Kevin's Due in Kangaroo Court

Brittany is either making sure everyone is aware of kangaroos for National Kangaroo Awareness Day or else Kevin ticked her off again and she's about to go a few rounds in the ring with him. I would bet on Brittany to win even without the animal strength and massive hind legs.

After the boxing match they should sit down and share a meal for National Food Day, although for most people National Food Day is every day. Enjoy the edible item of your choice, and bonus points if it's pizza to honor our favorite duo!

Finally, it was on this day in 2000 that Wraith posted an essay on the episode "See Jane Run." He makes some interesting points, and it's always fun to see reviews of the show written while the show was still airing!

Fanfic Update!

• Mysteries of Aurora, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 1): "Freya Andersson was excited. She was starting University at Academia d’Aeterna Universitas d’Aurora, the oldest university in the world. Of course, that wasn’t the reason she was studying there."

They Finally Put an Airhead on the Moon!

Tiffany is celebrating Moon Day by...looking for another moon while sitting on the Moon? I don't know. What I do know is that today commemorates when man first walked on the moon on this day fifty-five years ago.

While Tiffany is busy stargazing, her intellectual equal Kevin might take another shot at joining the Chess Team for International Chess Day! I just hope someone explains to him that you don't king anyone in chess.

Jane, on the other hand, might like something more active to do, like go for a run. After the events of "See Jane Run," which aired on this day in 1998, she'll probably choose to go solo.

Fanfic Update!

• Crystal Claw, by Sheila Wisz Ellayn (part 37): "The gray and stormy weather continued lashing that part of Pennsylvania all weekend, with really dark skies and freezing winds that just kept coming from Lake Erie, everything felt cold and weird and meanwhile normal life carried on for almost everyone at Lawndale."


• Harry Potter Morgendorffer, by Meester_Lee (part 38): "Daria filed in with the other students and took her seat on about halfway down the classroom. The History of Magic class was structured like a Mundie college-level class: with lectures and smaller sections for students and instructors to discuss the content."


• Life Gets Better Every Letter That You Write Me, by ladyevil (part 3): "Jesse and Trent read Daria’s letter in the back of the Tank. 'You think she likes me?' Trent asked. 'I mean, you know....' 'Likes you likes you?' Jesse supplied."


• Spider Quinn 10 The New Heroes, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 4): "'Did you hear. SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon spared again last night,' Tori said to Stacy and Quinn."

Boxing Brittany

Brittany is making sure everyone knows that today is National Kangaroo Awareness Day, and it's kind of hard not to be aware of a giant kangaroo with blond ponytails. Of course, if that doesn't do the trick, I'm sure Brittany's killer right hook would get anyone's attention.

I hope she'll stop and have a snack, though, because it's also Food Day and I don't want to see what her temper is like when she's hangry. I'm sure no one does, least of all Kevin. Quick! Someone go get a cheeseless bell pepper pizza!

Finally, on this day in 2000, Wraith posted an essay on the episode "See Jane Run." It's not very long, but it's a great snapshot of what fan reactions to the show were like while the show was still airing.

On the Good Ship....

Jane looks just precious for National Lollipop Day, but her expression says she'd rather find the person who dressed her like that and put the lollipop someplace unpleasant. Have a sweet treat today if you want one, but I'll stick with chocolate myself.

If Quinn ever decided to join the Chess Club (as Daria predicted in "Quinn the Brain") then I hope she and her friends have a great World Chess Day. If she didn't, then there's always Kevin "King me!" Thompson!

Also on the subject of school extracurriculars, I hope Jane changes into her running clothes in honor of the anniversary of "See Jane Run," which aired on this day in 1998. If Jane still has that lollipop handy, I think either Evan or Ms. Morris would qualify as candidates for its final resting place.

Fandom News!

• Dennis is looking for someone to beta read his latest work.


• Share your thoughts on a Bob Ross color-by-number book.

Wheeeeen the Mooooon Hits Your Eyyyyyye....

If Tiffany's trying to catch a lunar view for National Moon Day, then I think I can spot the fatal flaw in her plan. Still, I hope the holiday is about the moon in the sky and not the other kind of moons. As Tiffany would say, ewwwwwwwwww.

Today is also International Chess Day, and Kevin is still waiting for someone to king him.

Finally, this is the anniversary of the episode "See Jane Run," which aired on this day in 1998. Jane's love of running was the main focus of the episode, but I'm still interested in the insight we gained into the dynamic of Daria and Jane's friendship. Daria is super insecure about Jane having outside interests apart from her, especially when guys are involved. Foreshadowing?

Fanfic Update!

• Born on the Fourth of July, by Lady Evil (part 10): "'Hey, kitty, you might want to get out of the way.' Heracles said to a Maine Coon that followed him to the beach where he was taking a watermelon and picnic blanket."


• Daria's Cruise, by Meester_Lee (parts 2 and 3): "Jake held the scratch-off game card in his hand. He was a winner: he had seven matching tokens." (Part 3)


• I'm Just Drawn That Way, by Honey-On-Toast (COMPLETE!): "Daria and Jane returned to the Lane residence stuffed with pepperoni and cheese, their stomach gurgling at the rich abundance it was trying to digest."


• Memories of Deep Duck Thoughts (Linn's short stories (or ficlets, drabbles...)), by Linnofthewoods (COMPLETE!): "Rose's mother, Veronika, was on the front deck of their house, making cornflower blue yarn on her spinning wheel."


• Oh, Sister (The Carbones), by WildDogJJ (part 2): "Jim, Quinn, Daria and Jim's sister, Anna, were in the kitchen. Daria didn't have her glasses and was convinced Anna stole them overnight to spite her while Quinn was playing peacemaker."


• One Big Hippie Family, by Kristen Bealer (part 1): "Helen trudged into the kitchen, head whirling with angry and miserable thoughts. The only thing she wanted to do was pour out all of her troubles to her husband. He wasn't exactly likely to be helpful, but she could always count on him for sympathy."


• Unnamed story (Scenes, Brainstorms, and Drabbles Thread), by benson (parts 1 and 2): "The pouring rain caused the filthy, reeking clay mud to splatter into Sloan's face as he held the barrel of the M4 carbine with the attached MILES laser emitter just out of the small creek." (Part 2)

Not the Most Dignified Way to Feed a Sweet Tooth

Jane has the right idea for National Lollipop Day, but I think she's less likely to eat the candy than she is to whack whoever tricked her into wearing that dress and wig over the head with it.

Speaking of Jane, today is also the anniversary of the episode "See Jane Run," which aired on this day in 1998. Perhaps Evan, having eventually being revealed as a jerk, will be next in line for a candy clobbering.

Fanfic Update!

• Changing Lanes, by midnightabyss86 (parts 11 and 12): "'Um, I hope my parents didn't give you the third degree while you were waiting for me,' said Daria, as she and Trent drove out of her neighborhood. 'I would have been down sooner, but once Quinn saw that the only shoes of mine that she could match to your eyes were my combat boots, there was no stopping her.'" (Part 12)


• Cuckoos On Infinite Earths, by Smijey and Erin M. (parts 24 and 25): "Janice knew that she was dreaming, this time. It didn't help." (Part 25)


• Erin Chambers, by OzFerret (part 2): "Erin hung her outside coat on the rack and placed her bag under her Desk. Still shivering she looked around the office. Why does anyone live this far north? It is so cold. They cannot all be escaping their grandmother."


• Fates Entwined, by Deep Metal (part 20): "'Are you certain about this, young lady?' demanded Agent Flemming. 'Because making false statements towards the government is a serious federal crime.'"


• Second Chance for Love, by David Falkayn (part 18): "'Good news, szereto.' Elizaveta said as she spoke to her girlfriend over the phone. 'Anya and Apa agreed to me staying home instead of going camping with everyone else.'"


• Strange Love (Quinn, Season 5), by WildDogJJ (COMPLETE!): "Jim is opening presents in front of his parents, Tony and Gina. Also present are his brother, Chris, and his Uncle, Vito. It's Jim's sixteenth birthday. Jim opens one. It's a video game." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Unnamed story (LLH Short Entries #2), by Roentgen and Brother Grimace (parts 137 and 138): "Sandi Griffin and Mack Mackenzie waited in the office reserved for them at the Legion Academy. 'Do you think that she knows what's coming?' Sandi said." (Part 138)


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: The Saga Goes On), by OzFerret (COMPLETE!): "Jane Lane paced nervously around the quickly drawn meeting room. She was too agitated to sit. Where was he? He should have been here 15 minutes ago. This was a typical power play and it did not bode well."


• The Wrath of Con (formerly Aurora), by Lady Evil (part 19): "Danny answered the door one Saturday to find Artie on his porch with a large grocery bag. 'Hey, Danny!' he said. 'Wanna make 520 bucks?'"

She'd Like to Torpedo the Good Ship Lollipop

Jane isn't too happy about celebrating National Lollipop Day, but doesn't she look adorable? I'm sure she'd rather be holding up a different finger right now, though, judging from the expression on her face.

I'm also sure she'd much rather be out running, particularly since today is also the anniversary of the episode "See Jane Run," which first aired on this day in 1998. I don't think we ever saw Evan again after that episode, which makes me wonder if the shame of being rejected by Jane caused him to go into self-imposed exile somewhere. Maybe he and Nathan meet up from time to time to compare sob stories.

Fanfic Update!

• The Bench, by dmsfanman (part 3): "Tom and Daria walked to a nearby park, which was part of the village green. There they found a park bench and sat down."


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Highland Years, by Meester_Lee (part 11): "Daria's younger sister Quinn and her friend Dale Markham came in about thirty minutes later while Daria was picking up plastic cups and paper plates from the back patio. 'So, how was Daria's birthday party?' said Quinn."


• Meg's Cool Cousin, by PerkyGoth14 (part 1): "It was just a normal day in the Griffin's house and it was quite a lazy Sunday afternoon. Stewie was reading a novel while Chris, Meg, Lois, Peter, and Brian were watching the TV."


• One And The Same, by Princess-Pasta (parts 2 and 3): "'Daria, your father and I have been waiting for you to come downstairs for the past ten minutes. You're not eating dinner in your room again'." (Part 3)


• QuinnxSandi, by yammcie (part 1): "Quinn was extremely tired of these losers. Jeffie, Joey, and Jamie were once again crowding around her, each begging for an ounce of her attention."


• Something for Something, by mailorderannie (part 6): "'...And that's how you got me back?' Daria looked at Jane incredulously, her eyes narrowing a bit when Jane slipped her arm around her."


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: 600 Years Afterward), by Silver (COMPLETE!): "Drunkard's wisdom holds that the first hangover is the worst you'll ever have. This is not necessarily true; some things require enough booze to kill a stable's worth of horses."

How Many Licks...?

Jane's all set for National Lollipop Day, but she doesn't seem too thrilled with her candy. It's probably a better option than hooking up with Bobby Bighead again, though.

While we're on the subject of Jane, it was on this day in 1998 that she joined the track team in the episode "See Jane Run." It didn't turn out so well, much like her relationship with Evan. Man, Jane picks all the winners, doesn't she?

Fandom News!

• Read the article and see Daria's reaction to Viacom's mid-life crisis.


• Talk about the new Ant Man movie.


• StickShift posted a new Iron Chef in Creative Writing: I'm gonna show you....


• The Write-Off Challenge has been revived! Post in the thread to volunteer as a judge or contestant.

That's One Small Step for an Overachiever....

Today is the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969! That's worth celebrating even if you aren't a space travel fanatic. Jodie's recreating the big event, perhaps as a nice boost to her resume.

In more recent news, today is also the anniversary of the airing of "See Jane Run" in 1998. Jane didn't make it to the moon, but she did get to wipe that contemptuous smirk off Ms. Morris's face. Equally satisfying, in its own way.

Fanfic Update!

• The 180 Degree Turn Ch. 1: New Page, but Same Book, by Walter Kovacs (part 1): "Before Elsie could do more than roll her eyes in annoyance, her door opened and the youngest member of the triplets (by five minutes) stuck his head in and smiled at them. 'Hey guys, It appears that we have new neighbors.' He informed his siblings; 'They’re moving in right now.'"


• All's Fare (A kinda-sorta IC - No Gas!), by DeacBlue (part 2): "'Breaking news!' the announcer said. 'Wildfires have gotten out of control in the national forest, twenty miles west of Lawndale. Reports are that a group or groups of campers are in danger of being cut off, and emergency services do not have enough fuel to reach them.'"


• Armored Cynic Daria, Episode 2: The 8th Circuit, by RX-87 (part 6): "EXT: Daria sits on the roof of her house, looking up at the night sky. DARIA: All my life, I wanted that kind of power."


• At the Crossroads...(Chapter 12), by oni (COMPLETE!): "'Quinn, I apologize if I come to this conclusion, but are you using Black Friday as a shopping day for yourself?' Caving in, Quinn replied with defeat in her voice, 'Yeah.' Sandi mentally held herself back from saying anything else to Quinn, but as the four of them entered the mall, she did have only one thought running through her head. 'I’ve been tricked into waking up for your typical shopping outing... I’ve been tricked into waking up for your typical shopping outing... I’ve been tricked...'"


• A Brothers Duty, by Gnome (COMPLETE!): "I feel someone watching me. Another late night traveler, a huge specimen. She observes me with tired eyes. Her reflexes are slow, she cannot possibly prove a challenge to me. I allow myself a slight smile. But I must not let myself grow too complacent. We all need the same thing, and most of the prey had already been taken."



• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch 9 Soaking Up Summer, by Shiva (part 4): "Daria wished to whatever deities were out there ranging from the Apophis to Zeus that she could temporarily shut down her brain for the duration of what she was having to endure for her second dinner at the Sloanes. 'Daria!' Quinn whined, 'Come on out now, it couldn’t have taken you that long to change into the next outfit.'"


• Good Nutrition (Scenes no Daria Fanfic should ever have: Embrace the Madness), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'It's just like old Tim said,' Daria said after burping and wiping her face with a napkin, 'Good nutrition is important too.'"


• The Hunter Home from the Hill, by DeacBlue (part 12): "Daria could hear Jane's smile over the line. 'So what's up, amiga?' 'Well, besides the fact that I want to see my newly-minted girlfriend,' Daria's smile widened until it almost split her face, 'Quinn has some questions about what happened last night. Can you come over?'"


• Immortal Blood, by Shiva (part 7): "Then just as he began to head on out, O’Neill put what he thought was a comforting hand on Skylar’s shoulder and brushed the skin of his neck. 'Oh dear,' O’Neill breathed in shock as he felt... 'You’re so cold Skylar, are you sure you’re alright?' 'Lawsuit!' Skylar snapped at him with an unknowing flash of deathly blue seeping through his illusionary baby-blues and causing the fear of the Grim Reaper to grip his teacher’s bowels."


• It's Only Another Daria/Quinn Torture Story (Scenes no Daria Fanfic should ever have: Embrace the Madness), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'People see us everywhere / They think you really care.' Sang the beautiful blond cowboy while strumming his guitar."


• Kinetic Adventures, by MetalShadowX (part 9): "'You think you'll get away with this?' 'As long as you want your identity kept secret, then yes I do.' 'Just who the hell are you to blackmail me like this?!' 'Don't you recognize me? I'm disappointed in you,' she smirked, 'big sis.'"



• The Kissing Book, by DeacBlue (parts 6 - 8): "'Jane, I love you, so please don't be offended when I tell you that that's so stupid that it just might -' Daria picked that moment to step into a patch of sand and disappear." (Part 7) (Part 8)


• A Lift (IC: Sam Stack), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'Thanks for the lift,' Jane said as she climbed into the passenger seat of the black sports car. 'You sure about not calling a wrecker?' the brown-haired muscular god asked with some concern, eyeing the beat up blue corvette on the side of the road."


• Long, Cold School Year (Iron Chef - Doug, Susan and Ramona), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "'Ramona Thatcher,' the teacher said with a slight growl in her voice as she looked directly at the blonde girl sitting near the back of the class. 'Here,' Ramona replied trying to hide from the glare the teacher was shooting in her direction."


• Meeting at the Park (Iron Chef: Fresh takes on Veronica Morgendorffer), by Wassersauefer (COMPLETE!): "'Um... hi?' 'AAAH!!' Startled she jumped, her coke bottle falling and crashing onto the ground, glass and the beverage splattering in every direction. Her heart hammering and her breathing short she looked at the intruder that shocked her. 'Damn, was that necessary?'"


• Operation Glitterberries: Chapter 08, by BF110C4 (part 3): "Entering once more to the bathroom she could clearly see the path that the bullet took after missing her, going through the open door and the shower’s curtain, to embed itself on the wall. Just two inches down, or half a second more to aim... She was damn lucky."


• Revenge from the Grave (Iron Chef: Chateau de Morgendorffer), by Reven384 (COMPLETE!): "'I'm still a bit surprised mother left me anything. I figured she'd leave everything to Rita,' Helen said before bitterly adding, 'Then again she left Rita most of her possessions and money.'"


• Rude Awakening Ep 11: Sucks To Be Them!, by DIsaac (part 4): "STACY: So we will be putting our REAL plan in action as we speak.... Operation Wicked Witch. The plan is simple. We will be working throughout the day to ruin Mrs. Griffin's day in ways small to epic. The plan is to make her think Boston Sucks as a place to live and make her hate our fair city to the point that when she thinks of Boston.... She'll hate this place with every fiber of her being. It will mean that she will leave You, Tom and future child to be named later..... Alone and safe here in New England."



• Sexy Daria: Sexy Cute Models, by Shiva (part 6): "'Oh you're so slender and pouty,' Claude said in admiration of Daria Morgendorffer while Romonica’s eyes danced with thoughts of how much money she could make off this girl, 'And even those glasses are cute, but could you take them off please?' 'Oh ducky,' Daria replied very sweetly before her voice turned to ice, 'I need them to see scam artists.'"


• Slumber Party (Scenes no Daria Fanfic should ever have: Embrace the Madness), by JoeMerl (COMPLETE!): "As President of the Fashion Club, I declare that this meeting-slash-slumber party can official begin,' Sandi said. 'Now, what should we do first?"


• Unexpected Hookup: A Bigger Bite, by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Jane continued and her voice grew more distant, 'As I saw the two of you together I... I became afraid.' Jane grew quiet after that, which forced Daria to ask, 'Afraid of what?' 'Of losing you Daria,' Jane replied sadly, 'You’re the only friend I’ve got.'"


• Unnamed story (IC: Sam Stack), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Sam sighed in post-coital bliss, his body exhausted but feeling completely satisfied after having the best sex he had ever had so far."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Chateau de Morgendorffer), by RX-87 (COMPLETE!): "'Well, during the war, the cousin was roped into fighting under General Barksdale and got to meet his niece while on leave. Not long after that, she came down with TB and had to spend some time in a sanatorium. Just about the time her new baby brother, my great grandfather, was born...'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef - Let's Play Sports), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "'Eight - ' the sound of slashing filled the air ' - make that nine. You just had to want to go to the London Games.' Jane said as the blood squirted from the now dismembered zombie body."


• A Wish for the Perfect Night (IC: Sam Stack), by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): "A rose was laid outside her door as always. She picked it up and sniffed it a little before putting it in her hair and gong inside. Code for meet you in an hour. He pulled his car up and she got in."

One Small Step for Jodie, One Long Run for Jane Lane

As Jodie Landon reminds us, 41 years ago the Eagle landed on the Moon. As Daria and Jane remind us, "See Jane Run" premiered on MTV 12 years ago. An important day in history, indeed. Today turns out to be critically important in one fanfic, as you will see. Yesterday will be an important day 17 years in the future according to another fanfic, as you will see.

The best part of "See Jane Run" was, of course, seeing Jane. Our Heroine (Jane) was magnificent, but her sidekick Daria was a wet blanket with her constant whining and acting sorry for herself and complaining about Jane doing something great. What heights could Jane have achieved had Daria not been such a pain in the butt? Alas, we will never know.

However, to commemorate the anniversary of "See Jane Run," you can download a PC screensaver that shows Jane running, saved from an MTV website by the WayBack Machine at Archive.org. Click on the link (an .exe file), save it, run it, be amazed. I adore this. The file (called "Run, Jane, Run" as a screensaver) was posted online about 10 years ago and works perfectly, with sun and moon and stars and everything! Jane sure can run a long time.

Moar l8r.

Guess What I Dragged Out of the WayBack Machine?

You want a Jane Lane screensaver? It's yours, at the link below. I've already loaded it on my PC-type computer and tested it. It works. No viruses. No trojans. No bugs. Just pure Jane excellence.

See Jane run! Go, Jane, go!

http://www.theangstguy.com/fanimation/jane_ns.exe

The EXE program was somehow saved intact by the WayBack Machine from an MTV Daria site c. 2000. I can't believe it. This is too incredible to keep to myself. I also got the Quinn screensaver (haven't tried it yet), but the Daria one was not recoverable. Alas. But, hey, here's JANEY!!!

To the Moon

Forty years ago today, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon. I remember watching that live on TV. It was the greatest.

This is an interesting day in other ways. "See Jane Run" premiered eleven years ago today, one of my favorite episodes because OH is the star (Jane, of course). We learn that Daria is more dependent on Jane than Jane is on Daria, when Daria mumbles to herself: "Jane. On a school team. That's pathetic. Hey, if she's the pathetic one, why am I talking to myself? And, more importantly, why am I waiting for a reply?"

We also find the beginnings of the Barksdale Legs meme:

• Daria: What happened to your come-and-get-it heels?
• Quinn: Ha-ha, Daria. I decided I shouldn't wear shoes that kill me just because they make my legs look hot.
• Helen: Why, Quinn, how mature.
• Quinn: I mean, my legs look hot no matter what I wear. They'd probably even look good in those things you have on.
  

We do need a fanfic about Daria's new bf, Knuckles.

See Jane Run! Go, Jane, Go!

"See Jane Run" popped into existence ten years ago today on MTV. This was the first Jane-centric Daria story, if memory has not failed me. Too bad there weren't more of them. Daria is so borrrrring.

One of my favorite moments in the episode is when Jane first spies Evan. The expression on her face (at left) is priceless.

Today is also an important day in one recent fanfic, and the date turns out to be a lifesaver. Why? Check it out.

BREAKING NEWS! Follow the thrills and excitement of the first-ever WONDERFEST DARIACON, taking place this very weekend!