Bright Star

Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish star as John Keats and Fanny Whishaw in Jane Campions s "Bright Star." (Image courtesy Apparition)

According to the FreeDictionary.Org., which is where I started today's blog because I'm Greek and too cheap to go to ExpensiveDictionary.Org. to look up the various meanings to the words bright and star.

I did this because, well I'm bored and I'm on a road trip to Florida. I'm traveling with my aunt and her cat and she's making me all itchy.  The cat, not my aunt is making me itchy. I'm allergic to cats. And my manager Mr. Bricks texted me that he got an email from some hot shot TV executive in Hollywood who said that he thought I was a "bright star."  My blonde must be showing, because I really have no idea if that was good or bad.

So as we drove down the East Coast in bumper-to-bumper traffic I was googling the words bright and star to see if it was compliment or an insult. It sounds very positive, but then again so does the term, short bus - and I know better on that one. I give as much of my spare time to any and all people who have ever been teased about riding to school on a short bus. In support of my special friends, I recently told Mr. Bricks that my next tour bus is going to be a short bus.

So here is what discovery my iPhone google search yielded:

Bright

ADJECTIVE (10)

1. emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts;
- Example: "the sun was bright and hot"
- Example: "a bright sunlit room"

2. having striking color;
- Example: "bright dress"
- Example: "brilliant tapestries"
- Example: "a bird with vivid plumage"
[syn: bright, brilliant, vivid]

3. characterized by quickness and ease in learning;
- Example: "some children are brighter in one subject than another"
- Example: "smart children talk earlier than the average"
[syn: bright, smart]

4. having lots of light either natural or artificial;
- Example: "the room was bright and airy"
- Example: "a stage bright with spotlights"

5. made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow;
- Example: "bright silver candlesticks"
- Example: "a burnished brass knocker"
- Example: "she brushed her hair until it fell in lustrous auburn waves"
- Example: "rows of shining glasses"
- Example: "shiny black patents"
[syn: bright, burnished, lustrous, shining, shiny]

6. splendid;
- Example: "the bright stars of stage and screen"
- Example: "a bright moment in history"
- Example: "the bright pageantry of court"

7. not made dim or less bright;
- Example: "undimmed headlights"
- Example: "surprisingly the curtain started to rise while the houselights were still undimmed"
[syn: undimmed, bright]

8. clear and sharp and ringing;
- Example: "the bright sound of the trumpet section"
- Example: "the brilliant sound of the trumpets"
[syn: bright, brilliant]

9. characterized by happiness or gladness;
- Example: "bright faces"
- Example: "all the world seems bright and gay"

10. full or promise;
- Example: "had a bright future in publishing"
- Example: "the scandal threatened an abrupt end to a promising political career"
- Example: "a hopeful new singer on Broadway"
[syn: bright, hopeful, promising]

STAR

1.

a. A self-luminous celestial body consisting of a mass of gas held together by its own gravity in which the energy generated by nuclear reactions in the interior is balanced by the outflow of energy to the surface, and the inward-directed gravitational forces are balanced by the outward-directed gas and radiation pressures.

b. Any of the celestial bodies visible at night from Earth as relatively stationary, usually twinkling points of light.

c. Something regarded as resembling such a celestial body.

2. A graphic design having five or more radiating points, often used as a symbol of rank or merit.

3.

a. An artistic performer or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged.

b. One who is highly celebrated in a field or profession.

4.

a. An asterisk (*).

b. The star key on a telephone: For customer service, press star.

5. A white spot on the forehead of a horse.

6. A planet or constellation of the zodiac believed in astrology to influence personal destiny.

7. stars The future; destiny. Often used with the.

adj.

1. Outstanding or famous, especially in performing something: a star researcher; a star figure skater.

2. Of or relating to a star or stars.

So over all I think it was a compliment, unless of course you used and the #8 definition of Bright and combined it with the #5 definition of Star, then I would be A Bright white spot in the shape of a trumpet on the forehead of a horse. Then that would not be a compliment.

or  #9 definition of Bright combined with #1a definition of Star - I would have a nice bright face, but be full of gas. Then I would be Mr. Bricks.

Blessings,

Ava

xox

To Dream The Possible Dream

Have you ever had to step out of the comfort zone of your simple life and had to do different things for a while? I have. I decided a long time ago that it's how you handle learning new things that will ultimately determine if you are successful in life or not.

I look at so many teen celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie my heart truly goes out to them. They have no grasp of reality. One of the very first American reality TV series was a Simple Life starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie. The premise was to take two socialites and put them in situations that were foreign to them and let the cameras roll as they tried to learn new things that were outside of their comfort zone.

With so many people losing their jobs it appears that there will be a whole lot of people learning new things they never thought they would need to know. Sadly, some older people who have seen vast retirement funds and fortunes wiped out in a single bad stock market day or by a crooked investment scam have also started to learn things they never thought the would need to know.

Most reality shows are based on the premise of exploiting people outside of their comfort zone and then showing how they react. When I get a chance to watch TV on Sunday nights, one reality series I really like to watch is Undercover Boss on CBS. It is fun to watch the CEO's try to learn new things about their very own company. yah, I sometimes think the show is as real as Pro Wrestling is real (wink, wink) but it still is a touching show watching others outside of their area of expertise struggle to learn new things.

I often wonder if I was ever on one of those reality series how would I stand up to the pressure?  Although that hasn't happened, I can say that it's always been amazing to me that when I have ventured out and done something I am not completely comfortable with I actually did better than I thought I would do.

Yes, the Greek girl surprises herself sometimes. It must be the competitive nature in me that rises to the top of my noggin and allows me to be on my "A" game. Lord knows in this business sometimes I may not want to do a certain task, make a phone call or go to a certain place -- but when I do, I always try to do my best. It's just what my parents always taught me to do.

I am in awe of those people who embrace trying new things and actually get a rush from it. My brain was wired differently, or maybe I just have a loose wire somewhere - not sure which is the truth, loose wire or wired differently. But for my entire life I have concentrated on one thing. I have pursued one thing. I dream about one thing. My happiest times are spent doing one thing.  And that one thing is my music career.

It's no surprise that American Idol (or as I call it, American Eye Dull) is considering adding a new element to the show. The final 12 contestants will all live together in a house, like Big Brother  -- once again exploiting the vulnerability of people in uncomfortable situations.

A career in the arts for anyone is usually a passion, something they must do and not just not a job you can go out and learn. The old joke that the one line of dialogue that every actor knows is,  "Do you want fries with that?" goes to show you how many actors, singers, dancers, etc must do many things they don't want to do just to continue to pursue their dream. I say to them, never give up!!

I just wished that every actor and every singer who has a pay-the-bills job like serving the McRib to my manager at the local McDonald's or driving a cab in Manhattan, that they realize this pay-the-bills job is also an opportunity to build their character and become a better person by embracing the uncomfortable present situation they find themselves in. I know first hand how it would be much easier to rebel and walk away from it. I know because I have been in that situation before. Whenever I completed one of those pay-the-bills job I always felt a little prouder about myself for completing it.

Although I am far from the ultimate success I want to have as a recording artist, as the modest success has started coming my way I honestly can say that I am thankful for the many times I have been humbled. It has indeed made me a much better singer, actress and all around better person in the long run.  And although maybe I did not know it at the time, perhaps I made a difference in someone else's life and I had no idea I was doing it. That is really the definition of  living the dream to me.

Blessings,

Ava

xox

Photo Courtesy of Michael Yarish, FOX TV

Give My Regards to Broadway

Give My Regards to Broadway was a song from George M!,  a Broadway musical based on the life of George M. Cohan.  George was the biggest Broadway star from the late 1880s until the late 1930's. He was so popular that he was affectionately known as "The Man Who Owned Broadway." This was all way before my time folks. The 1880's - that is more like my manager Mr. Bricks' era -- it's a good 100 years before I even found this planet.

Broadway is also called the Great White Way. If you were wondering why it got that nickname it's because Broadway was one of the first streets in the US to be lit by electric lights: in 1880, Brush arc lamps lit nearly a mile-long stretch of the street. About twenty years later, a headline in the New York Evening Telegram called the stretch the Great White Way. They lit up the night in "white" light...hence the name. See aren't you glad you read my blog today? I'm full of useless trivia crap.

At one point in time appearing in a Broadway show was a career boosting event for any actor. Not so much now. Attending a Broadway show was equally a big to do for any person who enjoyed going to the theatre. Everyone would get dressed up to the nines, like high school students still do for their prom. It was a very special and fun thing to do.

Now things have changed quite a bit. If you go to see a play on Broadway now you might see tourists wearing flip-flops and low-rise jeans at the show. And it's not for the faint of heart either. Don't be surprised if one of these tourist is sitting in front of you and when it comes to the curtain call and everyone stands giving the cast a standing ovation you might be greeted by the sight of butt crack, tramp stamp and a thong! And that is just on the guys. Maybe I just yearn to have been a part of the heyday of Broadway, when the likes of George M. Cohan ruled the stage.

Broadway is still big business, don't get me wrong. According to the industry’s trade association, The Broadway League, Broadway grossed more than $1 billion in the 2009-2010 season. Attendance reached nearly 12 million, topping that of the ten professional New York and New Jersey sports teams put together. But it just doesn't have that magical allure it once had.

OK, if people are still shelling out big bucks to go see a Broadway show in their flip-flops and low-rise jeans, this Greek girl wants to know where have all of the good original ideas for Broadway shows gone?

Why do old television shows and movies now have to also become Broadway shows? Remember names like, Les Miserables, Cats, A Chorus Line, Annie, Phantom of The Opera, The Fantasticks.  Those were Broadway shows.  Now if you go see a Broadway show here are some of your current choices:

• Driving Miss Daisy
• The Addams Family
• Spiderman
• Sister Act
• The Pee Wee Herman Show

Correct me if I am wrong - But I know I am right, isn't Broadway suppose to be a place full of creative talented people? If that is the case why then put on shows that have already had nice long runs as television shows or as feature films...or as in the case of Spiderman and as a comic book. Do we really need a Spiderman Broadway show? I don't think so. Where is the creativity?

Where are the new original ideas like the classic shows Miss Saigon, Hairspray, Momma Mia, Jekyll and Hyde and Wicked...yeah sure some of them came from other media but they all were super creative in their own right as Broadway shows.

As an actress I go back and forth whether I would ever want to star in a Broadway show. Recently I was attending a party in one of the beautiful theatres on Broadway and I gotta admit I did feel like the stage was calling me. But you have this Greek girl's word on it that if I ever do end up doing a Broadway musical it won't be one of these:

• CSI - Criminal Intent: The Musical
• Hawaii Five-O: The Musical
• Hoarders: The Musical
• Punk'd: The Musical
• Oprah: The Musical
• The Biggest Loser: The Musical
• NBC Nightly News: The Musical

I know some crack pot producer in the theatre district is going to read my blog today and say... Hoarders: The Musical...what a brilliant idea!! Just remember everyone -- when they do, and you know they eventually will-- you heard it here first from the Greek girl just ranting and raving about the stupidity of it all. - just sayin'

Blessings,

Ava

xox

10 Reasons Why I Would Have Never Gone on that Boat!

I know hindsight is 20/20 but I am not so sure I ever would have gotten onto the S.S. Minnow in the first place. I'm not saying I'm smarter than a 5th grader, I'm just saying there are many reasons I would have never stepped foot on that boat.

They were like the very first Survivor Tribe. I wonder who would have been voted off the island first? I would have voted off Gilligan first and I would have made a secret alliance with Lovey because if it came down to just her and I in the final round, I could have beat the old lady in any of the physical challenges.

Here are the 10 reasons why I never would have gotten onto that boat in the first place:

1. There was no wi-fi on the boat.

Many major airlines now proudly advertise wi-fi capability on their flights. Cruise ships have had it even longer. But wi-fi was an ixnay on the S.S. Minnow. Why?  Ok don't send me a bazillion comments saying wi-fi or the internet wasn't invented yet.  The truth is, and you can fact check it on Snopes.Com I did (not.)  It is my theory that the Professor had invented the internet and wi-fi in his hut on a previous tour. A young Albert Gore watched enough episodes to discover how to duplicate the Professor's invention. Knowing the Professor was on desert island and never coming back, Albert filed a patent and staked claim to the invention of the information super highway several years later.

2. I think Ginger was a fraud.

I looked up this chick, Ginger Grant on IMDB and she doesn't have any credits. Movie Star? I don't think so. At best, maybe she had a cameo in a Johnny Bravo music video.

3. The Skipper was in charge of the boat.

That's like letting my manager Mr. Bricks be in charge of what I am eating this week. Umm, that ain't happening. He's totally the wrong person for the job. Mr. Bricks thinks the four basic food groups are extra cheese, pepperoni, black olive and sausage on his pizza. Personally, I think the Skipper was better suited for being a tour guide on a tram at Universal Studios Hollywood Tour. They love having older fat guys cracking jokes while tourist take pictures about everything they point to. That would be a perfect fit for the mighty sailin' man, I'm just sayin'

4. Mary Ann Summers.

Need I say more about this girl? I think she is highly annoying and I wasn't surprised to read in the paper a couple of years ago she was busted for having pot. I had always suspected her and Gilligan of smoking Meth on the other side of the island. I figured what are the odds of two people so stupid ending up stranded on the same desert island unless they had a prior connection, like maybe the same drug dealer.  It all makes sense then. A quick Google check also confirms a drug bust in West Virgina for possession of marijuana for Gilligan as well. Hmmm, see maybe this blonde blogger is onto something. Ya' think? Move over Nancy Grace here comes Ava Aston.

5.  Millionaires going on a three-hour tour?

Ok, there is no doubt that Thurston Howell III was being used by Lovey for his money. I think she was a Black Widow and she was the one who booked them on a 3-hour tour.  Haven't you ever asked yourself why would a millionaire and his wife be on a 3-hour tour on a piece of crap boat when they were so stinking filthy rich? They also brought along millions of dollars in cold cash in an old steamer trunk. Who does that?  I think Lovey had a more sinister motive than sightseeing. Maybe she was trying to get Thurston onto the boat so she could push him overboard. Lovey could then claim the old geezer stumbled and fell overboard on his own, claiming it was an accident. When they got back to port she could file an insurance claim and get all of his money.  I am convinced Lovey was an evil person. She also had one of those nasally annoying voices, kinda like Joy Behar has.  You know what I mean?  It's like whenever they open their mouth you just hear white noise because you've already tuned them out.  Hey wait... Joy, where are you going???  Wait. Come back here Joy. Please sit down and finish reading the rest of my blog.

6 . Gilligan was a dork.

Oh yea baby, and what a chick magnet this dude was.  I loved his red shirt and that white hat of his.....Boy, I'm getting steamy just thinking of Skipper's little buddy - NOT.  Hey, if Gilligan was a car he would be a PT Cruiser,  know what I'm saying friends? Gilligan wasn't a chick magnet he was chick repellant. The bad thing was he ruined an entire generation of boys who thought it was cool to dress like him.

7.  Life Jackets.

Did anyone ever tell the Skipper that is was maritime violation not to have one life jacket for each of the passengers? That is the same crap that got that big boat the Titanic in trouble. Life jackets for each passenger Skipper, I'm just sayin'.

8. Unsanitary Conditions of the Boat.

Something tells me this wasn't the cleanest ship in the ocean. Even if it was a 3-hour tour and they were just serving snacks, I'd be whipping out the wet naps and offering them to Skipper and his Little Buddy as they were passing out some food.  Even then..not sure if I could eat it. I'm a bit of a germaphobe.

9.  The Weather Started getting Rough

I'm sorry but a little bit of planning and a 10 second glance at the Weather Channel would have told any one that it wasn't the best day to go out on the water in a boat. I check the Weather Channel just to go for a run, and yet not one of them checked it before a 3-hour boat ride? Oh Lordy, they were all so lame they deserved to be stranded on that desert island.

10. Size Matters

Yah, I'm pretty sure I would have never step foot on the boat with these shady characters. And for me.... the boat was just way too small. If it's not a boat bigger than a hotel, I don't want to go on it. Even then, I'm checking with the Weather Channel to see if it would be cold enough  for any snow or icebergs, because you just never know. The last thing I want to have happen is Celine Dione belting out a power ballad about me drowning while Leonard DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are making out while standing up on the bow of the ship.

Have a great Saturday!

Blessings,

Ava

xox