Play Some Encouraging Games!

I see Daria wasted no time at all in celebrating National Video Games Day, and I hope she finally got that copy of Cannibal Fragfest she wanted. I expect Ted is also celebrating, most likely at the virtual reality arcade.

Let's give them our full support in their activities, because today is also National Day of Encouragement and I don't want to discourage anyone from having fun. However, I do want to point out that I tell you over and over again that you're wonderful and you just...don't...get it! What's wrong with you?!

There. How's that for a pep talk?

Fanfic Update!

• The Engineer and the Time Lady, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 22): "'The new Queen somehow produced ice and ran off!' Albert reported."


• That Undiscovered Country, by E. A. Smith (COMPLETE!): "'. . . when she hugged me, I realized how horrible I’d been. I’ve been thinking of Mom as a problem, or more and more, as a child – and I’m nowhere close to being ready to get into the psychology of that right now – but she’s not. I could see it then. She’s still in there. Buried, usually too deep to see, but she’s there. She’s still my mother, and I owe her the best I can give her.'"

Thank You, Jake, For Wearing Boxers!

I'm pretty sure Jake is just celebrating Body Painting Day and didn't drop four figures at Axl's Parlor for tattoos. Not only would Helen murder him, but he's way too high-strung to be able to handle that many needle jabs...especially in sensitive places.

Daria, on the other hand, would probably much rather focus on Video Game Day, especially if there's a new Cannibal Fragfest out and she's got writing to procrastinate on. I think she'll pass on the Virtual Reality games, though, as they make her ill and bring back unpleasant memories of being ditched by a lovable kook.

Fandom News!

• Talk about the return of Tracy Grandstaff.


• Vote in the Celebrity Deathmatch polls: Quincy vs. House and Snuffy Smith vs. Punkin' Puss.

Know Any Singing Games?

Sir Mack is inviting anyone who's interested to join him in a game of poker for Games Day. I bet the Future Morgendorffers will take him up on it, but Present Jake might not--between Monopoly and Scrabble, he really doesn't do well with games.

This is also Go Caroling Day, but I think I'll pass. You haven't heard my singing voice (or lack thereof). Considering what we heard of much of the Daria characters in "Daria!" I think they might want to sit this one out, too.

Fandom News!

• wacokid shares his quasi-serious Christmas playlist.


• What are your thoughts on AI art/text generators?

Do Your Grandparents Game?

Daria's going to spend some quality time with Cannibal Fragfest on National Video Games Day, and I'm sure Ted can be found at the VR arcade. Not that either of these activities is unique to today, of couse, but it makes a good excuse!

Today is also Grandparent's Day, but I'm not sure any of the Daria characters will be celebrating that one. Most of the grandparents on the show are...not exactly prize winners.

Fandom News!

• Join in the new Round Robin: Daria/DC Animated Universe.


• Charles RB discusses the Creepyling Origins.


• Vote in the Celebrity Deathmatch poll between Milhouse and the Robot Chicken Nerd.


• Join the discussion about Daria and judgment.


• What characters have you or would you have rescued from the Scrappy heap?

"Oh rapture, oh ecstasy--another scintillating computer game."

Twenty years ago today, the video game Daria's Inferno was released. Given the game's age, it would be difficult to play it today, but that's probably for the best. It had its fun moments, but those steam tunnels were the worst.

Today is also Evaluate Your Life Day, so why not take some advice from Jake Morgendorffer? "Then you walk away. You change your name, move to another state, get some ID. It's not too late to start over, Daria, it's not too late! You're still a young man! You don't have to live with your mistakes! Get out while you can!"

Or maybe you could just think about getting more exercise.

Fandom News!

• Take WildDogJJ's Rock Band Quiz.


• View and discuss the Robot Chicken sketch Cat Court.

Go, Daria! Play that Game!

Daria's taking time out from her busy writing schedule to play a little Cannibal Fragfest, but if she really wanted to celebrate National Video Games Day she'd join Ted at the VR arcade. Whether your game of choice is Pong or Grand Theft Auto, feel free to pwn some n00bs or whatever the kids are calling it these days.

Today is also one of Mr. O'Neill's favorite holidays, National Day of Encouragement. Hey, just because he sucks at it doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy it.

Fandom News!

• Daria7142 is looking for advice on getting logged out of PPMB.


• Vote in the Deadliest Warrior poll between X-Wing Fighter and SHADO Interceptor.

Just Don't Paint a Video Game

Jake's taken Body Painting Day to an extreme, or at least I hope that's just body paint. If those are tattoos then he and Helen are going to have a serious disagreement as soon as she gets home.

Daria, meanwhile, is settling in for some quality time with Cannibal Fragfest for Video Games Day. Unless Ted talks her into joining him in some virtual reality, that is.

Fanfic Update!

• Changing Lanes, by midnightabyss86 (part 6): "'I'm just saying that if I were your consultant, I'd give your line something a bit more... edgy! Like The Elegante,' said Jake, throwing around his fall-back pitch to his latest client."


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Highland Years, by Meester_Lee (parts 42 and 43): "The Morgendorffers were tired after their drive from Coalton, their adventures at Gettysburg, and dinner at Pizza Forest. Still, a good night's sleep did wonders—at least for some people." (Part 43)


• My Breast Fiend, by Smijey (parts 7 - 9): "Darius rang the doorbell; within moments, Brittany answered. 'Darius, you're here!' she said happily. 'I'm so glad. Now we're even!' 'This is Jane --' Darius said, trying to introduce his friend." (Part 8) (Part 9)


• Unnamed story (LLH Short Entries #2), by Brother Grimace and Roentgen (parts 133 and 134): "Daria smiled at the image of Michael Fulton - now, First Lieutenant Fulton, U.S. Air Force - on the view-screen in the Conference Room; her phone was on a cradle set on the table before her, which connected it to the screen. 'So, you're getting to stay with the assignment you wanted all along?'" (Part 134)

Ted's Probably at the Virtual Reality Arcade

Daria is ready for Video Games Day with what I'm assuming is Cannibal Fragfest. Why not join in the fun with a video game of your own? I might recommend Daria's Inferno, but the steam tunnels in that game still haunt me.

Fandom News!

• Discuss the sexual harassment suit against Fox News' Roger Ailes.


• Share your theories on the Disney Princess Connected Universe.


• Talk about the latest news on Star Trek and LGBT characters.

Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter the Steam Tunnels

Dust off your old CD-ROM, because today is the 13th anniversary of the computer game Daria's Inferno! I might pull my copy out for a replay...but I'm not looking forward to those steam tunnels. The horrible, brain-meltingly frustrating steam tunnels. Shudder.

Fandom News!

• See a "trailer" for a horror movie that could have been written by Daria.


• Share your thoughts on cheeky Brits--and cheeky people from other countries, as well.


• Comic book fans can talk about Sad Sack in peapotmaster's new thread.


• Kara Wild reminds everyone to respect your fellow board members.


• breitasparrow is looking for suggestions on how to handle art updates on this very blog!

It's On Like Donkey Kong!

On this day in 1981, Donkey Kong was released in the United States. For my generation, this led to countless wasted hours, a whole lot of carpal tunnel syndrome, and a mysterious dread of barrels.

The alter ego on the right is technically King Kong, not Donkey Kong, but it was too good to pass up.

Fandom News!

• Deref is looking for a little help with song suggestions.


• GardenStateMachine wants to move to somewhere far, far away. Where do you recommend?


• cynigal posted about her Europe trip so far as well as pictures from her visit with Martin in Nottingham.


• Did David Felton, not Glenn Eichler, create the character Daria?


• Erin M. wants to hear your opinions on the worst Daria eps in each season.


• A Weapons of Mass Distraction thread inspired by Memorial Day: What's your favorite war movie?


• Can you think of any TV ads that aren't rubbish?


• What kind of stuff do you think cartoons get away with these days?


• DC Comics is planning to reboot their entire universe. Post your thoughts about it in the thread.


• Two new Iron Chefs in the Creative Writing forum: Chris Tucker's Daria's best friend is Huey Freeman and Jim North's If I Forget You.

Dear Daria PDA Application page

One of the old MTV webpages from 2000-2001 linked to a free download of the Dear Daria game that is mentioned in the left column of links, under "Computer freebies." The ad at right appeared on the page, with the following notes. (The page is now a fast redirect.)

*

Be the coolest kid in town with the Dear Daria PDA Application! It's compatible with Palm OS 3.0 or higher. Download it now!

Directions:
1. Download and decompress the daria.zip file.

2. The decompressed zip file will create a file called "Daria.prc."

3. Double click on the Daria.prc file. It will launch the "Install Tool."

4. Sync your hand-held personal data assistant.

*

Several links led to a file called Daria_PDA.zip which could be downloaded. You can still get the file elsewhere (per the "Computer freebies" links). Just thought I'd mention this. Did anyone here ever try this game?

Consulting Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap

The lead guitarist of AC/DC, Angus Young, celebrates his birthday today. He's about the same age as me, only a trillion dollars richer. But I'm not bitter, oh no, not me, no, uh-uh.

The Mighty Roentgen has sent me the link to a recent humor piece by Glenn Eichler (name sounds familiar). It appeared in The New Yorker last year. Anyone for antiques? (Not talking about Angus Young, of course. He's too rich to be an antique. Not that I'm bitter or anything, no, not at all.)

Roentgen also sent me a YouTube link of interest here. "These are clips from the Beavis and Butt-head SNES game (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)," he writes. "Beavis and Butt-head seem to be seeking out Gwar! tickets and face many obstacles on the way.......this 'level' is set at Highland High School. About 1:41 into the club, we see no one other than Our Heroine coming at them with what looks like a pointy stick...or something. Daria gets knocked down, and the game continues. We never see Daria again." Dirty deeds done dirt cheap, indeed. [LATE ADD: Daria is actually carrying a lunch tray. The bad boys knock her down.]

"Did you know that the lockers at Highland High were baby blue and pink?" Roentgen adds. "No wonder Todd keeps knocking them over." Wonder if they were color coded for boys/girls.

In the realm of surprising new Daria art, Christ Oliver has posted a very fine pic discovered on deviantART: It came from the internet 2 : The return of the revenge. Niiiiiice! I feel less bitter now. I wasn't before, of course, but after that picture I feel less so.