Strike a Pose!

Helen is getting in touch with her inner diva in honor of Madonna's 67th birthday. For even more Daria/Madonna crossovers, check out the late (and much missed) Kem's The Ten Faces Of Madonna.

Let's also wish a happy birthday to director James Cameron, who was born on this day in 1954. One of Cameron's best-known movies was Titanic, and Mr. O'Neill was able to recreate one of its most famous moments with two different women in "Just Add Water." Of course, one of those women ended up shoved overboard, but no moment is perfect.

Do you know why the punchline crossed the road? To celebrate Tell a Joke Day! Let's hope Jake figures out how to do just that before the end of the holiday.

Fanfic Update!

• But You're a Cheerleader, by Bolshevitch (COMPLETE!): "Lawndale High School student Brittany Taylor is your average all-American girl, red-blooded as they come. She’s captain of the cheerleading team, member of the French club, and an overall frequent face in the halls of our school."


• Dirty Little Secret, by wilddogjj (COMPLETE!): "Kevin has just angrily charged into the house while Brittany and her brother, Brian, were taking a stroll down Memory Road."


• Goddamnit, not again!, by Radioactivealien_404 (COMPLETE!): "It was one of those rare, almost pleasant spring evenings in Lawndale, the kind when the light slants just right and the air smells faintly of blooming something-or-other."


• This Springtime Eden, by Bolshevitch (COMPLETE!): "After the show, Brittany still rambles delightedly about the trick with the dove flying out the hat. Daria’s just trying to pick all the feathers out of her hair."

There's Nothing To It!

Helen is striking a "vogue" post in honor of Madonna's birthday on this day in 1958. For more Daria/Madonna fun, see Kem's The Ten Faces Of Madonna alter ego collection.

Today is also National Tell a Joke Day, but please warn Jake ahead of time if you tell him one. He...doesn't always notice on his own.

Fandom News!

• Mourn the death of Trini Lopez, the first Latin American pop star.


• Discuss the series finale of Agents of Shield.


• Talk about the derecho that hit the Midwest.


• What do you think of the Florida sheriff who banned deputies and visitors from wearing face masks?

At Least She Looks Happy!

Andrea's really gotten into the spirit of Sports Illustrated's 65th birthday, and I can only imagine how Upchuck (assuming they're still an item) feels right now. Come to think of it, there's more than one alter ego of Andrea in a bikini, which makes you wonder which animator had a crush on the backgrounder goth chick.

Today is also Madonna's 61st birthday. For some great Daria character makeovers in the style of Madonna's various looks, check out Kemical Reaxion's The Ten Faces Of Madonna!

Fanfic Update!

• Am I A Grownup Yet?, by jones2000 (COMPLETE!): "The Zeemobile pulled into the driveway of the Morgendorffer residence and the doors opened."


• Danny Morgendorffer, by ST91 (parts 9 and 10): "The next day Daniel and Quinn were walking to school. Along the way, Daniel asked his sister something that made them exclaim, 'You want what !?'" (Part 10)


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Year of the Owl, by Meester_Lee (part 6): "The Marshals apparated away with Stearne almost immediately afterwards. It was a rough landing; Stearne puked up the contents of his stomach when they arrived."


• F is for..., by JAS (part 1): "F is for freshness! F is for friends! F is for fashion! Said the scarlet letters on a poster on Stacy's bedroom wall."


• The Fugitive Meets The ThunderCats With Bizarre Noises Of Limbo, by Peter W. Guerin (COMPLETE!): "(We now see something akin to the old Cartoon Network 'Cartoon Cartoons' bumper they had in the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, except we see the Mark Zero Fan Fiction logo, which then zooms out. We now see the words 'EXCLUSIVE CREATIONS' form, then we see Snarf's head pop out of the 'O' in 'CREATIONS')."


• Happy Adversity, by Lady Evil (part 6): "Link took off his glasses and closed his eyes. Jesse spritzed Link's black curls with a misting bottle. 'The trick is to get it all wet first.' he said as he sprayed. 'Then just start at the tip and work your way up. Wide toothed comb works best.'"


• Jane's Provenance, by EntrancedCat (COMPLETE!): "Nathan Rothko suppressed a shudder as the rail-thin shop girl's white knees flashed through her torn jeans as she came out of the back room of Stationary Jerry."


• Lawndale Races (Iron Chef: Newly Employed in Other Media), by JPAGC (part 1): "[Narrator] - AAAAANNNNNDDDD... it's LAWNDALE RACES! The Whackiest set of auto racing pilots contesting a perilous off-road cross-country race in the county of Lawndale! Cars that will defy torrid desert sands (images of empty desert), daredevil mountain roads (images of narrow roads in high altitudes, surrounded by mountains) and neck-breaking highways where flying speeds can be reached... (image of a straight and empty large road in the middle of nowhere)"


• To Reflect, by IRavenous (part 4): "The family car veered out of sight, no doubt with Helen on the phone to Eric about something work-related. She hadn't even had a chance to have a second thought, something Helen seemed to have relied upon."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Newly Employed in Other Media), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "'So?' Morty asked. 'Uh, Rick, what's going on and why do I have a new sister?'"

I Wonder What Eric Will Think of This One

Happy birthday to Madonna, who was born on this day in 1958. Helen's doing a pretty good impression of the singer, although I don't think she's likely to impress any of the partners with her professionalism. Then again, she could have gone with the metal bra instead.

This is also a good place to share Kemical Reaxion's fanart The Ten Faces Of Madonna. Ten Daria characters, ten Madonna looks.

Fanfic Update!

• Daria, 38MMM, by Shiva (part 5): "The next morning Daria was sitting on an examination table, the paper that was used to keep it 'sanitary' crinkled under her jeans as she shifted position, trying to get a bit more comfortable."


• Dominick Morgendorffer, by macross (part 7): "As she opened she saw a younger girl dancing; her body's fluid movements fascinated the young artist who promptly pulled out her sketchbook and a charcoal pencil and began sketching the dancer's movements."


• Dylan, by J-D (part 25a): "'A mother-daughter fashion show', said Dylan. 'At least that's one school fund-raiser this family can't get roped into.' Behind him, he heard Kris speaking to their father. 'So Annie, Allie, and—uh—Amy are all going to be in this mother-daughter fashion show, and they all think I should be the emcee.' 'I spoke too soon', said Dylan."


• Evening, by JPAGC (part 2a): "At the stove, wearing an apron, Jake Morgendorffer took his eyes momentarily from the pots to greet his daughter and her friend: 'Hello, kids! Do you know what I am doing?'"


• The Great And The Good, by ognawk (part 3): "'So, Thomas, ready for another evening with Cassidy?' Elsie asked. 'Yeah. We're going bowling and then grabbing a bite to eat. Nothing fancy, just hanging out.' He replied."


• Helen's Law: A Beginning of a Beautiful Partnership, by DIsaac (parts 1 and 2): "'Helen should have been partner for a long time now. That woman has more drive than any lawyer I have ever seen in my career, but Davis and his no-ball-having self and those damn Schrecters, who couldn't handle having a woman outdoing them, voted down that partnership deal. I say damn them! That is why I've asked you here, gentlemen,' Jim continued." (Part 2)


• Jane Morgendorffer 2: The Middle School Years, by LadieTAG (part 8): "Spring arrived and for Trent, so did thoughts of the junior prom. Despite the fact that he and Charity had been dating for a while, he still had to gather his nerves to ask her."


• Name Pending (It has been ten years since "all natural behavior" so...), by BF110C4 (part 2): "Anne used the next two days to get more familiar with Daria Morgendorffer, digging a bit longer on her high school's social networks and -mostly- reading the rest of her website's stories. And right now she could certainly say that Mary was wrong about something. The story their supplicant did for the Lawndale Café had more than enough potential to incite a riot on a bunch of brainless football maniacs."


• A New Beginning, by LadieTAG (part 9): "Friday morning Quinn was getting ready for school when she heard a familiar knock. The red-head ran downstairs and threw open the door to find her favorite aunt on the other side. The two hugged and as they broke, tears could be seen on both faces."


• Night Witches, by Panzerfaust150 (part 5): "Quinn Morgendorffer had seen a lot in her 24 years...or at least she thought she had. She'd never seen a major city in the throes of panic. New York City was in a collective nervous breakdown." (Part 5 on SFMB)


• Operation Glitterberries: Interlude II, by BF110C4 (part 2): "'Trent Lane? I'm Captain Jeffrey Burns. Could we take this inside?' 'A Captain? This is no good.' He said as he moved aside and left the entire entourage in."


• The Punk and the Snark, by Shiva (part 13): "The next day was more of a letdown, since it was a return to school and the petty, corrupt, power-games of their fellow students, and Ms. Li."


• A Rose In The Thorns, by breitasparrow (prologue and part 1): "The baby opened her eyes for a moment before drifting back to sleep, sucking on her bottom lip. Her eyes were the exact color of Adam's, Belle realized. His eyes were what she had loved most about his appearance, the one trait she could recognize that night he became human again." (Part 1)


• Something (Slightly) Wicked Ch2, by macross (part 10): "Daria and Charles reentered the house as several girls Daria recognized from school finished setting up their equipment in a corner of the Taylor's living room. As they began tuning and adjusting their instruments, Daria began trying to place names to faces."


• Suburban Fury, by welltemperedclavier (parts 1 - 6): "Trouble and opportunity go hand in hand. Hal knew he'd be getting both as he watched the goons, Patrick and Barry, cut through the quad like a pair of sharks in polo shirts." (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6)


• Tom Sloane, Lax Bro, by Shiva (part 14): "Ok, before I tell you bout my latest adventures I've gotta fess up to something... You see, ever since I hooked up with that hot black-haired chick (or was she a brunette?)"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Daria Morgendorffer's Flying Circus), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): "JANE: (o.s.) Sandi!! SANDI: WHAT!? JANE: Your line!! SANDI glares off screen, and then into the camera. SANDI: (through clenched teeth) It's... Cut to the Liberty Bell March (covered by Splendora)"


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: Why, oh God WHY?!), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'Ok so we all have super powers and we can travel through a multiverse seemingly dedicated to myself...' Daria drawled while playing with a small fireball."


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: Why, oh God WHY?!), by Silver (COMPLETE!): "'Okay, Trent. I get that you were a little pissed off about losing your Comp. I understand that.' Jane crossed her arms, the gauntlet computer feeling a little more weighty than normal."

Strike a Pose, There's Nothing to It

Happy birthday to Madonna, who was born on this day in 1958. Helen's taking some time out from the firm to strike the singer's famous "Vogue" pose, but let's hope Eric doesn't get a glimpse of her like that. It could give him...ideas.

Fandom News!

• Dervish is looking for any ideas for using up mozzarella.


• Why is smoking in public frowned upon in the US? Join in the discussion!


• See some adorable Daria merchandising on Zazzle.


• How did DeFoe/DeMartino come to be?


• Three Iron Chefs have been posted in Creative Writing: DeacBlue's Another AU, BrownEyedBagel's Write the next scene, and Charles RB's Mack is a Dick.


• DIsaac posted an art Iron Chef in the Easel: Same old duo......Just a bit older.

Strike a Pose!

Happy birthday to Madonna, born on this day in 1958! Helen's doing Madonna's famous "Vogue" pose on the left, which is one of several Daria alter egos related to the singer.

Fan artist Kemical Reaxion has also done a series of drawings showcasing Madonna's various "faces" using Daria characters, which is worth a look whether you're a Madonna fan or not. Enjoy!

Fanfic Update!

• Daria/Dorian Ch. 15: Summertime Blues, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "They looked down at the field and saw what had caught Jane's attention. Dorian's hair was down and the muscle shirt he was wearing was sticking to him from sweat. He was swatting down a pass that Kevin had thrown to Mack. When the play was over, Mack nudged Dorian and pointed up to the stands. A smile came over Dorian's face as he waved to the three."


• Esteemster Series, by TheExcellentS (part 9): "Barch: 'Oh for crying out loud... Brittany would have been just fine defending herself! Now he might have just lost what was left of his cruciate ligaments.' O'Neill: 'Thompson makes the heroic sacrifice to protect Taylor, but Wilkins might have just ended his career with that.' Barch: 'It's possible. I mean, I don't like the man but I don't want to see him injured... kind of.'"


• A Fish Drowning Herself, by untra (COMPLETE!): "Jane took a long hard look at the profile page before taking a deep sigh. 'You know, It's probably just me, but I have a feeling you're not ready to be back in a relationship just yet.'"


• God Save The Esteem 33: A Headbutt of Dollars, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "The group walked into the bar and a thousand (okay, fifty nine) eyes stared back at them. Old eyes. Bitter eyes. Hippie eyes. And hippie hair. And hippie wrinkles (it had been a while since the 60s). And if the beer could be hippie beer, it would be. 'We won’t have to do that Cher song, will we?' asked Max in fear."


• Homeless Daria Episode 3: A College Try Gives Me Blisters, by RX-87 (part 15): "A look of mild revulsion crossed Amy's face. 'He really seems to have an appreciation for...' 'The finer things?' 'Eyeballs.'"


• The Honeymoon, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "'I'm worried about you. You haven't spent an entire night with me since I was released. Are you afraid you're going to hurt me?' her wife asked in a voice barely above a whisper. Jodie stood silently. She didn't want to tell the other woman her fear - not yet. Not in this moment. Tightening her grip slightly, Jodie placed her head against her wife's shoulder, only to have it lifted up."


• Jane Lane (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Wraith (COMPLETE!): "Jane Lane checked into her room / Only to find Gideon's bible / Jane had come with a glue-gun / To stick down the legs of her rival"


• Judith Green-Rooms! (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Last Friday Night!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "JUDITH: Look, I see your point of view but let's be real here: the character stops working if he goes out with Veronica, he's no longer audience identification- ARCHANGEL: You've made this argument before and again, nobody reading that comic has ever been like Archie and still... NEGAJANE: (off camera) Hey, my butt itches, can we move yet?"


• Last Chick Standing (Daria: The Last Woman), by The Angst Guy (COMPLETE!): "That was last night, hours ago. Now the other half of the human race had decided someone was responsible for zapping the women and had gone into full macho battle gear. Could the human race even do such a thing as destroy all its women? It did not seem likely. Too advanced technologically. Maybe aliens did it. Maybe the men were fighting aliens and not each other. Who cared?"


• Red Nightmare (Iron Chef: Wrath of the Red Tide), by The Angst Guy (COMPLETE!): "Student witnesses agreed that Daria had attempted to get Mr. Sherman's attention by saying 'Excuse me' or something to that effect, and he was in the process of casually responding to their request—using Tommy's trademark humor, said the prosecutor—when the petite Daria Morgendorffer (five-foot-two, one hundred nineteen pounds) dropped her books and jammed a sharpened Number 2 pencil into Mr. Sherman's groin."


• Rude Awakening Ep.8: Three Yards and a Cloud of Dust, by DIsaac (part 6): "UPCHUCK: Ok, I'm about to describe a guy to you and I'm about to ask you 'In High school, Would you of dated him?' SANDI: OK, shoot. UPCHUCK: this guy has more then $50 million in the bank and his net worth is about $200 million at the time. SANDI: I'm dating him! UPCHUCK (snickering and laughing out loud in the place): What is wrong with you? I haven't even finished the description and you wanted to bag him? SANDI: What he's sounds good catch? He's rich. UPCHUCK: No - he isn't you moron! That person was ME IN HIGH SCHOOL! I was the most repulsive dork in the world! Good god woman what is wrong with you? SANDI: I was blinded by the cash and Fashion club needed better intel."


• Settling Into A New Life, by RLobinske (part 7): "Daria said, 'It's good to see all of you, too.' 'Oh, hi Daria,' Jane said. 'I thought we'd stop in for a little bickering and complaining. I hope you don't mind.' 'The place has been too quiet for the last month, I can use some hardcore complaining,' Daria said."


• The Tiger and The Wolf, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "She looked at the creature, in it's beauty and mystery, as it sat in the front of it's cage staring worriedly into the cage next to it. Jane's attention soon turned to the creature that was in the attached cage. The lone grey wolf, whose eyes were etched in sadness, sat in the corner of it's enclosure, directly looking at the tiger - with it's paw lightly tapping the bars that seperated the two creatures. Jane watched in amazement as the tiger made it's way over to the wolf, their paws now barely touching."


• Two Halves: Chapter 6 - Role Models, by Dark Kuno (COMPLETE!): "'It's just not fair that they gave the contract to Kevin,' complained Quinn loudly. 'I mean he wasn't even supposed to be in the class in the first place.' 'Sooooo unfair,' droned Tiffany as the girls stopped at their lockers. 'Gee Kuh-Winn, I wonder if they didn't get a bad image of the girls from you and your sister disrupting the class so much,' accused Sandi. 'What?' asked a surprised Quinn."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef - Jodie the Inventor), by Chris Tucker: "It was Jane. 'Heads up, Doc! The drawings are gone, as is the fellow Josephine encountered. The officer who was supposed to be there is stretched out in the vault, with a goose egg on the back of his head. Colonel White has been informed and is on the horn with the local civilian authorities. I've alerted the M.P.s and they're scrambling to chase a jeep that left the south gate a few minutes ago.'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Kevin is shot out of a cannon), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'Hold it... wait... FIRE AT WILL!'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Kevin is shot out of a cannon), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Mack: Hiya, Bro & QB here and we are ready to launch our newest flavor of ice cream that will be hitting the freezers next week. Kevin (crawling into the cannon): Hey Mack Daddy - are we sure we need me shooting out of a cannon for this commercial?"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef - The Metalocalypse Starts In Lawndale!), by Aruphonse (part 3): "Daria and Jane are walking to school. Daria's face sports a very annoyed expression. They stop. 'Stop following me.' Our camera zooms out and we see that the five members of Dethklok are about three paces behind Daria and Jane. They're all wearing sunglasses."


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Last Friday Night!), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'Daria, did you see that?' 'Did I just see Kevin turn into a genie, yell "I must save the forest! Urinal cakes, away!", and fly off on a giant loofah?'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Last Friday Night!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'Hey, we're Mystic Spiral. And this song goes out to Daria and Jane. *ahem*'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Last Friday Night!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'Nurse Janey.' Daria’s face was blanker that it had ever been before. Jane shrugged. 'What can I say? Artists need day jobs.' 'Night job, in this case.'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Last Friday Night!), by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): "With one last grunt, Scarlett pulled off the old skin and handed it to Roger. Off in a corner, Smokey the cat licked one of her front paws. As the teen put back on her clothes, she looked at her companion and said, 'It's your turn.'"

A Holiday for Hot Chocolate, Anyone?

Care for a cup of hot chocolate? If you lived in Palau-de-Cerdagne, France, today you could celebrate Xicolatada, a holiday named for an Aztec/Spanish word for chocolate. Starting at 11 a.m., local time, the townspeople and tourists do nothing but drink hot chocolate the rest of the day, each cup prepared by the finest chefs (see at right). Here is an article in French about it, and here is a picture. (If you are going to celebrate this day, you should do it in style from now on.)

Eighty years ago today, the first-ever animated cartoon done with sound and shot in Technicolor was released: "Fiddlesticks." It can be seen in its entirety on YouTube. This of course led to Daria, and for that we honor it.

Singer/actress Madonna turns 52 today. Kemical Reaxion did a special series of Daria fan art based on Madonna's many incarnations: "The Ten Faces of Madonna." We also have official MTV alter egos of Brittany as Madonna, Helen as Madonna, and Ms. Li as Madonna, so you see how important Madonna is to Daria fandom. Remember that.

NEWWZ!

• Film Freak Central has a review of the Daria DVD set that makes some interesting assertions about the show. Do you think Daria prevented Jane from maturing? The reviewer thinks so. Post your comments in this thread.
  

"Don't cry for me, DeMartino..."

Argentine First Lady Eva Peron was born 91 years ago today. She was wildly popular in her native Argentina, and her fame spread into worldwide popular culture. In time her life story became a rock opera and a stage musical, then a 1996 movie, Evita, starring Madonna as Ms. Peron. Then one of the images from Madonna's version of "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" (hands upraised at the microphone) became a Daria alter ego starring Ms. Li as Madonna as Eva Peron. And that's how the image at left came to be. Perhaps Ms. Li daydreams that she could be the next Evita. [sigh]

Today is also Radio Day in Russia, celebrating the achievements of Alexander Popov in the discovery of radio in 1895. There is an intense argument over who actually discovered radio (and an even more vicious argument over who discovered television). You can pick whichever inventor you wish.

PPMB

• The episode "Gifted" as seen through Jane's eyes, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): Jane places a new canvas on her easel. What if Daria's parents take her up there this weekend and just sign her up. Mrs. Morgendorffer is always looking for a way to get Daria to do something to improve her college applications. What better than going to a school like Grove Hills. What if doesn't give Daria a choice? I can't lose my amiga. I don't want to be alone again. Jane sighs as she stares at the blank page.
• Finn Morgendorffer 45: Quarter Past Midnight, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 4): “I don’t wanna talk about Finn. I don’t...wanna remember it right now.” Jane pressed her knees into her chest as she sat on the bed. Her eyes started to tear up, and Helen knew, from tidbits of conversation between Daria and Finn, that this was something Jane did not do often.
• The Game Called Life, by Trscroggs (collected/reposted): "Damn it, I thought killing those two knuckleheads would be a good thing!" Daria yelled in frustration.
  
• Hello Class, by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): “Class you may have notice I’m not your usual teacher.” Because Ms Li is an evil money-hording witch who should be hanged.
• NEW! Tracksuits, by Malakite (Part 6): Sandi glanced up at the various hairstyle displays before replying. "Well, I'm a little torn between just a trim and that style there" as she focused in on one particular photo of a woman with an almost Seventies style cut, beneath which a faded "Menzies Photography" could be read. The woman smiled as she dropped her nail file onto the counter. "Of course. Well, if you'd just come this way." She lead Sandi by the hand toward a station near the back of the salon. After she was seated, and the apron secured around her neck, Sandi realized her error.
  

Another Good Reason to Go to France

Today marks a little-known holiday celebrated in the town of Palau-de-Cerdagne, France, on the border with Spain in the Pyrenees. Xicolatada (from an Aztec/Spanish word) is a festival in which the townspeople do nothing but drink hot chocolate all day, starting at 11 a.m. I know it sounds like I am lying (I'm not this time, I swear, honest!), but here is an article in French about it, and here is a picture. (I suppose if you are going to celebrate this day from now on, you should do it in style.) This kid is an exchange student worth getting to know at Holiday Island High!

Seventy-nine years ago today, the first-ever animated cartoon done with sound and shot in Technicolor was released: "Fiddlesticks." It can be seen in its entirety on YouTube. This of course led to Daria, today, and for that we honor it.

Singer/actress Madonna turns 51 today. Kemical Reaxion did a special series of Daria fan art based on Madonna's many incarnations. "The Ten Faces of Madonna" is a marvel to behold. We also have an official MTV alter ego of Brittany as Madonna, one of Helen as Madonna, one of Ms. Li as Madonna (as someone else), etc., so you see how important Madonna is to Daria fandom.

MOAR No0OZ!

• Updated versions of The Head and IIFY? Guy are ready for your inspection at Backgrounders.
  

FF.net

• The Request, by Quinnley1 (Parts 1 through 8): “Dar-ia! I hope you’re not planning on sleeping until noon every day during summer break. Time to get up and at least pretend that you are in training to be a productive member of society!”
• True Crud, by Pinkminx (Part 1): [The intriguing Daria/True Blood crossover found here on PPMB.]
  

PPMB

• Rolling the Dice, by Ajar (Part 3): “Hello again,” said Jane with false enthusiasm. “It's so nice for you to include me in all these Fashion Club meetings. But, at this point, you might want to change the name to the D20 Club.”
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (COMPLETE!): According to the Maya, the tree Chacchokal has always existed and was there when the Maya first entered the forest of Chakur. In their belief system, this unique Ceiba tree connects the Heavens, Earth and the Underworld and binds them all together as the Universe of the Fifth Sun. [Now waiting for Part III!]
  
• Unnamed story (Crossovers Not Yet Crossed Over), by Richard Lobinske (Part 1): "Hi! You're cool. What's your name?" "Daria. Daria Morgendorffer." "Cool name." "Will you go out with me?"
  
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Daria Kills Jane, or Vice Versa...), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): Jane felt the ringing in her ears clearing up, well enough for her to hear the chanting of the Lawndale residents...

The Day Before Mothers Day

First question: on which image of Madonna was this alter ego of Helen Morgendorffer based?

Second question: to be announced when I think of it.

FF.net

• The Quiet Ones, by Smileyfax (Parts 4 and 5): Jane walked into her house and dropped her bookbag at the side of the door. As she walked upstairs to her room, she resolved to call Daria, as she wasn't in school that day. All had apparently been forgiven for Daria's fouling of the dye job and Jane's paranoia, but Jane wanted to make sure Daria was okay nonetheless. "Huh," she said aloud upon entering her room. The shades were drawn and the lights were off. She reached out to flick on the switch. "Don't turn on the lights, Jane." [Contains mature content. Hang on.]
  

PPMB

• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Angst Lord Time Trials), by Angelinhel (COMPLETE!): She curled up next to her best friend, for once feeling safe and comfortable.
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Aware of Changes), by Scissors MacGillicutty (COMPLETE!): Daria Morgendorffer awoke from uneasy dreams to the sound of her sister's voice. "DA—RI—A!" Quinn's cry came from just outside her door. "You better get washed and ready if we're going to make the Fashion Club meeting this morning!" [LATE ADD: The story is actually continued here. It is just amazing. You must read it.]
  

L8 MORNING ADDS:
I was too lazy and tired to look it up on my own, but yes, it does indeed appear to be Madonna from her 1990 music video "Vogue," another extremely specific pop-culture reference from the MTV animation staff. The relevant image is here, the video is here, and the background on the video is here. This video is apparently widely beloved by critics (said to be be one of the best music videos of all time) and was directed by David Fincher, whose movie credits are eye-popping and include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. One heck of an alter ego reference.

Oh, almost forgot, there's a Pizza Thread at PPMB now, thanks to Brother Grimace the Great. Check it out.

They're creepy and they're kooky...

Today marks the 96th anniversary of the birth of famed cartoonist Charles Addams, who gave us The Addams Family: Gomez, Morticia, Lurch, the whole lot. There is a curious link between this franchise and Daria, as Peggy Nicoll (a major Daria screenwriter/staffer and the author of The Daria Database) became a writer for The New Addams Family on TV. The Addams Family (TV show and movies) is referenced a number of times in fanfic. For some reason, dressing up as Morticia Addams is a recurring theme in Halloween stories. Jane dresses up as Morticia in "Daria's Halloween Extravaganza"; Jane refuses to dress up as Morticia in "Trick or Trent." Upchuck is dressed as Morticia in "The Daria Chronicles: Book Learnin'." And, in "Trick or Treat," we have this marvelous exchange about potential Halloween costumes:

Helen: You could have always done Morticia Addams.
Quinn: Why would I want to dress as one of the First Ladies?

Now, that's comedy. Jane as Morticia cries out for fan art.

The alter ego above is a bit like Brittany dressed as Morticia, but it really seems to be Brittany dressed as an opera or musical singer. The pose with the necklace and handkerchief looks familiar, but I cannot place it. Black gowns imply tragedy, but she's smiling. Anyone know more about who Brittany's supposed to be?

[See "Comments" below. JennaUsername, a.k.a. The Dramatic Monarch, figured it out!]

Today is also Saint Distaff's Day. There is no Saint Distaff, which is part of the old joke: it isn't really a holiday, either. It's the day after Epiphany, when medieval women were supposed to start housework again.

A certain fanfic takes place from today through the rest of this month, though it happened four years ago.

ALERT! One of the Ancient Secret Masters of Daria Fandom, A.J., has begun posting mind-blasting secrets from the past on PPMB. Read and be enlightened!

More soon.

"Don't Cry for Me, DeMartino!"

I wanted to add something here for the fans in Argentina, but this was all I had to work with. Hey, at least it's not Madonna, right? Oh, fine, be that way.

On PPMB, there's an interesting thread asking fanfic authors, "What are you working on for 2008?" The responses are fascinating. Next year should produce an awesome crop of fic.

Also, in the Totally Useless Thread file, we have this.

And in the Really Really Bad Jokes file (as if this post wasn't enough), we have this.

More news and ramblings on the way, stay tuned.

"Don't cry for me, DeMartino...."