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

Superbowl XLVII

Like they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words. Oh to only hear the Greek Girl's "inside voice" on this one.

Being that the Patriots didn't get in the Superbowl this year Greek Girl decided straight away that she was watching the Superbowl for the commercials, music and the eats prepared by Mr. Aston (today was our wedding anniversary after all). ;D I admit I expected some pushing of the envelope, but I wasn't quite prepared for what I was about to see.

Well... where shall I begin?  Was it the sudden burning of my eyeballs - or the piercing in my ears that was worse?  Listen I'll be first to admit I've never been much of a Beyonce fan, I just think she is way over rated.  But being an artist I am always fair to give credit for talent where credit is due, even if I don't agree with the message.

In this case there is just so little to offer.  First I realize that "Sex Sells", however someone needs to give the memo to Miss Thang that she is idolized and looked up to by millions of little girls.  So when you're doing a show with millions of these little kids (and adults I might add) watching, it might be a good idea to do the show with a bit more clothing on your body than just your skivvies.

I'm not sure why anyone with a functioning organ in their coconut would think it is appropriate or cool to perform in a getup fit for a stripper.  Call me crazy, or maybe I should have just been born in the 1940's to grow up in the 1950'd because the line is being pushed so far, heck as I see it - it's on the verge of being erased.

As for the "singing" what little their was of it, the best part was when she was singing with Destiny's Child.  Still even then the content was beyond trashy.  And what was the point of the little publicity stunt the other day at the Superbowl press conference with the Acapella National Anthem anyway...?  In case you missed it: She comes out and sings it (the most on key I've ever heard her sing in my life btw) then gets done and asks "Any Questions".   Well um yeah I do have a question?  Why is it acceptable to lip synch at a Presidential Inauguration? Ever...?  Because "There was not time to rehearse with the Orchestra?..."  She said.  Well um it's called - You make time.  When you're combined net worth with your husband JayZ is over 775 Million Dollars...  and you're best buddies with Obama, I'm pretty sure you can figure out how to facilitate rehearsing with the the Orchestra "ahead of time".  She did have "time" though to schedule the recording of the National Anthem and arrange for it to be played ahead of time.  Ironic dontcha think? Or was it just that she couldn't be bothered?

People, I might not be at Beyonce status yet... but I have performed our National Anthem everywhere from high school football games, to college games, to AAA Baseball Games, to Professional Sports Teams across the country - and even on Greatest Day in Mets History Day at Shea Stadium for The NY Mets.  I have performed with the flu, strep throat and even food poisoning...  It's called suck it up - you just do it.  You do not lip synch the National Anthem at an Inauguration, I'm sorry.  What kind of message does that send?  Oh whatever we feel like doing, or whatever is easiest.  Great lets just keep rewarding and encouraging mediocrity.

While I'm at it lets discuss writing the words on your hands so you don't forget them Kelly Clarkson... not cool either.  If you don't know the words to our National Anthem (which as a professional singer should qualify for A Stupidity Award in the first place) then how about - don't accept a gig singing it on national television with billions of people watching.

I'm sick and tired of seeing celebrities being rewarded for acting like crazy people.  Newsflash to Media & Law Makers: Guns are not the problem in this country, the decline of Morality is.  The everyone gets a trophy way of doing things, the Decline of the family unit, celebrating and promoting alternative lifestyles and families, giving TV shows to the most outrageous immoral people so they can in turn influence the culture - that is the problem.  Kardashians in Miami getting drunk, breaking dishes, partying acting like ho's.  Well... why is that bad, I mean our favorite music artists give concerts in their undies - even Ga Ga donned a Gun Bra a few weeks ago.  These people can not even demonstrate the intelligence to dress themselves to get out of the house properly without looking like they belong in a brothel, yet they somehow feel qualified to speak out about politics.

Yup these are exactly the kind of people we need to keep rewarding.  So you know, the next time you turn on the Superbowl, or sit down to watch TV with your kids or family, open a magazine or movie and are bothered by the trash you see in front of you... Greek Girl has a very simple suggestion.  Change the channel.  If you want to stop seeing trash, then stop buying, rewarding and participating in trash.  When people stop buying it, then trust me, they will stop selling it.

Blessings.
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com