Gotta Love Presidential Trivia

Unlike our riddle competition, feel free to use the internet or any other source to find the answers to Thursday's trivia questions. Unless you have the answers stored in your brain, then post away and be quick about it!

Here is this week's question:

Who was the only ordained minister elected to the office of president of the United States?

Cernan Earth and Space Center

This weekend I took niece E to the Cernan Earth and Space Center for a family sky show in their planetarium theater. Back in my teenage days I used to frequent this wonderful addition to Tritan college in River Grove. Long ago, I attended sky shows (I've always had an interest in astronomy) but more frequently, their laser light extravaganzas. (Pink Floyd at its best).

The show we saw Sunday contained a mix of a viewing of the current sky and what celestial events are upcoming, a kid-friendly look at time and space travel, as well as a mini-laser show to three pop songs. I was impressed with the advance in laser technology. In addition to geometrical shapes and patterns set to music, there were fun images of animals, people, objects etc.

Here is an excerpt from Tritan College's web site about the center:

"Explore the wonders of the universe and the latest discoveries in astronomy, space exploration, and Earth science at the Cernan Earth and Space Center, a unique space-age facility that combines education and entertainment for people of all ages. Open all year, the Cernan Center is conveniently located at Triton College in Chicago's western suburb of River Grove. The Cernan Center houses a 100-seat dome theater that features star-filled planetarium shows, wraparound films, children's shows and laser light shows, along with a Space Hall and Star Store gift shop."

We didn't have time to view all the exhibits or explore the gift shop, but I promised my niece we'd go back again, especially when she exclaimed on the way out "THIS IS MY KIND OF PLACE"!

To find out more information, visit the site by clicking here

Riddle of the Week

I can't stop anyone from Googling or using other internet searches, but let's be on the honor system and try to solve the riddles without doing do. Brain power!

Here is this week's riddle:

What do you throw out when you want to use it, but take in when you don't want to use it?

Quote of the Week

Let's hear from our first First Lady:

The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.

-Martha Washington

Word of the Week

DIFFIDENT

dif·fi·dent /ˈdɪfɪdənt/ [dif-i-duhnt]

–adjective
1. lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.
2. restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.
3. Archaic. distrustful.

[Origin: 1425–75; late ME < L diffīdent- (s. of diffīdéns mistrusting, despairing prp. of diffīdere), equiv. to dif- dif- + fīd- trust + -ent- -ent]

—Related forms
dif·fi·dent·ly, adverb
dif·fi·dent·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. self-conscious, self-effacing, abashed, embarrassed, modest, unassuming, unconfident.

Try some Thursday Trivia

Who was with Thomas Edison when he died, and what did this person take from Mr. Edison?

Riddle Me Tuesday

What do you put on a table, cut, but never eat???

Movie Monday

A last minute change of plans for my day off found me taking the nieces to see the movie ALVIN AND THE CHIMPMUNKS. I had no desire to see this film, but with kid friendly movies being slim pickings lately, that's all we had to choose from. I anticipated a well deserved nap, but I was wrong.

The previews did no justice to this very well done, funny, cute and family friendly movie. The chipmunks computer animation was amazing. They were simply adorable. The adult actors were just there, but no matter, it was all about Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Their personalities shined through without being irratating and their clever one liners and antics had the entire audience laughing(me included)!

What a pleasant surprise of a movie!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalvin!!!!

Quote of the Week

It is possible to move a mountain by carrying away small stones.

-Chinese Proverb


Huashan Mountain, Xian China

Word of the Week

Here is the word of the week. I know it's your absolute favorite Mom. :)

UNCTUOUS

unc·tu·ous [uhngk-choo-uhs]

–adjective

1. characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, esp. in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug.
2. of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy.
3. having an oily or soapy feel, as certain minerals.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < ML ūnctuōsus, equiv. to L ūnctu(s) act of anointing (ung(uere) to smear, anoint + -tus suffix of v. action) + -ōsus -ous]

—Related forms
unc·tu·ous·ly, adverb
unc·tu·ous·ness, unc·tu·os·i·ty [uhngk-choo-os-i-tee]

NEW FEATURE: TRIVIA!

What president will have two dollar coins issued with his portrait on them, and WHY?

RIDDLE RIDDLE RIDDLE

The solution to this week's riddle is a two word answer.


A heavenly body, but I move on this land,

It's hard to use me without a hand.

I have to go, but before I do,

My second name is Greek, (a tiny hint for you).


WHAT AM I?

Movie Monday

A reader recently asked for a list of my favorite movies. I think I'm fairly easy on movies, and I do like a lot of them. Here is what I came up with as my personal top picks:

Babe
Breakfast Club
Closer
Forrest Gump
Fried Green Tomatoes
From Dusk til Dawn
Full Monty
Heathers
Indiana Jones Series
Inside Moves
Jaws
League of Their Own
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Nightmare Before Christmas
Prelude to a Kiss
Princess Bride
Pulp Fiction
the Quiet Man
Reservoir Dogs
Roxane
Rocky Series
the Sting
To Kill a Mockingbird
Tootsie
Top Gun
True Romance
Star Wars Series
When Harry met Sally
Wedding Singer
Young at Heart

Most musicals, classics like: Oklahoma, Carousel, Sound of Music, West Side Story
Newer ones like: Grease, Rent, Evita.

Older Westerns like: The Cowboys, High Noon, Rio Bravo

Classics like: The Wizard of Oz, The Ten Commandments, It's a Wonderful Life

Prison movies (don't ask) like: Shawshank Redemption, Brubaker, The Great Escape, Bad Boys, Escape from Alcatraz, The Green Mile, Cool Hand Luke (nobody can eat 50 eggs)

Any Cary Grant movie.

Movies I'm a bit embarassed to admit that I like: Franky & Annette Beach movies, Bad Santa, Dog Day Afternoon, Mommy Dearest (No Wire Hangers!)

Popular movies I hated: American Beauty, Lord of the Rings (All of them), Happy Feet (I said it before, I'll say it again......CREEPY)

Feel free to comment.

Quote of the Week

Never take away hope from any human being.

-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Bonus Weekend Riddle

What walks all day on its head?

Word of the Week

Before we get to the regularly scheduled posting,
a very HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY wish goes out today to niece "K".


Welcome to this week's edition of the "Word of the Week". If you are new to viewing this blog, I'll inform you that the usual Friday post comes from a list of 100 words that the editors of the American Heritage dictionaries compiled. They feel that every high school graduate should know these words. The senior editor stated that "if you are able to use these words correctly you are likely to have a superior command of the language."

So commence the commanding!

TECTONIC [tek-ton-ik]

–adjective

1. of or pertaining to building or construction; constructive; architectural.
2. Geology. a. pertaining to the structure of the earth's crust.
b. referring to the forces or conditions within the earth that cause movements of the crust.
c. designating the results of such movements: tectonic valleys.

[Origin: 1650–60; < LL tectonicus < Gk tektonikós pertaining to construction, equiv. to tekton- (s. of téktōn) carpenter + -ikos -ic]

—Related forms
tec·ton·i·cal·ly, adverb

Anniversary Pictures

My parents recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. We had a nice family dinner and celebration at the Indian Lakes Resort/Hilton Hotel. (A.K.A. Bob's hotel). Here are some pictures from the memorable event.

Top Movies of 2007

I had a request to post my ALL-TIME favorite movies, which I will, when I compile them. But first, I'm taking an idea from my dear sister's site and posting my favorite movies of 2007. It's in the order that I enjoyed them, regardless of quality, style, form and content. Just how much I liked um!

(All movies except 2 were seen in the theater. I had rented Super Bad and Hot Fuzz).

Here they are:

1. Juno
2. Once
3. Lars and the Real Girl
4. Transformers
5. Bourne Ultimatum
6. 3:10 to Yuma
7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
8. Oceans 13
9. Disturbia
10. 1408
11. Smokin Aces
12. No Country for Old Men
13. Shrek III
14. The Brave One
15. Lions for Lambs
16. Super Bad
17. Sicko
18. Grindhouse
19. The Simpsons
20. Lucky You
21. Pirates III
22. Enchanted
23. Meet the Robinsons
24. The Bee Movie
25. Spiderman II
27. The Namesake
28. Hot Fuzz
29. Children of Men
30. Ratatouille
31. Happy Feet (Creepy)
32. The Wind the Shook the Barley (One of the most depressing movies I've ever seen)

Weekly Riddle

Before I get to the RIDDLE OF THE WEEK I would like to wish my brother Bob a very happy birthday today! (Dawn, let him know, I don't think he reads my blog).

Will Anonymous win out again this week???? Let's get to it.

It stands on one leg with it's heart in it's head.

What is it?

Movie Monday

Here are some mini-movie reviews to catch up on my holiday viewings:

Enchanted
A harmless Disney "princess" movie that starts out as a cartoon and then morphs into real life New York. It was cute enough, but could have been edgier. The best scene was when the princess summoned woodland creatures to help her clean up an apartment (ala Snow White...La La La, Ah Ah Ah). Instead of cute critters showing up, urban vermin did. The cockroaches were quite the special touch. The film was slow at times, but a good family flick.

P.S. I Love You

This movie was much better then I expected. I thought it would be the typical "chick flick" but it had a touching love story that used unique flash backs to tell it's tale. The cast contained three actors(Gerald Butler, Harry Connick Jr. and Jeffrey Dean Morgan) that qualify for "hubba hubba" bonus points, so for you ladies, the movie is worth it just for that. The scenes in Ireland were beautiful. Some goofy parts, but as a whole, a decent movie.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets
If you are expecting any type of a plausible, realistic plot, you're sadly mistaken. This sequel should be viewed for what it was made for, high energy entertainment the shouldn't be questioned about the plethora of plot holes and impossible scenarios. Nicholas Cage was fun to watch.Some boring parts, but if you take it lightly, you'll enjoy it.

Juno
Can't think of one negative thing to say about this movie. From the soundtrack, to the screen play, to the acting....it was superb. You may wonder how can a movie about a pregnant high school girl be touching and funny? You just have to see it to understand. One of the very best movies of 2007.

Quote of the Week

Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.

-Sophocles

Bonus Riddle...A DOUBLE RIDDLE!!!

For the first time ever, the LO-Down is posting a DOUBLE RIDDLE for your riddling pleasure.

You must answer both parts to be considered having the correct answer.

You may only guess through the LO-Down site, not my email.

So be careful, if you guess one correctly and one wrong, the other readers will see your correct answer and may use it as their missing one.

Each answer is different and are not related to each other at all.

Here it goes:

Part 1: What goes into water red and comes out black?

Part 2: What goes into water black and comes out red?

12th

On the twelfth day of Christmas Anonymous gave to me....














...12 Plumbers drumming,

11 Vipers piping

10 Lords a peeping

9 Barbies dancing,

8 Gates a milking,

7 Swanson Dinners,

6 Eeyores laying,

5 Onion rings,

4 Missed calls,

3 French fries,

2 Bars of dove,

and a Beagle in a Christmas Tree.

THE END

11th

On the eleventh day of Christmas Anonymous gave to me...














...11 VIPERS PIPING,

10 Lords a peeping,

9 Barbies dancing,

8 Gates a milking,

7 Swanson Dinners,

6 Eeyores laying,

5 onion rings,

4 missed calls,

3 french fries,

2 bars of dove,

and a beagle in a Christmas Tree.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The owners and staff of the LO-Down would like to wish their readers a happy, healthy, blessed and prosperous new year.