My name is Brandon Olivares, and I am from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, currently attending Duquesne University for music performance for classical piano.

I'm totally blind, from a brain tumor when I was four years old. I use a screen reader called JAWS to access the Internet.

I enjoy playing the piano, especially classical music. I've been playing the piano for 14 years, since I was five years old.

I also enjoy programming, especially making web sites.

I love to read. My favorite books include Harry Potter (all seven), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (all five books in the series), Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Man Behind the Iron Mask, and the Lord of the Rings.

I also enjoy studying Spanish. My father was from Mexico, but I never got to learn the language.

My highest known weight was 117 KG on September 6, 2007, and I started attempting to lose weight on October 21, 2007 at 115 KG. My ultimate goal is to reach 70 KG by January 1, 2009. I’ve had a weight problem all my life and I can’t wait until I don’t have to worry about it anymore.

Mini goals:

1. 102 KG by January 1, 2008 - Reached!
2. 94 KG by April 1, 2008
3. 86 KG by July 1, 2008
4. 78 KG by October 1, 2008
5. 70 KG by January 1, 2009