Saturday, June 7, 2008

99 Fascinating Facts About Me!

I got this idea from Lisa who got it from another blogger. I didn't think that it would take me long to write this but it did! I had a hard time narrowing down all of the fascinating things about me. So much to choose from! Enjoy and thank you for reading and commenting!











  1. I married my best friend
  2. Lisa is the smartest woman I know. She can hold a conversation with anyone!
  3. If I got stranded on a deserted island, I would die a happy man if Lisa were with me.
  4. My in-laws are some of the greatest people I know. They have always treated me like a son and I often get homesick for them. I really love them.
  5. My brother-in-law is one of the smartest people I have ever met. I could easily spend hours and hours talking with him non stop.
  6. I spent my first 13 years growing up in Orem, Utah but I claim Iowa City, Iowa as my hometown. I would never admit that I’m from Orem.
  7. While “visiting” Orem, our neighborhood had our own football, baseball, soccer and basketball team. We would spend the entire summer playing against other neighborhoods. I had a WONDERFUL childhood.
  8. My favorite number is 22. This was Danny Ainge’s number when he played basketball at BYU and I wanted to be just like him.
  9. Some of my fondest memories of my Dad were all of the BYU games that we went to. We used to listen to the KSL wrap up shows on the drive home.
  10. I was devastated when my sixth grade class voted Tom Baugh instead of me onto the baseball team to play against all of the teachers in the only and final game of the year. Tom didn’t even practice with us and our team lost.
  11. I’m a poor loser. I hate losing! Vince Lombardi once said “Show me a good loser and I will show you a loser.” That quote always makes me laugh.
  12. My sixth grade teacher predicted that I would make a fortune selling my ideas to other people.
  13. I had a secretary in the sixth grade. Her name was Holly Flaggar and she took notes for me. The tv show “Dallas” was really popular at the time.
  14. After high school I looked Holly up and found out that she was pregnant and engaged. So much for that date!
  15. I was a barely average student through high school. But I somehow managed to get an Iowa Math and Science Scholarship to the University of Iowa.
  16. I was placed on administrative probation for one year at the Univ of Iowa for forging my academic advisors signature on a class I needed to drop.
  17. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Phoenix in business marketing.
  18. I was one of two students to receive a full ride scholarship to Ohio University
  19. I hold two Master’s degree. I have an MBA and Master’s degree in Sports Administration and Facility Management.
  20. I was my MBA’s class president. I was also the only dependable designated driver.
  21. My time at Ohio University were two of the hardest and most rewarding years of my life.
  22. In the summer of 2001 I helped Athens, Ohio field a summer minor league baseball team. They still play.
  23. My dream job was to work for the Denver Broncos until I found out they paid $1,800 per month and worked their staff over 80 hours a week
  24. I found my other dream job for a marketing firm in North Carolina until I found out that my key account would be Miller Brewing. I turned it down.
  25. From the time I was young I felt I was going to accomplish something really significant. I am just now learning what that is.
  26. I am the oldest in my family. I have a brother and four sisters. Each one of them inspires me.
  27. My family is scattered all over the US but I am in constant contact with all of them
  28. I have terrible guilt for all the mean things I did to my brother when I was a kid. I got a kick out of giving him Chinese Grass Torture by putting grass up his nose
  29. My brother is an ex-Marine. I will always regret not serving my country in the military.
  30. I joined Army ROTC through the Univ of Utah and loved it. I have shot M-16s and flown in Blackhawk Helicopters.
  31. In a training exercise I held POW’s captive with a claymore mine. I found out later that it violated every title of the Geneva Convention.
  32. Through high school I wanted to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. But I didn’t have the grades or the 20/20 vision to become a pilot.
  33. For my high school graduation, my parents got me flying lessons.
  34. I have flown solo in a Cessna and have not found a rush that comes remotely close to flying alone.

  35. Someone called the FAA on me for flying at “dangerously low levels” (see 34) I was buzzing my girlfriends house at the time. I never got caught.
  36. I have outrun the police just once. I knew there was a good chance they couldn’t turn around and catch me at the speed I was going. They were in a blind spot too.
  37. I have never had a speeding ticket, but I’ve been pulled over half a dozen times.
  38. I love to freak police officers out when I had them my drivers license and conceal carry permit for our fire arms.
  39. I have had a warrant out for my arrest. I left my fishing license at home and got cited by the DNR. I forgot to fax in my copy and a year later they sent a Constable to my home to take me to jail. I wanted to go! Lisa screamed at me so he made me sign a promise to appear. I still have a copy of the warrant.
  40. On the judges advice I plead “guilty” to fishing without my license and he fined me $15.
  41. My companion and I were arrested in Austria for breaking into our own apartment. We were later released.
  42. That was the second time I was in an Austrian police car. The first time came when we were mugged by six gang members. They took $35 from me and $150 from my companion. They held a knife to my throat.
  43. I willingly parked illegally in San Diego in a rental car hoping that the ticket would never get back to me. It did
  44. My goal was to speak German so well that people thought I was a native. By the end of my mission Austrians thought I was from Vienna because of my dialect.
  45. I dream of having a summer home in the Alps and traveling around Europe every summer with my boys.
  46. I have lived a fairytale life so far. The only thing missing in my life is lots and lots of money. I believe that is coming.
  47. The water company turned our water off two days after we came home from the hospital with our first son.
  48. It’s expensive to be poor.
  49. My wife can stretch money further than any person I know
  50. I got married and started my first business when I was 25
  51. I am currently working on four businesses and two products. I am hoping to have my products ready to launch this Fall
  52. People tell me that I’m just like my dad. I fought that for years. As I get older I become more and more like my dad and see that as a compliment.
  53. I have never seen my dad baffled
  54. Some of the greatest memories I have of my dad are fly fishing with him and my brother.
  55. Nothing makes me smile faster than the sound of both my parents laughing.
  56. My mom gave me a love for writing. Some of my fondest memories of my mom were sitting down at the computer together to write term papers.
  57. My mom is one of the wisest people I have ever known.
  58. My parents gave me a love of old “classic” cars

  59. I one day hope to own a 54’ Mercury “lead sled” a 57’ Chevy Bel Air, a 70’ Chevy SS, (maybe) a 1964 Pontiac GTO and my 72’ Chevy Truck of course.
  60. It makes me gag that every car on the road looks like the other. I’m sick of cars that are silver.
  61. My first car was a 1985 Honda CRX. It got 40+mpg
  62. I once got 55mpg drafting a semi truck to Denver. I stayed two feet off of his bumper for 250 miles. It was a fun but white knuckle drive as I had no cruise control.
  63. I am a WWII buff and one day want to go to Utah and Omaha Beach in Normandy, France
  64. Militarily speaking, the only thing the French have perfected is the art of surrender.
  65. I think the P-51 Mustang is the most beautiful plane in the world. I would like to fly one someday.
  66. The Merlin Engine in a P-51 Mustang makes one of the coolest sounds I have ever heard. I also love the sound of a big block V8 engine with killer pipes.
  67. I used to have terrible dreams of being chased and beaten. I stopped having those dreams the day I took home my first handgun.
  68. My wife is a better shot than I am.

  69. I HATE talking on the phone. I love email and text messages though.
  70. I have a fear of being homeless.
  71. I believe I could commit the perfect crime and never get caught
  72. I wonder if I will ever be skinny again.
  73. I believe that death is fairly painless. Like someone turning off the light
  74. I don’t think we will ever comprehend in this lifetime the love that our Father in Heaven has for us. I think he cheers for our success
  75. I get frustrated with people who live the letter of the law and forget the spirit of why we do things.
  76. I am grateful for everything that I have been blessed with. I know more blessings are on their way.
  77. If I only had three days to live and I could go anywhere I would spend a day fly fishing the Green River, a day in Iowa City and a day in Austria.
  78. Some of the most spiritual events in my life have come while working in the (LDS) 12 Step Program.
  79. “People aren’t inherently bad. Most are really good people who sometimes make bad choices.” -Marvin Carter. I love you Marvin!
  80. The 12 Step Program helped me to learn compassion and love, particularly for people who struggle with addictions.
  81. Arlington National Cemetery is one of my favorite landmarks.
  82. I relish the time I get to spend at SCORE. Consulting new business owners is one of the highlights of my month. I counsel 12 new businesses every month.
  83. I have been blessed with some really great friends. They have helped me become a better me.
  84. I know that I am going to help thousands and thousands of people.
  85. I am taking steps to become a professional speaker.
  86. I am a registered Independent voter. I vote the person, not the party
  87. No party, race, creed or sex has the corner market on all the good ideas.
  88. You will rarely make bad choices if your goal is to serve others.

  89. If I could go back in time and do any job, I would be a Roadie for Van Halen.
  90. My favorite front man is Sammy Hagar. I had a picture of him in my locker throughout high school (that was BEFORE he joined Van Halen).
  91. I secretly want to grow my hair out, re-learn the guitar and sing in a wildly successful rock and roll band. I want to wear spandex and chaps on stage and look hot!
  92. I enjoy most music. I can listen to everything from Motzart to Metallica.
  93. I took up the guitar when I was 10 because I wanted to sing like John Denver
  94. I love going to the Opera, my favorite is Parsifal. I also enjoy the symphony.
  95. It makes my heart go pitter patter when I hear my kids sing lyrics from AC/DC, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. It convinces me that we are raising them right.
  96. My four sons make me laugh every day and I love spending time with them.
  97. I worry that one day I will regret not spending more time with my boys.
  98. My favorite job in High School was driving the brand new Case I tractor for the Iowa DOT and mowing the grass along the country roads.
  99. I’m not much of a perfectionist. Unlike my wife I can stop at 99 “things about me” and feel content. I don’t need to go to 100...
  100. I like to have the last word.

10 comments:

Abigail said...

Joel-Thank you for everything. My mom came home the other night and told me that you had said such kind things about me. You have no idea how much that means to me. You are awesome! Thanks for those nice things you have put about me on your blog. Your a great person, you made my day!

Anonymous said...

I totally knew all these things about you. Just kidding. I TOTALLY agree that it's expensive to be poor. I think that's the truest statement of all your 99 things. I'm just starting to learn how really true that is. BOOOOO!

Chelsea said...

i had no idea your family started way back in the day in orem. i would "forget" that part of my history, too. and amen on 95. it brings me great joy to have my toddler singing the good stuff along with me

Lisa said...

I am proud to say that I actually knew 99 of the 100 things you posted. The one I didn't know was the story about not being picked for the baseball game. How sad! I love how AC/DC, John Denver, and Opera are all mentioned in one post. And while we all know you would never last growing your hair out long, (I'd give you 5 weeks before you buzzed it) you can still wear the spandex and chaps, baby!

Shar said...

Hey Joelsie! I really enjoyed learning more about you. You're so awesome. I'm so lucky to have you guys as good friends. You always brighten my day and lift my spirits. I believe you will help thousands of people! Love you

Anonymous said...

Hi Joel,

As I have some free time after Christmas this year, I have really enjoyed reading your blog. Very enligtening and inspiring. Thanks for sharing. 2009 is going to be a great year!
Take care,
Amber

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