"What a good day to just kick back and chill!"

Helen and Jake are sure making the most of International Relaxation Day, but I don't expect it to last. They're both entirely too high-strung to be able to keep calm and peaceful for much more than a couple of minutes. Still, let's leave them to enjoy what little time they have before Helen's phone rings and ruins it, shall we?

For those looking for less peaceful pursuits, Alternapalooza began on this day in (most likely) 1997. While Daria and the gang never quite made it to the festival, they sure had an interesting adventure along the way. In the "interesting times" sense of interesting, that is.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the Woodstock music festival also began on this day, only in 1969. Jake ended up going to Altamont instead, but perhaps that's just as well. Woodstock's peace and love groove wouldn't have fit his personality well, as established previously re: his ability to relax.

Fandom News!

• Discuss the charity that unknowingly distributed meth-laced candy.

No One Mention Eric or Mad Dog!

Helen and Jake look so cute and comfy together for Relaxation Day that it's obvious that this is from a fantasy sequence and not a real thing that happened. Oh, well. At least the rest of us have the capability (if not always the time) to relax, so we'll do so on their behalf. Trent, on the other hand, is relaxed enough for the entire show's cast.

Speaking of lazy musicians, it was on this day that Alternapalooza began, according to the flyer. Your guess is as good as mine on what year, but considering none of the Lawndale kids made it there in the first place, I suppose it doesn't really matter.

Fanfic Update!

• The Engineer and the Time Lady, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 21): "Emerson looked out of the ready room window at Earth. It looked rather peaceful. He knew that belied the reality."


• Her Last Words, by Sheila Wisz Ellayn (part 69): "Layndale nights were quite colder now that it was September, an entire hour had passed already since Anna had escaped from a new friend like Alice had been some kind of monster, a violinist was playing somewhere nearby and still there was no contact at all with Lockie Allyngard."


• Quinn in Yellow, by welltemperedclavier (parts 2 and 3): "Yellow had never been Sandi’s favorite color. It’s not that it looked bad on her, exactly. A pale, borderline pastel yellow worked well with her perfect complexion and dark hair. But she preferred quieter, more muted shades." (Part 3)

"What a good day to just kick back and chill!"

Helen and Jake are making the most of Relaxation Day, and I don't blame them. I mean, this is probably the one day out of every year that they aren't freaking out about work or their childhoods or the bills or which of their daughters is alone in a room with a boy. Relax, you two! You've earned it!

Today is also the day that Alternapalooza started, according to the Daria Diaries. The year was most likely in 1997, but like all Daria chronology it's hard to pin down precisely. We should just be glad the concert wasn't on May 12, the date the Morgendorffer calendar seems perpetually stuck on.

Fandom News!

• Share your fitness goals post-lockdown.


• Discuss the PPMB outage and related issues.


• Join in the Five Words game, now on Lawndale-high.


• Shiva posted a new Iron Chef: The Lost Semester.


• What do you think are the Do's and Don'ts of preserving our fandom history?


• Vote in the Celebrity Deathmatch poll between John-Boy Walton and Mr. Haney.

Or There's Always Outlet Shopping, If You Prefer

Helen and Jake are taking a rare break for Relaxation Day, but if this wasn't actually an image from a fantasy sequence then I'm sure Helen's cell phone would be ringing at any moment to bring the good times to an end.

If relaxing isn't your thing, then you could take a road trip to Swedesville for Alternapalooza, which started on this day in 1997. There's nothing relaxing about bee stings, public humiliation, or malfunctioning vans, after all.

Fandom News!

• Vote in the Deadliest Warrior polls between The Monarch and Maximus I. Q. and Norman Bates and Hedra Carlson.


• Keep up with updates on the upcoming Lawndale Reality Series.

Relaxing and Music Do Go Hand in Hand!

Helen and Jake are taking a rare opportunity to kick back for Relaxation Day, but I wouldn't count on it lasting more than a few minutes. If it's not Helen's phone ringing, it'll be Jake going into a Mad Dog-related rant.

Meanwhile, Daria and Jane might be on their way to Alternapalooza, which apparently began on this day in 1997. Portable toilets and sitting on the ground...it doesn't get any better than that!

Fandom News!

• DocForbin is looking for help from someone with computer expertise


• Derek is going to visit San Francisco. Can you meet up with him?


• Whom do you consider to be the living news legends of our times?


• Make your choice in two new Deadliest Warrior discussions: Tamaranian Princess Vs Dathomirian Sith and Mister Spock vs. Darth Vader.


• Vote in BloodyWilliam's poll on what to draw next.

See, Jake and Helen Have the Right Idea!

Sorry for the later-than-usual update! Please see this thread for the details. I'll still be keeping up with the blog, but updates will most likely be a bit more sporadic.

Today is National Relaxation Day, so why not take a load off? I'm sure Trent would celebrate the holiday if we told him about it, but I'd hate to wake him up.

According to The Daria Diaries, today was also the first day of Alternapalooza. See if you can catch a ride to Swedesville, but don't forget to bring a glue gun just in case.

Fanfic Update!

• The 180 Degree Turn ch. 2: Four Lines No Waiting, by Walter Kovacs (part 1): "Before Jake could switch into full rant mode, he was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. 'Saved by the bell,' quipped Amy in genuine relief as she got up to answer the door. The person at the door was none other than Elsie Sloane wearing her usual pale blue shirt, dark blue pants, purple scarf and matching purple headband. 'Hey, is Daria up yet?' asked Elsie."


• And While the Heavens Fall..., by oni (prologue): "The flesh burnt individual finally got off the ground and started to move down the street; looking for someone or something to tell him when and where he is in the world."


• Apology Accepted (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'Daria! Tom! What the hell are you two doing?'"


• As Luck Would Have It (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by breitasparrow (COMPLETE!): "Daria and Jane were walking to school one morning like they always did, when on the way there they came across an ambulance and a blue Pinto."


• The Big Man (A kinda-sorta IC - No Gas!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "He still remembered when this was all rundown houses and rusty cars and, in the distance, the trailers - and now it was the same but the houses and trailers were all spruced up, all sorts of fancy gadgets were over the places, and everyone left their homes in some real splashy little numbers. The cars were gone but so what? Highland was never that big."



• Blood: My Best Friend 3, by Smijey (part 1): "Hospitals smell weird. I don't like being in them. But I have to visit Daddy. I have something very important to do."


• The Boston Boxer (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Daria and Jane were enjoying the late spring weather in Boston, taking the opportunity to explore the city on a Saturday when neither of them had many assignments due at Raft or BFAC. Daria suddenly noticed a box out of one corner of her eye, laying down in an alleyway. 'It's a box,' she noted to herself."


• The Bully, by DeacBlue (COMPLETE!): "'That mean Tommy. He said that dolls were for babies, and that I was just a baby, and I asked him why he carried a GI Joe doll around, and he said - said it was an action figure,' she said, then made a big sniffling sound. 'It's a doll, and I said so, and he beat me up, and tore Barbie's arm off!'"


• The Creepyling Chronicles, by Charles RB (parts 8 and 9): "'Your daughter sucks, Beavis,' said an offended Butt-head. 'Isn’t she ever gonna do anything cool?'" (Part 9)


• Dylan, by J-D (part 7b): "Dylan looked up as the door opened, and saw Upchuck framed in the doorway in what she must think was a seductive pose. 'Why, what excellent progress you’re making on that maze! I do like to see a man who’s good with his hands. Of course I know you have the ability to finish this whole project by yourself, but I do hope you’ll still make a little room somehow for little old me.'"


• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch 9 Soaking Up Summer, by Shiva (part 9): "Tori recognized a subject change and even though she was curious about this unexpected development she let it slide and replied, 'I wanted to talk face to face… Can we go somewhere quiet?' Evan raised an eyebrow at that until his mind caught on to what she meant, 'Oh sure, back yard will work I guess.'"


• Family New, by RLobinske (part 9): "Daria stopped at the door and watched it for several seconds, building the courage to open it. When the bell rang a second time, she inhaled and pulled the door. Standing outside, Rita's daughter Erin said, 'Oh Daria, I'm so sorry for your loss.' 'Erin?' Daria said, mildly surprised."


• Four Witnesses (DeFoe/DeMartino: how did it come to be?), by JoeMerl (COMPLETE!): "His arm was around another person. This was the surprise that made his eyes to snap open. It took a minute for his vision to clear, then— 'Agh!' 'Agh!'"


• The Fund-amentals (A kinda-sorta IC - No Gas!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'We've got nothing else left to cut or cap. I checked. I checked and then I got a friend up at Edward Tilghman Middle in Baltimore to check it as well. It's not only that bad, it's that bad for everyone. By the time of the next budget, Lawndale will be in better shape because of the hire firms springing up here but for now--'"



• A Happy Quinn Meets Evil Kitties (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "A very happy Quinn Morgendorffer skipped her way down the streets of Lawndale, her grades were improving, David Sorenson was back from college and was slowly falling for her charms as a budding intellectual, she had Stacy, Tiffany, and now Brooke as her three best friends, Sandi was in a mental institution being treated for her bitchiness, even Daria was coming around."


• Hey Tom! (Scenes that should be: Polite Requests), by breitasparrow (COMPLETE!): "Tom was waiting outside of Lawndale High next to his Pinto when Daria and Jane stepped out. Jane immediately went to him and simply called out 'I'll call you later!' to Daria."


• The Ice-Cream Man Cometh (IC: Mack is a Dick), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'Hey mistew, couwd I pweeaze have a fudgicle?'"


• Immortal Blood, by Shiva (part 11): "Skylar couldn’t even feel the ground as he ran at top speed, instinctively ducking and dodging obstacles with ease, he wasn’t aware of it at the time but he was moving so quickly that he was almost completely invisible to the naked eye."


• The Lavender Club (Scenes that should be: Polite Requests), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'This meeting of the Lavender Club is now called to order!' Jane Lane said in an authoritative tone and then wanged her gavel and added, 'I love doing that!' 'We know that Jane.' Daria replied as Jane sat down next her and laid her head on Daria's shoulder."


• Losers No More, by Shiva (part 5): "'What happens when a crazed animal hater tortures subjects female pooches to hours upon hours of sonic torture? It’s changing the pitch up to smack bitches up! Now on Sick, Sad World!' 'There is so much wrong with that statement that I think it gave me cancer!' Graham snapped before everyone else shushed him."


• The Mageborn Cynic, by peetz5050 (parts 14 and 15): "Surprised and touched Daria smiled at her. Aloud to the group she said 'Behold my sister, who will one day be the powerful and beautiful and above all wise Archmage Quinn of House Morgendorffer.'" (Part 15)


• A Man and his Box (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by ThanatosRW (COMPLETE!): "As Brittany turned around, she couldn't help but muse about how unreal the situation was. A strange man, a blue box, aliens, it was like something out of some bad sci-fi." (Continued by Roentgen) (Continued by Charles RB)


• Masters Degrees From Outer Space!, by psychotol (parts 1 - 3): "Daria walked to her class where she would learn subspace physics. This was an opportunity too good to resist. Even though that meant Jane was unable to accompany her."(Part 2) (Part 3)


• A New Clique (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by breitasparrow (COMPLETE!): "'But Sandi!' Quinn whined. 'You've been missing out on the Fashion Club meetings all week! What's so important that you have to forgo your presidential duties?'"


• QC 06: The Lab Mouse, the Geek and the Convention, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 10): "The Valiant and the Elantra pulled up in front of a rundown townhouse on the north-eastern edge of Lawndale. 'Still think that place in Texas is worse?' Mack asked. 'Yes,' Daria replied."


• Road Serviced (A kinda-sorta IC - No Gas!), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'You didn’t tell him?' 'No, Mother, I didn’t.' Elsie Sloane yawned, picking at her eggs. 'With everyone having to scrimp and change things around since – "that day" – things have been more boring than ever.'"



• Sexy Daria: Lab Lockdown Sex, by Shiva (part 3): "'Daria,' Barch said, 'Mack will be your lab partner for this project.' That caught her attention, 'What?!' 'You and Mack will design and construct a maze and condition a mouse to go through it using either Positive or Negative reinforcement.' 'Oh,' Daria breathed and for some reason felt very hot all of a sudden in spite of wearing clothing with very little fabric."


• Stupid Mirror (Daria and the Gang Thread), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "Mother I don't know why do you want to look for him anyway.... ...I just don't want him looking for me did he leave the house it's just like him...."


• Tanks A Lot (A kinda-sorta IC - No Gas!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "It took five minutes of intense pushing, a whole two minutes slower than if the van was still running, but Mystik Spiral finally had the Tank at the junkyard."


• That's Pep! (Daria and the Gang Thread), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "'Daria,' Jane said. 'Does anyone really think that these pep rallies actually increase attendance at school sports?' 'No,' Daria said, 'only the brain dead do. This is time I could be studying.'"


• To Annoy a Mockingbird. Chapter 06, by BF110C4 (part 1): "'Don’t worry Charles; we just want to have a frank conversation about the presents you gave us on Friday.' Only a fool would miss the dangerous glint that Daria had in her eye, and Charles Ruttheimer the Second hadn’t raised a fool."


• Tom's Exchange (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Tom Sloane opened his front door to find his girlfriend, Jane Lane on his front steps. 'Oh Hi!' She said in an exaggerated tone and then screamed, 'Go to hell!' She rushed at him with fists raised but before she could land a punch she was stopped in midstride by an invisible force."


• Trippy Daria (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Jane: Hey Daria. Jane: What are you doing here Wind?"


• Twin Tracks (chapter 1), by oni (part 1): "'Morning baby,' Sandi yawned with a sleepy smile on her face. Unwinding herself from Stacy, the brunette pushed away the loose hair from her face and looked over at the clock on the dresser. 'Nine-thirty,' she groaned as she pushed the covers off the bed."


• Unbearable, by Smijey (part 2): "'Daria, animals can't stalk.' Daria hugged her arms to herself, looking down at her boots. 'Well, this one can,' she said resolutely. 'Okay. This one can. Let's take that at face value -- for now -- and move on. WHY is it stalking you?'"


• Undying Love, by BrownEyedBagel (parts 12 and 13): "Vivian lay on a simple wooden table the way she usually did in situation like this. All her parts neatly organized along with enough tools to satisfy the most obsessed collectors." (Part 13)


• Unnamed story (IC: Mack is a Dick), by peetz5050 (COMPLETE!): "Detective Sergeant O'Malley sat back in his office chair and looked coldly at the young man seated opposite to him, handcuffed to a ring on the desk. He indicated the Colt .45 automatic in a clear plastic evidence bag on the desk between them and said 'Tell me Michael... or is it Mack? Where did you get the weapon?'"



• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Write the next scene), by BrownEyedBagel (group story): "Helen sighed as she stood up and walked around Angela’s desk. It wasn’t a tactic she employed often. Hell; usually when it came to this she chose to eat the loss. It was a disgraceful tactic, and risky if it failed." (Charles RB's scene) (JoeMerl's scene) (Dark Kuno's scene)


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by 45Ranger (COMPLETE!): "'I kissed your boyfriend. I kissed Tom. I didn't mean to.' With a frown, Jane turned to run off, only to collide bounce of a rather solid shirtless chest. Daria and Jane's eyes widened at the presence of Jesse Moreno..."


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by BrownEyedBagel (COMPLETE!): "Daria:' Well...we did it. It took a lot of work, but we own the hottest fetish bar in the county."


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'I'm starting to wish I hadn't brought Jodie into the circle,' said Mistress Daria, her legs resting on Tom. 'All she ever talks about is dominating people.'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone), by JoeMerl (COMPLETE!): "A heavyset girl with freckles approached the van. 'Daria? Is that you?' 'No, I'm a decoy to flush out assassins.' She sighed. 'Hi, Amelia.'"


• Unnamed story (Scream Scenes), by BrownEyedBagel (COMPLETE!): "I killed again. It’s getting easier, but I’m not getting closer to what I want as fast as I want."


• Unnamed story (Scream Scenes), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "'So. You're probably wondering why I asked you to come here. And yes, I know that's a horribly cliche way to start off, you don't have to give me that look. But even cliche things can be true, and I'm sure you are wondering, so just . . . just let me say what I need to say, okay?'"


• Uranium in the Drinking Water, by BF110C4 (part 1): "In a way she was quite envious of her fellow wives since they had interest that were more than acceptable for a Grayson woman. At least their husband encouraged and helped her with her own literally endeavors, if in a covert manner."


• We Are The World ()Scenes no Daria fanfic should ever have: Trip Cyclone, by Aloysius (COMPLETE!): "Jane turned on the TV and leaned back on the couch as she checked out what was on. As she turned each channel, it seemed as if they were all showing the same thing."


• Worldhopper (Chapter 4), by Erin M. (part 3): "She became aware of the voices before the the light. 'It's got to be a trick.' 'Not from what I could see.' 'Then unless she's some sort of fast grown clone, I still say--'"


• Your Mouth to God's Ear (Daria and the Gang Thread), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "'Stacy...don't do it! Don't pray!' Stacy was very surprised. 'Uh..are you some kind of atheist?' 'No!' Brittany looked around, to make sure no one was listening. 'It's too dangerous!'

"Why are we going to Alternapalooza? Ugh. Isn't that for girls who don't shave?"

The rock concert Alternapalooza, mentioned but not actually seen in "Road Worrier," began on this day in 1997 (maybe). Although the gang didn't make it there in canon, Alternapalooza has been featured at least in some form in plenty of fanfics, including:

• thatLONERchick's Alternatepalooza and Searching for a New Hope


• Charles RB's Grove Hell on Earth


• RLobinske's Lessons of Spring


• The Angst Guy's Meet the Fashion Club


• Steve Mitchell's Windy Travels

While you check those out, here's the latest fandom news!

• If you have a timeline for your fanfiction series, please post it as an example on DariaWiki.


• Arena del Sur is wondering about Glenn Eichler's birthplace.


• MartinUK asks about a Euro Dariacon in October.


• Three different TV show sightings: Adult Jane Lane in Histeria, Daria triplets in Pokémon, and Daria in Box Office Poison.


• SgtTrentLAne50 has a question about Daria fanfic MiSTING.


• Three new Iron Chefs posted in Creative Writing: Vukodlak's Kevin is shot out of a cannon, Erin M.s' Wrath of the Red Tide, and Wassersauefer's Radio Music.

The Mystik Wow!

Only 33 years ago today, a peculiar signal was detected by The Big Ear, a giant radio telescope at Ohio State University. Now dubbed the Wow! Signal, the event has never been duplicated and its origin remains a mystery. Was it a message or unintended signal from a distant alien civilization? That question has never been properly answered.

This day has many historical connections with the Daria show. It marks the beginning of both Alternapalooza and Woodstock 1969 (see here, here, and here); is the anniversary day of many French events (Daria likes France and speaks French), and is Flooding of the Nile Day (doesn't have much to do with Daria, except for the alter ego at the link).

W8 4 moar. Back again. The fanfic list will have to wait a bit.

KN00Z!

• Richard Lobinske has updated the Big List o' 2010 Daria Visual Fanworks! Can't believe the wealth of stuff there.
• NEW! thatLONERchick has produced artwork of a famous, sort of, original character from Daria fanfic. I cannot take responsibility for your amazement and joy when viewing the images. No, seriously, I can't.
  

Where Are the Remaining Members of Foam Party Now?

Twelve years ago today, Alternapalooza took place in Swedesville. However, Daria Morgendorffer could not have attended it (per "Road Worrier"), as that was in 1997, the year before the Morgendorffers arrived in Lawndale. She would have had to go to the concert in 1998 (or 1999), after her sophomore year was done.

But where is Foam Party? And what of Ciggie Butt?

Speaking of big outdoor rock concerts, the original Woodstock took place 40 years ago today, and we almost contacted aliens 32 years ago today. Daria has some words of advice about Woodstock, and some words of advice for any aliens we meet as well.

Father MartinUK offers a very interesting snapshot for your edification. I hope this is the real thing!

Perverted Squirrels!

"Road Worrier" appeared for the first time 12 years ago, and "It Happened One Nut" 10 years ago. Time flies, doesn't it?

The Roswell UFO incident took place in New Mexico 62 years ago today. Wonder if one of Artie's ancestors was kidnapped there. In a related event, SF writer Robert A. Heinlein was born 102 years ago today. A few Daria crossovers exist with Heinlein connections, particularly this masterpiece.

PPMB

• Cold Comfort, by Doggieboy (Part 11): In the hour and a half since Daria left the house, the skies had darkened slightly and the rain was spotty. She climbed up, then down, several hills on her hike to the northwest and finally came to a rusted chain link fence that blocked her from making any further progress. She saw a sign a few hundred feet to her west and moved towards it. (SFMB)
• Daylight: Fallen from Grace: I Should Have Been Home Yesterday, by Disco316 (Chapter 10): Mr. Secretary: As you are likely aware, on 1/1/2000, an ELE occurred that simultaneously destroyed every electronic device and electric wire in the Washington D.C. area. We have since determined that the area of effect includes, at the least, all of the northeastern states and several to the south. We have yet to find an unaffected region, and fear that this may have been a global event.
  
• Daylight: When Worlds Divide, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Part 3): Kyle Armalin kicked the door open and stomped his way to Daria’s desk. He was breathing hard and glaring daggers at her. Daria calmly stared at the boy in front of her. She waited for him to tell her what he was up to. When that didn’t happen, so she decided a raised eyebrow was in order. Kyle growled under his breath. “You’re one irritating woman, did anyone ever tell you that?”
  
• Legion of Lawndale Heroes Special: Tokusatsu Team Up! by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Part 11): “You mean, that crazy-ass bitch could pick up that weapon and open a hole to another dimension or something?”
• Rolling the Dice, by Ajar (Part 1): “What if the bet was about me accomplishing something that would be satisfying if I succeed?” “Such as?” “Perhaps I get someone at school to do something they'd never do. Something only a brain would do.”
• Tales of the Ringbearers: With New Responsibility, by Richard Lobinske (Part 7): The base commander paced back and forth in his office. "Pardon my skepticism, but the Corps of Ringbearers has explored the Multiverse for over nine hundred years and we've never heard the slightest thing about your agency."
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Great Flood), by Dennis (COMPLETE!): "And I can't go out with Corey and Cliff on the same night, so Sandi told me to get Stacy to sub on the date with Corey, but Stacy's got a date with Robert, and anyway, she doesn't like Corey, and I don't want to make her go out with someone she doesn't want to go out with, but then..."
• Unnamed story (Second Coming of the New Ideas Thread), by Trscroggs (Part 1): “At ease men,” The general began, “We have a live one this time. And it isn’t going to be a pretty one.” The general let the men shift uncomfortably for a moment before continuing. “This time we’re going after an actual Guardian, class unknown.”

And Everywhere There Was Song and Celebration

Perhaps I should have noticed this earlier, but I wonder if the reason why Alternapalooza was scheduled on August 15-17 (in The Daria Diaries) was because those were the original dates of the famous 1969 musical festival called Woodstock. (The festival actually ran over into Monday the 18th.) Funny. Here it was, a secret counterculture reference all this time buried in Daria lore, and only now do I figure it out. I must be reeeaaally slow.

The book that young Daria took to Camp Grizzly (at left), George Orwell's Animal Farm, was first published 63 years ago today.

Eleven years ago this weekend, the Chicago Tribune ran a story about Daria, seen here.

The most important anniversary, however, is last. One hundred years ago today, Frenchman Émile Cohl released the first-ever animated movie: Fantasmagorie. It was shown on-screen in Paris. To this little silent cartoon does Daria and all other animation owe their very existence. Merci!

Lots of terrific responses to two PPMB Iron Chefs: Sic transit gloria mundi and Mirror, Mirror... Read, enjoy, and add your own!


PPMB

• Legion of Lawndale Heroes Mini: How to Talk to Your Teen, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): As Helen Morgendorffer watched her children grow, she wondered if she’d have a favorite child.
• New Life, by legendeld (COMPLETE!): “You just spent three hours with me standing here completely naked, rubbing me with makeup. Wasn’t that enough?” “No.”
• Starbright, by legendeld (Part 1): “What if you could have one more chance, just one?” “That would be great. One night to prove that we’re more than just fakes … but it would never happen.” “What if it could?”
  

"Road Worrier": When It Happened

Ah, the screaming crowd, the crashing guitars, the overpriced souvenirs, the long lines at the restrooms: nothing says "misery" like a rock concert. We know when "Road Worrier" took place, thanks to the poster in The Daria Diaries, but in what year?

Richard Lobinske pointed out in an essay that the only time during Daria that August 15-17 fell on a Friday through Sunday (as it does this year) was in 1997. This makes hash out of the idea that the Morgendorffers came to Lawndale in the fall of 1997, but that's how it goes.

However, if it took place in 1998 (ten years ago today!), it ran over a Saturday, Sunday, & Monday weekend, which isn't so bad. School was out, so teens could go all three days. Works for me.

So play some loud rock music this weekend and celebrate the shipping that wasn't (Daria/Trent, I mean). Listen to Sigourney, Crease, and Ciggie Butt. Write a fanfic about Ciggie Butt (what a great band name!). And wonder where the heck Swedesville is, anyway. More soon.