Something anyone can tell about me is that I'm a big fan of dancing - specifically, ballroom dance.  Ballroom dance has numerous attributes going for it that makes if my favorite dances to do either socially or competitively - socially, because there is so many different genres of music that can be played and still be danced to in some fashion.  Surprising, some of the styles that match to the music.  Many modern pop songs are latin (usually cha cha cha or samba) dances, and for this reason those dances are some of my favorite to do.  However, due to the flexibility of the West Coast swing, it too can be danced to these songs and has become my favorite social dance to go "out on the town" doing.  As I have gained freedom and mobility through owning a car, a new world has been opened up for me in the past two years with my dancing.  Now able to experience the freedom of driving around and dancing wherever and whenever I can (time permitting), I have gained much understanding of myself and life through dancing.  There are some things about dancing that teach you how to be a better person.  To lead a woman, or anyone for that matter - but only after they have been consented to being led.  Many politicians could do wisely from learning to gain the trust of the people before they attempt to lead them.

In recent years, happily for me and many of my fellow collegiate competitors, ballroom dancing has been popularized through the use of the media.  Television shows such as American Idol, where the object is to find someone unknown and see that they have actual talent through auditions.  Shows for dancing, such as So You Think You Can Dance which is built upon the same premise.  Fun fact, my cousin is very close to a top ten finalist on said show.  Another show now on the scene for a long-running 13 seasons - Dancing with the Stars (or among those who know and love the show as I do and will throughout this post, DWTS).  It is a show in which stars volunteer to be dancers competing against one another with trained and experienced professionals whose median age is below 30.  These professionals have been champion dancers, having won competitions all over in ballroom dancing.  Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(U.S._TV_series)

for more information.  To watch the latest showing, go to http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars and watch the latest episode.  These competitions have happily brought ballroom into the public eye as the amazing show and art that it is.

My personal commentary on this show is this - not only has it achieved great success for those running and sponsoring the show, it has taken advantage of the modern reality tv show to a different level.  Since DWTS came out, at least one other show that I know of based on the same idea - Skating with the Stars (doing ice skating) has come out.  This particular show sounds slightly more dangerous than DWTS, however a few have pulled muscles and various bodily tissues through the course of 13 seasons.  However, injury isn't the focus of the show.  Demonstrating character, being an actor, being an athlete - as with all ballroom dancing, that's what this show is about.  Doing the best that you can, and rising from the bottom out of all odds.  It is a bit sad, however, that one couple gets eliminated right away.  It would be fairer if they had a performance, gained a baseline both with the audience and the judges, and went from there.  This way, everyone would have an equal chance to improve.

From a spectator stand-point, it is a very easy show to watch.  Sadly, like all shows today there are commercial breaks every few minutes, however this does allow the cast to set up and prepare before each show, making even live performances seem perfectly done despite the few mistakes and bungles that the stars often make.  I feel that more people should watch this show, not because I want the advertising dollars to be important, rather this show is, if one has to watch tv, better than others.  The television has taken over the lives of many today, and yet few programs that play not only too the modern media's viewership, and to old-fashioned sensibilities of respect, non-violence, and athletic ability as well.  These few attributes are what makes watching Dancing With The Stars at least somewhat worthwhile.