A Birthday Three-fer!

Happy birthday to a trio of famous people! Winston Churchill, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, was born on this day in 1874. Jake's impression of the man isn't bad, but I'm sure things would have turned out differently for the UK if Jake had been in charge. Rest assured, though, it all would have been Mad Dog's fault.

Mark Twain, also known as Samuel Clemens, was also born on this day in 1835. Daria was a fan of the author, judging by her sleep shirt in "Lane Miserables," but Trent seemed somewhat less enthusiastic about him.

Finally, satirist Jonathan Swift was born on this day in 1667. I don't believe Swift was ever mentioned in canon, but there is that alter ego of Daria as the title character from Swift's Gulliver's Travels. I'd be willing to bet that Daria's a fan of his witty and acerbic writing style, though.

Fanfic Update!

• The Beginning of our Story, by ST91 (COMPLETE!): "After dinner Darius took Jane back at her home. When they reached the doorway Jane said, 'Today was a wonderful day thanks' 'Was the same for me. Tomorrow I will pick you up and go to school together ok ?' 'Ok.' Jane said first to embrace Darius and give him a passionate kiss."


• Crossing Stars, by Silver: "Mac tapped his console again. 'Well, that's one Raven off our back. Five to go.' 'One of you remind me,' Daria said suddenly, 'To look into weapons upgrades when we get done with this job?' There were three replies that they would, indeed, not let her forget."


• Daria - Double Down, by neonhomer (part 9): "Lynn was laying face down on Daria’s bed when Jane and Daria walked in. They stopped short of walking in, and stood in the doorway. Quiet sobs could be heard coming from Lynn. 'Maybe I should go talk to her...' said Daria. 'Good idea.' Said Jane, starting to walk into the room, but Daria grabbed her by the arm before she could get too far. 'Alone.' Said Daria. "


• Die Hard Quinn (Iron Chef - In the movies), by Reven384 (COMPLETE!): "Quinn dragged her aching body through the air vent hoping to avoid the terrorists that took over the building Daria worked at."


• The Lady and the Tiger, by RLobinske (part 3): "'Hi, Hobbes,' she said to the stuffed animal on the sofa arm as she sat down. After taking a long drink, Daria closed her eyes and leaned back to rest. 'I've had a long day myself.' Without thinking, she placed one hand on the tiger as she drifted off. Sometime later, Daria became aware of purring. I didn't know Calvin had a cat she thought. She opened her eyes and saw her hand resting on a miniature tiger."


• A QB Grows in Lawndale, by Kristen Bealer (part 9): "'Then you must not ever hear yourself talk,' Kevin said. He felt really warm, even to the point of sweating. 'When was the last time you ever did anything that worked out right?' 'Well, at one time I did a pretty good job of raising a successful football player,' Doug yelled, slamming his fist on the counter, 'but that ended up going straight to hell!' Something inside Kevin broke. 'You can go straight to hell, Dad!'"


• Three Signals, by Arena del Sur (COMPLETE!): "It was 2 am, I offered her some coffee. Jane accepted so we went downstairs to the kitchen. And then, while we drank coffee, she started to ask questions. –Have you ever felt trapped in a maze?"


• Tigresses of Lawndale, by taishigi (parts 3 - 5): "Daria looked unsure, so Quinn came over and said, 'I believe in you, too. It's your job to become a great script writer or whatever, so you can write stuff for me to star in.' Daria looked at Quinn, not believing even her sister could say such a thing. Then Quinn winked at her and stated, 'It is your destiny to write for me, young Morgendorffer.'" (Part 4) (Part 5)


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guilty Pleasures Redux), by RX-87 (COMPLETE!): "'Alright,' Daria said, conspiratorially as she helped Tad button up his shirt and wiped the creamy whiteness from her lips, 'Now remember not to tell your parents about this. It's our secret.'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef - In the movies), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): "Sandi: Like Stay-seee, are you, stoned or stupid? You don't hack a bank across state lines from your house, you'll get nailed by the FBI. Where are your brains, in your ass, or something? Don't you know anything?"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef - In the movies), by SgtTrentLAne50 (COMPLETE!): "'Seriously, guys. What am I supposed to do?' Jane though a moment, then said, 'Kill your sister. You'll feel better.'"

Happy Birthday, Dead People!

Lots of famous birthdays today! First, Jonathan Swift was born on this day in 1667. Daria appears as the title character in Swift's Gulliver's Travels on the right, possibly about to eat one of the little people in an homage to another of Swift's works, A Modest Proposal. I can't tell which one she's holding, though. Tom? All I know is, I don't like the way O'Neill appears to be pointing up her skirt. If Swift were still alive today (with or without metal detectors), he would be 343. Get off'n his lawn, everyone!

A couple of relative youngsters were also born on November 30th. Another satirist, Mark Twain, also known as Samuel Clemens, was born in 1835 and would be 175 today. He was referenced briefly in "Lane Miserables," thanks to Daria's nightshirt. She and Trent shared a deep and meaningful conversation about Huckleberry Hound and joiners. I wonder if Mark Twain would have been a Daria/Trent shipper?


Finally, Winston Churchill was born on this day in 1874. He's the baby of the group, coming in at a sprightly 136. And speaking of babies, if all children tend to look like Winston Churchill when they're newborns, what did Winston Churchill look like when he was born? Anyone know? Jake is doing a passable impression of the former British prime minister (as an adult) on the left.

Of course plenty of other people, famous or not, were born on this day but either I was too lazy to track them down or I couldn't find any good Daria connections for them. Happy birthday, everyone who was born today!

Fanfic update coming soon. I think.

Big Character, Little World

Daria would, I firmly believe, be a big fan of the writings of Jonathan Swift, particularly Gulliver's Travels. Today is the 341st anniversary of Mr. Swift's birth. I can't make out all the little people wandering on and around Daria, only a few of them. Pity.

Famed photographer Gordon Parks was born 96 years ago. Jane Lane would know all about him.

I've decided this blog needs to have more stuff. Like link buttons, at left. I am using the actual button images from MTV's 2000-era Daria website, with some modifications. Now you can have music just like the actual show had while you browse around. Might try some other things, too. It would be interesting to have this blog play Mystik Spiral tunes, but perhaps "interesting" is the wrong word here.

Lots of Little Things to Check Out

While Gulliver Daria babysits the ankle-biters in Lilliput, we're go through some odds and ends here.

Today is the birthday of Mack Mackenzie's namesake, Michael Jordan, who's 45. It's also the birthday of the first-ever costumed superhero, The Phantom, who is 72.

Several websites concerning Daria fandom are in need of updating, and you might be the one for the job.

Dariacon at ElWiki: If you have a Dariacon in the works or are looking for one to attend, register here and get this site up to speed. It could use some artwork, too. Won't take long to do.

DMOZ Open Directory Project - Daria: It appears a volunteer position is open for editing this page. These links are pretty old and could use sprucing up. Got some free time?

Yahoo! Animated TV Shows > Daria: This directory page is old, too, but could be updated if enough people send e-mails in listing websites that should be included. Take a minute to compose something and send it in. (Don't pick the $299 option for registering, of course, just the free one.)

PPMB Fan Art Update

• OMG! Daria and Jane, tattooed/pierced, become Quinn and Stacy, tattooed, thanks to Christ Oliver. Plus, Daria and Jane as you've never seen them before! (First and last pictures are screen captures, the middle one is original art.)

Brother Grimace had an interesting thought about the moment in "Pinch Sitter" when Daria comes to the door with her hair in pigtails. Had she and the Gupty kids already watched some unauthorized television before Jane got there? You decide. (Warning: video contains a pop star dancing.) More soon.