Goofing Off With Water and the Bard

Amy's clearly enjoying herself on International Goof-off Day, although I'm not sure that her niece's wedding is the most appropriate setting. Then again, considering her niece is marrying a complete goof, maybe she's got the right idea after all.

If you decide to goof off today, please also remember to stay hydrated because it's World Water Day! Or you could goof off by spraying people with water pistols. Maybe Sandi will amuse us all by pretending to drown in two feet of water...wait, she was serious? Never mind.

Zounds! Thou shalt also speaketh in the Elizabethan fashion, for it be Talk Like William Shakespeare Day! Kevin and Brittany, if we're lucky, will skip the Romeo and Juliet scene.

Fanfic Update!

• Flaw of Attraction, by wilddogjj (parts 1 and 2): "Jamie, Chuck, Jim, Kevin and Chris were sitting on the porch drinking beer and engaging in lighthearted conversation." (Part 2)


• Homecoming, by davidfalkayn (part 16): "'I can’t believe Daria said that.' Jim whispered to the blonde girl standing next to him. 'It sounded like she was wishing for Elizaveta to die.'"


• Spider Quinn 07: Ashes to Ashes, by cfardellbrenorenz29 (part 6): "Quinn was doing her homework in the loungeroom when she heard the doorbell. She went and opened it. She saw Stacy, Tiffany and Tori."

To QB Or Not to QB

Brittany's clearly been waiting for Talk Like William Shakespeare Day, and she's not going to let the opportunity pass her by. Never mind whether or not Kevin's going to get into the holiday; has anyone taken Brittany aside and explained to her what happens to Romeo and Juliet at the end of the play?

This is also As Young As You Feel Day, and please don't tell Val about it. If that woman "felt" any younger she'd be an embryo.

Fandom News!

• welltemperedclavier reviews Spycraft: The Great Game.


• DocForbin observes the twenty-fifth anniversary of Misery Senshi.


• View and discuss Shady Doorags's review of Daria.

Is This a Book I See Before Me?

Mack's wishing a very happy birthday to William Shakespeare, who was born on this day in 1564. Shakespeare's plays get too many in-show references for me to start listing them out, but go ahead and share your favorites in the comments!

Appropriately enough, today is also World Book Day! Celebrate by reading one of Shakespeare's plays, or anything else you feel like reading. Daria's got dibs on Black Beauty.

Fandom News!

• Keep up with the latest news about the Texas Nationalist secession movement.


• Talk about Anders Breivik in prison as well as the general discussion about prisons.


• Has anyone put Daria characters in Xcom 2? Trscroggs wants to know.

Is She Wearing a Wig or Did She Dye Her Hair Again?

Jane's looking a little less than adorable for Shirley Temple's birthday. The late actress was born on this day in 1928, and I'd just like to see anybody try to convince Jane to sing or tap dance. Then again, Nathan got her to wear a snood, so....

It's also William Shakespeare's birthday (in 1564) and the anniversary of his death (in 1616). I'm not going to even try to list all the Daria fanworks that cross over with or reference Shakespeare, because then we'd be here all day. You can post your favorites in the comments, though!

Fanfic Update!

• ВАРИАЦИИ, by Shad_Tkhom (COMPLETE!): "Джейн никак не могла понять саму себя — на самом деле у них с Томом всё шло к тому чтобы расстаться. Напряжение между ней и Слоуном только росло, а она не могла не замечать, что Тома явно и недвусмысленно тянет к Дарье. Надо было быть слепой чтобы не заметить."


• Fallen Angels and Sharks, by Brother Grimace (part 1): "As everything was getting settled – and I woke up after the best week-long 'Fuck you, Judith, you're dead as TV dials and we're still here!' party the universe will ever see – every single Ringbearer that joined in with me to go after Judith was summoned to the Sky Vault Avalon."


• Is it Curtain Yet?, by Zetor (part 3): "'This is just wrong,' Jane grumbled to herself as she walked through the mostly empty parking lot, 'Going back to Lawndale High, on a Sunday.'"


• NMI (Daria and the Gang Thread), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "'So, how is it going "Naomi"?' Jane asked. 'Ha ha,' Daria said. 'At least my middle name isn't a joke from a bad Tom Hanks movie.'"


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Out of a luxury private jet came Tom Sloane, his sister Elsie, and for some reason Charles Ruttheimer III, who was talking to the others."

Jake in the Winner's Circle

Today marks the annual running of The Oaks at Churchill Downs, the big race between fillies just one day before the Kentucky Derby. And, of course, Helen Morgendorffer is the filly to beat! (That was not meant to be a joke about the riding crop Jake is holding. But maybe it is.) Whew, is it getting hot in here, or is that picture smokin'?

Tonight, however, is Walpurgis Night, Europe's version of Halloween. Hence we use the Three Js as the witches from Macbeth. (Yet another Shakespeare reference!)

Thanks to Pinhead for the big images. Stay tooned, more to come later.

LATE NOTE: Just because I want to, here is a small tribute to the best horse ever born. I loved this guy. Enjoy.

Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On

William Shakespeare, a writer without peer in the English language even now, passed away 394 years ago today, after being born almost exactly 446 years ago today. Drama, comedy, history, tragedy, poetry: he did it all. Mack at right does his superb portrayal of this legendary figure.

Several Daria episodes owe a great debt to the Bard for their very existence. "Cafe Disaffecto," "Lucky Strike," "The Lost Girls," "Ill," and "Quinn the Brain" all mention or describe the works of Shakespeare. Brittany at upper left reenacts the role of Juliet in "Cafe Disaffecto." Last year Richard Lobinske listed a number of Daria fanfics that owe a debt to the Bard as well for using quotes or his works in the text. There are more, however, too many to name individually (including essays), so we'll do it by numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40. I am positive I have not named them all. (LATE EDIT: I've just been reminded that I left out some major stories, and I have now added them in. I am positive there are many more out there. AUGH!!) William Shakespeare is, I believe, the most often referenced writer in all of Daria fanfiction. Having a bit of Shakespeare in your Daria story is almost a requirement.

William Shakespeare. He was The Man.

And today is also the Feast Day of St. George, famed dragon slayer and patron saint of much of Europe, particularly England. If you happen to be in London right now, I would be green and sick with envy over it, but here is a webpage on great events happening around you today. Damn, wish I could be there!

PPMB

• NEW! The Cast Meeting, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "We are going to shake your character's world upside down. Lesbians are BIG right now, so we have decided that Quinn should come out of the closet." "WHAT! Gawd! What did I do? Why can't Daria be gay? I mean, she is dating Brittany off the set—or even Jane, or would that piss Kevin off too much?"
  
• The Dream of the White Darkness, by jtranser (continued): "You're not going to tell me we're up against someone whose name cannot be spoken aloud without dire consequences?" "No, Jane. We're up against someone whose name can't be spoken because no one knows what it is."
• NEW! Finn Morgendorffer 43: A Tale of Three Schrecters, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 6): "Did something happen here?"
• NEW! The Secret Shame, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "I didn't mean to do it!" Upchuck grabbed Mack's T-shirt and with inhuman strength lifted Mack off his feet. Upchuck's face was contorted with anguish and fear. "I didn't mean to do it! Oh, God, you have to believe me! WHY WON'T YOU BELIEVE ME?"
• NEWER! Shining Star: Temporal Conundrum, by RLobinske (Part 7): Archangel laughed. "She's got the touch in any universe." Daria turned to him. "Okay, now that's one of the things that's creeping me out. You keep talking like I'm the center of the universe or something." Richard turned a display of his desk computer to show the hypersphere of universes under his supervision. "You are what we call a nexus. Basically the center of a multiverse. You exist in every one of these realities."
  

Beware...

Back in Roman times, today was the Ideas of March, the mid-month. We know of this date thanks entirely to Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. The Ides of March reappears in Daria fanfiction as a person, thanks to the existence of Holiday Island ("Depth Takes a Holiday"). The Ides is not a "holiday" in the usual sense, and it is certainly not regarded as a nice day as a result of what happened to Caesar exactly 2,053 years ago. The physical appearance of the Holiday Island character known as the Ides of March was based upon a cross between 1950s spree killer Charles Starkweather (at left) and 1963 presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, more the former than the latter. Fanfic authors, use him as you wish.

Today is also World Contact Day in ufology circles and among those who believe in Men in Black. The date originated 57 years ago with a conspiracy theorist, and the concept eventually grew in the telling (particularly in a 1967 essay anthology) until rock groups like Klaatu and the Carpenters (!) were singing the official song of World Contact Day. If you want to know more, follow the Wikipedia link and sub-links, but be warned you are heading out on a very bizarre Internet trip.

Roentgen has once again opened a can(on) of worms in his opening post of what promises to be an interesting PPMB thread on the usefulness of canon in Daria fandom. Enjoy.

Sick, Sad World has updated again! Yay!

PPMB

• Apocalyptic Daria: Timeline, by Doggieboy (Part 1): Before I begin this timeline, let me introduce myself. I am the Chronicler, and my job is to tell you of the events that mark this particular corner of the world I watch. To hear my wife tell it, my job must actually be to sit at the pub and throw back a pint or two of stout whilst telling ribald tales and eating a plate of fish and chips. She is wrong, although I cannot deny that I do enjoy such pleasures.
• Falling into College 72: Valley of Love and Delight, by RLobinske (Part 14): "Have another drink, Daria," Jane said. Daria shook her head. "You can have a hangover in the morning, I'm going to pass. Besides, I want to have the blackmail material after tonight, not be the blackmail material." "You're no fun."
  
• Zero G, by SigDiff (Part 4): “Daria, we've apparently got a rat infestation.” ”I'm not sure I want to know how you found that out.” “Well, what are we going to do about it?” ”Nothing. But if we lose another system to a rat, I'll suit up and vent the whole damn ship.”

We Were All Students Once

Today is International Students Day, which has its roots in the Second World War. (Rather shocking story, really.) It would be interesting to see if any cynics we know at Lawndale High ever celebrated this day in unusual ways. Maybe Mr. O'Neill could give out homework assignments for this special day, and shocking things happen as a result. Fanfic, fanfic, fanfic... (Thanks to UU for the image!)

The Elizabethan Era began this day a mere 451 years ago, when Elizabeth I took the throne of England and Ireland. Daria appears as Elizabeth I in the alter ego below, with the Bard of All Bards who flourished in this period: Shakespeare. (Thanks to Pinhead for the images!)

Daria was born this day in 1983, according to one writer's tale: Wildgoose's "Season's End." She lives to be 100 years old.

Modified Julian Day Zero was 151 years ago today. Ah, those crazy Julian Days. I don't understand the concept at all, but it's all over the Internet, so here it is. Do with it as you will.

Time for fanfic!

PPMB

• Daria: Hunter—The Love Triangle, by Jim North (continued): "Daria!" Quinn called out. "Save us!" "Yes, thank you, Quinn," Daria returned, her eyes never leaving Jamie. "That's exactly what I'm trying to do."
• Finn Morgendorffer 15: Believers, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 1): “You’re just like your sister,” Mrs. Morris commented. Finn stopped on a dime. “I beg your pardon?” “Your sister, Daria Morgendorffer. She doesn’t participate, sits out in protest. And now she has to make up gym class after school. No wonder you two are related.”
  

Welcome to the Inferno

Nine years ago this very day, the computer game Daria's Inferno was released. And there was much rejoicing. This game had some of the most bizarre images you could imagine. At left is Mr. DeMartino wearing a Jar-Jar Binks costume. At right is Ms. Li with a photo of her World's Greatest Disciplinarian Award. Below is an image of the fearsome road-rage trikers on Sick, Sad World. What more could you ask for? Well, there was Helen as the Bride of Frankenstein, Trike Girl, Mystic Spiral playing awful songs, Jane appearing in famous works of art and photography, some very nice shots of Daria's room, Lawndale High, and Shakespeare at a rock concert ("Mosh Ado About Nothing"). Ouch.

Bizarre actor/actress Divine was born 64 years ago today. Some of the MTV animation artists were fond of one of Divine's movies, Pink Flamingos, and created at least two alter egos based on that movie.

No0z

• The Daria Fan Club has 1,449 members now.
• DariaWiki has been great aided by the heroic efforts of Rglovejoy, Vlademir1, Brother Grimace, Dennis, Disco316, Doggieboy, JPAGC, and Richard Lobinske. Thank you!
• This blog has 18 followers (Yay! Go, team!) and 121,000 hits. More followers! Daria must have more minions to do her will!
• NEW! Angelinhel has discovered that Daria scored an Epic Win!
  

PPMB

• Anti-Trope, by Pinkminx (Part 3): Dean wordlessly held out a folded piece of white paper and waited for the teacher to take it. Mr. DeMartino took the offering, opened the paper, then turned to address the class. “Class, it seems our new student, Dean Morgendorffer, has finally decided to grace us with his presence. Find a seat and sit down.”
• Size Does Matter, by Blackhole (Part 42): “No, Trent. We both have to take some responsibility here. Four-eyes principle, you know?” Sometimes it defies description how much of a lazy bum you are. (FF.net) (SFMB)
  
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part III), by jtranser (continued): Shaking her head at Brooke's obtuseness, Sandi gave instructions to Lucinda concerning Brooke's hair and makeup procedure: "Set the makeup applicator to Hooker, then shove her head into the bucket with the styling grenade. After that,when she comes back, we'll discuss clothing options."

Daria and the Bard

While The Bug Guy looks up the fanfics which have been influenced by Shakespeare, this post will briefly name some of the episodes that owe one or more elements to the Bard. "Cafe Disaffecto," "Lucky Strike," "The Lost Girls," "Ill," and "Quinn the Brain" all mention or describe the works of Shakespeare. Brittany at left reenacts the role of Juliet in "Cafe Disaffecto."

I have been lax about updating the fanfiction list but will attend to it later this evening. Some great stuff is out. Back to The Bug Guy.


"I can't take anymore of this Shakespeare dude, bro. He's, like, a total chick writer!"

—Kevin Thompson, Cafe Disaffecto

Roll Over, Shakespeare

William Shakespeare passed away 393 years ago today.

Something tells me that he would find this very amusing.

There's more Daria/Shakespeare crossover stuff out there, I'll track it down after dinner.
---
Okay, I've been fed.

To start with, there's KB's The Life and Death of Stacy III. There's also a bunch of stuff someone instigated here (I wouldn't know who). How about Midsummer Night's Dream? What kind of Shakespeare collection would it be without some version of Romeo and Juliet? Another light romantic comedy based on Much Ado About Nothing.

That should keep everyone reading for a while.