Saturday, January 30, 2016

Leave a Message at the...Rrrr...Beep!


In honor of National Inane Answering Message Day, I'm going to share the following message ideas courtesy of Upchuck (via the Daria Diaries), who is about as inane as they come:

"This is Charles. I can't come to the phone right now, because I am occupado. I could tell you what I am doing, but let's not ruin the mystery. At the tone, leave your name, number, and the time you called, and I will get back to you as soon as I can tear myself away from my life of intrigue, about which I cannot be specific, lest I put both my life and yours in danger."

"No, no...not now, girls! This is Charles Ruttheimer the Third, and you have reached my answering machine...please, ladies, patience!...speak clearly at the tone and...I'm on my way, my dears!...they so hate to be kept waiting...anyway, I'll get back to you as soon as possible...if this is an emergency, well, so is a woman on fire!"

"You have successfully contacted the underground grotto of The Ruttheimer Group, currently engineering our secret plan to achieve world domination by the year 2010. If you would like to know more about our plans to gain global control of mass media, subjugate the military forces of every nation on Earth, and install Charles Ruttheimer the Third as supreme ruler of all humankind, please leave your name and address at the beep, and we will send you an informative brochure and a free bumper sticker."

I think our boy has just a little too much time on his hands.

Fandom News!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Dancing the Night Away with Jackson Pollock and Jane Austen


Daria and Quinn are really getting into the anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, which was first published on this day in 1813. The writing fantasy sequence this image was taken from was very obviously inspired by Jane Austen's work, especially Pride and Prejudice, so it's very likely that Daria is a fan.

This is also the anniversary of Jackson Pollock's birth in 1912, so this might be a good day to throw a Pollock-themed school dance. Or not.

Fanfic Update!
  • Invader Quinn Season Two, by Anguirus1955 (parts 9 and 10): "Stacey Morgendorffer finished the last math equation on her homework paper before turning on the TV in the living room. She checked her watch. 'Just in time,' she said to herself with a smile as the Mysterious Mysteries theme began playing." (Part 10)

  • James the Lesser Presents Vinny Lane, by James the Lesser (part 24): "Vinny is with Daria at the Zon watching Mystic Spiral play. He notices a guy looking over at the two of them. Ok, either he thinks Daria is cute or... He thinks Daria is cute and waiting for a chance to talk with her."

  • A New Start, by mabel (COMPLETE!): "Identity crises weren't new to Quinn. She had known for years that something was wrong with her, that the emptiness she felt inside wasn't normal."

  • Stacy Morgendorffer, by Rémi (part 2): "Sitting in the back of the car driving her to Lawndale High, Stacy Morgendorffer was silent. Moving had already been stressful, and apprehension besieged her mind."

  • Take A Walk in My Shoes, by DIsaac (prologue and part 1): "To be honest the story I'm about to tell you is just as strange as I write it, but believe me when I say it happened in Lawndale." (Part 1)

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

G'Day! Crikey! And Other Cliches As Well!


Daria's just thrilled to celebrate Australia Day, Australia's national holiday. I don't remember any Australian Daria characters, but we do have a handful of Daria fans from Down Under. Have a good one, guys!

Fandom News!

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Has it Hijacked Your Brain Today?


I don't think Daria's properly appreciating peanut butter on National Peanut Butter Day, but considering how often peanuts and peanut butter actually featured on the show--in Daria's part-time job, as Jake's squirrel-catching bait, Trent's songwriting inspiration, etc.--I suppose the stuff has gotten enough of the spotlight for the time being.

Fanfic Update!
  • Brian's Latest Kitty, by Meester_Lee (COMPLETE!): "'I got your kitty,' said Ross the scruffy-looking man in the beat-up sedan. 'Do you have your money?' 'Yeah,' said Brian."

  • The Choice, by Erin M. (parts 2 and 3): "Sunset tossed the remote for her TV aside in disgust. While she normally liked starting her day with the news while she got ready for school, today it all seemed the same: violent and depressing." (Part 3)

  • Invader Quinn Season Two, by Anguirus1955 (parts 7 and 8): "Almighty Tallest Red finished sipping his soda and sighed. 'I was curious to see how long it would take for you to shut up on your own, Quinn, but it's been three... hours. Three hours!'" (Part 8)

  • James the Lesser Presents Vinny Lane, by James the Lesser (part 19): "Daria describes the traumatic experience she went through earlier with Mr. O'Neil. 'I have to spend the day with Val.'"

  • Stones Have a Way, by EntrancedCat (part 3): "As Daria came down for breakfast, Quinn glanced up then back to her yogurt then up at Daria again. 'Double take, Quinn? Are prepping for an audition as Juliet? The first time she sees Romeo?'"

Friday, January 22, 2016

Does "Meow" Count as a Question?


Jake's participating in an in-depth interview with Mr. Whiskers for National Answer Your Cat's Questions Day, although I suspect the only questions my cat seems interested in asking are all food-related. If you hear your cat asking you questions today, be sure to answer them...and then seek professional help.

Fandom News!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Be Especially Aware of the Fashionable Penguins!


Sandi's here to remind you all that it's Penguin Awareness Day, which may just be another way to make everyone pay more attention to her. It should also be noted that some people in fandom are more aware of penguins than others, and that's all I'm going to say on the subject.

This is also Cheese Lover's Day, so Jake's probably got his head in the fridge singing about how much he wants cheese again. Just remember that if you indulge today at Earl and Barbara's, be sure to unwrap the cellophane first.

Fanfic Update!
  • Invader Quinn, by Anguirus1955 (parts 5 and 6): "The Irken Armada swarmed around the planet Blorch. Hundreds of ships, including Shuvvers, Spittle Runners, Rippers, Battalion Carriers, and Viral Tanks approached with ominous intent and thousands of soldiers awaited their orders." (Part 6)

  • James the Lesser Presents Vinny Lane, by James the Lesser (part 16): "Vinny and Daria are walking by a table that announced sign ups for the track team. 'Huh, speak of the devil.'"

  • Judgment Day (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Indigo (COMPLETE!): "Daria Morgendorffer was making her way home after a awkward encounter with her best friend Jane Lane concerning Jane's intrusive new boyfriend, her lethargic brother and a school assignment."

Monday, January 18, 2016

Better Than the Feature Val as in Val Did


Daria is re-reading an article about her that first appeared in Animation Magazine on this day in 2002. It discussed the end of the series and upcoming movie Is It College Yet?

This is also Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so someone needs to tell Jodie that it would be particularly inappropriate to move to the back of the bus today. No matter how annoying Kevin and Brittany are.

Fandom News!

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Gimme a D! Gimme an R!


Be sure to show the proper respect to Brittany today for Appreciate a Dragon Day! Kevin failed to do so, and you don't want to know what happened to him.

This is also the anniversary of Dian Fossey's birth in 1932, so today would be an excellent day to either win or hand out an award for dazzling academic achievement in the face of near-total misanthropy.

Fanfic Update!
  • Another Day, by Zetor (COMPLETE!): "Quinn's alarm started blaring the local top twenty station, gradually pulling her from her sleep. Yawning, she reached over to her nightstand, turned off the radio, and grabbed the book she'd left there the night before."

  • Invader Quinn Season Two, by Anguirus1955 (parts 3 and 4): "'I'm sorry, girls, but I have to work on thanksgiving, and Jake has to go to that conference in Connecticut,' Helen Morgendorffer said to her daughters at the kitchen table. 'But... you guys didn't spend Thanksgiving with us last year either, or the year before that, or the year before that,' Stacey said with disappointment." (Part 4)

  • James the Lesser Presents Vinny Lane, by James the Lesser (part 13): "Is she seriously going on a date with this guy? The thought wouldn't leave Vinny's mind after Daria told him she would be, hanging out, with Ted DeWint-Clinton."

  • The Kelsington Conspiracy, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (prologue): "It had been a long day for Corrine Hendricks when she managed to get home at 5:30. While most of her students had been well behaved, there were a couple in year 8 who seemed determined to make it as difficult as possible for her to teach them."

  • Maternal, by Indigo (part 3): "'Settle down people' Laura Dominguez advised her new class. She was more adept at commanding a classroom than her predecessor and soon had everyone's attention."

  • Perception, by Princess_Pasta (part 4): "The ride to Daria's house was uneventful. Kevin was preoccupied by the events of the afternoon, having dealt with his fair share of headaches that day."

  • Stacy Morgendorffer, by Rémi (part 1): "'Can I have a word with you, sweetie?' 'Mooooooooooom' whined the redhaired teen, 'can't you see I am busy? Tomorrow is my first day at Lawndale High and I have to chose my outfit carefully! First impressions are important, you know: I must be part of the popular crowd right from the start!'"

  • Stones Have a Way, by EntrancedCat (parts 1 and 2): "Daria Morgendorffer braced herself as she heard someone try to get her attention while she walked to seventh-grade science class in Highland East Junior High." (Part 2)

  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: The Madness Sets In), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'...And so it is written within the Tome of the Bro Code: "For if thou art a male of substance and worth, it is for this that thou shall be a target for all that is woman!"'"

  • Vivian, by ST91 (COMPLETE!): "Daria kept her promise. When she returned home she spoke to her mother about Vivian. Now Helen, as always, was overworked but since her daughter rarely asked for something, she decided to accept."

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Happy Birthday, Toulouse le Dreck!


Although Daniel Dotson was an enormous sleazebag, from what I can tell the man who voiced him, Dave Grohl, was not. So I have no problem wishing him a happy birthday!

Also on this day in 2002, Look Back In Annoyance (also known as "a cheap-ass clip show") aired on MTV. We got to learn all kinds of behind-the-scenes tidbits, including Daria's flings with four of the five members of N*Sync and Jane's dreams of working for Disney.

Fandom News!

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

At Least They Were Able to Clear the Air about Tom and Blue M & Ms


Daria and Jane are hearing the call of the wild, but I think they're wishing they had let it go to voice mail. They probably don't appreciate the fact that The Call of the Wild's author, Jack London, was born on this day in 1876, either.

Fanfic Update!
  • Invader Quinn Season Two, by Anguirus1955 (part 2): "Quinn flew the voot cruiser over the farmland before coming to a stop above a pasture with several cows grazing. It was late at night, and with night coming sooner as Winter approached, it was much easier for her to sneak around."

  • James the Lesser Presents Vinny Lane, by James the Lesser (parts 9 - 12): "It was the last week of Daria's grounding. Vinny had tried to find ways to distract himself." (Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12)

Sunday, January 10, 2016

I'm Especially Appreciative of Peculiar Houseplants


It's Houseplant Appreciation Day, so you'd better show your plants that you appreciate them! Daria doesn't recommend reading to them in a deadpan voice, but they might enjoy being watered instead.

Today is also Peculiar People Day, which covers about 90 percent of the cast of Daria. Not to mention a significant portion of the fandom, too.

Fandom News!

Friday, January 8, 2016

Window Shopping is Fine, but Let's Leave it There!


Jane is quite obviously enjoying Male Watcher's Day, although it's possible she's just thinking about getting those running shoes. Of course, after getting burned by not only Evan but also Tom and Nathan, I'm hoping Jane is going to just stick with looking for the time being.

Fanfic Update!
  • Doctor Who: The Remaining Immortal, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 1): "It had been there for longer than anyone could remember, the old Diner. It had been there when the small settlement had been established, centuries ago (the exact founding date was unclear, but it was certainly before the American Revolution), and it was still there, now in the mid-21st century when the settlement had long ago faded into the dust."

  • Evening, by JPAGC (part 3): "'Thank you again for dinner, Mrs. Morgendorffer,' said Sandi with a polite smile. 'It was very nice.' 'It was our pleasure, dear,' Helen said. Her thoughts went automatically to her etiquette lessons from her mother, forty years before."

  • Invader Quinn Season Two, by Anguirus1955 (part 1): "Quinn looked around the lunchroom as the other students ate their food and talked to each other. She looked down at the sandwich on her tray. She had grabbed it merely out of the need to appear normal, as she didn't care much for the food the humans consumed in the lunchroom."

  • James the Lesser Presents Vinny Lane, by James the Lesser (part 6): "Vinny had been amused that Daria got stuck with Kevin as a science partner. He had been even more amused by the rumors that Daria was trying to steal Kevin."

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

A Good Day to Kick Back, Chill...and Burn Someone for Heresy


Helen and Jake have the right idea for Cuddle Up Day, which just goes to show you that they can actually be a cute couple. When they're in someone else's fantasy sequence, anyway.

On a somewhat less cuddly note, today (might) be the anniversary of Joan of Arc's birth in 1412. Joan got a brief mention in the episode "Arts 'N Crass," in this exchange:

Jane: You're a real Joan of Arc, you know that?

Daria: Yeah, and I think I just ordered a stake.

Fandom News!

Monday, January 4, 2016

Just Checking to See if it's Oxidizing


Sorry to break it to you, Jake, but you've got it wrong. Today is National Spaghetti Day, and you're wearing the penne a la pesto. Just ask Trent; spaghetti is his favorite. Or was that fettuccine bolognese? Anyway, I hope the Morgendorffers can enjoy a nice, non-frozen lasagna pasta dinner tonight!

Fanfic Update!
  • Invader Quinn Season One, by Anguirus1955 (COMPLETE!): "Jake Morgendorffer hummed to himself as he looked over his checklist. 'Everything okay?' Dib Membrane asked him as he passed by. 'Huh? Oh, yeah. Tonight's family night out, so I'm making sure that everything is finished on time so that I can get home early,' Jake replied." (Part 12)

  • James the Lesser Presents Vinny Lane, by James the Lesser (part 3): "Daria finishes her story of what happened on her trip to Middleton College. 'Already kicked out of college? Congratulations. No Lane has ever been kicked out of college.'"

  • A New Set of Rules, by Dennis (part 28): "'It's just that the culture is so appalling,' Daria said. 'All these spoiled little princelings with no one to say them nay. Women lining up to be used and thrown away like toilet paper.'"

  • Slow Flows the River, by UU (part 4b): "'I met Larry, a guy I served with in 'Nam,' mumbled Tony. 'I don't think he knew more than he told me--he's a good guy, a real stand-up guy--had his arm hacked off by a VC!'"

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Beats Being an Atomic Communist from Mars


Daria's in costume for National Science Fiction Day. Appropriately, this holiday takes place on the anniversary of sci-fi writer Isaac Asimov's birth in 1920.

Now that I think about it, though, that may not be a costume she's wearing. Perhaps the rumors about her being an alien love goddess were true...!

Fandom News!