That Fateful Self-Esteem Class....

Let's revisit this important moment for Daria and Jane in honor of International Day of Friendship. Their friendship may have been a troubled one--going up against natural disasters, stolen boyfriends, and hair dye, to name a few--but it seems to have persevered all the same.

Fandom News!

• tjdolf is trying to find a place to download Mystic Spiral recordings.


• Daria is on the air again, thanks to MTV Classic!


• Watch Erin M.'s video response to Batman: The Killing Joke and share your thoughts as well.

A Holiday I Can Really Get Behind!

Daria and Tom are celebrating National Milk Chocolate Day, although I think I see a few dark chocolates mixed in there. I won't hold it against them, though, and I suspect neither would Mrs. Johanssen.

I don't think there was chocolate of any kind in the episode "Speedtrapped," which aired on this day in 1999. There was a slab of not-yet-thawed cake, though.

Fanfic Update!

• Daria: College Pains The Sophomore Year, by James the Lesser (part 16): "Daria leaves work with a headache. Ever since she had been made the Senior Editor she regretted every day taking the position."


• One And The Same, by Princess_Pasta (part 4): "Trent's beat-up Plymouth Satellite rattled down the road as he drove his two passengers towards their destination, part of him still in awe over the fact that his baby sister was going to a party."


• Possibilities, by Sureia (part 31): "When she first attended Fielding, Erin had mixed feelings about the school and its policies."

Ready...Aunt...Fire!

Rita and Amy are arguing about who's the better aunt on this National Aunt and Uncle's Day, and I think Trent will agree that either of them is better than his uncle Max. Then again, who wouldn't be better than that lousy, rotten bum?

Today is also the anniversary of the episode "Fire!," which first aired on this day in 2000. The only uncle there was the one Bobby the Bellhop made up in order to impress Quinn. And he would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for those meddling hotel detectives!

Fandom News!

• Join the discussion about the new series Star Trek: Discovery.


• peapotmaster spotted a Daria reference on Bojack Horseman.


• Two new Iron Chefs have been posted in Creative Writing: Shiva's Ruth Morgendorffer got her wish... and Captain Marbles's "Granite" Chef Challenge.

Jesse Smash!

Jesse's got a big birthday surprise for Gallagher's 70th birthday, so you might want to keep a safe distance unless you like getting splattered with watermelon. I don't think I've ever seen Jesse look quite that enthusiastic about anything.

Three years ago today, the "Daria: High School Reunion" mock trailer was released to fans' delight. Sadly, no live-action film ever emerged, but we can still dream, right?

Fanfic Update!

• The Bench, by dmsfanman (part 4): "Daria paused for what seemed to Tom like forever still looking at him. It was all he could do to let the silence happen."


• A Boring Summer, by ST91 (COMPLETE!): "To say that at first things between Dario and Brittany were strange would be an understatement. However slowly, something was born between the two teens."


• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 23): "'I wish to specify that Mr O'Neill is my English teacher, not my writing mentor, and he sent you my essay without my knowledge or permission,' Daria said when the man passed her the phone. 'An act for which I may yet sue him.'"


• Dystopia, by mailorderannie (part 11): "Jane turned to Daria as they got settled in the stolen car that would, along with two others, take them away from the station. 'I know I'm not the brain here, amiga, but that seemed to be an amazingly stupid thing for us to do.'"


• A Time for Us, by aeverett (part 10): "12-year-old Daria Morgendorffer carefully nudged open the door to her older counterpart's room and crept inside. While she knew what she was doing was a serious violation of privacy, she just couldn't understand her older self now that she'd accepted her family's story."

So Are Rats Just Squirrels Without Fluffy Tails?

If you've got rats in your medicine cabinet, today is the ideal time to do something about it because it's Ratcatcher's Day! Or you could just call Sick, Sad World and get some free fame out of it.

Today is also Pi Approximation Day for all you (ugh!) math geeks out there. Celebrate by having some approximate pie!

Fandom News!

• Compare the current temperature where you are with other places on a fun site shared by MartinUK.


• ST91 is looking for help with some big changes in his life.


• Terry Pratchett fans, discuss the recently-announced Wee Free Men movie.


• What did you think of the new movie Star Trek Beyond?

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."

Oh, I Wish....

The hot dogs are all ready, and the contestants for the Hot Diggety Dog Eating Contest are just waiting for the arrival of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, which celebrates its 80th birthday today! I doubt Daria would be impressed by this anniversary, but Kevin just might think it's cool.

Fandom News!

• cynigal shares a Daria sighting from work.


• Does anyone have experience using Bravecto to treat fleas?


• tjdolf wonders, why the nail polish?


• Share your thoughts on the new movie Ice Age Collision Course.


• Rolfe has started a new thread for his artwork.

Dancing Cheek to Cheek

The Landons are sharing a rare moment of fun in honor of the late Ginger Rogers's birth on this day in 1911. Michele would probably appreciate the quote about how Rogers "did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels."

Fanfic Update!

• The Bench, by dmsfanman (part 3): "As she walked along the sidewalk Daria thought that the air was truly hot. This was typical for early August evenings in Lawndale. The humidity made the air sticky as well."


• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 22): "Jake came back from the dealership with Daria's 'new' car the Sunday following the volunteer gig at the hospital was officially termed 'over'."


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Highland Years, by Meester_Lee (part 10): "As the last week of March approached, Helen knew that her eldest daughter's eighth birthday was coming up soon. Despite the fact that Daria wasn't as fiercely competitive with Quinn as she and Rita had been, she knew that her eldest would feel slighted if she had a poor party."


• The Lawndale Stomp (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: 600 Years Afterward), by EntrancedCat (COMPLETE!): "Shuddering as she felt male eyes on her, Daria adjusted her green bikini once again, aware that the act of adjustment was fodder for the onlookers' perverse dreams in itself. She looked down at the massive vat just below her perch and turned to her partner in crime."


• The Pen is mightier than the Sword, by mailorderannie (COMPLETE!): "Daria laid her head on her wife's shoulder. 'You picked a good place for us to honeymoon, Jane.' 'Hey, I get to look at all the art, and you get to think about all the people being thrown in the Bastille.' Jane hugged her and kissed the top of her head."


• Perception, by Princess_Pasta (part 7): "'Here, you're getting mixed up. You're multiplying so you have to cancel out the like factors'. So much for this getting easier, Daria thought as she leaned over, erasing the incomplete equation that Kevin had understandably gotten stuck on."


• Something for Something, by mailorderannie (part 5): "Jane put her chin on her hand. 'I'm sorry about that, Amiga.' She frowned. 'I'm not sure what I can do to help you, but if there is anything, what's mine is yours.'"


• Suckered, by arandomshipper (COMPLETE!): "The last bell rang. Daria didn't move from her desk, in no hurry to go anywhere. She just continued to read her novel."


• Tom's Journal, by elainefr (COMPLETE!): "Met this cool artist chick named Jane, she's a self-proclaimed artist."


• Unnamed story (Awful Wedded Strife), by oriolessteffi (COMPLETE!): "After reading some of the horror stories on this site, I felt compelled to share the tale of my oldest niece's wedding."

Vive le Brittany!

Brittany's here to celebrate Bastille Day with that lonely foreign exchange student that she'd really prefer you not tell Kevin about. Considering the grip she's got on that sword, I'd do as she asks.

We also celebrate a double episode anniversary today, with "The Teachings of Don Jake" in 1997 and "Lane Miserables" in 1999. Both episodes are notable in that we get to see rare glimpses of the Lane family beyond Jane and Trent. Not that Jane and Trent enjoyed either experience very much.

Fandom News!

• Can you answer some questions about books in the Medieval world?


• Shiva fills in some gaps in the episode "Murder, She Snored."


• Kem shared a link to an article, "The forgotten early history of fan fiction," that includes Daria fandom.


• Join the discussion on "Season 20" of Daria.


• Erin M. announces a new podcast that may seem familiar if you read fanfic.

Now That's an Eye of a Different Color!

Daria's trying out a new look for Different Colored Eyes Day, although I think using contact lenses might be cheating. Still, Quinn will be thrilled to see Daria taking her advice at last!

This is also the anniversary of the episode "Legends of the Mall," which aired on this day in 2000. The Rattling Girl of Lawndale, Metalmouth, and the House of Bad Grades all made their urban legend appearances. One day I hope to see a fanfic that unites all three!

Fanfic Update!

• Awful Wedded Strife, by JoeMerl (COMPLETE!): "I just wanted to say that I love your website and that it was a big help in planning my daughter's wedding recently! I also enjoyed reading through your 'Weddings from Hell' section whenever I was stressed out and needed a laugh."


• The Bench, by dmsfanman (part 2): "As she walked along the sidewalk Daria thought that the air was truly hot. This was typical for early August evenings in Lawndale."


• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 21): "Daria looked at the book list that had been handed out to every student in the class. They were supposed to pick one of the texts, analyse it, and submit a report on its moral intention."


• The Date, by elainefr (COMPLETE!): "'What makes you think that I'm so trustworthy? I mean for all you know I could be some kind of pervert that only wants to take advantage of you.' She looked at him with more than a little annoyance. 'I feel that I know you well enough to trust you.'"


• Perspectives, by Cap (part 1): "Frederick Trimburg ambled from his back yard when he heard the automobile slow to pull into his driveway. He was not expecting visitors."


• Possibilities, by Sureia (part 30): "Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, it was important that everyone saw your triumph and spread the word. Whether it was a new top, or shoes, or a must have accessory, or maybe you finally snagged that one guy with the beach house and the convertible before anyone else, there were some victories that simply had to be advertised."


• Something Something, by mailorderannie (parts 3 and 4): "In their favorite booth at Pizza King, Daria looked at Jane over her slice. 'And that's what happened this last year. I honestly don't remember this Tom guy, but so many guys have asked one or the other of us out after the news about our relationship got around, they pretty much run together.'" (Part 4)


• That Summer, by The Central Scrutinizer (parts 12 and 13): "Martin Hart walked around the fountain three times before he noticed the old man sitting in the gazebo. He was wearing a straw hat, which he had taken off to fan himself, and a blue and white seersucker jacket." (Part 13)


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Wraith (COMPLETE!): "Rachel stood fidgeting nervously in front of Daria and Jane in the Admiral's office as Tricia bounced around in the background like a rabbit on speed. Jodie sat at a desk off to the side working on paperwork."

Haven't Done One of These in a While....

Caption this scene in the comments.

Ted's Probably at the Virtual Reality Arcade

Daria is ready for Video Games Day with what I'm assuming is Cannibal Fragfest. Why not join in the fun with a video game of your own? I might recommend Daria's Inferno, but the steam tunnels in that game still haunt me.

Fandom News!

• Discuss the sexual harassment suit against Fox News' Roger Ailes.


• Share your theories on the Disney Princess Connected Universe.


• Talk about the latest news on Star Trek and LGBT characters.

Kisses and Rashes

I don't know what Helen's so freaked out about: Daria and Tom are just celebrating International Kissing Day. Then again, considering the angst and drama that their first kiss caused I suppose she might have good reason.

Today is also the anniversary of the episode "Ill," which aired on this day in 1998. The cause of that mysterious rash was never really determined, but at least Daria now knows her sister can be counted on in the event of a skin care crisis.

Fanfic Update!

• The Bench, by dmsfanman (part 1): "Daria looked at herself in the mirror as she brushed her auburn hair. She really couldn't see much without her glasses."


• Changes (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: 600 Years Afterward), by Sureia (COMPLETE!): "Timothy O Neill was, well he was not the most... aggressive? No, no; too confrontational. Proactive! Yes, he wasn't the most proactive of men, but when required he did his best to step up."


• DariaBrittany (Iron Chef: Brittany & Daria Swap), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 3): "Of course, confronting her opposite self was easier said than done. She had to wait until both of them had study hall, or lunch, or until school let out for the day. She was annoyed. Her opposite self continued to get the answers right."


• Decisions, by elainefr (part 7): "'You can't just come back after all of this time and say- things like this, especially after you went mia the way that you did.' 'You broke up with me,' she accused."


• Lost in School (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (COMPLETE!): "The new red-head haired boy she met in Yearbook was interesting, but she didn't expect his house to look... space age."


• Mine, by Vukodlak (part 12): "It was a warm summer day in late July while Daria sat on a park bench reading her book while keeping one eye on her daughter."


• One And The Same, by Princess_Pasta (part 1): "'Your stop'. Jonathan Morgan took another quick glance at his watch, mentally calculating how much he'd have to speed to make it to work on time. He wouldn't have to rush if not for getting such a late start."


• See Kevin Run... His Mouth! (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: 600 Years Afterward), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Then Daria began to go into a speech outlining the pros and cons of their decision not to expose the bye system, but not participate in it either. As they did this, Brittany fell flat on her face after doing a split, again. None of them, or Coach Morris knew of the shitstorm heading their way..."


• Something Something, by mailorderannie (parts 1 and 2): "Daria got out of the car, dazed at what she had just done." (Part 2)


• Thoughts about Daria, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 1.2): "It was a tense dinner. But then, dinners were usually tense at the Morgendorffers. The move from Highland to Lawndale hadn't changed that."

Happy Fourth!

Jane's all set for Independence Day, although her arm's going to get tired if she keeps holding that pose all day. Whether or not you're in the U.S., please enjoy these Fourth of July-themed Daria fanfics.

• Fireworks by C.E. Forman


• Freedom of Speech (Falling into College) by Richard Lobinske


• Fun on the Fourth (First Summer) by Richard Lobinske


• Independence (Finn Morgendorffer) by HolyGrail2007


• Life is Like A Firework (Daria - The Next Chapter) by LadieT

Fandom News!

• Discuss the recent election in Australia.


• What do you think of the upcoming sequel to Wreck-It Ralph?


• nightmaster000 posted a new Iron Chef in Creative Writing: Lisa Loud or Daria Morgendorffer?

"From outer space to in your face! Aliens walk among us!"

This is probably one of Artie's favorite holidays, World UFO Day, which commemorates the Roswell UFO incident on this day in 1947. Today would be a good day to either go to a UFO convention or seek out atomic communists from Mars. Either way, it should be fun!

Fanfic Update!

• Another Reality, by elainefr (COMPLETE!): "'What are you reading that's so interesting?' she asked him as she curled up on the couch next to him to get a better look at the IPad that he was looking at."


• Cynic and a Six-String, by fringeperson (part 20): "The Morgendorffer family was sharing a pizza for dinner, and even though the pizza box was right there on the table, Helen still complimented Jake ('Great pizza, Dear,') as though he'd made it from scratch before she moved on to the small pile of mail beside her plate."


• Halloween, by elainefr (COMPLETE!): "She took a critical look at herself in the full length mirror. She still wore all black, only she'd traded in the shorts and tee for a figure hugging dress with a deep plunge in the front and long sleeves with what looked to be torn pieces of sheer black fabrics hanging from the sleeves."


• Kindness is its own reward, by elainefr (COMPLETE!): "She stretched languidly on the porch as she enjoyed the morning sun allowing the light to warm her in the coolness of its rise. This was a time she enjoyed so much."


• Play, rewind, repeat......, by elainefr (COMPLETE!): "She flipped on the light as she entered her home. Everything was just as she'd left it.....for better or worse."


• Possibilities, by Sureia (part 29): "The more things changed, the more they stayed the same; that was Jace's opinion, or, at least, it would have been if anyone had bothered to ask for it."


• Jane and the Unicorn, by elainefr (COMPLETE!): "'Don't look so grumpy; I think that this will be fun for you,' Amanda said to her daughter's petulant sitting position in the back seat."


• JT, by elainefr (COMPLETE!): "'Mom, I want bacon and eggs,' the brown haired young teenager said as he plopped down at the table across from his sister after tousling her hair slightly."


• Waking Up......, by elainefr (COMPLETE!): "'Tell me again why I am wasting a perfectly good Saturday afternoon in a dusty old attic,' Jane asked her brother. 'Uncle Max and Aunt Sharon, remember?' Trent supplied."