In a Hole in the Ground There Lived a Lawyer

Helen's trying to celebrate Hobbit Day but it's hard to get into the spirit while holding a misshapen hunk of wax. Feel free to either have a second breakfast or go on a massive adventure with a bunch of dwarves; the choice is yours!

However, nothing would be more Hobbit-like than staying home, nice and cozy, especially because it's National Girls’ Night In Day. Maybe the Fashion Club can have another sleepover! And Helen can absolutely mortify Quinn even further by showing off her candle.

It will be Stacy's turn to be mortified when she finds out it's National Legwear Day and she's wearing stretch pants! With luck Sandi will be in a charitable mood and can reassure her that they're actually leggings.

Fanfic Update!

• Convergence on Lawndale, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 11): "Kaelyn started preparing the snacks. She did so quickly and efficiently, but she made each one slightly different."


• Spider Quinn 12 Rise of the Green Goblin, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 2): "Daria paused. She knew Jane was hiding something. But she didn’t want to give Sandi the satisfaction."

I Happen to Think the Bumblebees Are Cute!

Helen is settling in with the Fashion Club for National Girls’ Night In Day, but Quinn clearly isn't enjoying it one bit. At least this sleepover is going better than the one(s) she tried to have during "Gifted," because no one's getting kicked out of the house. Yet.

That said, I think Helen might do better to spend her quality time with Linda Griffin instead, because it's American Business Women’s Day. They can talk about the frustrations of the glass ceiling, share horror stories about awful clients, and get on each other's nerves by constantly trying to one-up each other. And then someone will most likely get kicked out of the house.

I suppose it might be better if Helen just celebrates Hobbit Day with Jake and a misshapen candle that might or might not be shaped like a hobbit. She'll probably need that soothing brown color after dealing with teenage girls and smug colleagues.

Fandom News!

• Vote in the Celebrity Deathmatch poll between Mel Sharples and the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld.

"Brown is so...soothing."

I'm not sure Helen wants to be celebrating Hobbit Day, but that's the reality she's been dealt. Just smile and nod, Helen. Jake really did try his best, after all.

Today is also National Ice Cream Cone Day, but whatever you do don't ask Mack to get it for you. Unless you like your ice cream served at full speed right at your head.

Fanfic Update!

• American Idle, by wilddogjj (COMPLETE!): "Quinn, Jim and Daria looked at the empty garage in horror. While Quinn and Jim were arguing and Daria was watching TV, the unsupervised kids had actually stolen Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s race car."


• Danny Morgendorffer, by st91 (parts 55/56 and 57): "'Partypartyparty!' Quinn exclaimed as she, her brother and Heather walked towards the building where the party in question was taking place." (Part 57)


• Happiness and Tears (Linn's short stories (or ficlets, drabbles...)), by linnofthewoods (COMPLETE!): "I'm getting married tomorrow, Rose thought as she lay in bed with the lights off. The day I've been wondering about for most of my life is almost here." (Part 6) (Part 7)


• Looking Forward and Back (Linn's short stories (or ficlets, drabbles...)), by linnofthewoods (COMPLETE!): "Well. That past year and a half wasn't at all what Trent and Rose, or anyone else for that matter, was expecting."


• Mourning in the 'Burbs, by Erin M (part 5): "Tom had been asked to be one of the pallbearers, so Jane found Trent in the crowd around the gravesite and went to stand next to him."


• Reflections, by atiyatortilla (part 2): "'How've things been going?' Sandi directed her attention away from the lopsided potted cactus on the table (It was a sad sight, really. There wasn't enough natural light in this room and did anyone ever water it?) to meet her therapist's polite smile."


• Who Will Survive In America?, by ladyevil (part 3): "'Ooh La La!' Jane crooned as she and Daria walked to school. 'Are you wearing eye make-up'"

Be Thankful for Hobbits!

Helen's not entirely sure she wants to celebrate the anniversary of The Hobbit's publication in 1937 with a lumpy piece of wax, but she can hardly hurt Jake's feelings, can she? Okay, maybe she can.

Still, she'd better at least tell him thank you because today is also World Gratitude Day. Anyway, it's the thought that counts, right?

Fandom News!

• Talk about old stories by Dennis.


• quinnthegod wonders about the fanfics posted on SFMB.


• Discuss the deaths of Winston Groom and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.


• Check out some links on action you can take for the upcoming election and share your own.

Peace Out!

Daria's going to have to do better than flash a peace sign if she wants to celebrate International Day of Peace. In fact, she'll probably opt to spend the whole day observing the quest for peace...and quiet while she reads a book.

Today is also the anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit on this day in 1937. If Jake didn't take this opportunity to make Helen another Hobbit-shaped candle, I'll be very disappointed.

Fanfic Update!

• Danny Morgendorffer, by ST91 (part 16): "It was afternoon and it was very hot. Daniel fell to the ground on his back. His left cheek hurt due to the punch he received. He tasted blood in his mouth."


• Daria's Great Adventure, by dmsfanman (part 29): "The Martian Explorer I came up alongside the derelict ship. The computer made certain that they did not collide with any debris along the way."


• Fates Entwined, by Deep Metal (part 32): "By the time Daria had arrived at the scene, she saw practically all the townspeople gathered together under the night sky. 'Where is he?' asked Daria, getting out of Mr. DeMartino's car."

This Could Get Ugly. Even Uglier than a Misshapen Pile of Wax!

Helen and Linda are having a friendly phone conversation to wish each other a happy American Business Women's Day. Or at least it was friendly for the first few seconds. By now I'm sure it's devolved into a vicious argument over who's more successful in their field and whose daughter is more popular. The swearing and screaming will begin any moment.

If she needs any help calming down, Helen should go find that hobbit Jake gave her years ago. Not only is it very soothing, but today is also Hobbit Day and therefore very appropriate. We are sure that it's really a hobbit?

Fanfic Update!

• All's Fair, by Princess_Pasta (part 6): "One week quickly bled into three. Daria wasn't expecting someone like Brittany to have much resolve so it was a good thing that she hadn't killed Kevin yet."


• Aunt Daria (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: The Saga Goes On), by Szcz (part 1): "'The parents had a boy, named uncle Fedor. He was very serious and independent. He had learned how to read 4 years old. 6 years old, he boilded soup by himself. On the whole, he was a good boy. The parents were good too.'"


• Bad Influence (Life After Thirty), by WildDogJJ (part 1): "Mrs. Henderson is teaching her first grade class. The students include Tommy, Timmy and Teddy Carbone along with Quinn Ruttheimer, Kevin Thompson Junior and Shane Sloan along with his two lackeys, Al and Lou. Mrs. Henderson is a dark haired woman in her thirties with thick rimmed glasses. She's drawing a math problem on the black board."


• Erin Chambers, by OzFerret (part 6): "Erin walked over to Anne's desk. 'Have you been to lunch yet Anne?' 'Just a Moment', Anne replied as she typed rapidly on her computer. 'Chew on that, you electronic monster.' she instructed her computer."


• Fates Entwined, by Deep Metal (part 21): "'Daria, are you doing alright?' Tom asked. He and Kevin stood over her. All of them were in the nurse's office, or at least what remained of the nurse's office as half the room appeared to have been destroyed."


• Second Chance for Love, by David Falkayn (parts 25 and 26): "'I guess our pariah status still hasn't been completely revoked.' Daria deadpanned as she and Jane stopped off at their lockers." (Part 26)


• The Temptation of Tom Sloane, by Rémi (parts 3 - 6): "Griffin household. The Fashion Club is having a meeting. Sandi is giving instructions while Stacy conscientiously takes notes. Tiffany , with vacant eyes, is looking at herself in a pocket mirror. Quinn is trying to pay attention to Sandi and to read one of her textbooks at the same time. Sandi notices this." (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6)


• Touched by Mars, by WellTemperedClavier (part 1): "The shadows of Nowruz flames danced on the curved metal wall. Or they appeared to, at least. It was the memory of holy fires, copied from the fire-capped temples of Ecbatana, and replicated in hologram. A real fire had no place on a space station, even one as large as Constitutio VII."


• What Road Trip?, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'Okay - what are you three up to?' Esra, Rossalyn and Hector - an unusual gathering by anyone's measure, Daria thought - looked up from the table they sat around as Daria walked into the Legion Academy's 'holochamber'."

A Day for Grateful, Peaceful Hobbits

Helen is holding a brown lump of something vaguely hobbit-shaped in honor of J.R.R. Tolkien's book The Hobbit, which was published on this day in 1937. She should probably at least try to feign appreciation for the present, though because today is also World Gratitude Day. At the very least, I suggest she not start a war over it, because this is also International Day of Peace.

Fanfic Update!

• An Annoying Paradise, by Resop (part 1): "'Are you even listening to me?' Startled, Asamura Daria (1) looks up from her book and looks at her sister, Asamura Quinn (2), through large glasses. 'Who are you again?'"


• Neutral Ground, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "Daria looked around at the slightly grubby, worn nature of the tiny mom-and-pop joint, which would have looked out of date in the 1970s, as David Allen (dressed smartly in his 'service dress blue' uniform - identical to the uniform worn by active-duty Naval officers, but with USAES insignia) followed her through the door." (Part 2)


• Sonoma Coma, by jtranser (part 25): "'Begin the Gathering of Livestock' '...B-b-but that's insane, Daria!'"


• Stargate Delicately Balanced Daria, by Meester_Lee (parts 3a - 3c): "The Quesnir came out of hyperspace at the edge of the star system above the plane of the system's plane of the ecleptic, then slowly made its way in-system, firing off probes towards two of the three large gas-giants that orbited what Earth astronomers would have classified as a G-class star well beyond the distance separating Jupiter from Earth's own sun." (Part 3b) (Part 3c)

So, Linda, Do YOU Have a Misshapen Chunk of Wax?

Linda and Helen are on the phone together because they want to wish each other a happy American Business Women's Day...and try desperately to one-up each other until both are so angry they can't see straight. Should be a nice, pleasant conversation.

If Helen needs to calm down afterward, though, she might try lighting that hobbit-shaped candle Jake got her years ago. It would be appropriate, since today is also Hobbit Day. And brown is so...soothing.

Fanfic Update!

• CorrecTed Vision (The Ted Zone), by Kristen Bealer (COMPLETE!): "It was a lovely Saturday afternoon. The light generated by the sun was unbroken by clouds or other obstructions, the temperature and humidity levels were well within a comfortable range, and several birds were uttering musical vocalizations intended for either territorial or mating purposes. Ted was walking home from the video arcade when he noticed a medium-sized bulldog approaching him."


• Daria (and other characters) on the Defiant Round Robin, by cfardell_Brenorenz29, Roentgen, Brother Grimace, Kuriamo22, and peetz5050 (parts 22 - 27): "Even before she opened her eyes, River knew she was no longer on Serenity. Non of the other nine minds that she could sense were those of the crew that she and her brother were travelling with." (Part 23 by Roentgen) (Part 24 by Brother Grimace) (Part 25 by Kuriamo22) (Part 26 by peetz5050) (Part 27 by Roentgen)


• Lawndale Z, by Kuriamo22 (part 8): "It was a clear sunny day over the endless blue green grasslands of the northern hemisphere of Namek. Long ago the Namekians had built vast technological cities across their planet. Unfortunately decades of overproduction had nearly destroyed the biosphere and millions of Namekians died in a vast drought."


• A Moment Behind the Mask, by RubinaLadybug (COMPLETE!): "'And so completes our time of raising the dead and causing mass panic in this listless town,' Daria stated, her deadpan tone infecting every word she spouted."


• Return of the Runaway: Esteem of the Middle Child (IC Runaway Daria), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 3): "Quinn walked home, after having helped Jane prevent her house from being foreclosed. 'How is it that the Lane's just forgot to pay their bills?' she wondered. Jane was interesting though. 'If nothing else we do fit as aquaintences.'"


• Standstill, by Princess_Pasta (part 12): "'It would be such a shame if it rained. Can you imagine it raining on the happiest day of your life? Awful!' 'I've heard that rain is a sign of good luck'."

What About Those Hobbit Business Women?

Linda's pissed because she just found out that Helen got voted onto the board of the Lawndale Business Woman's Alliance. That's only fitting on Business Women's Day, though. And anything that annoys Linda Griffin is probably a good thing no matter what it is.

This is also Hobbit Day, so today would be a good day to get that special someone a candle that's vaguely shaped like a hobbit. Or, you know, not.

Fanfic Update!

• Anger meets her match, by dammit.taken (part 1): "Andrea slipped out of her work-clothes, tossing them into the hamper in her closet. She pulled some clothes out at random, then pulled on a clean bra and started getting dressed."


• Dreams Rewoven, by RLobinske (part 3): "'Pardon my frustration, but that position was made for you,' Amy Barksdale said over her cell phone. 'And now it's going to someone with tenure. You know how the game works.'"


• Is it real life yet?, by michaelscarn (part 1): "Daria held the final box filled with her things and looked back at her empty dorm room. She didn't want to admit it, but she'd miss her home for the past six years."


• Lawndale 2021, by Anguirus1955 (parts 6 - 8): "'No. I need to adjust the formula a bit more,' Dr. Quentin Q. Quinn said to himself as he observed the results of his latest experiment." (Part 7) (Part 8)


• Sandi, You Hoopy Frood, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'Everyone, calm down! It's only been a couple of hours past our return time - and since they haven't been able to contact us on the radio, I'm certain that the authorities have already started a rescue effort!'"


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Anguirus1955 (COMPLETE!): "New York City was silent. The four brave heroes on top of the apartment complex looked confused as their opponent disappeared."


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Wraith (COMPLETE!): "'It's truly horrible. A cryin' shame.' Anthony said sadly."

Fore! Yeah.

Jesse is playing a few rounds in honor of Miniature Golf Day. When he was told that the holiday was for miniature golf, not regular golf, he sagely replied, "Cool."

J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit was published on this day in 1937, so now's the time to make a lumpy candle for your significant other. Or was it a wizard?

Finally, this is Banned Books Week, so Daria's sure to be yelling at her television in her fight against censorship.

Fanfic Update!

• ASPS 3, by PrecambrianStudios (part 1): "Scratching at the stubble on his face, he thought, I am genuinely looking forward to meeting you. Dmitri was the key. Dmitri would help him to change Fielding."


• Daria: College Pains Redux, by James the Lesser (part 23): "'I don't smoke any more. She made us quit after the cops were here for Tom's sister. If I had gotten busted for it I'd be in prison.' 'Oh, true.' Jane had liked Lindy before but now she was surprised to find a kind of respect, almost reverence, for Lindy. She had gotten Trent and the rest of Mystic Spiral to do more than they had for years."


• Mine, by Vukodlak (part 11): "Daria stared at her dresser where she'd set the little white stick to wait out the three minutes. She hadn't been this nervous in years; but at least this time she had Tom's lap to settle into."


• Possibilities, by Sureia (part 24): "It had come as something of a shock to Matt when he learned that Hollywood had been lying to him about endings all his life. In the movies the hero generally got to walk away unmolested and being able to defend yourself earned you respect and personal space. Reality, it turned out, was a lot less considerate."


• Psychiatric Devaluation, by DarkDranzer (part 2): "'Ah, Anthony. I take it you received my message?' Anthony leaned back on the chair, causing it to creak and rolled his eyes at her question. 'It would be FOOLISH of me to say NO at this point, ESPECIALLY since you went through all the TROUBLE of calling me BEFORE SIX this morning.'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: No longer in the 1%), by DarkDranzer (COMPLETE!): "Mr. O'Neill: (with tissues on his lap while reading Little Women, did not notice a door slam shut and someone entering the stall next to him) Oh Jo...Be worthy love, and love will come in the falling summer r--* Mr. DeMartino: WUUUARRGHHH!!"


• Upper Echelon, by Princess_Pasta (part 16): "Daria averted her eyes, apparently very interested in the Periodic Table of Elements. Quinn noticed and immediately shifted to investigative mode. She could always tell when Daria was hiding something. The hard part was getting her to talk."

What's the German Phrase for "Go Team Go"?

Brittany's serving up some mugfuls of Oktoberfest cheer, but she's still trying to figure out if this month is September or October. If she asks you to explain, just blame Daylight Savings or something and grab another mug of beer.

J. R. R. Tolkien fans will be interested to know that "The Hobbit" was published on this day in 1937. I don't know if beer was involved in writing the books, but I'm sure some kind of alcohol was involved when Jake gave Helen that freaky hobbit-shaped candle for their anniversary.

Fandom News!

• Stripey is looking for contributions to her online webzine.


• Discuss the shooting spree at Washington Navy Yard.


• What music do you miss the most on the Daria DVDs?


• Kem would like your app recommendations for her tablet.


• Lord Yellowtail started a discussion about his QAQA universe.


• Two new Iron Chefs have been posted in Creative Writing: GDTSP9's Early Meeting and LSauchelli's Creationist Daria: Were you there?


• Artists can share their experiences and talk about their projects in the All-Purpose Easel Thread.

"Brown is so...soothing."

On this day in 1892, J. R. R. Tolkien was born. Bikini-clad Helen invites you to join in the celebration as she displays this handmade Hobbit candle. Although I'm willing to bet that at least a few blog readers have only just noticed the candle she's holding....

Dennis has started (but not finished) a Daria/Lord of the Rings crossover called Shadows of a Timeless Song. Is it pitchforking time? But of course! First, though, some fandom news:

• There's only one week left to nominate works for the Daria Fanworks Awards! Were there any fanfics or fanart that you really enjoyed? Now's your chance to make sure they get recognized!


• The SFMB is having technical difficulties. Deref and Gamer are working on it, though!


• brnleague99 invites you to play a game for the paranormally inclined. How many people are in the picture?


• What did you think was the worst music of 2010? Share your thoughts in Wouter's thread.

The Melted Thing She's Holding Is a Hobbit

A lot of birthday anniversaries are up for celebration today, all relevant to this fandom in various major and minor ways:

• Stephen King (who inspired a Stacy alter ego and the authors of these Daria tales: 1 2 3 4) (and fan art and more fan art) (and more in-joke references in Daria fanfics than I can possibly list here, just way too many)
  
• Chuck Jones (famed Warner Brothers animator, helped inspire this tale and this series)
• H. G. Wells (two of whose SF works are referenced in this Daria episode)
• J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit (inspired a gift Jake once gave to Helen, per the image at right from "Sappy Anniversary")
  

It is also the International Day of Peace, for what that's worth.

More to come.... and here it is!

Superfan Pinhead turns out to be an amazing artist. He has posted some of his work to PPMB: a thread of Daria/Melody Powers art, and a special moment between Daria and Jane. This is fairly mind boggling stuff.

PPMB

• Finn Morgendorffer, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 1 - COMPLETE): Ever since Finn starting going through puberty and started his seductive attitude, Helen had been trying to make sure he didn’t end up like Rita. Daria and Finn may not have fought as often, but they certainly were as bitter to each other, as Rita was to her. Despite all her desires not to, Finn was becoming the person she despised most in the world. The fact that Finn was her son was heartbreaking.
• Jacob Morgendorffer, Esq., by CAP (Part 3): “Hi, Dad,” Jake tentatively said stepping to his father‘s side. “What are you doing here?” Mad Dog wheezed. “Mom asked me to come,” Jake replied. “She said that you were... sick.”