Dustin Ahkuoi

I promise I am not making up words…someone else made it up for me! Here is a simple definition…and then a long and confusing one.

Came across this word just yesterday from a spiritual guide in my life…a mother figure. I was talking to her about my journey as of late…figuring out what my style is. By style I mean so many things…personality style, fashion style, home decor style, communication style, leisure style, work style etc etc etc. She rejoiced with me and my path to “Individuation.” I am finding such JOY in this journey. I think society has shifted somewhat when it comes to “Individuating.” There was a time that you would find your identity between the ages of 15 and 24. Even then that identity was often what job you would have or who you would marry etc. Their is an old school way of thinking that says…”Find a job your good at and work your way up…marry a good woman or man and you’re set.” All of those things are good…but I believe their is a heightened sense of awareness that even beyond those things…we all have individual quirks and things that make us tick. I think nowadays many of us find out who we are between 24 and 40…even later in some cases. I really don’t know who’s fault that is. It could be because many schools force you to learn in one style and then spit you out into the real world conformed and robotic. Whatever the reason is I highly recommend the journey of making it do what it do how you do it. (Did that last part make sense?)

If you are a creative or a little quirky I highly recommend glancing at “Spilling Open: The Art of Becoming Yourself”  book by Sabrina Ward Harrison – It is a journal style collection of thoughts and illustration from a woman who has ventured out on a journey to get comfortable in their own skin! Also I like “Rules of the Red Rubber Ball” by Kevin Carroll. This is also a highly illustrated and quirky book. For all my “words only/facts only” friends…I am sure their are other books out their but those just aint for me!!!!

So…Much Love to you all…happy journeying!

Hadn’t heard this song until this morning. For whatever reason it struck me pretty deep today. I have felt like this before…I have hurt like this before. Very raw and honest lyrics from Mr Springsteen…

Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?
If you’ve ever seen a one trick pony then you’ve seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making his way down the street?
If you’ve ever seen a one-legged dog then you’ve seen me

Then you’ve seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you’ve seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you’ve seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?
If you’ve ever seen that scarecrow then you’ve seen me
Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?
If you’ve ever seen a one-armed man then you’ve seen me

Then you’ve seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you’ve seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you’ve seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

These things that have comforted me, I drive away
This place that is my home I cannot stay
My only faith’s in the broken bones and bruises I display

Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free?
If you’ve ever seen a one-legged man then you’ve seen me

Fresh and Futuristic: Common “Universal Mind Control”

International and Infectous: Slumdog Millionare “Jai Ho”

Organic and Oh So Soothing: Swell Season “Lies”

Smooth and Swaggeriffic: Charles Hamilton “Brooklyn Girls”

Post number three in the ongoing Starbucks saga. If you’ve never been on twitter…read this from the bottom up. Check out the first post here and the second post here.

starbucks@dustinahkuoi you are sooo funny! getting you that machine

is a “tall” order. But it would be “grande” if I could. HA!! heading into a

meeting. hope to see you again…have a “venti” nice day…ok that was bad!

4 minutes ago from twitterriffic in reply to dustinahkuoi

dustinahkuoi@starbucks thanks for the heads up! By the way…hook me up

with one of those delonghi espresso machines!! Jay kay!!! That thing costs a

small fortune. So glad were friends…I like this a “latte”HA!!!!

8 minutes ago from mobile web in reply to starbucks

starbucks@dustinahkuoi awwww thanks. I try! By the way…

the John Legend CD you bought today…it is pretty good. Not his

best by any means..but I really like track 3…they play it all day here : )

13 minutes ago from twitterriffic in reply to dustinahkuoi

dustinahkuoi@starbucks hey SB!! It was good to see you again!

Your Cinnamon Dulce is off da chain! So warm and buttery!

16 minutes ago from mobile web in reply to starbucks

starbucks I am so glad all the drama is behind us. It was like their was

a void in my heart…but now it has been filled.

18 minutes ago from twitterriffic

dustinahkuoi just stopped by the bucks’…the people were super nice

and they even wrote my name on the cup…I felt soooo special!

21 minutes ago from mobile web

starbucks dustin just came in the store…it made my day!

22 minutes ago from twitterriffic

I was recently tagged in an old college picture on Facebook. I have seen several older photos from college…but never any with such questionable fashion choices as this one…

A pink golf shirt, black sweater vest, red hat and…a polka dotted tie which was purchased 5 or 6 years before this picture was taken…when polka dots were in style thanks to Kwame the rapper.

I often fantasize about being in exotic locations with extravagant scenery…breathing in the surroundings and being inspired. I often ignore the everyday surroundings I travel through.

I ran across the web page of Nikki Farquharson – a graphic designer and illustrator. On it she displays a project she worked on called “Random Got Beautiful“ which is in her words is “an ongoing online photo project she began in March 2007 which is open to public participation. Its concept is to take images of various colours out of their original context and place them together to create a new one.
There are ten colour categories in total with hundreds of photos coming from dozens of international locations.” Reminds me not to miss the beauty of everyday life. Go check it out and enjoy!

I am still a child of the 80’s. I know I should be used to how “connected” we are through social media…but it still blows my mind. Sitting here at work with the CNN.com live coverage window up that is connected to Facebook…wow!

I posted the following video back in April of last year…and I thought it would be fitting to do so again. Today is a day we set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A change agent, peacemaker and revolutionary. He was a powerful communicator and a man who stood in harms way so that generations after him could live in peace. He faced oppression and bigotry…he looked hate dead in the eye and conquered it with a message of love and equality. He stood up against a people who refused to qualify him as a human being. He stood for freedom. His legacy stands strong still today. Take a listen…

Also…thanks to Melissa Franklin…I have this one to post as well. Figure I should include the original artists as well…

Found this website today. You can take a picture with your webcam or upload a photo and Obamican yourself. What do you think…AhKuoi in 2022?