What Kind of Bird Snuff Film Is This?

Note that this is not the recommended way to celebrate Penguin Awareness Day, but you can't deny that this image is difficult to ignore. I would like to wish certain members of fandom that shall remain nameless a great day!

Speaking of unpleasant things, today is National Charlie Day so maybe we could celebrate by not calling Upchuck by his usual nickname. Then again, if he decides to observe National DJ Day as well, then I make no promises.

In fact, once Upchuck turns his personality on overdrive it might be best for everyone else to celebrate Take A Walk Outdoors Day. I'm sure Mr. DeMartino will be happy to join in, because he's always up for a hike!

Fanfic Update!

• Casual, by janendaria4life (COMPLETE!): "It was somewhere around dusk and Lawndale's spoiled rich boy, Tom Sloane, parked his shitty car in front of the curb of Casa Lane."


• I (Don't) Want to Be a Part of It, by ladyevil (COMPLETE!): "It took a couple of group therapy sessions and hours of debate, but Daria, Quinn and Helen found that there was one thing they could agree on. They all liked to watch The Saturday Sinful Cinema with Lazarus."


• Mysteries of Aurora, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 8): "Freya burst out of her room shortly after 8 o'clock. 'Today is a new day!'"


• Spider Quinn 13 Aftermath and Investigations, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (COMPLETE!): "Quinn felt the tingle as she entered the dining room, where Daria had laid out the documents she had obtained with the fourth vigilante two nights before."


• Teddy the Time Bomb, by wilddogjj (COMPLETE!): "Teddy was now stuck in the principal's office because he'd written a short story for language arts that the teacher found disturbing." (Part 3)

She'll Be a Much Better Swimmer Now!

Sandi's looking absolutely fowl (get it?) for World Penguin Day, but the real problem is that she's wearing black tie to a semi-formal event. Bad news for Sandi: penguins generally mate for life, so her dating schedule is going to take a serious hit.

At least she doesn't have to worry about bad hair days, or any hair days, even on Hairstylist Appreciation Day. Let's give poor Jozu a little love for having to deal with Quinn on a regular basis, shall we?

I'm sure both Helen and Quinn will be celebrating National Telephone Day, mostly by never putting the phone down for any reason whatsoever. The age of smartphones has probably made their addiction even worse--and you probably didn't even think it was possible!

Fandom News!

• Contribute your choices to the ten most iconic TV theme songs of all time.


• The Oz Daria Con 2024 is coming!


• cfardellbrenorenz29 is posting Daria character descriptions.

Sandi's Looking Especially Fowl Today

Yes, Sandi, everyone is paying attention to you for Penguin Awareness Day, but it's not the attention you think it is. It's not because you look particularly stylish, although that tuxedo is pretty sharp. No, it's because everyone is wondering why you let Dr. Shar go full-on Dr. Moreau. It's...terrifying.

I suggest shaking off that horrific image and enjoying National Cheese Lover Day instead. Jake might even dust off his squirrel impression and declare "Gimme cheese! I want cheese!"

I hope Upchuck knows that it's not only National Charlie Day, but National DJ Day as well! He should go put on some tunes, especially because if he's manning the DJ booth then he can't interact with anyone.

Fandom News!

• Voting is open for the Daria Fanworks Awards: Written Works and Visual Works.


• muireannwolfsbane wonders, what if one of Jake's siblings was disabled?

Don't Alienate the Penguins!

I have to say that Sandi's new fashion statement is just in time for World Penguin Day, although I can't imagine what the rest of the Fashion Club will say. I suppose, knowing Sandi, that they'll say whatever she wants them to say. And bring her all the fish she can eat, too.

In fact, it's entirely possible that Sandi's new look is less about fashion and more about a freak laboratory incident, which would fit right in with National DNA Day. All I can say is that Sandi's future dates had better own tuxedos.

Setting aside the issue of penguins (my apologies to certain members of fandom), Daria may be interested to know that it's also Parental Alienation Awareness Day. She can choose to alienate her parents, be alienated by her parents, or believe that her parents are aliens, as she did in "The Lawndale File."

Fanfic Update!

• The Engineer and the Time Lady, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 19): "'We're now close to the MI6 Building,' Hawkins reported as they passed the Vauxhall Bridge. 'Beginning scan,' T'Sal reported."


• Her Last Words, by Sheila Wisz Ellayn (part 63): "All of the world awaited to see what would happen to America after the terrible chemical attacks, fear was spreading everywhere like fire and meanwhile the plane that carried the very last chance of survival for Earth was flying so fast above the North Atlantic."


• The Light at the End of the Pier (Scenes no Daria fanfic Should Have: How did We survive?), by Meester_Lee (COMPLETE!): "It was that kind of evening—the sort where the vibes in the Great Hall had gotten so unpleasant as to become unbearable."


• My Daughter, Felicity, by Adelina (COMPLETE!): "(There is a closeup of a sign hung up on the door to a bedroom. The sign reads out “Totally Studying”, and the sign, shortly after, is covered by the sight of the back of a woman’s shoulders as she opens the door. Her sleeves are green, and her hair is a brownish color. You can tell that this woman was Daria.)" (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Rebel Without a Clue, by wilddogjj (parts 1 and 2): "Two of Quinn's ten-year-old sons, Tommy and Timmy, were at recess playing with the other fourth grade kids. Tommy was showing off his yo-yo skills." (Part 2)


• Song From An American Movie, by ladyevil (part 10): "The Lawndale gym had numerous folding chairs set up around the ring, but even the standing room had been sold out. Daria clutched her camera close to her, afraid being jostled would damage it."

Cheesy Penguins?

Sandi's trying out a new look for Penguin Awareness Day, and I don't think Waif Magazine would approve. So, if you see a penguin today, wish it a happy holiday!

Today is also National Cheese Lover Day, so it would be a good day to stick your entire head in the fridge and talk about how much you love cheese in a squeaky squirrel voice. Or maybe that's just Jake.

Fanfic Update!

• Ape Rape (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: The Closing Walls of Schloss Morgendorffer and Casa Lane), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'Honey?' Daria looked up from her work. She was revising what would hopefully be the final draft of her new Melody Powers novel."


• Daria in the Background, by cfardellbrenorenz29 (part 7): "'In Economics, we call this flow,' Mrs. Diane Bennett said. 'We have a scenario of supply and demand, where a new demand is created by a previous supply. Does everyone follow?'"


• Fizzled Out, by Erin M (COMPLETE!): "The week progressed, and it was on Wednesday when Leonard Lamm tightened the noose even further."


• High School Never Ends, by WildDogJJ (part 2): "The regional MTA train from New York arrived at the station. The regional MTA was a commuter line running from New York City to Philadelphia, and one of the stops on the line is Lawndale."


• In Morning, by hideousmirror (COMPLETE!): "Waning orange sunlight filled the house as she silently padded her way to her love’s art studio, carefully as not to disturb the creaky floor boards."


• Made in America, by ladyevil (part 6): "'All right, here's the plan.' Trent said as he drove up to Lawndale High with Jane and Daria. 'I'll sit right here with my foot on the accelerator, ready to burn rubber.'"


• Tall like me, by ST91 (part 3): "Some things never change. Thought Daria as her gaze wandered from one side to the other of Mrs. Manson's study."

A Hair-Raising Holiday

While Quinn is getting her hair done on National Hairstylist Appreciation Day, I very much doubt she's truly appreciating her stylist. Frankly, I'd be surprised if she appreciates anyone who does anything for her, at least during the early seasons.

Today is also World Penguin Day, and if you don't know why that's a significant holiday for this fandom then I'm sure as hell not going to explain it. (shudders)

Fandom News!

• R.I.P, Jim Steinman and Les McKeown.

Nice Tux, Sandi!

Someone better tell The Angst Guy that today is Penguin Awareness Day! I know people say that Sandi can be cold, but I think she's taken it too far this time. Did Waif say that feathers are in this season?

Today is also the anniversary of the birth of director Federico Fellini in 1920. Fellini is best known for indirectly causing the downfall of Jane and Tom's relationship and precipitating The Kiss...and some award-winning films, I guess.

Fanfic Update!

• A.R.C Chapter 10 Imprisoned, by ST91 (parts 7 and 8): "That afternoon Charles tried to behave as if nothing had happened. He did his homework and then read a book. However every time the phone rang he would sprint like a hunting dog to answer." (Part 8)


• But You Don't Like Anyone (Iron Chef: Daria the Unreliable Narrator), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'Daria? Is that you?' 'No, I'm a decoy to flush out assassins,' said Daria, a little brusque. Amelia laughed at the joke anyway. 'I was afraid you weren't coming. What's new?' She became aware she was rubbing her arm a little too much."


• Erin Chambers, by OzFerret (part 17): "Erin felt a surge of relief as Gregor answered the phone, 'The Erin! How is Gregor's third favourite straight girl?' Erin grinned at Gregor's usual extravagance, 'I have got myself in trouble.'"


• Jane's Procrastination, by TheBrodsterBoy (COMPLETE!): "It was a fine day at Laaawndale High, well, maybe not fine. The weather was pretty shite. That's not the point. The point is Daria and Jane were walking and Daria was speaking to Jane about the week."


• A Musician's Life is Such a Drag (IC: Random Alter-Ego Tales), by Kristen Bealer (COMPLETE!): "'Trent?' 'Mmmf.' 'Trent!' 'Zzzzzzz.' 'TRENT!!!' 'I swear, the cow was tipped over when I got here! Oh, hey Janey. What's going on?'"


• Unnamed story (LLH Short Entries #2), by Roentgen (part 162): "Mack sat with Sandi on a bench located on the Arboureum Floor. The smell of fresh tree permeated the air and Mack remembered when he leaned up against one of the trees and ended up with a hand covered with sap."


• Winter Is Coming, by Meester_Lee (part 10): "The cordless phone rang while Ben was watching the sports channel in the living room. Jakey and Helen were running errands and their two daughters were visiting friends. Little Rikka was upstairs. He turned it over to press the 'ANSWER' button and glanced at the telephone ID. He'd guessed wrong. It was Mom."

Happy Administrative Penguins' Day!

It's World Penguin Day, and Sandi is (as usual) dressed for the occasion. If you don't know why this holiday matters to Daria fandom, then I envy you your innocence.

Today is also Administrative Professionals' Day, also known as Secretaries' Day or Admin Day. Whichever you call it, for Marianne it's a fifty cent card from the drugstore and the exact same crushing workload as every other day.

Fandom News!

• Brother Grimace shares seven thought experiments that will make you question everything.


• J-D has a Daria trivia question.


• Charles RB notes some surprising appearances from Backgrounders and wonders if anyone else has some examples.


• Vote in the Deadliest Warrior poll between Dirty Harry and Paul Kersey.

What a Cheesy Penguin Costume!

Clearly Sandi will do absolutely anything to make sure people notice her, even disguise herself as a penguin on Penguin Awareness Day. I wouldn't gloat too much, Sandi. There are members of fandom who might take too much of an interest in you now!

Today is also National Cheese Lover Day, so make sure you celebrate! Whether it's by wrestling Mr. DeMartino for the last Lincoln Cheese-Flavored Log or spreading the processed variety on pizza to share with Ted, there are plenty of Daria-themed ways to enjoy.

Fanfic Update!

• Brittany's Equation (IC: Mix them up. DariaXDaria Crossover!), by Indigo (COMPLETE!): "Brittany Taylor was a girl on a mission. It was not military in nature, although Brittany had a hidden aptitude for such things. It was an act of friendship from Brittany, on behalf of Daria Morgendorffer."


• Daria Ravenclaw: No Country For Unpleasant Old Men, by Meester_Lee (part 4b): "The next morning Arcturus felt the sensation of awakening in a strange bed and seeing light stream in through the gap in the drawn curtains."


• Friends and More: a story about Mack, by 11tee (part 2): "The woman stepped into the pizza parlor and wiped her feet ever so slightly. A quick scan and then she walked toward an empty table sitting across the Mack."


• Imprint (Daria and the Gang Thread II), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "Daria knew that her decision to marry Tom would be a difficult one, and not just for social class reasons."


• I've Got To Be Direct, by Honey-On-Toast (COMPLETE!): "Since that peculiar evening with Jane during the weekend, there's been a noticeable sense of difference detected between me and her." (Part 3)


• Moonstruck, by NightGoblyn (part 15): "Daria saw a multicolored light streak past, plucking Jane and Jodie out of their certainly deadly falls and shooting away towards the trees far below. 'Goth girl!' Stacy shouted as she zipped away. 'Quit falling and help me!'"


• On The Road, by elainefr (part 33): "'You talk to your sister lately?' Trent asked his girlfriend that was standing beside him, cutting the potatoes while he did the carrots."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Daria Team-Up), by 11tee (COMPLETE!): "She was sweeping the sidewalk in front of the shop. The shopkeeper, an older man by the name of Axl, was tending to a customer as a pair youth her age played on the sidewalk outside."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Daria Team-Up), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "Jane couldn't keep the smirk off her face. 'So - dazzling academic achievement, eh? What a sellout.'"

At Least She Remembered Her Lipstick

Sandi's taking things a little too far for World Penguin Day, unless maybe she greatly misunderstood what Waif meant by having a cool outfit. Penguins have a long and (cough) notorious history as a fandom in-joke, and I think it would be best to leave it at that. This is supposed to be a family-friendly blog, after all.

Fanfic Update!

• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 10): "It was picture day. The day that students of the school were paraded in front of a camera, and their current physical appearance was recorded so that it could be compared to the pictures received the previous year."


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Highland Years, by Meester_Lee (parts 4 and 4.25): "That August, Daria entered first grade. Things were different now. She now got graded for her behavior and schoolwork, and her Mom and her Dad told her that they expected her to work hard, pay attention to her teachers, and try to get good marks." (Part 4.25)


• A Room With View To Die For (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Kuriamo22 (COMPLETE!): "Lady Daria Anne Morgendorffer-Sloane, a middle aged greying auburn woman, sat quietly at her desk late one night finishing up some paperwork when something on the flat panel TV on the wall caught her attention. She looked up just in time to see a news report of some sort of police standoff from a hotel in America."


• Trouble in the Future (Chapter 1), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 1): "Marie Green College was quiet at 1:30 in the morning. Mostly quiet, that is except for a few inebriated souls who were returning after a night dancing (and/or making out) at the University's Bistro."


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'I don't believe this,' Daria growled, as she and Jane turned from the water fountain to see Quinn and the other Fashion Club girls headed down the hall. 'Have those fabric-addled fools NO shame?'"


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Silver (COMPLETE!): "There was some odd aerial acticity over the islet that held Titans Tower. Not that aerial activity in and of itself was odd; it was the fact that said aerial activity consisted of Clark "Superman" Kent (actively glaring through a scorched hole in his cape), Connor "Superboy" Kent (Looking a little bewildered back at Superman through the same hole), and Tom "Ultra" Sloane (whose expression of horror was likely visible from Oa)."

Be Especially Aware of the Fashionable Penguins!

Sandi's here to remind you all that it's Penguin Awareness Day, which may just be another way to make everyone pay more attention to her. It should also be noted that some people in fandom are more aware of penguins than others, and that's all I'm going to say on the subject.

This is also Cheese Lover's Day, so Jake's probably got his head in the fridge singing about how much he wants cheese again. Just remember that if you indulge today at Earl and Barbara's, be sure to unwrap the cellophane first.

Fanfic Update!

• Invader Quinn, by Anguirus1955 (parts 5 and 6): "The Irken Armada swarmed around the planet Blorch. Hundreds of ships, including Shuvvers, Spittle Runners, Rippers, Battalion Carriers, and Viral Tanks approached with ominous intent and thousands of soldiers awaited their orders." (Part 6)


• James the Lesser Presents Vinny Lane, by James the Lesser (part 16): "Vinny and Daria are walking by a table that announced sign ups for the track team. 'Huh, speak of the devil.'"


• Judgment Day (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Indigo (COMPLETE!): "Daria Morgendorffer was making her way home after a awkward encounter with her best friend Jane Lane concerning Jane's intrusive new boyfriend, her lethargic brother and a school assignment."

So...Genetically Modified Penguins?

Sandi's trying out a...unique...fashion statement in honor of World Penguin Day, which some Daria fans are more interested in than others. Cough.

This is also National DNA Day, and the school nurse is ready to collect your DNA samples and take your voluntary urine sample. Let's just hope Ms. Li isn't planning to unleash any unholy abominations on us.

Fandom News!

• Java and other plug-ins are no longer supported in Chrome, so talk about workarounds and other solutions in the thread.


• Did you attend your prom and, if so, what was it like?


• See the trailer and talk about the Pixar movie Inside Out.


• Frank Miller is writing the conclusion of The Dark Knight Returns saga.


• BloodyWilliam shares a video on copyrighting your work and what to do if it's stolen.

Be Especially Aware of the Fashionable Penguins

Happy Penguin Awareness Day! Look! A penguin! Be aware of it!

Today is also the anniversary of the birth of Italian film director Federico Fellini, born on this day in 1920. Fellini is best known within Daria because of the infamous film festival in "Fire!" that kicked off Jane's suspicion of Tom and Daria. Oh, Fellini. You don't even know what chaos you caused.

Fandom News!

• The lists of nominated visual works and written works are up. Time to get your votes in for the 2012 Daria Fanworks Awards!


• percussivemaintenance is making fandom famous! Find out how in the thread.


• See where MartinUK is visiting next and let him know if you can meet him there.


• PrecambrianStudios has an idea for creating a Daria audio show.


• Discuss an oversight in the episode "Monster" as pointed out by J-D.


• Shiva posted a new Iron Chef in Creative Writing: Party at Casa Lane.

Apparently Feathers Have Now Become the Current Neutral

Happy World Penguin Day! I'm not sure that's quite the right look for Sandi, but I guess you can't go wrong with formalwear. If you don't know why penguins are relevant to this fandom, then you really haven't been here very long!

Today is also Anzac Day for Australia and New Zealand, commemorating those who served and died in military service--particularly in Battle of Gallipoli.

Fanfic Update!

• Abbatoir Blues: The Hitman and Her, by LongSnakeMoan (part 1): "I look down the alley were the voices came from. Some low rent hood is grappling with a struggling woman, the kind of guy who thought dealing a bit of weed entitled him to slap girls around. She's giving as good as she gets though, aiming punches at his face and chest, and it looks like she's winning. Until he moves suddenly and punches her hard in the stomach. She crumples to the ground and at that point I've had enough."


• At the Crossroads...(Chapter 9), by oni (part 1): "Once Sandi was seated into the front passenger seat, she pulled out her cell phone and called Tiffany's number. Just getting the girl's voice message, Sandi turned her cell phone off and let out a sigh. Helen looked over at the brunette worried, before turning the car on. 'I'm sure she's ok,' Helen said, trying to sound reassuring. Even as she said that though, Helen knew that she had come to the same conclusion that Sandi had. That conclusion was the strange coincidence that they haven't heard or seen Tiffany since the attack."


• Being Melody (Iron Chef: Waking Up Melody), by Grifter74 (part 1): "Melody sat down on the bed drying her hair, while thinking about the situation. Nothing was adding up. She had walked away from the accident with only a small bump on her head, but was it really an accident or had someone tried to kill or capture her. She remembered a mission to Paris, the mess in Cuba, and several other missions, but nothing about why she was in Maryland."


• The Cats Will Play, by RLobinske (part 3): "The sound of the door lock overruled all curiosity in the felines. Being closer, Sissy climbed down the boxes to the floor. Once Sissy was clear, Bump jumped down to the midpoint of the stacked boxes and in the process, catching the handle of a small shopping back around her neck. The contents fell away to the carpet and the sudden weight frightened Bump. 'It's got me!' she yowled."


• A Distant Lawndale (Part Two), by Arena del Sur (part 4): "I felt all the sadness and loneliness of the man in that hug. When I noticed the thinness of his body squeezed against mine, I felt a deep anguish. God, it was so painful... 'Please... forgive me, please...' Smoothly, without realizing it, I hugged him too, moved..."


• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch1 Ethan Yeager Rising, by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'Groceries... groceries...' Kevin said to himself before exclaiming, 'Oh I remember now! You were with Daria and Jane, your Ethan right?' 'Yeah.' 'Cool, well you should know that there's another new kid in school called Ethan who everyone says is a gay Trekkie and beat up Rex before lunch.'" (Part 5) (Part 6)


• The Mageborn Cynic, by peetz5050 (parts 8 and 9): "'Quinn!' She called out 'I'm sorry but you'll have to come in our carriage with me, Father sent for us.' 'But I wanted to go to Stacy's house, we were going to...' 'Quinn' Daria interrupted 'Maman is at home.' Quinn colored a little then recovered. Excusing herself from her friends she joined Daria in her carriage with unladylike haste and said 'Let's go!'" (Part 9)


• Resentful cynic ch. 2 No party . No problem, by ST91 (COMPLETE!): "Daria was about to say something but was interrupted by the sound of broken pots. The three girls looked towards the noise and saw that it was caused by the three idiots competing for Quinn. In a vain attempt to win her favors, Joey, Jeffy and Jamie were hitting each other while Quinn, sitting on the stairs, was enjoying the show . 'Just a second.' Daria said, before taking a photo of the fight in progress with the camera she had been carrying all evening. 'OK. Now we can go.' Daria said as she walked toward the exit followed by her two friends."


• Runaway Daria: Fallout Lawndale Edition, by Vukodlak (part 4): "'Your mother wants us to spend more quality time together before the baby is born.' Jack cast his hefty looking fishing pole the kind you'd expect for catching swordfish or some other pre-war giant sized ocean dwelling fish. He cast the lure back into the water and slowly started reeling it in again. 'That doesn't involve survival or weapons training.' He added before Daria could suggest doing something else."


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 15, by Fhujeth_x (COMPLETE!): "Quinn sucked up her pride, calling her sister wasn't a bad thing, it was just a thing, after all... and no one had to know she was calling her, but what was her sister going to think when she asked what she was going to ask. 'Daria? I think Sandi is a werewolf.' Swallowing hard she braced herself for the massive-flaming her sister was about to place onto her." (Part 4)


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 16, by Fhujeth_x (part 1): "Staring at his younger brother outside on the stairs, Sam Griffin held up a handful of what seemed like ordinary pocket change, 'If this works. Then we'll know Sandi is a werewolf.' Grinning, he cracked open his sister's door, 'Hey Sis!!' He walked over to his older sister who had been staring somewhat vacantly at herself in the mirror. 'I need some singles for the arcade! Can I swap ya some change?'"



• Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, by Sandi Griffin, by virtualstar (COMPLETE!): "One day before heading out on a date the Queen asked the mirror 'Mirror Mirror on the wall, I'm the cutest girl in Lawndale this fairytale place, right?' And to the Queen's total horror, the mirror said 'no, actually there is this new girl called Qui- I mean Snow White who is too cute!'"


• To Annoy a Mockingbird. Chapter 05, by BF110C4 (part 6.2): "'You haven't opened Upchuck present? Good, don't do it yet, just bring it here so we can share.' Jane voice turned serious for a second. 'I mean it Daria Morgendorffer; if you don't open it here in front of me there is going to be bloody revenge.' Daria suddenly had a bad feeling about the whole matter, however she knew Jane's tone of voice, and if that present was opened for even a little peek she might as well sleep with an eye open all night."


• Unnamed story (IC: Raising Rita), by OverlordMikey (parts 1 and 2): "She walked up to her sister’s coffin. Helen looked so peaceful; it almost made Rita want to smile to see her like this. Her only wish being that Helen and her had a better relationship. Rita sighed and looked around and the few people here. Her mother didn’t show; nor did Amy. Rita looked at Quinn and Daria; Quinn looked so upset and Daria looked more morose than usual." (Part 2 by GlitterShrooms)


• WaM, Ma'ams, Dark Paladin, by DeacBlue (parts 1 and 2): "'Jen, Jane! Come down to the fourth floor!' In a few minutes, both of her wives had joined her. 'So what's up?' asked Jen. 'Yeah, besides you destroying the house,' snarked Jane. 'You know how there was an area on this floor that we couldn't get to? Well, you're standing in front of it. I decided that I was going to break down a bit of the wall, and see what they were hiding.'" (Part 2)

I Wonder What Penguins Think of "The Cinema"?

Happy Penguin Awareness Day! Some of us may be more aware of penguins than others, but let's not forget that (as seen in "I Loathe a Parade") one of the Lawndale High School football team's major rivals is a team called the Penguins. You know, I'm not sure if that's a point in their favor or against them.

Anyway, today is also the anniversary of the birth of film director Federico Fellini, born on this day in 1920. Without Fellini, there would have been no Fellini Film Festival. Without the Fellini Film Festival, Daria would have had no reason to leave a message for Tom about La Dolce Vita. And so the fateful turn of events progressed, until WHAM! Daria and Tom making out in the car. So now we can finally place the blame where it belongs: on an Italian film director who died well before any of this even happened!

Fanfic Update!

• At the Crossroads..., by oni (part 4a): "Stacy went for the volume knob and turned the volume back down. Sandi shot her a look when then Stacy shot Sandi one right back. Feeling defeated, Sandi focused back on the road. 'Is your mom talking to you yet,' asked Stacy. Talking, Stacy found, was usually the best way to defuse Sandi’s anger."


• The Author as a Lesbian, Season 5, by DeacBlue (part 1): "Helen Morgendorffer looked at her colleagues as she finished up her call with the D.A. Jim Vitale, taking lead in the matter because the people involved were so close to the firm; the oddly named Bill Tweed, the firm's criminal specialist; and the tall, thin, Ann Freeman, their constitutional scholar. 'We'll be there, Jack,' she said, just before she hung up."


• Daria - Double Down, by neonhomer (part 20): "'Speaking of Daria, where is she?' asked Helen. 'Still in bed.' Said Jane. 'Is she not feeling good? Is it drugs?' asked Jake. Jane and Lynn looked back at each other. 'No, we were up late.' Said Jane. Jake looked at Jane. 'Oh... Okay.' Jake went back to reading the paper."


• Into the Black, Into the Blue, by Lord Yellowtail (prologue): "And though at this very moment she was still the second most powerful being on all Equestria, with the sun high in the sky burning Celestia’s benevolence and unconditional love down on her—and cutting her off from the infinite vastness of her power by holding back the darkness that was her greatest strength—she felt not for the first time cold and ancient." (Prologue part 2)


• The James Lane Chronicles Chapter 7, by InvisibleDan (part 1): "James stood at the counter, stared out the window, and thought about what the next year would bring. Eleventh grade was almost an anticlimax. He and Daria weren't going to graduate for another two years, but they weren't exactly underclassmen either. Now they were closer to adulthood, close enough that the fantasy world of going to classes and having to answer to teachers was almost gone, to be replaced by decades of going to a job."


• The Outers III: Was Blind But Now Can See, by The Angst Guy (parts 4b and 4c): "Someone else was coming up the steps with a slow, measured tread. Moments later, a tall black man in a dark blue USAF dress uniform came out of the stairwell. He was frowning at a small device in his right hand, the only thing he carried, poking it with his fingers to study the results with an even deeper frown." (Part 4c)


• Paging, Dr. Morgendorffer, by oni (part 3): "Shuffling her hands around some, Jane found what she was looking for and showed it to Daria. Looking into Jane’s hand, Daira asked, 'Are you sure?' 'Of course,' replied Jane. 'Look, you just put it on the tongue like this.' She demonstrated it to Daria."


• Tuition (Or Jane Lane and the $28000 Question), by mmmdraco (COMPLETE!): "Jane heard her mother laughing and a look of confusion washed over her face as he mother spoke up again. 'You don't need to get a job unless you want one, darling.' 'So, you guys have a college fund for me?' 'Well, no.' 'Then... what?' Jane sat back in her chair and tossed the pen on the table in front of her. 'We have enough in the bank for that.' Jane sat upright again. 'What?'"


• Unnamed story (IC: Why was Trent was banned from the Bookstore?), by mmmdraco (COMPLETE!): "'Trent? Just stay here in the corner by the music books for a moment. We'll be right back.' Amanda Lane smiled at her son and walked off, holding her husband's hand as they headed further into the arts section to look at the pottery and photography books."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "What makes a date a date?"), by mmmdraco (COMPLETE!): "Daria closed the book that had been open on her lap and stared at her sister. 'You realize that this constitutes actually asking for my advice on dating.' Quinn's eyes widened. 'You have to promise not to tell!' 'Fifteen.' 'Five!' 'Ten.'"


• What Makes a Date a Date? (Iron Chef: "What makes a date a date?"), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Daria looked up from the card that she was reading and stared at Tom. Reading greeting cards ... really? REALLY? This isn't a date - this is a joke. Why am I even wasting my time?"


• With An "Uh", And An "Um", by mmmdraco (parts 9 - 11): "'I don't mean to keep comparing you to Tom, you know. But he was my first in, well, a lot of ways.' Trent set his half-eaten slice of pizza on his plate and gazed at Daria for a moment. 'I don't mind, you know.' 'Really?' 'Nah. 'Cause, so far, I've come out the winner every time. I feel like this is how it's supposed to be.'" (Part 10) (Part 11)

Perfectly Normal, Innocent Penguins!

Today happens to be World Penguin Day, which is of course only relevant to fandom at all because the Penguins were the mascot of one of Lawndale High School's rival football teams.

Yeah. Just that. Nothing else.

(cough)

Anyway, while I'm here I may as well post the latest (NOT PENGUIN-RELATED, HONEST!) fandom news.

• Anyone else stressed out about finals? Commiserate with others in the thread.


• Deref has posted some lovely Autumn photos.


• Arena del Sur asks a question about Jake's graduation in Buxton Ridge.


• LadieT is looking for anime suggestions.


• What are your top 10 video games?


• For those who don't have the series on DVD, Daria comes to Hulu.


• Jim North tries something different with one of his fanfics: Fics on Tape.


• How do you overcome permanent writer's block? Lots of good advice in the thread.


• Lots of new Iron Chefs in the Creative Writing forum: Charles RB's Lawndale Fighters, Vukodlak's Daria's Trash freakout, Ms. Kinnikufan's Daria and Jane: Enemies at first sight, Temppeli's What's behind Alter Egos?, and Roentgen's The Name Game.


• Wassersauefer is looking for a picture of the entire cast of "Legion of Lawndale Heroes." Can you help?

Brittany Rocks!

Brittany Taylor appears here as she might look if famed sculptor Henry Moore had used her as a model for one of his abstract works. Today is Henry Moore's 112th birthday anniversary (as was noted last year). Not sure if this qualifies as "fan art," as Mr. Moore died over a decade before Daria went on the air.

Penguin Books celebrates its 75th birthday today. The appearance of Penguin sparked the paperback book revolution, making inexpensive copies of great works available to everyone, at least until today when the price difference between a large trade paperback and a hardbound is almost nothing, given that they cost about $20 each.

NO0OZ!

• The Daria Fan Club has 1,800 fans and a lot of new stuff uploaded there. You might wish to check it out.
• By contrast, MTV's official Daria site on Facebook has over 390,000 fans, with loads of images for you to download.
• The Daria message board at Television Without Pity is now 55 pages long.
• DariaWiki has 3,392 entries. More on this soon.
• The Daria TV show entry at Wikipedia has been constantly updated in recent weeks. Lookin' good.

FF.net

• College Wry, by LibertyBellJar (Part 5): Working the graveyard shift of the local twenty-four-hour convenience store could not be said to be the most favorable job in the word. But, the way the young clerk saw it, you had your perks. Witnessing the craziest of the crazies, for example, as he was now. One of the two soaking wet girls before him merely glared ferociously when he smirked, "Having a fun night, ladies?"

PPMB

• Am working on the list. A bit behind here. LATER: Sorry, will have to put the list in the next blog post. Just one of those weeks, folks.
  

Pi and Chocolate

Yes, it is Pi Day again, as was explained in an earlier post, and it is also the anniversary of Albert Einstein's birthday. Much goodness there. Not only that, it is the birthday anniversary of Linux, too, with its cute sexy logo of my special life companion Tux.

Like chocolate? Today is White Day, a Japanese sort of Valentine's Day in which gifts of chocolate are given by men to their loved ones. You know what to do, people: tell that special someone to give you chocolate right freaking now if they know what's good for them. That's the spirit!

Outstanding new art on SFMB: Yeahrobots is a new artist in our fandom with incredible stuff! Go see teh awesomeness!

A Day That Will Live in Fame-y

HISTORY IN ACTION! A mere 189 years ago, the Russians discovered Antarctica, a deed for which I will always be grateful for reasons that cannot be discussed in a public forum on the orders of my attorney.

This is post #991 here on the DFB2. In a few short days, we will enter a new millennium of blog posting, an epoch marked by yet still more posting, and then even more. I'm trying to think of something to add to that but it isn't coming to mind. Some kind of bold exclamation in French, maybe. Something. Duh.

Two years from today, someone important in Daria fanfiction will be born. Who is it? The answer lies within the first few paragraphs here.

Getting Along Is What It's All About

Beavis and Daria remind us that today is the UN's International Day for Tolerance, when we try to put aside our differences with the idiots of the world and get along no matter what sort of crap they pull. I'm sure you feel the same way. I wouldn't want to be this teen at Holiday Island High.

With the memory of Tommy Sherman in mind, Jodie Landon has an important thought for us on this International Day for Tolerance: click here.

Today is also the 100th birthday anniversary of actor Burgess Meredith, my role model from childhood.

Latest DariaWiki entry: Chrysalis, by Richard Lobinske.