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.

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:

Kolipoki

I watched The Other Side of Heaven today.



Because I submitted my mission papers to the Church office building in Salt Lake.





I'M GOING ON A MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now is the long wait.

Missionary Month

So my ward is doing missionary month. We have three weeks of three different challenges, but I am just doing all three challenges all three weeks. One of the challenges is to stop using social networking sites, and I think blogger counts for that. However, missionaries can write home once a week via email and that is usually on Preparation Day, which is typically Monday, so I am writing a letter on P-Day via my blog.

Hey everyone!

Life has been great. I haven't written on here in a while, but that's just because I am lazy. Oh and missionary month. Anyway, I am having a great time with missionary month. I haven't watched TV and I've only listened to church approved music and I haven't networked socially for five days, and will continue in a like manner for another 16. It really has increased the amount of the spirit's influence on my life.

I am so grateful for the gospel. I wish I could write everything that has happened that has strengthened my testimony in just the last two weeks, but I can't because I only have a half hour (the amount of time you can be logged into LDS mail). 

We can go for just today, if you'd like. Today I started out with a great lesson in seminary. It is so good to just enjoy the influence of the spirit while messing around with a bunch of other kids while learning the gospel. Then, when my friend got stuck in the snow, one of the biggest spiritual giants I know, Brother Joel Wright, came and pulled her out. He didn't even wait for me to ask, he just did. Then when he left, he didn't wait for a thanks. He just did what he knew was right then kept traveling on.

Lately I have felt at a spiritual decline, but the past two weeks have been so great. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and beyond that, I am a firm believer of Christ's gospel. I am so grateful for the atonement that gives me a reason to hope. 

I am going on a mission and really, I can't wait. 

I can't wait to leave everything I've ever known behind. 

I can't wait to move out of the only house I've ever lived in. 

I can't wait to go to a foreign home and feel out of place but then make it my home. 

I can't wait to work and walk until my feet are sore and my skin is sunburned. 

I can't wait to be free from the stresses of school and girls and family and media to take on a stress of eternal significance: bringing others to Christ. 

I can't wait to be yelled at, mocked, spit upon, threatened, and rejected. 

I can't wait because this gospel is true and what else would matter? 

Where I am when I am a missionary is where the Lord wants me. I will be a true, complete, full-time missionary. I want to lose my life in the service of God (I don't mean I want to die, just that I want to forget myself). The gospel is true. I am called of God to be a representative of His son, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ to preach His gospel to the world. To be hated and loved by those I serve with all my heart. To be a beacon of truth and a guide to eternal, real, almost tangibly full happiness.

And I can't wait.

Love

Now I know what you're thinking: Wyatt is the worst and he is always talking about who he loves and doesn't love him back. Well...

http://youtu.be/8l4r10MOH70?t=1m33s

I don't know how that would help me, but the point is, I am not in love with a girl. Or a person at all. I'm not gay. I just want to live in Norway. Really, I am in love with this:

That is where I want to live once I am rich. Seriously. Lake Strynsvatn next to Hjelle, Norway. I will live there with my wife after I become rich. Because seriously, I am in love. And I am not taking no for an answer.

Applied

I am officially grown up. Because I just applied to the University of Utah and it's Honors College.








I still had to use my mom's credit card to pay for it, though.

Average. Moderate.

"The average person puts only 25% of his energy and ability into his work. The world takes off its hat to those who put in more than 50% of their capacity, and stands on its head for those few and far between souls who devote 100%."
-Andrew Carnegie

Dare to be the few and far between. You know I will.

"I'm totally bummed school is happening again this year."

It is my last year of school. I am nervous. Not. I am scared. Not. I am stressed. Not. It will be The Dark Knight Rises. Batman Begins was sophomore year. Nervous. Afraid that it wouldn't work. Then comes along junior year with The Dark Knight. Fun, lots of work, but still fun. Then finally, the pièce de résistance; the final chord: senior year. The year before set it up for a great cliffhanger. So here are the first few moments of moments of senior year. And they look promising.

I am ALWAYS right

I am always right. I have always had my opinion when it comes to just about everything. And often people say I am not right. And often I admit that I probably am. But I am always right. I am not saying this to brag or to impress or even tell you to listen to me, but I am awesome because I am so impressively right, so you should always listen to me. Haha. I am a crack up. Sorry. Anyway, seriously, I am correct in every way. Just know, it sucks. Also, because I am always right: I will become a rich author and film director, I will marry the most perfect girl and I will eventually use a jetpack.

FOR CLAY

My friend, Clayton Ellis, just got called on a mission to Montreal, Canada, French speaking. So I am writing this. That is all.

Just kidding. Ha. He probably doesn't know this, but the Duclos family traces it's roots to the Montreal area. I am of French Canadian decent. I am pretty sure we are from his area, but I could be wrong. I also believe that there are lots of Duclos' living in that area. So Clay, I better have at least fifty Mormon cousins from Canada in two years and a few months. Seriously though, I am glad you are going. Maybe you tell people your friends with a Duclos and they feed you. It could happen. You are awesome and a great example to me. Thanks for all you do.

Also, there is a Brockville in your area. I just thought that was pretty funny.

I Intend

I am running for office. The office of Student Body President. I'd appreciate your support.

Here is my letter of intent:

To Whom It May Concern,

I was born in Pleasant Grove. Well, technically I was born in American Fork, but I prefer not to let it be known. Ever since the day I left the hospital in AF, I felt a pride in my community unknown to anyone who lives outside of Pleasant Grove. The first day I had a home it was not my house, it was the City of Trees.

I have since grown to know my community and love it more. I was a Viking before I was anything else. I have never considered the prospect of attending any other high school besides Pleasant Grove High, even if it meant hours of commuting everyday. I put this school’s interests above that of my own in many ways, from attending every football game to painting myself blue (on occasion). I have pride in being a Viking.

This school has had many Duclos’ walk its halls, but is now down to its last. I feel it is my duty as the finale of a series made great by this school to be in a position where I can give back completely what Pleasant Grove High has given us. The reason I am running for student office is because not doing so would put at risk not only my self respect, but my family’s honor. I cannot just leave this school after it made my brothers what they are today: a cancer researcher, a doctor, an airplane pilot, an English teacher (in Taiwan) and a future biologist. 

Growing up solely in Pleasant Grove, I have learned characteristics that make up true leaders. As long as I remember, I have been in the garage every Saturday working on neighbors’ vehicles with my father and brothers. I learned self reliance as I walked the mountains we call our backyard. Through church, scouting, and volunteering for the fine city of Pleasant Grove, I learned to lead with a love for my followers that makes them want to follow me.

I have been raised as a member of the LDS church. Through opportunities in my religious community, I have been able to gain qualities I believe will make me a better leader. While attending church one Sunday, I volunteered to be in charge of a youth activity, thinking it would be a simple task. This commitment ended up me putting in over forty-eight hours worth of preparation. Once at the activity, I had the privilege of taking charge of everything from introducing speakers to announcing meals to telling people to be quiet so others can sleep. I feel that this experience, among many others provided to me by my church group, the Pleasant Grove Youth Council, and other organizations, has helped me prepare to become a quality student body officer.

Now, if I were you reading this, I would be thinking, Well, gee, this Wyatt kid sure is full of himself, but I assure you that is not the case. I have many flaws, probably more than most. I spent a majority of my grade school years getting that drilled into my head by my classmates. I know that to be a good leader, I cannot expect everyone to love me or even like me. I won’t expect that because I am not a leader now and I don’t expect that now. I am aware that the title does nothing for a man, but that a man must live up to the title. 

I am running for student office because I believe, despite my flaws, I can live up to the expectations set by my predecessors. I am running for my honor as well as the honor of the Duclos name. I do this thing because I believe what Mr. Abraham Lincoln once said of America is true for the school that I love, “How hard it is to die and leave one’s country no better than if one had never lived for it!”

Forever in the service of my fellow men,

Wyatt R. Duclos

Seriously though, voted for me. If you can, that is.

Agencies

I guess if I want to get published, I'll have to do it without an agent. For my second novel they'll be flooding my gates. I still need an idea for the first one, though.

Two Years

So I turn 19 in 727 days. I can be in the mission field as early as 727 days from now. I went to a farewell for a great man who I probably won't see for about four years. Zach Harris is one of my heroes. It made me realize how much I am going to miss the people I've known for longer than a year and a half. Like Nate Church or Taft Robinson or Trevor Ward. People like Josh Brown and Nate Cutler and every other guy who'll be leaving. (Hey all you girls out there- I probably won't miss you while I am gone. Take it personally if you'd like.)

I really love the church and I love the gospel. It can make miracles happen. I know it's truth and I strive to be like our Savior always. Seriously, He loves us more than words can describe. I would do anything I could for the people I love. I can't imagine anything that would make me scared to save even a single person. That is what makes what the Savior did so important. I didn't volunteer. The sacrifice was too much for me. I can't comprehend that. If the sacrifice was too great for me, the Savior loved us more than I could understand in this mortal world. It amazes me to know that He loves me that much. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I challenge you, reader of my blog, to study the Book of Mormon and pray to know it's truth. I promise nothing but blessings will come. I know that He loves you beyond anything ever. Remember that in times of trial.

I usually hate the stuff I write a few months after I write it, but not this. I wrote this a while back, but the truth of it is still the truth. Check it up:

I am proud to say that I am very brave (at least in past circumstances I have proven myself). I believe that, if needs be, I could do anything. If the situation was grave enough, I would be victorious. But I am not fearless. I submit to you my greatest fear: I fear that those I love and care deeply about don't care about me, or worse yet, dislike me. I am afraid that my friends who I would die for think of me as next to nothing. I fear that my best is not good enough. I fear I am a nuisance. I always think it and I hate it. I don't know if I'm anything worth caring for.

But then I remember someone, the greatest person ever to love. I remember our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loves me. He knows who I am and still, He loves me. He rejoices when I make good choices, even when I am alone. When I make bad choices, He waits with open arms of forgiveness. No matter the problems in my life, He and my Father in Heaven will support me.

Jesus, my older brother, loves me enough that He died so I may be eternally happy. He suffered pain and scorn because He knew it would be worth doing. And He did not do this just for me. He did this for my friends, my neighbors, everyone who has been on this earth or will be on this earth. He is our shepherd, the voice in the dark, calling us to the light. He did so much for us because He loves us. He loves me.

So from now on, if you ever wonder, Am I good enough?, just remember, He knows you are and no one else can even compare.

Original post here.

Sorry I am always writing about writing

I can't help it. It is too much fun. I think this is how Einstein felt about math. It really is my calling in life. Now if I could just get money for doing it.

So here is the thing about last year...

Turns out I skipped all of 2011 due to a rip in the time-space continuum. So I went back in time near the beginning of 2013 and lived all the way to about right now. I am going back to live my the rest of my senior year. Oh one more thing, I went farther in time and I turn out a really hot, famous author, so if your a girl and are reading this, I would definitely pre-order me. Seriously though.

Answers

So I saw that someone had taken a survey. I think I might do the same. But I don't think I will let you read the questions. It might be interesting. I might not actually post this. Here we go.

I attacked a piece of ice with my forehead. First one ever.

I don't think I did do anything. It was not a rememberable one, even though it usually is for people.

I'm pretty excited for the break, but I am not happy because tomorrow is going to last forever.

I went to temple square. I really enjoyed it, even if my phone died while I was reading the statistics of the LDS church.

With my grades I did marginal. With the ladies? Well, ask them (all of them).

My mother bought this one and one with Boba Fett on it. She just gave them to me. So sick.

I see Trevor way too much. I am kind of sick of that dork head.

Too much. Too much money spent.

I want to be the same age as when I first kiss my wife. In other words, I don't care.

Sebenteen. Pretty uneventful.

Laurie, but I don't see what this has to do with me. Some people.

I can tell you this, I did not get enough sleep.

I think it was obvious with my last answer. Come on.

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief always does it for me. Particularly the final verse. I love that song so much.

Punching things. For example, the other day I was mad so I just punched everything. I tweaked my wrist. I really think I could do something more productive, but it works.

Well, she has to be a girl.

Zombie apocalypse.

I didn't have it. I did eat breakfast food for linner. Egg, turkey, cheese on an English muffin.

Well yeah, but some would say it is irrelevant. Actually, I am kind of in this situation now.

Man of Steel. Question: What steel have you broken?

I was told I was in Canada, but some people might question my parents' motives.

I have not.

You can stab someone with a back? I was unaware.

Assuming by "dated" you meant "been on a date with" then yes, two people. If you mean what you sounded like you meant, I don't steady date.

Atticus Finch. Mentally, of course.

Strangely enough, it was Coach Blaisdell. He is a good guy.

Just mi amigos, Trevor e Kassie.

My mom. Usually I psychically contact them previous to them needing to contact me.

Erin Hardy got the last one because she was accusing me of being too much of a guy. I'm glad I'm on that part of the scale and not near the other end.

Kass the Gassie. Whiner.

Probably Jessie Marquis. Don't worry, I said it after I told her to marry someone else.

In my heart. Just kidding, he lives down the street.

I went to hang out with my Special Needs buddy, David.

SLC Temple baby.

PGHS. Best school in the US.

In the mountains.

I am at the peak of my adolescence. That is the stupidest question you could ask me.

Quantum mechanics. I don't know, so therefore the fact has no definite state of being.

I'm pretty happy with the current state of affairs, although Abraham Lincoln's friend would be interesting to be for a bit.

I think the thought of someone making his entire living off of muffin is pretty impractical, so no.

The future? Oh, I can tell you about the future."

Put two kids in the woods for long enough and either only one comes out or they come out with the same mind.

Apparently the quizzes were all the rave.

Because I needed one that was normal. I would've preferred Stormageddan.

Are you sure I am doing it?

I want to convey thoughts perfectly.

Maybe my shirt I wore in the second grade for photo day.

Stupidest question ever. A jetpack that runs off of oxygen or CO2. Idiots.

Every single one of them.

I usually move if I am trying to run. Impractical.

If I wasn't there wouldn't be much I could do anyway.

To read the questions go here.

Everything is okay

I sure do enjoy my life. It is one of those times when you can't think of anything bad. I've been hanging out with two of my best friends, Trevor Ward and Kassie Hamilton. I have had the best week.

Here is my next week:

• Special Needs Sacrament Meeting tomorrow at 8:45 AM.
• No school after Tuesday
• I'm going on a date with the beautiful Lauren Miner. We are doubling with Trevor and his date, Megan Francis, and we are going to see our Curley, Taft Robinson, in the play, Into the Woods.
• I have something Wednesday. I'll get back to you on it. I forgot.
• Thursday is Thanksgiving. I sure do enjoy that November gem.
• Friday I don't have to avoid Christmas music. Seriously, we can avoid listening to that stuff until after Thursday. An entire month is plenty for any genre of music.
• Saturday I don't have school.
• Sunday is Sunday.
• Then back to school (but we don't think about that).

Another thing. You know how I want to be an author? Well, I got this book that a majority of high school students would mistake for a phonebook. It is not a phonebook. It is the 2011 Writer's Market, which holds every single publisher in the United States. For an author, it's pretty dang awesome. I decided I couldn't waste a resource like that, so I decided to do something. I am in the process of writing a short story which I will submit until it is published (probably in 2058). I am really excited. I will post the story, first draft, when I finish.

Needless to say, my life is going by perfectly.

Stenographer

So for all you people like me who would have to look up this word, it is basically the person who takes notes during court cases. It is probably one of the few jobs that has to do with writing that I would not enjoy. If I haven't made this apparent enough, I will be a famous author someday. I am currently working on a short story that I will submit to a Sci-Fi magazine. It will be the best.
I got asked to Sadies. I am pretty excited. Dance number three. How is school for everyone? Don't forget to be friendly. I have been extremely tired this week. I went to bed prior to eleven o'clock, which won't happen tonight.
I love writing. I am so excited for my life. If I had food and shelter and no responsibilities, I could write forever. It is my love, it is my passion, it is my fault I didn't lock the garage (Ferris Bueller was a quoting necessity). What do you live for? I love getting feedback from my readers, because if you suck, people will say so. If you are the best, people will still say you suck. Now tell me I suck.

You're your mom's favorite!

Because all I that is happening in my life is school, I decided to share some of my favorite things. Here you go:

My favorite smell is Barnes and Noble. I love the smell of books. I could literally live in the Orem B&N. I can't get enough.

My favorite color is red. I love the power that it has. I'm not a Nazi. Or a communist.

My favorite day of the week is Sunday. I can always look forward to it as a day where I can relax (even though I end up doing more church stuff than I intended, which results in me being in my suit for eight hours straight).

My favorite TV show is Psych. It is so choice. Just to let you know, I watched about 4 hours of it yesterday, then Keven Carlson and I made Psych shirts. He kept telling me I was acting like Shawn.
My favorite things to do are writing and hiking. I could really hike for years and write longer. If it weren't for school and other responsibilities, that is all I would do.

My favorite place to be is in the mountains. I totally understand why prophets of old used mountains as temples. Going into the mountain wilderness is a sure way of feeling the spirit.

My favorite feeling is accomplishment. I love finishing a school assignment or a project I'm working on and having that feeling of relieve and happiness.

My favorite book in the standard works is the Doctrine and Covenants. I love learning the gospel and reading about Joseph Smith and other modern day prophets. I love so many scriptures in D&C.

My favorite thought is thinking about my future wife. She is somewhere right now, having all the guys hit on her (because she is obviously amazingly beautiful). I love thinking about where she is on her journey and I love being worried about how she is doing. She better stay on the straight and narrow. I love her so much.

My favorite food is meat. One time at scout camp, Taft and I went to get meat with our leaders and we saw George Lucas there. True story.

Basically my favorite animal is a liger.

My favorite film and novel are non-existent because I love too many to choose.

My favorite time of year is the end of the school year. You don't  realize how stifled you are until you get out.

My favorite thing ever is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think that if you aren't Mormon, you should read this.

My heroes are my brothers and my father. All of them have gone on missions, which doesn't happen often. I hope someday I can be as great of men as they are.

So there is a butt load of information about me. If you have any questions, deal with it. Haha, I'm joking. Ask already.

School

It is upon us. Like an execution, it will be at the dawn. It will be worth it. No matter how much I hate school, it is not for my own happiness. It's for the kids. My kids. And my wife. They deserve it. So here comes another year. Two people have already told me who to take to homecoming. I choose the first. I have high hopes and I am as nervous as ever. It will be the hardest year of my life yet. But it will be worth it.