The Deuce12 Blog

Fairweather fans

deuce12 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:04:10 +0000

I love Georgia football. I love red. I love black. I love Sanford Stadium. I love the big G. I love the SEC. I love Larry Munson. I love Georgia football. With that being said, this season isn’t quite what I was hoping for. Last weeks game was a disaster and I’m pretty sure that the Clarke County High football team showed up instead of the Bulldogs. However, I think there may be a silver lining to this disaster of a season. Hopefully, it will be a goodbye to all the bandwagon and fairweather fans. I hate when people jump on bandwagons just to be “cool.” If you don’t know anything at all about football, if you can’t name a single player on the team, if you don’t know who the coach is, then please don’t say you are a fan. It’s okay to wear clothing with the logo and whatnot, but don’t say you’re a fan. Because those types of fans are the ones that start talking all the crap as soon as things get hard.

Facebook is a great place to observe this phenomenon. The status updates on there on Saturday are always an interesting read. I’ve never seen so many “fans” talk so much crap about their own team. Last week someone had the audacity to write on my page that they were “going to switch to a winning team. Go Gators!!!!!!!” Really? I repeat, Really???? It sickens me. But to all of these people who are ready to jump ship, I tip my hat to you and say jump away. Please find a new team that you can support, as long as they’re doing good.

Football is just like life. When the going gets tough, you find out who your true friends are. The ones that are willing to go through the winning and the losing seasons with you are the keepers. The bad times make you appreciate all the good ones you have and give you a new respect for the people that put up with you during the bad ones. I am proud to be a Georgia Bulldog even with a season like this one.

Goooooooooooo Dawgs! Sic ‘em! Woof! Woof!! Woof!!!

Walk to Stop Child Trafficking

deuce12 — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:37:59 +0000

As many of you know, I am very passionate about the fight against child trafficking. I have been involved in different ways with Love146, which is an organization to help end this heinous crime. Recently, I discovered an event that will take place on September 26 & 27 to aid in this fight. Walk to Stop Child Trafficking is trying to raise $1,000,000 to protect the innocent lives that are shattered by this billion dollar industry. The UN and other experts estimate the total market value of illicit human trafficking at $32 billion dollars making it the second most lucrative crime in the world. It is also estimated that 2 children are sold every minute for sex slavery.
I have committed to raising at least $1,000 to help end this monstrous industry. I am asking you to partner with me because I can’t do it alone. Please go to this website, http://sctnow.donordrive.com/participant/lori and make a donation. Every little bit will help. Thank you so much and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Walk to Stop Child Trafficking is not exclusive to New York. This grassroots campaign will take place in dozens of cities nationwide. If you are interested in becoming an abolitionist by participating in one, please go to the website and see if there is a walk close to you.

Slowly, but surely

deuce12 — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:07:47 +0000

I don’t understand a lot of things in life. I always thought it was the older you got the more you understand, but it seems the older I get, the less I understand. The more I know, the less I know. It seems to be a catch-22. Maybe it’s because as I get older the questions change; therefore, the answers are more complicated. I find attention being focused on things that used to be in the back of my mind as opposed to the front. Lately, I have been examining my priorities and what is truly important to me.

The last 11 months have been a crazy journey for me and have changed my perspective on quite a myriad of subjects. Some beliefs have intensified, while others have been tossed to the wayside. I have been reminded continually that my life is not my own. That sounds very churchy, but I don’t mean it that way. It’s not my own because I choose for it not to be. I choose to dedicate my life to something more than just Lori. It’s not about success. It’s not about making others happy. It’s not about always making the right decisions. My life is about daily strengthening my relationship with God and growing in Him.

As of recently, I have to continually remind myself to put all of my eggs in his basket. Don’t try to take the basket back when it gets shaky, or to keep a few to myself….. just in case. But to for real give God all of my eggs and trust him with them no matter what that means. This lesson is a difficult one for me. Some days I’m more successful at it than others. Some days I do keep a few of those eggs to myself, and then I’m reminded that it doesn’t work out too well. When I do trust him with them, I find that there is a freedom that I can’t explain. It’s an amazing experience when I find myself trusting God with all that I am.

Trusting God doesn’t mean just waiting and not preparing and doing my best and not taking advantage of opportunities, rather it means quite the opposite for me. I’ve heard it said that success is when preparation meets opportunity. I agree. It’s about what I do in the shadows that will effect how I am shown in the light.

I’m learning what it truly means to jump into the pit with the lion on a snowy day.

a little bit of this, a little bit of that

deuce12 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:51:17 +0000

Once again, I have proven myself to be a slacker in the department of……….. blogging. So, here is an attempt to update and make up for my slackerness.

About 2.5 weeks ago I was deathly ill. (that may be a slight over exaggeration, only slightly though) My tonsils were completely swollen and covered in a white substance that had a yellowish tint to it. They’re better now.

I got in trouble at work for not smiling enough. This made me rather angry and in my normal passive aggressive, yet sarcastic self, I had the biggest smile ever plastered on my face for the remainder of the night. (approximately 3.75 hours) This did very little good if any because my manager who fussed at me never saw it. It only proved to make my cheeks very sore the next day.

Sarah and a particular tall Dutchman were here all last week and part of this week. It was positively splendid seeing her and reminded me how much I miss her. She is absolutely incredible and never ceases to amaze me.

I saw Mr. Jay from America’s Next Top Model. He probably has the best skin out of any person I’ve ever met. It’s as though he is a walking airbrushed picture. Quite stunning I tell ya.

Worked on a film with Josh Radnor, Kate Mara, & Zoe Kazan. It was just a very small background part. But it made me happy.

Finished reading Scared, by Tom Davis. Absolutely incredible book. Highly recommend it to absolutely everyone.

I’ve aggressively ben working on the accent. It was doing pretty good for a little while, but then I got real sick of it and feel as though I have digressed. I know this wasn’t smart of me, but it just happened. Looks like I have to get back to work.

Saw the new Harry Potter film and am currently debating on whether or not to read the books because I want to know what happens.

Toying with the idea of whether or not I want to start doing Bikram yoga. Everyone at work swears by it, but I just don’t get it.

Currently listening to It’s All Coming Back to me Now, by Celine Dion. A guy at work was singing it at the end of the shift. I’m pretty sure this could make one of the best Karaoke songs ever. I will soon have to test this theory out.

Recently been aggressively trying to figure out a way to work with the Ogdens for the rest of my life. They’re absolutely amazing and I miss them terribly. I haven’t yet figured out how to achieve this goal, but have not given up on it.

Okay, that’s it for now. I have to be at a convention all week working in the VIP section. Interested to see how that goes. Another update will come soon. I promise = )

Scared

deuce12 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:53:03 +0000

I’m reading a book, Scared, right now by Tom Davis. This book is speaking to me in ways that I had not imagined when I first picked it up. It’s the story of a little girl and a photographer and how their lives intertwine. Amazing book.

Adonna, the little girl, is about 10 years old, yet life has dealt her the experiences of an old woman. She vigorously writes in a journal and one of her entries is a poem.

In the darkest places of the night

my soul, once so forlorn, is finally free.

For I have found a Love who is the Light;

He gave my stolen virtue back to me.

He walks with me though trials and troubles stay,

And death and demons hover all around,

But greater is the Love that dwells in me

And fiercer is the Friend that I have found.

I shall not fear the waning of the day,

nor bear the shame of an evil father’s whim

The Sky-Maker illuminates my way.

There is no guilty stain on me in Him.

After reading these words I realized how short-sighted and self-centered my mind can be. A new meaning was brought to the word relationship. ”And death and demons hover all around and fiercer is the love that dwells in me and fiercer is the friend that I have found.” Sometimes it is so easy for me to forget. Sometimes it is so easy for me to get caught up in the daily trials of life. Sometimes it is so easy for me to forget what exactly Jesus did for me. Sometimes it is so easy for me to forget the overwhelming love of a Savior. Sometimes it is so easy to forget the healing forgiveness of the crimson flow.

“there is no guilty stain on me in him.”

I’m so thankful for the forgiveness of a father who loves me even when I forget the truth of his love.

Where’s that draft coming from…

deuce12 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:10:48 +0000

Blogs don't like me. At least some times. I had this beautiful blog done. I was so proud of it. Pictures and everything. And then…..BAM, my browser shutdown. So, I re-opened it, and BAM, it did it again. We went though this cycle about 4 times. Then, the auto-save function no longer auto-saved it and, alas, it was no more. Oh well. So…………….. here's the new blog completely different than the other one and on entirely a different subject.

Last week my mama and sister were here. We saw quite a few interesting, to say the least, things. I think my mama brings the crazy out in people. One example of crazy is below this word.

(sorry for the size difference, oh well)

This lady was shopping and I managed, with my covert operations camera skills, to get a couple of pictures of her. I'm not sure these pictures even do her justice. She had on these crazy motorcycle glasses and was wearing them over a beanie with ear muffs on top. The funny thing is that she's not a kid or anything. This was a full grown, probably in her forties, woman. She was a force to be reckoned with I tell ya.

The next story I tell you is one of a little different sort.

(due to the nature of this content no pictures are attached)

It was a brisk Thursday afternoon with approximately 60 degree weather and a little rain every now and then. We were walking down the street when coming towards us was a man. He was probably in his 40's or so. He was dressed in a white button down dress shirt and black dress pants and black dress shoes. However, there was something a little, um, shall we say off, with his outfit. As he's walking toward me I noticed that his pants were unzipped. I also noticed that he was not wearing any underwear. No boxers. No titey Whitey's. Nada. Full commando. The pants weren't just unzipped. They were spread eagle. And there it was. Just sticking out of his pants for the world to see. I looked at Emily and could tell she didn't see it. But when I looked at Mama, it was ever so apparent that she did see it. Her face will be forever etched into my memory. At first, I thought he didn't know. And I felt a good bit of sincere pity for the man, but when we started discussing him, I was informed that there is no way he didn't know because of how cold it was outside. My pity turned to disgust rather quickly. I've actually thought of lots of jokes that could go here, but I am pretty sure they would be rather inappropriate, so I have refrained. Aren't you proud? = )

This man most definitely reminded me that I'm not in South Georgia any more!! Like I said, my mama brings out the crazy.

Getting there

deuce12 — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:49:30 +0000

Though I have not seen him, my heart knows him well. These words have been echoing over and over in my head. They are from a song off of the new Hillsong album. These words adequately describe a relationship that I oftentimes have a terribly difficult time of expressing. Right now, I am living completely outside of the christian “bubble.” Some people I talk to have the impression that I am “living it up in NYC.” I find this strange. It’s weird to me how people automatically assume that just because something has changed that you are off doing the “devil’s work.” Living outside of this bubble has been a very difficult and trying thing for me at times, while at others, it has truly been a blessing. The past few months have truly been a time of soul searching and learning first hand of the darkness of the world. I have met people from all walks of life. Most of those walks being completely different from my own. I am so thankful for these people. They have rekindled a fire within me. This fire has most definitely come at a price, but a price well worth paying.

1 Peter 1:6-9 (the message) says, “I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps all of this up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him….”

Although I complain and I have pity parties and I don’t understand what God is doing in and through me I am so thankful that he is making me pure. I am thankful for the aggravation.

Though I have not seen him, my heart knows him well. Jesus Christ the Lamb, the Lord of heaven.

Tis so sweet

deuce12 — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:41:34 +0000

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Rock the Cradle

deuce12 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:35:53 +0000

“When we restore one child, the effect does not stop with that one child; the effect of restoration could be exponential, because that one child would want to restore others. There is a saying that “The hand that rocks the cradle moves the world.”
I believe that when we repair the broken cradle, we rebuild the world.”
– Dr. G. Velazco

Just as I am

deuce12 — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:49:28 +0000

Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just a I am; thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.