I Mean, I Love Chocolate, But....

Quinn has whipped up a real treat in honor of Chocolate Cake Day, but I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to try it. She isn't known for her cooking skills, and if she inherited her know-how from Jake then that's probably a very dangerous cake.

It might be safer to brainstorm ideas to take a break and go somewhere to relax, especially because today is also National Plan for Vacation Day. Luckily for Jake and Helen, the holiday says you only have to plan for a vacation, because we all know that they'll never actually pull themselves away from work to go anywhere.

If you want some ideas for a nice vacation spot, can I recommend Wonderland, created by Lewis Carroll? The author was born on this day in 1832, and you can find several Alice in Wonderland/Daria crossover stories here.

Fanfic Update!

• Funky Pretty, by MoleFromTheMinistry (part 11): "So, they really did procrastinate, huh? After a long, long, long night, both Daria and Jane came to a sharp, bitter realization: they were out of ideas."


• Through A Lens Sapphically, by Xenodroid (COMPLETE!): "Images of those horribly disfigured versions of herself slowly faded into the darkness around her as Daria gasped for breath in her room. She drank some water and rubbed her still irritated eyes, before putting her head in her hands."

Merry Unbirthday, Kevin!

Kevin is proclaiming to all that today is Mad Hatter Day so you should...I don't know, wear a hat or have a weird tea party or talk nonsense. Whatever you like. If you don't have any other plans, you could read one of the many Alice stories that cross over with Daria.

I hope no one tells Jake that it's Change A Light Day, because the last thing anyone (especially Quinn) needs is for him to fiddle around with the light fixtures and risk killing a family member again. Hey, how many Jakes does it take to change a lightbulb? I don't know, but feel free to share your ideas for a punchline in the comments.

Instead of doing any DIY projects around the house, Jake should just cook up some pasta in honor of National Noodle Day. We know he can make both fettuccini Bolognese and penne a la pesto (as long as the pesto doesn't oxidize), so plain noodles shouldn't be a problem.

Fandom News!

• R.I.P., John Amos.


• wouter shares a song he wrote and the story behind it.


• Discuss the “Daisy” ad.

Curiouser and Curiouser!

Stacy is about to play a nice round of croquet in honor of Alice in Wonderland Day, but I hope she remembers to let the Queen of Hearts win. Then again, after dealing with Sandi for so long I don't think she'll have trouble with any tyrants. You can read a selection of Daria/Alice crossovers here.

Let's hope no one tells Travis the Singing Cowboy that it's National Country Music Day, because he might decide to play two hours of Conway Twitty songs. Then again, it's better than hearing his story about being chased by a bull.

To all the American Daria fans, happy Independence Day! To all of the British Daria fans, nyah nyah nyah you can't boss us around anymore, so there!

Fanfic Update!

• Are We Crazy Yet?, by Lexarius (part 5): "Daria gathered her stuff and put it in her backpack. The day had been somewhat tedious, but light on homework, fortunately."


• Crystal Claw, by Sheila Wisz Ellayn (parts 33 - 35): "Ella Anne opened her eyes as the Sallakovian wolves vanished in her dreams, she could still hear their howls and cries so far into the distance and then she realized that she was not in that place anymore, but all safe and happy instead at her new home in Lawndale." (Part 34) (Part 35)


• Friend of a Friend, by Doggodoaattack (part 10): "Charlie walked down the stairs, and saw Tom in the dining room, the cook setting down a plate for her at the table. Tom was reading a newspaper as he stabbed a sausage with the end of his fork."


• A Gift of Art Therapy, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (COMPLETE!): "Jane Lane opened the door to find her best friend's annoying sister, Quinn there. 'What are you doing here?' she asked."


• Stranger Without Time, by radiofox (part 12): "*Beep Beep.* Quinn slammed her hand down on her pink and yellow square-shaped alarm clock."

"Curiouser and curiouser!"

Stacy's going to play a nonsensical game of croquet as Alice to celebrate the anniversary of Lewis Carroll's birth on this day in 1832. There have been so many Alice in Wonderland/Daria crossovers in fanfic that the Dariawiki has a special "Alice Story" page devoted to them!

Of course, it's not a birthday unless there's cake, and today just so happens to be Chocolate Cake Day! Of course, if it were up to me then every day would be Chocolate Cake Day....

Fandom News!

• It's time to vote for the Daria Fanworks Awards!


• Vote in the Deadliest Warrior poll between Mandora and Evil-Lyn.


• Discuss the ridiculousness of a railroad running on Flash.


• Share your thoughts on the latest in U.S. politics.

I Could Easily See Stacy Drowning in Her Own Tears

Stacy, as Alice from Alice in Wonderland, is prepared to play croquet to celebrate the anniversary of Lewis Carroll's birth on this day in 1832. She doesn't look excited about it, but I imagine that if the Queen of Hearts is anywhere as intimidating as Sandi then she has every reason to be. Alice fans can check out this list of Alice/Daria crossover stories.

Today is also Chocolate Cake Day, and I'm happy to accept any or all donations. Except for the one Quinn baked for Kevin. I don't trust her baking skills.

Fanfic Update!

• Daria Ravenclaw: The Year of the Owl, by Meester_Lee (part 25): "'So where were you trying to get to?' asked Miss Pichon. 'I don't think you were trying to visit us.'"


• Doctor Who – Troubles of Ronisaka, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 1): "The TARDIS materialised on a coral outcrop. 'The TARDIS is underwater?' Clara Oswald asked as she looked at the console."


• Erin Chambers, by OzFerret (part 33): "Boston weather had turned unseasonably warm and Erin was able to wear some of the clothes she had brought from the south and she walked into the office with a spring in her step."


• Everything to Fear But Camp Itself, by Lady Evil (parts 1 and 2): "Trent woke to the sound of his phone quacking. 'Hello?' he answered. 'Hello,' said a high pitched voice. 'Are you Trent? Have you been a naughty boy, Trent?'" (Part 2)


• Hate Actually, by welltemperedclavier (parts 1 and 2): "Sweat was the enemy. Sure, Quinn had lots of enemies: cheap kohl, those lacy veils that Nibenese women wore that got stuck on your makeup, bad hair days, bad pores, and last but not least Synda Grilvayn. But of all those, sweat was the one she worried about as she trudged to Moonmoth Legion Fort with her family." (Part 2)


• Jane The Outlaw (Daria and Quinn), by WildDogJJ (parts 1 and 2): "Daria, Quinn and Jane were seated at a table having lunch. Quinn had driven in from Long Island while Daria had taken the subway from Rockefeller Center and Jane had walked from her condo in SoHo. Now, the three of them were enjoying some of the best pizza in New York while making small talk." (Part 2)


• Sympathy for the Sloane, by YouthofOz (COMPLETE!): "Tom could hear the scratching even on the other side of the manor. He was sure the thick oak of the door was starting to break up as that thing's fingers clawed into the wood."


• You Want It Darker, by LSM (part 14): "'Did you ever think life would turn out like this?' 'Clap clap clap clap. What with our jobs being a joke, we're broke and our love lives are DOA?'"

The Time Has Come....

Stacy's going to play a lively game of croquet for the anniversary of Lewis Carroll's birth in 1832. I guess I can see Stacy as Alice in the Wonderland books, but the most accurate alter ego in my opinion would be Sandi as the Queen of Hearts. I could also mention Trent as the sleepy Dormouse, but if I start matching up Daria and Alice in Wonderland characters then I'll be at it all day. If you'd like to read some crossovers, check out the Alice story page on the Dariawiki!

Fandom News!

• ognawk and Princess_Pasta have recorded a new Lawndale Lowdown podcast!


• Talk about the latest news in experiments with monkey cloning.


• Who do you think should run in the US President 2020 election?


• Vote in the Deadliest Warrior poll between Taarna and Red Sonja.


• Discuss Who Wins in a fight among KISS Army, Juggalos, and the Beyhive.


• Szcz posted a new Iron Chef: Tom as Rocker, or The Rise and Fall of Tommie Sloane.

Cake? Curiouser and Curiouser!

Quinn's serving up a delicious dessert for Chocolate Cake Day, but I'm skeptical that she actually baked it herself. Still, cake is cake...as long as it isn't a lie.

Also, happy birthday to the late Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, also known as Lewis Carroll, who was born on this day in 1832. I would list the Alice in Wonderland/Daria crossover fics that have been written, but there are so many that the genre has been given its own page on the Dariawiki! Check the stories out at the link.

There's still time to vote for the 2014 Daria Fanworks Awards! See the written and visual nominations and choose your favorites.

Fanfic Update!

• "Aw Mama...Can This Really Be The End?", by Scissors MacGillicutty (part 36): "Vitale interrupted the general counsel for the DPH. 'Stop right there, sport. "Situation?" That's what you're calling what's happening in Worcester?' Audio from the speakerphone was only adequate, but the contempt in Vitale's voice was plain to hear."


• It Began with a Taste (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: The Madness Sets In), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "It began with a taste, such a simple thing really. It wasn't even anything exotic, just a piece of chocolate. But there was something about it... Something unusual..."


• The Many Doctors, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 32b): "Soon, the Doctor and Laranna returned to the console room. 'Ah, Vincent. You're here,' the Doctor said. 'Hi, Doctor,' Vincent said. 'Mandy here, says that Amy isn't here?' 'Yes... She's found the person she lost...'"


• May I have a Cheeseburger?, by metameric1 (part 11): "Dearest Weevil, I am speechless. Well, not really."


• Self-Esteem Class in Room 101 (Would Mr. O'Neill...), by Scissors MacGillicutty (COMPLETE!): "'I realize how harsh and cruel the world may seem to be,' Timothy O'Neill said, addressing his self-esteem workshop. '"Seems, Mr. O'Neill? Nay, it is,' murmured Daria."


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover XIII - Crossovers are Magic!), by Ranma (COMPLETE!): "Scrick Scrick Scrick... 'nyan, nyaaaan' Scrick Scrick Scrick 'nyan, nyan.' 'What the hell is that' said Daria as she reached the bottom of the stairs."


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover XIII - Crossovers are Magic!), by Scissors MacGillicutty (COMPLETE!): "'So this has all been Ms. Li's doing . . .for how many years?' Daria seethed. 'Three years.' Jane replied. 'Three wonderful years.'"


• Unnamed story (Would Mr. O'Neill...), by PrecambrianStudios (COMPLETE!): "Gina Plemmons, a dark-skinned girl with a sturdy build and long brown hair wearing a football jersey walked into Principal Li's office. 'Excuse me, Ms. Li,' she said in an affirmative tone."


• What is War good for? (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: The Madness Sets In), by DarkDranzer (COMPLETE!): "Brittany: 'Um Mr. DeMartino?' Mr. DeMartino: 'What is it BRITTANY?' Brittany: (twirling her hair) 'I was thinking why do we need war to solve our problems with other countries?'"

But Is the Cake a Lie?

Quinn's got a tasty surprise for everyone because today is Chocolate Cake Day! I think we should all celebrate by having some delicious chocolate cake. Or by giving me some delicious chocolate cake. Either's good.

Also, happy birthday to Lewis Carroll, born on this day in 1832. Carroll is best known for writing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. There have been quite a few Daria fanfic crossovers with those stories, and you can find at least some of them here.

Fandom News!

• Remember to vote in the Daria Fanworks Awards for written and visual works! The deadline is 11:59 PM UTC on January 30th. Don't wait until the last minute!


• SacredDust discusses the many faces of Daria.


• Come up with some bad days on Holiday Island in a new discussion started by The Angst Guy.


• Re-post your favorite old stories in the "Excuse for Replay" thread.


• GDTSP9 posted a new Iron Chef in Creative Writing: I can't think of a name for this....

Curiouser and Curiouser!

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, was born on this day in 1832. Among his better-known writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

There are at least four fanfic crossovers with Carroll's work. Aaron Solomon (ben Saul Joseph) Adelman wrote Daria in Wonderland, or The Hunting of the Snipe: A Darian Agony in Four Fits, a parody of The Hunting of the Snark. The Angst Guy wrote If You Only Walk Long Enough, Tiffany in Wonderland, and Wonderlane, all crossovers with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

And speaking of fanfic, here's the latest!

• Fugitive Chapter 5: Rock'n Roll, by Wassersauefer (COMPLETE!): "Jennifer swallowed the lump in her throat and returned her gaze back towards her friend. 'And... And then... what, yeah? What are we doing... um... then?' 'Then we break into the house and search the room.' 'Um... okay.' She returned to silently waiting again. 'WHAT?!!!'" (Part 2)


• Ghost Girl Chapter 4, by Pumpkin Panic (part 6): "Amy looked seriously at her niece for a moment 'I have seen many different possibilities leading to the future. The one's where Jane was never brought back are gone now leaving only a few. In all of them people will die though and you will lose people you love. Jane and Quinn are your constants though. They will alwas be in your life no matter what s long as you stick together and they will be your godsend.'"


• God Save The Esteem ep18: A Gran Day Out, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'Alex, didn't expect to see you in so early – come over, join us! Daria, Tom, this is Alex McManus-' Is it really? I wasn’t sure, I only see him in the local media every two weeks and throughout half of November when he was caught in a goddamn bribe scandal that anyone paying attention would have seen."


• God Save The Esteem ep19: Shock of the New Kid, by Charles RB (parts 1 and 2): "As the bell rang and everyone fled for a marginally more interesting class, Daria found herself cornered by O’Neill: 'Daria, how would you feel about taking part in the Yearbook?' 'Do I really need to answer th-' 'How about running the Yearbook?!'" (Part 2)


• The James Lane Chronicles Chapter 5, by InvisibleDan (part 2): "'Uh, let me hold some of your chips until James gets back.' 'Huh? Oh, yeah. That would be cool.' Trent stood as Daria took the box of Sugar Tarts from him and then grabbed a couple of bags of chips and held them in her arms. 'You know, Daria, I wouldn't say this around Jamey, but I think you're... Hey Monique.'"


• Just One Date, by Hyrin (parts 4 and 5): "'Charles, I'm surprised, but I actually had a good time tonight.' 'So did I,' he said, shuffling his feet nervously. He was drumming his fingertips on his thighs, trying to think of something to say. Daria found herself unable to form a coherent sentence for the first time since she’d walked in on Trent composing nude in the Lane bathroom." (Part 5)


• Lady Lex, by RLobinske (COMPLETE!): "Ensign Thomas Sloane leaned on the railing of the antiaircraft gallery to watch the activity below. Deck crews organized the aircraft on the dark blue deck of the USS Lexington. Each aircraft was blue/gray with large, white stars set inside insignia blue rondels on the wings and fuselage and red and white stripes marking the rudders."


• Lawndale and Sandi Griffin’s Genie (Chapter 3), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 1): "'Yeah, what would you wish for, Amiga?' Jane asked, with a smirk. 'A herd of beautiful wild ponies running free across the plains?' Daria stated. She was then surprised by the wish granting sound. 'What?' 'Looks like you have made a wish!' Jane said. 'It was a cynical joke!' Daria said, to Jean."


• Lawndale Seven, by Wassersauefer (prologue): "Hundreds of different religions from dozens of different species, goods from all over the galaxy, uncounted political attitudes, the scent and smell of more than a million beings, all mixed together, producing an uneasy atmosphere of adventure, danger, possibilities and the chance to get rich. But the reason why Helen Morgendorffer, mother of two daughters, brought her family there, was a lot more simple than that: Survival."


• Promises, by LadieT (part 2): "Neither woman spoke the rest of the way. When they pulled into the parking lot, Jane stepped out of the car and made her way to the passenger side. Opening the door for her wife, Jane could see that tears were beginning to form in Daria's eyes. Setting aside all of the emotions that were taking their toll on her own brain, Jane held Daria in a gentle embrace. 'We better go inside ... our niece and sister need us,' Jane whispered."


• Raft College: The First Year, by rglovejoy (part 41): "The examiner checked off her name and handed her a certificate. 'Look Clarissa, we graduated from Swimming College,' Daria said as they headed back to the locker room. 'Now I can get that job with the Coast Guard.'"


• Spirit of the Game, Nature of the Beast, by HolyGrail2007 (parts 14 and 15): "And Reed was asking earnestly, Tom could hear it in his voice. Either Reed really needed the help, or he was some masterful actor of some kind. And that was a needlessly complicated endeavor. What would one of Elsie’s friends gain by tricking Tom to help him with history? Was it some bet or something?" (Part 15)


• Unnamed story (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "With hands trembling with excitement, Ted reached out and pressed Enter on his keyboard, initializing the program that he and Charles had spent the past several hours setting up. Both boys sat waiting, tense, staring at the screen with silent fervor broken only by the sound of the storm raging outside the window. And then the lights went out."

Staying Cool

Trent reminds us at right that today is National Firefighters Day, and glad we are of it. Thank you, firemen everywhere!

I read somewhere that this is also Star Wars Day ("May the Fourth Be With You!"). Lame, but there it is.

Greenpeace celebrates its 38th birthday today, which is relevant in part here because Daria was originally conceived to be a Greenpeace fan.

Alice Liddell (rhymes with "fiddle") was born this day 158 years ago. You know her better as Alice in Wonderland, as she was the inspiration for those stories. Thank you!

PPMB

• EVEN NEWEREST! Before the Deprogramming, by Kristen Bealer (Part 1): The last thing Jane wanted to do when she got home from Glenfield Middle School every day was baby-sit her niece and nephew, but no one else was available. Trent was always busy with his new "band," which had no drummer and still hadn't produced a single song. Wind only came home when his wife Claudia threw him out, which happened frequently but not predictably enough to rely on. No one had seen Penny in three years, although Jane was reasonably sure she was still somewhere in Central America. As for Jane's parents, well...they only showed up when they were least expected, not when they were most needed. Even at thirteen, Jane knew that all too well.
  
• NEWER! The Candidate, by Liz Ruiz (Part 2): Quinn took a last look around her backyard before she took a seat on one of the patio chairs. Even though she had thoroughly prepared for that meeting she still felt uneasy. For one thing, she hadn't any idea of the identity of the person that her husband will be leading into the backyard at any moment now. She would have felt much better if she had known just the gender of her guest. Sometimes you just had to leave some things to fate, she supposed.
• NEW! A Family Deal, by Dennis (COMPLETE!): "Okay," said Jake, "I'm going play a game of hearts with my beautiful wife and my two great kids." "Hearts?" Daria said. "Poker or nothing." Helen nodded. "It's a waste of time if you're not playing for money."
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 45: Quarter Past Midnight, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 1): He knew that, if he went over to Jane’s now, he’d hate himself. He’d hate himself as he talked to her, listened to her fears about colleges, fears Finn knew Jane had. Hate himself when he pulled her close, feeling her rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing. And, for the first time, he’d hate the love-making they’d do after he soothed her.
• EVEN NEWEREST! The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, by Roentgen (Part 27): "I thought that Pat Seven would try to call me, but I guess he remembered that I wasn't getting any mail," said Quinn. "I mean, I swore to him that I still wanted messages but that I was grounded and that I couldn't answer any of them. Mom would have probably dumped him off the phone if he did call. Stupid Mom. I mean, if Pat stops going out with me, it looks like I've lost him...!" "But you weren't going out with him at all," Jill said. "You just wanted to go to the Yacht Club."
  
• NEWER! The Smiling Menace, by Roentgen (COMPLETE! despite it being part 6 of 58): "I'm attempting to keep an ancient artifact lost in the Time Wars from falling into the wrong hands... the TOOTHBRUSH OF RASILLON!" The item appeared on the viewscreen, along with awe-invoking incidental music. It was a toothbrush, and damn, it was a fine-looking toothbrush. Nice bristles. Good, sturdy handle. Gallifreyan engraving. A real classic. "That is one sweet sweet toothbrush," Quinn said.
• NEWEST! Unnamed story (Three-peat! New Ideas Thread Wins Again!), by Trscroggs (COMPLETE!): "Damnit, I thought killing those two knuckleheads would be a good thing!" Daria yelled in frustration.
  

Rrrrrrr.... Feisty!

Today is the 32nd birthday of Geoffrey Arend, who gave voice to Charles Ruttheimer III in Daria. Thank you, man! I think the image at left is supposed to be Upchuck as "Eraserhead" (bad pun, but good enough for us). Three voice samples are hidden in the above paragraph, all from Mr. Arend.

Speaking of eraserheads, today is the 71st anniversary of the discovery of "Dord." I won't explain it, you'll have to look this one up. It's great.

Just because everyone in this fandom knows his artwork, we celebrate the 190th birthday of Sir John Tenniel, who draw those images of Alice in Wonderland we grew up loving. Thanks, man!

NEW! Richard Lobinske has expanded the list of 2010 Daria fan art once again!

Curiouser and Curiouser!

This day is the 178th birthday of Lewis Carroll, the pseudonym of a very odd gentleman who gave us Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. Pinhead and UU have sent two excellent images, one of Stacy as Alice (with her flamingo-croquet mallet), and one of Kevin as the Mad Hatter. Carroll's works have had some impact on Daria fanfiction.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was also born this day, 254 years ago, and he gets mentioned in a number of Daria fanfics. Today is also said to be National Chocolate Cake Day, and it is the birthday of a fanfiction character. Can you guess who it is?

Wraith says Sick, Sad World is back in business (thank heavens!) and he has some advice for webmasters on preventing it from happening to them. Go and read.

And VOTE! Less than a week to go before the Booties are announced!

Happy Birthday, Supernova 1054!

Lest you think that no celestial body was named for Daria Morgendorffer, turn your attention to (drum roll) the Crab Nebula. A mere 954 years ago this very day, a gigantic supernova burst out in the constellation Taurus (meaning "a lot of bull") and formed what is now called the Crab Nebula, which as shown in the photo at right has the face of Butt-head. Will miracles never cease?

Why is there no fanfiction connecting the Crab Nebula with Daria? That seems so unfair.

Only 146 years ago today, an English reverend told a story to a little girl named Alice Liddell while they were on a boat trip. She asked him to write it down, and 143 years ago, he did and published it as Stacy Rowe Goes to Hell. And what a great work of literature it was.

DigiSim has offered a new PPMB Iron Chef: Escape from Lawndale! Interesting premise. I think one of the Daria cast should be in the role of Snake Plissken, however.

Lawndale Online

• The New Girl, by NightGoblyn (COMPLETE!): An AU that puts Daria in a reversed set-up. I'd love to see this one continued.
  

FF.net

• Right and Wrong, by MrPowerpuff (Part 1): “The human whose name is written in this note shall die.” (A Daria/Death Note crossover)

More will be entered here as the day progresses.

Go Ask Stacy Alice

Today is also the 156th birthday of Alice Liddell (rhymes with "fiddle"). She went on a boat ride as a young girl with the Rev. Charles Dodgson, who told Alice a story that she begged him to write down. And so he did, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was born, and later Through the Looking Glass. Both stories have had an impact on Daria fanfic.

UK Derefcon 2008 is in full riot for a second day in a row. Dublin is in ruins and the Daria Horde is rampaging across green and pleasant England once more. Molly Malone seems to have had a good time with the Horde, however.

More news after I wake up.

LATE ADD: Sort of awake now. Um, updates . . .

PPMB

• Mission: Ridiculous, by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): A Daria/Mission: Impossible crossover in which a spy's cover is, um, blown.
• The Other Side Of Time: Witness To The Monkey Show, by The Sidhe (Part 1): More history lessons are learned while rummaging through the attic. (SFMB version)
  
• Size Does Matter, by BlackHole (Part 22): What good is a phone if you have no one to call? (SFMB version)

Addendum to "A Matter of Terminology"

Actually, something else that would be a lot of fun would be to add some of these other fanfiction terms to the DariaWiki in the sections about fan fiction and fanwork conventions. If anyone decides to create a new wiki page describing such terms (and offering a few examples of the same from Daria ficfic archives), that would be great. Just add the tag for "Fanwork Conventions" to the bottom of the page so it gets properly shelved.

Even better would be to identify some of the oddball tropes, memes, or whateverthehecktheyare that are unique to Daria fanfiction, like squirrel stories. Highlighting the different nature of our fandom is always good.

Note: I was going to say that we are unique in having Alice stories, but now I recall that even Star Trek had Alice stories, so it's not so unique. Still, it's worth pointing out.