Dances with Trees

Daria's reluctantly celebrating International Dance Day, although I give her about ten seconds before the lion gets a good, solid kick someplace unpleasant. I could never figure out why (spoiler alert) Mr. O'Neill kept singling Daria out, but maybe it's better not to think too much about it.

Today is also Arbor Day, so take the opportunity to plant a tree. Or a memorial crutch. Your choice.

Fanfic Update!

• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 11): "'Feeling bad about not feeling worse equals good,' Trent read from one of Daria's notebooks when they were giving their fingers a break."


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Highland Years, by Meester_Lee (part 4b): "His last interview with Miss Boudreaux cost him any confidence in her competence. He went to one of her supervisors and demanded and got a new senior investigator."


• Lawndale Z, by Kuriamo22 (part 7): "The last thing Jake remembered was excrutiating pain in his chest, and then the ground coming up to hit him. Then blackness, and then here he was standing on a stone path surrounded by clouds."


• Stones Have a Way, by EntrancedCat (part 6): "'Oh no, Berit, too bad,' Quinn said as Berit opened the little Mystery Date door. 'You drew the dud dude. You lose.'"

I Hope She's Not Expecting Any Time Off

Marianne just wants to let everyone know that today is Administrative Professionals Day, and I'm sure she'll be getting some kind of card or gift from Helen. Too bad Helen probably asked Marianne to pick it up and sign her name for her. I suppose it's the lack of thought that counts.

Fandom News!

• Discuss the endgame of 2016's anti-establishment politics.


• Read the article and discuss it in the thread: Our Favorite Cliché: A World Filled With Idiots.


• See another video of the top 10 of sexual innnuendos in kids toons.


• groverman62 has a question for writers on OCs.

At Least She Remembered Her Lipstick

Sandi's taking things a little too far for World Penguin Day, unless maybe she greatly misunderstood what Waif meant by having a cool outfit. Penguins have a long and (cough) notorious history as a fandom in-joke, and I think it would be best to leave it at that. This is supposed to be a family-friendly blog, after all.

Fanfic Update!

• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 10): "It was picture day. The day that students of the school were paraded in front of a camera, and their current physical appearance was recorded so that it could be compared to the pictures received the previous year."


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Highland Years, by Meester_Lee (parts 4 and 4.25): "That August, Daria entered first grade. Things were different now. She now got graded for her behavior and schoolwork, and her Mom and her Dad told her that they expected her to work hard, pay attention to her teachers, and try to get good marks." (Part 4.25)


• A Room With View To Die For (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Kuriamo22 (COMPLETE!): "Lady Daria Anne Morgendorffer-Sloane, a middle aged greying auburn woman, sat quietly at her desk late one night finishing up some paperwork when something on the flat panel TV on the wall caught her attention. She looked up just in time to see a news report of some sort of police standoff from a hotel in America."


• Trouble in the Future (Chapter 1), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 1): "Marie Green College was quiet at 1:30 in the morning. Mostly quiet, that is except for a few inebriated souls who were returning after a night dancing (and/or making out) at the University's Bistro."


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'I don't believe this,' Daria growled, as she and Jane turned from the water fountain to see Quinn and the other Fashion Club girls headed down the hall. 'Have those fabric-addled fools NO shame?'"


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Silver (COMPLETE!): "There was some odd aerial acticity over the islet that held Titans Tower. Not that aerial activity in and of itself was odd; it was the fact that said aerial activity consisted of Clark "Superman" Kent (actively glaring through a scorched hole in his cape), Connor "Superboy" Kent (Looking a little bewildered back at Superman through the same hole), and Tom "Ultra" Sloane (whose expression of horror was likely visible from Oa)."

Is This a Book I See Before Me?

Mack's wishing a very happy birthday to William Shakespeare, who was born on this day in 1564. Shakespeare's plays get too many in-show references for me to start listing them out, but go ahead and share your favorites in the comments!

Appropriately enough, today is also World Book Day! Celebrate by reading one of Shakespeare's plays, or anything else you feel like reading. Daria's got dibs on Black Beauty.

Fandom News!

• Keep up with the latest news about the Texas Nationalist secession movement.


• Talk about Anders Breivik in prison as well as the general discussion about prisons.


• Has anyone put Daria characters in Xcom 2? Trscroggs wants to know.

Gimme Five!

As if having their own holiday wasn't enough, now President's Day is moving in on National High Five Day, as well. Oh, well. I bet Kevin really likes this day, too, although it wouldn't surprise me if he gets left hanging on a regular basis.

Fanfic Update!

• The House of Cards, by Doggieboy (part 10): "John Hobbs felt wakefulness come to him and tried to open his eyes. The mere act sent white-hot pain through his right eye socket while he couldn't even open his left eye at all. He groaned in pain and suppressed a sob."


• Run Jodie Run, by DIsaac (part 8): "JANE: Daria, wake up. I think you would want to read this. DARIA: Jane if it is your attempt at My Little Pony fanfic... then no."


• Stones Have a Way, by EntrancedCat (part 5): "Daria paused under a shady tree as she pedaled her new bicycle up Berit's street. She looked behind her, checking that the package was still there, tight in the jaws of the rat-trap carrier and doubly-secured with bungee cords."

Going Dutch

Brittany's going all out for Dutch-American Friendship Day, although I seriously doubt she knows much, if anything, about the Netherlands. If you asked her I suspect you'd get an answer related to Peter Pan. Unless Lawndale High hosted an especially cute Dutch exchange student at some point, I suppose. Brittany really seems to like those foreign exchange students.

Fandom News!

• See the trailer for Angie Tribeca and share your thoughts.


• What do you think of the plan to revive The Twilight Zone?

Blah, Blah, Bats

Quinn's too busy blathering away on the phone to notice that today is Blah, Blah, Blah Day, the holiday made just for her. At least, that's probably pretty much all Daria hears whenever Quinn opens her mouth.

Today is also Bat Appreciation Day, so if you've ever wanted to sleep upside-down and spread rabies then this is your day.

Fanfic Update!

• Apes A'Poppin (Daria and the Gang Thread), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "It was going to be a long day at the Lawndale Human Training Facility. Daria tugged at her collar. 'Man, this sucks,' she muttered."


• Community of Creativity, by LadieTAG (part 3): "Daria returned to the lobby and asked where the nearest liquor store was. The manager informed her that there was one about a ten minute walk from the hotel. She nodded, turned up her jacket collar, and walked out of the lobby."


• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 9): "'So let me get this straight,' Jane said, incredulous. 'You, Jake, Helen, and Princess Grace are going camping? Like, in the woods camping?'"


• Daria/Dorian Ch. 17: 18 & Life?, by LadieTAG (part 1): "Dorian stared at his reflection in the mirror. In two days, he would be celebrating his 18th birthday. Is this my eighteenth or my first? I didn't exist until last year."


• Party at 111 Howard (Iron Chef: Party at Casa Lane), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 2): "Daria and Jane left the Morgendorffer's house at 5:00. 'So what did Trent say?' Daria asked. 'The Spiral will be there at 5:30,' Jane answered."


• Rude Awakening ep 15: Paintballing your troubles away!, by DIsaac (part 3): "JANE: Sorry but how in the hell are we doing paintball? DARIA: I think Jodie actually finally lost it when she actually blurted it out."


• Stones Have a Way, by EntrancedCat (part 4): "Berit exalted as she put the game controller down and pumped her fist. 'Oh yeah, oh yeah, high score!' This was the most excited Daria had ever seen her friend she reflected as she looked at the slight girl sitting on her bed and bouncing up and down."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef : MMORPG, Lawndale style), by Waylander (part 16): "Darlene looked inside the First Aid tent but it was empty. Only thanks to a passing nurse the girl was able to find Brianna in the potions lab."

As Certain as Art and Taxes

Jake's feeling a little upset because he only just remembered that taxes are due today. I think he's in for a long, stressful day.

Meanwhile, Jane is probably celebrating World Art Day by either painting or appreciating some of her favorite artists. Among them might be Leonardo da Vinci, who was born on this day in 1452.

Fandom News!

• Welcome the newest addition to the Daria fandom family!


• A thread about a porn site blocking North Carolina IPs has spread to a more general discussion.


• View and discuss the new Suicide Squad trailer.


• Learn more about the recently-announced prequel series to Keeping Up Appearances.


• Wouter posted a new art Iron Chef in the Easel: At the Lawndale high school reunion.

Props for the Bingo, Though

Daria and her parents are celebrating Scrabble Day, or maybe Helen and Jake simply made the unwise choice to ground Daria again. I feel kind of sorry for Daria, though; that's an impressive word to play, but she just barely missed the triple word score. Such a shame.

Fanfic Update!

• The Adventures of Empress Daria (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Kuriamo22 (COMPLETE!): "Jane walked into the oval office with a stern look on her face. 'Well looks like someone's certainly been busy.' Daria clad in black glared at her former friend with her eerie yellow eyes, 'Well you finally made it back I see. I hope your trip was uneventful.'"


• Dystopia, by mailorderannie (parts 6 and 7): "Linda Griffin stirred in her bed, waking up and wiggling out of her latest boytoy's arms at the knocking on her bedroom door." (Part 7)


• Fateful Encounter, by angieo (part 1): "For the eight-hundredth consecutive day since the Morgendorffer family had moved to Lawndale Town, Daria had found herself being startled into wakefulness by the all-too-cheerful squawking of a passing flock of Pidgey; the tiny birds fluttered past the window in full voice, and despite her best efforts to suffocate herself with the pillow, there was no respite to be had from the uproar."


• Rude Awakening ep 15: Paintballing your troubles away!, by DIsaac (part 1): "JODIE: Staff, Let's welcome Danny Todds and Julia Carlyle to the team. (Unamused yah is said by all)"


• Unnamed story (Scenes that should be: Pacific Rimmers), by Szcz (COMPLETE!): "Now we see the door, the Burnout Girl and the easel standing near her chair. Daria stands in the doorway. She wears the same cowboy like suit, but has a cowboy hat, hanging behind her back instead of beret."

Harmonizing about Quinn

Someone needs to explain to Jeffy, Joey, and Jamie that today is Barbershop Quartet Day, which means there should be four singers, not three. Maybe they can get that guy Jeremy or Jerome or whomever Quinn's always talking about to join in.

Today is also National Submarine Day, which is a great opportunity to promote the late Guy Payne's awesome fanfic, "The Blue and Yellow Submarine."

Fandom News!

• View and discuss the new Rogue One teaser.


• Talk about the upcoming movie Eye In The Sky.

Upchuck's Fondest Dream...and the Fashion Club's Worst Nightmare

Happy birthday to Hugh Hefner, who was born on this day in 1926 and is most likely one of Upchuck's greatest idols. I don't see the scene in this alter ego ever becoming reality, though. Never mind Upchuck getting that many girls to fawn on him; just try to imagine the Fashion Club girls willingly wearing matching outfits!

Fanfic Update!

• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 8): "Daria was working on a new piece (poetry, rather than anything musical this time) while Jane attacked large objects with her sci-fi convention worthy glue gun when the destructive force of jarring chords through an amplifier destroyed a piece of sculpture that was, according to Jane, a week's worth of work."


• Doctor Who: Annoyance, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 1): "Tegan Jovanka was annoyed. That was a emotion that she usually felt during her adventures, with the Doctor (along with fear), but she was more annoyed than usual."


• James the Lesser Presents Vinny Lane, by James the Lesser (part 39): "Vinny and Daria were amused as Quinn freaked out over finding a boyfriend."


• A New Set of Rules, by Dennis (COMPLETE!): "Daria's first semester in the grad program at U. Chicago had been taxing, and the winter break promised mostly prep for an arduous second semester."


• Situation Update On The Detainees, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "The red-haired male patient lifted the weights with a mechanical motion, his defined arms moving up and down as he kept lifting the heavy barbells."

But How Many Bottles Are on the Wall?

Brittany's ready to celebrate National Beer Day, and if she hasn't stocked enough for everyone then we can also send Quinn, a.k.a. Keg Queen, out for reinforcements. Unless she's too busy cleaning the house steps with a toothbrush.

Today is also the anniversary of two Daria episodes, "This Year's Model" in 1997 and "I Loathe a Parade" in 2000. I guess we'll never know if Jake ever got his hands on some toilet paper.

Fandom News!

• Kem is looking for information and advice about using apps to sell items locally.


• Talk about the Powerpuff Girls reboot.


• Read and discuss Gene Wilder's thoughts on the costume design for Willy Wonka.

Mmm...Processed Cheese

Daria and Tom look surprisingly sad for National Deep Dish Pizza Day, but perhaps that's just because they ordered thin crust by mistake. Everyone else out there can take the excuse to have some pizza today, but watch out for cheese burn and excess grease.

Fanfic Update!

• The Backgrounders Rock (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: 600 Years Afterward.....), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "While Bob Rollins was slaying it on the stage of the Zon, working his guitar like there was no tomorrow, Andrea Hebuca was supplying the vocals by singing one of her depressing poems."


• Community of Creativity, by LadieTAG (part 2): "Lawnville's Town Hall had been flooded with calls all morning with last minute vendors wanting to set up booths. Vendor requests had to be in by ten that morning or they would be out of luck."


• Discoherent Thoughts that involve Daria and a bottle and a half of French Lick Wine (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: The Madness Sets In), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "There were screams and screams and screams as the monsters emerged from the eggs and grew legs and unleashed the per-meg-alien-technology that wasn't totally ripped off of stargate...."


• Dystopia, by mailorderannie (part 5): "Sandi Griffin stood in front of her patrol of ten men, dressed in gold with 'MAGA,' and 'Trump,' in red letters."


• The Many Doctors - Chapter 27, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 2): "A man is struggling in a stasis chamber as two others hold him down. He's screaming. 'Stop it!' he calls out."


• A New Set of Rules, by Dennis (part 29): "The next day passed in a haze for Daria. She was pretty sure she went to class that day, but she wasn't sure they were the right classes."


• Run Jodie Run, by DIsaac (part 7): "DARIA MORGENDORFFER (Lawndale Mayor's Chief of Staff): Remember when you said the media like to treat you like a special snowflake?"

Party Time!

I don't think Daria is enjoying World Party Day very much, but everyone else seems to be having a good time. Jane's probably still in the laundry--I mean, make-out room, so the same could probably be said of her.

Fandom News!

• Do you ever feel attacks of nostalgia? Tell everyone about it.


• Watch the Final Fantasy XV trailer and share your thoughts.


• Zetor posted a new Iron Chef in Creative Writing: Thoughts on things.

I Don't Pity This Fool

I can't think of anyone more appropriate to wish everyone a happy April Fool's Day than the biggest fool at Lawndale High, Mr. O'Neill. I have to say, the look is very fitting. Just remember not to believe anything anyone tells you today. Except for what I just told you.

We're still all waiting on that inanimate objects uprising Jane predicted, but I'm starting to think we're safe after all. Unless that's what they want us to think...!

Fanfic Update!

• Beat It, by metameric1 (part 4): "Trent finished stringing up his guitar- he had traded in his old Telecaster when a Gibson 335 semi-hollowbody showed up on consignment at work."


• Community of Creativity, by LadieTAG (part 1): "Daria entered the building that housed her magazine's offices. The security guard and secretary both acknowledged her existence without trying to stare."


• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 7): "'Hello! Quinn's cousin or something!' a girl called down the hall. Daria and Jane turned, and recognised Sandi Griffin, president of the Fashion Club, waving to them and holding the arm of another girl in her hand."


• Doctor Who: Ways Clara Oswald ..., by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 2): "The Doctor looked as Clara walked down the Street. 'Let me be brave,' she said."


• Perception, by Princess_Pasta (part 6): "The air surrounding the small booth at the back of Pizza King was thick and fraught with tension. Tom Sloane sat stiffly in the green vinyl seat, absently picking pepperonis and olives off of his slice of pizza so he didn't have to make eye contact with the person sitting across from him."


• Run Jodie Run, by DIsaac (part 6): "JODIE LANDON: By a vote of 13-0, The vote to impeach Joe Edwards has passed by the required 3/5 majority needed by the state of Maryland. As by the vote here today, the 11th of March, 2016 AD. Joseph P. Edwards is hereby no longer the mayor of Lawndale."


• Unnamed story (Scenes that should be: Pacific Rimmers), by Szcz (part 1): "Some bikers said after Altamonte that a man called himself Jakob pleased them to return his money. He speaks with the soft German accent. They did it after three broken hands and one broken nose. They also said that they never want to see him again, even in a court."