It Was a Dark and Stormy...Day

No need to be alarmed--today's just the anniversary of New England's infamous "Dark Day" on this day in 1780. Let me amend that: if the lights have gone out while you're at a Lane Family Reunion, then I suppose you might have some reason to be alarmed. Hey, that was not a pillow!

Fandom News!

• Learn more about a school's smiling policy that Ms. Li would love.


• Keep up with the latest North Korea dilemma.


• Vote in the Deadliest Warrior polls: Mexican Federales vs. TMPD Kidotai, Cobra Command vs Hydra, Nuke the Super Soldier vs. Rambo, and The Kingpin vs. The Big Boss from C. O. P. S.


• Join in cfardell_Brenorenz29's shared world, Rise of Weirdness.

Who Turned Out the Lights?

The entire Lane clan is recreating New England's Dark Day, which occurred on this day in 1780. I don't think anyone accidentally tried to use anyone else as a pillow during that event, but then again who can say?

In more recent anniversaries, the start of Lawndale Stalker's fanfic "Blood on the Asphalt" took place on this day in 1991. Read the story to find out more!

Fanfic Update!

• Transformation (Pasta's Never-ending Ideas Thread!), by Princess_Pasta (COMPLETE!): "'So, this is where all of my coffee cups have run off to'. Daria Morgendorffer shook her head as she took one from the cabinet, already on her third cup of the day."

Who Turned Out the Lights?

Someone's recreating New England's Dark Day, which was a strange darkening of the sky that occurred on this day in 1780 in New England and parts of Canada.

It was probably caused by smoke from forest fires, but I wouldn't rule out a sleep-deprived Jake looking for paper towels.

Fandom News!

• Fans of B.B. King mourn his passing.


• Share things that are so cute it makes you sick in a new thread.


• Discuss the new movie Mad Max: Fury Road.

The Darkest Hour...Was Most of the Day, Actually

At around noon on May 19, 1780, the sky went dark over New England, causing many to believe that the end was nigh. Turns out they were two days and 231 years too early. Maybe. Or not.

Also, in one fanfic universe, Daria found herself with a new pet on this day in 1991. Read the story to find out more!

Meanwhile, I've got the latest fandom news ready to share:

• The first habitable exoplanet has been confirmed. Better start packing now!


• Congratulations to rglovejoy on his new job!


• Who would you cast in a Daria live-action movie?


• MartinUK has some news about a Region 2 release of the Daria DVDs.


• What are your thoughts about the Flintstones Reboot by Seth McFarlane?


• Ranger Thorne is looking for advice about a scene that is missing something.


• Two new Iron Chefs: RX-87's Popular Daria and Roentgen's Daria and Quinn, Best Friends.

Lights Out

A mere 230 years ago today, many colonial Americans in New England became convinced that Judgment Day was at hand. They had good reason for thinking so, as the light literally went out of the day. As much of New England settled into an unexpected twilight, panic set in. The event became known as New England's Dark Day of 1780. Click the link to find out what the cause was. Interesting science footnote. Daria at right provides a reenactment. (Okay, that's actually from "The Teachings of Don Jake," but what the heck.)

Veteran fanfic writer Erin M. has a New Shared World Proposal: Judith Strikes! One Daria in the multiverse has gone rotten to the core. What can be done about her? You can help... by writing the story!

NEW NEWZ: Glenn Eichler has another animated show in development. Read more here!

PPMB

• Falling into College: The Clip Show, by RLobinske (Part 9): Holding a box, Jane stood next to an easel and yelled, "Not just no, hell no! I'm not going to do it. No freakin' way!" With a shake of her head, Jane slung the box and stormed off the set. The box bounced off a sound stand and came to rest face up, so that "Jane Lane Paint-By-Numbers Set" could be clearly seen. From somewhere else on the sound stage, a voice said, "Okay, we scrap that one."
• Finn Morgendorffer 46: Shields Up, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 7): “I’m here because of one of your teachers, Janet Barch, my son’s biology teacher.” “Ah, yes. Truly a remarkable woman.” “What’s remarkable is the fact that she’s even allowed to teach here. She flunked my boy yesterday for no reason.” “As I understand it, your son did not do his project. That’s grounds for failure, and unacceptable at Lawndale High.”
• Kismet, by Sara Winters (COMPLETE!): This was a bad idea. The minute Daria saw Trent in her bedroom doorway, she knew that. And yet, she couldn't say anything when he invited himself inside to wait for Jane. Still, there was no excuse for the ribald thoughts that flew through her mind when he lay on her bed and smiled over at her. Trent remarked on her mattress as he placed his hands behind his head and crossed his legs. Daria had pictured getting Trent into her room alone before, but hadn't given any real thought on where to go from there—mostly because the idea itself was as improbable as Brittany being accepted into Mensa. (AoOO) (FF.net)
  
• Parents Are People, by Legendeld (Part 6): Daria waited until the first movie was starting before she turned to Quinn and asked, "How long have you been calling Amy Mom?" Quinn looked at her more than a little confused. Jane answered. "A few days at least. They've been getting along really well." "Really?" Quinn looked a little surprised. "I didn't realize I was doing it." "There isn't anything wrong with it," Jane said firmly. "Amy is being a pretty good mom to you two." "I guess." Daria said and she snorted before speaking. "Hell, I thought I would be the favorite with Amy."
• Tales of the Ringbearers: I Hate the Desert, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "You seem to have the habit of—attracting attention. It seems that everywhere you go, you happen to find the worst possible kind of trouble. Courtney, you’ve run into Zombie Legionnaires three times!"

Lights Out

This shocking image of Quinn and Daria from "The Teachings of Don Jake" graphically and horrifically illustrates the most terrifying day in New England's history: The Dark Day of 1780. Yes, the sun literally went out all across Revolutionary War America, and many believed the Day of Judgment was at hand. Alas, it was not. You need only glance at the image at left to feel bone-chilling fear that thousands experienced in that nightmarish time. Or whatever.

No, really, there was a Dark Day and it was 228 years ago, and it was pretty weird. Several good websites describe the event, such as here and here. Good science reading. I know there's got to be a way to work that into a Daria fanfic, but if I'm going to mess with the sun I'd rather it just blow up, and that's already been done, so . . . oh, well.

Don't have much time to write this evening, so enjoy your fanfic and I will be back with more later. Party hearty.

Oh, while I'm gone, here's a topic to discuss: Was Daria really trying to kill Travis the Singing Cowboy in "Speedtrapped"? This debate is warming up the webpages on DariaWiki. (Click "Discussion" on Travis's page and add your own thoughts. I've had my say.)