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APOLLO 484 - Mission is a "GO"

Writer's picture: Luke RaleyLuke Raley

As I write this I can hear our dog Stella moaning and clawing at my mothers door trying to be let back in. She was banished from her usual sleeping quarters for what I can only guess was bad behavior or foul smell. Rather than go lay with me or my dad, like most dogs would, she persists - it may last all night. She is adorable, and one of her most admirable traits is her loyalty.


Since taking this photo and returning to my computer the groans have deepened. It's almost unbearable to listen to - I may have to let her in soon.


Earlier, I was laying with Stella and our other dog Teddy. I held my head against her chest and listened to her heart beat. I then asked my dad "do insects have hearts?"

He said "Really!? I didn't know that."

I replied "no, I'm asking you."

He said "I don't think so, they are just nervous systems."


I just googled it. They have hearts.


"Indeed, insects do have hearts. This might come as a surprise, given the differences in anatomical structure between insect hearts and those of more familiar animals like humans.

Insects possess a simple tubular structure known as the dorsal vessel, which functions as their heart. This vessel runs along the upper part of their body, from the rear to the head. Unlike the closed circulatory systems in vertebrates, insects have an open circulatory system. This means that instead of using veins and arteries, a fluid called hemolymph flows directly into different parts of their bodies.

However, this hemolymph isn't exactly like blood in vertebrates. It doesn't contain red blood cells and doesn't transport oxygen. Instead, it's rich in amino acids and helps with functions like aiding an insect's expansion during metamorphosis." - By Nick A. Romero, Biologist and environmental educator. Updated: February 28, 2024


Beating hearts are a trip right! I can feel mine right now, beating like a drum in the middle of my chest. I've gone full days, maybe even weeks without paying any attention to my heart beat. I don't notice it unless I focus on it or if it's making me uncomfortable. Listening to my dogs heartbeat today reminded me of the magical beat life is - That's why I was curious how low hearts go in the animal kingdom - and it seems like the answer is all the way!




APOLLO! I got a PC recently and I named it APOLLO. I used AI to make this art. I told it "show Apollo, the god of light and music in his garden above the clouds writing in his magic journal"


I spent over $1000 on this computer. My friend CJ bought one first and helped me pick out all the parts using a website called Pcpartpicker.com and even helped me build it. It took well over 4 hours but here we are, using APOLLO to write a blog post.


I'm committed to using this PC for more than just video games, although its a fine piece of gaming machinery. I did my first livestream recently with my friend Sol where we had a blast freestyling.


Sol is an incredible artist with over 200 epic songs and is yet to have a single song on Spotify. He keeps them all in his notes with no back ups! I need to make sure that if anything happens to his phone that the world isn't robbed of all that music! I'm determined to help get his music out to the world, y'all don't know what you're missing!






Here is a link to the stream if you want to check it out!

Vibes were immaculate. We are off to a hot start!!


Livestreaming is an interesting type of performance. There isn't much pressure to do well but at the same time, we know if we did something incredible, it would be recorded and we could revisit it later. I've fallen in love with the art of broadcasting live, and I plan on doing lots more in the future :)


After finishing that stream I started reading a book gifted from my friend Nathan called "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck." The book found me at the perfect time as I had just finished doing a livestream and caught myself giving a fuck what people would think. I read the first 10 pages and already felt the book change my life. It is quite an art to not give a fuck, and it feels great.


The reality is we all give a fuck. Like I care about my dogs and their heart beat, but I honestly don't give a fuck what anyone who watches that livestream thinks about it. And why should I? It was epic and we had a blast so fuck it.


Giving a fuck has kept me from sharing things with the world. I think too much about what certain people will think if I share my work. It's a good thing I found this book!


My friend Lukas (his name has an accent on the "S" because he is from Czechia, but I don't know how to add one on the new PC) recently vocalized his support for the blog. As I write I think of him and other people who support me and I feel a deep gratitude to share journeys with y'all.


I went on my website today for the first time in a while and remembered how much unfinished work there is. Lukeraley.com is meant to serve as a portfolio for my work. My goal is to have a functional store, a way for people to download all my music, all the links to social media and projects, a siiiiick blog, and more information about me. I look forward to sharing that with you when it's done.




I used to feel like Stella. Like everything I wanted was on the other side of that door, and I would lay outside it all night, crying and scratching until someone would come open it for me - most times they never did.


Now adays I'm getting ready to shoulder-check that door of the hinges.


God bless you all.


APOLLO 484 - MISSION IS A "GO"




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Surf Slogs
Surf Slogs
Mar 26, 2024

Love this man. Your writing is so enjoyable to read, keep up the good work🐜

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Lukas Hanc
Lukas Hanc
Mar 23, 2024

YESSS BRUDDHA! Keep it rollin 🤝💪

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Luke Raley

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