He's the Guy Who Cut Down the Cherry Tree With His Teeth, Right?

Kevin's ready to party for George Washington's birthday, but I dare you to ask him who Washington was. Bonus points if he answers "the dollar guy."

Of course, perhaps Kevin would surprise us all by actually getting an answer right! It could happen, because today is also World Thinking Day. We can always hope for a miracle, right?

Fandom News!

• Have you read C.L. Basso's "Just the Sun at Night"? If not, find it in the thread.


• Discuss Daria characters and instrument stereotypes.

But Maybe Not THAT Mailman

DeMartino's eager to accept your gratitude on Thank a Mailman Day, but I don't recommend it. He seems to be channeling his inner Metal Mouth.

Today is also the day George Washington was elected president in 1789, at which point he apparently told a young lady that she was tardy. At least, that's what Brittany thinks. In real life I'm sure he was actually much more focused.

Fanfic Update!

• Daria of the Milieu: Chasing Wormtrails, by Meester_Lee (part 1): "Wilmington! That was one of the hot stories this week. Every journo who could had dashed off to Wilmington with pens, paper, laptops, cell phones, and video cameras to interview the latest arrivals from Earth Gimel."


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Year of the Owl, by Meester_Lee (part 26): "Daria looked at her pocket-watch. It was time. She knocked softly on the Professor's door. 'Come in,' he said."


• Daria the Vampire Slayer: Hell Comes To Texas, by Charles RB (part 12): "The first Daria knew of the situation was when she arrived at school to find the police already there, dragging a number of people away."


• Edicius, by elainefr (part 22): "'Come on, breathe damn it!' (v/o) His voice sounded very far away. 'That's it; you can- do it-'"


• The Engineer and the Time Lady, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 4): "The next day, Alpha returned to Nina's quarters. Nina soon came to the door. 'Good morning,' Alpha said cheerfully."


• Everything to Fear But Camp Itself, by Lady Evil (parts 3 and 4): "'You got a lot of stuff in these boxes.' Link commented as he helped Helen open one. 'I thought we got rid of all our old stuff before we left Highland.' said Helen. 'Amazing what accumulates in just two years!'" (Part 4)


• Journey Into Misery, by Captain Marbles (part 3): "Daria stood beside the hospital bed fingering her Norse hammer amulet nervously, staring down at her best friend and partner in crime, Jane. Fellow Cynic and Artiste Extraordinaire."


• Sympathy for the Sloane, by YouthofOz (part 5): "It was even money over who was more terrified as Tom bolted through the cellar door and wrenched the door shut behind him."


• Tell Me I'm a Wreck, by conquerlove (fullbrightness) (part 1): "The phone call at two AM was anything but pleasant. I had fallen asleep after trying to write a new article for the magazine I work for; the topic, Heating Up or Cooling Down, was about relationships of all things."

Wooden Teeth, Wooden Head

Kevin is pleased to portray America's first QB--I mean, president--on George Washington's birthday. Brittany may not approve, because all she knows about the man is that he wasn't very focused. Then again, neither is Kevin, so I suppose it's a perfect match! Unfortunately for both Brittany and Kevin, today is also World Thinking Day, and I don't think they could come up with a single thought between the two of them.

Last chance to vote in the Daria Fanworks Awards! The deadline is almost upon us, so vote if you haven't already.

Fanfic Update!

• Art Born (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: The Saga Goes On), by JoeMerl (COMPLETE!): "'Here's the plan,' Jane said. 'There's an invoice book behind the counter that should tell us who bought my last painting. But, you'll have to distract Gary while I'm grabbing.'"


• Eggman's Estimation (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: The Saga Goes On), by Walter Kovacs (part 3): "The first class that Daria actually remembered was history. The 'teacher', if he could be called that and not an insane asylum escapee, one Anthony DeMartino was shouting every fourth to seventh word, accompanied by one of his eyes bulging."


• Fresh Start (IC: Random Pairing Challenge 2018), by Princess_Pasta (COMPLETE!): "It wasn't everyday that Jamie White found himself on a date with someone twice his age. He was never fond of dating apps but desperation drove him to great lengths."


• The Karate Quinn (Quinn, Season 3), by WildDogJJ (COMPLETE!): "Quinn and Jim are having dinner with Jake and Helen. For once, Jake managed to cook something that wasn't a disgusting concoction." (Part 3)


• The New Partner (IC: Random Pairing Challenge 2018), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "Helen turned to her left, and there was no one there. Rubbing the dregs of a mostly-sleepless night out of her eyes, she threw the covers back, slid her feet off onto the floor, and cursed herself - not for the first time - for a fool."


• The Spiral Path (Quinn, Season 3), by WildDogJJ (part 1): "In the basement of the run down house that they call home Mystic Spiral are practicing for an upcoming gig. They play the following song... 'Pain and stirfe Twist the knife It falls apart End my life'"


• Unnamed story (LLH Short Entries : Thread #2), by Roentgen (part 104): "Jane Lane walked on air. She could have walked on air literally for any number of reasons, but she had more than enough reason to smile."


• The Wrong Sort (IC: Random Pairing Challenge 2018), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Another dull day, another society social, with it being summer and one Elsie Sloane on break from Bromwell, she found herself stuck with the rigorous schedule as set by her parents and all the baggage that came with being a Sloane."

Makes Sense; Kevin's Not Very Focused, Either!

Kevin looks even more pleased with himself than usual because on this day in 1789, George Washington was elected president of the United States. Or, as Mrs. Stoller put it, "And so, the people asked George Washington, 'Will you be our new king?'" Whether or not the newly-elected president then scolded a teenage girl for being late to class is anyone's guess.

Fanfic Update!

• Brittany and a Pernicious Problem, by Bill Bruford (parts 2 and 3): "KNOCK....KNOCK KNOCK 'Come in' Brittany answered the knocks, same apathy plaguing her voice." (Part 3)


• Doctor Who: Season 8.5, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (prologue): "The Doctor awoke, for real this time as the 'dream crab' expired. 'Clara!' He called out. He scrambled to the TARDIS, which soon dematerialised."


• E-mails, by BeingFearless (COMPLETE!): "From: Daria To: Jane HELP. I'm bored. TV doesn't work. Come home."


• Rising with the Machines... Cynically, by Kuriamo22 (part 2): "Daria stood next to an empty street surrounded by darkness.Suddenly she saw of the nearby tree's along the road lit by a flash of blue lightning. She spun away from it in fear to see a bright white light blind her."


• Slow Flows the River, by UU (part 1bis): "The second most important person in the second most important country in the world cared neither about the bitter cold and the snow falling on his face nor about the most important person shuffling by."

Did He Chop Down the Tommy Sherman Memorial Cherry Tree?

Kevin is portraying the first American president, George Washington, who was born on this day in 1732. Although if Mrs. Stoller's test is any indication, he probably has no idea who that is.

Today also happens to be Walking the Dog Day, so go take Fido for a little spin. Just make sure Daria's not behind the wheel of a car first.

Fanfic Update!

• Alienation, by malakite (part 8): "The remaining theories extended from time traveling space creatures to lunar spirits to non-human ghosts to tulpas. In short, they had no idea. She'd just have to work it out herself, preferably before it killed anyone, or at least before it killed anyone else."


• Alt Rock, by Indigo (part 4): "'They let O'Neill try and teach other people about self-esteem?' said an incredulous Daria who had just experienced Timothy O'Neill's inept touchy-feely teaching style in English class"


• Crazy Love (Shorty Shorts), by ognawk (COMPLETE!): "'It's Janey. She's been acting weird all weekend. I think you need to see all this.' Daria was worried now. 'I'll be over as soon as I can.'"


• Is This Adulthood?, by Princess_Pasta (part 5): "The jeep rolled to a stop in front of the Sunshine Diner and I pretended that I didn't want to scream. Of course I knew we would come here. It was Sunday morning after all and that meant breakfast. I was sick of the Sunshine Diner."


• Jane & Cass, by PrecambrianStudios (part 6): "Armand shrugged his beaten pilot's jacket onto his shoulders as he silently closed the front door of his house, so gingerly as though he were afraid that the slightest noise would make the whole house come down. He glided off the front porch and started down the street."


• Lawndale's Next Top Baller, by rvgonzal (parts 5 and 6): "Even though Jane thought it was great Daria finally met a guy she deemed worthy enough to talk to, she was just concerned because Daria never moved this fast with people especially with guys... and that guy tom somehow managed to wiggle his way in with Daria so quick." (Part 6)


• Pop Goes The Sloane (1,001 Deaths of Tom Sloane - Part II), by ognawk (COMPLETE!): "Tom continued looking around the room when Daria left, and noticed her closet was wide open. After staring for a minute, curiousity got the better of him and he walked over."


• A Rose In The Thorns, by breitasparrow (part 2): "Rosalie's heart was pounding hard in her ears. '... I was thinking that, since the wedding begins this afternoon, if I win...' She could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she tried desperately to avoid stuttering. '... You get to be my escort to the reception this evening.'"


• Sleeping Firsts, by Snow-Kitty (part 1): "Brittany tiptoed around Kevin's bed, careful not to wake the person sleeping in it. She stripped off her bathrobe in the glow of moonlight washing over the small room through the opaque window curtains, and slid between the bedclothes as she sidled close to him."


• Slipping Away (The 1,001 Deaths of Kevin Thompson), by SinisterExaggerator (COMPLETE!): "'I can't believe you got Kevin to do this,' said Jane. Daria, glaring back at her, had just set the banana peel on the floor. 'Actually, on second thought, I can totally believe you got Kevin to do this.'"


• Tr00 Kvlt Daria, by SacredDust (COMPLETE!): "Daria Necrodorffer trudged mournfully out of the grim and frostbitten ice caves beneath a bitter midnight moon that conjured blasphemous images of the pockmarked and undead face of Satan...." (Parts 2 - 6)


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: Do What Now?), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "Daria looked at her newest purchase for her new apartment. It was several hundred dollars, but she felt it was worth it: a Japanese talking toilet." (Part 2)


• Wee-Tail Therapy (Iron Chef: Random Pairing Challenge 2014!), by ognawk (COMPLETE!): "'Diane?' Timothy said with surprise, 'What are you doing here?'"


• Whatever Happened to Miss Li?, by Ravynstone (part 1): "The building was all concrete and steel, surrounded by manicured green lawns and carefully planted flower beds. It could have passed for an upscale office building if one didn't see the sign, illuminated by carefully placed lights, identifying it as Angela Li Senior High School."

Hail to the QB!

Today is the anniversary of the birth of George Washington, born in 1732. Washington was the first president of the United States, and his duties most likely involved very little football. Still, both George and Kevin were supposedly involved in the destruction of a tree in some form, so they've got that in common.

Today is also World Thinking Day for the Girl Scouts, which Jane was (at least briefly) a member of. So observe the day by trying to think while several preteen girls sing "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt" over and over again.

Fanfic Update!

• After the Disaster :: Chapter 5, by Fhujeth_x (parts 1 - 2.5): "Tiffany began a callous walk towards her locker. She had to leave, she had to get out of the school. She had to find some place safe, someplace where she could be herself for once, where people would accept her for who she was before the accident and knew who she was behind this emotionless mask." (Part 2) (Part 2.5)


• At the Crossroads...(Chapter 5), by oni (COMPLETE!): "Looking at the two girls, Li could see smirks on their faces. Gaining back her confidence, Li continued, 'Since your coming out,' she used her fingers to quote 'coming out', 'has become public knowledge to the entire student body, it falls to the school's responsibility to take action if any 'bullying' occurs.' The only reason Li said this was to avoid a lawsuit of any kind and the girls knew it. Despite this, it was comforting for them to know that they could alert the faculty if anything were to happen."


• At the Crossroads...(Chapter 6), by oni (part 1): "'Come on Tiffany, a deal was deal. It has been an hour since you came here, so think we should study now.' The asian girl looked to her friend with a frown and slowly replied, 'But Quinn, studying is so geeky.' 'As geeky as it may be, it beats having to repeat a year like Kevin,' Quinn said trying to reason with Tiffany."


• Clique Swap, by psychotol (part 1): "Scene Tiffany's Room. Tiffany sat in front of her mirror adjusting her makeup. Tiffany: 'Howwwwww dooooooo Iiiiiii loooooook nowwwwwwwww?' Cameraman: 'Fit.'"


• Daria - Double Down, by neonhomer (part 28): "'Daria?' came Quinn's voice from the other side. Daria sighed. 'Come.' Quinn walked into Daria's room, closing the door behind her. 'Daria? You okay?' 'Yeah. I'm fine.' 'No. You're not.' Said Quinn, pulling the chair up and sitting in front of her sister. 'Jane kissed you.'"


• Dylan, by J-D (part 1a): "'I'm glad you boys are such good brothers to each other', their mother said. 'Now, how was the rest of your day, Dylan?' Dylan picked up his glass of milk. 'Nothing I couldn't survive', he said. He took a drink. 'That's good—isn't it?'"


• The Fifth Part of 4 (Iron Chef: Sandi is in Daria's Grade), by Walter Kovacs (COMPLETE!): "Just before Daria had made it to the double doors, she heard a deep monotone voice ask 'Hey. Nice outfit. You into grunge?'. Daria turned to face the source of the voice and saw the source: a smiling taller lean brunette girl with her hair back in a ponytail who was wearing a short black dress, fishnet pantyhose and long boots."


• The Heisted and the Hostage (Iron Chef: How did we get here?), by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): "As I walked out into the drive way of the old motel that they had stopped at a smile crossed my lips and hope filled me. A convertible stopped in front of the motel and I ran over to it hoping for my ride out of here. I jumped into the lap of a strong and handsome man who was waiting in the back seat and the car drove oo."


• Lady Luck (Iron Chef: How did we get here?), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Helen decided that to make Quinn's 21st birthday one that she would never forget. She would send Quinn, Daria and a group of their old friends to Vegas."


• Lawndale 2050 (IC: There can only be ONE.....), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Daria looked around at the bodies lying all around her. Hoisting a semi-conscious Jane onto her shoulders, she made her way to the 'council room'. I'm glad I was able to convince Quinn to go with dad to that seminar. Damnit Jane, why wouldn't you listen to me to?"


• My New Life, by ST91 (part 4): "And so Darius told them about Jane ( who both Quinn and Jake already knew), Mack, Jodie ,and Charles . When he finished both his father and his sister sat with their mouths open in surprise. 'Darius do you realize what you did ?' asked Quinn 'I've made some friends.' 'Yes, but Darius , Jodie and Mack are the most popular couple in Lawndale High. If you hang around them , you could become popular too, even if you hang around upchuck.'"


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 5, by Fhujeth_x (COMPLETE!): "Sadly she wasn't the smartest person to graze the world with her intelligence. She was far from it - almost too far from intelligent to be able to figure out where she was. 'Why am I outside.....?' Then it dawned on her, 'WHY AM I ALMOST NAKED?!'" (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4)


• Tears for Sandi (Angst-Off!), by 45Ranger (COMPLETE!): "'You can't be serious!' The red head said to her. Sandi could only nod her head in shame and guilt. 'First you sleep with my husband, now you tell me you're pregnant with his child? How can you be so sure it's his?'" (Angelinhel's continuation)


• Tickled Pink (Iron Chef: And Go!), by mmmdraco (COMPLETE!): "The two girls, for they were surely girls and not the young women they'd been when he last saw them, were huddled together on the floor, also covered in the pink goo. 'What the hell happened?' Daria looked up from where she'd been hugging Jane. 'That's a bad word. My mommy says so. It's in a lot of books, though.'"


• Twisted (IC: There can only be ONE.....), by BrownEyedBagel (COMPLETE!): "Jane slowly pulled herself out of the driver side window of the overturned Tank. Upon emerging from the totaled van, the scent of charred metal and flesh filled her nostrils. She took in the scenery; you would never imagine that Lawndale once stood where this blight now stood."


• Twisted Metal “The Lawndale Edition”, by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): "Jane turned and say Calypso beside her; his arms held high, taking in the madness' glory. 'Hey; you owe me a wish.' 'Yes I do.' 'You know what I want...'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: And Go!), by JoeMerl (COMPLETE!): "'Okay. Let's go see the damage.' 'Oh, you're overreacting,' Jane said, ringing the doorbell of Quinn's apartment. 'Quinn's babysat before, right? I'm sure the girls haven't suffered too much brain damage in just a couple of hours.'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: And Go!), by RX-87 (COMPLETE!): "As he opened the door he barely had time to register the impossibility of what he saw there before a pain like nothing he had ever felt exploded between his legs."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: And Go!), by Vukodlak (COMPLETE!): "When Tom arrived to pick up the girls he was shocked to see Alice in red and Amy in green both dresses looking like they came out of the fourties. He hoped to god Quinn hadn't started dating Nathan."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Mad Dog gets therapy), by Waylander (COMPLETE!): "When they were outside and Rustmoblie started with a cough, Tom turned to Jane, 'So what's the big deal? You looked like you saw a horde of hungry zombies.' 'Worse. Military Club.'"


• We Only Hurt the Ones We Love (IC Runaway Daria), by deneich (part 5): "So, this was the real issue. They're embarrassed that they can't afford food. Well I can, and if I handle this the right way then no feelings should be hurt. 'I have a suggestion, You've given me a place for the night, let me repay your hospitality by paying for some groceries and cooking us some dinner...Okay?' Jane looked at me curiously for a moment, then exhaled and pursed her lips slightly as she crossed her arms across her chest. 'Fine, sounds like a fair arrangement. Let's get the tour underway so I can change and start my run.'"


• X-men: Daria's Evolution, by Reven384 (part 4): "'You look good for someone whose been shot.' 'Yeah it seems that my powers allow me to heal from not fatal injuries rather quickly. How are you holding up?' Jane asked seeing the look on her friend's face. 'I feel lousy,' Daria, said, 'You know as much as I ragged on them I still loved them. And they are gone.' 'I wish there was something I could do,' Jane said, 'If you need anything I'm here.'"

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.”

A Fandom History Wiki? Who'd've Thunk It?

While cybersurfing® the superwideweb infomercialnet nanoblogwave®, I found another curious website, one where the history of various media fandoms could be posted. And lo! They had a slot open for Daria stuff, and someone had posted stuff thereon! This is the Fandom History Wiki (link goes to the Daria fandom section).

What else was there . . . oh, lupinsmoon12391's Xanga Site, and a weird very pink one called Femslash Ficathon 2007, with a special Daria section. Huh, wonder what that's all about.

More soon after I cybersurf® the next nanoblogwave®. Happy GW's B-day!

It's Presidents Day, with Kevin Washington!

This is Kevin Washington, the almost unknown younger brother of our first president. He attempted to catch a cannonball at the Battle of Yorktown ("I be-ith the QB!") and immediately won a posthumous place in that year's Darwin Awards, even though Charles Darwin hadn't even been born yet.

Enough boring history. On with the overdue fanfic list!


PPMB

• Earthfall, by legendeld (Episode 3, Part 1: "Hidden"): A bittersweet meeting for Jane, and consideration of future plans.
  
• Everybody Loves Jane, by a lot of weird perverted people (continued, to everyone's joy). *
• Falling Into College 61: Latitudes, by Richard Lobinske (Part 15): Q + Q = Zzz (story will explain all).
• I've Waited Here for You, by Kristen Bealer (COMPLETED!): A masterwork. Magnificent. This takes Daria/Trent and nails it to the wall where it belongs. I throw myself at Kristen's feet. I am not worthy.
• A Legend of Rebirth, by Richard Lobinske (COMPLETE!): A Daria/Red Dwarf crossover with a twist.
• Legion of Lawndale Heroes, by Brother Grimace: An outer-space teaser for chapter 12.6.
• Legion of Lawndale Heroes Minis - 'Legionnaires 101,' by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): Learning the ropes the hard way.
• Legion of Lawndale Heroes Minis - 'On Physical Attractiveness in Metahumans,' by smk (COMPLETE!): Not as special as we once thought we were, are we?
• A Little Vacation, by Doggieboy (Part 8): Not all of the monsters are undead.
• The Misery Chicks, by NightGoblyn (Part 9): It's bombs away, and the cafe is ground zero. *
• Size Does Matter, by BlackHole (Parts 7 and 8): Oh, the horror! The humanity! Alas, alackaday, my gosh! Poor Jane! 8D
  
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): Curious as to how the Sloane family made its fortune? Click here and be enlightened.
• Surprises, by legendeld (Parts 14 and 15): Brittany has some wicked but welcome advice for Daria. Chapter 15 just now up!
  
• What America Needs, by Inaria (COMPLETE!): It's election time, 2008. Who married Mack Mackenzie? And who married Helen?
  

* Contains mature content. Brace yourself.

More later. Have a great Prez Day Party!