The 007 Pentathlon

There are many ways to measure a gentleman - how he speaks, how he dresses, how he treats his mother. For me, ever since I was six or so, I thought that a genteel man should be able to do a number of things well: exercise knowledge on a wide range of topics; carry a conversation with anyone, no matter how high or base; defend himself and those he loved, either with a sword, a gun, or hand to hand; be able confidently ride a horse; and to dance a proper waltz. Think of these as a pentathlon if designed by James Bond. So far, I have been able to do all these things save the last, and tonight is my first private ballroom dancing lesson.

It should be a great time... My instructor is a cute brunette who is an accomplished dancer, and declares her name to strangers like an opera diva (as opposed to a contemporary diva). At the very least it should be entertaining. Hopefully I will actually learn something too.