LBJ Presidential Library and Museum

During my recent trip to Austin,* I took an hour or so to check out the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum which is located on the University of Texas campus. As many people know, I was mildly obsessed with LBJ in college. I find him to be fascinating and a tragic hero. [I do admit he was also basically a jerk and that he bears some (but certainly not all) of the responsibility for the Vietnam War].

I had never been to a presidential library and was certainly impressed. The exhibits were interesting (including a 7/8 replica of the oval office as it was when he was there). On the elevator up to the 10th floor to check out said oval office replica, I overheard a man say to his companion: "I never knew that Johnson did so much for the country." His presidency was so completely entangled with the Vietnam War (and perhaps rightly so) that his impressive and lasting accomplishments (the civil rights act and voting rights act, medicare and medicaid, and head start to name a few).

Enough of my soap box, the most entertaining part of the museum was the Humor of LBJ exhibit, which consisted of an animotronic LBJ leaning on a fence telling stories. The youtube version is below or you can check out the official version here.



*If you haven't been to Austin, I definitely recommend a trip, particularly if you like music of any kind.

Smarmy Flowers

I feel like need to share my negative experience with ProFlowers. I ordered flowers from them (actually after having trouble with 1800Flowers not delivering my order....I ordered flowers on one of those peak flower holidays...flag day or something and there was a mixup). Anyway, in the process of ordering from ProFlowers, I inadvertently signed up for some Easy Saver Rewards program. I did not intend to do so and did not realize I had until I noticed a charge for $14.95 on the credit card bill. It had actually been there for a few months before but I hadn't realized it due to the unspecific nature of the charge (I figured it was something related to travel or something...I definitely must inspect my credit card bill more closely).

I called Easy Saver and canceled my account and they refunded my money. Really, they were quite nice. I haven't gotten the refund yet, but assuming it shows up, I have no beef with them.

After doing so, I contacted ProFlowers to tell them that I thought their practice was smarmy. Their response was:

"I would like to apologize for any confusion you may have had over the enrollment process with our partner company." and then "In conjunction with our partner, Easy Saver Rewards, ProFlowers is offering a $15 gift code off your next order as an incentive for signing up in the $1.95 30-day trial to the Rewards Program."

So, to make up for the fact that I was pissed about their reward program that cost $14.95 a month, they offer to RE-ENROLL me in it without ever disclosing that it is $14.95 a month.

I was flabbergasted! (and told them so, no response yet)

If you dislike smarminess, I suggest you avoid ProFlowers

This seems like the best way for the Indiana legislature to spend their time

Every day, I turn to Andy and tell him how unsafe I feel on my way to work because I am not allowed to keep my gun in my car while I am at work. It is just such a hardship for me. It is certainly the most pressing issue for me.

Apparently, that is how the majority of the Indiana legislature felt on their last day of the session because that's what they spent their time on.

Why do people need guns all the frickin' time? If you are heading out to the woods to hunt (overpopulated) deer, by all means bring a rifle, but why do you feel safer with a gun in your locked car while at work?!?

At least Marion County didn't pass that guns in parks plan.

This Just In: The Post-Tribune Covers the Environment!

Okay, this isn't breaking news at all...it's something I've been meaning to share for a while. The Gary Post-Tribune actually pays attention to the environment in Indiana....I recommend you check it out. Here's an editorial by the Porter County editor entitled 'President Daniels' would likely ravage environment. There are frequent stories about environmental issues (often penned by Gitte Laasby) like this one.