A EUGENE, OREGON, MAN THINKS HE has found the path to success….by changing his name. Douglas Allen Smith, who lists his occupation as “unemployed cabinet installer,” was always intrigued by a character on the NBC television series “Chuck” portrayed as Dr. Devon “Captain Awesome” Woodcomb. “I just thought it was really funny that Devon’s father always called him Captain Awesome because ‘a poor nickname builds good character,’ ” Smith said.
So he appeared before the Lane County Circuit Court and appealed to have his name changed to Captain Awesome. He makes it clear that his first name is not a title, but his name. “Hi, I’m Captain,” is his usual greeting. Mr. Awesome said that he had a little more difficulty than is usual getting his name changed. The first judge questioned his seriousness in making the request and told him to hire a lawyer to represent him. But Captain didn’t want to do that. Instead, he did some boning up on the appropriate law and file his request again.
This time, things went a bit more smoothly. Judge Douglas Mitchell asked him a few questions, then required him to raise his hand and swear that he wasn’t making this name change for fraudulent reasons. Then he not only proclaimed him to be Captain Awesome, but he even allowed Awesome’s request to be able to sign his name with a graphic, an arrow pointing to the right, a smiley face, and a left-pointing arrow.
The Department of Motor Vehicles accepted his new signature when he got his driver’s license changed to reflect his new name, but his bank won’t recognize it, saying that it’s too easily forged.
Captain Awesome proudly displays his signature on
the back of his new driver’s license.
But he should have a lot better luck getting a date now. After all, why should anybody spend time looking for Mr. Right when Captain Awesome is already there.
The Eugene Register-Guard has the STORY.
