Friday Five: Still Cross Stitch

I've had a lot of time in the evenings for this cross-stitch malarkey. I enjoy it and it helps me to feel productive while I'm at home watching television because we haven't been able to leave the house for a while. Social media means the word still comes to me, and a lot of it makes me angry, so this helps deal with some of those feelings too. The designs and words are from Rayna Fahey's Really Cross Stitch: For when You Just Want To Stab Something a Lot. The poor execution and random colour changes are due to a certain level of disorganisation on my part for which she cannot be held accountable.

Rebel rousing: Stick it to the man

"Are you pretty rebellious? This pattern is rebellious and pretty.

"Were you one of those kids whose teacher used to complain because you asked too many questions? Excellent. My favourite kind of human. Never, ever stop questioning.

"Do you know what I ask myself when faced with a big political challenge? What would Pippi Longstocking do? Well, the world's favourite feisty nine-year-old would probably throw a few politicians up a tree, while turning cartwheels and mocking gender roles."

Nanacore: With age comes wisdom

"#1 slogan of the nanacore.

"Once upon a time, a long, long, long time ago, and then a bit before that, women took to the streets to march for the right to have control over their bodies.

"My body, my choice, has always seemed a pretty basic concept to grasp. For some gobsmackingly unbelievable reason, there are still men in this world who believe they're better placed to make these decisions. Who are these people? Don't they have something better to do with their lives? It would be nice if some bro gangs would pull them to one side and remind them that women aren't property anymore."

Act your rage: We've got this all stitched up

"The best thing about this pattern is its versatility. No matter what the issue of the day is, you'll be ready! 

"Before photography, a protest sign was made to inform passers-by of the reason and logic of your protest. They were often lengthy and rather verbose. The advent of photojournalism and then television meant signs got shorter and snappier. Now we have social media the humble placard has evolved into a locus of wit.

"Sometimes, however, the rage is too intense for puns. In that case, this pattern is perfect."

If I must *sigh*

"Throwing your hands in the air in despair rarely gets you anywhere. Try shaking your fist instead.

"As my grandmother used to say, 'It is what it is'. You've just got to get on with it. It's just like weeding a garden. You pick a weed out but it's already self-seeded so you need to weed again but also plant some wildflowers in its place. And you say, 'Shit man, I already took care of that,' but the roots are already in there and it's gonna take a few goes. Sometimes loads of goes.

"So get together your small committed group of determined people and change the world already!"

Results are in: Not being dead is pretty ace

"You know politics has gone completely ridiculous when scientists have to take to the streets in the name of well, facts.

While I was writing this book my kids all went down with influenza. Thanks to antibiotics, they're still alive! Then there was that time I got cancer, and then got rid of it. Still alive! Thanks Science! Science is great for lots of things aside from helping us stay alive, make beer and shoot rockets into space. Science is also great for letting us know if we're killing our planet and what we should do about it. Which it's currently doing. Let's listen to the experts, huh?"