Pod Thoughts

{ June 18, 2023 @ 4:01 pm } · { Life According To Ava }
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I took a week off at the end of April to fly down to LA and caught the Pod Meets World Live show at the iHeartRadio Theater. I thought about doing a recap here but nobody really needs to hear that. You can hear the podcast of it on iHeartRadio, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Instead, I think I’d rather do a thought process of Pod Meets World so far. After all, I am writing this almost 2 months after watching the show. I don’t really have any friends who love this show enough to go see this live taping with me so I went alone. It’s fine. I enjoyed it tremendously. I think my favorite parts were when Danny received his check and when we got to witness and experience the best friendship when Tony Quinn came onstage. Here is a clip from when he came out and greeted them.

This show was a bit similiar to the first Pod Meets World Show that they did in San Diego back in October 2022. I liked that one too but I could tell they weren’t really sure what to do at first. And the theater wasn’t as intimate as the iHeartRadio theater. I felt very much removed from them. iHeartRadio Theater felt more like a black box theater type show which I love. I really love when they do the part where they reenact a scene from the show and pull an audience member to play Cory. The person they picked was a bit shy and couldn’t think of what to say when prompted but that’s perfectly natural. It made me think of how I am when I’m around people I don’t know or admire too much. For example, I really wanted to ask a question during Q&A but my brain couldn’t think of anything to ask. Sometimes, I just wish I would get out of my own way. It wouldn’t have been different if I was surrounded by friends. They would support me and uplift me so I wouldn’t be afraid to speak. But it’s weird. The older I get, the more introverted I’m becoming. How do you correct that? How does one get over this? I’ve lost so many missed opportunities.

Sometimes, I wish I were born different. I wish I had an average weight body. I wish I were extroverted. I wish I had the “ris” as they say on Pod Meets World. Haha! How am I a co-founder of a sketch comedy troupe when I am so painfully shy? I guess that’s why I’m not a stand up comedian. I need the support of my troupe to get through the show. I rely on them whenever I’m in a sketch to bounce energy off of. Having people to rely on to make sure we get through our lines is so relieving. I guess that’s why I love it. It’s not very hard to get through when I have them with me.

That reminds me, we have a very exciting project coming up that I can’t really talk about but I CAN share that we had to do a photoshoot for it and it will be out in August. In relation to Boy Meets World, I love that they taught me not to care about what others think about me. It gave me the courage to be myself and be brave in ways I never thought possible. That’s why it is such a special show to me. All the lessons it taught were so profound throughout my life and I didn’t even know it. I love hearing the other side of things through Pod Meets World but my favorite parts are the pre-show conversations where we get to learn about those little characterisistics about each actor. And I can honestly say that the more I listen, the more I learn about Will, the more I realize he is just the most perfect dream man to me. I stopped blogging about him after I found out that he was in a relationship out of respect for his partner. It just felt weird to be blogging the way I used to. But now, I realize I can be a fan and there is nothing wrong with admiring your favorites regardless of their marital status. I’m happy for him and I love him for all that he is and does. I even had a dream last night and he was in it. I dreamt that I was invited over to his house along with some of his friends. Jason Marsden was there too. I was enjoying myself just laughing and sharing stories but when it was about time to have dinner, I suddenly froze because I was afraid to tell people I was vegan and couldn’t eat with them. So instead, I told Will that I had to go and he was like, “Aww, why?” And I just said I had to go. Then he said, “Wait!” and he came over to me and whispered a question in my ear. He asked, “Do you know how to use a Duraflame?” Hahahahaha! He always has a way of making me laugh, even in my dreams. A true dream guy.

NOTE: I just realized I wrote this in the original format I first started this blog in, where my thoughts just jump from topic to topic, lol.

Pod Meets World Live

{ October 24, 2022 @ 9:53 pm } · { Celebs I admire }
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As the lights turned down on the magnificent Magnolia stage, Shawn Hunter stepped into the spotlight in too much shirts, waited for the eruption of applause to die down and recited a poem that traced through his many characteristics, backstory and Veronica Wasboyski. I loved it so much! What a perfect way to start off this show!

Ok, that’s enough. First of all, I’m not trying to recap the show but instead, I’m going to go through some things they could do to make it better for the next show or if they ever do a tour because I’m not trying to spoil it for others if they do the same show. To have a show that I think would carry well as a tour, I can’t ignore the fact that when they started off as a trifecta with all of them onstage, they all sat at a table off to stage left and I felt like they could have used the stage more. There was just so much space to utilize. Another thing they could do would be to honor the opening credits and make a video or even remake a video that pays homage to all the different opening credits they had. It could be cheesy, funny, a parody, satire, anything! That would have been so fun to see.

They did a part where they performed a scene and had an audience member play Cory Matthews. That was fun to watch but I think there were some things that didn’t hit as much as it should have. For example, Rider ran his fingers through his hair but no one really noticed, at least not out loud like on Boy Meets World. But I think the reason it didn’t get the reaction it deserved was because it wasn’t highlighted so people didn’t know where to look. He was asking Cory a question when he did it but I think if he had said, “Hold on…” and made a big deal out of it like crack his neck or cracked his knuckles beforehand, maybe make an elaborate gesture out of it, it would have hit hard. And as much as I enjoyed the scene they did, having the script to make it an actual scene for the audience member Cory to say the lines would have been so awesome! It’s like when I used to watch Kids in the Hall and when I saw them do it in person, even though I knew the sketch like the back of my hand, nothing could replace seeing it performed live, even if it was with a script in hand. People just love watching actors act. And it was really cool that Trina McGee joined them onstage. She was so gracious and I could tell she was really happy to be there. I also think they could have worn clothing from that era more, to draw us back into the 90s.

After they did the scene, there was a game where they had superfans come and answer trivia questions. While that was fun idea, it wasn’t really that exciting until Plays With Squirrels came out. Will completely nailed it with his character. He wouldn’t shake anyone’s hands, he called people out on their shit, and he had a dramatic entrance. However, that blackout was wayyyyy too long. There needed to be some epic music or theme song or something to carry us through that blackout. Maybe some pioneer music? Moose calls? Moses hymns? I don’t know. Anything really. Maybe even bring out someone in a moose costume? I love costumes. And the questions asked were really quite hard but they were answered and wow, I felt like I was not a fan. I didn’t know any more than that cast members, which is exactly why I didn’t raise my hand to be on the game show. It’s ok, I’m just here to watch. I’ll participate another time.

After the trivia game was a Q&A session. People asked some really great questions but I felt like a lot of the time was eaten up by the producer having to run around the audience. They could have just done it like the cons and just had people line up so that it could go faster. To make it fair, have the mic in the middle of the audience aisle so that not only those in the front could get to the mic the fastest, even those in the back could have a chance to talk to them.

Overall, it was a great show. I loved every second of it. But if we’re going to all relish in nostalgia together, I think there are more ways to do it 110%. Danielle tried to take us there with her Richard Caruso curls and I appreciated that even though they didn’t hold. Maybe she needed to add some mousse or something to hold it? Or do it later in the day, closer to show time so that they don’t unfurl themselves until after. I appreciated all the Shawn clothing that Rider wore to bring us back to those layered years. Will with his Plays WIth Squirrels was spectacular but I, and I don’t think I was alone in wanting to see that lollipop. They should have had a camera or something following them to project onto the screen. I was sitting in the 5th row but even I had trouble seeing them since they were so far upstage, and I had my glasses on! Can’t imagine what the audience in the farther rows see. I hope they do a tour and come to my town. I’ll definitely attend, and this time, I’ll get Meet & Greet tix if they are reasonably priced.

Enjoy this Plays With Squirrels entrance! Love you, Will!

Pod Meets World Live!

{ September 24, 2022 @ 8:33 pm } · { Celebs I admire, Life According To Ava }
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They announced a live Pod Meets World event for October 22nd, 2022 and this is my thought process.

“Damn. I have plans on October 22nd. Oh well, maybe they will go on tour. I’ll go when they come to the bay area.” Two weeks past.

“But what if they don’t? What if this is a one time thing? What if they do it and decide it was fun one time but their busy schedules won’t allow for a tour? If I want to see them, I have to go to them, won’t I? I wonder if my friends will get mad if I bail. Maybe I can reschedule my plans. My friends know how much I love Will Friedle. They would understand, right? I’m not bailing, this is not a bail. This is a reschedule. This is me following my pursuit of happiness. Will makes me happy so that’s the direction I should go in. Ok. Ok. I’m going to ask them if we can reschedule Cobra Kai binge night.”

Text, text, text. Reply, reply, reply. Yes, yes, YES!

“They just talked about VIP Meet & Greet tickets. Do those still exist? Let me see. VIP Club Access. What’s that? Is that the same? There’s nothing written here about meeting and greeting. I’ll ask the show. Let’s email them. Let’s also send them an IG message. Oh! Let’s also send Danielle an IG message! Ok, it’s not the same. Meet & Greet is sold out. That’s ok. Let’s make it more worth it. Let’s get this $160 Gold Circle ticket. Let’s get an early flight so I can eat my way through San Diego. Should I sleep at the airport? CAN I sleep at the airport? Google says not really. Ok, airbnb. Hotel, Airbnb? Hotel? Couch surf? Airbnb. Let’s support small businesses. I need to fit into my Plays With Squirrels shirt. I’m going to the gym tomorrow. Okay, let’s do this. I can’t fuckin WAIT!!!”

Pod Meets World

{ July 13, 2022 @ 1:04 pm } · { Life According To Ava }
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I am so excited about the new Pod Meets World Show! I only started getting into podcasts during the pandemic and even then, I mainly only listened to comedians. To get to hear these guys talk about behind the scenes, memories, and discuss their thoughts on each episode is a dream come true for any Boy Meets World fan! Especially the ones who grew up with the show like me! I’ve noticed the pattern is that they interview their weekly guest during a podcast and the following week, they discuss the BMW episode with the same special guest. I am loving the format! Because then each episode will give us a chance to hear about their thoughts on the show and then their thoughts on the particular episode.

Currently, I’m on the latest one which is Father Knows Less and they are discussing it with William Daniels (Mr. Feeny) and Bonnie Bartlett (Dean Bolander). While I have watched the Boy Meets World episodes multiple times, I bet it is a completely different experience to watch them knowing what they actors were thinking. So I’ve decided to listen to the podcast and then watch the episode they discussed. Is that a good idea? Bad idea? No idea? Okay, let’s just see how this plays out. Anyway, the episodes can be found anywhere you get your podcasts. I listen to it on Spotify but you can also hear it on Apple, iHeart and even Amazon Music. Enjoy!

Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel and Will Friedle at Wango Tango to announce the start of Pod Meets World Show.

Is This Thing On?

{ February 28, 2022 @ 12:47 pm } · { Life According To Ava }
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Hello? Is anyone here? Maybe it’s just me. Regardless, I just took a Masterclass on writing and it said to write everyday. Something, Anything. I thought why not start back up with my blog. It’s been 2 years since I’ve made an entry. The pandemic has been quite a ride for so many people in my life. I’m lucky I haven’t caught it yet. At this point, I feel like everyone will get it at least one point in their life. Just a matter of when. I’ve done a lot in the past couple of years. Still at the same job and I’m very fortunate that my job was not threatened when everyone else in the world was getting laid off and losing gigs left and right, including me. I didn’t get laid off but we did get our SF Sketchfest gig postponed to 2023. That’s allright. It just wasn’t meant to me. I had spent almost a year working from home and honestly, it was wonderful because I had the opportunity to do more cooking that way. I have been able to veganize some pretty incredible foods including Chinese Roast Pork, BBQ Pork Buns and Oxtail Stew. They were absolutely delicious. Wouldn’t it be amazing if I could sell items like this on a regular basis?

Anyway, currently, I’m on a pursuit of happiness. Looking for something I want to do that will make me happy. I am happy when I cook but I am not much of an entrepreneur and don’t know if I would be able to handle the business side of things. Taxes, registrations, health codes, it’s a lot. I feel like they make it so hard for people to start their own businesses. There are so many rules! I’d rather just do it under the table. I’ve been working hard at building my Instagram following so that I can build interest in a product that people would want to buy from me. Seems to be a good tactic. If you think about it, a book wouldn’t sell if no one knew the author, right? I just need to heighten my video skills to another level so that they are more interesting and engaging. Enough about me, how are you all doing? Is anyone even out there? Most likely not. But it’s fine, I’m here.

Will Friedle in Wingman Magazine

{ December 26, 2019 @ 12:28 pm } · { Celebs I admire, Life According To Ava }
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Will recently posted about a Wingman magazine shoot that he did and I bought the digital copy and read the article. It was fantastic! Such a well-written piece about him and I enjoyed every word. I highly recommend buying it if you’re a huge Will Friedle fan. The digital copy is $4.99 and the print copy is $36.99. I was going to get the print copy but decided since I’m trying to live towards a more minimalist life, I should probably aim for the digital. So then I can access it anytime and anywhere. The magazine had photos of him wearing some kind of designer clothes but I have to admit, some of these outfits made him look like Inspector Gadget. Or maybe more like Eric Matthews, the good-looking detective. Haha! This is my favorite pic in the magazine which you could find in the Wingman Instagram as well. I love it because I love the way his hair sits on his temple just like it used to back in the day. And he has lost so much weight! I’m so inspired! He said in the article that it was thanks to exercise and Nutri-system! They should have him be a spokeperson. There aren’t enough male spokepeople for weight loss programs.

Will Friedle

Anyway, what intrigued me the most about the article was that they mentioned he was going to be filming a movie in the summer!! WHAT?!! My jaw literally dropped. I’m so excited. I have to admit, I stopped writing about Will after he got married out of respect but I can’t hold my excitement any longer! How can I not express this abundance of absolute joy? I’ve been waiting to see him in front of the screen or the longest time. Do I even care whether it’s in the theatre, streaming on Netflix or pay-per-view (does this even exist anymore?)? No. I just like that he is able to overcome his anxiety and perform onscreen again. This makes me so elated. And he also mention at New York Comic Con that he and Danielle Fishel had written something that they were shopping around! How exciting! You can find that interview here:

On another note, Will should have a website with his future appearances so that us fans can plan ahead! I would have loved to have been able to go to all those con appearances he was at but finding out just days beforehand doesn’t make for the best flight prices for someone who doesn’t normally attend these types of events. Speaking of conferences, I’ve been completely immersed in watching all of the interviews Will is partaking in and I am absorbing every word. I’m like a sponge. I’m at the point where I could probably answer the repetitive questions he’s always hearing! His favorite episode? The Scream episode. How did he get the part? Cuz he was taller than the original actor who was cast as Eric. Why did you leave acting? Anxiety. It’s all very similar in each interview which is why I enjoy the one-on-one interviews much more. I even noticed that sometimes, his story about filming the last episode of Boy Meets World changes when he talks about it. He said in one interview that he filmed the last day of Boy Meets World and also recorded the last episode of Batman Beyond on the same day. In another one, he said the recording was on the next morning. And in another one, he said Boy Meets World filming was the next day but all in all, you get the gist of it.

Ok, that took more than 5 minutes to write. Lots to say but I’ll save it for another post! In the meantime, I have some research to do!

I’m Back!

{ September 13, 2019 @ 12:35 pm } · { Life According To Ava }
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It’s been awhile since I’ve written. Wow, last time I wrote, I had just turned 40! Well, now I’m 42 and lots of things have changed. Most recently, I have done a mini-tour with my sketch comedy troupe, Granny Cart Gangstas, I have become really good friends with the owner of a great vegan Filipino restaurant in town, I’m finally happy at my job, my boss retired, I bought a new car (and sadly let go of my old one), and I recently met a man I really liked. However, it didn’t work out and while it was disappointing, it was not regretful. I’m glad I met him.

I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on the type of life I want to live.  I really want to write a cookbook. I feel like I’ve gathered a lot of information on how to veganize foods that I should be able to start recording everything I’ve been making. I started an instagram page where I collect all my vegan finds, recipes and meals I eat. Through this page and some vegan friends, I’ve been able to meet a lot of other vegan in the area who have been imperative in my vegan journey.  My favorite thing about my journey and how smooth my skin is now. I love it! Never been better. I have the skin I’ve always wanted as an acne-prone young adult who unsuccessfully went through Accutane twice! Who knows what damage that’s done to my body. Luckily, I don’t plan on having children. Anyway, I’ve currently been offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do something I never thought I would ever do in my entire life. Just waiting to get approval from my boss. Will write more about this next time. It’s been 5 minutes with you!

Happy Birthday To Me!

{ February 22, 2017 @ 9:33 pm } · { Health, Life According To Ava }
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I’ve hit 40! Wow. I’m incredibly thankful for the loving community I am surrounded by. Was surprised with cake 4 times this past week! How awesome is that?! My family & friends are so sweet and I appreciate them so much. As I sit here today reflecting back on all the events that have occurred in my life, both good and bad, I think they have all shaped me in one way or another. I’m stronger in the sense that I’m not a pushover and I fight for what I believe in. At the same time, I’m weaker in the sense that I somehow have remained single all this time due to my mistrust in men. All experiences have influenced me.

I decided not to have any New Year’s resolutions this year and treat myself to good things any time I want to. Every since I went vegan, I’ve found lots of inspiration in other vegans on social media and have discovered a self-love that never existed before. No longer do I look in the mirror and complain about my double chin or flabby arms or love handles. No longer do I wish I were skinnier or wish I was toned or get disappointed in what I see in the mirror. The person I see in the mirror is doing her best to save the animals, to treat her body to good foods and to do her part in helping the environment. So how could I hate this person I see? How could I tell this person that she needs to lose weight or get in shape when she is already doing so much for herself, for the animals and for the planet? It’s simple. I can’t. I love what I see in the mirror now. It is an incredible feeling to love yourself. Some might call it arrogant but if a little 4-yr-old girl was confident and happy, is that arrogance? Is that being an egomaniac? I don’t think so. You know the saying. You can’t love someone else until you love yourself first. So here I am, loving myself and seeing that I am finally at peace and no longer fighting my negativity. And what’s great is that as soon as I started loving myself, it exuded into my community and it was glorious.

Oh yes, and as a birthday present to myself, I decided to enroll at Cornell University and obtain my Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition! It was so weird to be back in school, even if it is online. Having to write essays and do quizzes really brought me back. I didn’t do it for any professional reason, just wanted to learn from good sources since there is so much misinformation out there. Now that I have learned about plant-based nutrition in professionals, I feel like I can apply it to my own life to get healthy and live a long & stress-free life. I would encourage anyone else to get healthy too, whatever way works for you. I think it’s time I start a new website to document this journey, yes? ;0)

Girl Meets World Canceled

{ January 5, 2017 @ 7:15 pm } · { Celebs I admire, Life According To Ava }
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I can’t even put into words how disappointed I am with Disney for canceling Girl Meets World. It is a really great show and it has really great role models on here which frankly, the world really needs right now. I know I haven’t really been keeping up with GMW as much as the younger fans who are completely destroyed right now but that’s what’s supposed to happen. I had my Boy Meets World and now they have their Girl Meets World. I’ve been trawling the internet on Girl Meets World articles and reading all the comments and I feel completely helpless for these young fans who didn’t get to have their show continue through their childhood like I did. I was always one of those that watched the latest episode way after the fact. I don’t own a TV so it’s a little more difficult for me.

The best thing about this show was that it produced positive role models for young kids today and it didn’t “kardashianize” anyone to make them act like someone they’re not. It was relatable, entertaining, humorous and fun to watch. I don’t want to believe that this is truly the end of Girl Meets World. I want to believe that the public outcry and fan reaction is enough to get Disney to give it a second thought. Or if anything, it would be great if Netflix would pick it up and they could tackle topics they couldn’t before when they were on Disney.

Anyway, I guess all I can do right now besides sign petitions, tweet at Netflix & Disney Channel and share my dismay on articles is enjoy the last three episodes coming up in January for the next three Fridays. :0(

Dream Gig

{ December 3, 2016 @ 2:38 pm } · { Artist World }
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I’m so completely excited for tonight. My sketch comedy troupe is opening for Kevin Camia, my favorite standup comedian. This is my dream gig, seriously. I’ve always wanted to perform in the same space as Kevin and I’m excited to be able to do that tonight!

On another note, a long time ago, one of our dreams was to get into SF Sketchfest and this year, we made it! It is such an incredible feeling to be a part of such a huge festival! I’ve been attending SF Sketchfest for at least 10 years now. Never thought I would ever be in it. I’ve seen so many amazing actors, comedians & performers there including Kids Ih The Hall, John Cho, Rider Strong, Robin Williams, Michael Ian Black, Thomas Lennon, and the list goes on. Sigh, I wish I could write for longer but I need to get my shit together. Can’t wait for tonight!

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