Ashley Silva: Published Author

For years I have been a lot of talk when it comes to my passion projects.  I focused on work and building my career and let the things that make me feel alive slip to the side.  And then - one year ago - I started my blog.  For an entire year I have posted three times a week.  365 days of committing to a passion project and it feels damn good.

10 years ago I started talking about writing a book.  I didn't know what I wanted it to be about but I knew I wanted to one day be a published author.  Well here I am - with lots of drafts, notebooks full of ideas - and books about how to publish a book.  But alas - no book.

So now - I'm committing myself to making this passion project a reality.  It may take me 6 months, it may take me 6 years - but I am going to publish a book.

And now that I'm saying it out loud, publishing it on my website (which I plan to continue keeping up with - for the fans obviously) - it makes it a must do.  It's a little scary making a public declaration because there's more pressure to follow through.  But I've dedicated myself to improving my personal life and living out all of my crazy dreams outside of my career.  And I have every intention of never going back to the life of the career tunnel vision. 

Well rounded boss babes are deeply fulfilled in their personal lives.  And publishing a book will make me feel like I can conquer the world.

So you heard it here first - I am working on a book!  I still don't know exactly what it will be about, but it will be funny and it will reflect the extra sparkle that I am.  Stay tuned because I'm going to need all of you to buy it and make me filthy rich.  Passion projects are after all supposed to fulfill my ultimate goal of retiring on a secluded island full of puppies and wine.

Thank you for all your support sequins!

I am an 86 Year Old Man

Milton G. Silva taught me everything I know about being a 93 year old man.  And while I am not quite at the expert level of his old man ways - I am quickly approaching such an achievement.

How does one become an old man you ask?  I'll tell you.

Lose your filter

The older my papa got, the more he said whatever was on his mind.  And I'm talking whatever came to mind.  Didn't like your attitude?  He would tell you.  Wasn't a fan of the house wine?  You bet he's going to tell you.  Truly enjoys frozen waffles?  He told me every time he saw me.  The point is - if you think it - you can say it.  Accidentally let a toot out?  Blame it on being 90.  No filter. No shame.  I've got this covered and I've had this covered since I was 5 years old.  I actually physically cannot hold back opinions.  It's not my fault.

Complain about how expensive everything is

I never saw anything but milk, tomatoes, and bread in my papa's fridge.  If there were any other meals it was because someone brought them to him and physically placed them there.  At least twice a week he complained about the cost of something.  He never hesitated to tell me how much more things cost than back in his day.  And you know what?  he's not wrong.  In high school I paid like $1.50 a gallon for gas.  When I left LA gas was at least $32 a gallon. 

Insist kids these days are the worst

Milton never forgot to tell us kids how hard he worked growing up and how hard he continued to work until he passed.  Make sure you describe the younger generation as whiners, lazy, and ungrateful.  Do not forget to include how many miles you walked uphill in the snow to get to school and or work.  I hate the younger millennial crowd.  Ya'll are so feelings based and you think you deserve the entire world merely because you were born.  You don't.  Shut up and get back to work.

Go to bed at 8PM, Wake up at 6AM (Nap in Between)

Old men are exhausted by 7.  After jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, you get your pajamas on and you jump in bed.  And then around 6AM, your body will naturally jolt awake.  You will accomplish no less than 342 things by Noon and then you will fall asleep in your lounger watching golf.  Rinse, and repeat.  On weekdays, I'm in bed no later than 9PM.  On weekends my body insist on waking at 7AM and I need 12 naps by 2PM.

Express great dissatisfaction towards all new technology

Technology is not to be understood or trusted.  It takes too long to learn and you have to constantly call your younger family members to figure out how to make it work.  Milt did email for about 20 minutes.  I fully believe in this.  There's too many apps and I continue to shake my phone like an N64 controller if it doesn't work properly. 

Point out all body aches and pains, compare medications with others

Getting old means getting injured.  It means arthritis, back pain, and overall feeling the aches and the pains of existing.  Papa always had a new bruise and body ache and yet he continued to ride his bicycle almost every day until he was 90.  I am 31, I already have all of the injuries and daily aches and pains.  I believe I am exceeding expectations here.

Obviously there are more advanced levels to this old man lifestyle.  Like grandpa sweaters and boats shoes (check).  And being overly protective and proud of your people (check).  But I'd like to think for better or worse, I am an 86 year old man and I don't think it's going away anytime soon.  Thankfully, Milton G. Silva was the best example and best papa I have ever known and I can't help but smile when I think of him.

#NoFilter

I don't have a filter.  I say a lot of things that most people think, but don't say.  Sure, I've got boundaries.  I generally don't say anything mean spirited and I try not to offend anyone.  But in general, if I think it - I'm probably going to say it.

Often times this gets me intro trouble.  I can say something that's misunderstood.  I say things that make me look stupid.  I take jokes just a little over the line. 

But I'm also really good at humor.  I've got great comedic timing.  I'm also real.  Authentic.  And ultimately you know where I stand.  I make a point to tell you the good with the bad.

And because I lack a filter, I've been told my whole life I'm too much.  That I should tone it down, even change who I am.  For a really long time, I even allowed myself to agree with those people.  I wondered why I couldn't just be quiet and blend in.  I wished I could be one of those sweet and nice girls who doesn't say much and never causes controversy.  I think I even spent a whole 24 hours being that person.  At the end of the day, that's not me.  I was miserable.

I'm a lot.  I'm loud.  I'm opinionated.  And I think my filter is in a gutter in Las Vegas along with my dignity from 2010.  I'm an acquired taste.  For some, I'm not their type at all.  I don't think I'm one of those people you say "yea, she's cool, whatever."  You either love me or you think I'm the worst.

The cool thing about being 30 and not having a filter?  I've figured out who I am. And I'm accepting of who that is.  I realize people may not like who that is.  And that isn't my problem.  I'm a good person (with great hair) who likes to laugh and likes to push boundaries.  I do it with sparkle, sass, and mostly with class.

I don't have a filter.  But honestly, in 2017, we could all do with one less filter in the world.  And because I care, I'll be that girl for us.