The heart...

Autumn afternoon at Ambient Life

...It’s a funny thing. 

Yeah, it’s one, two, three, four chambers that pump blood through the body. But it does so much more.


It pines. It sinks. It soars.

Bands have heart.
Stories tug at it. 
Games send it racing. 
And each day is a chance to give every beat a meaning.

The heart wants a kiss to send it fluttering. And it wants it now. It wants break up songs, red-eye movie nights and late night creme brulee. And it wants heavy hearts, heartbreak, heart racers, heart-bursters and heart stoppers.

Sometimes the heart loves hating. And sometimes, the heart hates loving. But more than anything, the heart just wants to feel.

 There are about 2,500,000,000 heartbeats in a lifetime. You should feel every one of them.

*Text from Google commercial

Why Bless the U.S.A.?

The star and stripes forever

For the last several days I have struggled with what to write with regard to the celebration of the U.S.A.'s independence. The two things that I've struggled with the most are: number one, our country is getting farther and farther away from what our founding fathers intended its destiny to be. And, number two, I have many friends and acquaintances on Second Life who are from other countries. It is clear to me that many misjudge the United States and base their opinions about her on what our own media tells them.

With regards to our nation's state of affairs, let me make it very clear that my agenda here is far from political. Webster's dictionary describes "Patriotism" as a noun (a thing) "to devote love, support and defense of one's country; a national loyalty." Without question I believe that anyone should have a patriotic spirit for whatever country in which they are born. However, I must admit that when I

When I point like this there are three fingers pointing back at me.

observe some of the things that our own nation has done in the past few years I do feel shame. I don't have to list those decisions to make my point valid. Suffice it to say that although I have felt much embarrassment, I have not felt enough of it to drive me from her shores. It seems that a people who have been raised on the foundation of freedom in almost every regard, can also become so full of ingratitude and selfishness that they quench the very freedom they live in. No sooner do I feel disgrace for my own people's actions, then something happens to bring tears of pride to my eyes and lift my head once again. Our people will risk their own lives to rush into a burning building to save perfect strangers. We will give the shirt off our back to give a homeless person warmth. Or what about that college coach who gave his kidney to a walk on prospect of average skill, simply because his blood type matched. In his words, "It was just the right thing to do."

Are you truly grateful? Yes? Then act like it!

To all of my friends and acquaintances from other countries around the world, if I believed 1/4 of what our own media tells me about our country I would leave. It's sad to say that the majority of our press and media is so biased and liberal you can barely trust a single word they write or say. I'm grateful that most of the people that I have met from other countries on Second Life are not close minded or ignorant enough to believe what they've been told. You are intelligent enough to find out for yourself. For that I give you the highest praise and sometimes wonder if I were in your shoes would I be so open minded.

Yes, America is fat with the greed that comes with abundance and spoiled with a freedom that she may very well lose due to her own complacency, ignorance, apathy and repugnant scandal. But she is still the land of the free and the home of the brave and I love her even with all of her flaws and pray that somehow in my little niche of the world I will know to do right with this freedom that God has granted us and I challenge my fellow Americans to do the same. I am grateful to a platform like Second Life where I can meet and become friends with some amazing people from all around the world. I can only ask you to forgive me for those times when I take for granted my freedom. Bear with me when I publicly ask God to bless the USA- because she really needs it.

Shamefully Proud American

A special thanks to Jules Catlyn with Surplus Motors for creating this amazing car:

 https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/SURPLUS-MOTORS-Cuda-Patriot/5654427

And to Belle Roussel with Chop Zuey Couture Jewelry for creating this great necklace:

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Always-True-American-Flag-Mens-Necklace-by-Chop-Zuey-Couture-Jewellery/5417053

Now Accepting Hug Applications

The below application is totally stolen from Aria E. Appleford 

Well, Aria E. Appleford laid down the gauntlet and challenged me with this one.

In response to Aria originally posting this application:

Dusty: I'm stealing this <application>. I'm going to use it as sure as the world.
Aria: you are on!!! We can compare cuddle lines!
Dusty: Would it be cheating if I put it in my Avatar's profile picks?
Aria: Good idea...that will give me two more people maybe...if I can convince mom and dad.

So you see, I have been challenged. Well, if you'd like a hug please complete the above application and send it to me. :)

Hugz,
Dusty

If you think...

I Spotted the content of this blog in someone's profile recently and thought it worth posting. So if you think while you are in Second life:

 ~Don't take anything too seriously!

~Respect yourself and others.

~SL is diverse... From religions, mental illnesses and criminals, to less common sexual appetites.

~Don't prejudge!

~Stay true to yourself.

~SL can hurt in ways society hasn't prepared you for.

~Keep track of the line between reality and fantasy; love, hate, passion, dreams, goals.


~Always keep a clear head!

~SL is not reality, nor is it a fair
representation of reality!

~Take breaks...

~If you think you're going to marry that avatar you're pretending to be fondling... and that he/she is at all like that in real life... think again!

Lions, Lyings, and Lines

I've noticed several people taking pictures and posting blogs that include two lions designed by Nilssen at  < THAT >. There is just simply something very majestic, proud and awe inspiring about lions. They just have a way of intimidating without even trying.

Did you know that male lions live a relatively short lives, as they are constantly under the threat of pride takeover by younger, stronger males. The females will mate with the new males that succeed in taking over a pride. Usually there are more than one male within a pride and several females. Any male may mate with any female. It is first come first served. Since the males are often brothers, it does not matter that much which male does most of the mating since their genes will be passed along. The male lions that have lost control of a pride may die of the injuries or starvation. Males of course may woo females from neighboring prides, but of course that is seldom successful because of the presence of rival males.

So I had to get myself a pair of these lions so I could look all cool and important. It’s funny how my plans never seem to turn out like I see them in my head. As you can see I had a rough go of it trying to tame these beasts. It must have been when I went to pet the female that the male decided I’d look better on my back under his paws.

The same thing can be said of relationships in SL and in RL. We all know that people have a knack for telling us what we want to hear and just as bad, we often times hear what we want to hear. There is no sure fire plan for avoiding this if you want to be with people. 

You can learn from your mistakes or those of those around you but the simple fact is love and relationships are risky. But if you value interpersonal closeness then you must take the chance at some point. My only advice is that early on in your relationship you must establish lines. You must have both lines of communication and lines of limitations. Take the time to develop friendships and you will always have a full heart.

Dusty's Digits

Strawberry Singh said she wasn't planning on doing a digit challenge this year. Well, I wasn't planning on creating a blog. EVER. But what the heck. Seems everyone has one so why not me. This is the very blog I've done and may be the last. We'll just have to see.

I've almost always checked my digits when Berry put out the challenge but I've never posted anything publicly. I am interested in seeing what others do with their avatars and often compare mine. I'm never quite satisfied with my measurements and much like everyone else, the things that keeps them in flux are the clothes that we make or buy in world.

Although I won't take time to answer the other questions in the meme I will say that I'm happy with the changes that LL is making with SL and have no intentions of walking away any time soon. 

I would appreciate any feed back that anyone might offer. I've long since taken my feelings off my sleeve and kept them hidden away when it comes to criticisms whether they be constructive or critical. Just tell me what you think and we'll still be friends. Or, enemies depending on what you were before you responded.  ;)

See you in Never Never Land. :)