This Image Makes My Ears Hurt

Grandma Lane is making absolutely sure that Jane can't avoid celebrating World Hearing Day, although if she keeps yelling Jane's ability to hear will be in serious danger. This might be a good day for Daria to visit Mrs. Blaine, because not being able to hear doesn't mean you don't enjoy visitors.

In fact, I think anyone who works or volunteers at the Better Days Retirement Home should get some thanks because it's Caregiver Appreciation Day! People willing to help others deserve every bit of gratitude, and they don't get enough as far as I'm concerned.

Last but not least, today we celebrate the anniversaries of the episodes "Esteemsters" in 1997, "The Old and the Beautiful" in 1999, and "Antisocial Climbers" in 2000. The first introduced the entire series, the second introduced us to Mrs. Blaine, and the third, well...introduced us to Mr. O'Neill's undergarments.

Fandom News!

• darianefan05 shares her thoughts on the recent meeting in the White House regarding Ukraine.

Say That Into My Good Ear!

Jane and her grandma are sure enjoying World Hearing Day, or at least one of them is. Jane is too busy regretting her recent life choices.

That said, today we celebrate a triple anniversary: "Esteemsters" in 1997, "The Old and the Beautiful" in 1999, and "Antisocial Climbers" in 2000. That first one means that today is the anniversary of the TV show Daria itself!

Fanfic Update!

• An Anger Observed, by Rémi (part 1): "Daria was furious. She felt a cold, deep anger. It wasn't surprising, of course. She had just lived a bad day."


• The Art of Seduction (Random Pairing Challenge 2020), by Kristen Bealer (COMPLETE!): "Skylar slouched against a wall, bored but trying not to look like it."


• Daria: High School Reunion, by Serrallonga (part 10): "CUT TO the Limbo- unknown place -unknown time. (Like everytime DARIA and TOMMY touch each other, their consciences are transferred to a kind of Limbo, where they can read and feel each other's thoughts)"


• Erin Chambers, by OzFerret (part 35): "Erin drove to a station and caught the T to the Boston Products Office. Arriving at her desk she avoided the glances of her work mates and placed a small plastic model of The Golden Gate Bridge on her desk."


• Mecha Ensign Daria: Mechs Education novelisation, by Charles RB (parts 1 and 2): "In the dark hours of Tuesday night, strange readings had been detected from the great lake in Carter County, Maryland." (Part 2)


• The Stories in D, by Lady Evil (parts 2 and 3): "Clarissa couldn't believe she was on a luxury cruise in a gorgeous silver satin gown. Even more unbelievable was that Jesse was reclining next to her on the chaise lounge, looking splendid in a tuxedo. There was just one thing niggling on her mind that she had to ask." (Part 3)


• A wish granted, by sarcasticsponge (part 1): "One late-evening in Highland, Texas, saw one fourteen year-old Daria Morgendorffer sitting by herself on an old swing set in a local park near her home."


• Worth the Trip, by Zetor (part 4): "Daria hung up the hotel bar's phone, assured a cab was on the way. She looked back at the table where Rita had ended up sticking her—Helen working through a bottle of wine like there was a prize at the bottom, Amy prodding her on, and poor Jake trying to fight the inevitable—and decided that the restroom might be a better place to wait out her ride."

Anniversaries are Grrrrrreat!

Jodie, Mack, and Brittany are pretty nonchalant about their impending mauling, but perhaps they've just resigned themselves to the fact that it's World Wildlife Day and that's just the kind of thing you'll have to expect. Jane may want to celebrate by dying her hair again...or maybe she'd rather just get mauled by the tiger instead.

Today is also a triple anniversary for the episodes "Esteemsters" in 1997, "The Old and the Beautiful" in 1999, and "Antisocial Climbers" in 2000. That means this is also the 22nd anniversary of Daria itself! Happy anniversary, Daria! Go steal some of Quinn's candy to celebrate.

Fandom News!

• TheBrodsterBoy posted two new Iron Chefs: McMelodys 2: 10 Years Later and Cynic Reincarnate.


• Discuss the "responsible" gun owner who shot himself.


• New users can post in the Introductory Thread at Lawndale-high.


• What are you listening to?


• Sofa King has a potentially unpopular opinion about canon compliance.


• What are pairings that you like (but don't think would work)?

A Double Holiday and a Triple Anniversary!

Theresa's about to lose her temper with the Fashion Club, but someone should remind her that today is both Employee Appreciation Day and National Salesperson Day, so that makes all of the aggravation worthwhile. Really.

Today is also the anniversary of the episodes "Esteemsters," "The Old and the Beautiful," and "Antisocial Climbers," which aired on this day in 1997, 1999, and 2000. That means, of course, that today is also the twentieth anniversary of Daria itself. Woot!

Fandom News!

• RLobinske shared a Sick, Sad World-relevant article: How much pee is in that pool?


• Ranma is looking for recommendations for a Bluetooth to FM transmitter.


• Share your examples of politicians doing the right thing.


• Read and talk about two articles about Daria, 20 years on.


• Is it time for a major reform of the Oscars? Join the discussion.

Without His Invention, Eric Would Have to Learn Morse Code

It's practically a national holiday to Helen and Quinn. Today is the anniversary of Alexander Graham Bell's birth in 1847. Bell was of course the inventor of the telephone, without which both of them would probably wither away and die.

Not only that, but today is also a triple anniversary for Daria episodes: "Esteemsters," "The Old and the Beautiful," and "Antisocial Climbers" all aired on this day in 1997, 1999, and 2000. Imagine that episode mashup for a moment. Daria shows up for her first day at the nursing home and everyone climbs a mountain. Hey, come to think of it, that has some interesting fanfic potential.

Fandom News!

• Two Dariacons are being planned in Minneapolis, Minnesota this year: Console Room Con in May and Midwest DariaCon 2014 in August. Can you make it to either or both?


• What are the real risks of living in your area? Talk about your hometown here.


• If actors were to play your favorite Daria pairing, whom would you choose?


• Jeremy Garrett started a new Character of the Week activity, beginning with Mandy Crishner.


• Snow-Kitty posted a new Iron Chef in Creative Writing: Mr. DeMartino fic challenge.

That's For Me!

Happy birthday to Alexander Graham Bell, born on this day in 1847. Bell is best known for inventing the telephone, for which Quinn and Helen are eternally grateful.

Today is also a triple anniversary for Daria: "Esteemsters," "The Old and the Beautiful," and "Antisocial Climbers" all premiered on this day in 1997, 1999, and 2000. That also means that today is the anniversary of the show itself! Happy anniversary, Daria! I remembered, unlike Tom. So there.

Fandom News!

• Kara Wild reminds everyone about the Paperpusher Twitter account for emergencies. It's also now listed under Recommended Links on this blog.


• PrecambrianStudios and DIsaac are now in the spotlight, so ask your questions in the threads!


• welltemperedclavier muses about mental illness and Our Heroine.


• Charles RB challenges everyone to redeem Barch.


• Share your favorite songs you love by bands you hate in the Weapons of Mass Distraction forum.


• Do you play American McGee's Alice? Discuss the game in the thread.


• Three new Iron Chefs have been posted in Creative Writing: random-one's the cult of daria and PrecambrianStudios's Daria Homeschooled and Conjoined Twins Iron Chef Contest.


• ashk09 wants to know, can't we have a drawing contest or something?

A Ton of Anniversaries on Line One!

Happy birthday to the late Alexander Graham Bell, born on this day in 1847. Thanks to him, Helen and Quinn are both free to talk on the phone until their ears grow over the receiver. And...that's a good thing, right?

Today is also a triple anniversary for Daria episodes, as "Esteemsters," "The Old and the Beautiful," and "Antisocial Climbers" all aired on this day in 1997, 1999, and 2000, respectively. That also means that today is the 15th anniversary of the birth of the show Daria itself! Woo hoo! Party down, everyone!

But try to keep it quiet--Quinn and Helen are on the phone.

Fandom News!

• Posters discuss flooding in New South Wales and Victoria.


• The Virtual Dariacon is happening today! Join in if you can, and there will be a special event at 5:00 PM EST!


• Watch and discuss two new trailers posted in Weapons of Mass Distraction: The Avengers and Frankenweenie.


• neonhomer is looking for a new avatar and would like help from fan artists.


• Erin M. posted a new video: Mr. DeMartino Discusses "Ocean's 11" (1960)


• TheExcellentS continues to update the list of 2012 Daria Fanfiction - The Finished Stories. Thanks, TES!

The Three-in-One Day of Greatness!

First off, this is a GOLD STAR MAJOR-LEAGUE DARIA FANDOM HOLIDAY. It's the 13th anniversary of When It All Began: the premiere of "Esteemsters" on MTV. With that, it is also the 11th anniversary of the first showing of "The Old and the Beautiful" and the 10th anniversary of "Antisocial Climbers." Celebrate this great day as you wish.

Surprise Quiz: How long was Daria in the self-esteem class before she was able to get out of it? And how long did the self-esteem class normally last?

Some of the above DariaWiki links need to be updated and expanded. Anyone up to it? Also, the DariaWiki page on "Esteemsters"-based fanfic could be updated, too. I might lend a hand, there.

One thing I will say about "The Old and the Beautiful" is that Kevin and Brittany, for all their dopiness, are nice people. The scene of Kevin reading from a Rat Boy comic book to an older guy was oddly touching.

Still would like to see a Rat Boy fanfic. [ahem] So many possibilities of who Rat Boy could be in "real life" in Lawndale.

More stuff to come today, including new revelations about paranormal powers in Lawndale. What the heck is going on there?

Great new discussion thread: The Perfect Daria Episode.

FF.net

• NEW! A Painting, Some Pizza, and What Comes After, by JohnnyStyle (Parts 1 to 3): She came to the conclusion that it wasn't her who was at fault in her failed relationships. Well, in the sense that her choices had not been right for a woman who spent her life being Jane Lane. Tom had at least understood who she was and respected her for that. Smart, Witty, well read, but still willing to do stupid stuff with her.

PPMB

• The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, by Roentgen (Part 12): With a hard edge, Quinn murmured, "I've hit rock bottom. I'm so desperate I'll even put up with your attitude, if that's what it takes. If you want to kick me when I'm down... fine. You want to slash my wrists, too?" Quinn pulled up her sleeve, revealing her exposed forearm and extending her wrist. "Here. Now, sister, start cutting or shut up, because in about twenty more seconds I'm going to pull out my bitch kit."
• A Ticket to Ride, by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): “I could love you, Linda Griffin.” “I could love you, too, Ted DeWitt-Clinton. But you have absolutely no idea what I’m like to live with. You’ve never seen me when things don’t go my way.” [Likely NSFW, be warned]
  

The Original "Die Hard" Man

George Washington was born this day many years ago, and pretty much everyone (I hope) knows he was the first President of the United States. Daria does a fair imitation of him at right, though strangely I don't ever recall seeing this alter ego at the end of any episode. It appeared only as part of a screen saver. Weird.

Anyway, of all the many excellent quotes we have from President Washington, one of the most unusual is something he said shortly before he passed away. "I die hard but am not afraid to go," he spoke on his deathbed. This phrase is of English origin and eventually led to the Die Hard movie series. And that brand of car batteries. Clever, that.

Famed poet Edna St. Vincent Millay (hooray!) was also born today, but not so long ago as George Washington. Quotes from her works have appeared in Daria fanfiction (here and here).

Finally, today is also World Thinking Day for the Girl Scouts and Girl Guides, of which Jane Lane was briefly a reluctant member (per "Antisocial Climbers").

NUUZ

• GLITTER BERRIES IS BACK!
• The official Daria Facebook site has a small message board going. I see Kara Wild and Brother Grimace there. Who else among the long-time PPMB/SFMB/etc. crowd is there? Anyone?
  

PPMB

• Daria: Hunter—Strictly Business, by Jim North (continued): "Hey, Morgendorffer," Jane said conversationally as they ran, "I know that I can keep this up all day, but you can't be enjoying this. Have we got a plan?" "Don't... get shot," Daria snarled.
• Finn Morgendorffer 33: Independence, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 6): “When Finn came around, there was a girl named Allison who was kinda cool, but then things got weird.” “How did things get weird?” “Let’s just say she likes all thirty-one flavors at Baskin-Robbins.” [If you know what I mean.]
• The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, Roentgen (Part 6): Daria was not called upon in the ensuing class discussion. It became clear to Daria that there were at least three girls who seemed to be Ms. Merritt's favorites. Mousy Girl—known as "Ms. Davidson"—and two others. It became even clearer that none of these young women were favorites because of their looks, or lack of looks, or style, or lack of style. Each of these girls, Daria's potential rivals, knew the material and could expound upon it. They weren't dummies.
• A Ticket to Ride, by Doggieboy (continued): “We are going to relax,” Ted said, “and enjoy the scenery.” Then he glanced at Linda's breasts. “I’ll especially enjoy the twin peaks.”

Chill Out!

Canadibrit's heartwarming classic tale, "A Family Holiday," begins on this day nine years ago. (Prose version here.) Just thought I'd toss that out there.

Daria and Jane at right remind us that this is the time of year to dress warmly and not go hiking in the wilderness before a blizzard. If you do, good luck. At least you were warned.

Today also marks the beginning of the ancient Roman party holiday of Saturnalia, a week-long festival that is directly to blame for the commercialization and debasement of every December holiday there is today. You know what Christmas cards and Chanukah cards look like. When the Roman sent Saturnalia cards to each other, the cards looked like this. The Romans forgot more about partying than we will ever know. Thank God they couldn't drive.

Speaking of which, I complained a year ago that there was no Daria fanfiction featuring Saturnalia, and guess what? It's a year later and there's still no Daria fanfiction featuring Saturnalia. (Paperpusher wrote a story that mentions Saturnalia in passing, but the Morgendorffers aren't celebrating Saturnalia.) How low have we sunk to ignore this vital part of our midwinter holiday tradition? How low, Daria fen? ("Fen" means fans. It's old-timer fannish talk. Just roll with it.) Get on the stick, fanfic writers, and let the good times of Saturnalia rise once again!

Oops

While I was off in la-la land for the last two days, I missed some very important anniversaries for the fandom. You may suggest appropriate punishments for me in the Comments section below.

Anyway, this evening I will post the fandom holidays I missed in this work-in-progress post for the DFB2, plus all the new fanfiction, fan art, and fan et cetera that's been around. Here we go.

The 12th anniversary of the premiere of Daria itself, "Esteemsters," was two days ago. That day was also the 10th anniversary of "The Old and Beautiful" and the 9th anniversary of "Antisocial Climbers."

Yesterday was the 9th anniversary of an event that took place in a Daria fanfic spinning off from "Fizz Ed." Guess it?

Today is the eight anniversary of the premiere on MTV of "Fat Like Me."

That about covers the missed anniversaries. More anniversaries will be missed next week. Now for the news.

THE NEWS!

• Brother Grimace urges one and all to vote for the next Legion of Lawndale Heroes leader!
  
• Wouter posted a nice pic of Jane relaxing in the school yard on PPMB. Thanks!
• thatLONERchick is working on a Daria/Watchmen story. Hot holy @#$%^%$. Hang on for the shockwave.
• 1,181 fans at the Daria Fan Club. This thing sure took off. Needs more polls and quiz questions, hard ones. And thank you for the new pictures!
• Over 70,000 hits here. Whoa.
  
• The scenes that should not be have spilled over into the scenes that SHOULD be.
• The scenes that should be continue to spill over, but not into the scenes that should NOT be.
• Some new characters were added to Backgrounders, but for the life of me I can't remember who they were or when they were done. Dang.
  
• Lots more added to the thread called "Finish it Damnit! and Whose world do you want to play in?"
• Interesting DariaWiki additions: Scenes from a Lawndale Christmas, A Night to Remember to Forget, A Visit to Camp Grizzly, Starbears, and A Rookie Mistake. Oh, and Cobb pizza.
  
• We now return you to a discussion concerning the word "dunt" as it appears in a fanfic, already in progress. Srsly.
  

Enough of that. Now for the new fanfiction. In a minute.

FF.net

• 1800DARIA, by Smileyfax (Part 1): Jane was hunched over laughing on the couch. "Daria, you HAVE to be pulling my leg. You do NOT work at a porn hotline." "Not anymore."
• Falling into College, Year 4: Christmas in White, by Richard Lobinske (COMPLETE!): This is the only complete story in this listing. That means you are required by law to read it.

Lawndale Online

• Dennis has posted the stories from his Girls Together Sarcastically series. Check 'em out.
  

PPMB

• Accidents Will Happen, by undefinedlust (Part 3 finished): "Oh really?" Alison's voice perked with interest. "What's up babe?"
• Acts of Cupidity, by Disco316 (Parts 5 and 6): It being Saturday Night, Valentine’s Day went to his usual starting point, the Zon. He didn’t figure to find too many people he was looking for there, but it was as good a place to start as any. As he canvassed the room, he found two of the people he’d been looking for; unfortunately, they weren’t what anyone would consider a couple.
  
• The Exile Papers, by Gene (Parts 1-13): I hate this tent. It's smelly and cold. When Janie brought me sandwiches, she also brought a couple of quilts. She's as thoughtful as can be while Wind and Penny are just jerks. I won't say what I'm thinking of Mom right now. Too tied up with her art projects to say anything about what's going on around the house.
  
• John Lane 39: Leaving Summer, by Richard Lobinske (Part 2): BEST LINE BEGGING FOR AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE: "It's not like you were a bad kisser or anything." [Two stories featuring Alison? Whoa.]
• Legion of Lawndale Heroes Special: Tokusatsu Team Up! by Lorenzo Sauchelli (continued): The red dragon-like monster the five robots were battling looked like it belonged in a Godzilla movie. It towered over every building in the area, and its wings gave the impression that the monster had the ability to swallow all of Tokyo in a few bites.
  
• A Merry Invitation, by TheSecretSharer (Part 1): Daria as Shakespeare wouldst have done it. Rox yr sox.
• The Other, by TAG (Parts 1 to 7): They that are born on Halloween will see more than other folk.
• Size Does Matter, by BlackHole (Part 38): With a bowl of ‘Model Cereal’ in her hand, a glass of orange juice on the table in front of her, a pajama and bathrobe clad Quinn lounged in front of the big living room TV while the noon news interrupted the procession of the Sunday morning series. Quinn contemplated the motions required to reach for the remote and change the channel, but decided that skipping the news wasn’t worth the effort. (SFMB)
  
• Turnabout Confusion, Part II: All the King's Horses, by Dennis (continued): "Ms. Morgendorffer," Ms. Li said, "I know for a fact that you have been plotting with Mr. DeMartino to undermine my authority in this school. Now if you confessed your crime, I may be moved to be lenient." She loomed over Daria, her voice barely above a whisper. "You do not want to find out what will happen to you if I am not lenient."
  
• Two Halves, by Dark Kuno (continued): Quinn’s eyes went wide at the sound of her sister’s angry voice. She turned slowly to find Daria standing behind her with arms crossed and an expression that matched the older girl’s tone.

Current Topics on Less-Visited Message Boards

• alt.tv.daria - Don't even bother clicking.
  
• Bestuff - Someone admits to a crush on Jane. Someone female. (See below for Daria Lovers Unite!)
  
• Daria Fan Club - British Daria!
  
• Daria Lovers Unite! - Is Jane a lesbian? (Srsly.)
• Daria Shrine's MB - Daria appears in House of Tracks magazine.
• FF.net: Sick Sad World - Favorite characters, with digression about Jake
• IUFMB (Tanandaria) - Ranger Throne says hi.
  
• SFMB - Trapezoid Glasses Girl gets a real name.
• Television Without Pity - An actual real swear-to-God serious discussion about Daria. Srsly!
  

Don't You Love Winter?

The special magic of wintertime is everywhere, and everyone's favorite duo is freezing out in an unheated shack in the wilderness. What could be more fun than that?

Richard Lobinske is working on a LATIFA story. The teaser is posted here.

PPMB

• Arrival, by Legendeld (Part 4): “You have to stick to this diet, Quinn.” Jake Morgendorffer said firmly. “And you’re going to stop drinking until it’s not bleeding anymore.”
• Cry for a Shadow, by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): “I’m.... kind of... dying. Slightly.”
• Heartless (IC: Evil Jane), by NightGoblyn (continued): This multipart episode is named, "Die, Die My Darling!" for a reason.
  
• Hell on Wheels, by Roxanne M (Part 4): Leo Archer tossed and turned in his bed. The thoughts of the Morgendorffer girl lying in a pool of blood on the sidewalk haunted his memory.
• John Lane 38: Yeah, It's Summer, by Richard Lobinske (Part 2): "Note to self, don't piss off your girlfriend."
• Order and Chaos, by Legendeld (Part 15): Jane groaned loudly and dropped to the ground. “You’re a stone bitch.” Quinn nodded. “And you haven’t quit yet.”
• Quinndy-Lou Who, by NightGoblyn (Parts 1, 2, and 3): This certainly didn't start the way I had expected! It also has a horrible horrible thing in Chapter 3, which I encourage you not to read, not ever.
  
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): Contropolis, Kansas, has been described as a flat, arid two-dimensional form of Hell. As Hells go, it is very respectable.
• Trent's Christmas Gig, by Psychotol (COMPLETE!): Just in time for the holidays!

I did finally finish the update for all 2008 fanfiction on PPMB and SFMB, for your reading pleasure. More soon, just got home.

'Cuse Me, While I Kiss the Sky

Master guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jimi Hendrix was born 66 years ago today. Jodie Landon at left does her impersonation of him when he set his guitar on fire during a concert in London on March 31, 1967, and became immortal. We can be thankful for the music he gave us. He was The Man.

The alter ego of Jodie first appeared at the end of the episode "Antisocial Climbers."

Stan, one of the prisoners in "Speedtrapped," claimed to have known Hendrix. Hendrix could play guitar with his teeth, and Stan said he once drove Jimi to the dentist. Trent himself said of Hendrix: click here. In fanfic, several very familiar characters nearly met Hendrix at Woodstock '69.

Peace, y'all. Oh, but before I go:

PPMB

• Dancing with the Devil by the Pale Moonlight, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (teaser): No man knows till he has suffered from the night how sweet and dear to his heart and eye the morning can be. —Jonathan Harker.
• Shadow of a Cynic, by Ranger Thorne (continued): Daria goes on a run in the night and meets a mysterious stranger. (Chapter 6 is completed, more to come!)
• Southern Thanksgiving, by Legendeld (COMPLETE!): “Hi Mom, Dad.” She waved at the camera. Helen Morgendorffer waved back. “Happy Thanksgiving Quinn, where’s Danielle?”
• Thanksgiving Lesson, by Legendeld (COMPLETE!): This would be so cool, zombies overrunning the whole planet. She thought then a second more practical thought loomed. Then I’ll starve. Without school, I’d be in real trouble.
• Welcome Back, Daria, by Napalm Kracken (Part 2): It's girls' basketball night, and the old gang is still around. (Helen is dating WHO?)
  

Winter Sucks

Just finished shoveling out part of the driveway. Owwwww. Well, it could be worse. I could be lost in a blizzard in the mountains AND be back in high school, and I would never ever go back to high school if I could possibly help it.

Added some German websites about Daria, but the only German pic available was of an Oktoberfest Brittany with beer mugs, which was appropriate enough, but the snowstorm here was a more pressing issue. Thus, we have a wintry Daria and Jane from "Antisocial Climbers" instead.

Over time I am also adding a few more websites to the recommended list at left, mostly active fan-club sites that I'm not sure many people on PPMB have frequented. There seem to be a lot of large, loose Daria groups out there, and encouraging ties between all groups would, IMHO, help the fandom in the long run, so when the show does finally come out on DVD someone will be there to buy it.

And, finally, I am noting more websites in the lists at left as "active," using as a rule of thumb whether topics relevant to Daria have been discussed there on or after January 1, 2008. You are encouraged to visit active websites and chat, shoot the breeze, have some fun, and spread the fun around.

All for now. Party on, ppl!

Good Day to Stay Inside

It came to me, looking out the window at the rain and slush and sleet and etc., that the only two episodes of Daria in which the weather got cold were "Antisocial Climbers" and "Fizz Ed," and the latter didn't even have snow.

I had a story idea once about an AU in which Daria and Jane got lost in the blizzard in "Antisocial Climbers" and froze, with Andrea as a paranormal detective looking for signs of the afterlife at the place where they were found, but it never went anywhere. It was kind of a downer. (Duh.)

Maybe someone can do something with an Ice Age story for Daria.