A Brief History of Me

Subtitled "The Tragedy of Brett."

Dramatic?

Fine.  You're right.  I'll chill.

That's my trophy!
(bet mine's bigger)

So, I'm 22, from a small town in rural Idaho, and studying accounting at BYU in Provo.  I'm not the consummate nerd, but I have to admit that I'm close.  I have always had my nose pressed in a book, I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the bookstore, picked up a book, and finished it before I was home!  (don't worry, that only happens when someone else is driving...usually...) As evidenced by the picture here--------> I am a fairly dedicated chessplayer, and I was *once* the Idaho state high school chess champion (2008).  I represented the state at the Denker High School national tournament, where I placed...well...exactly where I placed is not important.  (To be honest, I don't know!)

He's the piano man!

More nerdiness?  Don't worry, I've got loads and to spare.  I'm also a piano player.  I've been playing for over 16 years now.  I like walking up to high schoolers and telling them that I've been doing something longer than they've been alive.  The reactions are great.  Anyway, the piano.  I love it.  I even did it semi-professionally for a while; I played for conventions, a few stage productions, etc.  Oh, and once or twice I even competed in talent shows with cash prizes; I took first place once for a grand prize of 100$!

I appreciate the music of Jon Schmidt, though I've found that it hasn't aged as well as I thought it would when I was younger.  For other modern (ish) piano players, I love Billy Joel's music, he's one of my idols (only for his music; I generally don't approve of people who spent the 70s stoned, or any time at all stoned, for the record).  I admire and miss Victor Borge, who was not only the funniest piano player, maybe of all time, but who also had a remarkable sense of interpretation.  The few recordings I have found where he plays a tune from beginning to end are stunning; I could easily listen to his 'Clair de Lune' for hours.  I am, generally speaking, a fan of classical piano music, and most piano music generally.  I prefer songs that are difficult enough that you can tell it's hard just by listening, things I don't think I could ever play.  I enjoy being challenged.

Me me me me me.  I'm sick of me.  That's enough introduction.  I'm sure that if this blog ever really takes off, I'll end up giving all the necessary details au fur et à mesure.  Oh, did I mention that I served a two-year mission for the my Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or Mormons) in France!  Through that experience, I have become a serious francophile.  But more on all that later!

I'll leave you with a video of one of those challenging piano pieces that I'll probably never get around to learning: La Campanella!  This may not be the best performance technically (though it's quite good) but I like this one best for his hair.  =)