Trick or Treat!

I think Dawn might have missed the point of Carve a Pumpkin Day, but I give her plenty of credit for embracing the full spirit of the day. Still, I have to assume it would have been much easier to just buy a pumpkin and carve it. Far be it for me to micromanage, though.

If you want to celebrate by carving a pumpkin of your own, then you'd better hurry because today is also Halloween and you clearly waited until the very last minute to do your holiday decorating. Let's hope that the personification of Halloween doesn't take offense, as I bet she can be absolutely vicious with toilet paper and shaving cream.

Finally, Upchuck might be interested to know that today is National Magic Day, because putting on a magic show was one of the few talents he displayed that wasn't super creepy. Don't forget to tithe your earnings to Lawndale High!

Fanfic Update!

• Brooke Tries to Join the Fashion Club, by Buffcoat (COMPLETE!): "The scene opens with Brooke, a rich girl with a bandaged nose and swollen lips, standing outside the Lawndale High fashion club's meeting room. She's dressed in a revealing outfit, complete with a tight mini-skirt and a low-cut top."


• Dumb Brunette, by Janepringles (part 1): "In the town of Lawndale, there isn't much to do after a long day of chatting, schoolwork and incessant idiots belching out carefully crafted sentences meant to grind gears and make you roll your eyes so hard they pop out of their sockets."


• I (Don't) Want to Be a Part of It, by ladyevil (part 12): "Daria entered her house. It was her house right? Some things looked a little off."


• Spider Quinn 19 Making the News Amidst the Storms, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 4): "Penelope hung up the phone and looked at the incomplete article on her computer screen. She had gathered what information she could from various people who had been on the scene and she would just tell the facts."

She's ALIVE!

Daria and Jane are all dressed up and ready for National Frankenstein Day, and they've even given us a bonus Igor as well! If any pedants get huffy about Jane technically being Frankenstein's monster rather than Frankenstein himself, then just remind them that the real Frankenstein is the friends we made along the way!

I would suggest that everyone celebrate National Internet Day, but I suppose you already are. If not, then how the heck are you even reading this right now?

In honor of National Cat Day, I hope that Jake finally gets that pet cat that he's always wanted, in spite of his father's attitude. Unless, of course, his unfortunate run-in with Mr. Whiskers put him off the feline critters entirely.

Fandom News!

• R.I.P., June Lockhart.


• janendaria4life posted a new Iron Chef: Daria's Stolen Notebook.

But I Thought Keg Queen Was Quinn's Job!

Brittany is pleased to serve everyone a cold one in honor of American Beer Day, but I hope Kevin limits himself to just one. Partly because I'm sure his judgment is even worse when he's been drinking but also because if he starts singing the song about beers on the wall then I don't think he'll be able to count backward much further than that.

Daria and her family, meanwhile, could celebrate National Tell a Story Day by sharing spooky stories with each other. By now I'm sure Daria and Quinn are old enough to hear the uncensored version of Helen's vampire story, but I don't think anyone wants to hear round two of Daria's cannibal tale.

On this day in 1997, Daria made an appearance in Fortune, along with several of her fellow cartoon characters. True to form, Daria seems to have been the only one who brought a book.

Fanfic Update!

• And so what? We have free will anyway, by natalieee_139 (part 14): "'I actually kind of knew what was going on with Tom— and the reason why he was following Janey too.' Trent confessed, nervously rubbing the back of his neck."


• Scares the Beef, by wilddogjj (parts 2 and 3): "Quinn, Jim and the triplets were sitting in the living room watching TV. On the screen was Stacy and her co-anchor. The co-anchor was finishing his report." (Part 3)


• Spider Quinn 19 Making the News Amidst the Storms, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 3): "However, Dafoanairi found a panel that had been displaced and found the power switch beneath it. The powerless pterodactyl was then placed on a table as Ninja Talon and Dafoanairi both looked for the controller."

It's Not Over Until the Popular Lady Sings!

Quinn's really nailing that high note for World Opera Day, but the real question is whether or not she's also going to make a dainty garland for her head and sing. Just be sure you don't miss the performance of Madame Butterfly being held in the PayDay automotive department!

Jane will be pleased to know that today is also both International Artist Day and National Fine Art Appreciation Day, so she can celebrate both herself and her artwork! Unless she's suffering from burnout and/or wrist cramping again, in which case she should celebrate a well-deserved break instead.

For those in fandom who are less sophisticated, there's always National Greasy Foods Day, so you could just enjoy some junk food. However, let's hope that Quinn doesn't take a break from singing to re-share her "Greasy Fry" poem.

Now They're Mental in the Morning!

Daria and Jane look way too cheerful for TV Talk Show Host Day, especially considering it's morning and neither of them was ever shown to be morning people. At all. I'm guessing that this situation was caused by either massive amounts of caffeine or alien body snatchers. Could they possibly be atomic Communists from Mars?!

On this day in 2001, the first line of iPods made their debut. Years ago, S-C created images of Daria characters with iPods as well as a dPod spoof ad.

In other fanart news, the Fashion Club (minus Quinn) made a cameo appearance in the webcomic "Mall Monkeys." I don't know where Quinn was at the time, but she was probably appearing in a much more popular (or so she'd claim) comic.

Fanfic Update!

• Duplicity, by Big_Crabtree (COMPLETE!): "Watching Brittany had become her new favourite form of entertainment while at school. It was amusing to watch her feign stupidity for all to see."


• Mysteries of Lawndale 03: Night of the Coffee House, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 10): "'So, you know who it is, but will only reveal it tomorrow night,' Jane said as she sipped a coffee in the kitchen. 'That’s right,' Daria said."

He'd Better Avoid Ms. Barch's Class on Dissection Day

Looks like Kevin has taken American Frog Day to the extreme, perhaps as a way to improve his agility on the football field. He's going to be very disappointed with the corresponding decrease in strength, though.

It's going to take a lot more than strength to lift a government building, which was actually attempted--telepathically--on this day in 1967 during the March on the Pentagon. Helen, Jake, and their commune friends were part of the attempt, which failed miserably and led to Jake breaking his foot. Stupid five-sided building.

Finally, on this day in 1997 the first Daria VHS tape, creatively named "Daria," was released. It contained "Esteemsters," "The Invitation," "College Bored," and the "Sealed with a Kick" pilot, without which we'd never have seen Daria's super-creepy grin. So...yay?

Fandom News!

• R.I.P., Ace Freley.

"Oh rapture, oh ecstasy--another scintillating computer game."

Retro gamers, rejoice! Today is the 25th anniversary of the Daria's Inferno computer game! It was snarky, difficult to work with, and sometimes downright infuriating...just like Daria herself. Just don't talk about the steam pipes. I still have nightmares.

If you're interested in observing Evaluate Your Life Day, you could do worse than taking some advice from Jake: "You change your name, move to another state, get some ID. It's not too late to start over, Daria, it's not too late! You're still a young man! You don't have to live with your mistakes! Get out while you can!"

On second thought, that's pretty bad advice. Maybe just drink some water and take a walk outside instead.

You could also try forming new bonds with people you don't know in honor of National New Friends Day, but don't expect Daria to participate. She lucked out with Jane, but I can't imagine she'd expect lightning to strike twice.

Fanfic Update!

• Spider Quinn 19 Making the News Amidst the Storms, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 2): "Quinn entered the office to find the principal busy with paperwork. 'Ms. Morgendorffer?' she asked."

Can He Jump Over the Big Strawberry?

Mack's preparing to do an extra-dangerous stunt in honor of the anniversary of Evel Knievel's birth on this day in 1938. Of all of the guys at Lawndale High, Mack is the one I would least expect to pull this kind of thing, but I guess he'd do just about anything to get Jodie's attention.

Someone should tell Jake that it's National Pasta Day, because pasta seems like the one thing he seemed to be able to cook well--penne a la pesto, fettuccini Bolognese, and so forth. Of course, technically speaking frozen lasagna would also qualify, but the Morgendorffers have got to be sick of that by now.

Someone should not tell Quinn that it's Wear Something Gaudy Day, though, because the very idea of wearing something unattractive would probably give her nightmares for a week. I suppose it might be a good excuse to throw another Fashion Don'ts Costume Gala!

Fandom News!

• Talk about your experiences with AI.

This Little Light of Mine and His and Yours and Hers and Theirs....

It seems that everyone in Lawndale is celebrating Shine a Light Night, although the point of the holiday is helping the homeless rather than shining literal lights. Also, this isn't going to help Daria's paranoia issues at all.

Daria and her classmates can at least enjoy World Students' Day by going to school, but I think Daria would take exception to my use of the words "enjoy" and "school" in the same sentence. I doubt that Mr. DeMartino will be feeling very celebratory about this one, either, because students are both the focus and worst part of his job.

If the more infuriating students bug the man too much, then at least he can take comfort in knowing that he's observing National Grouch Day. Daria observes this one most days, or at least on the days where she's forced to interact with other people.

Fanfic Update!

• Mysteries of Aurora, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 20): "'One of the Architecture sections,' Alexia said. 'That's where the blueprints of the University would be stored.'"


• Scares the Beef, by wilddogjj (part 1): "The Thompsons were seated at a table in a cowboy themed steakhouse called Wrangler's. It was the same place where Timmy Carbone had won a steak eating contest two years ago."

"Are you suuuuuuure?"

Jane looks awfully doubtful about...something...but that's fine because it's International Skeptics Day and she can be as skeptical as she wants. Usually Daria is the one with the doubting attitude, but I imagine Jane picked up a few tricks from her during their years of friendship.

Perhaps she's just failing to be trusting, which would also be appropriate for International Day for Failure. I hope Mr. O'Neill doesn't get it into his head to retry the old "failing on purpose" class assignment because I don't think anyone could handle going through that again...least of all Mr. O'Neill.

Today we celebrate a maybe-anniversary for Daria fandom in that the earliest saved copy of the Paperpusher's Message Board can be found on this day in 1999, so this could be the PPMB's 26th birthday. There's no way of telling for sure, though, so take that with a healthy dose of skepticism!

Fandom News!

• Share stories of celebrities going through situations straight out of Daria.


• If you had been a writer for Daria back in the day, what would you have done?


• Watch and discuss the video "Jane Lane's Sick, Sad World."

Nice Legs, Trent!

Trent looks less than thrilled about National Costume Swap Day, but then again maybe he's borrowing Daria's attitude along with her wardrobe. I'm a little curious about what Daria would look like in Trent's clothes, but I suspect the sight would send Jane's teasing into overdrive.

Meanwhile, I suppose Kevin and Brittany are celebrating National Motorcycle Ride Day, but I hope Kevin doesn't try to pop a wheelie this time. Brittany was freaked out enough as it was about the cricket; suffering a massive injury would probably also spoil her day.

I sure hope that Jodie gets to enjoy Black Girl Day Off, if not the whole day then at least for a couple of hours or so. It might require either an act of God or faking her own death, and I'm not sure if either is likely to work on the Landons.

Fanfic Update!

• Convergence on Lawndale, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 14): "'There it is,' the Doctor said as he lead the others into the Morgendorffers backyard from the laneway. 'That blue box?' Kim asked. 'Yes,' the Doctor answered as he unlocked the ship."


• Duplicity, by Big_Crabtree (COMPLETE!): "Daria watched the ongoing party with disdain. It was bad enough that she had deluded herself into coming here. It was even worse that she ended up losing her only friend among the crowd."


• Her Last Words, by Sheila Wisz Ellayn (COMPLETE!): "Layndale was starting to thaw out now that it was already March the Twentiseventh."


• Spider Quinn 19 Making the News Amidst the Storms, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 1): "It was a busy evening at the Historia. Quinn Morgendorffer was busy as she delivered drinks and meals to various customers."

Mystik Firal

Trent is awake and ready to fight any fires for Fire Prevention Day, and he might actually end up being pretty good at this job if he doesn't fall asleep. After all, someone had to put out the flames before the Lanes enacted the "no building fires in the rooms that don't have fireplaces" rule. Let's just hope he can get to the Morgendorffer house in time if Jake gets another craving for warm milk.

I'm sure Daria will be happy to celebrate World Sight Day by wearing her glasses so that she can see things. Not contact lenses, though. Those neighborhood dogs will just have to learn to watch where they're going.

On this day in 1998, Entertainment Weekly named Daria a "toon diva." It was a title she would share with Tinkerbell, Veronica from the Archie comics and...Foghorn Leghorn?!

Fandom News!

• Watch and discuss a video about a recent Tory Conference.

Not So Much of a Criminale

Max is having a great day because not only did he get named a junior deputy, but it's also Bald and Free Day--a special day to celebrate his (lack of) hair! I suppose he's even more grateful for this holiday, because he likely appreciates being free even more after his traumatic afternoon in jail.

Still, it's better to focus on the positive because it's National Forgiveness & Happiness Day. Let's hope Jane can use the occasion to (actually) forgive Daria for the Tom thing, even if she still isn't too happy about it. Can you blame her?

Finally, it's National Inner Beauty Day, which is probably the Fashion Club's least favorite holiday. After all, what's the point of having beauty on the inside where no one can see it and you can't use make-up to cover up any flaws?

Fanfic Update!

• Harry Potter Morgendorffer, by Meester_Lee (part 43): "The days towards Daria’s departure for Ilvermorny went by like a slow-motion countdown. Daria spent parts of the time visiting with friends from school and from her encounter group."

I See Someone Has Been to Funky Doodle Lately!

Trent and Jesse have gone for a wildly different look in honor of National Get Funky Day, but it remains to be seen if their music will change as well. I gotta admit, a funk version of "Freakin' Friends" would be interesting to hear.

Mr. DeMartino, meanwhile, can enjoy the fact that it's World Teachers' Day! He's not going to get a pay raise or increased benefits or even any extra dignity, but on the bright side he still has to put up with students all day, every day.

Let's hope those students take pity on him, because it's Do Something Nice Day and the least they can do is try to answer a question correctly. The Fashion Club might also celebrate by not being too cruel when they critique other people's clothing choices. Maybe.

Say Cheeeeeeese!

Daria is back, right on schedule, to freak everyone out for World Smile Day. This time she didn't even bring heart-shaped cookies, so I'm shutting the door right in her terrifying face.

I think it's fitting that today is also National Kevin Day, because Kevin was the recipient of Daria's creepy smile/cookie combination in the original pilot. Also, Kevin tends to go everywhere with a big goofy grin on his face.

It's hard to say if Brittany and Kevin will be celebrating National Boyfriend Day thanks to their on-again, off-again relationship, but Quinn's probably holding out for National Personal No-Strings Attached Devotee Day. As for Tom? I'm not even going to go there.

Fanfic Update!

• And so what? We have free will anyway, by natalieee_139 (part 12): "'How are you so unworried all the time?' Daria asked Trent, as they were walking to the Lane residence after going grocery shopping."


• But You Always Knew the Truth, by riotsquirrrl (part 10): "'Jane, help me come up with a decent costume.' Jane knew long distance was expensive, but jeez. That was abrupt."


• Harry Potter Morgendorffer, by Meester_Lee (part 42): "Daria Morgendorffer picked up her marker her wall-calendar and put an x on the day before. Another day gone by: it was getting closer to the day when she’d set off for Ilvermorny."


• Suspiciously Wholesome (1999), by scaryfangirl2001 (COMPLETE!): "The late September air in Lawndale carries that peculiar Maryland autumn scent—damp earth, decaying leaves, and distant woodsmoke—as Daria Morgendorffer stares blankly at her bedroom calendar."

Time For a Room at Better Days Nursing Home?

Quinn has definitely looked better, but I suppose she's looking the part for International Day of Older Persons. By my math, though, she shouldn't be much older than 40 in the present day. I guess she forgot to use her sunscreen!

At least her hair seems to have kept its bright color and bounciness in celebration of National Hair Day! Then again, the color might be from a bottle or the whole thing could be a wig. Only her hairdresser knows for sure!

Please, no one tell Trent that today is International Music Day, because the last thing anyone wants is to hear a Mystik Spiral original. Fortunately, he'll most likely sleep through the day and our eardrums will remain intact.