Wild for Contrarians Day

The last update for Kara Wild's Contrarian's Corner was exactly one year ago. I love that website. Though now dormant, it's got tons of great stuff, from stories to fandom histories, artwork to interviews. Let each of us raise a glass of [insert favorite beverage here] and toast the immortal CC goodness, and also toast Kara's new career as Helen Morgendorffer. Kick legal booty!

A major fanon character in Dariadom died on this date, 145 years ago. See if you can guess who that was before you click here.

In the realm of Daria news on the Internet, look for the golden note in this report on strange websites.

Now 865 members in the Daria Fan Club. I need to add more quiz questions.

Richard Lobinske, Brother Grimace, and NightGoblyn have done wonderful things on DariaWiki. The most recent new page: Night. (Who? Click and see. Weird.)

Among the many items added to Outpost Daria a few days ago was an old-school shipper essay by Fayth S: Improbable but not Impossible. Interesting read, with evidence to support its thesis.

FF.net

• Box to the Future, by Smileyfax (Part 5): Ow! Ouch! A bit of angst there. And this story went from being merely brilliant to full-fledged genius.

PPMB

• The Lawndalian Candidate, by MMan (continued): "You said I'd never amount to anything, didn't you, Old Man? Well, LOOK AT ME NOW! TAKE THAT! I'M THE GODDAM PRESIDENT! IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU? HUH?! HUH?!" [I so love this.]
  
• Sarcasm at 1600, by Mike Xeno (Part 16 at last! Yay!): "Rule four," Jodie continued, "Quinn speaks when spoken to."

More exciting news to come!

Happy Birthday, Supernova 1054!

Lest you think that no celestial body was named for Daria Morgendorffer, turn your attention to (drum roll) the Crab Nebula. A mere 954 years ago this very day, a gigantic supernova burst out in the constellation Taurus (meaning "a lot of bull") and formed what is now called the Crab Nebula, which as shown in the photo at right has the face of Butt-head. Will miracles never cease?

Why is there no fanfiction connecting the Crab Nebula with Daria? That seems so unfair.

Only 146 years ago today, an English reverend told a story to a little girl named Alice Liddell while they were on a boat trip. She asked him to write it down, and 143 years ago, he did and published it as Stacy Rowe Goes to Hell. And what a great work of literature it was.

DigiSim has offered a new PPMB Iron Chef: Escape from Lawndale! Interesting premise. I think one of the Daria cast should be in the role of Snake Plissken, however.

Lawndale Online

• The New Girl, by NightGoblyn (COMPLETE!): An AU that puts Daria in a reversed set-up. I'd love to see this one continued.
  

FF.net

• Right and Wrong, by MrPowerpuff (Part 1): “The human whose name is written in this note shall die.” (A Daria/Death Note crossover)

More will be entered here as the day progresses.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, Y'ALL!

July 4th is a big day in Daria fandom, given the number of stories that take place on that day. It was of course the day of the Landons' party in Is It Fall Yet? (scene 20). It has also appeared in the following fanfics.

Best Served Cold (Ms. Geek)
By the Twilight (Wildgoose)
Family Collision (Richard Lobinske)
Fast Times at Lawndale High (Danny Bronstein)
Fireworks (C. E. Foreman)
Fun on the Fourth (Richard Lobinske)
If You Only Walk Long Enough (TAG)

Several stories as yet incomplete are due to take place on July 4th: Chapter 16 of Mike Xeno's Sarcasm at 1600, and Brother Grimace's Moonflower.

Do you recall any other Fourth of July Daria stories? If so, post them below in Comments.

More later. Party on most righteously!

I Never Metamorphosis I Didn't Like

Franz Kafka, whose poster hangs over Daria's desk in her Lawndale home (look near the center of the pic at left), was born on this date only 125 years ago. Kafka was the author of The Metamorphosis, a great work of literature that no one understands. You can debate amongst yourselves as to why Daria is so fond of Kafka. Perhaps she longs to be a giant cockroach, who knows. More likely she sees her life as Kafkaesque.

Today is also the traditional beginning of the Dog Days of summer, and it is the 46th birthday of a famous actor who drinks the blood of virgins, according to Daria and Jane, who ought to know since he hasn't gone looking for them.

In penguin-oriented news, on this sad tragic awful bad day only 164 years ago, the last pair of Great Auks were killed. Damn you, Mister Normal! Trent was right!

The latest DariaWiki entry: Damien. And . . .

OUTPOST DARIA HAS UPDATED! YEEE-HAAAW!!!
Thank you, Martin!!!

That's about it. Tomorrow is a special day central to a buttload of Daria fanfics. We (by which I mean me) will try to name most of them in a long list. Look for it. First, however:

FF.net

• Box to the Future, by Smileyfax (Part 4): "There's a weird guy in our box. He has tattoos and pierced ears—why does he have pierced ears?—and he smells funny." [I love this.]
• John Lane #35: Give Me a C! by Richard Lobinske (COMPLETE!)

PPMB

• The Lawndalian Candidate, by MMan (continued): "One thing I don't think you'll like, Daria," said Jodie. "Mandatory extracurricular activities."
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): "And they all laughed. Just like I did later when the trap door opened and Jamie, Jeffy, and Joey fell into the carcass processor as it started up."

SFMB

• Screw You, Mary Sue! by durgarox (continued): Fourth-wall violations, self-insertion, character revolts, and fanfic goodness.
  
• Size Does Matter, by BlackHole (Part 26): “Unless you want your own share of lesbian rumors, you’d better stay clear of me.” (Commentary on story is here.) (PPMB version here.)

Cheers!

Close Encounters of the Butt Kind

Sixty-one years ago TODAY . . . the Roswell UFO Incident occurred. An alien spacecraft crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico, and Earthlings confronted our first visitors from space. Something like that, whatever. This historic moment is captured at right.

On a more serious note, 44 years ago today President Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which did a world of good for the parents of Jodie Landon and Mack Mackenzie. Without this law, all the characters in Daria would probably be white. All the rich ones, at least.

It is noteworthy that on this day six years ago, Daria was first rebroadcast on The-N, to mixed reviews because of film cuts. In the Falling Into College series by Richard Lobinske, Daria made a diary entry on this day eight years ago (see "Freedom of Speech").

FF.net

• Box to the Future, by Smileyfax (Part 3): This is frickin' hilarious! You've GOT to read it!

PPMB

• Sarcasm at 1600, by Mike Xeno: A preview of Chapter 16 has been posted at last! Hooray!
• Turnabout Confusion Part II: All The King's Horses, by Dennis (continued): "So you're offering me the top of the food chain?" Quinn asked. "If you can take it, it's yours," said Ms. Li.
• Yet Another Morgendorffer, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Part 1): Daria and Quinn have a genius older brother with the personality of Dennis the Menace.

Walkmans! Baywatch! Lesbians! O Canada!

Twenty-nine years ago, Sony introduced to the world the Walkman, without which Dawn would be just another bored-looking student at Lawndale High. Forty-one years ago, Canadian babe Pamela Anderson was born, without which we would not have an alter ego of Daria in Baywatch. On top of that, today is Canada Day!

And, on top of that, today is the eighth anniversary of the establishment of civil unions in Vermont, a development that led to this story and many others that followed. Yeee-haaaw!

In other news. . . .

Richard Lobinske has updated the Great Big List o' 2008 Daria Fan Art (PPMB, SFMB). And there was much rejoicing.

Speaking of fan art, Taryn discovered some old fan art of hers dating from 2005 on her hard drive, and has generously presented them for our admiration. Thanks! And we also have views of Jane as an ice-pixie superhero, from Mabottos. Thanks again!

The newest page in DariaWiki: Run It Up the Mast.

Two more Iron Chefs have appeared on PPMB: Kyle Armalin's Cat (from Richard Lobinske) and Crest of the Stars (from kalad1). Have at it!

And I am the current leader for getting Daria quiz questions right at the Daria Fan Club. I totally rule. Until, you know, I don't.

PPMB

• But What About the Baby (Sitter)?! by Kristen Bealer (COMPLETE!): "Once you watch a baby pee on someone, suddenly they aren't nearly as intimidating."
• The Cynic and The Defender, by Doggieboy (Part 4): “You killed a man who had just killed me, and yet you just want us to watch a movie? What the hell’s wrong with you?”
• Family History, by Lawndale Lurker (COMPLETE!): Quinn put her hands on her hips and frowned. “You are not fine, Veronica. Come on, you can tell me. I'm your sister.” *
  
• Halloween Hellraiser, by peapotmaster (COMPLETE!): "Kevin, can you tell me who started Halloween?" "Stephen King."
• Iron Chef: Unusual Superpowers (unnamed ficlet), by Decelaraptor (COMPLETE!): "Your sister has been exposed to enough radioactivity to kill a dozen strong men. Her body has been breaking down at a rate that should have killed her by now. Hell, she should have been DOA, but her body keeps... 'perking up' is the only..."
  
• Naked Came the Cynic, by Lawndale Lurker (continued): Is Lawndale Lurker actually Lawndale Stalker? In either event, Daria finally puts her clothes on.
• New Life, by legendeld (Part 8): “Full power to the shields," called Stacy. "Target their main power relays and engines. All torpedo stations prepare to fire.”
• The Other Side of Time: The Nightmare Never Really Leaves, by The Sidhe (continued): "I thought that the horrors I witnessed in four years of fighting in the War would have drowned out that particular memory.” Richard looked away. “But I was wrong.”
• Screw You, Mary Sue! by durgarox (Part 3): “Oh, no, it’s one of those fanfic writers again, isn’t it?”
• Screwed, by MMan (COMPLETE!): Quinn took a deep breath. This was working better than expected. "Why don't come over to my house for a while?" she asked.
  
• Stuck Inside of Lawndale with the Metafic Blues Again, by Gregor Samsa (Part 1): What next, a rendition of the Internationale led by Hillary Clinton?
• Weekend at Barch's, by peapotmaster (COMPLETE!): "Are you crazy?" Jane asked. "We don’t want everybody in Lawndale to think that we found our dead science teacher in the dumpster. Besides, Tom’s waiting for us."

* Contains mature content.

More soon, trying to wake up.

"The Big House" Turns Eleven

Okay, we still don't know where Daria was or who she was with before she returned home at the start of "The Big House," which first aired eleven years ago on MTV. It appears that the creators of the show meant to keep that a secret. The show has been favorably reviewed (SSW1, SSW2, OD) and has a nice page on DariaWiki. I've added a few new links to the latter regarding fanfiction that spins off from this episode.

Today is also the 100th anniversary of the Tunguska Event, which has never once ceased to grip the imaginations of geeks and mundanes alike. Current explanations of the megaton-range explosion focus on a cosmic collision with a small asteroid or large meteoroid (e.g.: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), but people have also suggested the explosion was caused by geophysical events, a nuclear bomb, a UFO, a UFO being hit by a comet, or a UFO being shot down by Nikolai Tesla's experimental energy weapon. The FBI has investigated the event, as have many gamers. The only known consequences of the biggest interdimensional cross-rip in history are a flattened forest, a growing cottage industry of people trying to connect the event to an alien invasion (for fun and profit), and a new dietary drink that gives you a "blast" of energy.

The real question is, how can a fanfic writer connect Daria to the Tunguska Event? More importantly, how can we connect the Tunguska Event to "The Big House"? Both occurred on the same day of the year. Coincidence? I think not.

Fanfic update later. Party on.

Intellectually Gifted & Morally Bankrupt

Ten years ago today, "Gifted" first aired on MTV. The episode is reviewed and discussed in a number of places: SSW1, SSW2, OD, and DW. "Gifted" gave us a closer look at Jodie Landon and her family, Grove Hills, Grove Hills' snotty students, Sandi Griffin's mother ("that witch") and siblings, mass serial puppy kickers, and a failed Jane/Quinn ("Take... her... now").

What I thought was nicest about this episode is the AU potential. What if Daria had gone to Grove Hills? What if both Daria and Jodie had gone? The latter option seems more likely if Jane had not been in Lawndale when Daria arrived, but Daria still disliked Grove Hills' students. Why didn't Daria mention that she would not be able to see Jane if she went to Grove Hills? Why didn't Jane mention it? Maybe Daria and Jane already knew Daria wouldn't attend and so weren't worried. Or neither was brave enough to mention it.

Today is also the day when, ten years ago, the fan website alt.lawndale.com was last updated. It was abandoned thereafter. Win some, lose some.

Almost 30,000 hits on this site! Thank you! Come again soon!

Now 860 fans at the Daria Fan Club, plus new quiz questions, and I finally get one wrong. Damn! Some of these are hard!

Three new Iron Chefs on PPMB, having to do with racial issues (from Szcz), religion (from Hazazel), and dating breakups (from Richard Lobinske). Thank you! Much food for creative thought here.

PPMB

• Falling Into College 63: Broken Star, by Richard Lobinske (Part 5): Karen learns the full extent of Derek's injuries, which incidentally sparks a long debate in the thread about the spleen. I like the foreshadowing with Amy and Reese at the start, nice touch. This is a great chapter.

More updates as the day goes by. Stay tuned!

Mental in the Morning (Afternoons Optional)

"Psycho Therapy" first aired nine years ago today. This episode opened some cans of worms that were never fully dealt with later (especially the comment Helen makes about not knowing what went wrong with Quinn, which Helen has alluded to in earlier episodes—perhaps Quinn reminds Helen too much of her sister Rita).

What was interesting to me was Daria's pep talk to her mother near the episode's end, where it appears Daria is attempting to salvage the family in the disastrous aftermath of the family role-playing over dinner. Did Daria really believe her mother was committed to the family, or was she making it up so her mother would feel better? Daria has made many previous comments to the effect that Helen is uninvolved in the family, or at best is making a superficial effort to appear involved. It might be that Daria, who obviously recognizes her family's grave dysfunctions, prefers the familiar turmoils of dysfunction to the unknown terrors of real change. As the shrinks would call it, she is enabling, helping to perpetuate destructive behaviors. Which I guess is what family is all about, isn't it?

On the good side, at least we got Jane-Cam. Essays and writings on "Psycho Therapy" can be found here, here, and here.

On PPMB, S.C. has more to show of his Cast Portrait (WIP) masterwork. Mr. Orange has discovered some nice Daria fan art on a French website. Wouter has issued an Iron Chef challenge for artwork showing the children of the show's main characters.

Derek wonders if it is possible to have an Internet domain called ".daria" (thanks to a new rule passed by ICANN). I am totally jiggy with it.

The discussion thread on Irredeemable Daria Characters goes longer by the day. Is there such a thing as evil in Daria's universe, or just many shades of gray? You decide.

Brother Grimace and Doggieboy are going great guns on DariaWiki. Now 1,877 articles. Thank you!

FF.net

• Box to the Future, by Smileyfax (Part 2): This is really funny! Damnation! MOAR!!!
  

PPMB

• But What About the Baby (Sitter)?! by Kristen Bealer (Part 4): Daria learns an important lesson from Quinn: make the man do it.
• Turnabout Confusion Part II: All The King's Horses, by Dennis (continued): Perhaps the title of this story should have been, "There Will Be Blood."

Stay tuned, moar 2 come.

Daria's Inferno Coming Soon! (Eight Years Ago)

Another anniversary! Yes, the release of Daria's Inferno was announced eight years ago today! Hooray! Only you still had to wait until fall 2000 for the game to come out. Bummer. But just put yourself in that long-ago time, hearing for the first time that there was a game coming out with Daria's name on it. Oh, the excitement! The thrills! Whatever. At least you can get it cheaply now. (See the Lawndale Mall section at left.)

If you are looking for interesting Daria-ish things to download, check out this old site: The Daria Goodies Page. Not sure how much of it is still good, but try it out anyway.

On Wikipedia, the article on "Lawndale (Daria)" was merged into the main Daria article. More consolidation of Wikipedia entries on OH is probably in the works.

PPMB

• Screw You, Mary Sue! by durgarox (Part 1): A newly appearing fan offers an intriguing metafic with the promise of MOAR!!!

Moar l8r.

"I Did"

THIRTY-THREE YEARS AGO TODAY...

. . . Helen Barksdale and Jake Morgendorffer recited their commitment vows and were married, or whatever. If it wasn't official, they're common-law spouses so it doesn't matter anyway. They celebrated their 23rd anniversary in The Daria Database, and ten years later, we must ask: Are they still alive, together, and as much in lust as they were when we last saw them? Or have they finally ditched each other and gone on to hotter and better things?

FF.net

• Box to the Future, by Smileyfax (Part 1): Ooooooooo, this one had better be finished soon, it is sooooo good. DO IT!!!

PPMB

• Avenging, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Part 14): "What happened?" "We call it a world extinction event."
• False Starts, by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): Three gripping views of alternate Darias and their very alternate situations.
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): Anthony DeMartino has an idea for a way to help students concentrate. (Oooo, this was evil.)
• Stage Fright, by NightGoblyn (Part 2): Oh, mercy, that was evil. Bad Jane! Bad! And poor Anastasia! (But she deserved it.)
  
• Swan Song, by NightGoblyn (COMPLETE!): "Of course, the very next day Ms. Li held an assembly to talk about the glory and honor Sandi was bringing to Lawndale High as a world leader.”

And the latest DariaWiki entry: Kyle Armalin's ex-wife. Why do you think they got divorced? Put your answer in Comments. Bonus points awarded for originality and questionable taste, as always.

Peace out.

Daria-in-a-Box

"Boxing Daria" first aired on this date seven years ago. In addition, nine years ago today, the last names of Fashion Club members Stacy Rowe and Tiffany Blum-Deckler were revealed on MTV's Daria website. A historic day all around, I think.

The script of "Boxing Daria" is on Outpost Daria. Reviews and plot synopses can be found on Outpost Daria, Sick Sad World (here and here), and TV.com. The DariaWiki page on "Boxing Daria" is incomplete. This episode was once rated as the second-best one ever aired in the series.

But . . . what didn't you like about it? Other than it being the last episode and all, I mean.

Here are the bones I have to pick with BD:

1. Daria has no idea she's been a gi-normous pain in the ass all her life? Seriously? I complained about this once before and still cannot believe it. As Bugs would say, "What a maroon!"
   
2. Jane doesn't hug Daria when Daria hugs her. This isn't explained. Why? Was she remembering how Daria stabbed her in the back? Was MTV trying not to prove they were lesbians? What was up with that?
   
3. Daria is being a total bitch to Tom. Why does he put up with this smart-assed abuse? Why doesn't he dump her and check out Quinn instead? I'd have totally forgiven him for DDMD if he had done that. Daria is the worst girlfriend in the universe. She must have the most raging monstrous case of chronic PMS in history.
   
4. Where were the jokes? The funny stuff? Daria is anything but triumphant here, and she's barely even funny.
5. Jake acts like he's so perceptive and understanding of Daria's intentions and feelings AFTER FIVE YEARS OF BEING A TOTAL SPACE CADET WHO DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIS KIDS WHATSOEVER GAHDAMMIT!!! And he's obviously got some kind of psychiatric disorder. Why did Daria think he was such a hero in "Of Human Bonding"? He should have been eaten by squirrels.
   

There, I feel better now. Thank you for listening. More later.

And the Answer Is . . . !

Yesterday this question was posed:

Which of the following episode titles is correctly written, as shown at the start of the episode itself?

1. The Lawndale Files
2. Speed Trapped
3. The Road Worrier
4. Dye! Dye! My Darling!
5. That was Then, This is Dumb
6. Aunt Nauseum
7. Through a Lens, Darkly
8. Café Disaffecto

The answer is . . .

. . . none of them are correct. All answers above contain at least one spelling or punctuation error each. The following is how each title actually appears at the start of the corresponding episode. (I checked every one only moments ago.)

1. The Lawndale File (no plural for "File")
   
2. Speedtrapped (one word)
   
3. Road Worrier (no "The")
   
4. Dye! Dye! My Darling (no exclamation mark)
   
5. That Was Then, This is Dumb (capitalized "W" but not, for some reason, capitalized "i" —which is an error!)
   
6. Aunt Nauseam ("-am," not "-um")
   
7. Through A Lens Darkly (no comma, "A" is capitalized though it shouldn't be)
   
8. Cafe Disaffecto (no accent mark)
   

In case you were wondering, the correct as-shown title for episode 201 is: "Arts 'N Crass" (capitalized "N" and one apostrophe coming immediately before it). I was quite surprised that two titles were incorrectly written, but these things happen even in a show about smart people. Alas.

And, yeah, this quiz is very obsessive-compulsive (I don't like calling it "anal"), but that's what editing is all about. It is interesting just how many different ways I have seen these titles written by fans. I've screwed them up, too, so I'm no better. It pays to check the facts, and check them often, even if you are POSITIVE you have it right. I do this all the time (screw up, I mean). Don't do like I do.

FF.net

• The Lawndale Manifesto, by Smileyfax (Part 1): Now, this is one meeting I've never heard of before. MOAR PLZ!!!!

PPMB

• Avenging, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Part 13): The turtle sniffed the air. "I think we're not in Kansas anymore."
• Falling Into College 63: Broken Star, by Richard Lobinske (Part 4): Daria closed her phone and slipped it back into her pocket. It's going to happen one way or the other, so I'd better make it happen under the best terms I can get and I better do it now.

Yo, Pablo!

Just over a century ago today (107 years, to be exact), the first major exhibition of Pablo Picasso's work was held, in Paris. If Picasso had painted Brittany Taylor in a Cubist style, the picture at right would have resulted.

While adding a couple of quiz questions to the Daria Fan Club site, I came up with a question that had too many options. I'll offer it here for your amusement.

Which of the following episode titles is correctly written, as shown at the start of the episode itself?

1. The Lawndale Files
2. Speed Trapped
3. The Road Worrier
4. Dye! Dye! My Darling!
5. That was Then, This is Dumb
6. Aunt Nauseum
7. Through a Lens, Darkly
8. Café Disaffecto

Put your answers in the Comments area. The correct answer will be given later.

The 1,875th post at DariaWiki is right here. Congratulations, Doggieboy!

Finally, here's a news article that I was totally completely positive had to do with Daria fandom, just from looking at the title and knowing that the word "Daria" was in it. I was wrong.

Happy Birthday to Your Keyboard!

You typed on a keyboard to access this website. The keyboard is, of course, derived from the one on a typewriter, which was patented 140 years ago today. Your input device is almost a century and a half old! Technology really speeds along, doesn't it? Thank you, Christopher L. Sholes, for all things QWERTY.

Remember Quinn & co. taking their "P-STATs" for college, in Is It Fall Yet? The actual SAT (on which the PSAT was based) was first administered 82 years ago.

The latest alt.lawndale.creators interview is with CINCGREEN and Ruthless Bunny, and they have a lot to say about their involvement with Daria fandom (and about the fandom itself). See the full-length interview on PPMB or SFMB. The next artist interview will be with Kemical Reaxion; the next author interview with MMan. Send in your questions today!

Portland Dariacon Deux was held recently, attended by cynigal and NomadX. Once again, yes, two Daria fans who meet for any reason whatsoever are considered to form a Dariacon. We don't have the membership numbers to be picky about it. See here for all the PDD news.

Densely written commentary is being posted about the latest Legion of Lawndale Heroes chapter (LLH 13.1: "Where Do We Go From Here?"), by Brother Grimace. Go thou, read, and post some more.

Derek has issued an Iron Chef on PPMB: "Write a scene where a character utters the line, 'Release the supersonic murderous psychic android squirrels that can smell fear!'" Do it to it.

PPMB

• Avenging, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Part 12): "Yes, I am Leonardo Hamato," said the humanoid turtle. "I am here to be your sensei for the next two years."
• But What About the Baby (Sitter)?! by Kristen Bealer (Part 3): I think I'm actually getting dumber every minute I spend around Trent, Daria thought. The Crush Lives!
  
• The Cynic and The Defender, by Doggieboy (Part 4): "One time I tried to do a straight portal from Fostoria to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. I ended up in a women’s locker room at Baylor University.”
• Stage Fright, by NightGoblyn (Part 1): A new story on the Evil Jane thread, with the welcome promise of much evil wicked badness in middle school.
  

A last historical note, which Jodie Landon would tell you about if no one else did: The first black American to be nominated for the presidency of the United States of America was . . . Frederick Douglass, who gained the nomination 120 years ago today. Party on.

Anniversaries, Left and Right

It's a long list, but here we go:

Daria's second-ever appearance on MTV was a mere 15 years ago today, in the Beavis and Butt-head episode, "Babes 'R Us." If you have the DVD Is It College Yet? you can watch Daria's appearance by unlocking the Easter egg hidden on the disk. (See the link for instructions.) I've seen this film clip and... she looks weird.

The first part of Brother Grimace's "The Sun Will Come Out, Tomorrow" was released eight years ago this month.

Kara Wild posted DWU #20, "Memory Road," six years ago this month.

"Silver Lining," the 24th story in the Falling Into College series by Richard Lobinske, takes place eight years ago at this time, following the events of "Through Lenses Most Bright."

Producer, director, and screenwriter Joss Whedon was born 44 years ago today. He was the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which we know for a fact (thanks to "Speedtrapped") was one of Quinn Morgendorffer's favorite TV shows.

Want to know about the Trentmobile? Click the link. Want to add more information on it to the DariaWiki? Ditto. A picture would be nice, too.

More later!

Daria: Left, Right, Center, or Nowhere?

Who would Daria vote for? What were her political leanings?

Thirty-eight years ago today, President Nixon signed the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which lowered the voting age to 18. The amendment became law the following year.

Daria and Jane turned 18 by the end of their senior year at Lawndale High. Assuming they graduated in the spring of 2000 (per Richard Lobinske's most excellent chronology of the series), Daria was eligible to vote in the 2000 presidential election that fall. How did that turn out? What effect would the tumultuous election have on her, then and in the future?

Food for thought.

P.S. Just because I put Daria's picture on the right doesn't mean she's right-wing.

FF.net

• Daria: The Two Equals, by MrPowerpuff (Part 2): “A killer book. . . . Why would they forge such a thing?”

PPMB

• Avenging, by Lorenzo Sauchello (Part 11): The new Avengers aren't ever going to get a break as the crossovers multiply. Good luck, kids.
  
• Falling Into College 63: Broken Star, by Richard Lobinske (Part 3): Derek begins his long journey home from Afghanistan. Karen, Daria, and the others begin their own long journey as well.
• The Lawndalian Candidate, by mman (Part 2): "Daria!" said Jane. "Hey, are you in the Oval Office? Maybe you could press the nuclear button. I've always wanted to paint a mushroom cloud."
  
• Legion of Lawndale Heroes 13.1, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): Stacy blows a fuse. Daria is the target. And an old acquaintance reappears. . . .
• New Life, by legendeld (Part 7): Quinn discovers something Daria knew long ago. Oh, boy.
• Swan Song, by NightGoblyn (Part 9): “Was sollen wir mit den Gefangenen machen, eure Majestät?” Amy asked, keeping her pistol aimed at the kneeling men.
  

Stay tuned.

The Man Who Tried to Tutor the Fashion Club

Remember the guy who was the voice of David Sorenson, in Is It Fall Yet? He's MTV personality Carson Daly, and today is his 35th birthday. Yo!

Not that Sandi cares.

More later.

Sk8 yr H3@rt owt

I was, as usual, unaware that today was Go Skateboarding Day, but it is. Hard to believe what people will celebrate, but knock yourself out. Not literally, though.

JennaUsername has drawn Jane Lane as an assassin, with more Daria characters in similar lines of work on the way, we hope.

PPMB

• But What About the Baby (Sitter)?! by Kristen Bealer (Part 2): The nightmare continues, with one of the best-ever lines in Daria fanfiction.
  
• Legion of Lawndale Heroes 13.1, by Brother Grimace (Part 2): “If I ever find the sadist who caused me to torch a sweet potato pie . . .!”

Not much here, but I will add more to this particular post as the day goes along, so stay tuned. Feel free to add your own comments, especially if you are a Cancer. Celebrate the mega-hyper-awesomeness that is we us.

got crabs?

Yes, today, with the help of Butt-head, we celebrate the arrival of the best-loved zodiac/astrological sign, Cancer. The most famous Cancer in Daria fandom is, of course, me, followed by Helen Morgendorffer, which we know for a fact thanks to The Daria Diaries. If you are a Cancer, give yourself a high five right now. I knew you could.

We will have more to say about Daria fandom as the day progresses.

This has been a public service announcement.

P.S. Oh, and Kara Wild is also a Cancer and having a birthday shortly, if not right now. Oh, and Kristen Bealer also claims to be a Cancer, but Kristen says a lot of things.

(Heh heh heh, you said ass-trological, heh heh heh.)