Jason,

I like you with a beard, and think it would look really nice it it were gray or salt 'n pepper. That said, I think it would look better if you didn't keep it too short. Really short ones, if not kept constantly trimmed, remind me of Yassar Arafat who always looked disshevelled and in need of a shave all of the time. Also, I think the style of severely outlinning the jaw with a short beard when one does not have a slim neck (I don't since I'm one of those no neck bastards like "Cat on a Tin Roof."), makes one look like Brutus, Popeye's nemesis.

I like your goatee. It looks good on you.

So, six of one and six of the other! I like both. It's now up to you. Go for it!