Love to Hate

Something has been bugging me for a while now. I try to ignore it, but the more I ignore the worse it seems to get. So like any good creative person, I decided to write about it.  

I've noticed a disturbing trend in the past few years. It started slowly and has grown to the point that it makes me want to pull the plug. Pull the plug... What in the heck in the world are you talking about Greek girl? We all know the Internet can be a powerful tool. However these days it seems more and more like a weapon. 

For people like me (an independent recording artist) the Internet is a powerful tool that has opened up an entire world of opportunities (literally). Opportunities to share my music and brand with people in parts of the world I never would be able to without it. Artists, businesses, non-profits, the list of people who benefit from the freedom and connection of the Internet are endless.

For some it's a powerful tool to share ideas and products. For others it a hideaway to hurl hate. Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe everyone is entitled to have their owns opinions and feelings about everything in life. We don't all have to live the same and think the same like robots in a Stepford Wives episode. I mean we do after-all live in the greatest country on the face of the earth. Something has happened though, something that truly scares me. Never in my life have I witnessed so many who seemly love to hate. People united in posting, sharing, creating and devoting oodles of precious time spreading pure venom. Hatred, jealousy, envy, sorry but those are just not American values.

A little term I came up with called "derangement syndrome" seems to be everywhere anymore. Insert name or organization before the term and there you have the description of an entire group of people united in sharing and spreading each and every negative thing they can find about said person or organization. People who go bonkers, I mean literally off the rails at the mere mention of derangement objects name. What do I mean? Well, lets see... we have a few examples in no particular order:

Patriots Derangement Syndrome
Tom Brady Derangement Syndrome
Trump Derangement Syndrome
Bush Derangement Syndrome
Joel Osteen Derangement Syndrome

The list goes on. I post these examples not to judge or praise any of them, rather only to illustrate a few of the particularly common derangement syndromes permeating our society today. The thing I find most troubling about this condition are the people who come down with the syndrome, many of whom are Christians.

Of course it's not just Christians getting it that bothers me, it's anyone who comes down with the syndrome. When Christians get it though, I find it especially disturbing. You see Jesus said they will know us by our love. Now I'm not saying we need to lie down and let everyone walk all over us because Jesus stood up when it was necessary. Like the time when he flipped over the money tables in the temple. Standing up though doesn't mean devoting ones self to the sharing of and spreading of hate.

We have a word in the Greek language for this kind of behavior, it's called hypocrisy. Better known as do as I say, not as I do. It's almost as if they are saying: "Yeah I'm a Christian I love God, I love people, I'm good, but I devote my entire Facebook page, blog, website (or whatever the case may be) to sharing articles I do not one hundred percent personally know to be true, but that's OK because I got my opinion out there." 

Everyone knows the media has an agenda and often times are biased. However the rise of the "new media" movement has bred a multitude of websites, blogs, videos and more devoted to spreading utter vitriol. Oftentimes I am shocked even more by the personal words written by people in the comments section when they share these things. The people I see this bitterness coming from, and the level to which they go, this for me is what cuts the most. There have been times I almost dump my dunkins on my laptop it's so disturbing. 

America was built on hard work. Used to be a someone saw a successful person as an inspiration. If they can do it, so can I kind of thing. Americans used to celebrate others success. Instead today we have media propping people up then far to willing, ready, and waiting for the chance to tear them down. When a successful person rises to incredible heights in their field or career, the haters come out in full force. They hide behind a computer screen and cut, paste, twist, splice, dice, and concoct articles and videos that are used like bullets to wound those they view as needing to be taken down.   

Not sure how or when it happened, but jealousy and entitlement for many have replaced aspiration. Take Tom Brady for example: he's talented, good looking, has a beautiful wife, makes boatloads of money doing what he loves. He can't possibly just be gifted though, he must have cheated. Another example, what did the founding fathers want in a President? Successful businessmen to leave their vocation to go and "serve" the people for a time, then leave. So when someone steps up to do it, they are labeled an egomaniac or Hitler. I'm just sayin... think about it.

There are always two sides to every story and there will always be stories until the end of time. I just know I would not want to stand before God at the end of my time and have the answer to what I did with my time to be "sharing hate". So I for one will continue to use the internet as a tool to share the good. To share my music and message. To make a positive impact, to encourage, inspire and do my best to lift people up, not tear them down. My hope is that more will catch this syndrome and do the same.

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

I Don't Even Care About Toddlers and Tiaras

WTH??? Seriously???

So I'm flipping through the channels since I've already caught up on my favorite soap opera "Days of Our Lives", the election results are in, there's nothing on HGTV that I haven't seen, and my beloved (Superbowl bound) Patriots do not play until tomorrow... so, what else is the Greek Girl going to do?  We're snowed in here, didn't you know?

I was sitting on my couch, all cozy in my Ricky Ricardo style pajamas (yes, I wear those. Doesn't everyone?)  I had to  stop for a minute because my TV remote clicker thingy landed me on the program of "Toddlers and Tiaras."  I have watched it before, but each time it is on I can't wrap my Greek noggin around what I see and hear.

WARNING: The Greek Girl's filter has come loose again.

Okay I have one question... Where the heck are the parents?  Oh wait, they are standing right there, stage left, handing their precocious 3 year-old "go-go juice" and cheering them on.  Can anyone say, unfit parent?! Now, I am well aware that we are living in the "NOW" generation, and that with Youtube - literally anyone can become a "star" - for literally any reason - regardless if they have any sustaining talent. Look at Rebecca Black. On one hand I actually feel sorry for Rebecca...but on the other hand, I think she had no business at 14 years of age playing rock star!

I think part of the reason so many children stars have gone on to lead such troubled lives is because their young impressionable noggins we're filled with other people telling them what to do, what to say, how to talk, how to walk, where to stand, etc. at such an early age. Their brains never had a chance to mature and ripen naturally.  As we get older there is already plenty of other people trying to tell us what we should do or be, or can't be or can't do. Kids need to be kids, they don't need that type of criticism at such a young age.

Some TV producers noticed what a whack-job most of those stage moms are that they now have a new reality show called "Dance Moms" -  it's all about a bunch of whack-job stage mothers from Pittsburgh who spend thousands of dollars on their children to be verbally harassed, ridiculed and screamed at by an overweight lady who looks like she has downed a few more McRibs than my manager Mr. Bricks. This woman wouldn't know a ballet shoe if it kicked her in her own butt! So where is child protective services when you need them?  Sometimes this Greek girl thinks these parent's brains have followed Elvis right out the stage door and have left the building!!

Ok, back to Toddlers and Tiara...hmmm where shall I start?

GoGo Juice: a mixture of Red Bull & Mountain Dew.

Hello!!!  Red Bull to a child by it self is a bad thing, now add in a little Mountain Dew and bam we have a young Norman Bates in the making. I'm a grown adult (or at least play one on TV) and I do not even drink Red Bull. My question is, "what in God's name is wrong with these mothers? And, why on earth are people glorifying these television shows? Both, "Toddlers and Tiaras" and "Dance Moms" are two of the highest rated shows on cable TV. How can anyone think that torturing these little girls is healthy or productive? What they are doing is creating little monsters. Yes I said it, so what?

The problem I feel with these types of reality shows is that children are learning the wrong messages. They are taught that they first need other's approval and that they need to win the title of "Miss Grand Supreme" in order to feel good about themselves.  And worse, you have parents who put all of their hard earned money into competition fees, $1,000 "Wow Wear" costumes and feed them liquid speed in a bottle just so that their child wins another $24 trophy.  Some mothers admit they feed their kids up to 15 pixie stixs right before their child goes on stage so they stay hyped up long enough to win.

When all is said and done you know what you get?  You get a bully. Spoiled rotten little self-absorbed brats, that go to school thinking the earth rotates around them (because they won the Miss Grand Supreme title at a recent Glitz pageant) so they push other kids around mentally and at times, even physically.

So, where are the parents? It seems that these days they are either standing there on the sidelines pushing the "gogo" juice down their throats or they are absent. This leads to my next bone of contention.... the "Twilight Moms".  Don't know what that is?... Well that is a 35+ year old mom who oogles the 16 yr old boys in the "Twilight Movie Series".  Nothing wrong with that - right? Wrong! Somehow I think if a 35+ year old man was oogling a 16 yr old girl he might land himself behind bars, just sayin'.

It's like there is an entire generation of unsatisfied moms out there pushing their kids into pageants, music, dance, literally anything and everything to get them "famous" to fulfill some sort of twisted need that they never fulfilled before they decided to have kids.  How about just letting kids be kids? What ever happened to that? There are milllions and millions cans of playdough going unsed each year. We need to let kids grow and learn to develop their  strengths, gifts and abilities - naturally vs. pushing them into the limelight so they can fulfill their own selfish desires. Sad, very sad.  Where will the rocket scientists, Dr.'s, lawyers, firemen, policemen, and future business owners and entrepreneurs of tomorrow be?  They will be young impressionable minds waiting to get on American Idol or America's Got Talent - only to be told they sound a little pitchy, their act is total rubbish or that they have no talent. Great character builders for our youth - Not!

Nothing irks the Greek Girl more than someone telling you what you should, can, or can not do! Telling this to someone young or old I believe leads to unhappy people, and in many cases, especially in youth, it leads to bullying. Mr. Bricks aside, I do not like bullies, and yes there are even a fair share of grown up bullies running around the world. Trust me, the music/entertainment industry is full of them. They think they know what is best for the buying public and that every artist should be a 15 years-old.

This is why I wrote my newest song, "I Don't Even Care." Because in my mind, no one can ever really tell you what you can or can not be.  Why give them that power? All of your self-worth should come from the inside and not from what a panel of judges think, what a dance teacher thinks or what a record label executive thinks. It's all about standing up for your dreams and believing in yourself - no matter what your critics have to say.

Disclaimer: My critiquing these moms is not me being a bully, but rather pointing out that they are abusive bullies them self, and should be stopped.

Hope you enjoy the song & the game! Go PATS!

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

The Brady Bunch

Tom Brady and the Brady Bunch

It's 8pm and the coin toss is just minutes away.  With millions of Tebow fans around the world Tebowing in their living rooms I sit in the dark clutching my Vitamin Water Zero as I wait to watch what I know is inevitably about to occur: a debacle on the Denver Bronco's.  Yup, you guessed it, I am a Patriots fan.  Sorry.....  and even I love Tim Tebow, he is amazing.  However if it comes down to the two teams, I just have to stay tried and true to my boys in silver and blue.

Here we have football from the mind of a girl, (a Greek blonde Girl that is):

1st Quarter:

Tom Brady (aka Mr. Bunchen) strides out leading his team to the field.  Denver wins the coin toss.  Meanwhile I indulge in a healthy snack platter as I watch the Patriots chalk two touchdowns on the board faster than my manager Mr. Bricks can scarf down a McRib.

Commercial break.  OK time to check my Ebay app on my iPhone.  Low and behold I'm about to score a touchdown of my own as I pitch my bid on a bottle of my favorite Channel Parfum, Allure.  With only 1 minute to go I end up winning!  TOUCHDOWN!

2nd Quarter:

The Brady Bunch takes it to the Bronco's and I think I see Tebow underneath about a dozen Patriots, inside voice - "please God make them stop stomping on Tim Tebow".  I know this is so hard, I love my Pats, but I love Tim Tebow too.... rrhhrrh I almost think the Patriots started to feel bad too - as the Bronco's scored one touchdown.  Then only to answer them back Mr. Bunchen (Tom Brady) decides to toss in not 1 or 2 but 3 more touchdowns.  So I get bored for a minute.  I decide to prank Mr. Brick's by sending him a pic of me with my hair pulled back and tell him I cut it into a 'bob'.

Halftime -

Mr. Brick's texts me in a total frenzy.  He insists on Skyping me from across the globe to see my new "hairdo".  Ut Oh.... he does not sound amused.... yup he's pretty much flipping out. I text him and say I was only kidding.  Oops the Patriots are back on the field now.

I tell Bricks not to worry and I will skype him after the game.  The phone rings.  It's him.  Oh geeze.  Can't a girl watch a game without being interrupted.  It's okay because at this point I feel so bad for the Bronco's I can't take it.  So I answer the Skype call.  Mr. Bricks who is visiting his ailing Aunt in east-yu-peepee is nearly freaking out before I show him I would never cut my locks off.  He lets out a gasp, and it's a good thing I told him or it could have landed him into a McRib induced coma.

- Now back to the game.

Tom tosses yet another TD pass.  In goes the Patriots into a 42 to 7 lead.  Oh and the Bronco's score a 3 point field goal.  What's that?  Someone tagged me in a political photo on Facebook?  Okay, gotta login now and delete the tag... grrr.  Meanwhile I stop to see Laura Kaeppeler from Wisconsin was just crowned Miss America, (love the dress btw).

Back at the game.

Here we see Tebow tebowing yet again but this time its because he's getting up from being sacked his 6th time of the game.  What in the world?  I just can't wrap my noggin around this.  I have to have a hot beverage.  So I pour myself a k-cup cup-o-coffee/hot chocolate and top it off with whip cream.  My Brady Bunch is destroying the Bronco's & I feel so bad I can't even enjoy it! 

4th Quarter:

I text Mr. Bricks to see if he's watching the game.  He say's "no. I don't like soccer."  This leads me to believe he's kidding.  But then a few texts later I get to the bottom of it and realize Mr. Bricks failed in gym class.  He's not a sports fan.  That is unless you consider Nascar a sport.  He's got a thing for Danica Patrick apparently.  I am starting to think he spends more time watching her car go round the racetrack more than he is trying to get me my record deal....

Then before you know it, it looks like the Patriots have just about wrapped up what is by far one of the greatest games I have ever seen.  45-10 in a blowout game that set all kinds of records, now if we can just have a repeat next week.  Don't get me wrong, I am all for Tim Tebow.  He is an amazing athlete and most importantly a class act.  It was really hard to watch my favorite team beat the Broncos so badly.  However, in sports just like in life sometimes we're up and sometimes we're down.  The most important thing to remember is to always be who you are no matter what is happening on the field.  Just like the sports casters said, "Tim Tebow" will be back next year with a vengeance.  In the meantime it's on to the playoffs and God willing, onto the Superbowl for my Brady Bunch!         

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