by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Todd Brown

Age: 26

Occupation: Accountant/photographer

Bio: This sultry heartbreaker of a Plateau hedonist first arrived here six years ago as an almost impossibly gung-ho evangelical Christian from tiny Fernie, B.C. Accompanied by his teenage bride/high school sweetheart, it wasn't too long before the lure of the devil, combined with Montreal's comparatively loose social mores, had this sheltered stud-in-waiting questioning the infinite wisdom of Christian fundamentalism. A gifted artist and photographer, as well as one damn fine tax accountant, when his bride unceremoniously decided to shed herself of him only a few short months after their migration east, Todd arguably went a little wacky, spilling his seed all over the place and indulging in all the delights that Montreal has to offer, all in a fit of existential angst inspired by his metamorphosis from hillbilly Christian to ultra-hip urban sophisticate. "I arrived here totally homophobic, totally racist and not even realizing it. When you live in an environment where everyone is racist, you don't question your own racism. Suddenly I realized I knew nothing at all, thinking, like, ‘Holy shit, what the hell kind of place have I been in all my life?' It was a very difficult awakening." Todd's photographic representation of his experience, Neurosis, will be on display at the ArtUS gallery (988 Rachel E), beginning April 20. He drives a Kawasaki KZ 440 motorcycle.

Are there many Jews in Fernie? None whatsoever. "The only thing I ever knew about Jews was from the Bible."

Muslims? Nope.

Guys or gals of colour? "Yes, one black guy who worked nearby with the ski patrol."

Evangelical Christians? "Let me put it this way - there are no less than four fundamentalist churches in Fernie serving a community of roughly 5,000 people."

Does he realize that in all likelihood he is now doomed to spend eternity in Hell? More than most sinners, no doubt, but Todd says he's not especially concerned anymore.

Is he presently overwhelmed by people wanting their tax returns done at the last minute? Yes, but Todd is always prepared to take on new clients. He charges $45 depending on the return "and how cute you are." Reach him at browntodd@gmail.com.

How many exciting yet hidden tax saving opportunities are there this year that most people know nothing about? "None whatsoever."

What he does to relax: A rock climber all of his life, Todd has recently taken to urban climbing, regularly scaling the sides of abandoned buildings à la Batman for kicks. "Yeah, I climbed to the top of the Biosphere on Île-Sainte-Hélène last year. That was pretty cool. I had to take off pretty quick when security figured out what was going on though."

Last book read: If on a Winter's Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino.

Musical preferences: The Constantines, M.I.A., Amon Tobin.

Words of wisdom: "Try anything at least once. Then try it again one year later."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca