Resilience, hard work and independence are values prized by 24-year-old Brandon. The native Marylander earns his keep as an office administrator for the federal government by day and as a contractor with a custodial company by night. It's a work ethic he's embraced since his teenage years, when he set out on his own. He takes his inspiration from his mother and grandmother, both single parents. ''They've encouraged me to be an independent person, to always work hard, and not ask for help or handouts,'' he says. The Laurel resident likes to read, hang out with friends and go out to clubs and bars, including local watering holes like Grand Central and the Hippo (especially for karaoke night) in Baltimore, and Town and Cobalt in D.C.
What's on your nightstand?My laptop, cologne, deodorant, and a Phoenix figurine from X-Men.
What's in your nightstand drawer?It's more like a shelf. I have CDs, jewelry, lip balm on there.
Where do you keep the lube and the condoms?In a little blue box on the nightstand shelf.
What are your television favorites?Real Housewives of Atlanta. America's Next Top Model. I watch Law and Order with my roommates. I've been watching Martin for years. Working two jobs, I don't really have time for it anymore.
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?Scooby-Doo. My mom even gave me a Scooby-Doo bedroom set.
What superhero would you be?Probably a tie between Jean Grey and Emma Frost from X-Men. They're like the two sides of my personality, kind of like a yin and yang thing.
Who's your greatest influence?My mother and my grandmother.
What's your greatest fear?Snakes. I can't even look at them on TV.
Pick three people, living or dead, who you think would make the most fascinating dinner guests imaginable.Angelina Jolie, Beyoncé and Chase Hostler, a model. He's really cute.
What would you serve?Hamburger Helper. Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper.
How would you describe your dream guy?Intellectual, honest, in good shape and independent.
Define good in bed.Passionate, definitely good kissing. Longevity. Having no limits, or experimenting.
Who should star in a movie about your life?The guy from Grey's Anatomy, Jesse Williams. I think we look like each other.
Who was your first celebrity crush?Joey Lawrence. Ever since watching Blossom as a little kid.
Who gets on your nerves?Liars. People who can't be up front and honest with you.
If your home was burning, what's the first thing you'd grab while leaving?My laptop. Facebook and porn and all that stuff. I wouldn't be able to live without it.
What's your biggest turn-on?A nice ass and nice calves.
What's your biggest turn-off?Body odor.
What's something you've always wanted to do but haven't yet tried?I've never been on a plane before. Especially with me wanting to travel, I'd like to do that.
What's something you've tried that you never want to do again?I took this ''briefing skills'' class at my job. You had to stand in front of people and give speeches. I had a big case of stage fright. I passed the class, but I wouldn't want to do that again.
Coverboy: Brandon
Boxers, briefs or other?Boxer-briefs or jockstraps.
Who's your favorite musical artist?Beyoncé. She is probably the next greatest influence in my life after my mother and grandmother.
What's your favorite website?Wikipedia.
What's the most unusual place you've had sex?My car.
What position do you play in the big baseball game of life?MVP.
What's your favorite retail store?H&M.
What's the most you'll spend on a haircut?No more than $15. I don't usually do anything except get it shaved.
What about on shoes?For the perfect shoes, $200 would be pushing it.
What's your favorite food to splurge with?Cereal. I can eat it any time of the day. Frosted Flakes.
What's your favorite season?Springtime. It seems to have the most pleasant weather.
What kind of animal would you be?A black widow. I hear they kill the male after they have sex with them. Nobody would ever mess with a black widow.
What kind of plant would you be?A red rose.
What kind of car would you be?A red Firebird. I saw a lot of people with Firebirds growing up, and it always seemed to be the coolest car to have.
What are you most grateful for?My job and my paycheck.
What's something you want more of?Money, love, stability and happiness.
State your life philosophy in 10 words or less.What goes around comes around.
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