press and Daniel Tosh saying the Anthem was "embarrassing and un-singable" among other things;  my good buddy Alfonzo Rachel (click to learn about Zo here) asked me to do a special version of our National Anthem with him.

To all of our men and women in uniform past present and future, Thank You for your service.  In my humble Greek Girl opinion you are a National Treasure!  Please know that although there may be mixed messages coming from the top, we the American People still value and appreciate your sacrifice more than words can say.
Have a safe, fun and blessed 4th of July, and please don't forget to say "Thank You" to a Service Member.

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava :D
www.avaaston.com

Godwinks

When God winks it's like He is saying, "I have you in the palm of my hand".

When you have a dream or goal, sometimes it can seem like it's taking a long time, or like nothing is happening.  Anyone who knows anything about Greek Girl knows that I have been going after my dream and goal for a long time.  Yes, even your "Happy the Glass is Always Full Greek Girl next door" can come down with the blahs every now and again.  Happens even to the best of us.

Well this weekend I performed at an event in NJ where Governor Chris Christie was speaking.  One thing you might not know about me is that I got my start performing by doing National Anthems.  Starting with High School sports games, College and local events.  Then I got my courage up and started reaching out to Professional Sports Teams.  I got a reputation for showing up on time, singing it on key, respectful (that's without a lot of crazy ornamentation that dilutes the original melody of the song for anyone who might be wondering), and for doing it in the time they asked for, either 90 or 120 seconds.  One of the teams I developed a great relationship with was The NJ Devils Hockey Team.

Back to present day, Saturday at the event.  Someone I had not seen in over 10+ yrs. wasn't aware that I was performing.  When I started singing in his head he went "That's AVA!"  He recognized my voice.  After I was done I went back to my seat at a table in the front.  So I'm sitting there waiting for the program to begin and I see a face I recognized scooting up to our table with a Great Big smile on his mug.

He said "Do you remember me"?...  Talk about a Godwink.  One of my very favorite books is "Godwinks" by Squire Rushnell.  If you've never read it, here's my short interpretation: It illustrates through a series of unique stories from all kinds of different people in different situations and walks of life - that although at the time we might not see it, God always has us in the palm of his hands.  He is there lining up the details, arranging things, the right people, the right breaks, all of it.  He knows the end from the beginning, and when you look back on a situation it is clear that God was there all along.  Some might brush these stories off as coincidences...  but when you have an "ah ha" moment about a person or situation looking back on it, that at the time was difficult or confusing.... you have a feeling, a knowing a peace.  It was God, and all along he was there giving you little winks of encouragement, as if to say "I'm here, trust me, I have you in the palm of my hand."  If we watch for them we can spot them, it's amazing to have these moments in our lives.

After pursuing something for so long, something that I know was put in me for a reason, that seems in the natural to be taking way too long...  what happened Saturday for me was a total Godwink.  Turns out that smiling mug was the very same guy who used to book me to sing The Anthem for the NJ Devils.  To have a person from the past who has not heard me sing in over 10+ years, not have any idea Who was singing, to hear me sing and "recognize my voice" from the way way way back of the ballroom.  To be excited enough to walk all the way up to the front of the room, seek me out to tell me - for me, that was confirmation.   It was like God saying to me, "Chill out Greek Girl, I have you in the palm of my hand'.

There are times today when it can be hard sometimes "not" to be discouraged.  Things are going faster, the world is getting crazier by the day, and all too often we are bombarded with so much of the bad news that it can be hard to see the "good".  In these times, it is more important than ever that we keep on the lookout.  Remember the one who cares for us, loves us, is there with us.  Holding and guiding us, Godwinks like a little smile from heaven signaling everything will be alright.

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

Change the National Anthem… Whach-u-talkin-about-willis?!

Change the What?... Good Grief!!

Most of my blog readers know that the Greek Girl has been known to temporarily lose her filter from time to time.  Well today my friends is one of those times, so sit back grab your favorite beverage and read on.  You see recently radio talk show host Bill Press went on a rant about how it was his mission to "Change the National Anthem".  (I know, crazy talk right?...) 

Yup he did say it and a whole bunch of other things.  Things like it was: un-singable because it has two octaves, the words do not mean anything and are offensive, yada yada yada yada, it was a complete muckery sandwich.  Feel free to listen to his debacle here:
Bill Press Rant.  Something else most of my readers know, is that Greek Girl loves her country.  I admit it, I'm an old fashioned girl with simple values, and there are two things you do not mess with in my coconut: Respect for Our Country, and our Military.  Good men and women fought and died for our freedoms.  Maybe Bill Press skipped the history section where they taught about America and our Founding Fathers when he was in school, but the Greek Girl did not.

Imagine, some silly talk show host has the audacity to spat in the eye of the Men and Women who shed their blood for our country. Our National Anthem has a very deep meaning, no not from "modern day" living, but from our Revolutionary Roots.

Our forefathers would be ashamed to hear someone belittling something so sacred. Sorry Bill Press but you are wrong.  The fact that our modern culture is full of people being rewarded who can not sing and then they get up and do silly things like sing our National Anthem on TV with the lyrics written on their hands or flub the words and worst of all sing it off key, doesn't mean the "song" is bad.  It simply means we should stop giving people a pass just because they are a "celebrity" or they showed up on a reality show and are all of the sudden a "singer" - just sayin.

So when my very talented good friend Alfonzo Rachel from "ZoNation" asked me to sing the National Anthem with him I was honored and thought it was a great idea.  Check out Alfonzo's website at: www.machosauceproductions.com  We decided to show Bill Press that it's not the songs fault that some chose to sing it disrespectfully.  The song has a very special and deep meaning to anyone who loves America and values the sacrifice it took to build it, make it free, and to keep it Free.

Yes there are plenty of other patriotic songs that are wonderful, beautiful even, and we love and cherish them as well.  They all have their place, but our "National Anthem" is our National Anthem for a reason.  America did not just suddenly appear of out osmosis.  It was born from struggle and from a people who yearned to be and live free from tyranny from the oppressive rule of a Monarchy.  It was a hard fought and yes ugly and bloody battle.  The words in the song reflect the magnitude of what was done to give us our free America.  The flag "The Star Spangled Banner" was and still is a symbol to so many who fought in that battle, and it is very sacred.  I mean hello... I can't imagine Bill Press hasn't seen the movie "The Patriot".  Even someone who might not share all my values should be able to get an idea of what it took to make us America and why the lyrics would have meaning.

Lyrics:

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.    

So if you agree with Zo and I and are sick and tired of people trying to change America, and think our National Anthem should stay the same, by all means please feel free to share the video above with your email, facebook, twitter, all the usual suspects.  That is your mission should you chose to accept it...  Thank you for your support, it means the world to me!  Have a beautiful day!

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

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