Merry Christmas From Riga, Latvia

Behold my Charlie Brown tree. 

It's a sad X-mas without snow, don't you think?

You Shall Not Pass...

... in Lithuania.

Wet Feet And Chicken Soup

As a Canadian I'm somewhat ambivalent about Latvian winters. The last several winters have actually been slightly nasty by local standards so I was fairly comfortable but this one is turning into the type of Baltic winter that I have come to, dislike. It's the cycle of snow/slop which I find so untidy. Get the snow down, have temperatures drop low enough so that the ground freezes and you're good to go until the spring. Wishful thinking.

As of this writing there is almost no snow left, just a little slop. This after the snow/wind storms of several weeks ago. Below is a pic showing how it was after the first snow storm, beautiful eh!? (notice the rock? ;))

This is how it is today. So dull. So washed out. No crispness.

So many rocks in a country supposedly almost devoid of them! Rocks to the left...

Rocks to the right...

(confused by the fixation on rocks? see previous post.)
But I have to admit, it's easier for me to get dirt to re-pot some of my house plants.  Because I can't be bothered to actually buy dirt. There is something wrong with that whole concept. Buying dirt.

Gophers. I'm told they call them ground squirrels here but in eight years I've never seen one in spite of the fact that these mounds are absolutely everywhere. Tractor lawn-mower comes around to cut the grass! Piles of dirt blasted into oblivion. Back the very next day. Doubly odd because the water table is so high in Latvia which has a high elevation of something like 300 m somewhere in the "mountains". You see the pond in the right of the frame? That's the water table. If I dig down 2 ft I'm in water so these tunnel beasts live in a layer of dirt 2 ft thick. 

The weather forecast for the next three days is temperatures above zero and rain. Looks like a green Christmas! And a lot of home made chicken soup.

Latvian Driving Habits

Oh my. Where to start?

Lets do like this, just to take the sting out of it a little bit.

Back in 2004 I was living in Moscow waiting to get married at Zags #4. My future wife had a full time job but I didn't. Two or three times a week I taught English lessons to Russian engineers at an industrial complex just outside of Chekov which is just 30 minutes outside of the city so I had time to wander around and make a nuisance of myself. On this one particular day I was window shopping at Fujon (fancy chocolate store) on Tverskaya when I was almost run down by a big black Merc. On the sidewalk, which is hella wide. I mean, people were parking on the sidewalk but it was kinda organized by these parking control people. You get used to that in Moscow. But you don't get used to big black Mercedes running at speed on the sidewalk trying to get around the traffic stalled at a red light. That was my first lesson of many on how to survive in Moscow as a pedestrian. Keep your eyes wide open even when you are in the toilet!

Latvia, Riga and suburbs particularly have even more crazy driving situations. Ever wonder why there are all these big rocks dropped on almost every corner once you get out of the city centre? It's because even Latvians understand that they will drive their vehicles wherever they can, just like they were on the farm or some back country road.

Around my building there are, I think, no less than eight rocks. They vary in size from big honking boulders that several people can sit on to eat lunch to barely noticeable things that are just high enough to take the oil pan off an engine. Does that force people to show due care and attention? Nope. There is a strip of dead grass after one of these barely noticeable half buried rocks that is the result of spilled oil from many a damaged engine. I even witnessed one poor fool destroy his car thusly about four years ago. Look closely at all the other bigger more noticeable boulders and you will see paint. You would think that drivers would know better but for one thing, booze.

It's really astonishing how many of my neighbours drink and drive! It's so bad that along with keeping my eyes wide open I also simply assume that everyone is drunk as it is much safer that way. I'm not saying that everyone is drunk but I just cannot ignore what my eyes see!

Take for example the guy who lives in the next building. I see him every day, parked behind my building. At first I didn't know what he and his passenger were doing but one day as I walked past I could see them drinking vodka out of a bottle with a Coke chaser. When they are done the passenger gets out with the empties and whatever crap they were noshing on to drop into our waste bins while the car owner drives home, which is not very far. Why am I even mentioning such a trivial thing you ask? Because he uses the pedestrian walkways to both go to the Elvi to get his booze and to go home. Every day. The pedestrian walkway that the moms use with their prams. The pedestrian walkway lined with snowmen where kids play. And he's not the only one! It's tragically common.

Then there is another fellow in my building who keeps a bottle of vodka in the back of his car. I won't mention him much. He has bad friends.

And I'm not even going to mention beer because it's apparently akin to soda pop.

Outside of booze I suspect there is a fair amount of laziness or a sense of entitlement because how else do you explain people (my building again) who insist on taking two parking spots, or drive on the grass rather than rotate the steering wheel more than 90° in order to park or leave the lot. Reverse? When you see a Latvian put it in reverse put your phone on video because you are in for a show. Forward is all anyone understands.

Think I'm being hard on our Latvian drivers? Not hard enough I figure. Two weeks ago I was almost run over by our waste bins by another neighbour (drunk) who was outrunning the police who unfortunately just had some shitty underpowered little service van. The cop tried to ask me if I saw anything and for sure I was going to turn the miscreant driver in but the cop was so disgusted with my Russian (I don't speak much Latvian) that he threw his hands in the air and drove off. I was quite disappointed.

My wife tried for three months to get her drivers license using one of the driving schools in Riga. What a scam! There was no way to pass the exam without paying a bribe and after three freaking months we just threw in the towel and renew our International Drivers Licenses every year. But we're too afraid to drive, so we use public transport.

Ainars Slesers Continues To Soil Latvia With His Presence

I thought it was pretty cool of Ainars Slesers to delay the announcement of his possible return to Latvian politics until the 2013 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index was released. So as to not negatively affect this countries rating.

And that's pretty much all I have to say about that.

Maxima Roof Collapse, Priedaines Street, Zolitūde, Riga

Condolences to all.

Latvia Needs A Rob Ford

Canadian civic politics almost never registers across the pond. It takes a large story to make a ripple over here and that's where douchebarge Rob Ford comes in. 

I think it fair to say that it would take some fancy footwork to have not noticed the train wreck that is the Mayor of Canada's largest city, one Rob Ford. He casts a large shadow lately appearing almost nightly on the news of every country in the world, parodied on SNL and countless blogs. Blatant misogyny and bullying behaviour, accusations of drug use, drink driving, drug use AND drinking within the Mayors office during & outside office hours, corruption, domestic abuse, employing loyal thugs and prostitutes etc from the city budget. Where to stop?

Here's a nice little web site that pulls all the crazy together into one place. The carpet that ties the room together as it were.

Mayor Ford

But what is this link between Latvia and Rob Ford you ask? It's not much, I wrote about it here before. And of course it is mentioned in the first link above detailing all of the TO Mayors peccadilloes in chronological order.

Still, my point is that all of this was reported by Canadian Journalists without any interference from the police. In fact the police started their own investigation which is likely to lead to a host of charges against Rob Ford and his cohorts rather than open investigations against the Journalists!

Contrast that with the strange story of Leonids Jackobsons here in Latvia. Really an incredible story that has been mentioned in the European Journalism Observatory and the CIA report on Latvian freedom of the press.

If Latvia had a Rob Ford would anyone in the country even know about it? Food for thought.

In the meantime please keep watching the national embarrassment that is Rob Ford brought to you by a Free Press and a properly focused police force.

ZOMG!

Another Day In Latvia

Two big stories in Latvia yesterday October 1st, 2013 I'd like to bring up and one general observation served as desert.

The first but by no means most important story is the indicating of all prices on goods/services and receipt totals in both Euros and Lats. This is interesting from my perspective because after >seven years here I am still stunned at the prices for goods and services. Appalled actually! And I have never been able to have an intelligent conversation with a Latvian about this. Usually I get the "oh we don't use that" or "we grow that at our country cabin" or some other show of disinterest. Latvia joins the eurozone January 1, 2014 which is what this is all about of course but now having an easy reference to the prices paid in the rest of the EU for the same goods and services one could wonder whether it will force normally docile Latvians to ask serious questions about why everything is imported and costs so much? Not holding my breath.

Stores display prices in both lats and euros as of October 1

October 1, 2013, is the first day when stores in Latvia must display prices in both lats and euros ahead of Latvia's pending accession to the eurozone on January 1, 2014, informs LETA.

Also, cash registers in stores must print receipts showing prices in both lats and euros as of today.

All prices in the euro currency must be calculated using the official lat-euro exchange rate of EUR 1 per LVL 0.702804.

Consumer Rights Protection Center and Financial and Capital Market Commission will monitor price tags at stores and bank fees until January 1, 2014 to ensure that the prices in euro be calculated correctly.

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The second and more important story of the two is the implementation of the amendments to the citizenship law passed by the Saeima on May 9 of this year. The story below only covers a very small part of the changes but lets face it, it's the only part that interests Latvians due to the possibility that it might with almost no effort increase the numbers of Latvian citizens. And by "increase" I mean of course "very slightly offset the huge migration of citizens to the EU and beyond".

Citizens and the potential number of voters from abroad may increase by 23 000

As of today, the first October, about 23 000 could increase number of Latvian citizens - for the amendment of the Citizenship Law, which allows dual citizenship. This means that living abroad Latvians, Livs and exiles will be able to obtain Latvian citizenship without renouncing the citizenship of their home country. It should be stressed: living abroad Latvians and Livs exiles will retain dual citizenship with any country in the world.

For Latvians and Livs consider people whose ancestors of the 1881st and the 1940th On the 17th June lived in the Latvian territory belonged to the Latvians or Livs and with the Latvian language. For exiles, people are (and their descendants) who 1940th On the 17th June were Latvian citizens and which of the 1940th On the 17th June 1990th On the fourth May fled from the Soviet Union or the German regime or were deported.

In order to obtain Latvian citizenship exiles either of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) or Latvian diplomatic and consular representations abroad must submit an application with a request to be admitted to Latvian citizenship as well as proof of identity. Those applicants for citizenship who are not exiles, but see themselves as Latvians or Livs (Latvian departed from before the 1940th on the 17th of June), along with other documents submitted to the Latvian language identification document issued by the Latvian performed Latvian language proficiency test. The decision on the granting or the refusal to adopt within one year from the date of receipt of documents required for the CMA.

It's typically Latvian "pie in the sky thinking" but then why is this important you ask? Because in theory it may also counter somewhat the short sighted selling of five year residence permits which is about the only thing floating the real estate market here which benefits the banks and those with large real estate holdings being the ten richest families in Latvia and almost no one else. It's so successful that the moneyed interests want to set a minimum of 1000 to 2000 transactions per year. This pleases the EU not at all since these permits are used as a backdoor for folks who simply have no interest in staying in Latvia and prefer to live elsewhere. Some of them criminals. 

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And now we have the promised feel good desert. This is a fairly miserable month for most of us living in apartments. Night time temperatures are starting to drop and the heat in our buildings has not yet been turned on which makes for some fairly grumpy breakfast encounters. The rule is that the day time temperature has to be below 8℃ for three days running before the condominium societies are forced to turn on heat and we're not there yet.

But the people living in old apartments who rely totally on wood heat have got one over on the rest of us and good on you! They're nice and roasty-toasty at the moment being the masters of their own universe. A little lesson there methinks.

Living Legally In Latvia

I've decided to separate our legal travails in Latvia from this blog by starting another which will be dedicated to problems faced here by non-citizens (Russians). I will copy whatever I have covered previously on this site and add to this data base what has transpired most recently. This will hopefully accomplish two things;

• Free this site up from the task of recording complex legal matters which do not interest most people.
• Provide a linear event history totally dedicated to the problems experienced in Latvia by non-citizens.
• Allow this site to stick to the English language as it's original purpose was to reach viewers outside the country. There are very few English language blogs in Latvia.

The new blog is called Living Legally In Latvia and will be a mix of Russian & English with some Latvian. Go read the about page for more info and understand that it is still under construction.

In the meantime I will continue this blog and attempt to cover the more pleasant subjects one normal associates with Latvia in particular and the Baltics & Russia generally.

Moscow Election Exit Polls

Опубликованы данные экзит-полов на выборах мэра Москвы

В Москве завершилось голосование на выборах мэра города. Согласно опросам, проведенным на выходах с избирательных участков сторонниками Алексея Навального, за кандидатуру оппозиционера проголосовали 35,6% опрошенных. «По данным экзит-поллов ВТОРОЙ ТУР выборов мэра Москвы состоится. Алексей Навальный — 35,6%, Сергей Собянин — 46%», — говорится в сообщении в Twitter. По данным Фонда общественного мнения, большинство москвичей отдали свои симпатии Сергею Собянину — у него 52,5% голосов избирателей, у Алексея Навального — 29,1%. Центр политических технологий приводит следующие данные: врио мэра Москвы — 56% голосов, Алексей Навальный — 29%. 

Сергей Собянин лидирует на выборах мэра Москвы с 53% голосов, свидетельствуют данные экзит-поллов ВЦИОМа. Алексей Навальный, согласно опросам, проведенным на выходах с избирательных участков сотрудниками центра, получил 32%. «По результатам экзитпола, мэром Москвы в первом туре избран Сергей Собянин (53% голосов). Его ближайший соперник, Алексей Навальный, набрал 32% голосов. Остальные кандидаты продемонстрировали более скромные результаты: Иван Мельников — 8%, Сергей Митрохин — 3%, Николай Левичев — 1%, Михаил Дегтярев — 1%. Испорченных бюллетеней — 1%. Отказались от ответа 27% респондентов», — говорится в сообщении ВЦИОМ.

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Exit Polls are Pubished  for the Moscow Elections

In Moscow, voting has finished for the new Mayor. According to exit polls carried out at the doors of the election stations by Alexei Navalny's supporters, the oppositionist candidate got 35.6% of those queried. “According to the exit polls, there will be a SECOND TOUR of mayoral elections. Alexei Navalny – 35.6%, Sergey Sobyanin – 46%,” according to their Twitter. According to the Foundation of Public Opinion, the majority of Muscovites extended their sympathies towards Sergey Sobyanin – he got 52.5% of the votes, Alexei Navalny – 29.1%. The Center of Political Technologies provides the following data: 56% to the Acting Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin 56%, Alexei Navalny – 29%.

Sergey Sobyanin is leading in the Moscow elections with 53% of the votes, according to data from VCIOM's exit polls. Alexei Navalny, according to the exit polls carried out by the organization's workers, got 32%. “According to the results of the exit poll, the Mayor of Moscow, chosen in the first round, is Sergey Sobyanin (53% of the vote). His closest adversary, Alexei Navalny, got 32% of the vote. The other candidates' results were far more most modest: Ivan Melnikov – 8%, Sergey Mitrokhin – 3%, Nikolai Levichev – 1%, Mikhail Degtyaryov – 1%. Some 1% of the ballots were spoiled. 27% of the respondents refused to answer,” according to VCIOM's communique.

What is interesting is that it is widely beleived that >25% would lead to a dropping of the charges against Navalny. 

My Terrible Latvian Anniversary

It is exactly one year ago today that I had a physical fight on my long term clearly marked private property in a village of 18,000 souls called Tukums with a neighbourhood Latvian citizen of ill repute, a twice fired and re-instated ex-Soviet policeman now working part time as a janitor who had been trespassing, destroying our property, filing nuisance complaints with the Municipal police and harassing our renters, my repatriate wife and myself for some 17 years after we refused to sell or then rent our orchard land to him and his wife, a town employee in the documents department. One year later and some 3,000 Lats in legal fees which had the unwanted effect of introducing me to the corrupt legal system and nepotism in that town and which resulted in a very unsatisfactory ending in a Riga notary I marvel at Latvia's low rating for corruption in the annual Transparency International Poll (49th) and the EU's full throated acceptance of Latvia to the Union on an as is basis as I am told that my experience is far from unusual. I am told this by my lawyer, the survey company which I have frequently employed to resolve endless land border issues with this particular neighbor and who were onsite and in my employ at the time of the assault, my neighbours and renters who witnessed the event, Tukuma Doma employees and even some of the State and Tukums Municipal Police who provided corroborating anecdotal stories as they had no stake in this particular event (not being related to the litigants). It was only through the efforts of our very clever Riga based advocate that I escaped the clawed hand of the still corrupted Soviet era influenced Latvian law which sought to extort money from me. 400 Lats for the Prosecutor, 600 for the assaulter. I have the paperwork. Was it worth spending 3,000 to avoid a payment of 1,000? Yes! Is it worth naming names? Not yet but .pdf's could well follow.

When it became clear that the Prosecutor for that area was in league with the litigant and was looking for a buy out in order to stay charges against me my advocate very cleverly moved the case to an impartial arbitration board outside the control of the Prosecutor swiftly producing a final resolution which was essentially a piece of paper signed by both of us at a notary stating that through mutual agreement the matter was now at an end and could not be re-started at a later date. Imagine! I am attacked on my own land, incur lawyer fees, loss of income due to frequent day trips back to Tukums State Police Headquarters for endless meetings meant to disrupt our lives and demoralize us and the end result is a draw. So much for the concept of private property, civil society or self-defence in front of witnesses! And please note that in spite of being submitted to the State Police two (2) months ago this signed ruling has not yet been officially accepted by the State Police Inspector in charge of the case as she was on holiday and is unfortunately frequently pressured by the local Prosecutor on individual cases which may bear financial or political fruit. As of this writing we have actually yet to breath a sigh of relief in spite of this ruling.

I was lucky to get even this far as I am sure that the Prosecutor and litigants were not aware that I had a Permanent Residence Permit, that my Russian wife had one as a repatriate (and spoke Latvian fluently), that we lived full time in Latvia, that we had a legal and transparent business, employed locals, employed an accountant and paid taxes and met all the qualifications for citizenship laid out by current laws in Latvia as per EU standard. And even then I was forced to bow to my attacker simply because he was a citizen and I was not. Rule of law be damned.

And that is why Latvia must settle the issue of citizenship for it's Russian "occupants." There will never be any peace here until the language and citizenship issues are resolved and the European Union does itself no favours by admitting a country that will not, WILL NOT! resolve these discriminatory and illegal practices.

There is no investigative reporting in the Baltics let alone in Latvia. When people drive by our beautifully remonted property in  Tukums with the Latvian flag proudly displayed from our buildings on court designated days I hope the citizens of Europe realize just what price has been paid by the non-citizen land owners who have invested tens of thousands of Lats, soon to be Euros, for the "honour" of displaying the flag of a country that hates them.

Feel free to contact me for details.

How To Pluck A Chicken In 14 Seconds

It used to take us forever back on the farm. We would have to fill a 25 gallon tin tub with boiling water and toss the chickens in there whole. Wait for quite a while and then start pulling wet feathers. We did it on the porch with the screen door open but the flies would get so thick we would have to close the door and the smell of wet feathers would permeate the space. But the real fun was when you opened that chicken up. It's a feckin rainbow inside there boys and girls!

Always know where your food comes from!

Uhmm...

... Drenge.

Bob's Burgers

This post is something of a departure for this blog but it's probably about time. I'll just start off by saying that the first time I watched Bob's Burgers I was so impressed that I thought that it had to be Canadian. But no. It wasn't.

Still I continued to watch it and marvel at how really, really good it was. Behold:

Well shit! Looks like there is nothing to embed! Nothing on Youtube plus Hulu & Fox won't even let those outside the US view the thing, unless you're on a US military base. What a disappointment that is!

So I guess you'll just have to read about it instead. There are a couple of episodes in the article which should satisfy. Just remember. ANUSES!!

Technically I could embed from Adult Swim but no way in hell will I help distribute 30 sec. Microsoft ads. No. Way. In. Hell.

The Coming End Of Jūrmala

This is what Jūrmala beach is supposed to look like:

Not this:

I am so tired of these MMA punters on the beach. It gets worse every year. Earlier it was about 30 of them with their fake guns, rubber knives and wooden clubs. That's why I fled from the Majori/Bulduri stretch of beach. Because between the psycho soccer players who think they own everything down to the water line and the survivalists it was impossible to enjoy the beach, never mind New Wave music festival. So I went to Lielupē which now looks like it's going to get nasty as well. Especially because of the Billionaires Club!

Between the Young Pioneer offshoots sponsored by Russia, the Russian sportsmen and outside moneyed interests looking to draw some more of that Russian money I don't know why I left Moscow!

Oh yes, I forgot. No beach in Moscow.

At least the beach is huge here. Good for a few more years I figure. Then I'll have to leave Latvia for sure.

PS: as a humorous aside I am reminded of a character I knew during my rig pig days in GP, AB Canada who trained heavily in all sorts of esoteric MMA stuff. He particularly liked the Steven Seagal hand weaving BS which would baffle me after my second beer but the local Barney just grabbed him by the back of the neck and held his forehead to the table while he finished his beer, adroitly avoiding the flailing arms. That's pretty much my view of most martial arts.

RIP Ivars Andiņš

Old friend.

What I Learned About Latvia This Summer

I haven't been blogging lately because it's been a really excellent summer by Baltic standards and I much prefer visiting the beach. Although that was disturbed briefly by the horrible music festival New Wave which plugs Jurmala with an astounding variety of pretentious elites who just destroy the tranquility with their horrible manners and bombastic presence. But they are gone for the most part and while sunny with temperatures in the high 20's after this week I suspect the weather will slowly return to it's usual foul self.

Thankfully I have managed to stay isolated this summer preferring not to let the world intrude on my meditations and Latvia is a good place to ignore reality but several items did penetrate my Zen bubble.

Stolychnaya vodka is actually bottled here in Latvia. Yes. Stoli with "Russian Vodka" loudly displayed  on the label in a bold red font is actually Latvian. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised because it is bottled by the same company as the ubiquitous Latvian herbal liquor Rigas Black Balsams. Who knew?

And there is a jet aerobatic team based in Latvia called the Baltic Bees. I learned this during my weekly commute over to the fun website English Russia. I've never seen them but I live in Riga and they are based in Tukums, which brings up another thing I learned! I learned that Jurmala Airport exists! And that it is in Tukums region! I spend a lot of time in Tukums and have never seen the Baltic Bees there either so I assume they must spend a lot of time out of the country performing. I used to live in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan which is home to the Canadian team the Snowbirds so I wouldn't mind comparing the Baltic Bees with the Snowbirds routines.

But as soon as I let myself get near any electronic media the ugly reality of life in Latvia begins to intrude. Like the 45 million Lats owed by the countries citizens in unpaid heating bills. Keep in mind this is a country of about 2 million people. No wonder I meet so many people on the beach!

Riga Castle Burns

Leta has it in English;

Riga Castle blaze localized

RIGA, June 21 (LETA) - This morning, after more than five hours of intense work, firefighters finally managed to put out a large blaze that broke out in Riga Castle last night.

The fire burned down an area of 3,200 square meters.

State Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman Viktorija Sembele informed LETA that the fire was localized at 3:53 a.m.

The blaze damaged the castle's roof, roof constructions and attic the most - setting ablaze 2,400 square meters. The fire also raged on the fourth floor, where 600 square meters were ablaze, and on the third floor, engulfing an area of 200 square meters.

According to the State Fire and Rescue Service, it is still too early to talk about the cause of the blaze.

But Diena has the pictures!

This is too bad as the castle is located right at the foot of the Guyed bridge on the edge of Old Town and across the street from the National Bank on Citadele iela where our office is located. It is quite noticeable.

<EDIT> Mrs. T has just taken the tram to the office and claimed to not be able to see much damage. Given the low profile of the roof I figured that most of the damage would be internal. Something like this building in Tukums. Just to add what was on Radio Baltcom, a military helicopter was called in to dump water on the blaze as many of the Soviet era pumps were not working!;

English Russia Photo Site Infected

So I'm removing them from the link list until they can get this thing cleared up. Sorry guys.

Don't know what I'm talking about? When you click on over to their site you'll see this:

Clicking on the link therein will get you all the details of the problem. When things are better I'll return them to the list as I rather enjoy visiting.

<EDIT> looks likes the problem has been solved, way to go guys. Go there now and view the drunk russian in an Istanbul airport video. Classic.

Train Stations Of Latvia #1

In no particular order. Taken with a cell phone. From a train.
The scenes look a little shabby because the grass has not had it's first trimming yet and the leaves only came out on the trees about ten days ago so Mother Nature is playing catch up. Other than that you will note that with few exceptions these buildings are well tagged with the graffiti "artists" mindless renderings some being at least seven years old as that is as long as I have been living here. These stations and those that will follow are all on the Tukums Rīgas line.

SLOKA

Definitely one of the orderly stations. Always spotless and almost never a graffiti tag anywhere. It's like someone paints over them every night and it shows in the surrounding area as well. The grounds are immaculate. No trash or bottles. Even the drunks seem to stay away. I liken it to the playing of classical music outside of convenience stores to keep teenagers from loitering. Plus it's pink. Good on you Sloka! The bent pole in the picture is an optical illusion as the train was still moving and my phone cameras capture speed is slow. The round building in the second picture is of course the WC. Very few stations have proper toilets. I have seen people go into the bushes rather than subject themselves to the interiors of these bunkers although I must admit I have not visited Sloka's toilet. Probably it is clean with flowers in a vase.

ASARI

This is an example of how an interesting bit of architecture is just ruined by graffiti. Occasionally the station gets some paint but I guess no one knows how to deal with the glass. There is a lot more tagging in the shadows. Poor Asari, you make me so sad whenever I see you.

JAUNDUBULTI

You can certainly see the Soviet style architecture here. Possibly why someone has put a real effort into artfully painting on the WC wall a Russian soldier complete with Soviet army hat and red vodka nose shovelling shit. I'm surprised it has lasted so long!

ĶEMERI

Ķemeri is the point where the Jūrmala beach region ends as you head west to Tukums. Nice enough station but I've never stopped here.

SMĀRDE

Smārde needs your love. Seriously! It seems solid enough. Just maybe some paint and attention to make it sparkle. I figure there must be apartments on the second floor otherwise why all the satellite dishes? No tagging. Must not be any kids here.

MELLUZI

Some stations are located in small villages. Quiet little islands in the forest.

KŪDRA

Hmmm. What to say about Kūdra?

VAIVARI

Yes. Vaivari. Hello Vaivari!

Taking a break for now. Something to eat. Something to drink and feel the spring sun on my skull.

No Rhyme Or Reason

The girl in the white coat!

Russian Mafia deck of cards released to cops, reporters in the U.S.

Read the article here.

See the deck of cards here.

Maybe someone in Latvia should make a deck reflecting the home grown criminal element for home consumption? Judges, Prosecutors & cops included. Small time thugs to be sure but it would show that someone here had the stones! Maybe a few Oligarchs!?

"Osborne's 'Help to Buy' scheme like eating toilet paper" - Frankie Boyle

Fabulous!

Latvian Dual Citizenship For Russian Repatriates

Yesterdays Saeima 3rd reading of the dual citizenship bill which I include below (bolding mine reflecting our specific interest as a Russian Repatriate):

Saeima adopts provisions on recognition of dual citizenship

On Thursday, 9 May, the Saeima in the final reading adopted amendments to the Citizenship Law that recognise dual citizenship, set forth the procedure for granting citizenship to children born in Latvia to non-citizens and to children born abroad to Latvian citizens, as well as introduce changes in the naturalisation procedure.

The amendments to the Citizenship Law were drafted by a special subcommittee of the Legal Affairs Committee. This major reform of the Citizenship Law was implemented for almost two years in close cooperation with experts and was aimed at developing a Law that would fit the current situation and solve the problems accumulated over the years.

Until now the citizenship issue in Latvia was regulated by the Law that was last amended in 1998; it not only failed to reflect society’s values and today’s situation but also ignored Latvia’s membership in the European Union and current migration processes.

The Citizenship Law is supplemented with the statement of its purpose, namely, five areas covered by the Law. The Law determines the persons who are considered Latvian citizens, grants titular nationals – ethnic Latvians and Livs – the right to register as Latvian citizens, as well as enables Latvians in exile and their descendants to register as Latvian citizens. The purpose of the Law is also to promote the development of a cohesive Latvian society based on shared values of the Latvian people, as well as to recognise dual citizenship according to the political goals and interests of Latvia and to preserve the community of Latvian citizens under conditions of increased mobility.

By recognising dual citizenship, the Law enables citizens of Latvia who have acquired the citizenship of another member state of the European Union, European Free Trade Association or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to retain Latvian citizenship. Dual citizenship will also be an option for Latvian citizens who have acquired the citizenship of a state that has signed an agreement with Latvia on recognition of dual citizenship. The amendments also permit dual citizenship with Australia, Brazil and New Zealand.

The new wording of the Law sets forth that persons who have acquired the citizenship of a state not mentioned above will be able to retain Latvian citizenship upon permission issued by the Cabinet of Ministers. Those who have acquired the citizenship of another state through marriage or adoption will also able to retain Latvian citizenship.

With regard to ethnic Latvians and Livs, it will be possible to grant citizenship to those who can prove that their ancestors used to live in the territory of Latvia and that they speak the Latvian language.
Latvian citizenship is made available for Latvians in exile and their descendants upon submission of relevant proof. This applies to citizens who left Latvia because of the occupation regime of the USSR or Germany or were deported and by 4 May 1990 had not returned to Latvia for permanent residence.

The amended Law also sets forth that a child is a Latvian citizen regardless of his/her place of birth if at the moment of the child’s birth one of the parents is a Latvian citizen. Children born in Latvia to Latvian non-citizens after 21 August 1991 will be recognised as citizens if they permanently reside in Latvia and have always been stateless persons or non-citizens. A child of a non-citizen will be recognised as a citizen upon registration of the newborn and expression of such a desire by a parent.

The amendments also more accurately specify revocation and restoration of Latvian citizenship, renunciation of the citizenship, and the naturalisation procedure. For example, a simplified test will be administered to persons who have received primary education in the Latvian language with more than a half of the curriculum taught in the Latvian language or who have acquired full curriculum of general secondary or vocational secondary education.

The amendments to the Citizenship Law will come into force on 1 October 2013, concurrently with the relevant Cabinet regulations.

In spite of several phone calls to the relevant departments which have yielded no clarification there is not much more to say! The universal response has been to call back in one month because no details were rolled out to these departments beforehand and they actually do not know any more than you do after reading the above.

The only takeaway for the specific group that I am interested in (Russian Repatriates) is that there is no new information. Only more requests for clarification. However pay special attention to the phrase "retain Latvian citizenship". This has nothing to do with acquiring Latvian citizenship!

I find this odd since if you are a repatriate you are already recognized as being worthy of citizenship I figure. Unless you are Russian! Why not just deal with this issue? I'm not whining but we have spent the last seven (7) years re-acquiring de-privatized land, setting up a company, purchasing a place to live, learning the language, paying taxes etc etc ad nauseum and still there is no clear answer as to when dual citizenship for a Russian repatriate can or will be made available! 

In bullet form:

• No mention is made for children born of Latvian parents in Russia who were successfully repatriated, acquired Permanent Residence Permits and meet all other criteria as regards dual citizenship with the Russian Federation and Latvia.

Did I miss something? Russia is not mentioned once!

EDIT: In conversation with my lawyer today May 11 on an unrelated issue I asked for comment. She indicated that there were going to be amendments made over time and that quite probably cases like ours which have to do with Russian Repatriates would most likely be dealt with on an individual basis.

Latvia Internet Speed

I just read an article in The Atlantic Wire via Reddit (warning: many stupid potatoe references) that claims an internet speed of something like 25 Mbps here in Latvia!

So I ran a test and came up with something completely different.

I suppose I'll be calling my ISP on Monday to vent!

Sorry I haven't been around much lately but I've been playing with WordPress. Plus I was in Moscow. Which is pretty grim let me tell you.

Valium Nation Moving From Blogger Platform?

Looking at it!

Blogger as a platform has consistently given me trouble. I have used the feedback option long ago to attempt resolving an issue with no reply and have just sent off another two requests;

• Cannot choose "Don't Track Own Page Views" option.
• Cannot add or delete Link List gadget. Cannot rename existing lists or edit links therein.

This means WordPress I suspect and after watching other bloggers trying to switch platforms and move data I despair at the coming loss of continuity.

Still it presents me with an opportunity, making lemonade as it were since my posting was undefined and lacked focus as I was initially trying to figure out the differences between platforms and how they integrate with other social media and became bogged down by inertia.

So maybe it will be a blessing in disguise. ;)

Ksenia Sobchak Interviews Steven Seagal

I found this on raintv.ru

You can go right to the source page if you speak Russian and want to view the video (hardly worthwhile since it's only a short 1:40 portion of a 20 minute interview) otherwise you need to plow through a Google translation of that page or my cleaned up version provided below. Warning: the videos auto play on the above site!

STEVEN SEAGAL ON RUSSIA: "THE PEOPLE HERE LIVE REALLY WELL AND IT IS THE MERIT OF PUTIN"
March 28, 2013

American actor Steven Seagal told Ksenia Sobchak of his love for the Russian president and admired the way he was able to so quickly improve the lives of Russians, most recently when "there was no money and no food."

Sobchak: Nice to meet you.
Seagal: Hello.

Sobchak: I know that you have repeatedly been to Russia and now you're back here. Tell us what you liked in our country. Why do you come here so often?

Seagal: I love Russia. I love the country itself and your people. I love your nature, I would really like to travel Russia. For example say Siberia - the last truly wild region in the world.

Sobchak: And you were there?

Seagal: No, never. But this is one of those places where I really wanted to go. I have Russian blood, my grandmother came from Vladivostok. I have roots in St. Petersburg, one of my ancestors was born in the Ukraine which I think is part of Russia. Well, she was once part of Russia right? So I'm Russian, I love Russia, I love the Russian people and I like your president. I really like that it has a lot of support in the development of martial arts in Russia. He did a lot for the development of sport in this country, that children had the opportunity to participate in the martial arts with the best coaches. Also it seems to me very important the support that is provided to the Olympic movement in Russia. The Russians had great success in judo at the Olympics. I also admire him as a person, as a great leader of the state. I was in Russia when there was no food, money, and ordinary people have suffered and died.

Sobchak: When was it?

Seagal: The exact year I do not remember. Most likely this was back in 1990, the year 1990 or 1991 or the end of the 1980s. I saw how Russia was destroyed and I saw Vladimir Putin take a country that was just in catastrophic condition and made her a country with the greatest economy in the world where there is virtually no unemployment. I must say that the Russian is a thriving nation, the people here really live good. And it is an achievement of Putin. Any head of state is very difficult to achieve such performance, that's why I love Russia.

Sobchak: You are talking about our president and why you respect him. But many of the media both in Europe and in the U.S., it is critical to speak about his actions. What do you think, why the Western media criticize Vladimir Putin?

Seagal: It is very awkward for me to answer this question, I'm afraid to appear in a bad light. But I think that the criticism against Putin is not based on the judgment of the people but on the fact that he simply refuses to play by the rules of other states. Nobody will force him to do it. I think of him so often speak in negative terms.

Sobchak: Many Westerners aren't interested in what is happening in Russia, do not know anything about our policy and just did not know anything about our country to the so-called case Pussy Riot. What do you think about this case and how to evaluate the actions of many international stars such as Madonna who came to Russia and advocated freedom for Pussy Riot?

Seagal: Unfortunately I know little about the case. I know that they broke into the church during the ceremony and began to interfere with the rite. Their actions could be evaluated by believers as extremely disrespectful. Then they were arrested. The same thing would happen to them in any other country. And some would shoot them right on the spot. But in America they would be immediately arrested. Do I think that their arrest is something horrible? No. Do I think that's what made these girls, is it cool? Either. I heard that they were filming Clips with a pregnant woman and distributed them on the Internet. Of course I recognize that there is such a thing as a free society but there is a limit. And there must be a limit as to how people express their position in the media. I think they have crossed all the boundaries of ethics and morality.

Sobchak: Six months ago, a Hollywood star paid a visit to Kadyrov.

Seagal: Kadyrov?

Sobchak: You know him?

Seagal: Kind of.

Sobchak: I do not know whether you heard about this case, but the person I'm talking about is called Hilary Swank. After she met with Kadyrov and was there for some presentation she caved under criticism from the Western media. Hilary Swank even had to apologize and the money she received from Kadyrov had to be given to charity because the West thought that the Hollywood star should not associate herself with Kadyrov.

Seagal: Are you pro or anti Ramzan Kadyrov?

Sobchak: This is the same man. So. You understand that when you come to Russia and so positively characterize our President you can get into some opposition, be faced with criticism from the West?

Seagal: Of course, in America there are certain groups of people who understand what it means to be a warrior which means martial arts. That's one of the reasons that I and my fellow athletes came here. These people are very much the case, make sport accessible to children. So I'm not here because of politics, and politics - it's not what I want to do. My most political act is to participate in your program and answer your policy questions. But of course I cannot be a politician. I am someone who tries to be a simple guy and one who tries to enjoy the things in which he believes. Trying to make the world a little better and bring people together. From my point of view Russia and America should live and work together. These are two great countries, they need to enjoy cooperation in culture and scientific technology.

Sobchak: What do you think, where life is better in Russia or America?

Seagal: It's two completely different ways of life but I love my home and my country. I also like my brothers and sisters in Russia. However, I do not like winter. Where I live now is +30 degrees and it is snowing here. Of course in any country there are advantages and disadvantages.

Sobchak: You said that you do not want to engage in political conversations and I understand you because that's not what you do, this is not politics. But in Russia there is a situation that every celebrity who comes to us as a guest of Putin is involved in politics. For example, Mr. Gerard Depardieu. Maybe you know that he recently received Russian citizenship? He is a good friend, not only of Russia but Putin. Russian society is divided: one group thinks it's good PR for Russia, the other criticizes Depardieu. What do you think about it?

Seagal: First of all, when the stars travel the globe to Russia, it is a good thing for the country. It's good PR. Secondly, I do not know about Gerard Depardieu. I do not know anything about his friendship with your president, I've heard that the tax in France is 75%. Is that so?

Sobchak: Yes, they are going to enact such a law.

Seagal: Well, can I swear on this program, or will you cut it then?

Sobchak: Sure, please.

Seagal: So who the x ... will withstand such a tax? 75%! Who is this bear? Who will be able to survive in such hands, and even his family eat? True, I can not blame the guy. Let's be honest. What happens in the so-called "first world", where the economy is booming. They choose themselves a government, and that they need to understand that much of what they say is a lie. No one in America has never said about this guy, what a piece of shit he is and that he was wrong because he betrayed his country and made it just for the money. But the fact is that if it's true to remove 75% through tax, he is simply not going to survive and not be able to feed his children. And personally I will do everything in order to feed their children.

Sobchak: What tax do you pay?

Seagal: I think it is 40-something percent.

Sobchak: And this is true?

Seagal: I think that it is at least possible to do. I have no complaints about America. I repeat, I do not know the guy Gerard but I think that with him it was not fair, and I think I did that with him, because I hate it there, and hate what he is doing. It was just an excuse to get him to leave.

Sobchak: Russia remembers Gerard Depardieu, you and many other artists from the beginning of the 1990s. Then we only have to buy VCRs, walk-in video salon and watch movies with Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steven Seagal and other stars of the time. Many people think that you are using their popularity in Russia in order to get something for myself.

Seagal: What did I get?

Sobchak: No, no, I do not think so, but many people think that this is the case, that you come here to get something on the remains of its former glory. What do you think, why do people think that?

Seagal: I do not know, it's the first time I've heard about it. I'm popular in Russia but there are those who are just jealous of me. Everywhere I went in the world I always try to do some business or other. I am a normal person, I also have to feed a family.

Sobchak: Yeah, but listen, now sits at the screen and saw some Russian Steven Seagal, who is very wealthy man for his films. It is a successful and well-known man, who lives in America, he has seven children. And what the hell he had forgotten here in Russia?

Seagal: I would like to stress once again that I love Russia. Some people love Africa, some - Mexico, some like purple.

Sobchak: And you love the exotic, you mean?

Seagal: I just like Russia, and I'm not afraid to talk about it. There are other countries that I like. I love Japan. I do not need to be ashamed of it. In Japan however they will not say: "He came here because he has something to gain." People who say this are just idiots. I do know the Russian word but I will not say it now. Idiots.

Sobchak: Another question. In Russia, many are discussing your open letter to Vladimir Putin. It is devoted to the project in 2045. Could you explain to our audience what kind of project, and why you are interested in it?

Seagal: It's a project that will help people and allow them to live longer, to help veterans.

Sobchak: I'm sorry, you could not have two words to describe this project? Not everyone understands what it is.

Seagal: I like it and tried to do just that. The project, which supports the idea that cloning and robotics can help people cope with disease, injury, help people who are disabled. With the technology their damaged organs can be restored. This will alleviate the suffering of people affected in different accidents. And I think that's a wonderful project, which I am pleased to support it. I was also told that a group of Russian scientists are interested in this project. It would be good to enlist their support.

Sobchak: And you've got some support after the written letter?

Seagal: I think that in the Russian government, many are interested in this project, at the same time, many fear that this project is too long, should take a long time before something becomes a reality.

Sobchak: Why is cloning prohibited in many countries, and the very topic of cloning is so controversial?

Seagal: I think that this is a problem of science in general, people are careful, they hold moral principles, but at the same time, there are inventions that can reduce the suffering of humanity, and there is the fear that the new opening to shake the moral and ethical principles. I always have.

Sobchak: I know you're a Buddhist. Is not this contrary to your religious beliefs.

Seagal: I do not think so. So many people are broadcasting that there are natural and what is not. But there are those who think that the ideas of humanity can change our lives and make it better. If there is something that can help cure the injury, get rid of the disease, it should be developed. I think it's Buddhist.

Sobchak: Speaking of Buddhism. I know that you have met several times with Mr. Ilyumzhinov. And as far as I know, these meetings have been associated with your religious beliefs. You could not give some details about these meetings?

Seagal: Kalmykia - a country where almost 100% of the population practices Buddhism. It would be very interesting to visit this place. Besides Ilyumzhinov - my good friend. That would be great, like it, take a walk, to see how people live. Kalmykia is very similar to Mongolia, and perhaps people of Kalmykia - the same Mongols. This is a wonderful country.

Sobchak: Another topic that was widely covered by Russian media ...

Seagal: Look, I know a lot here you have ...

Sobchak: I'll tell you a lot. So in the federal TV channels said that Mr. Rogozin asked you to lobby the Russian arms abroad. Will you do that? If so, how can you help Russia in this complex case?

Seagal: I have not studied the matter closely. But I'm sure there must be the necessary conditions for trade between the two countries. Both in Russia and in America there is a major arms manufacturers, and they need to communicate with each other. I hope that I can help with that and get to the essence of the law, because I heard that it is quite confusing, but I hope I can be helpful in this regard.

Sobchak: Why Mr. Rogozin called upon you to make such a request? For many it seemed strange. You're an actor, and what relationship do you have for the Russian arms? Something is not clear to be honest.

Seagal: In addition, I am also a police officer. I work with various government agencies, I know a lot of important people from the area of defense. I am well versed in the arms, so I think it was quite logical request.

Sobchak: And what are you still talking with Mr. Rogozin? Maybe not yet know.

Seagal: I do not remember.

Sobchak: So it was a secret conversation?

Seagal: Well, sort of.

Sobchak: Lobbying and other areas?

Seagal: No lobbying it was not.

Sobchak: Lobbying ... That in itself is nothing wrong, then and there, but oh well. Another question: why did you come so often?

Seagal: We are almost behind schedule, dear.

Sobchak: Yeah, I know, but we have five more minutes.

Seagal: It looks like it will be the longest interview of my life.

Sobchak: Okay, five more minutes and we're done.

Seagal: You sure? Well, okay.

Sobchak: You said that you are coming for a long time, back in 1991 you were here.

Seagal: Yes, but I also said that I can not remember the year. Numbers and time are not my strong point. In any case, it was a long time ago.

Sobchak: I know you have many times been in Russia. So which of the Russians, perhaps, from the world of cinema, you could call your friends? Have you had any acquaintances here, which later grew into a friendship?

Seagal: Yes, I have many friends here.

Sobchak: Can you name the names?

Seagal: Sergey Dronov ... No, well, the truth. I have many friends in Russia. There are friends of the special forces, from the government, there is the world of art, there are bankers. It's just people from different walks of life.

Sobchak: And what do you know about Russia today? About the actors? Maybe you saw some of our films?
Seagal: Yes, I looked, but mostly old movies. But I really hope that I will be able to shoot here. I'm sure it will be memorable.

Sobchak: So you're going to work with Russian actors?

Seagal: Yes, though with many.

Sobchak: And you say, with whom?

Seagal: I have not discussed it directly with the actors, I was discussing this with various filmmakers.

Sobchak: And with whom, for example?

Seagal: I see you like to ask this question.

Sobchak: Of course, people want names. They want to know who will be working with Steven Seagal.

Seagel: Well, for example, I planned a great conversation with Mikhalkov.

Sobchak: Have you met him?

Seagal: Yes, he's my friend. And I'm looking Russian directors, however, not only Russian. We're going to shoot a film here.

Sobchak: So you will make a film with director Mikhalkov?

Seagal: No, I have a different plan, but it can help with Producing.

Sobchak: You can say that soon we will see a Russian film with Seagal?

Seagal: I'm not sure it can be called Russian. They will deal with the Russian production company, he will be shot here will be a joint venture between Russia and America. It would be cool.

Sobchak: What is your favorite Russian film? You said something looked.

Seagal: Honestly, there is a Japanese film, with director Kurosawa. It was shot in Russia, this probably is my favorite movie.

Sobchak: Well, I wish you good luck, I hope that we'll meet again. And perhaps, after Depardieu you too will become a Russian citizen. I have a present for you. This is a book.

Seagal: I have to open it?

Sobchak: This is a well-known person, the actor Alexander Nevsky. I'm not sure you know who he is. He is accused that he too often goes to Hollywood to make a fitness program for movie stars, then to PR at the expense of Russia. Perhaps you ever meet you can together make a fitness club in Russia or in America.

A couple of interesting people these two. One a rather pampered socialite and the other a, shall we say, self-confident promoter of self? 

You can follow the links at the top of the thread to view the Wiki pages for Sobchak & Seagal but there is so much that is not there.

Ksenia Sobchak for instance. It is entirely possible that her father Anatoly Sobchak was assassinated on the orders of Putin himself. Check out page 184/5 of Masha Gessen's book "The Man Without A Face" which will point you towards Arkady Vaksberg's book "Le laboratoire des poisons : De Lénine à Poutine (The Poison Laboratory From Lenin To Putin)." Assuming that there is any truth to this then Sobchaks recent behaviour flirting with the opposition forces and rather publicly pissing on Putin's parade shows a remarkable lack of situational awareness!

Then there is Seagal's Mafia troubles which while from 2002 still haunt him and those who wrote about it. His supposed involvement in the Shah of Irans security arrangements when he fled the country. Still as befits a senior member of the rich and famous he is very polished in his attempts to avoid some of the interviewers questions. Tirelessly shining his own knob. I've sort of admired his ability to re-invent himself which rivals Madonna's but this Putin love is a bit hard to stomach. I should have sensed it coming after his bromance with Sheriff Arpio but it's still quite disappointing. Them being what passes nowadays as warriors and all.