u The Main Dish: November 2007

The Main Dish

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Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Dear Dish on Chesterfields

Dear Dish:

What's up with the word chesterfield? How come no one uses it anymore? What's up with that? Does it only refer to beat up old crappy things from the '70s? That's what I think of when I think of the word. Can a new top-of-line pleather sofa be a chesterfield?

Sincerely,

A Couch Reformer

Dear Reformer

By definition, a chesterfield is a couch or sofa. So yes, a top‑of–the‑line pleather sofa could be referred to as a chesterfield. The appropriateness of using “top of the line” to describe a pleather sofa is another matter entirely. The term chesterfield is primarily a Canadian one and has been declining in popularity. This is no doubt because of the ever‑increasing influence the United States of America is having on our country. Dish blames Stephen Harper.

Let’s keep our Canadian roots intact! Let’s bring back the common use of the word chesterfield! Dish’s own mother is a fine example of unwillingness to bend to the whims of our influential neighbours to the south. She continues to use the word “chesterfield” regularly.

And while we are speaking of terms to keep in circulation, Dish highly promotes the use of “kitbag” as the preferred term for a school bag or back pack and the word “crunchits” as the preferred term for crunchy cheesies.

Embrace your culture.
Dish

posted by Dish @ 10:41 AM 3 comments

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Dear Dish on the Batman TV series

Dear Dish:

How is it possible that Batman can be the darkest, most brooding character ever but they have the Batman TV series?

Sincerely,
Confused

Dear Confused:

Now, I wouldn't venture to say that I am, by any means, a comic book expert; however, since those I usually turn to for insight on questions such as this are the ones throwing this question my way, I will do my best. I have a theory regarding the Batman TV series. I do not profess it to be truth, merely speculation. Readers are more than welcome to share their thoughts on this topic.

The superhero Batman was first introduced to the public in 1939. This was the same year that World War II began. I can only imagine that Batman's dark, brooding character was a reflection of the mood felt by many members of society at that time.

By the time the Batman television series came onto the scene in 1966, people were likely tired of dark and brooding. The War had been over for 21 years at this point, but I imagine people were still attempting to put those dark and trying times behind them. They wanted entertainment that would make them laugh, not entertainment that would force them to reflect on mayhem and tragedy. They'd had enough of that in real life.

By making Batman into a campy, humorous, feel-good show, it provided the public with much needed comic relief after so much suffering. I speculate that the tv show was not so much a reflection of the superhero's actual character as it was a method of reaching an audience. It gave us all a superhero we could love and admire, but also one that could make us laugh.

The same style was adopted for Batman: The Movie, which I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't seen it. It is definitely a classic and scores 5 out of 5 cans of shark repellent Batspray in my books.

Hope this helps.
Dish

posted by Dish @ 4:00 PM 2 comments

Dear Dish on the New Xmas CD

Dear Dish:

How's the Christmas Fromage coming along? Many of your listeners are eager to hear the results!

Sincerely,
An Eager Reader

Dear Eager Reader:

Fear not. Dish's new Christmas cd is in the works. With iBenoit back on board as the creative genius behind the album artwork, this compilation is guaranteed to be another hit. Now, I don't want to reveal too much and spoil the element of surprise; however, I will tell you that the theme for this year's cd is venturing away from Fromage and into new uncharted Christmas territory. It WILL be worth the wait.

Dish

posted by Dish @ 3:29 PM 6 comments

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Dear Dish on Travelling First Class

Dear Dish:

I want to travel first class more, but I'm cheap and don't want to pay for it. How can I get first class flight tickets without anteing up more money?

I know I ask hard questions Dish, but I consider you four and a half steps below God (you're right above the people that deliver the mail), so I gotta ask.

Do you know something that I don't about weaseling into first class? Please explain.

Sincerely,
First class was made for me, baby!

Dear First Class:

The answer to your question is really quite simple. You have to start practicing THE SECRET. According to this philosophy, you attract into your life the things you focus on the most. So, if you focus on money, money will come to you. In your case, you don't necessarily want more money, just first class plane tickets. So, the next time you travel, buy your economy class ticket but focus on travelling first class. Picture yourself in the larger, more comfortable seat. Imagine eating the higher calibre snacks. Spend a little time every day leading up to your trip doing this. The trick is that you have to believe it. No room for doubts here.

Then, when you show up at the airport, don't be surprised when the flight attendant informs you that your tickets have been bumped up to first class.

Best of luck.

Dish

posted by Dish @ 1:16 PM 6 comments