Friends

Account Structure Update
Back by popular demand, Basic Accounts will be available to all users again by the end of the (northern hemisphere) summer. More information on the decision-making process and proposals relating to the future of Basic Accounts are in lj_2008.

New Themes
Two attractive and all-new Flexible Squares themes, "Circular" and "Circular Brown" are now available.


L to R: Circular and Brown

New V-Gifts
Give someone you care about the gift of enticement. With the new Chocolate Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, Tea, Coffee, Curry and Sushi v-gifts, all the significant people in your life will be able to share in the longing for the tasty edibles below. Plus, it reminds loved ones you think they're really sweet, really savory or just plain satisfying.


L to R: Chocolate Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, Tea, Coffee, Curry and Sushi

Ж-Men...but not the ones you might expect!
This week LJ Russia launched Ж-Men, a new comedy series about superheroes, inspired by the LJ communities dedicated to superheros, comics and cartoons. The title's "Ж" comes from ЖЖ, the nickname for LiveJournal in Russia.

Ж-Men's script is written by a group of LJ enthusiasts who also happen to be television professionals. Who knew? Following the premiere, five more episodes will be broadcast over the next two weeks. We hope you find the series fresh and enjoyable.

This is, of course, an experiment for LiveJournal. As always, we'd love to hear what you think!

Go and get your free 7.11 ounce slurpees today!

In the news not too long ago, I learned that Switzerland was having a rederendum on its citizenship policies. In current practice, it takes 12 years, plus a test and an interview to become a citizen of that country. They can turn you down after the interview, but they’ll tell you why and you’re allowed to try again. The new proposal was that the interview would be conducted by members of your community who could then turn you down without reason and with no room for appeal.

I come from Canada. A country where you can stay for a few years, write a test and be considered a citizen. (so far as I know, I haven't had much reason to seriously look into it)
This is my standard; what I accept to be the norm. I don't think I'm alone in the habit of believing that everyone is just like me until I learn otherwise.

So the concept of intentionally convoluted citizenship policies is (and use this word intentionally for its duplicity of meaning) foreign to me.
I didn’t realize that Switzerland is not alone in being difficult. Apparently Japan makes it tricky. And the only way to be Saudi is to have Saudi blood in your veins.

The relatively easy citizenship process is a must for Canada. The entire country is founded on the practice of inviting people from abroad (oooh next discussion topic - poaching doctors from third world countries). Our survival depends on it. So if a country doesn't need a significant immigrant population, who am I to judge on their practice? (I wonder if my opinion would be based on whether or not I want to live there)

But this is Point #1 of this entry: maybe I shouldn't be judging, but I should at least have thoughts and reasons.

I’ve had a couple of discussions on religion lately. Last weekend at the jazz festival, I sat down next to a fellow from Saudi Arabia. He’s here for a year or two practicing his English. He was with his neighbour, another fellow just finishing his second year and about to return home. Their wives are friends and that’s how they met. I wonder how the wives get to practice English. (I should have asked. I’d rather not jump to conclusions).
Of course, discussion turned to religion and he asked questions – simple, obvious ones – that I have never seriously considered. How have I managed to live for so long without doing so?

My other-side-of-the-brain education is sorely lacking. Which leads to Point #2 and the reason for this post: I would like to start hosting discussion evenings. Not just hey howareyou - whenisyournextfieldtrip chatty evenings with friends (which are also nice), but intentional…propose a topic, read up (or not) beforehand, sit around and, in an open and friendly manner, and talk it through… The sort of thing I associate with taverns and cafes in university towns in the good old days. (or maybe this is what art students do even today) (maybe my friends already do this and I just don’t stay long enough because I have to hop on a train back to the burbs).
A good excuse to drink wine…loosen lips. And maybe slow other people’s brains so I can keep up.

Hopefully when I move I’ll find a place conducive to such an activity (more than three people sitting down).