Friday, July 31, 2009

That Potter Fellow... Whatever Became of Him?

J.K. Rowling, who has never written a single Daria fanfic, turns 44 today. A few notes about crossovers using her fantasy works with Daria are offered in a previous posting in this blog. We wish Ms. Rowling the best with her future endeavors, though of course they will never match the glorious magnificence that is Daria.

Oh, and MTV turns 28 today, too. Or tomorrow. Not sure which. EDIT: It's tomorrow. Damn, I blew that one. Anyway, celebrate the goodness tomorrow. MTV is 27.99999995 years old today.

MDetector5's ink sketch of Quinn is available at PPMB. Comments and critiques welcome.

Sorry I haven't kept up with things here. Will try to do better.

PPMB

  • The Adequate Adventures of Raven and Daria: Dari-Mia (ex-Iron Chef: Daria Is Raven's Apprentice), by Project Pegasus (COMPLETE!): "It’s Daria. She’s been through my room again and she stole all of my ABBA records." "You still have records?" "Focus! As the captain of the Titans, I demand that you take action and rectify this infraction!"
  • Cheese Fries and Politics, by CAP (COMPLETE!): The window display featuring ice skating polar bears caught Daria’s eye. A moment later, someone calling her name caught her ear. Jodie Landon, bulging bags in either hand and a genuine smile on her face, scooted toward her. Daria’s returned smile was just as bright.
  • Cold Comfort, by Doggieboy (Part 13): Daria Morgendorffer was not found in any vehicle, and by such reasoning, still inside Sanders County. The roadblocks did have some positive effect, however. Six men and two women were arrested on outstanding warrants, one of which was for a charge of attempted murder. Four men were arrested when their panel van was found to full of items stolen from several homes in the Hopeful area. (SFMB)
  • Daria the Hoosier, by Doggieboy (Part 5): The girls had spent the night before on a sleepover with friends, so the unexpected sight of Daria captured their whole attention. That made Daria feel anxious, but it irritated Jim. “Turn around and stop staring,” he said and glared at them. “What’s wrong with you two?”
  • Don't Sweat the Mall Stuff, by Kristen Bealer (Part 4): "And don't you forget it!" Quinn said in between fits of giggling. "Oh, wow. Can you imagine Blake's face if I wore this to the prom with him?" The laughter died in Sandi's throat. "Blake?" she asked. "Blake Worthington?"
  • Gimme Skelter, by TAG and Brother Grimace (Part 19a): “I hear you,” Jodie said from somewhere ahead of him, as the glow grew brighter. “Take your time, we’ll wait.”
  • Reaped Out, by Pinkminx (Part 18): "We have to organize our outfits for Tuesday; God knows we don't need another incident like the dance. I will not have one of those Fielding girls show up in the same outfit as me, or any of us for that matter." "Sandi, it's a funeral, not frivolous dance; does it really matter if you show up dressed like someone else?" (FF.net)
  • Reunions and Introductions, by Tscroggs (Part 1): "Is every adult woman in your family a bitch?” “You know, I am an adult woman now too, Jane. I'm not sure I like what you are implying." [Also here.]
  • Tales of the Ringbearers: With New Responsibility, by Richard Lobinske (COMPLETE!): "I remember exactly how we recruited you, came here to D-517 and were boarded by zombies, and you two said you were going into the past to stop Apocalypse. Now, we're here because of a report of a planet full of zombies from a Pathfinder and trying to figure out if you pulled off a reset."
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): "Hey, Daria?" "Yes, Jane?" "Do you ever get the feeling that we're all prisoners and we're being brainwashed by an alien race of robot clones bent on enslaving or destroying humanity for their own nefarious purposes?"
  • Unnamed story (Scenes That Should Be: Brains for Rent), by Lorenzo Sauchelli (COMPLETE!): She glared silently at both boys, and while she knew it was enough to scare them away, she decided more was in order. "You better watch your backs from now on, a few axe murderers owe me too many favors to count.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Brittany, Stoned

By the way, today is the 111th anniversary of the birth of famed sculptor Henry Moore (no relation), and Brittany is here as an alter ego of a Moore work of art. She resembles one or two of the "Seated Woman" sculptures Moore worked on in the late 1950s (this one or that one), but a lot of his works looked like this.

Today is also the 34th anniversary of the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. Just wanted to mention that because we've talked about so many disappeared people, but I think this one is not such a mystery. (And, honestly, I don't want to know what happened to him.) His name comes up in "Lucky Strike."

Baltimore, one of the cities suggested as the general location of Lawndale, celebrates its 280th birthday today. Cheers to you!

She's Magical! [snicker]

Medea42 has discovered a new post-college career path for Daria: she can be a Flitter Fairie! (As you watch the video, check the names of the fairies at the end.) How cute! I bet this is entirely Quinn's doing.

FF.net
  • Bromwell Bound: That One Fateful Summer, by HolyGrail2007 (COMPLETE!): “You look well.” I noted. “And so do you.” Daria led me to BFAC. Jane hadn’t arrived yet, but we knew where she would drive up too, and we could handle the rest. “How is Bromwell?” Daria asked, a question she never asked me before.
PPMB
  • The Glittery Chick, by Smijey, a.k.a. Smileyfax (Part 1): "Jane, how do you feel about dealing drugs?" "What?" "How do you feel about becoming a salesman in the growth industry of recreational chemistry?" (FF.net)
  • Love Is a Series of Burning Sensations, by Undefinedlust (Part 11): Christina turned around in her seat and reached back to awkwardly shake Daria's hand. "Pleasure to meet you. Jane has told me so much." "None of its true, you can't prove any of it." Daria deadpanned.
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: Hump Day), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): Daria looked at Jane's latest work. It was the outline of two crudely drawn human beings. Instead of being outlined by glitter, however, the two were outlined by nuts. Nuts, as in the large nuts used to secure the wheels of eighteen-wheeler tires. "Fascinating," said Daria. "You can almost see the outlines."

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I Always Cry at Weddings

A mere 28 years ago, Beavis and Butt-head... no, sorry, I meant Lady Diana and Prince Charles got royally hooked up. I mention this only because of the awesome B&B image at right from This Book Sucks. Today is also NASA's 51st birthday. Life goes by so fast.

Moar eventually.

PPMB
  • Daylight: Falling from Grace: I Should Have Been Home Yesterday, by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): That was five years ago, when the government was in chaos. Now, that chaos had been mostly calmed, and President Senerchia’s forces depended on Burt’s forge to keep their horses shod and their sabers sharp.
  • The End of Resistance, by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): She awoke in darkness with the knowledge that she was not alone. With deliberate slowness she sat up and pulled the sheet off of her legs. They had finally come. That knowledge came with a surprising and almost palpable sense of relief. A bitter little smile twisted her lips and for the first time in what felt like a century she spoke in her mother tongue. "So you've found me."
  • Falling into College 69: Two Intents, by Richard Lobinske (Part 2): "He served his sentence, there's nothing I can do about it except make sure that the probation stipulation that he have absolutely no contact with Daria or us is rigidly enforced." "But what if he doesn't?" "He'd better hope that I don't find him first."
  • Iron Chef: Daria Is Raven's Apprentice, by Project Pegasus (continued): "Friend Raven, I have been to the fourth wall mail slot and have returned with the comments on our thread." "Hand ‘em over." "No! We’ll answer them together." "But I like opening your mail!"
  • Legion of Lawndale Heroes Gold Team, by Roentgen (Part 6): For Tom, the trip was forever. There was simply too much racing through his head. He was worried about leaving Daria behind, but he just had to know more about Edmund and Edmund's new friends.
  • Rolling the Dice, by Ajar (Part 2): “You don't want to investigate the source of the screaming?” said Jane. “Why would I want to do that?” Sandi asked. “So I can discover what horrible thing scared this person?” [Just so you know, this story is NOT my fault!]
  • Silvered, by Tscroggs (fragment): Everything was going great, until Quinn froze completely in the middle of both step and sentence. “Wha…” Stacy began, before Daria’s arm shooting up stopped her. Stacy had to bite back a sound as almost eight men she had never seen before came out of the alley in front of them.
  • Unnamed story (Second Coming of the New Ideas Thread), by Trscroggs (Part 1): “Well this is a shock. I take a meditation break and decide to investigate an open contract pulse. And what do I discover but a young lady who’s just used the contract phase to delay her own death.”
  • Vigilante, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Part 3): She opened her notebook and started speed-reading her notes, then replied. “The supposed bullies and the friends are the same people. According to them, she was the one that came with the nicknames.”

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Stacy as Jackie... Oh!

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was born 80 years ago today. She was the First Lady when JFK was president (1961 to 1963). Stacy Rowe (at left) models a close duplicate of Jackie's then-famous pink outfit, holding a rose bush for planting.

There's only one teensie little problem, which is that Jackie Kennedy was wearing that famous pink outfit when her husband was assassinated as he sat by her side on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. When the Kennedys' plane landed at Love Field in Dallas earlier that day, Mrs. Kennedy was given a large bouquet of roses (see picture at right).

In other words, Stacy's alter ego is reallllllly creepy.

Oh, well.

Ten years ago today, "Speedtrapped" premiered. I've already gone on and on about Daria's murder attempt during that trip, so no more will be said about it here. If anyone is up to it, the DariaWiki page on this episode could use some work.

Good news: today is also National Milk Chocolate Day the world over. I think you know what to do next.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Sic transit gloria chalupa

As you will see from this PPMB thread, the chihuahua that took part in those Taco Bell commercials in bygone years, Gidget, has passed on to that Great Kennel in the Sky. She appears at left in one of her late-1990s commercials, popular at the time Daria was on MTV.

This is the very same chihuahua on which the alter ego of Quinn Morgendorffer at right was based. (Look for image #129 in the alter ego flipbook on MTV's Daria website. The caption is: "Yo quiero Taco Bell!"). Not quite sure why Quinn was picked for this, unless it was a popularity issue. Or unless Taco Bell was secretly Quinn's favorite eating place. I could see that.

Alas, poor Gidget, we knew you well. You were a good dog. Rest in peace.


MOAR NEWZ! A few more interesting webpages announcing the 2010 release of Daria on DVD follow. Again, they are interesting because some offer short video clips or images worth viewing, and some are just fun to read because of readers' comments. Enjoy.
Again, Amazon.com has a sign-up sheet for Daria on DVD. Be there or be square.

I really do need to update the "Daria on DVD Activism" section at left. We finally got what we needed.

A new PPMB Iron Chef is up from MDetector5: Weird Jobs (the Fashion Club at Hooters). The art is fun, too.

DariaWiki continues to grow, thanks to readers like you! In particular, we salute Brother Grimace, Psychotol, Quiverwing, Roentgen, NightGoblyn, Disco316, JPAGC, 1stgenfan, Silver, RLobinske, and Compn. The latest new and revised DariaWiki pages include:
Fanfiction time....

PPMB
  • Don't Sweat the Mall Stuff, by Kristen Bealer (Part 3): Sandi took a deep breath and closed her eyes before stepping out of the fitting room stall. After a few seconds' effort, she finally willed herself to look. The dress Quinn was wearing was entirely different from hers.
  • Iron Chef: Daria Is Raven's Apprentice, by Project Pegasus (continued): "Praise me! For I have returned, and I have kidnapped another slave! This one will write fan fiction for me!"
  • Things Fall Apart, by Doggieboy (Part 19): “Come to me,” she said. Her voice was raspy, her right cheek was torn open, and a large chunk of flesh was missing from her upper left arm. “Let me kiss you, handsome.”
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: Hump Day), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): It was three in the morning when the sounds of her television woke Daria from a sound sleep. She found the remote by feel where she dropped it on the floor next to her bed and tried to turn the television off. It was the fourth try when she realized that the device was off and it was the supposedly inoperative television on the wall mount that was making all of the noise.

Ouch!

Eleven years ago today, "Pierce Me" was shown on MTV for the first time.

At Holiday Island High, the exchange student from Finland known as National Sleepy Head Day celebrates a birthday, or will once he wakes up.

Award-winning singer Maureen McGovern is 60 today. She sang the theme song from the 1972 movie, The Poseidon Adventure ("The Morning After"), which we learn in "Sappy Anniversary" is Jane Lane's favorite song.

The sign-up sheet for buying Daria on DVD is already up at Amazon.com. I believe it's been up for a long time, but it finally has real meaning. If you haven't signed up before now, get to it.

LiveJournal has an interesting post on the top 10 coolest cartoon characters of all time. Daria comes in at #10.

Entertainment Weekly (online) has a Quote of the Day: Daria Edition for your pleasure.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Burning Down the House

Nine years ago today, one of the best episodes in the Daria series was aired for the first time: "Fire!" (At right, Quinn tries to find something fashionable to wear before she escapes the blaze, complaining to Sandi about it all the while.) "Fire!" was the first element in a three-part arc of closely related stories about the development of the relationship between Daria and Tom Sloane. The best webpage on this episode (IMHO) is on DariaWiki, which contains many links to commentary on the episode and some interesting trivia bits. More episode pages should be like this one.

It seems to me that "Fire!" is one of those points from which quite interesting "what if" worlds could be created.
  • What if Tom Sloane showed no interest at all in Daria, being faithful to Jane to the end? This would require some modification of "I Loathe a Parade," of course, but it's interesting.
  • What if the fire in the Morgendorffers' home had spread and become worse, leading to serious injuries or fatalities, or the complete loss of the home?
  • What if Tom and Daria were run over by the floats while... oh, right, not so much angst. Sorry.
  • You get the idea. Last chance to turn away from disaster in the next episode. Also, there was that stalker Bobbie, Sandi's interesting interest in dumping bodies, Stacy in a bikini and cowboy hat, etc.
  • What if Trent was a superhero whose superpower was ethereal transference? I don't know either, but it sounds interesting.

NEWZ PHLASH! The announcement of Daria's 2010 release on DVD has gotten around. The following are some interesting news items about this. It's worth giving them a look because some have whistles and bells with them, like pictures and even short animated segments. Enjoy.
Stay tuned!

XTRA GNUZ! Richard Lobinske has updated the list of 2009 Daria Visual Fanworks! Hooray!

And now for the fanfiction. Jeepers, people sure write enough of it around here.

PPMB
  • Iron Chef: Daria Is Raven's Apprentice, by Project Pegasus & company (continued): [The rudeness never ends. ]
  • Daria the Hoosier, by Doggieboy (Part 4.5): She saw a cardboard box just under the bed near a small table with a lamp and a clock radio. Seeing an analog clock on a radio blew her mind, though she did see a digital clock radio in the kitchen earlier. Apparently, they’re still new on the market, she thought.
  • Legion of Lawndale Heroes Gold Team 1:5: Fish or Fry, by Roentgen (continued): It was Lance that suggested that the five of them go to see what Thomas "had been working on" as a diversion. This involved the five of them getting in the Maybach and driving out to God Knows Where in El Paso. "What about Daria?" said Tom. "I'm sure she'll be fine. We'll be coming back!" Villacana acted to reassure Tom. "Oh Pope, not even of age you're already shackled to the old ball-and-chain! Let's have a "'boy's day out!'"

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Life in a Test Tube, Life in a Fishbowl

The very first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, was born 31 years ago today. Quinn is working on perfecting the method so she will never have an ugly baby.

FF.net

  • Bromwell Bound: That One Fateful Summer, by HolyGrail2007 (Parts 8, 9, and 10): I had no desire to go back home. I could sneak in quietly and avoid everyone, it was a weekend so Dad would probably still be asleep, only to leave and “catch up” on office work, whatever still needed to get done. I wondered how they could be perpetually busy if the associates at his office were always there. I had worked in his office last summer, and they practically never went home. I could hang out at the diner, then cruise around town for a bit.
  • Commitment Issues, by Fringeperson (COMPLETE!): Yorik listened intently to the conversation, privately taking in the dynamic the pair had. Trent coughed. “Thanks for the ego-boost.” Daria smirked. “I haven’t gotten to that yet, I have so far only ripped into every thing mercilessly.”
  • Just Friends, by Pinkminx: The chapters have been extensively revised. Please reread and give the author feedback.
  • Take Me on the Floor, by MandeeMistress (Part 2): It wasn’t soon after Daria had arrived, that Trent walked into the pizza parlor. Daria’s eyes met his sleek exterior, and mysterious aura. His dark eyes were still very welcoming, as she felt her pulse quicken a bit. It seemed that plenty had gone on since she had left.
PPMB
  • Daria the Hoosier, by Doggieboy (Part 4): Daria looked at the woman and swallowed nervously as she stood up and said, “Hi! I’m Daria Morgendorffer. I’m a friend of Jim’s.” She held out her right hand. “I figured that you were a friend of his,” the woman said and took her offered hand. “I’m Sharon Williams, Jim’s mother.” She looked around. “Where is he?”
  • Daylight: Falling from Grace: I Should Have Been Home Yesterday, by Disco316 (Part 12): As John retreated, Quinn turned over to Stacy and shook her. “Mmm, come on, Charles. I know you like it rough but…” Stacy trailed off as she resumed lightly snoring.
  • Don't Sweat the Mall Stuff, by Kristen Bealer (Part 2): Sandi smoothed the fabric of the new dress as she checked the fit in the mirror. It was pale blue and strapless, with a full skirt. Nodding with satisfaction, she opened the door and walked out into the main fitting room area. "Oh, no!" Quinn cried, stomping her foot beneath the full skirt of her own blue strapless gown.
  • Iron Chef: Daria is Raven's Apprentice, by Project Pegasus (continued): "No, of course not, Mr. President. Of course I trust your word; you’ve never let me down before. Thank you for your time, Mr. President. [click] Where could that stimulus check be?" [Next entry!]
  • Jake Dislikes Conservatives, by Ajar (COMPLETE!): "Look, honey, I'd drive you to the mall but that would make me buy gas which in turn funds those damn terrorists and greedy dictators like Saddam Hussein who are the reasons why America isn't safe!"
  • Legion of Lawndale Heroes Gold Team: Dead Man's Party, by Roentgen (continued): The Maybach pulled up to a Mediterranean-style villa on the outskirts of Sunset Heights. Daria was surprised by her new company. It was the tony part of El Paso. "So, Thomas," Thomas Villacana asked. "Do you have a nickname, perhaps?" "Well," said Tom, somewhat embarrassed, "they called me 'the Pope' at Fielding."
  • Legion of Lawndale Heroes Mini: Eclipse, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): “Hey, you! Yeah—you! Hold up—we want to talk to you!” Standing on Dega Street, Mack Mackenzie turned away from his flame-red 1969 Corvette with curiosity on his face as the two Lawndale P.D. officers approached him. “Is there a problem, officers?”
  • Legion of Lawndale Heroes Mini: Falling into Unexpected Circumstances, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): The young man’s voice spoke clearly through the darkness in the room. “Where’s my left sandal?” A female voice immediately answered. “Right here…” “Thanks.” The room was silent. “Would you like something to eat?”
  • M4: In the Meantime..., by Silver (COMPLETE!): Sandi was in a wheelchair. Tiffany still couldn't quite believe it. Tiffany Blum-Deckler sat on the roof, wondering just how things were going to change next. Finally, she walked back to the stairs and back into the school. She had math next. None of her friends would believe it, but Tiffany enjoyed math. Was actually quite good at it, in point of fact.
  • Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): The air about the Temple usually redolent of the smell of fresh blood and burning human hearts now reeked of gunpowder as the starved defenders of the Temple made their last stand. Within that perimeter, the last remnant of the Aztec Empire, the remaining priests desperately sacrificed as many prisoners, commoners and faithful warriors in an attempt to contact the Gods one last time.
  • Tales of the Ringbearers: With New Responsibility, by Richard Lobinske and Brother Grimace (Part 10): When they reached the alley with the Architect's Portal, only three people remained, Gen. Trainor, Daria and a single guard. Gen. Trainor saw them and said, "Hurry up, you two, it's your turn." Richard said, "There's nobody left. It's time for you to go. Get everyone as far away from the portal as you can in case it's unstable."
  • Things Fall Apart, by Doggieboy (Part 18): Robert Nelson hovered above the floor of the room that served as the Findlay regional office for the Ringbearers. Generally, he stayed at about a foot off the floor, but he would then go up to six feet high. Then he would act as if he were laying down and hover that way.
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: Hump Day), by Greystar, with contributions by Professor, DigiSim, Disco316, etc. (COMPLETE!): "Amy, after all these years, I have to ask," Jake said one day. "Exactly what is it that you do for a living?" "Jake, please!" Helen signed in exasperation. "You know perfectly well what she does!" "No, I don't." Jake replied. "And I'll bet you don't either."
Elsewhere
  • Our Friend Daria: Esteemsters, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): As I was driving home on that first day of the fall semester, I passed Staring Girl. Staring Girl was walking with someone wearing a red jacket. The two chatted as they walked by.
  • Our Friend Daria: The Invitation, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): A bored man, however, will find his diversions wherever he can. I quickly glanced through the first five pages without a single article catching my eye. However, I finally caught something interesting....

Friday, July 24, 2009

TGIF, Marvin the Martian, etc.

Ten years ago, TV Guide ran a short description of a then-upcoming episode, "Speedtrapped."

And that's the big news for today. Okay, I'm kidding. Today is the 226th anniversary of the birth of liberator Simón Bolívar, making it Simón Bolívar Day in some places. It is also the 109th anniversary of the birth of writer Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Daria makes a reference to Zelda Fitzgerald in "Depth Takes a Holiday," the link being the fact that Ms. Fitzgerald was diagnosed with schizophrenia and died in a fire in a mental hospital, and Daria thinks she, too, is going crazy, just because personified holidays are popping out of a Chinese restaurant and forming a rock band with Trent Lane.

And it's the 89th anniversary of the birth of women's rights advocate Bella Abzug (whom Daria is dressed like in the alter ego at right, with some padding); the 61st birthday of Marvin the Martian; and the 59th year that Cape Cavaveral, Florida, has been in the business of launching space rockets. (The last link shows the first rocket launched from the Cape.) Amelia Earhart was also born today, but we've already talked about her and the Quinn alter ego.

Moar l8r after dinner, or something. Or, better yet, tomorrow.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Loose Lips Really Do Sink Ships!

Today was a very special day for the animation staff at MTV, and they drew a picture to honor it. It is Neptunalia, but that was mentioned here last year. It is National Vanilla Ice Cream Day, but if it isn't chocolate I don't want to know about it. And it's...

MONICA LEWINSKY'S 36th BIRTHDAY!

The alter ego at left is based upon news footage showing then-President Clinton hugging Ms. Lewinsky, a good deal of which appears in this humorous video on YouTube. (Notice that once again, the MTV artists used a very specific event and image for an alter ego. A picky lot, I must say.)

Two more opportunities for trouble on PPMB: Iron Chef: The Conservative View, and Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: Hump Day. Do your worst. I mean, best.

Lewinsky.... Hump Day... coincidence? I think not. What would be the Conservative View on that, I wonder?


PPMB
  • Apocalyptic Daria: Scarlett's Tale, by Doggieboy (Part 11): Scarlett’s sleep wasn’t exactly comfortable; she wasn’t used to sleeping on a couch, next to a man she had met not even twenty-four hours before. The redhead opened her eyes, blinked several times and moved a lock of hair away from her eyes. She thought over the events she had been through and looked at the man who snored beside her. His left hand rested on her right thigh. (FF.net) (SFMB)
  • Belated, by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): Daria searched through the web links, the dim light from her computer screen reflected in the thick lenses of her glasses. She was frowning, and the creases at the corners of her mouth deepened as she went through another page of results. Nothing. Thirteen pages and nearly one hundred and fifty results and nothing.
  • Falling into College 69: Two Intents, by Richard Lobinske (Part 1): Michael said, "I decided to spend the time with you drama queens." "You need some excitement in your life," Clarice replied.
  • Iron Chef: Daria Is Raven's Apprentice, by Project Pegasus (continued): "I made a funny." "Not quite."
  • Lawndale's Finest, Detective Stories 3: The Line of Duty, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (COMPLETE!): "Joker hijacked my car. We chatted for a bit. The maniac killed a dozen people while at it. And it was him, Jim, Ruttheimer's son.”
Elsewhere
  • Our Friend Daria, by Roentgen, a.k.a. CINCGREEN (prequel): I didn't much look forward to living in Lawndale, but my wife was desperate to get out of her telecommunications job in Nashville.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Stuff and More Stuff, with Pi

So I did a Google search for July 22, Daria, and Jane, and I got this blog. WTF? What is that? Must not be a guy thing.

Anyway, today is the 111th birthday of famed author Stephen Vincent Benét, whose stories both you and Daria undoubtedly read in middle and high school. ("The Devil and Daniel Webster"? "By the Waters of Babylon"?)

Most importantly, today is Pi Approximation Day (hooray!), just like it was last year at this time, but remember it is not Pi Day, which was in March. Also remember it is not appropriate to write pi as "pir." That is another kind of p-word.

Let's see what the Urban Dictionary says about Daria.... interesting. How about Quinn.... whoa! Ouch! OMG! Whew, sorry about that! Had no idea that... never mind. Moar l8r.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Two for Tuesday

"The Misery Chick" premiered on MTV an even dozen years ago today, and "Jake of Hearts" did the same a decade ago. Both were well received and have enjoyed long-term fan appreciation. Both, interestingly, were closely concerned with death and how the deaths of others affects those around them.

Pinkminx would like feedback on her full-length portrait of Jane Lane. Thank you!

For fanfiction, we have superb stuff all over the place. Go to it.

FF.net
  • Bromwell Bound: That One Fateful Summer, by HolyGrail2007 (Parts 6 and 7): Although the extended family came together for the weekend as planned, and I had brief associations with all of them, my immediate family and I avoided each other like the plague. Not that Elsie would have ever spoken to me unless she wanted to taunt me or she wanted something. [Part 7 here!]
  • Commitment Issues, by Fringeperson (Part 8): Daria sat on her bed with the closet open and was staring at the dress. She had said that she wouldn’t wear it tonight, and she wasn’t going to, but the damn thing just seemed to not leave her alone. Maybe she should bury it deep within the bowels of her sock drawer for a while… or something.
  • How to Change Your Cover, by The Writer Formerly Known as LM (Part 1): Tom sighed, and, lifting his head slowly, inspected the students in the surrounding seats. All of them were bent over their desks, like he'd just been, scribbling furiously. They all seemed so intent on answering the question, and answering it thoroughly. In brief essay form, describe the cons of 'fair NOT free' trade. Be sure to give specific examples.
  • Reality Is What We Make It, by Lord of Fluff (Part 2): It was late one Monday morning during English class. The students were tired as usual since it was the first day of the week and almost no one wanted to deal with their nutty teacher Mr. Timothy O’Neill, an Irish-American who had the emotional backbone of a slug.
PPMB
  • Don't Sweat the Mall Stuff, by Kristen Bealer (Part 1): "This is a very important shopping trip. I need time to prepare myself both physically and emotionally for the struggles I'm going to face today." [All you have to do is look at the title, and you know we have a winner. And how!]
  • Gimme Skelter, by TAG and Brother Grimace (Part 18): Mackenzie stared at Jodie Landon for a long moment, assuring himself that it was really her and not someone else. She had no firearms, so he felt he could afford a few extra seconds to be certain. The submachine gun then came up with the muzzle centered on her face. “Give it a try,” said Jodie. Her smile broadened. “See if you can kill a god.”
  • Iron Chef: Daria is Raven's Apprentice, by Project Pegasus (continued): "Good friends, we are gathered here to celebrate the life of Raven. I would like to recite a poem that expresses how much I will miss her." [The next part is here! Awesome!]
  • Lawndale's Finest, Detective Stories 3: The Line of Duty, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Parts 3 and 4): The ADA was just about to open the door to his car when his phone rang, he looked at the caller ID and wondered why Gordon would call him less than a minute after his departure. “You forgot something?” “Quinn Morgendorffer is awake. I'm going to Cedars of Lawndale to speak with her.” [Part 4 is here!]
  • Rolling the Dice, by Ajar (interlude): To the untrained eye, the Fashion Club appeared to roam the halls as they usually would just before school would begin. However, if one were paying close attention, the ten-foot separation they generally allowed for the unpopular kids was greatly increased for two specific individuals.
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "I had no idea that trampolines came with wrist- and ankle-restraints," Jane said, looking straight ahead as two shadowy figures quickly dressing were visible in the shades drawn against the front windows.
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): [How "Murder, she Snored" should have gone. Perfection itself. I shall not spoil it.] [Also featured here.]
  • Unnamed story (Scenes that Should Be: Brains for Rent), by DariaPhantom (COMPLETE!): "I never signed up for an exchange program, yet, here I am," Daria said, concluding her explanation.
  • Unnamed story (Scenes that Should Be: Brains for Rent), by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): "I never signed up for an exchange program, yet, here I am," Daria said, concluding her explanation.

Monday, July 20, 2009

To the Moon

Forty years ago today, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon. I remember watching that live on TV. It was the greatest.

This is an interesting day in other ways. "See Jane Run" premiered eleven years ago today, one of my favorite episodes because OH is the star (Jane, of course). We learn that Daria is more dependent on Jane than Jane is on Daria, when Daria mumbles to herself: "Jane. On a school team. That's pathetic. Hey, if she's the pathetic one, why am I talking to myself? And, more importantly, why am I waiting for a reply?"

We also find the beginnings of the Barksdale Legs meme:
  • Daria: What happened to your come-and-get-it heels?
  • Quinn: Ha-ha, Daria. I decided I shouldn't wear shoes that kill me just because they make my legs look hot.
  • Helen: Why, Quinn, how mature.
  • Quinn: I mean, my legs look hot no matter what I wear. They'd probably even look good in those things you have on.
We do need a fanfic about Daria's new bf, Knuckles.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Teen Angel Angst

Brittany's crystal bullhorn explodes into a thousand shards, miraculously without injuring Brittany, in the climax of "Groped by an Angel." That episode premiered nine years ago today. Maybe Brittany had a guardian angel of her own. For more on the episode, click here.

If you are for some reason curious about what was being said in this blog a year ago, click here and enjoy.

More soon. Okay, it's soon now.

Because the text tends to overlap left-mounted images using this blog format, I am adding all new fanfiction from today to the blog post from yesterday. Yes, I know this smacks of treason, but it just looks so much nicer and neater that way. Plus it forces readers to see all the goodness that popped out the day before. It's for your own good, trust me.

Okay, forget that reason because I'm going to use bullet points anyway. Let's take a look at what "Groped by an Angel" gave us to play with in the field of fanfiction topics and general discussion.
  • The man who rescued Donna that snowy Christmas Eve, the one who was no ordinary roadside mechanic. What was up with this? Of course it was a regular guy, but... what if it wasn't? Think of something in the category of mechanically inclined aliens, supervillains, etc.
  • "Angels are everywhere. They can hear you." If Quinn was correct, how could the Daria series be reinterpreted with angelic interference?
  • "Some people just won't listen to logic." One of the best Quinn quotes ever. Makes you wonder what she would be like if she became highly religious in an AU or as a high-school senior. The new Sarah Palin?
  • Trent and "subzero": Since when was Trent this smart? Is Max really this stupid? Speaking of Max, we need more bald-headed whiny poser Max fanfiction in which he gets killed.
  • Undead deadbeat dads: anyone we know in particular? Must be a way to work this into a fanfic.
  • Brian Taylor and his father: Well, now we know why the original Mrs. Taylor ran away after his birth. Brian's father clearly doesn't like him and just as clearly spoils Brittany. Given the uncomfortable similarities between Brittany and her stepmother... no, let's don't go there. That's been done to death at SFMB.
  • Ball game: So, there's a baseball stadium near Lawndale? Baltimore Orioles? Philadelphia?
  • "You know, I wanted a cat when I was little, but my father never let me have one. 'Dogs are for boys. Cats are for girls.' Well, you know what, Dad? I didn't want a dog, okay?" Did Jake have a dog as a kid? Why hasn't Jake gotten a cat (or cats) for the family? Would life be any different if he had, and the cat enslaved them all forever? It's happened in other fanfics, why not in near-canon?
  • Quinn: "I think I'm very spiritual." Helen: "Yes, you take after your mother in that." Say what? How does this work? Why does Helen think she's spiritual? Because she can see spirit animals when she's on drugs, like in "The Teachings of Don Jake"?
  • Fourteen-hour days: If Helen's really gone this long during the week, no wonder Daria doesn't think much of her.
  • What if Quinn had been struck on the head by the light fixture? Mild concussion, scalp lacerations, brain injury, angst. Why hasn't anyone done the appropriate AU for this?
  • Quinn talks to her guardian angel? Out loud? What if he answers back? Will she date him?
  • The Trix Rabbit's secret trysts with Daria have already been discussed.
  • Jamie has a creepy old aunt who smells. Maybe his parents should die so that he leaves Lawndale.
  • Wonder if Sandi did have a guardian angel, and he did tell her to try the raspberry vinaigrette dressing because he wanted to make her sick. Maybe he's not a guardian angel but another kid using ventriloquism. Maybe the salad dressing in another AU causes all three of them to die or at least go into comas. That would be awesome. I mean, that would be so sad.
  • Party Planet. Must remember to use that store and the salesman in a fanfic.
  • Quinn asks for money, and both she and Daria get $50? This family is whacked.
  • Trent really does know algebra. Damn.
  • Daria: "I mean, watch the bloodshed on the evening news, and then tell me there are guardian angels." Why doesn't Quinn see what Daria sees? Selective intellectual blindness? Why doesn't Daria want to help Quinn see life more realistically? Is Quinn's happiness more important that Quinn's grasp on reality? Oddly, this issue does reflect some current psychological thinking, that optimists do not see reality as clearly as pessimists. Optimists believe they always have a chance even when they pretty clearly don't, but that perseverance sometimes saves that day. This episode, for all its problems, highlights an important distinction between Daria and Quinn, one that should be explored in more fanfiction. What if Daria came to think Quinn might be right, that there were angels?
  • Wonder what would happen if the stupid Three Js did beat up Mr. O'Neill. I can dream, can't I?
  • Mr. Taylor "borrows" from Brian's college fund to get presents for Brittany. This just looks so wrong. Plus, Brian will have a good reason to become a serial killer later in life, like next year.
  • Daria: "I think what makes sense is to believe whatever makes you feel best." That just seems like such a nice thing to say, and so unlike Daria. What if Daria had said something else, like about there being no angels because they would have helped save people but obviously haven't, so Quinn becomes more depressed and realistic and thoughtful, instead of stupid. What if Quinn saw that Daria had a point? Would she take more responsibility for her actions instead of leaving it to a guardian angel to bail her out of situations?
  • Quinn goes on a cyberdate. There's a whole story there waiting to be told.
  • Jane doesn't like Quinn very much, but we already knew that. And Daria pretends not to like Quinn to Jane. Weird. Does Jane know it's all a front? She should, after "Monster."
  • Jane: "How is it that [Ashely-Amber] looks and acts exactly the same age as her own stepdaughter?" Man, this is freaking me out. Maybe SFMB was right.
Your thoughts, please?

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Unsinkable

A mere 142 years ago today, Margaret Tobin was born in Hannibal, Missouri to a poor family. She married a guy named Brown, became quite rich and well known in the U.S. and Europe as a socialite, philanthropist, labor supporter, and women's and children's rights activist, then she ran for the U.S. Senate (and lost), then she helped establish the first-ever juvenile court in the United States (on which our present-day system is based), and then she became internationally famous as the Unsinkable Molly Brown after she survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. In the midst of the disaster, she took command of a lifeboat and aided her fellow survivors, attempted to rescue drowning victims, then (before she even reached shore) established a charity to aid the survivors who were left destitute. Afterward, she helped rebuild France after World War I, cared for wounded Allied soldiers, ran for the U.S. Senate again (and lost), and became an actress. I left out a lot of other stuff she did because this post was getting too long. When you look at her life as a whole, it is difficult to believe anyone could actually do all this. Yet Molly Brown did.

For her surpassing heroism and charitable deeds, she is remembered in many books, a Broadway musical and assorted songs, at least five movies, and a line of swimwear, and she even had a manned spacecraft named for her (Gemini 3). Her birthplace and her later home in Denver have become national landmarks. As heroines go, Molly Brown was world class.

Brittany and Kevin commemorate this important day by getting in the only lifeboat the Princess Fairy had when it sank after hitting a garbage scow ("Just Add Water"). What a lucky pair of kids. Too bad it rained and Brittany beat the snot out of Kevin. Later, Brittany had one comment about her experiences.

GNUZ: Richard Lobinske has updated the 2009 compendium of Daria visual artworks. Thank you!

FF.net
PPMB
  • Falling Again, by Silver (COMPLETE!): [Continued from here.] “What do you mean 'she isn't able to walk'?” Linda Griffin snarled. “The bullet hit her shoulder. Her legs shouldn't be affected at all!” The doctor raised his hand. “I am dammed well aware of the details regarding my patient, Mrs. Griffin,” he replied in annoyance. “Regardless, she cannot currently use her legs. All tests show that her legs should be working. Our staff specialist believes it to be a psychological problem.”
  • Gimme Skelter, by TAG and Brother Grimace (Part 17): The crimson sun disappeared below the distant mountains about the time Mackenzie saw a cluster of ruined buildings ahead. The sight was heartening, as vampire bats were increasingly haunting his thoughts. A fallen sign informed him that he was entering the town of Shoshone: “The Gateway to Death Valley.” He supposed in his case that was a good thing.
  • Lawndale's Finest, Detective Stories 3: The Line of Duty, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Part 1): Harvey Dent, Assistant DA, parked his car a few houses away from the crime scene. He stared around for a moment and wondered how a place so peaceful could be where a crime of this nature had been committed. He opened the door of his car and strode towards the crime scene, nodding his way at all the uniformed men that surrounded the house. “Where's the body?” he asked the female officer standing by the door. [Now with Part 2!]
  • Prey as Wolves Must, by Silver (COMPLETE!): [Continued from here.] Charles Ruttheimer III blinked awake. He'd been aboard the airship Revanche for several days. The crew had been restless as pickings had been slim. “All hands on deck! Target in sight!”
  • Tales of the Ringbearers: With New Responsibility, by Richard Lobinske (Part 9): Gauging the situation, Richard said, "Do you want the endless zombie horde or the flying psycho with the spear and shield?" "Hmm, I'll go with the endless zombie horde. I can use the bottlenecks around here to our advantage," Archangel said, already planning his next move. "What about you?"
  • Two Halves, by Dark Kuno (Chapter 4, Part 2): The kitchen was quiet at the Morgendorffer house on a Saturday afternoon as Alex, Daria and Jake sat quietly in their usual places at the kitchen table and read from sections of the Lawndale Post.
  • Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Daria Is Raven's Apprentice), by Project Pegasus (COMPLETE!): "Hey Daria, you got any change for the pop machine?" "What did you just say?" [And another one! Click here to see Daria take off her top!]

Friday, July 17, 2009

Odds, Ends, and More Odds

A bit of ancient Daria art from an ancient Daria website (MTV's). This was the header for the section where you could ask questions of the voice actors for the characters, and they would answer them. A few of the responses are still online in various places. Hysterical! My favorite is Helen and Jake being asked if they are going to have any more kids.

Lawndale Online has been updated! See this link for what's new.

Lots of new and wonderful ART is on PPMB. We have stuff by Wouter, two items by MDetector5, two items by Pinkminx, and modifications by DariaPhantom. YESSSS!!!!

Okay, I've been late on fanfiction updates. Here they are. Great stuff as always!

FF.net
  • Bromwell Bound: That One Fateful Summer, by HolyGrail2007 (Parts 2, 3, and 4): “Daria!” I was genuinely surprised to see her here. Without Trent or Jane, these venues held little enough appeal for her, and Jane was nowhere in sight. I immediately broke contact with Karen and moved towards her. “It looks like your doing well.” Daria responded in her cynical monotone. “You’ve got lipstick on your face.” (Part 3) (Part 4)
  • Commitment Issues, by Fringeperson (Part 7): Jane whistled in appreciation when Daria stepped out of her closet wearing the dress. Trent sure knew how to pick ‘em, and he was absolutely right. She was glad her guess had been right about the size too. If they’d gotten it wrong, that would have been embarrassing, particularly since they’d set it up so that it came from Mrs M, rather than from them.
  • Daria, Poem Unlimited, by Project Pegasus (Part 4): Fishing a pair of tarnished coins from my jacket pocket, I handed them to the cashier. She accepted them mechanically and rang up my change while behind her another worker, long accustomed to the give and take of the routine, began to fill my order. They performed their duties with a quiet diligence almost as though they were temple priestesses, vestal virgins, absorbed in their daily rites and rituals. Or rather was there a vacant, perfunctory air to their actions?
  • Eggs Need Salt, by Alpacca Joe, a.k.a. thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): Daria smirked appreciatively as Jodie walked away, hips swinging to some inner beat. Just before she disappeared into a classroom she glanced back, caught Daria's rapt gaze and smiled seductively. Then she was gone, and Daria could finally breathe. (PPMB)
PPMB
  • Cold Comfort, by Doggieboy (Part 12): Inside the shed, Daria turned on the radio and listened carefully to the talk. Suddenly, a voice directed at her said, “Daria Morgendorffer, this is the Kentucky State Police, please respond, over.” (SFMB)
  • Daria Demo, by Ajar (COMPLETE!): “We've been experimenting with something here,” said the man to the assembled. “I'd like you to meet a girl named Daria. My assistant Jane, on the screen here, will introduce us.”
  • Daria: Dream Cynical, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "Bespectacled chick, stuck in Lawndale / Idiots and jocks – I so want to bail / Found a best friend - by name of Jane Lane / Her brother Trent (sighs) there goes that pain!"
  • Daria Goes to the Customs Office, by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): Daria Morgendorffer walked up to the information desk of Philadelphia International Airport and waited for the short-haired blonde clerk to get off the telephone. Quinn owes me big time for this one, she thought and glanced at a nearby wall clock. Three-ten. Crap. Looks like I’ll have to call Jane and cancel our pizza dinner.
  • Daria the Hoosier, or When in the World Am I? by Doggieboy (Part 3): Jim finally handed Daria her quarter back and drove on. After several seconds, he started laughing. She watched him as he laughed and finally said, “I don’t know what you’re laughing at.”
  • Daylight: Falling from Grace: I Should Have Been Home Yesterday, by Disco316 (Part 11): As the sun set in the west, Quinn finally returned to the stable. However, the Quinn that entered the stable was not exactly the Quinn that Stacy recognized. This Quinn was covered in dirt and gasping for air.
  • John Lane 41: Friends and Rediscovery, by Richard Lobinske (COMPLETE!): While Skip prattled about his camp memories from a cabin porch, Daria ignored her lunch and watched Amelia, who was leaning against a tree, gazing at the nearby lake. Daria said, "I screwed up, didn't I?" (FF.net)
  • Love Is a Series of Burning Sensations, by Undefinedlust (Part 10, continued): Whoever said April is the cruelest month never had this start to November, Daria thought as she tossed her book bag aside and threw herself onto her bed. It's been almost two weeks since Tom and I broke up, and Jane and I seem to be farther apart than ever. I get not wanting to do anything last weekend since Trent was coming home, but we just aren't spending much time together at all anymore.
  • Misplaced Trust, by Kangaballs (Part 1): "How do you really know that she went this way, Daria? She could have gone anywhere in time, and now that our time machine is broken how are we supposed to follow her? I swear, Daria, if I spend the rest of my life in petticoats and corsets I'm going to kill you for it."
  • On the 2 Train, by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): Daria glanced up at the illuminated map on the wall of the train. She sighed. What was it about the 2 train? Every stop seemed to take an hour, even when they were only a few blocks apart. (FF.net)
  • The Really Lost Girls, by Echopapa (Part 1): Daria and Jane were sitting at a table at the Zon, halfway through a couple of Ultra-Colas and a bowl of pretzels. “The Flying Scotsmen” had just finished their set and was taking a break. “The bagpipes were okay, I guess,” Daria said, “but did the bassist really have to try juggling that claymore?”
  • Regifted, by Ajar (Part 9): “Okay, so the line is, 'But never put on pantaloons or bodices.' Thanks to a certain fund-raising measure at my previous school, I know that a bodice is a sort of an everyday peasant girdle. I think it represents chastity because the previous line has the 'bustle' pun and also represents normalcy because the line is referring to the abnormal 'filthy loves of gods and goddesses.' Does that sound good?”
  • Things Fall Apart, by Doggieboy (Part 16): Beavis found that flying came as natural to him as watching videos in the living room he shared with Butt-Head. After a brief moment of sadness, he looked over at Rose McCord, the Ringbearer who escorted him through the skies over Highland. He smiled as he looked directly at her chest. “Beavis, why are you staring at my breasts?” the strawberry-blonde-haired woman asked him.
  • A Timely Discovery, by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): “Ok, Jane,” said Daria, “the first thing we need to do is figure out where and when we are.” Just moments ago, both Daria and Jane had been in a laboratory inside Raft University, watching Professor Werner Von Werner demonstrate his new time travel ray. Professor Von Werner had tossed them the baseball that he had just sent forwards 10 seconds to land in his hands, but Daria’s poor attempt at catching the ball sent it flying into the machine, hitting buttons, turning it towards the two girls, and sending them here, wherever and whenever it was.
  • Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Where in Time is Daria Morgendorffer?), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "Well, August, Jane...it is time to open the letter." The young man, just eighteen years old, was shaking. He looked for a butter knife to open the letter, then, giving up, tore the side from the closed envelope and pulled the paper from the enclosure.
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Betting on Delusions (COMPLETE!): Jane Lane ducked behind the charred shell of a Chryslus Motors Highwayman and quickly reloaded her scoped .44 Magnum. She kissed the top of the gun and did a fancy finger-spin before glancing over at her only friend. "What? I don't like the judgment I see in your eyes. Besides, you're probably just jealous because you lack the necessary anatomy to perform such a neat trick," Jane said quietly.
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): Daria awoke on a nondescript platform. She stood up and looked around. Before her was a brick wall. Seeing the wall, she ran straight towards it at top speed. She collided with the wall, bounced off, and fell to the ground on her back.
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by DrNoGood09 (COMPLETE!): "Who controls the Fan Fic crown? Who works the system up & down? We do, We do."
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Project Pegasus (COMPLETE!): Jane was busy putting the last touches on her latest masterpiece when Daria walked into her room. "Say Jane," Daria said with a cheeky smile on her face, "You wanna nibble on my fish taco?"
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Ranger Thorne (COMPLETE!): The curtain came up to show Daria sitting in front of a piano. She quickly starts to play then begins to sing a moment later. "Istanbul was Constantinople / Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople / Been a long time gone, Constantinople / Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night..."

Thursday, July 16, 2009

When Apollo Rose Into The Sky

Forty years ago, I stood in the front yard with the rest of my family and a transistor radio to watch Apollo 11 climb into the sky over Florida, beginning one of humanity's great adventures. Though I've watched many more Space Shuttle launches, the sight of a Saturn V is still more impressive and a memory I will long relish. I'm sure even Kevin would understand.

Here's to you, Neal, Buzz and Michael.

You can see lots of cool pictures at the Project Apollo Archive.

The only Daria fanfiction I can think of that includes the mission is Thea Zara and Deref's "All My Children" story, "The Moon in the Man."

Caption Contest!

Add your caption for this image in Comments below.
(Bonus points for rudeness apply as usual.)


Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The Day of the Twins

That sagacious font of Internet wisdom, Wikipedia, informs us that if we had lived thousands of years ago, we would today celebrate the feast of Castor and Pollux, who were the patron gods of the cavalry. More about them is here. Brad and Brett (or Brett and Brad) Ruttheimer mark this solemn occasion by trying to pick up Jane and Daria.

Other than that, it was a pretty dull day in history. Except maybe for the wars.

Back soon.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Threesday

A rare triple-play day this is. "The Teachings of Don Jake" premiered on MTV 12 years ago today, and "Lane Miserables" popped out 10 years ago. On top of that, today is the 14th anniversary of the first time that Beavis ate too much sugar and changed into the Great Cornholio! Daria was an eyewitness and uttered those fateful words: "Get out of here, Beavis." In honor of this event, the Beavis and Butt-head episode was named "The Great Cornholio." And here is the obligatory cast picture.

Thank you, Kristen Bealer Guy. Moar l8r.

Okay, TAG, stop throwing things at me already!

It's Bastille Day, France's national holiday and the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille! According to David Sorenson, they found the Marquis de Sade there, so I'm sure there was quite an after party.

Speaking of the French, how has this exchange been ignored in fanfic?

Brittany: Yeah! Plus, it's like getting in the yearbook is the only reason to join French Club in the first place!

Daria: Gee, Brittany, what about your deep love for French people and their culture?

Brittany: Love had nothing to do with it! He was just a lonely exchange student, and I wanted to give him an American goodbye!

Get writing, people!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Enough Fair

"Fair Enough" debuted 11 years ago this evening on MTV. In addition, Greystar began this story 7 years ago today, and a canon character (with fanon elements) was preparing to get married 73 years ago today.

Anyone up for a June 2010 Dariacon in England? If so, click here!

Don't have much else to add right now. Stay tuned.

PPMB
  • Tales of the Ringbearers: With New Responsibility, by Richard Lobinske (Part 8): Archangel and Richard had scouted the abandoned restaurant before taking up observation positions around the portal and waited. While scanning, his ring detected something. Archangel said, "Someone's coming." "Apocalypse?" "No. Zero reanimates or metahumans within five klicks. We have humans approaching."
  • Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Daria Is Raven's Apprentice), by Project Pegasus (continued): "I tell you the truth, using those gleefully obtuse Latinate phrases is better than sex."
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Angelboy (COMPLETE!): Daria looked at the opossum sitting on the floor next to her. "I told you, Opie, I'm not going to kiss her..."
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): The shuttle began its slow approach to the landing beacon. Commander Jek played a popular warrior's chant over the shuttle intercom. "This relocation is not necessitated by a loss of honor," he said. "And therefore, there is no shame in the relocation. You will understand that, Dakra." "I was paying no attention," snarled Dakra. "I see no changes."
  • Vigilante, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Parts 1 and 2): “Now, that’s not something you see every day,” said the slim detective. He threw his cigarette straight to the floor at the sight of the corpse in front of him. [Part 2: “Got the vic’s name,” said a bored detective Guttenberg. He had been expecting a challenge in the Dragon Serial Killer, as the media was calling the maniac who had murdered the girl. It didn’t matter to the media that one victim hardly meant "serial," but it bothered him to no end their meddling.]