Showing posts with label tv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tv. Show all posts

Monday, January 4, 2016

Joy

#Joy #BiggestLoser #Resolution #NewYear #Happy #fun #weightloss #fitness #goals #dreams #neverquit #inspiration #facebook #wordpress #dontgiveup #yes #yesyoucan #share #sharethis #like #google #BobHarper #trainer #fitnesstrainer #health
It's finally here! In fact I'm so happy about it I've been humming a little tune all around the house for weeks now. "I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart..." Joy about what Greek Girl you may be wondering?
The new movie Joy starring cutie patootie Jennifer Lawrence? No, but it was a fantastic movie that I highly recommend! The characters were all very well developed, and it's a super feel good film that gets a big fat thumbs up and five stars from this film critic. 
If not that, what pray tell could be causing all that "joy" I am talking about? Why The Biggest Loser premiere of course! Why on earth am I so excited about a TV show one may wonder? Well hello... it has many of my favorite elements: sneakers (my number one favorite shoe to wear), people doing things they thought they couldn't, inspiration, drama. Sure in my opinion the show will never be the same without Jillian, but it's still incredibly inspiring, and never fails to have me in tears at some point during an episode.
I have been so inspired by some episodes in the past that I have even written lyrics to songs from watching. So for me it's a win-win. 
New year, a new chance to get up to bat and swing for one's goals and dreams in life. We all have them, many start out strong at the beginning of the year and for a multitude of reasons peter out and end up quitting. For me it is magical to watch people who have tried time after time, after time to achieve a goal who have never been able to do it, finally break through and get it done. It's just my happy place. 
Society today has so many tools to be healthy and live longer, yet it seems is getting more and more unhealthy by the second. Your body is a miracle. When you treat it right by feeding it the right things and making fitness a part of everyday (just like brushing your teeth) the results are remarkable. That's why I love the show so much, it demonstrates this principle in such a dramatic way on such a large scale, literally. 
I think everyone has the ability inside them to blast through barriers... it's just a matter of will. Not a matter of "can", but a matter of "if". Excuses can be made for everything, everyone has something. Not everyone has the "physical capability" to be an olympic athlete, this I know very well. Accidents, disabilities, many things can make a person think they "can't" be physically fit. The truth of the matter is though that there is a modification for almost everything. There is some kind of physical activity that everyone can do, and once one changes their mentality from can't to can... the entire world can change. 
So you can be your bottom dollar I'll be parked in front of the TV watching. With a hot cup of happiness a la Dunkin's in my hands (with Truvea instead of sugar of course). Will you? If not my hope is that 2016 is a year for everyone to reach beyond their limits and break though barriers to reach goals and dreams they have buried on the inside. Remember, everything is possible... you just have to believe. Happy 2016!
Blessings, Love & Music!
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com



Sunday, December 22, 2013

The Hypocrisy of Tolerance

Speak now or forever hold your peace...
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 

Monday, April 8, 2013

Cancelled


Good grief, No No No, This Show Wasn't Cancelled, Thank God!
Good grief, No No No, This Show Wasn't Cancelled, Thank God!
Dang it...  I woke up this morning to find out the breaking news that The Kathy Griffin Show was cancelled.  I can't figure out why in the heck Bravo would decide to cancel such a great example of what's not funny, vile, obnoxious, and just plain ugly behavior in a television show?
Seriously though in my humble Greek opinion this is a good thing.  Especially when Bravo has a whole lot of actual funny TV shows to compete with.  What do I consider good comedy on TV?  Hello AETV of course!
What can compete with Duck Dynasty and Storage Wars?  Now That is good TV, and not only is it funny, but it isn't highlighting a mean nasty person making fun of people and cursing the entire show.  (Hmmm maybe just a thought for your next show idea Bravo)  Between those two shows it's a wonder I can get anything done around my house.
What's not to love about Duck Dynasty?  You have a show about a family that built a business into a Million Dollar empire, a good old fashioned success story.  Like every family it's full of characters... mix in that they are a family of hillbilly characters trying to work together.... and you get a whole lotta funny.   Not only all of that but they embrace family values, and God.  Wow what a concept... anyone hear of that before.  I mean I know almost every other media outlet is busy banning the word to make sure we don't offend anyone... but Duck Dynasty not only stands up on their values and convictions and makes us laugh while they do it, they end every episode gathered around a meal as a family in prayer with their heads bowed.  We have a word for this in Greek.... Kudos! ;D Reminds me a little bit of a show from days gone by "The Walton's" if I'm not mistaken it was quite a successful show... just sayin.
Then there is my other guilty pleasure "Storage Wars".  What's so great about Storage Wars.... Well first off it doesn't have Kathy Griffin on it.  No seriously it's about getting a good deal on a storage locker that's possibly filled with treasures the cast can sell and make a profit on.  HELLO this is a perfect combination!  Remember I'm Greek which is another word for "thrifty" ;D  The show is just plain addicting.  You just never know what they are going to find in the lockers, and the cast is always wrapped up in the middle of some drama between each other.  From Barry's crazy getups and schemes and plots to distract the other buyers to Daryl's Sheets's constant "That's a $20, $30, $40 dollar bill right there" every time he picks up some odd ball item he's found in his locker.  I laugh so hard sometimes my stomach hurts.
So the moral of the story, what's the magic formula for a hit TV show?  Don't put Kathy Griffin or for the Love of God the Kardashian's in it.  Have a smile & a beautiful day!
Blessings,
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com

Monday, February 25, 2013

Storytellers


A good story is a timeless and beautiful thing to enjoy and share.
A good story is a timeless and beautiful thing to enjoy and share.
Well here I am plopped on my couch watching the Oscars.  Are you really surprised? I mean I am Greek... We did invent "Acting" remember?  That along with the windex, politics and good food of course.
So it's got me to thinking about the whole process.  The glitz, the glam, who gets nominated, who doesn't.  Whose wearing what and whom.  Who is so and so's date and on and on...  We all know so much of what goes on Oscar night boils down to a popularity contest.  Yet there are so many amazing stories that because of popularity do not get the attention they deserve.  So many stories yet unseen, and even more stories who are yet untold.
There are screenplays from countless storytellers from all over the world that are waiting to come to life.  Not only that but the world is full of great storytellers.  Almost everything we experience on a daily basis is a story.  Not just the movies, but TV, animation, music, blogs, newspapers, and magazines.  Stories are everywhere.
We have such a strong connection to stories.  Really who doesn't want their life to be like a story?  The good guy wins, gets the girl, and the dog finds his way home again.  If only life were that simple.  Stories help us to find our way through life through the good times and the bad.  And the greatest storyteller of all... Jesus.
He used stories to tell us how we are to live and how to navigate through this life according to his plan and purpose for us.  It was his primary message of communicating with us and delivering God's message.  Modern theatre was birthed from the Church (the Greek one of course - the "Correct Church" that is - LOL) ;D Think about it...  That is why most churches are designed in the way they are.  The pastor is telling a story, conveying a message and most times the choir helps drive home that message with songs, that also tell stories.  Which is ironic because that very industry (the film industry) was birthed from the church, and it is doing everything it can to keep God out of it.
Geeze... it's a good thing there are people like me ;D Who desire to tell stories using my talents through music and acting that invoke thinking and promote morals, values and yes even Godliness into our Pop Culture and into society.  Yes I said it that bad word that might possibly offend someone "Godliness".  The best part is, I'm not alone.  There are so many amazingly talented artists out there who create and produce thought provoking stories that are also funny and entertaining.
At the end of the day... isn't that what we all want anyway?  To be inspired and to smile... I will say that the entire cast of Les Miserables singing the finale song on stage - that sure did make Greek Girl smile.
Blessings,
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com