Brandon – The Figure Skater
We’ve been watching the Winter Olympics like crazy. We’ve oohed and awed at the opening ceremony (the whales, amazing…) cheered on Apollo Ohno in the speed skate, amazed at those tricks of the Flying Tomato Shaun White and of course we’ve watched lots of figure skating. And by watching, I mean analyzing every twirl, edge and jump with Brandon saying words like “clean, two footed, OMG that was huge” and last but not least, “I don’t miss sequins.” Because friends, I get to watch ice skating with a former figure skater – my dear sweet husband. Yes, Brandon was a figure skater.
Like most figure skaters, Brandon started skating at the young age of 3 when “they put me on the ice and I liked it.” The love of the ice ended up with his mom Janice waking him around 3:30 am to head to the rink at Valley Ranch six days a week. It would be figures one hour, freestyle one hour, Zamboni, then all over again. There were costumes. Sweaters. Competitions. Travel. He later moved to Oklahoma to train with his coaches and have the ability to skate all day, “on virtually private ice,” Brandon adds. He stayed there for 2 -3 years.
Along the way he got to hang out with Bryan Boitano, Kristi Yamaguchi, Scott Hamilton and other famous skaters. At age 16 Brandon experienced burn out – he felt very homesick and was not comfortable with the financial strain on his family – so he took some time off and discovered karate and guitars. After that it was guitar and Van Halen bonanza, and the band Harold’s Mill (from his friends in fourth grade) and playing clubs in Deep Ellum.
I never knew Brandon the figure skater (or band member) and I’ve giggled at the very few videos he’s shown me (tights?!) but I’ve grown to love watching ice skating with him. And man, do we think Blades of Glory is FUNNY. It is ironic that I have this crazy reaction to the sound of scraping ice. I can’t stand it! Suffice to say he’s never taken me ice skating or anything but he has played me melodies on his guitar. So in honor of the Winter Olympics here are some pictures of my Brandon – the figure skater. I’m digging the Cosby sweaters and the infamous skull sweater – he loved that sweater…
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I LOVE this. Go Brandon! He he. I have to say, though, you two should go skating sometime. My dad was a ballroom dance teacher before he and my mom met, and now they’ve been married almost 30 years and my wedding was the first time they danced a choreographed waltz together! You might regret not having done more skating together now. :)
That is SO random and awesome! LOL He looks like he’s a little nervous like he’s about to fall in the last pic. Go Brandon!
So last night, Ry randomly turned to me and said “umm so Brandon REALLY likes ice skating and appears to know a lot about it” . . so I had to inform him that Brandon used to be an ice skater. . . I think he was a bit surprised, but now I have proof!!
I love looking at these photos! It is so awesome and it adds an extra thrill to watching the skating events to actually know someone who skated like that.
Way to go Brandon! How awesome that you are a bonafide skating star! I love figure skating, really excited to see the men skate tonight! (I got to see Scott Hamilton on his last tour- it was really great! also got to see Alexei Yagudin who had possibly the best tush in skating! Nice!) Do you miss it?
That explains the interest and posts! I love it! Everyone has a story and I sure loved reading this little chapter of Brandon’s story. =)
I remember Brandon the ice skater, the B.B. gun expert, long-distance bicycle rider, the chinese-star throwing ninja, and the guitar player (you forgot to mention “Stitch”) All good times!
Except I said the same thing recently about the costumes while watching the Olympics “I can’t believe the guys still have to wear those sequins!”
Best. Post. Ever.
I want to see a video!!!
I want to see a video!!