dances with bulls

maybe it’s because i’m a lifelong okie who can’t resist a real cowboy. maybe it’s because i’m a sucker for skinny guys with no rhythm get out on the dance floor anyway. perhaps i just get a kick out of corny one-liners delivered with a texan drawl.

whatever the case, i fell fast and hard for professional bull rider ty murray after the first week watching him on dancing with the stars. his genuinely amenable personality and “git-er-done” energy won me over immediately, and as an added bonus he was paired with one of my favorite dancers from so you think you can dance - chelsie hightower. i started watching the show to root for steve-o, (who serendipitously was paired with the only other sytycd pro, lacey schwimmer), and when he left the competition i was hooked cheering for ty & chelsie.

i’m a few days behind on watching dwts this week because of other pressing matters, but now that i’m catching up i’m sad to discover that my favorite couple has been voted off. bummed, but not surprised, because the “king of the cowboys” was certainly not the most skilled dancer. he was undeniably the most improved, thanks to his attitude and commitment (and chelsie’s teaching), and fan votes incredibly carried him through to the semi-finals. but now that he’s out i’m honestly not that interested in who wins the finale. they’re all good.

so as a tribute to that cute rodeo champ, who charmed everyone and thankfully entertained me during the agonizing wait for this season of sytycd, here are some of his best quotes i collected from the show.

“chelsie says in this dance she’s the bull. if all bulls looked like her, there’d be alot more bull-riders in this world.”

“my cha cha was really just a cha, ’cause I forgot half of it.”

(after shaking his hips in front of his wife, Jewel): “the score wasn’t great, but i’m hoping the solo pays dividends later.”

(while she’s riding a mechanical bull) “man, chelsie, stiffin’ up a little bit, you dancers are so fluid!”

“salsa is supposed to be like a party, but it’s really just a pain in the ass with a whole lotta steps ya gotta remember.”

and the most profound of them all:

“dancing is kinda like bull-riding: you’re never really ready, it’s just your turn.”

just one more week until the premier of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE!! it’s the only reality show i’ve ever really gotten into, and i honestly watch the recordings repeatedly when the show is not airing. the sheer talent of the dancers and choreographers involved resonates strongly with my love of dance.