That's...Disturbingly Possible, Actually

Today is Thank a Mailman Day! I don't know about you, but I intend to thank that particular mailman from a very safe distance. Just in case.

This is also the birthday of Fran Lawrence, a character from Richard Lobinske's Falling Into College series. Happy birthday, Fran!

Fandom News!

• Posters commemorate the loss of the space shuttle Columbia nine years ago.


• Do you have a copy of The Daria Database? If so, what do you use it for?


• Dark Kuno shares a list of IT achievements.


• Who are your favorite comedians? Share them in the thread.


• Two new Iron Chefs have been posted in the Creative Writing forum: ThanatosRW's A genderswap never before done and JPAGC's Daria meets Darwin Awards.


• mmmdraco and Fhujeth_X are looking for volunteers to help create a Daria vocal drama.

"See something you like or just browsing?"

Today is Male Watcher's Day, and I'm sure Jane is happy to participate. Daria might be less enthusiastic, but she certainly had her (usually surreptious) moments with Trent.

Today is also Jake's birthday, at least in the Falling Into College universe. Happy birthday, Jakey! Celebrate with some kitchen sink stew, but don't expect the rest of the family to have any second helpings.

Fanfic Update!

• At the Crossroads..., by oni (part 2): "A little bit later they left the building and headed for the car. Stacy playfully thanked Sandi as the older girl opened the door for her. After Stacy got in, Sandi was just about to close the door when she heard with just bit of venom in the voice, 'Awe now isn’t that cute.' Turning her head, Sandi could see that it was Brooke."


• Beware of Pink Russians (Iron Chef - Artie's Abduction), by Stripey (COMPLETE!): "'Are you going to like, cut me open or something?' Paul looked horrified. 'What, no!' 'Are you going to teleport my brain?' 'Oh for Christs sake.' 'Are you,' Artie shuddered and gulped, 'Are you going to probe me?' 'Ohmygod NO!' Paul yelled. 'What on Earth makes you think we'd want to do crap like that?'"



• Chaos Theory: The Esteem of the Cynic and the Eccentric, by Walter Kovacs (part 5): "'Speaking of popular...' said Stacy 'I saw this really cute girl at the mall the other day. A redhead.' Seeing an opportunity to one-up Sandi, Cyndi decided to chime in with a question of her own. 'Interesting. Was this redhead new in town?' 'Oh yeah. She moved all the way her from Texas!' Stacy thought for a moment 'Oh yeah, before I forget her name is Quinn Morgendorffer!' 'I'm sorry, is the subject of leggings and compatible shoes not interresting enough for tonight?' sniped Sandi. 'I thought this was the fashion club.'"


• Daria: Artie’s Encounter (Iron Chef - Artie's Abduction), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (COMPLETE!): "He awoke in a strange chamber that smelt of a damp cave. (The last time he’d seen a cave was at the old quarry after his prom.) He sat up ramrod straight. 'Where am I?' A form appeared covered in some sort of brown and splotchy concealing suit that covered everything. Artie noticed a single eye like iris thing at the 'snout' of the 'head' It emitted a musical tone before saying. 'You're awake. Good.'"


• DW: The Many Doctors (Non-Daria), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 5): "The TARDIS lurched, sending her crashing against a wall. The Cloister Bell stopped ringing. The TARDIS seemed to return to normal. 'Ok, this is either an earlier or later version of the TARDIS, but which is it? And is the Doctor an earlier regeneration?' she asked aloud to herself whilst feeling some fear mixed with the tiny thrill of excitement that she’d come to associate with adventure."


• Fallout Lawndale: 2289, by Vukodlak (part 3): "Half of her wanted to break down and cry over what happened or what nearly happened. She could have been raped, killed, hung from a meat hook or suffered any number of the god-awful things raiders have a reputation for. The other half said suck it up you wimp, you got grazed by a bullet, tied to a post for six hours and you kicked a raider in the balls. You’ve had family outings that were more irritating."


• Ghost Story, by Smijey (part 1): "Briefly, there had been a ray of hope in the girl who sat next to her, but when they had walked home and she saw the house Daria was living in she made some lame excuse and left. She had spent the entire rest of the week giving Daria the cold shoulder, casting the occasional fearful glance at her. 'Whatever,' Daria muttered, recalling the baffling actions. It wasn't the first time she had been inexplicably ditched." (Part 2)


• God Save The Esteem ep39: Epic F Word, by Charles RB (part 3): "As the cheerleaders all started to think about this song, Daria walked over to Jane. 'Are you not at all worried that there might be a Hell?' 'Jane, for the past few years I’ve been worried I’d already gone there.'"


• Humpty Dumpty, by Smijey (part 1): "'Well, maybe he won't live that long,' Jane offered. 'Come on. You know wishes don't come true.' At that moment, a great blinding light filled all of Daria and Jane's perception -- and, apparently, that of all the other students, as everybody cried out in surprise or fear. Accompanying the light was a massive roar, and for a fleeting second Daria was sure it was the detonation of a nuclear device."


• The Lawndale Adventure, by LadieT and The Angst Guy (part 1): "'Come on girls, we're gonna be late,' Helen said in an irritated voice. 'Just carry me to the car,' Daria's muffled voice grumbled from under a pillow. For her response, Jane just snored. 'Helen, why don't we let Daria and Jane stay here,' Jake said as he placed his arm around his wife."


• Memory Lane, by echopapa (part 1): "'Calvin Hall, Computer and Cybernetics Department. This must be the place,' Jane Lane said to herself a she dashed up the stairs and down the hall. Yesterday, she had noticed in the ads on the BFAC student website that nearby Raft College was looking for local students to volunteer for an experiment in a new method of data mapping the human brain."


• On Portmanteaus (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Last Friday Night!), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Jane was browsing the latest offerings of fan fiction while Daria read a book on the bed behind her. 'Hey, amiga, ever notice how our fandom isn't saddled with those weird mishmash name things?' she asked out of the blue."


• The Outers III: Was Blind But Now Can See, by The Angst Guy (part 2b): "Quinn tilted her head, widened her eyes, and gave a masterful performance of her Adorable Hero-Worshipping Teen Face. It failed to achieve a single objective except to bring more flattered smiles. Those must be some mighty big orders they're following, thought Daria. What the hell is happening?"


• Rude Awakening Ep.9: Join The Club, by DIsaac (part 10): "QUINN: I think that law isn't best suited for me. SANDI: How? QUINN: The lawyers get excited when I come in. SANDI: The prosecution? QUINN: The defense! TIFFANY: Soooooo yoooooou sssssuccccck assss aaaaaa laaaaawyeeeeeer? QUINN: I think?" (Part 10.2)


• The Truth is not There (Iron Chef - Artie's Abduction), by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): "Artie should have been gone already; he was just supposed to be delivering a pizza. Instead he sobbed as the women had him tied to her bed and she took a long puff from her cigarette before burning it against his bare naked flesh."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef - Artie's Abduction), by RX-87 (COMPLETE!): "'Doctor Bacon?' Dr. Millepieds addressed his colleague uncomfortably as she gazed at the pimply redhead banging his head against the wall on a monitor. 'Are you sure this is entirely... How you say, ethical? The boy is obviously in pain.'"


• Unnamed story (just a little something...), by oni (part 4): "The phone by her computer rang. Walking over, Sandi looked down at the caller id and immediately recognized that it was Quinn. Letting out a sigh, she picked up the phone. 'Hello Quinn,' she answered with a certain amount of amusement in her voice. 'Hello Sandi,' Quinn answered back. 'Are you watching the morning news?' 'Yes and I must say that watching your sister flick off the press was such a nice way to start off my day,' she chuckled."


• Unnamed story (Scenes That Could Be - The Non-Daria Edition), by Doggieboy: "When there was just two people ahead of me, several people rushed into the library. Teenagers, I thought, until I looked and saw several adults and children, all of them panicked. 'Vampires!' one woman cried out. 'At least twenty of them! They’re coming!'"


• The Untold Interview of World War Z (Scenes That Could Be - The Non-Daria Edition), by Pumpkin Panic: "I sit down with the girl who was a world hero both before and after the outbreak. She's young. Too young to have the responsibility that had been put on her shoulders. I have to admit to myself that she just looks like the pretty girl next door. Nothing like the slightly older woman lurking nearby. Statuesque with long black hair and the most peculiar shade of green skin."


• With An "Uh", And An "Um", by mmmdraco (parts 1 and 2): "Over the sounds of the slasher flick playing on the TV, Jane Lane heard a peculiar knocking. It seemed to be coming from the front door, but it didn't sound like a hand was doing the knocking. She glanced through the peephole and frowned as she opened the door. 'Trent?'" (Part 2)

Some Day Her Paints Will Come....

Jane is looking especially happy (and out of character) because today is the anniversary of the premiere of the Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. If Tom was freaked out by Jane's kiwi-flavored lip gloss, then this image would probably send him straight over the edge.

It was also on this day in 2002 that Karen and Derek held their wedding/vow renewal in Richard Lobinske's Falling Into College story "Christmas in White." Seems to have worked out for them so far, so congratulations to the happy couple.

Fanfic Update!

• The Author as a Lesbian, Season 4, by DeacBlue (part 4): "Jen flipped her ponytail over her shoulder. 'We've been really clear on what she's done that she shouldn't. And we aren't talking about any of that stuff right away. But if she stays stupid, then yeah, she'll deserve what she gets, and we're going to give it to her. Nobody fucks with our family and walks away unbroken.' 'Okay,' Quinn said in a small voice. 'So can we do something to help Stacy?' 'I think that we can, though you'll need to take a step back,' said Daria. 'You see...'"


• Camp Pu, by Smijey (part 3): "'I'm just...I'm just so scared, Daria, and you won't tell me anything, and I fell on my butt. Why did you smash up Mr. Potts' wall, Daria? You'll get in big trouble.' Daria sighed. 'Look, Amelia. I don't want to say anything until I know for sure what's going on. I have a lot of hints what's going on...and they scare the hell out of me...but I don't want to scare you or Quinn if it turns out I'm wrong. Okay?"'"


• End of Innocence, by BrownEyedBagel (COMPLETE!): "She knelt in front of the body to admire her work. The face was a horrid mess, even more gross than having an allergic reaction underneath too much blush that didn’t go with your eyes. His limbs were twisted in directions they had no business going in. The cold smile came back. He couldn’t hurt anyone anymore. Crowbars can do a lot of damage, especially if you used the pointy end."


• Fallout Lawndale: 2289, by Vukodlak (part 2): "Daria sat tied to a parking post next to a dumpster in the raiders makeshift camp in back of the Goodtime Chinese Restaurant. At least they fixed her leg she mused looking at the bandages. Daria tried to keep her focus on her pain rather then her fear of what might happen to her. She’d been there for hours, it was already dark and there was no sign of Jane or anyone from home. Maybe they couldn’t find her; maybe they’d never find her or worse what if Jane didn’t make it."


• I Wanna Take You For A Ride (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by RX-87 (COMPLETE!): "'Get out of here, kid! I'll handle him!' Shouted a tall, wiry, gun-toting woman dressed in what appeared to be fetish gear. As Daria pulled back to the sidelines to tend to her wound the air was filled with the sound of gunfire."


• John Lane 52: From the Last Step to the First, by RLobinske (part 2): "Curious, Jodie stood up from her seat and walked to the front of the room to wave her hand in front of the still figure of their science teacher, Ms. Barch. 'No response.' 'I think you broke her,' Mack said."


• LLH Alternate Future - 09 - It Never Ends, by psychotol (COMPLETE!): "'Actually,” said Armalin as he entered the custody area followed by Callisto and Cybelle, “You know what you’re like, and are projecting it onto the feared other, all the mutants ever did was exist.' 'You’re a mutant too, aren’t you?' said the scientist. 'Yes I am, and I’m about to make your fears come to life.'" (Part 10)


• A QB Grows in Lawndale, by Kristen Bealer (part 15): "Once all the orders had been filled and the kids ran off with sticky faces, Mack dropped his head in his hands and sighed. 'How the hell do you do it, man?' he asked. 'I've seen nothing but feral, demonic children since I started this job, but you walk up and suddenly they're practically human. What's your secret?'"


• Quinn's Code 05: Morgendorffers vs. Amazon, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 3): "'I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but we feel that Quinn is something quite special!' 'We think she's pretty special, too, but so is my other daughter, Daria. She hasn't got any extracurriculars.' 'Daria, but she is so plain!' 'That's my final offer,' Helen said. Then the phone was disconnected from the other end..."


• Unnamed story (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by peapotmaster: "SUSAN: You must be Daria Morgendoffer of Lawndale? MARY: Our loser of a brother told up about you. DARIA: Is your brother named Johnny Quest...I mean Test?"


• Unnamed story (IC: reading the newspaper at a wedding), by RX-87 (COMPLETE!): "'But, but, I'd just scored a contract with City Hall!' Jake choked out after Daria had mentioned the contents of the paper she was holding, having no desire to interact with her father's side of the family. Or any side, really."

Occuuuuuuult?

It's Occult Day, which seems to be about seeking the truth that's hidden past the surface of every day life. I'm sure Tiffany is a great seeker of such wisdom.

Also, on this day last year in fanfic, Jacob Henri Morgendorffer was born to Quinn and, er, Quinn. Happy birthday to the most fashionable baby around!

Fandom News!

• MJPollard wants to know if an RSS feed would be possible for the PPMB.


• Post pictures of your neighborhood in a new thread!


• cynigal is going to be traveling in Europe and wants to know who can meet her.


• Posters remember Guy Payne in honor of his birthday. We miss you, Decelaraptor.


• Share your favorite vacation destinations, either ones you've visited or ones you'd like to.


• Daria was featured in a question on an episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?


• Ranger Thorne muses on the more mundane aspects of super-powered people.

I Hope Yule Enjoy the Winter Solstice!

Today is Yule and the Winter Solstice, as Mother Nature Barch is happy to tell us. I'm not sure Ms. Barch is really the most nurturing, maternal figure in the world, but maybe she just represents the less pleasant aspects of nature like the hurricanes and thunderstorms and violent misandry.

Also on this day, in 2002, Karen and Derek had a vow renewal/wedding reception in Richard Lobinske's Falling Into College fanfic "Christmas in White."

And while we're on the subject of fan-fiction, allow me to introduce today's fanfic update!

• 86 Bottles of Beer 3: All Creatures Great and Maul, by Kristen Bealer (COMPLETE!): "'Now's our best chance,' Kevin told 99 as quietly as possible. 'If we don't act soon, there's no way we'll get out of here.' Although 99 nodded slightly in reply, she looked worried. 'Don't worry; I have a brilliant escape plan.' Now she looked even more worried. Kevin turned to Matthews. 'What on earth is that?!' he cried. Matthews turned to look, and Kevin hit him in the jaw with a solid right hook."


• Daria/Dorian 11: So This Is Bonding, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Jake called Helen from the hotel room. Dorian heard the words giant sleepover followed by the sound of laughter coming from his father's mouth. After hanging up the phone, Jake and Dorian loaded their luggage onto a cart and headed out the door. Jake filled Dorian in on the events at Schloss Morgendorffers the night before. I can't wait to hear about this one from Jane."


• Fallout: Journeys (Non-Daria), by Vukodlak (parts 1 and 2): "Our story begins in 2294, with a young William Almodovar. He was born in Vault 101 and has spent everyday of his sixteen year old life there. He never knew his father, which is why today he is leaving the vault. Before he was born his father was exiled from the vault. William looked back to the cave containing the massive door to Vault 101, was he doing the right thing he wondered, Should I go back? No I've got to keep moving forward my father is out there somewhere and I'm going to find him." (Part 2)


• The fiercest battles lie within, by VPrad (COMPLETE!): "It was then that Tom understood. He had won a battle, but there was a fiercer battle within him. His father's shadow would still be there to haunt him, and he would have to fight against it to feel free. But that didn't worry him, he felt peace inside, he knew that he wouldn't fight alone. Next to him he had the best ally he could hope for."


• Genesis, by VPrad (part 3): "'I've done some research of my own. The Morgendorffer sisters were two of the best extractors, of course with the help of their faithful team. Your reputation was getting bigger and bigger as were your jobs. And then, one day you just quit. You went from stealing ideas to teaching other people's minds to avoid being manipulated, just like that. Something had to happen to make you change your mind about breaking into the subconscious overnight. My guess is that you tried an inception and it failed. Am I wrong?' 'It didn't fail.' Quinn said looking down. 'It worked. It worked too well.'"


• God Save The Esteem Ep14: Splatoon, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Mack had agreed to walk his girlfriend Angie home, which was normal. His silence... well, that wasn't normal. It wasn't the right kind of silence, where he wasn't entirely sure what to say that she'd ‘get'. This was the silence when someone was wondering whether to press that red button." (Part 4)


• Holiday Roadtrip, by Chris Tucker: "At the Mall, Daria pointed out the Megamultiplex, and the scam that she and Quinn pulled almost weekly for months, using Daria's sickly appearance and wheelchair to get moved to the head of the ticket line, sometimes even scoring a free ticket for Quinn and free popcorn, too. 'When I started to lose the whole "recovering cancer patient" look, we had to knock it off. Ah, good times...'" (Updated here)


• It's the King!? WTF? (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Damn The Torpedoes!), by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): "Helen and Jake had called their daughter's downstairs. 'Girls we have something to tell you.' Helen said, trying her best to smile."


• Jane Morgendorffer, by LadieT (part 29): "Seeing her mother upset when she returned from the airport angered Jane. Now Jane was sitting in their room, writing in her notebook with a scowl on her face. After several minutes of watching her sister writing furiously, Daria tapped Jane on the shoulder. Jane looked up from her desk and over at a pair of concerned hazel eyes."


• Legends Of The Metal, by TheExcellentS (part 12): "Tom grabbed his axe and slowly got out of the car, ready to strike. Suddenly, the robed figure flipped back its hood and turned around. To his surprise it wasn't a druid, but a normal-looking woman with wavy auburn hair and glasses. She looks like an older version of Daria. 'Well it's about time someone got here!' she yelled."


• Life Beyond Highland (Iron Chef: Lawndale State), by LadieT (part 5): "Daria closed her eyes and stood speechless as she tried to wrap her mind around the sentence that Jane had just uttered. For her part, Jane was trying to scope her new friend's reaction. She was half expecting Daria to bolt out of the room never to be seen again. Instead, she could see a hint of anger come over the shorter girl's face. Jane wasn't sure what was going on in the shorter woman's mind, so she braced herself for a potential onslaught."


• LLH Alternative Future 05 - Pre-emptive Counerattack, by psychotol (COMPLETE!): "'Tiffany?' Tiffany looked over to the Commander. She had to figure out a way to get through this situation. Tiffany was a SEAL, she supposedly lived for difficult, but some difficulties are more equal than others. She formulated a response and, hope in her heart, deployed it. 'It's not any one thing, you know, it's a whole bunch of things, and sometimes it all just boils over.'"


• Manifest Destiny (IC: What would Lawndale be like if...), by Cap (COMPLETE!): "There were few choices but Jane was happy to see that Daria took the desk next to hers. The new girl was something to divert her attention from class. Despite its proximity to the country's capital, few foreigners passed though Lawndale even Germans who excepting perhaps the British were America's closest ally."


• The New Tiffany (Iron Chef: Freaky Friday "VA Version"), by GlitterShrooms (COMPLETE!): "Pity thought the real Ms Barch. It's such a shame to see that happen to my body, but at least I won't have to worry about switching back. Now, I finally get the chance to live a real life with all the resources and oppurtunities that the old me never had before!"


• Scarlett the Fairy goes out for Pizza, by Aloysius (COMPLETE!): "When the plane landed, and she left, the skies were dark and foggy. As a result, she had absolutely no idea where she was. So she flew towards the nearest building and nearly cried when she read the sign. Welcome to Chicago"


• Searching For a New Hope, by thatLONERchick (part 4): "Daria's eyes snapped up just in time for her to dodge away from the crazy artist, who laughed maniacally as she chased the shorter girl around, swinging the map like a sword. She managed to corner Daria near a guitar case in the back left corner, the auburn-haired girl standing with arms held out in a placating gesture as her six-legged friend buzzed on her shoulder. 'Okay, Jane.' She made to take another step back, but her boot bumped the guitar case and stopped. 'Drop the map and back away from the bee.'"


• The Two Americas (IC: What would Lawndale be like if...), by Charles RB (parts 4 - 6 plus interlude): "'Ah'm the only white student called into this office, when Ah didn't do nothing except not pick on someone. And before Ah came in, you had that negro who hit when provoked but none a' the guys who hit him. Why, it almost looks like yer not targetin' the troublemakers but their victims cos that's easier." "Yes." That remark killed the conversation stone dead. It took a while for Daria to get her mouth to work again." (Part 5) (Interlude: Notes from Hawaii) (Part 6)


• Unnamed story (IC: What would Lawndale be like if...), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "'Now get out there and have a gosh-darn-terrific day, kids!' 'Sure thing, Dad!' the girls said in unison as they stepped out of the car and waved as it slid away on its hoverplates. After the gravcar angled up and took off into the clear blue smog-free sky, they turned and made their way up the steps of Lawndale High School to where two cheerful brunettes greeted them."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Do Your Eyes Hypnotize?), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'You are safe and calm, feeling a warm, gentle breeze. Every bone in your body is relaxing. Easy...easy...At the count of ten, you will tell me everything you are feeling with no resistance...' As he counted down, Daria felt a growing sense of dread, like a viewer of a horror film felt when the buxom actress walked through the dark cabin wearing only a towel. 'Three...two...one. Daria, tell me what you are feeling.' 'Daria? That's not right. My name is Melody.' Daria's voice wasn't in her usual sullen, laid-back tone. It was harder...it had an edge to it."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Super Daria Sisters), by project pegasus (part 1): "Toad: Dario, Luijane, stop it you two! You must rescue the Princess! Luijane: (Staring at the squat toadstool man) Oh-ah great! In Soviet Russia, the mushrooms hallucinate you!"


• The Vision of the Burning Cities, by jtranser: "At that moment, Daria reached the last step as all the light in the universe curved tightly around her, injecting energy as her body transformed into a cold fire that burned intensely without consuming anything. Looking through all directions, she became aware of the great presence that brought her there. Prodigious currents of pure randomness flickered through Her aura as She moved to greet Her possible replacement: 'And so we meet again, Daria.'"

Down with All Hands

"Just Add Water" celebrates its 11th birthday today, having premiered on MTV that long ago. Much has been said here about that episode, so it will not be repeated. The unaired pilot episode of Daria, "Sealed with a Kick," is 15 years old, and fanfic character and Daria love Michael Fulton is 29. I forgot where I discovered that last bit of info, maybe someone can tell me the story in which that date appears.

I took yesterday off, so sue me.

NEWZZZ!!

• Charles RB asks, is it better or worse for Erin and Brian to have stayed married?

PPMB

• Anticipation, by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "Six days until graduation and I will NEVER have to step inside Lawndale High again!" "I know. And then, come September, the Big City, the Bright Lights, the separate boyfriends!" "I hate you. Sheesh, you steal one boyfriend, and they never let you forget it." "What are friends for? Hey, what's with the waterworks, amiga? You OK?" "Yeah. Just a bit emotional since the other day. Had a session with the therapist and it went places I didn't expect. I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to have a friend like you."

• The Camera I, by Brian Taylor (Part 1): The lens cap is removed. The camera begins recording an image of a dining room table after a party. Covered in shreds of wrapping paper. Paper plates. Plastic forks. A half-eaten chocolate cake. It pans up to reveal a weary housewife bent over the table, shoveling wrapping paper into a trash bag. She has dark hair and ruddy coloring, and she looks to be in her forties. "Stately Barksdale Manor," intones Amy dramatically on the narration. "Where even as we speak, Edie Barksdale, put-upon housewife by day and crimefighting dynamo by night, is preparing to do battle with her trickiest opponent yet—Wraps McGee, the sinister shrinkage king of suburban Virginia!"
• The Dam Bursts, by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "So, wanna come in?" "No, not today. I'm kind of bushed. I need a nap." "OK, call me later if you want. 'Bye!' "'Bye!" She discovered several thick envelopes in the mailbox, all addressed to her, from several of the colleges she'd applied to. Including Bromwell. Collecting her mail and leaving the rest in the box, she went in and up to her room. She stared at the acceptance letter from Bromwell. She smiled to herself in satisfaction.
• Daria/Dorian 6: Christmas Chaos, by LadieT (Part 6): "Jane, you broke up with your boyfriend and ended up on crutches thanks to me." "True, but I got a better boyfriend out of the deal." Jane kissed Dorian's cheek. "As for the crutches, blame the three doofuses for that. Besides, if I wasn't hurt, I wouldn't be having the best Christmas I have had in years." Dorian gave her a quick kiss as he heard the front door open.
• Dimwits & Dragons, by Ken T. (Part 4): The thunder of thousands of feet filled the air as Daria and Jane ran alongside each other, desperately trying to keep up with the horde. The draw of the Hunger was very strong now. Something deep inside Daria wanted to find a sword, a stick, anything, and start swinging it. All that little twerp gave her was a useless hat... wait a minute. She was able to pull a mallet out of that hat. Where did it go? (Daria/Dungeons & Dragons: The Animated Series)
• Finn Morgendorffer 55: Dreamer Without a Cause, by HolyGrail2007 (Parts 7 and 8): “Well, before that, we’re going to a film festival. Daria’s got a film playing.” “Really?” Jodie was completely surprised by that one. “That’s... that’s great. She made one, you said?” “With a film-making club she joined earlier this semester.” “Yeah, I was surprised, too.” “You’re going too, Finn?” “Jane asked me to come, Daria didn’t.” (Part 8)

• Jane Lane: Ace attorney—Turnabout Teacher's Pet, by LSauchelli (Parts 11 and 12): Jane was nervously going one more time through the court file when the Judge called for everyone’s silence and attention. “Order! Order!” He looked professional and solemn for a second, but Jane knew better now than to be fooled by his appearance. “This court will now begin the re-trial of Jane Babin, accused of murdering Superintendent Carwright.” “OBJECTION!” shouted Jane at the top of her lungs. (Part 12) (Daria/Ace Attorney game)
• The Lane That Wasn't, by LadieT (Part 17): Jane stared nervously at the old man. He gave her a reassuring smile. She leaned over, staring down into the blackness. Jane was about to walk back to the bench. The old man stopped her. "If you walk away, the hole will close. I will not be able to open another one. There is nothing to be afraid of. You cannot physically get hurt. I know that it looks like complete darkness, but it's just the way to enter your subconscious. The decent takes less than a second. Now, remember, your five minutes starts the moment that Jane wakes up. Good luck. I will see you upon your return." Jane summoned all her courage. She closed her eyes and jumped.
  
• Li Don't Like Mondays II, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "ALERT! ALERT! A SHOOTER IS RAIDING THE SCHOOL -" Tinny recorded sounds of a gun came over. "EVERYONE TO DRILL POSITIONS!" "Oh darn," sighed O'Neill. "Oh well, lockdown is in session, class!" Daria felt a brief surge of panic, only to notice the rest of the class looked... well, bored. That struck her as odd. "Jane? I know this class is boring, but has it really put everyone in such a stupor that they didn't hear we're being shot at?"
• Li Don't Like Mondays II (Alternate Ending), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): Daria turned her head and looked behind her at the offending freckle faced male. Her cold glare got a twiddle finger wave back from the boy in response. She turned her focus to her phone as she thumb-tapped a response on her keypad and sent it back: "dismembering & disposing of ur corpse creep" A few more quick thumb taps and the offending number was blocked before Upchuck's face had a chance to fall as he read the reply.
• MST version of TAG's "Daria 2007: The Girl from Hope" by Charles RB (Parts 3 and 4): [Won't spoil it for you!] (Part 4)
• No Child Left Behind, by Malakite (COMPLETE!): Mr. DeMartino had barely started in his rant about being interrupted for complete nonsense when Quinn (and everyone else) heard-or rather felt the explosion.Some of the tacky things on the walls fell off, as well as a cup near the edge of DeMartino's desk.
• Stardate: Esteemsters, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): It was time for Worf to enter the simulation. Wearing a white shirt that had seen too many washings and a loose black tie, Worf strode forward confidently. "You shall remain seated," he growled. "Class...there is a new student in the classroom. Her name is Daria Morgendorffer." He paused. "You will greet her." The crowd mumbled almost inaudibly. It did not please Worf. "I stated... you will greet her!" He brought his fist down upon the desk, almost putting his hand right through the cheap wood. The class was... more enthusiastic, and the response was more genuine.

• Unnamed story (Daria/Dorian 6: Christmas Chaos), by Erin M. (COMPLETE!): "I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT A LEOPARD SKIN BIKINI AND A CAN OF WHIPPED CREAM!"
• Unnamed story (The Hallowed Halls of Fielding), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): In the private hell of his darkened room, Anthony took another swig of the vodka. Again, his mind screamed at him that he should have had the damn balls to become a mariner like he'd dreamed. But he'd been scared. And so he'd meandered and now...
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Misery Chip), by smk (COMPLETE!): Data, carefully following his PADD display, "Esteem... a teen. They do not really rhyme, do they? The sounds do not quite mesh. And that, in fact, is often the case when it comes to a teen and esteem. The two just do not seem to go together. But we are here to begin realizing your actuality and when we do, each and every one of you will be able to stand proudly and proclaim, "I am." Now, before we... " Since Data had been too focused on his PADD to notice her raised hand, Troi spoke up, "Excuse me. I have a question. I want to know what 'realizing your actuality' means."
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Modern Day Daria), by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "BOMBSNIFFING DOGS? Are you serious?" "Yes, I saw the truck outside the school when Quinn and I were driving to the mall." "What the hell is Li thinking? Bombs? At 'Laaaaaawndale High'?" Jane's impression of Angela Li was spot on. Her impression of Angela Li in the throes of orgasm was always a hit in the girl's bathroom. "Really. You realize this means more cuts to the academic. music and arts curricula, right?"
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Modern Day Daria), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "So when you were my age, did you treat your mother with respect and listen to her?"

• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Ouch Time), by Derek (COMPLETE!): "We are the Borg. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated." "Heh heh, they said 'ass', heh heh." (Star Trek TNG/Beavis and Butt-head/Daria (maybe))
• The Vision of the Burning Cities, by jtranser (continued): Ensorceled in slumber, Christopher Atkins found himself walking slowly across a enormous, intricately woven carpet which seemed to stretch out all the way to the horizon. As he moved, he became aware of a peculiar sound coming from the area of his feet. Looking down, he noticed that the small sections of weave were rippling around his shoes...
  

Happy Birthday, Quinn! (Now you know where your tax dollars just went.)

Richard Lobinske's Falling Into College series places today as Quinn's 27th or so birthday today, a secret revealed in "A Daze at the Races."

This is also National Tax Day in the United States and its territories. Either way, Quinn or the government, someone's going to get all your money.

Today being the 558th birthday of the Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci, we again post the famous alter ego of Jodie Landon as da Vinci's "The Vitruvian Man." Clicking on the last link here shows the original drawing from which this picture is taken, and explains what the drawing really means. It's more complicated than I'd thought.

More tomorrow, tired now. Zzzzz....

PPMB

• Finn Morgendorffer 42: The Suburban Symphony, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 5): “What happened? You seemed burned out at work.” “It... it was nothing. Nazi Michael found my screwdriver and now I got fired. Fun.” “Lindy, you were drinking on the job?” “You should know, you’re the one who told him I was.” (NEW! Part 6 here!)
  
• I Just Don’t Get You, by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): Quinn hesitated, and then blurted, “I don’t get you.” Jane, thrown by this statement, could only manage a confused, “Oh?” “Are you mad?” asked Quinn. “NO!” said Jane, perhaps too quickly, before adding, “I mean, no, of course not.” “Good,” replied Quinn, “because I want to like you, but I just don’t get where you’re coming from.” (Daria/MST3K)
• Into the Fray, by Minx (Part 9): Quinn leaned forward and peered through the tiny crack in the door. She could see the two men standing on the front porch facing each other; she could just make out their conversation. “There’s no one here, just bags by the look of it. I think—” Walker’s voice was cut off by the sounds of shouted male voices and a volley of gunfire. “They’re down the road. They must have jumped the fences!”
  
• NEW! Into the Fray, by Minx (Part 8): The usual variety of knickknacks were strewn across the drawers; a jewelery box, old photos, a large ornate lamp. They could have been in any house in America. Jane opened the jewelery box and picked up a golden earring, as she did so a chill ran up her spine and she quickly dropped it and shut the lid. Jane was thankful when she heard the water stop, as the door opened she quickly ran in and shut the door.
• NEW! Some unnamed concept that I will name later, by SigDiff (Part 1): Jane shrugged. “I've never been in the city before. Got sick of seeing nothing but the green world, so I came here.” “And a strong sense of curiosity, even at this age. Usually the world beats it out of them by now.” Jane was clearly being judged, much to her displeasure. “Quinn,” the figure continued, “I think we could really use her.” Although she'd never heard it before, Jane didn't like the idea of being used. “I thought you'd say that,” Quinn commented. “I'm okay with it.”
  
• Springtime for Scarlett the Fairy, by Aloysius (COMPLETE!): You do not ever want to hear a fairy after she has pricked her finger on a needle. Talk about coloring the air blue. That brings up a question I’ve always had, and you should be curious about it, as well. What color is a choking Smurf?
• Unnamed story (Scenes That Should Be: Breakfast of Zombie Champions), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "I thought this was a horrible nightmare. But it was wrong. It's a horrible nightmare that I can't wake up from. You and your god-damned Jell-O shots." "Shut up. You were right in there with me."

Endings and Anniversaries

The end of an era has come. Richard Lobinske's epic Falling into College series has concluded. (I missed that little point over the last day or two, still believing there was more coming. Silly me.) If you have been a fan of this series, post your comments at the link. What epic series will he create next? The fandom awaits with baited breath.

"Malled" premiered 13 years ago today, and "The F Word" 10 years ago. Jake reminds us that Angus Young of AC/DC turns 55 today, still rockin' away too.

Today is Thomas Mundy Peterson Day in New Jersey, Cesar Chavez Day in the southwest USA, and Hanami (flower viewing day) in Japan. It's the 126thth birthday anniversary of astronomer Adriaan van Maanen (famous in Daria fandom because of this shared world). The Motion Picture Production Code that prevents us from seeing cartoon boobs on TV was enacted 80 years ago today. And this is the 414th birthday anniversary of philosopher René Descartes, who said "I think, therefore I am" and won a little mention in Daria fanfiction for that.

Tomorrow... we have a lot of jesters. Stay tooned.

PPMB

• An End to War, by The Sharpie (COMPLETE!): “It has been thirteen years since that day. As the fires burned above ground we were some of the lucky few who were in The Caves. I wasn't supposed to be there, but my company convinced the government that since I helped write a key part of the new program I should help install it,” Daria told her daughter....
• NEW! Anti-Trope, by Minx (Chapter 2 COMPLETE!): "So how was Bobblehead Bobby? Will you be seeing him again?" Dean asked. "I doubt it," Jane said with a smile. "I like my men with a normal head to body ratio." (FF.net)
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 40: Higher Learning, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 3): “So, when do you suppose they do the brainwashing?” Daria asked. “Freshman orientation," said Tom. "That way, even the dropouts send in their last dime.”
• Lawndale's Finest: Action Stories #4—Power Struggle, by Jim North (continued): Then, just as she was ready to reach down and reset the entire system, windows began to pop up, close down, and move around, seemingly at random at first but finally in a pattern that she recognized as all the command attempts she had been making before, all executing at once. "No no no no!" she screamed, grabbing the sides of the monitor and shaking it in frustration. When the window containing the article she had been writing shut down without saving, she slumped forward to rest her forehead against the screen.
• NEW! There's Something Furry in Denmark, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): Over the next couple of weeks, Jane noticed odd changes in her behavior. Her leg would start bouncing whenever she had an itch. She felt the urge not to use a spoon when eating something out of a bowl. If Trent played a high pitched note, she would have to cover her ears. She tried to block the strange occurrences out of her mind. (FF.net) (OD)
  

Happy Birthday, Facebook... and What a Gift!

Today is Facebook's sixth birthday, and Kara Wild has discovered that MTV gave us a great birthday present: an official Facebook presence for Daria! Daria World is now open, with the promise of massive amounts of content to come. Sign up for the newsletter, if you like, get into the message boards, have some fun. Wonder if the Daria section on the main MTV site will be upgraded/fixed so all the links work. That would be very nice. I should update the Daria Directory at left with new links.

Kinda weird, in a way. I was wishing to myself that another new Daria fan site would appear, and there it is. Cool. Oh, and Kara also has quotes for you to read. I wonder if this is the beginning of a Renaissance for our fandom, new people coming in, new stories to be told and pictures to be painted, more websites.... I sure hope so.

Funny, here we all have been sitting around for a decade wondering if Daria would return, and now she's on her way. The DVD should be out in spring. Whoa. This is an exciting time for the fandom. Those of us who hung on all these years waiting, it's coming at last. I'm definitely buying this DVD the second it hits the stores. Or maybe I should pre-order it through Amazon.com. Hmmm.

A well-known character from Richard Lobinske's most excellent Falling into College series turns 28 today. Guess who?

Ten years ago today, Kara Wild finished "Primarily Color," a powerful Driven Wild Universe tale about racism at Lawndale High. A great read.

Vlora has a magnificent portrait of Jane Lane online. It is to be adored and worshiped! Thank you!

FF.net

• Dull Days, by a440 (COMPLETE!): Lawndale was now no longer the small town 'burb it had been since the Morgendorffers' arrival. Indeed, over the years the town grew, spreading out with new landscaping and new buildings springing up, until it spread to the size of 338 times greater than Hibbing, Minnesota....

PPMB

• D-Force, by Patrick Moore (Part 1): Daria Morgendorffer wasn’t herself the day the Galactor killed her parents during the invasion. She wore a white outfit that made her look like a hawk. “Damn Galactor,” she said under her breath. (Daria/Gatchaman) (FF.net)
  
• Daria Is Raven's Apprentice, by Project Pegasus (continued): "Goddamn it! If we don’t act quickly, the Incarnation Ceremony will destroy your friend Raven and bring about Trigon’s return to the world!" "And I won’t get any booty!" "What?" "Nevermind."
• The Dream of the White Darkness, by jtranser (continued): "The true dream self hides inside the vapors of hallucinatory dream. It is much more than a master control program and does not accept just any login one may choose to enter."
• Finn Morgendorffer 30: Parental Discretion Advised (Parts 2 to 4): “Alright, so now we’ve wasted one hundred and six minutes of our lives watching blood-bursting eyeballs.”
• General Semantics, Private Angst, by Gwrtheyrn (Parts 4 to 8): Of course, Daria couldn't let herself be noticed. But she could see Jane from her vantage with telescopic clarity for the few seconds before she vanished into the Medical Arts Building, and couldn't help falling in love with her all over again. Oh, snap.
• Sisters, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): Even without her glasses, she could recognize her dim surroundings. Padded walls. A non-functioning television on a steel frame high up in the corner of the room. A plastic model of the human heart. Home.
• Their Satanic Majesties Request, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): Daria pulled out a pin, and quietly—but painfully—jabbed her finger. The drop of blood fell on the contract, and the damnable deed was done. From the top of the attic to the corner of the garage, Satan's laughter rang throughout as he was resplendent in his absolute triumph!
• A Ticket to Ride, by Doggieboy (Part 3): The digital clock read 2:49 and Ted DeWitt-Clinton lay awake and still in his hotel room bed. Wrapped up against him, Linda Griffin was asleep, a half-smile on her face.
• Trapped, by Jim North (COMPLETE!): While Jane and Daria tried to figure out what to do with a situation that seemed more surreal to them than any of the nightmarescapes they had been through, Burnout stepped up on the dais DeMartino was hanging over, slipped her knife under one of straps wrapped around him, and started sawing at it. (FF.net)
  
• Wrylight, by Minx (Part 6): Then there were the other strange things that Daria had noticed about Jane, her preference for the dark, her icy cold touch, the absence of her family, the strange red stain in her freezer, a kitchen that looked like it hadn’t been used in a number of years, her ability to predict the future and her brother’s gift of reading minds. (FF.net)
  

Here Comes the Judge!

Wow, this day has just about everything in it. It's Hourly Comic Day today, to start with, then it's also National Baked Alaska Day (not as per Brother Grimace's story, though), the sixth anniversary of the worst wardrobe malfunction in television history, National Freedom Day, Robinson Crusoe Day, and a bunch of other stuff.

However, since we have the proper alter ego for it, we will commemorate the day just 220 years ago when the U.S. Supreme Court was first called to assemble, in New York City (the U.S. capital at the time.) Ms. Li of course will officiate for today.

Eight years ago this day, a fan-created character had to report for military duty. You might be able to guess the name, but if not, the answer lies here.

Eleven years ago this month, Daria received a special award from her fans in Teen People magazine. She was pleased, in her own special way.

Dancing the Night Away in His Memory

This is the 98th birthday anniversary of famed artist Jackson Pollock, in whose honor Jane Lane designed the student dance milieu in "Daria Dance Party." When asked what the decorations stood for, Jane replied, "Being young, carefree, having your whole life ahead of you and dancing the night away to celebrate. Oh, and the untimely death of Jackson Pollock." Mr. Pollock died August 11th, 1956, so it is doubtful that the party fell on his "death day" (to borrow a phrase from the Potter fandom).

However... Jane did not say aloud how Mr. Pollock died. How did Quinn know it was in a car crash? Well, there was a giant steering wheel hanging in the gym, so it must have been obvious.

Let's see, this is also Data Privacy Day, in memory of all the privacy we've lost through the Internet, and it's the 52nd anniversary of the patenting of LEGO blocks. Jake at left is clearly a LEGO fan. On top of all that, this is the 8th anniversary of a fanfiction couple's secret marriage. Guess who it was.

I see I am running behind on listing fanfiction again, so I will get to it as soon as possible.

Thirteen

In Richard Lobinske's Falling into College series, Daria Morgendorffer met Jane Lane on October 14th, 1996. Happy 13th anniversary!

This is World Standards Day, whose website is not up to standard, at least using Firefox. (Can you spot the errors in the heading?)

And one of the actors who played James Bond turns 82 today. You go, dude.

Haven't figured out what else to add. Got any ideas? Put them in Comments. thx

PPMB

• Anti-Trope, by Pinkminx (Part 2): “I’m here to see the principal,” he said. The woman raised a questioning eyebrow and waited for him to continue. “I’m a new student.” He added, having a feeling he’d be using this line more than once during the course of the day.
• Fat Man's Grave, by TAG and Brother Grimace (Part 3): To stand in the entrance to Daria’s Inner Sanctum and gaze upon its eccentric splendor took my breath away. It was a teenage girl’s bedroom, but you wouldn’t have known it. It was a place where the color pink shriveled up and died.
  
• Our Time Now, by Charliefox2012 (Part 3): “Just trying to bring you out of your mood. You’re no fun once you’ve gotten irritated,” Jane said. “I’m fun?” Daria asked feigning surprise. “You know what I mean,” Jane deadpanned. “Meaning you won’t get any,” Daria said, raising an eyebrow.
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Stacy's Mom, Where Are You?), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): Quinn showed up at Stacy's door and tapped her fashionable tennis shoes impatiently. C'mon, Stacy, if I miss a second of Boys 'r' Guys, I'm going to yank out your pigtails. [You are not going to believe this crossover. TAG]
  

September Surprises

This is an important month for fandom anniversaries. Kara Wild began working on Contrarian's Corner nine years ago this month. According to Richard Lobinske's Falling into College timeline, September is the month in which Wind Lane was born (41 years ago) and Helen Morgendorffer started law school (31 years ago). Quinn planned to break up with Skylar this month. And there was Daria's interview in Jump magazine eleven years ago, in which she passed along important advice on having a good school year.

Today also turns out to be an important day in a number of fanfics. Indeed, early September (and the start of school) figures prominently in even more stories. An attempt to list a few of these tales follows.

• Scarlett (about 12 years ago)
• Cat Fights (about 10 years ago)
• Snowflakes (9 years ago)
• Broken Star (7 years ago)
• Alien Heritage (7 years from now)

Perhaps the most unusual anniversary today is that 15 years ago a new animated series was begun on MTV that had a connection to Beavis and Butt-head, and thus to Daria. (Butt-head had a cameo in the first episode.)

The Head is little known nowadays, but it had very interesting characters, great dialogue, and an appealing and humorous atmosphere. If you manage to get a copy of the VHS tape for the first year of the show, grab it. Lots of fun to watch. If you can fit it together with Daria and Beavis and Butt-head in your fanfics, more power to you. I'm giving it a shot myself.

Time Flies When You Don't Have A Clue

It's Saturday morning and I realized that it's been five years since I started "The Last Summer", setting Daria on a new path after "Is It College Yet?" that's grown far beyond what I had anticipated.



She's probably grumbling, "Okay, if it's been five years, why am I still in college?"

When Jake Met Helen

According to C.E. Forman's "Fireworks," it was 40 years ago today that Jake Morgendorffer met Helen Barksdale at Middleton College. What a wacky couple of kids they were, and look at them now. Some people never change.

As a side note, it was not-sure-how-many-years-ago today, according to the Falling Into College series by Richard Lobinske, that Amy Barksdale tied the knot in the "wedding of the year" with a little help from Brother Grimace. September's just that kind of month, I guess.

LATE ADD: Wouter has drawn Daria as Batman nemesis Harley Quinn. That's Daria, all right. What is she bitching about now? (SFMB)

Anniversaries, Left and Right

It's a long list, but here we go:

Daria's second-ever appearance on MTV was a mere 15 years ago today, in the Beavis and Butt-head episode, "Babes 'R Us." If you have the DVD Is It College Yet? you can watch Daria's appearance by unlocking the Easter egg hidden on the disk. (See the link for instructions.) I've seen this film clip and... she looks weird.

The first part of Brother Grimace's "The Sun Will Come Out, Tomorrow" was released eight years ago this month.

Kara Wild posted DWU #20, "Memory Road," six years ago this month.

"Silver Lining," the 24th story in the Falling Into College series by Richard Lobinske, takes place eight years ago at this time, following the events of "Through Lenses Most Bright."

Producer, director, and screenwriter Joss Whedon was born 44 years ago today. He was the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which we know for a fact (thanks to "Speedtrapped") was one of Quinn Morgendorffer's favorite TV shows.

Want to know about the Trentmobile? Click the link. Want to add more information on it to the DariaWiki? Ditto. A picture would be nice, too.

More later!