That's right. If you sign up for a new LJ account, you have to pay. Period. Previously existing free accounts are grandfathered in (for now).
Personally I'm making backup copies of my LJ. I don't see this going anywhere good.
Sun through the trees, originally uploaded by busychild424 (Josh). Description:
1331163225055, originally uploaded by busychild424 (Josh). Description: Found this strange scene while wandering campus earlier.
Relic, originally uploaded by busychild424 (Josh). Description: This relic is actually sitting unused in one of my classrooms.