Merry Unbirthday, Kevin!

Kevin is proclaiming to all that today is Mad Hatter Day so you should...I don't know, wear a hat or have a weird tea party or talk nonsense. Whatever you like. If you don't have any other plans, you could read one of the many Alice stories that cross over with Daria.

I hope no one tells Jake that it's Change A Light Day, because the last thing anyone (especially Quinn) needs is for him to fiddle around with the light fixtures and risk killing a family member again. Hey, how many Jakes does it take to change a lightbulb? I don't know, but feel free to share your ideas for a punchline in the comments.

Instead of doing any DIY projects around the house, Jake should just cook up some pasta in honor of National Noodle Day. We know he can make both fettuccini Bolognese and penne a la pesto (as long as the pesto doesn't oxidize), so plain noodles shouldn't be a problem.

Fandom News!

• R.I.P., John Amos.


• wouter shares a song he wrote and the story behind it.


• Discuss the “Daisy” ad.

Why is a QB Like a Writing-desk?

Looks like Kevin is about to recite some utter nonsense for Mad Hatter Day, but that's nothing new for him. Just ask Mr. DeMartino. The outfit is a bit unusual, though, if only because he doesn't appear to have crammed his shoulder pads into it.

The Cheshire Cat might be interested to know that it's also World Smile Day, but please don't tell Daria. No one wants to see that creepy smile, even if she's bearing cookies.

Finally, Trent should fix himself a nice plate of spaghetti for National Noodle Day! It is his favorite, after all...or was that fettuccini bolognese? Either way, he'd better eat it before it oxidizes.

Fanfic Update!

• Daria: Cynic the Superheroine, by Meester_Lee (part 4): "Daria’s cellphone continued buzzing inside her handbag. It was probably Denise wondering where the hell she was, she thought."


• Her Last Words, by Sheila Wisz Ellayn (part 73): "The trees of Susquehannock Forest were still all lively and green the last time that Anna had seen her beloved Feli Lake, and yet this time, as she ventured to that place in her dreams once again, everything about the trees was just beautiful red, yellow and orange."


• Star Trek: Voyager: Horrors of the Delta Quadrant, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 2): "'So, they do want Voyager to take them to a planet?' Janeway asked. 'Yes, any M class planet where there aren’t any Kazon,' Chakotay answered."

Why is a QB Like a Writing Desk?

I see Kevin is in fine form for Mad Hatter Day (note the 10/6 on the hat), but I think I should point out that mad and dopey are two different things. Still, points for finally taking off those shoulder pads.

Today is also National Coaches Day, so Quinn wants you all to "swim, you cow! Swim!" However, you should feel free to ignore her unless you are, in fact, a cow. Moo.

Fandom News!

• cfardellbrenorenz29 posted an Iron Chef: Party at Casa Lane.


• Can you help Two-Eyed Charlie find a copy of Old Friends/Bookends?


• Watch and discuss 15.ai's latest video about Daria and Jane.

A Very Merry Unbirthday to Kevin!

You know, it might make sense for Kevin to be as crazy as the Mad Hatter, but I'm afraid he's only dressed that way because today is Mad Hatter Day. During the other 364 days of the year, he's just dumb.

This is also World Card Making Day, but don't make Stacy's mistake and give your poems away for free!

Finally, because this is National Noodle Day, here's an extra warning not to let the penne a la pesto oxidize. Or let it get dumped on your head, for that matter.

Fandom News!

• Talk about all things cooking in Jake Morgendorffer's forum for food & cooking.


• Find out what animated sitcom people in your state are watching.


• Vote in the Deadliest Warrior polls between Thuggees and Hawaiian Koa Warriors and Matt Dillon and Festus Haggen and The Cisco Kid and Pancho.


• View and discuss the Harley Quinn Animated trailer.


• Can you help tjdolf track down a couple of fanfics about Daria's high school reunion?

Is He Having Tea with the Mack Hare?

Kevin's going to ask a famous and clever riddle for Mad Hatter Day, but I think it's likely to be less about ravens and writing desks and more about chickens and crossing roads. Still, if you want a character that spouts a lot of nonsense you could do worse than Kevin Thompson.

Fandom News!

• Discuss Phillipines President Rodrigo Duterte's recent remarks.


• Talk about the new season of DC TV shows on the CW in the Weapons of Mass Distraction forum.

Why is a QB Like a Writing Desk?

Kevin's ready for Mad Hatter Day, and there are times when I think he's crazy enough to pull it off. I'm pretty sure the Mad Hatter had at least some intelligence, though, so maybe not.

This is also German-American Day, and that includes the Morgendorffers (okay, except Helen). It may also include Upchuck, and I'm sure Daria and Quinn are just thrilled to have something in common with him.

Fandom News!

• Weigh in on the suggestion for a PPMB Like Button.


• Share your favorite spooky songs in the thread.


• Who would you give various cartoon awards to?


• Talk about the new season of DC Comics TV shows.


• Ranma is looking for advice on fan artwork.

The Fandom's Fourth

A mere 148 years ago today, a peculiar English reverend told a fantastic story to three little girls, all sisters, while they were on a boat trip. Ten-year-old Alice, the middle sister, asked him to write it down, and three years later, he did and published it, and that is where we get all of our Alice stories. No kidding. (Thanks to Pinhead for the very relevant alter ego at right.)

As noted in an earlier blog post, number of Daria fanfics take place July 4th. It was of course the day of the Landons' party in Is It Fall Yet? (scene 20). It has also appeared in the following fanfics, arranged in alphabetical order by story.

• Best Served Cold (Ms. Geek)
• Blood, Sweat, and Cheers, Conclusion (Kristen Bealer)
  
• Bromwell Bound: That One Fateful Summer, Chapter 6 (HolyGrail2007)
  
• By the Twilight (Wildgoose)
• Daria: The Next Chapter 3—Life Is Like a Firework (LadieT)
• Family Collision (Richard Lobinske)
• Fast Times at Lawndale High (Danny Bronstein)
• Finn Morgendorffer 33: Independence (HolyGrail2007)
  
• Fireworks (C. E. Foreman)
• Fun on the Fourth (Richard Lobinske)
• If You Only Walk Long Enough (TAG)
• Into the Fray (Minx)
• Jane Lane: Ace Attorney (LSauchelli)
  
• John Lane 38: Yeah, It's Summer, Conclusion (RLobinske)
• Movies and Moonflower (Brother Grimace)
  
• Reaped Out 2: Sickle Sad World, Chapters 12+ (Minx)
• Sarcasm at 1600, Chapter 16 (Mike Xeno) (and poem by Tildessmoo)
  

Do you recall any other Fourth of July Daria stories? If so, post them below in Comments.

There's a songfic that references this day, too.

• Mike and the Spiral (with Jodie Landon) present: “Firecracker" (Ranger Thorne)

July 4th also marks some important fanfiction events, such as:

• the birthday of Jane Lane's daughter (guess the name of the daughter and her father)
• the anniversary of the creation of the first Super-Soldier (the 69th anniversary is this year, see if you can name the Super Soldier)
• the day a budding superhero created a UFO scare on the US west coast (name the superhero)
  

Quite a day, wouldn't you say?