THE HOLY AND THE LOWLY CHALLENGE: DAY ONE

Hey, hey, hey, we got a few brave souls who are running the Lenten gauntlet of  the Holy and Lowly Trivia Challenge. (Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) Time is up for today, and we are moving on to the next two questions, but I must say, Nicely done, people. There is plenty more where that came from. I both thank and commend you for your commitment to the blog, and I am pretty sure each and everyone of you is heading straight to heaven for even attempting this sacred quest. Ok, maybe not, but it has to be burning off some purgatory time.

For those of you who have not yet partaken of the Trivia Challenge (yeah, I mean you, Brian Pond, Louis from Steds, any and all Nickels girls, Katey Caspar, Tina Lampe and the rest of you biblical slackers...) there is ample time to catch our current leaders, as we've got 30 more days for you all to flaunt your Theological and  "sociological" knowledge. I'll keep the questions coming, and you all keep up the answers. And people say this blog is not educational...

Here is our leaderboard thus far, with a little editorializing on my part about our competitors chances:
Currently in first place with four big points is Chris McKeon. Young Chris was the first to buzz in and he answered both questions correctly. I must warn you, Chris is freakishly competitive, has nothing but time on his hands, and with all of his high tech gadgetry, unless he gets totally electrocuted, he will be pouncing on the blog to maintain his self proclaimed superiority. I'm not going to lie to you, Chris has staked his spot and he will be tough to topple. The good news (for all fellow competitors), is that Chris is obviously playing for the alcohol. The bad news (for me), is that Chris is obviously playing for the alcohol....As the contest progresses, I may indeed need to revise a few of the rules/prizes...but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.  Walk carefully, young jedi...

Next to buzz in, and the recipient of two very crucial points was none other than Judy Pulera---Of course she did. History has shown us that Judy is a total winner. She came out on top in the Fitness Challenge and I will put real American dollars on her chances to win, place and show in this new trivia format. Interesting that her main nemisis Louis is no where to be found....(yes, Louis, the sound you are hearing is me calling you out, ...Please, for my sake, give Chris a run for his money in the Long Island Iced Tea Sweepstakes...)

A new, but wholly worthy competitor is Tricia Heinzman. Tricia has that special  photo with the iconic Ruth Buzzi, so she knows her celebs, she was all over the Papal Schism deal, and Tricia will fly under the radar, quietly racking up points, while no one is paying attention. I really like her chances, because this is a thinking man's game and Tricia is a thinker. Also, very impressive breadth of knowledge with the whole Elvis, lightning  bolt connection. Keep it coming, Tricia, and there may well be extra credit points for tidbits like that.... She is also tied with Judy with two important points.

Always a contender, Sue Chiappetta was right there claiming her first two points. Frankly, there is nothing Sue Chiappetta can't do: whipping up dinner for fifty, shingling a habitat roof, decorating the entire high school gym, raising Burberry Challenge winner Angela Fitzpatrick and her equally lovely three sisters, Sue's got serious skills and winning this competition is well within her reach.  The big hope for all others is that she may be distracted by the impending nuptuals of her daughter Claire...(keep that happy thought, fellow competitors, but Sue will be tough to beat)

Another new but formidable challenger is Kim Pechous. Kim knows her stuff, she just does not know how to comment on the blog. I've given her a "papal" dispensation for today, as she really did work like crazy to get her comment section to work, and she answered the questions really early. Kim will get her two points for today (and probably should be given some extra credit for her super informative answer) and let's all hope (or not) that she figures out how to comment via the blog.

Finally, we have Stacy Spracklin. Stacy will certainly get her two points, and as the competition continues, she may be getting significant extra credit because her comment made me laugh out loud. Keep it up, Stacy. Everyone knows that in these bloggy competitions, the rules can and will change according to my whims.  Making me laugh goes a VERY long way.

Here are today's two questions:

1. Name the Five Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, and the appropriate day of the week when these mysteries are said. (who knew about these ones? back in my day, at least at St. Judes in New Lenox, there were only the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries.)
2. Name at least five of the eight kids from the classic family show "Eight is Enough" and the actors who played them. (this may slow young Chris down just a bit)

Good luck to all competitors, I look forward to your correct answers. Same timeish tomorrow, so get your answers in good and fast. And for all of you wall flowers, sitting on the side lines, afraid to jump in....Let's go, you big bunch of Nancies (gave up swearing for Lent...taking it one day at a time). That Tiffany bead bracelet isn't going to just jump onto your wrist.... 

Today's Top Ten:

1. The Hominy Grill in Charleston--was featured on Man vs. Food, so you know it's good
2. Delman ballet flats--perfect for spring
3. Stacy Spracklin for making me laugh
4. Buttered popcorn--wish I had some
5. The Luminous Mysteries--I learn something every day
6. Jimmer Freddette--after ND's tragic and painful exit from the tournament last night, I am now officially rooting for Team Jimmer
7. The monogrammed bathing suit in Bella Bliss (it's for Posey, not me)
8. Mentos chewing gum in those flip top canisters
9. The giant gummy bear from Robot Candy
10. The Paris Wife--that book about Ernest Hemingway's first wife--it's really good