I just wanted to say thank you to Shakesville. I don’t know what I would do without them. Especially without Melissa. I would feel so lost. They give me faith, give me reason to go on every time I get close to giving up.

Melissa has just posted a very inspiring piece, here. Check it out.

Highlights:

“Eradicating any kind of bigotry is, by definition, an unreasonable expectation—because institutional bigotry is deeply entrenched. Prejudice is ancient. Only a fool would imagine it can be overcome.

Except, of course, that it can be. Bit by bit. Particle by particle. Teaspoon by teaspoon. Person by person. Prejudice is ancient, but it dies with its every carrier and must be taught again. And it can be unlearned. Bit by bit. Particle by particle. Teaspoon by teaspoon. Person by person. “

“Thus, every time someone asks me, greets my bellicose display of unreasonable expectations with, the exceedingly un-progressive question, “What do you expect?” I will answer the same as I always do: I expect more.”

So many great blogs to choose from…hmm…

Feministe has an interesting blog on Christian Bale and the accusations against him

Unapologetically Female asks: does advertising show us men want breasts, or not?

And posts this awesome video:

Brownfemipower looks at the plans for a new Disney film

Courtney Martin assesses the idea of marriage

Today’s Big Thing has a video of some women kicking the girls-are-bad-at-sports stereotype where it hurts

And feministing has made my life complete by introducing me to this wonderful, wonderful woman:

…so today, well tonight, I will relish my last moments of holiday, of escape. I’ve given up on things lately – work mostly, depression about the state of the world (made easier by trying to avoid the news and any research), people. Keeping my room tidy. Reading what I’m supposed to read.

It was only for a few days. And now I know that My Life As It Really Is must resume soon – tomorrow, in fact. Those three essays I’ve ignored need to be done. That presentation on my project about women in science? Yeah, gotta do that. The revision for my History and English exams? Ought to dig into that at some point. What’s that? I have to see friends and family and walk around and breathe as well? Great.

As a final flourish of the Free Flag, then, I will provide you with some lovely things that have managed to distract me for a few hours. Enjoy. After this it’ll no doubt get gritty again.

Oh and by the way – some of these things are weird

A movie in a minute …yes, I just said movie. That’s what they’ve called them. I’m on holiday, I can’t complain

They do books too

Hello Boys and Girls, today we’re going to make music…count and play your rhythm sticks, if you have them This site just has loadsa sound bytes. These are my favourites so far!

Bullet + Crayons = fun

These two have whole books. On teh internetz!

The Mockery of the Bible. Worth it for the foolery section alone. Obviously there are issues with all of it – but today is holiday day and I’m not going into them.

You know the words you can put on your fridge? The magnetic ones of joy? There’s a huge fridge in cyberspace all for you…and everyone else in the world…YAY

A title generator (for stories, poems, you name it )

This is what my house will look like when I’m all growed up.

Scrap that. My house will be all of these. Combined.

But if you really want something disheartening, as that is what this blog usually seems to bring to your attention, try this. It’s pathetic. Have something that’s depressing in a cheery way to make up for it : *smiles*

Back in the dream world – ooh, an online typewriter thing

Some of these photos are incredible – I love the 5th one the most =]

A pac man game with SCOUTING FOR GIRLS! Hoorah, all of my dreams have come true

Bible Google! Hahahaha wow. I’m happy.

Story in a sentence. Kinda like postsecret in a way. But nowhere near as good. Some interesting ones though

The Beatles make me happy. Bit of a weird link tho.

I. Love. Words.

And I love this

Sarcasm. Society. Need I say more?

In fact, no. I think I’ve said enough. I fear I must now resign myself to sleep, fully aware that when I wake the work will descend and there will seem to be no end. There we go, that’s life.

And on that note – adieu!