Some days here at Dummocrats we talk about politics. Some days we talk about foreign policy. Some days we talk about the media. And some days, we're all about reality TV. It's no secret that I love The Amazing Race (go Jon & Kris and Gus & Hera!), but I just discovered a new show to love: Project Runway on Bravo.

The premise is this: twelve aspiring fashion designers compete for a chance to present their collection in a NY runway show, with the ultimate winner getting $100,000 and a photo shoot in Elle magazine. Each week the designers are given a specific challenge (the two challenges I've seen were to create a garment from cotton jersey which somehow represented "envy" and to create a party dress that would be appropriate for Banana Republic to sell). One designer wins the challenge and another designer is sent home. Simultaneously, one by one, the models who show off the clothes are also eliminated (that winner also gets a spread in Elle).

While the show has its share of dramatic infighting, what I find so fascinating is the peek at the creative process. For example, for the "envy" concept, the winning designer was an army brat and so she created a military-themed dress (in her mind, envy leads to war). In the Banana Republic show, another designer used the Chrysler building as inspiration for his Art Deco dress.

I'm so envious of all these people. I find it amazing that someone can look at a piece of white cotton and whip up a fabulous menswear-inspired pantsuit from it in a day or so. I don't have that kind of creativity. I have a hard time building something from scratch like that. My strength lies in taking that design and figuring how to sell it to other people, or how to display and describe it.

I feel the same way about some fellow bloggers. I can react to things other people write and I can even make some original observations, but, don't come here looking for something like Beautiful Atrocities' Evolution of Katie Couric or Iowahawk's brilliant "Blue State Blues as Coastal Parents Battle Invasion of Dollywood Values" piece. I can't pull something like that out of the air. I think the best we can do (unless James really surprises me), is a little parody, some local insight and good analysis. Although, I have to say, that if I had any artistic ability, I think I could come up with one or two good Cox and Forkum style cartoons. Alas, I was not blessed with the ability to draw anything beyond a stick figure.

So, check out Project Runway (I think new episodes start on Jan. 5th). In the meantime, we'll be on the lookout for more creative posts in the blogosphere. And maybe, just maybe, breaks from school and work will help us get our own creative juices flowing!