I'm going to be super blunt

A while back, I thought I wanted to write for my readers. But I would rather take some advice from a good friend of mine, Jameson Ricks. "Don't write for people, write for yourself. It makes a lot of difference." I am going to write my blatant thoughts, unedited. I don't care if you don't like it, you can just not read it. I will delete comments that annoy me, because this is my blog.

Either you are getting ready to go on a mission or you have a girlfriend. Seriously guys. How can you be preparing your heart, mind, might and strength to be given to the Lord if you don't have your heart with you? Missions are not just casually things. These two years are more important than the other 18 to 19 years combined. Nothing you have done thus far will compare to them because you have been acting in your own name. You are preparing to represent Jesus Christ literally. YOU ARE TAKING UPON YOURSELF HIS NAME! This is not a mess around time. Stop it. Just stop being a self centered idiot and realize that eternal salvation is on the line and you will regret every moment you were distracted from preparing. 

Another thing: The doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the doctrine of gay marriage do not work together. A majority of active members of the church can tell you that they would follow the gospel to the point of dying for it. But bring up gay marriage and some get a little, "Eeehhhhh...I don't think the church is right on this one." News flash, guys. EITHER IT'S ALL TRUE OR IT'S ALL FALSE. THE GOSPEL IS NOT PICK AND CHOOSE. YOU EITHER BELIEVE EVERYTHING OR NOTHING. YOU CANNOT HAVE A LASTING TESTIMONY OF 99% OF THE GOSPEL. THIS IS A BLACK AND WHITE SITUATION. Did I make that clear to understand? 

Different topic. What's with girls these days? Every girl turned into a piranha. A "craving senior guys with their mission calls" piranha. Seriously. Every single one of my friends with a call has a girl that could easily become their girlfriend. Heck, since I got my call I've found out about three girls have crushes on me. ME! Are you stupid? No girls like me. For lots of good reasons. I am not being hard on myself, but rather them. Just stop! I am not on the market because the salesman saw that I was moldy or something and threw me away. Why rummage in the garbage? (Don't comment comforting me, I like bashing myself. It only makes the finale more ironic when it turns out my wife is perfect) And another thing about girls! When did they all just go up at least three points each? I mean really, girls are so fetching good looking. JUST GO AWAY! I  can't deal with you right now. I have never wanted to go to an all-guys school more than I do now.

I don't know why I act weird or why people like it. Personally, I hate it. I wish I was just not a weirdy. 

Why has almost all of music and television and movies gone down the crapper? Who wants another freaking Transformers movie? The world's taste is deteriorating. Have you heard the top ten iTunes songs? Only one is clean and that's because it's written by a Mormon (which I am not angry about. I approve of famous Mormon musicians. Like him.) I am starting to hate pop culture. Me. The Abed of Pleasant Grove. The guy that can quote a movie for every situation. The guy that has seen more movies than any person should. That should tell you how bad it's getting out there.

I am just so annoyed by a few things and I needed to vent and so I wrote for myself. Sorry if you cried because I hurt your feelings. You read it without me forcing you to.

Tricentennial Times

This is post three hundred. My first post was over two years ago. It was not that crazy of a time. I started this blog when I realized I am just too dang funny to not blog. Basically, I needed a journal and the publicity that I pretend I have gave me more encouragement than a book in my night stand would. This was the only thing I thought would be worth while by means of a life record. Plus, it would make my work easier when I make a movie of my life.

The hundredth post came about half a year later, a couple months after Brock left for his mission. It was right between the birth of my niece, Elise, and her diagnosis of a heart defect. It was a really happy time for that little window. It was just before our family went into a very trying time. 

The two hundredth is my most viewed post and for no good reason at all. The summer of 2012 had a lot of great posts and that is not one of them. Really, I can't think of a single reason why it's been viewed 235 times. I even purposefully did not put a link to it because that's how dumb it was.

And here we are, one hundred posts later. My life has changed a lot since then. The biggest change had been my plans for this summer. I honestly never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever thought I would be going to be in the MTC a year from when I wrote my 200th post.

I also got over the girl I had a crush before I even started writing this blog. It was tough and it's not 100% over, but it's somewhere in the A or A- percentage range of being done. 

Since my two hundredth post, I had accidentally fallen for a great friend of mine. It was some of the best months of my life, which is ironic because in one of the few girls I didn't look for romantic involvement was where I found it in one of the best ways: falling for your best friend. What once was is now over, but I will never forget the moments we shared (and we didn't even kiss, so how's that for a typical teenage relationship?).

My brother went on a mission between 1 and 100 and my other brother moved to Taiwan between 100 & 200. I have gained another family member and will gain two more in the next two months. 

I ran for Student Body President.

I lost.

I tried to get a girl to like me.

She never did.

I went out for Mr. Viking.

I lost.

I bought a computer.

I got accepted to the University of Utah (and to the Honors College, as of today!)

I grew closer to lots of people. People I never thought I would be friends with. Some of the friendships I cherish the most are the ones I didn't think would ever exist. 

I found out I am going to Italy. Not only that, but I have a friend going with me that I have known since fourth grade. One of the biggest steps in my life and Heavenly Father was kind enough to give me a great person to step with.

I tried getting my eagle, gave up, and tried again and succeeded.

I had one of my videos featured on TV for the first time in my life.

I found out that my cousin and I are really really similar. Down to the pair of glasses we order from Warby Parker.

I went to my first concert. And my second (and more, but those are the ones that matter). I saw some of my musical heroes with two of my best friends.

My testimony grew immensely. It's unbelievable.

I found a nature talent in making videos. And I freaking love it.

I learned how to play the guitar. Not a pro, but I could learn a super simple song if I have a few months.

I joined a choir class and can kind of sing.

In the words of a person I never thought I would be close to (one of the head cheerleaders), "Wyatt, you've really bloomed this year." And it's true. I am just getting the right stride going this year. The list of people who don't like me I can count on one hand and hopefully I will be friends with before I leave. I just love people, you know?

I have come close to deciding what I want to do with my life (about twenty times). The current ambition: story writer for Pixar and/or Disney. It'll probably change soon.

My life is getting better every day. It's really just all about attitude.

Fifty

Fifty guys at Pleasant Grove High School have their mission calls.

That's just an awesome update for y'all. Today I had mission prep class for the first time since I got my call. I do not care what anyone else in the world says, the Grovecreek 7th ward mission prep class taught by Bishop Andy Busby is the best class ever to exist. Basically we have the most spiritual mission related discussions for an hour. You have no idea. If you ever think that I will be a good missionary, it's because of that class. I seriously would rather go to that class for 7 hours than school. It has changed my life. If you are in my ward (whether you're planning on serving or not) you should go. It will soon be every week because that is how awesome it is. Aaaaaaaaah. Be jealous.

Also, four months from now, I will be in the MTC.

A message to girls

You don't have to be awkward around a guy just because you don't like him anymore. Because honestly, it just makes them sad.

Astigmatism

I need glasses. Have needed them since 7th grade. My problem is I have astigmatism in my eyes. I almost always have my glasses on if my eyes are open. I just barely realized the correlation with my eye problems and one of my favorite hobbies: cinematography. You see, astigmatism is caused by the clear part of my eye being oval shaped, causing multiple focal points and making light come in weird. Look at this:

Now you're probably thinking This is dumb. Fair enough. But read this: Because of my astigmatism, I can only see about a foot in front of me clearly, no more and no less. My favorite part of filming is the focus feature, which is pretty similar. You can be focused too close and it will be blurry and you can be focused too far away and it will be blurry, kind of like my eyes. Basically what I am saying is that I have cameras for eyes, so it's no wonder I have a natural eye for camera work. 

Wow. That was a lot of build up for almost nothing. That's what you get from a sleep deprived, stressed-from-the-end-of-the-term, just napped on a Friday afternoon Wyatt Duclos.

For suffering through that, here is a special gift.

Stay classy, my friends.

Atticus Finch

He is such a man, you know?

I hope I can be like him some day. Because seriously, such a man.

I don't have my laptop (again)

This sucks. Not having it is so inconvenient. How can I make amazing videos for the world to view if I don't have it?!

It doesn't matter

I don't know if I have talked about this on my blog and I tried researching, but I couldn't do it. To many vague titles. I guess I do a lot of those, neh? Anyway, unless you haven't read at least ten percent of my blog, you probably know that I adore Christopher Nolan's work. I feel so connected to him. I knew exactly how Dark Knight Rises would end twenty minutes into the film. Not that it was predictable, but because we have the same thinking patterns. So there is the preface of my post tonight.

Who here has seen Inception? A good number, I am sure. If you have not, I am giving you the spoiler alert right now. Don't say I didn't warn you. Now the number one problem people have with Inception is the last ten seconds of the film. Repeatedly I would hear, "Does the top fall? Is it real or a dream?" And that really bugs me. Because honestly, it doesn't matter. Chris wasn't intending you to know if it was a dream or not. I really don't think that he wanted it one way or another. He wasn't trying to let the end be controversial. He really wasn't saying that it was a dream. He was saying that it doesn't matter.

 Look back in the movie. Watch Cobb every time he spins the top (other than the time in question). What is he doing? How does he act? He sits there with a gun cocked ready to shoot himself in the head if the top doesn't fall. He is completely possessed on the thought of being stuck in a dream. But that last time, maybe to check to see the reality after spending so many dreams in that room, where is he? His kids (whose faces had never been seen up to this point) were where he was looking. He wasn't even facing towards the top! 

The simple fact is this: No matter the result of the spin, he is happy and wants to be happy. He let go of his past and if he is in a dream, who cares? The world doesn't matter to him, because he has let the death of his wife go and he is with his kids. He is with his family and he is finally at peace. He doesn't have a world he wants to escape from. Before, he was stuck away from his family and had no hope for return. If that was a dream, who wouldn't want to wake up? But now he is happy.

The short of the solution is this: Nothing matters compared to being with the ones you love. 

And you thought it was a lame ploy.

Shame on you.

And mine heart was pained with the iniquities of the people

Now I am not trying to brag or be rude, but don't comment on this saying something like, "You're going to be a great missionary some day." I appreciate what you mean, but honestly, I don't care. I don't care whether or not I am going to be great. I think about Nephi and how he was so amazing and then his cry of "o wretched man that I am! Yea, my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities"seems to apply to my life anymore, so don't tell me any different. Not until I am more righteous than him (which won't happen anytime soon, just so you know).

Nephi says in 2 Nephi 32:7, "...I am left to mourn because of the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men: for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be."

I think about Lehi and how he would feel in the world today. Because I would think that Jerusalem was not as wicked as even some of the cleanest of cities today. And it makes me sad. I know tons of kids raised in the gospel, who were "given [the truth] in greatness" yet they can't get it! People I love. They don't realize the truth!

I am saddened because I know that they have lost sight of what matters most. They have lost sight of our Savior, Jesus Christ. They get caught up in the "now" and lose sight of the "forever." I honestly don't care about myself. I could go to Hell for all I care if it meant that they finally understood what they are giving up. Because if they did realize, they would never turn away from it. If you really understand the gospel of Christ, you never will forget. Even if you get caught up in sin, you will always have that undeniable truth.

"Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yeah, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth." (Alma 29:1-2) 

Right now, I feel this plea with all my heart. I look at the deepness and completeness of Satan's grasp and I can't fix a millionth of it. It can't happen because "behold, I am a man." (Alma 29:3) The world is black and dark with the sins of the people. Satan seems to have total control. And he is so implanted. I have been on this earth for eighteen years. I can hardly keep my head above sin for an hour (even in my dreams, I am a sinner). How can I overcome this mammon? How can I overcome the world? I am just one man.

"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33

Christ knew how I would be feeling tonight. So much so that He sees even my hopelessness. "Be of good cheer" is said before even the reason. He comforts us first, then tells us why. I have heard this scripture thousands of times, but each time I thought of it as a more personal promise when I have a trial. But really, it is a statement for the small and the large. I don't have to overcome the darkness of the world in my quest to share Christ's gospel. I just need to live as He did so through me He can shake loose the binding hold of Lucifer. 

I know what Moroni did. A person reading Alma 48:17 might think, "Wow, if everyone was like Moroni, Hell would be shaken." I know how we as a people can shake the foundations of Hell: Let Christ work through us. Alone, we are as capable as a toddler trying to fly to the moon, but with Christ, the moon is nothing compared to His capabilities. We cannot even imagine what He has in store. 

As followers of Christ have said before me and will say afterward, the gospel of Christ is true and you cannot even have hope if you don't turn to Him. I love you, but not as much as Christ does. Imagine how much love you can feel and times it by infinity and that is still nothing compared to the love Christ feels for us. Turn to Him. Please. He will not fail you. 

Summary of my life

You could sum up my attitude right now with the following statement:

"I don't even care, I'm going on a mission."

Seriously though. Also, you should come support me in Mr. Viking tomorrow night. That'd be good. But if not, I don't really care, because I'm going on a mission.

Buongiorno Principessa!

Well I opened my mission call. And I was not disappointed. I will admit, I was extremely nervous. I can't exactly say why, I think it was mostly the fact that it was happening; I was opening my mission call. Really, it only happens ocean in your single life. I have always imagined this day and in all my daydreaming, I would never have guessed Milan Italy. I can't believe it. Oh my goodness. Oh. Ah. Best. Day. Ever. (And I never do the period after every word thing, so please appreciate how big this is).

Here is me opening my call:

Senior Picture Story Time!

This morning I went to the temple. I was so happy. I called the post office. 

This is how I felt after:

My mission call was not at the post office.

I just wanted to run away Forrest Gump style.

I was really sad and I even went a little crazy trying to track it down.

I could not get it Thursday, because that meant I would have to wait until Saturday before my two Utah brothers could both be there. And that was not something I wanted to happen.

So I called the post office. Or five post offices.

My dad got involved and via text he informed me that I would not be able to get it. However, my brother rearranged his schedule so he could be down Thursday. No conflict. 

I was like:

 I'm not even nervous.

I don't care when I go.

 I don't care when I go.

There is a place out there that is waiting for the next and final Elder Duclos (of this generation). 

I'm just ready to go.

That's the story.

Photo credit: Nicole Tucker

I don't like sleep, I guess.

I don't know what's up with me. I am tired, but I never take the time to sleep. I have been waiting for weeks for my mission call and it is finally, finally coming tomorrow. I can hardly stand it. Eighteen years, one month and twenty fours days of waiting and in just over twenty one and a half hours, I will be reminded of my predestined call to serve. It has been the longest last two days. Tomorrow is going to be insufferable. I need to sleep. Good'ay (I doubt Australia).

Impatient, I am

Talk like Yoda, I do. When, under stress, I am.








This is killing me.

The list

A few days ago I was struggling when it came to my mission call. After all, my best friend is going to freaking Barcelona. Not much compares to that in awesomeness. So I really didn't want to go to a few places. I prayed for help and was inspired to write the list. The list is a list of movies that would fit with any state or country where I could get called. That's 127 movies. And even though I haven't seen all of them, it really made me excited to go anywhere on my mission. Oh and I am not suggesting you use this, just know that I think it's pretty great (but that could be just me). So, without further ado, the list:

Not having your mission call

When all your friends do is like being the Jehovah's Witness kid on the day after Christmas break.