Biography

I’m Chris Brewer, and I’ve been blogging on life, love, faith, and every mystery known to me since March 2005. I’d describe myself as a Christ-follower first and foremost, then a technology geek, audiophile, and a fan of all Oregon sports teams save for the Oregon State Beavers.

I was born to Jerry and Sybil Brewer on July 20, 1984 in Longview, Washington, and I subsequently spent the next eighteen years of my life across the Columbia River in Rainier, Oregon. I was taught by my mother and father at home for the majority of my elementary and junior high school educational experience, until I chose to attend Rainier High School, from which I would graduate in 2002.

I made a decision to forego college to enter the United States Air Force that November as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist. In layman’s terms, a bomb technician.

Upon graduation of basic training, I quickly realized that I could and probably would accidentally kill or severely maim myself attempting to defuse live bombs. It was then that I decided to drop bombs instead in the form of intelligent wordplay, and what better venue than in the form of radio and television broadcasting — something I had secretly dreamed of doing since my childhood.

I changed careers in 2003 and haven’t looked back. I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world (Iraq, Germany and Portugal, to name a few places), and I reported for the American Forces Network and Pentagon Channel until November 2006, when I received an honorable discharge and an Air Force Commendation Medal for accomplishments during my four years of service. I am a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to be honest I’m not sure where I stand on that.

I returned home in November 2006 and was rewarded with freelance work as a video editor and videographer for KPTV in Portland, Oregon. It wouldn’t last, however — the winds of change blew and I moved to Springfield, Missouri in August 2007 to live closer to my family.

Months after the move, I was blessed to begin a 15-month stint as the lead videographer at the Springfield News-Leader, where my friends in the photo department shared valuable photography tips with me in exchange for teaching them about video. It was in Springfield that I met and interviewed Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain during their trips through the Midwest, covered stories ranging from natural disasters to police standoffs, and even got in some sports action here and there.

After being laid off from the News-Leader in July 2009, I moved back home to Washington state and plan to remain here for an extended period of time.

I’ve always had a strong desire to be a writer, and you’ll soon be able to find me in Centralia, Washington, where I have secured full-time employment as a print reporter for the Chronicle. Ask me the story of how I was led there and I’ll buy you a cup of coffee and share the story sometime.

In addition to my blog, you can also find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or do nothing at all.