About Me
“Who are you and what are you doing here?” Words usually taken at gunpoint.
My name is Joe Goodwin, and I’m here to tell you a little about myself. The narcissist within welcomes further conversation on this in email.
I am an evangelical Christian who loves the Lord with all of my heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). Do not let this fool you into thinking you know how I’ll react to any given idea. If you’re looking for someone to heal your bleeding ulcer and sell you an after-death fire insurance policy, I will happily refer you to the televangelist currently fleecing the public on Channel 14.
I am half-Japanese, half-generic-American-white. My upbringing reflected some of the nobler things about Japanese culture while avoiding some of the worst (like karaoke and Yakuza). This means I have an overdeveloped sense of responsibility concerning my younger siblings and an underdeveloped sense of what it’s like to have potatoes at dinnertime.
I have been an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America since 2000. I have been a den leader, assistant Scoutmaster, pack committee member, district trainer, and district recruitment chair. I firmly believe that Boy Scouting can bring everything fine and noble out of any boy, regardless of background, natural ability, or education.
I am a dog person. Although I do own a cat, and she’s very sweet, she is as stupid and disloyal as any of her species. However, until they make a dog that can purr, I will always have a cat in my house.
People tend to like me, or at least they do not actively dislike me in my presence.
I am an on-again and off-again cyclist (current status is “off”) and have the Italian bicycle to prove it. I used to average 3000 miles per year, but in the last year I have been investing my time in other pursuits. I occasionally go out in the garage, dust off the old girl, and promise to take her for a long ride sometime soon. I look positively frightening in cycling apparel, so naturally I have a large collection.
The only celebrity whose death I truly mourned was Carl Sagan.
I do not have a college education, but this does not stop me from acting like I know it all. My unfinished education is my only true regret.
I read everything. My favorite books I read at least once per year.
I generally carry a revolving balance of fines at the local public library. I am the world’s worst borrower.
My wife and child are my life. My stance against the death penalty is instantly revoked if anyone tries to harm them.
I speak very loudly at parties.
I come from a musical family. My father is a professional jazz drummer. An uncle, aunt, and two cousins all have careers in music education. Another uncle is the only farmer I know with a degree in music. I, on the other hand, play the tinwhistle.
I listen to every style, genre, and facet of music, save country and western. That I live in Garth Brooks country is an irony that is not lost on me.
I can be terribly impatient with my closest friends. They seem to like me anyway.
I normally disdain political discussions, unless I’m in a surly mood and want to pick a fight with my wife. I like to think that I’m hard to pin down politically. Some examples: Pro-gun ownership. Anti-death penalty. Anti-abortion in conviction, but pro-abortion as a matter of law. Belief in freedom of religion, not freedom from religion, yet I still support most church/state separation initiatives. I salute the flag at every opportunity, but I am against any ban on flag burning. Registered Independent. Listen to conservative talk radio and agree with about 30% of what I hear. Favor a strong military and support the idea of a US military presence in other countries, but was against the Iraq war. In short, I am a pollster’s nightmare.
I like to read science fiction, watch Star Trek episodes, play computer games, and collect stamps. You may commence beating me up at your convenience.
