Here Women Talk

There is something powerful when a bunch of women get together and talk. I am not talking about like the women from "Sex and The City", who when they got together, it was more like boasting and gossiping about their sexual escapades, rather than a bunch of women talking with each other about life in general. I actually would find it rather embarrssing talking about my sex life with my girlfriends. I guess you can tell I am not a Kardashian! So maybe you don't want to keep up with me! I feel somethings should not be open for discussion.

Women can learn a lot when they band together and learn from each other's experiences. That is the whole concept behind, HereWomenTalk (HWT) a fairly new social network for Women. According to the HWT Founder Kay Van Hoesen, it's always been her girlfriends who have kept her grounded. She has said, they are her family and her support. Knowing the importance of girlfriends, Kay created the HereWomenTalk social network as a way to connect, support and inspire each other. I am glad she did!!

HereWomenTalk.com

I actually knew nothing about this social networking site until they approached my manager Mr. Bricks to have one of my songs be the theme song for a new radio talk show they were launching. After checking out the site and finding more about the radio show, it was something that I really, really wanted to do. The more I ventured into it, the more excited I became.

I have met some really neat ladies on the site, including the founder Kay Van Hoesen. Which is pretty cool to think that the person who created it is actually accessible. It's not like Mark Zuckerberg is ever going to accept my friend request on Facebook! But Kay accepted my friend request on HWT and we have been able to share a few spirited posts back and forth. What a neat lady she is. And Kay is a dog lover, so I know she is a class act - Anyone who likes dogs is OK in my book - just sayin.'

The song the site is using is "Gone" from my "Gone" cd, you can listen to the song here. The radio show is called "Time's Up!' and is hosted by Susan Murphy-Milano.

The Time's Up! radio talk show airs Wednesdays at 4pm ET on Here Women Talk broadcast by the Zeus Radio Network or you can play archived podcasts at anytime at the HWT website.

Susan Murphy-Milano is often praised as one of the most dynamic and engaging speakers of our day in the domestic violence prevention field. Her books and strategies are taught world-wide and used by law enforcement, domestic abuse advocates, social workers, attorneys, health care workers, human resource departments and domestic violence agencies.  The comprehensive strategies and escape plans utilized by Susan have been successful and tested by time for over 20 years.

Susan uses humor, passion, and all her years of experience to motivate her radio audience to become more effective first responders, advocates and professionals in their work to stop family violence.

I feel honored that my song "Gone" is being used to help women all over the world find the strength to leave domestic violent situations and move into a safer and more stable environment. As a recording artist, that makes me very proud.

Although primarily designed as a network for women, HWT also welcomes men! Check out HereWomenTalk and listen to Susan Murphy-Milano's show Time's Up! on Wednesdays at 4pm ET  on The Zeus Radio Network.

Have a great day!!!

Blessings,

Ava

xox

You can order your own copy of "Gone" here. It makes a great Christmas present!

Ava Wants Some Auditions

Last Saturday's cartoon was a huge hit, so I made another one. Let's just say I don't think Pixar or Walt Disney has to worry about me, but I do hope you enjoy watching it!
Blessings!

Ava
xox

Oklahoma, would you consider Ava Law?

With all of the hoopla in Oklahoma  surrounding the passing of ballot initiative “Question 755″ — or the “Save Our State” constitutional amendment — which bans Sharia Law from being considered in Oklahoma courts I thought I would have a little fun with my blog today. Personally, I am amazed that it is now being challenged in the Oklahoma State court.  "Question 755" passed with a 70% approval rating from the great people of Oklahoma. Apparently, someone did not get the "We The People" memo from last Tuesday - just sayin'.

So, I was thinking last night maybe I could try to get my manager Mr. Bricks to help me institute Ava Law over the people of Oklahoma and the rest of the country.  If I am successful, here is some of the muckery that would likely ensue.

Ava Pronounced: (AY vah); (AH vah) Meaning voice. Therefore, when I speak  you shall be silent. You hear me Mr. Bricks?

Purists, traditionalists and fundamentalists who all hold a different view than that of Ava Law will be sent to Canada for six months to think about why they want to be different from me. Look at it like an adult "time out" of sorts.

Different states and different regions of the country will have variations of Ava Law. In California it will be known as "Like Ava Law" and in the south it will be known as "Ava Law Ya'll."  In Boston it will be simply known as "Avar Lrar."

Music

All music coming from radios, televisions or mp3 players should be Ava's music. What you don't have it yet? No worries you can download it here.

Print Media

All print media like your morning newspapers for example will be replaced with my blog. Newspapers are too depressing anyway. Wouldn't you rather start the day with a little ray of sunshine & humor from your favorite Greek blonde one instead of the depressing economic news? With the holiday's rapidly approaching have you noticed your mailbox filling up with magazines and catalogues from every company under the sun? Ava Law will forbid the delivery of any mail-order catalogue except the one from Kohls. The only acceptable magazines under Ava Law are Runner's World, Health & Fitness and Billboard Magazine.   Your over stuffed mailbox problem is now solved.

Sports

Sports are stupid, they too will be banned.

Food

All McDonald's Restaurants will be turned into local food banks for the needy. Instead of selling McDonald's fast food from those locations they will now distribute real food to the needy and homeless. Sorry Mr. Bricks.

Chocolate and coffee will be officially named as food groups.

Broadcast Media

The Joy Bahr Show, The View (with Joy Bahar) and any stand-up comedy specials with Joy Bahar will be banned from all broadcast TV outlets until she apologizes publically for being such a Debbie Downer about everything.

Ava Law will also deal with many topics unaddressed by secular law, including bad drivers, foul language and in appropriate PDA (public display of affection) from senior citizens, as well as personal matters such as sloppy dressing,  bad diet and lack of exercising. After all, the old saying is your body is a temple...not a circus tent,  remember?

Where it enjoys official status, which is currently only in the Aston household, Ava Law is applied by Ava. Ava has 100% of the responsibilities of the interpretation of Ava Law; because well, I'm Ava. The same totalitarian leadership of Ava Law will be implemented across the country as it is in the Aston home.

The introduction of Ava Law is a longstanding goal for the Ava movements in all countries, they just don't know it yet. Some parts of Canada have attained institutional recognition of Ava Law to adjudicate their personal and community affairs. In a few western countries, where Ava has recently had the opportunity to travel to have introduced Ava Family Law, for use in their own disputes within families, with varying degrees of success  might I add.

Attempts to impose Ava Law is expected to induce controversy, violence, and even warfare. Let's just say, Ava Law it's not for the faint of heart, ask Mr. Bricks who currently operates under Ava Law.

Have a happy day my friends.

Blessings,

Ava

xox

www.avaaston.com

South Park Rocks!

I really enjoy a good belly laugh and the one program that I use as my go-to show for a guaranteed laugh, is South Park. South Park first aired on August 13, 1997 and ever since I started watching it as a teenager, I can not even tell you how many countless hours I have wasted laughing at it.  The writing is brilliant and the humor is spot on, I like it because it is like  a rebel show compared to the other animated shows.  I'm Greek and I am a rocker chick, I kind of like rebels. Let me also say, that if you have been living under a rock, or locked away in an attic or haven't watched any television for the past 13 years, let me warn you that South Park is not a cartoon for young children. With that said, as a fan of animation, I am glad to see some adult fare like South Park on TV to keep us all from totally losing every aspect of our childhood.

Of all of the characters, Cartman is my favorite and he is one of the four main characters of South Park.  I can totallay identify with him on so many levels. He is voiced by Trey Parker, one of the co-creators of the show. Cartman can best be described as a fat, spoiled, foul-mouthed, mean-spirited, sociopathic, selfish, and ill-tempered fourth-grader. Dang, if that doesn't also describe my manager, Mr. Bricks in a nutshell.

Cartman's full name is Eric Theodore Cartman and he lives with his mother in the fictional town of South Park, where he commonly has extraordinary experiences that are typical of living in a small town. While taking things that are going on in the news politics, music, etc. and poking a little fun in a silly sarcastic unique way.  It's kinda like my day-to-day muckery. Now you can see why I can identify with him so much, can't you?

It has been said that Cartman is one of the most popular characters on the show.  Also, along with Beaver Cleaver, Herman Munster and Lassie, Cartman remains one of the most recognizable and iconic television characters ever.

The co-creators of the show Trey Parker and Matt Stone describe Cartman as "a little Archie Bunker", and state that he is also their favorite character, and the one with whom they most identify.

Ok, how big of fan am I of Cartman? Besides being able to do a very mean Cartman voice, there is my my rocking Cartman Collection (yes I do collect Cartman dolls, T-shirts, photos, stickers and basically anything with him on it). Well, I also happen to have tattoo of him just above my ankle:

How's that for dedication? I guess I will know I have made it in the music industry when someone comes up to me after one of my performances  and then shows me they have tatted my name on some part of their body. I just hope my name is never inked on anyone's butt.   Do not get any ideas Mr. Bricks.  Just the thought of that makes me vomit a little in my mouth.

And for  every birthday since I started watching the show,  my Mom has a had Cartman birthday cake made special for me every year:

If you have never had the guilty pleasure of watching the show go to  www.Hulu.com or YouTube and start watching. I give it two thumbs up and I think you will too. Before anyone sends me a bunch of emails or nasty~grams - I realize it is just a TV show.  I do not live my life by or build my morals around it.  It is funny & makes me laugh ~ and if you can't laugh in life, especially in today's crazy world you might as well be 6 ft. under. 'nuff said.

Blessings,

Ava

xox

A side note: I will be one of the voices of the cartoon rats  for a new animated children's series called  TRPOH: The Rat Pack of Hollywood. All of the rats sing, so I get to act and sing. Yippie for me. More details as it becomes available.

www.avaaston.com

The Border is Closed. Come Back Tomorrow.

Ava for President! Ava for President! Well that is a mostly silent chant that might only be heard after my manager Mr. Bricks has had one too many Diet Cokes and his brain turns to mush!

I'm sure whatever your political persuasion is, you most likely never want to see me in the White House, unless I'm singing there,hint, hint. I can single-handedly create tons of muckery in my own little house. The last thing I need to do is to create muckery in a big fancy White one, while the world is watching me. No, thanks, I'll stick to my gig as a rocker chick! Besides, that way I can wear jeans to work and I don't have to wear dresses, I'm just sayn'.

In the spirit of this very political week, here is my fun spin on a few issues if I were President:

In reality, when I am not on the road singing I live just outside New York City. So for me, when someone asks me if I think we should close the borders, I'm like, absolutely!! Why would we want those crazy people from New Jersey crossing into our state? Forgetaboutit! Border is closed. Come back tomorrow.

And Food Stamps. I'm all about the people who need food, getting the food they need. Lord knows, I'm a Greek girl who loves to eat. And I feel blessed that I have food in the cupboard. So I hate the thought of an older person or a family with children going hungry.  And if it means they need to get food stamps, I'm ok with that. According to a 2009 New York Times articles, more than 20,000 people a day sign up for food stamps.

The problem I have with that number is that the most rapidly rising demographic of new food stamp applicants is from college students. I know, right?? WTH? In fact, college students are being encouraged to apply! Many Universities now have a page on their websites devoted to instructions  on how to apply for Food Stamps.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture renamed Food Stamps the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2008, and started using Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)  cards instead of paper coupons and began an aggressive push to expand eligibility.

Here are some additional SNAP facts from the SNAP aka Food Stamp website:

• Over half of all U.S. citizens will use SNAP at least once during their lifetime.

• SNAP is not a charity. As a taxpayer, you are paying into this program and, when needed, you can reap the benefits.

• There are enough SNAP dollars for everyone that needs them. As a matter of fact, about 20 percent of US Citizens who are eligible for SNAP do not apply.

• Students receiving SNAP can defer their student loans while they are receiving benefits.

• Applying for SNAP is easy. In most cases, you will not have to apply more than once a year.

I wonder if Dominos near college campuses takes the new EBT Card? Maybe it's just me, but aren't your college years suppose to be tough?  Aren't dorm rooms supposed to be filled with the nasty smell of burnt Hamburger Helper and stale cups Noodle Rama's Oriental flavored Cup-0-Soup? Rolling my eyes, I guess not any more. Ok, President Aston has just made an executive decision:No food stamps for kids in college, unless you are enrolled in some sort of music program, then you're cool and I'll let it slide. Score one for the arts!!

You can see this whole Commander-in-Chief role-playing thing is starting to make my head swell. I think I like the power.

Ok let's tackle health care...oh, effective immediately, it'll be called AvaCare. And please do call it AvaCare, I worked hard to earn that title...just sayin'.

To control costs I will be implementing a few rule changes.  First off, if you run to the hospital's emergency room and it is determined that you just have a runny nose, then you will be given a small box of tissues and sent home. No harm, no foul. We will even pick up the tab. However, if  you ever show up again at a hospital emergency room at any future point in your lifetime where it is once again determined that you just have a runny nose then it will be deemed you are wasting valuable time and resources and your nose will be surgically removed from your face. Problem solved. And don't think we won't be tracking you, we will. That's what the FaceBook wall comments are all about.

Secondly, if you come in vomiting, expect to clean it up yourself. It's a hospital not your Momma's house.  We are a public building, and you just wouldn't vomit in the middle of the lobby at a hotel would you? Then don't expect to get away with shenanigans like that at a hospital either. Do you really think someone wants to clean up your stinky pukey mess anyways? Not.

Lastly, I want to address the new trend of  hospitals providing menus to their patients and outsourcing traditional hospital fare for high-quality nutritional food. Well that's a load of crap! Again, it's not a Holiday Inn, so why should you get room service? Nope, it's back to jello or toast and ice chips for all patients. One of the mottos of AvaCare is, "If you are well enough to eat, then you are well enough to get your butt out of bed and drive home!"

This whole presidential decision-making power has me needing a little vaca. I think I will take Air Force one to Paris and do a little shopping. Yah, that's what I will do, for reals.

Blessings,

Ava

xox

www.avaaston.com

How to Fake out Santa Claus: Making the Nice list

Ok, don't send me hate mail for writing a Christmas blog in early November, but there is a reason. And I promise you won't have any Christmas carols stuck in your head after reading this. Maybe a few visions of dancing sugar plums, but no carols. I promise.

Now is the time of year when we all start thinking about Christmas gifts. Not always so much what we are giving others, but more about what we want. We need to start early because we were told as children that Santa Claus knows when you are naughty or nice and quite frankly, speaking only for myself, some of us need to make up for lost time...it's been a full year.

I can look back and laugh now because of how often my parents used the naughty or nice ploy to get their unruly daughter to behave when out in public. It is trickery many parents resort to get their own children to eat their vegetables, do house chores, make their bed or clean up their rooms. It was used on me often to quit beating up my sisters. Ever see four little Greek girls fight? It wasn't pretty. I remember one time I was midstream of a good hairpull at the shopping mall when I heard my questioning Mom ask, "Ava...What do you think Santa Claus is doing right now young lady? (pause), -- He's adding your name to the naughty list, that's what he's doing." I loved it when she not only asked a question, but when she also answered it in the same breath like that. Classic parent manipulation 101.

Of course I know now that was just a load of crap, but I did buy into it hook, line and sinker back then. I wasn't much of a gambler back then as a 4-year old, nor am I much one now, but I wasn't willing to risk not getting a slinky and other toys I wanted delivered under the tree. So I would always immediately tow the line.

But now, a couple of years later (wink, wink) I am still in the mantra of wanting to please a non-existent fat man in outlandish clothing.  Ha Ha, a fat man in outlandish clothing, that sounds like I'm talking about my manager, Mr. Bricks, doesn't it? So without risking the things I want under the tree this year I need to fake out the big guy.  So here goes:

Santa -- That wasn't me that left that door ding on that BMW.

Santa -- I have never accessed my neighbor's wi-fi.

Santa -- What? You mean I didn't leave a tip to that rude waitress at the diner? My bad.

Santa -- I think Mr. Bricks is the best manager ever.

Santa -- It just looked like a scowl at the nice policeman, I was smiling, really I was.

Santa -- Doesn't everyone take and eat a few grapes while in the produce section?

Santa -- I thought those were my seats at the Heart-Red Velvet Tour  concert. Someone must of switched my tickets when I wasn't looking.

and finally....

Santa -- Have I ever told you how sexy you look in that red and white crushed velvet suit of yours? Mrs. Claus is a very lucky woman!

Fa la la la la and Blessings,

Ava

xox

www.avaaston.com

My Right To Blog

I'm Greek. I have a tendency to want to explain why I do anything and everything. I've been writing songs my whole life, but this blog thing is a whole new animal for me.  So I really do appreciate the encouragement.

Today I think I want to talk about why I am writing this blog. When I was doing my workout my mind was going over everything I had to get done. I thought to myself why am I also committing to writing a daily blog? But after thinking about it in-between the lunges and the cardio moves I realized that I am doing this for several reasons. (Yes I often have these internal conversations with myself.)

First off, by sharing what's going on in my life there are now people all over the world who have to put up with the same muckery I do. I guess I don't quite feel so alone anymore. Hey, a big shout out to my blog readers in Ambon, Indonesia!

I figure this is way cheaper than paying for therapy. There also isn't a doctor in a white jacket staring at me shaking their head in disbelief at what I am saying like there would be in therapy. At least I can write the blog and have no idea of who is rolling their eyes as they read it. Ignorance is bliss. (Disclaimer) Well, I must admit I actually don't know if a therapist would shake their head in disbelief from my muckery because I have actually never gone to therapy. I think the closest I've ever come to therapy is having lunch with my manager Mr. Bricks and he was rolling his eyes the entire time. Now that I think about it, maybe Mr. Bricks has that medical diseases called Strabismus, it is a disorder  where it looks like a person has a "lazy" or "wandering eye."  Note to self: Ask Mr. Bricks why do his eyeballs wander all over his face.

OK, that was me being a little silly. Guess what? That's the great thing about a writing blog. It's just like real life!! It's not suppose to be serious all of the time. I love to laugh and goof off, as much as I like to work really hard. So I do get a little silly on here especially if I am writing early in the morning before I have had my coffee, so  reader be warned....No Coffee and the horns come out. I'm just sayin'

I remember in school when the teacher would ask who would want to come up in front of the class and read a short story they just wrote, my hand was always the first one up in the air. My Teacher Mrs. Dawson would say, "OK, Ava we have heard quite a few of your stories, don't you think we should share and let the rest of the class read some of their stories?"  I was like, "No."

Blogging is great for me because I've always had way more things to say, than places to tell them. That is why I started writing and recording my songs at such an early age.  All of my little girl friends (the imaginary and real ones) would be wanting to play dress up with their dolls and I would be sitting crossed legged on my bed with a pencil and a notebook writing songs. No wonder my life seems so mucked up, maybe I didn't have a normal childhood after? No, I had a fabulous childhood.

I can let more of my personality out on this blog. It's not that I am trying to be wicked funny, because I don't think I'm funny at all. Although, when I am on stage I am pretty entertaining, or so I have been told. I just try to always do my best. Wicked funny or not.

I've done a heck of a lot of radio interviews lately and the Dj's or radio hosts are kinda left scratching their head after my segment is done. They all keep saying I have way too much energy for such a petite little girl. I keep reminding them...I'm Greek.  I'm not just going to sit somewhere and not talk. I can't do it. If I had to sit somewhere and be quiet for very long I think I would just burst into flames. People would be like..."What was that?" And someone would say, "Oh Ava Aston just exploded again." If God didn't want us to talk he wouldn't have given us a mouth to talk with and ears to listen with. I can't help it if he supersized my mouth!  And while we are on the subject...I don't get why they would ever call me a little girl. What, do I look like I am a 2-year-old for Pete sake? I bet I could kick their butt any time, any place if I had to... I'm just sayin'  I'm tougher than I look. I'm not no girly girl, but I do clean up pretty nice.

So where we're we? Oh yah, I was talking about why I blog.

I blog because I have to.

Have a blessed Day,

Ava

xox

Photo Image of Ava Aston  Copyright 2010 Ava Aston All rights reserved.