Daria Wants You To Vote

The nominations are up for the 2008 Daria Fanworks Awards, or Booties. Lots of good stuff this year, so savor the nominations and vote for your favorites.

Written works are here.

Visual Works are here.

How to vote is here.

And the winners are....

Remember to vote for your favorite visual and written fanworks! The 2008 Booties are yet to be awarded, but we need something to vote on first!

Make out your list of your favorite fanworks according to these instructions, and do it now! Or soon! Very soon. Or else I win everything by default. You don't want that.

Once again, vote for the 2008 Daria Fanworks Awards, for Written and Visual Works. The rules are here. They are very simple. Even you could do it. You! Srsly!

VOTE, DAMMIT!

Here am the Art thingers, and here am the Word thingers. Thank you.

SRA and his special work of art

A few weeks ago, renown fan artist SRA wrote to me and asked if I minded if he drew something for one of my stories: "It Slipped Through My Hands, Like a Shadow, Like a Dream." I'm afraid I did not answer right away because I was in shock (plus had pneumonia), but when I recovered and could breathe again and stopped slobbering all over myself, I responded with a calm, cool, detached manner ("OMG OMG OMG!! !111!! !!11!"). SRA was fortunately not put off and went ahead with his work, and here it is (above). The scene is from chapter two, where Jane says to Amy, "I like her," while Daria watches cartoons.

Nothing else to add except

WAAAAHOOOO!!!!

A Novel Idea

This is International Literacy Day, which Daria of course would support by reading a book. You still have time to get in a short story if you hurry.

This is also the 42nd anniversary of the airing of the very first Star Trek episode on TV. The effect this show has had on the modern world is incalculable. At the very least, it gave us Trekkies for Daria to make fun of.

Richard Lobinske has again updated the 2008 Visual FanWorks Listing, so go there to the link and see what new wonders have appeared.

More gnuz soon. // Okay, back again. Read these:


PPMB

• Avenging, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (COMPLETE!): All the Brians smiled at this. "Silly rabbit—" They started to say . . . and Brittany joined them: "—Trix are for kids."
• A Tale of the Ringbearers: Majesty and the Servant, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): “It is real? Lucifer is real?”
  

A few brief announcements

DJPotatoe presents another winning artwork on PPMB: Jane and Daria sharing company with a legendary wrestler. (Jane did once say she liked wrestlers.) Marvelous facial expressions! Post your thoughts and praise here.

RanFan is back at Lawndale Online, thanks to Quiverwing. Good to see more fandom news.

Now 909 fans at the Daria Fan Club. Lookin' good. Need more trivia questions, ppl!


FORTRESS CINCGREEN

• The Autobiography of Jane Lane: Daria Morgendorffer's Boudoir, by Jane Lane (as told to CINCGREEN): "The very first day I made it to Lawndale High, I took the test that Mrs. Manson gave and gave my artistic interpretations of the ink blots. Got sent right to Mr. O'Neill. Didn't even pass 'Go.'"

PPMB

• Lawndale's Finest—Action Stories 2: Deep Trouble, by NightGoblyn (COMPLETE!): A scream rang out from below decks, followed immediately by shouting and a gun shot. Scarlett tried to struggle back to her feet, but between the tape and the man’s free hand on her shoulder she stayed in place.

Random Stuff in a Box

Let's see what Brittany's got for us. . . .

Kalad1 has suggested an Iron Chef called "Wheelchairs," in which the writer must put one of the Daria cast permanently in a wheelchair. This one makes me think. Hmmm.

The Mighty Roentgen has added a new page to DariaWiki: Electric Youth (one of the Legion of Lawndale Heroes stories). That's article #1916.

DJPotatoe has unleashed yet another stunning work, mixing the Fashion Club with the Ghostbusters to get . . . a really great picture! (Comments thread here.)

Speaking of comments threads, remember to add to this one on SFMB for BlackHole's "Size Does Matter."

TheSecretSharer, obviously not getting the message, has posted a marvelous ficlet in Scenes That Should Not Be. Will people stop posting Good stuff in a Bad fanfic discussion thread?

I am actually getting somewhere in listing all the Daria fanfics from 2008. Maybe by the week's end it will be done.

More later if anything appears. Ciao.

Happy 50th Birthday, NASA!

Yes, space fans, today is the 50th birthday of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Funny to think that I am older than NASA is.

Some great new art is in. MDetector5 offers two (1, 2) "Attempted Helen Drawings," which I think make her look years younger, twenty-ish or so. Post what you think of them on PPMB.

Also, we have hysterical short comic by Breitasparrow called, "Proper Punishment." I must admit this is a side of Daria I have never seen before. Bizarre. You gotta see it.

Wouter wants to revive the old "Cartoon Girls who are like Daria" thread on PPMB. I cannot find the older thread, but when I do I will post its link.

Legendeld has posted again to Legendeld's Rantings. Now, everyone make him post some more.

A teaser is available on PPMB on Legion of Lawndale Heroes, chapter 13.2, from Brother Grimace. It's called "Angel of the Morning." Enjoy away.


PPMB

• Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: Dawn of a New Nightmare: thatLONERchick offers a stunning story fragment that fully lives up to the title, "Dawn of a New Nightmare." More. Seriously. A lot more of this, and hurry. This is fantastic.
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): And even though he is not alive, you can still enjoy his electrifying presence in our basement.

Moar sune.

(Remember which episode the above screencap came from?)

Glory Hallelujah! Jane Lane Tells All!

YES! "The Autobiography of Jane Lane, Parte the Seconde" has just hit the blogstands! After an absence of almost 85,000 minutes, Jane has decided to post more about her life before and after meeting the Misery Chick. Exploding breast implants! Radiation! Gross stuff! Click and enjoy!!!

The picture and text here, BTW, are from the MTV Daria site from about 11 years ago.

Morinnaminut.

Minutsup.

Looking for a fun cruise? Look no further than DariaWiki.

New art: Janie's got a gun, by ioxmo. This picture is exactly what it sounds like. Nice. Oddly related by topic to the Doggieboy story below. Commentary can go here.

Also, durgarox has done an amusing and 'shippery drawing called Hey, Daria... The facial expressions are priceless.

Hershey-chan has completed a very nice rendering of Upchuck and Andrea at the prom. The Chuckster has a babe!


PPMB

• The Cynic and the Defender, by Doggieboy (Part 7): "I want a .357-Magnum Colt Python revolver." Don't we all.
  

Shipper's Delight

"Road Worrier" premiered on MTV just eleven years ago today, and "It Happened One Nut" did the same nine years ago at this time. Both are favorites of Daria/Trent shippers. I thought the latter was funnier, though the former gets higher ratings from fans.

My favorite scene in RW is when Jane can tell Daria is thinking up sarcastic remarks but doesn't dare say them aloud. My favorite scene in IHON comes when Daria and Jane walk through the Lawndale Mall looking for jobs but, of course, deliberately miss all the "help wanted" signs. And I loved Joanna. I need to use her in a fanfic sometime. If you have a favorite scene from either episode, or a favorite line of dialogue, put it in the Comments section for all to admire.

By the way, both episodes' pages on DariaWiki need some work. Please contribute! I'll do my part soon. (LATE ADD: Okay, I added something. Your turn.)

Fanfic Quiz: In Brother Grimace's story, "The One Day We Forget," who died on this day in 1976?

Richard Lobinske has again updated the 2008 Visual FanWorks Listing. Outstanding! How far behind am I on updating the fanfic list? Oh. Better get to it this month.

I forgot earlier to mention that C.F.'s masterful essay on Outpost Daria about Daria's role in Beavis and Butt-head has been updated! Read and celebrate!

Few recent stories have inspired the level of feedback and argument/discussion that "Common People" has managed to ignite. Kudos to NightGoblyn for whacking the hornet's nest. You rule!

PROBLEM: For reasons unknown, someone has posted a Danny Phantom story to the Daria section in FF.net. Any ideas on how to get it (re-)moved?


FF.net

• Box to the Future, by Smileyfax (Part 6): Things just get worse and worse, spiraling totally out of control. I love it. (Doubt that the Morgendorffers' home in Highland had two floors, judging from the pic in "Boxing Daria," but who cares. Much goodness here.)
• The Long Shot, by livingsacrifice22 (Part 1): "Oh, get off it, Quinn. You had nothing to do with Stacy's new-found love or whatever." But Quinn doesn't agree, and she becomes a matchmaker. You know this is going to end badly, so start reading!

PPMB

• Calling Calliope, by Dennis (Part 1): It's Tiffany. On Dega Street. With an old acquaintance from "Lucky Strike." OMG OMG OMG.
  
• The Cynic and The Defender, by Doggieboy (Part 6): The knife in his back came as a total surprise.
• New Life, by legendeld (Part 9): “Your folks are really cool,” Trent said after arriving at the restaurant. “They’re sex fiends,” Quinn grumbled.
  
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): "I charge extra for stupidity." —Luhrman. [Another immortal fanfic line!]
• Too Late, by legendeld (COMPLETE!): Angst. It's not just for breakfast, lunch, and dinner anymore. Mmmmmmmmmmm.
  

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.

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.

"Will you do it for a twenty?"

In the infamous scene at right, Tom (with wallet out) negotiates a price with Daria for the evening to come in "My Night at Daria's." There are favorable episode reviews of this one (Outpost Daria, Sick Sad World 1, Sick Sad World 2). The DariaWiki page on this is not complete. (Help, anyone?)


PPMB

• Avenging, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Parts 9 and 10): Daria closed her eyes at the green blood and shook her head. "I never thought I would say this, but- EWWWW!"
• Falling Into College 63: Broken Star, by Richard Lobinske (Part 2): Waiting for news about a loved one in danger is the hardest thing of all.
• The Lawndalian Candidate, by mman (Part 1): "Esteemsters" redone, with a unique political angle. M0ar of this, pl33z.
• New Life, by legendeld (Part 6): That was the rudest of awakenings.
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): "Just thinking about it makes me feel achingly glamorous." "That's strange, all I feel is pouty and waif-like."
• Swan Song, by NightGoblyn (Part 6): Daria to Sandi: “Listen to me, you stuck-up bitch."

Two Iron Chefs are receiving far better than average fare. IC: Natural Born Killers, put forth by ikaa, asks for a crossover with the movie Natural Born Killers. Scissors MacGillicutty stepped up to the plate and drove the ball out of the stadium. IC: Evil Jane has gained marvelous responses from NightGoblyn and BlackHole. Check 'em out.

Speaking of fan art, S.C.'s "Daria vs. Melody Powers" comic page is a brain-burner. Whoa. Also, Lorenzo Sauchelli shows Daria as Captain America (from "Avenging") and Samantha Arangois as War Machine. I don't know who Samantha is.

Remember that little Daria statuette someone made? Here's more about it. Thanks to Reese Kaine for the update.

"And everyone else is full of, full of, full of . . ."

If you wish to probe the plot and characterizations of "Pinch Sitter," which aired 11 years ago today, you might also wish to read CINCGREEN's review of it on the original Daria Fandom Blog. Many intriguing points to consider there.

I always thought a ringbearer was either a hobbit or a small kid with a pillow at a wedding. I was apparently misinformed. Brother Grimace has clarified the Ringbearer issue on DariaWiki. Who are their enemies again?

Want to see Daria as Raven of the Teen Titans? If you like the pic, tell Ranger Thorne about it.

How did Darius react when he first saw Jane Lane? Acidgirl gives us the big picture ("Meeting Jane" in GIF). Will a John Lane-meets-Daria pic be far behind?


FF.net

• A Little Problem, by Smileyfax (Part 2): In which we hear Jane's immortal words: "Oh, Daria, you're already hung!"

PPMB

• Avenging, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Parts 4 and 5): Tom Sloane's suckiest day ever, more or less. And Daria learns about the black helicopters.
  
• Career Change, by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): A look into the lives of the characters in "A Little Vacation" and "The Cynic and the Defender."
• Common People, by NightGoblyn (COMPLETE!): Ow ouch ouch ow ouch OW OW OW!!! That was so nice.
• Daria: Grendel Reborn, by Grifter74 (Part 1): Daria has unusual aspirations in this universe, and they've made her anything but lazy.
• John Lane 35: Give Me a C!, by Richard Lobinske (Part 3): Daria was right when she said, "The universe hates us." That's the whole point of fanfic, isn't it?
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): Whoa. OMG. What in the name of all the Tsars just happened here?

"Gee, look at the time. 1984 already."

Fifty-nine years ago today, George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four was published. The book has been referenced a number of times not only in the Daria show but in Daria fanfiction as well.

Today is also the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, but I am having a hard time relating this to Daria. Still, it's cool.

Richard Lobinske has kindly updated the Big List of Daria visual artworks. This is great stuff.

Did you save some of the Daria screensavers offered by MTV long ago? If so, join the discussion about screensavers.

Grifter74 has offered a complicated Iron Chef: Grendel Vivant, which is to create a Daria/Grendel crossover story. That's the Dark Horse comic, not the Beowulf thing.

Operculum has discovered that Daria was mentioned in a recent Ph.D. college thesis, posted online: GIRLS WHO (DON'T) WEAR GLASSES: THE PERFORMATIVITY OF SMART GIRLS ON TEEN TELEVISION.

. . . . . . Performativity?????? Oh, right, here it is. New one for me.

Actually, the thesis is quite intriguing and worth a long sit-down read. Post what you think about it here, if you like, especially ways in which it relates to Daria or other characters on the show. Personally, I think many of the good points made by the thesis are lost when "Dye! Dye! My Darling" is considered.

More later. Think only goodthink!

Jane: Which end is the warhead?

This grainy photograph shows Jane and Daria hard at work on the most powerful nuclear weapon ever invented, Tsar Bomba (not a song by Richie Valens), which was developed by the brilliant Russian physicist and later noted dissident and Nobel Prize winner, Andrei Sakharov. He was born only 87 years ago today. Today is also the birthday of Mr. T and the American Red Cross, but let's face it, Tsar Bomba was pure undiluted awesomeness. Fifty megatons in one shot. Whoa, momma!

DariaWiki has been aided recently by the likes of Nighthawk, Dr. Mike, Legendeld, Ranchoth, Brother Grimace, Quiverwing, and others. Thank you all!

Deref the Globetrotting Barbarian is once again home, awaiting the first shipment of the entire British Isles to arrive by UPS any day now. Bravo, well done, and three cheers!

Two fan artworks of sheerest mega-awesomeness: Old Friends, by S.C., and Jane-Cam, also by S.C. Click and be awesome-ated.

More tomorrow, time to crash.

"Wanna hear my Armed Forces Day cheer?"

Happy Armed Forces Day to you other veterans out there. Party hearty. He/she's probably one of those fatigue-wearing teens at Holiday Island High.

Other recent newly arrived students at HIH include the Internet-savvy World Information Society Day (another United Nations semi-non-holiday) and the rainbow-colors-wearing International Day Against Homophobia (nicknamed IDAHO), both celebrated today. Speaking of rainbow power, four years ago today Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. Wonder if Daria and Jane at college in Boston know about that (wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more).

Richard Lobinske has updated his 2008 fan art listings on PPMB and SFMB. Boo-yaa! (Did I say that right?)

If I understood Deref the Oz Barbarian's last smoke signals, he and Father Martin were hunting whales (charmingly misspelled as "wales") in the rugged mountains of Britain. Those wacky guys.

Brother Grimace wants your votes for the Crowning Moments of Awesome in Daria. Go, thou, and votest.

More annoying tidbits soon.

Birdbrains

One of my most very favorite movies of all time ever, so much so an incredibly beloved favorite that I even have Tom and Elsie Sloane mention it in a Daria fanfic ("A Midsummer Nightmare's Daria"), is Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. This ultra-mega-classic horror movie was based on a short story by Dame Daphne du Maurier, who was born 101 years ago today. Thank you! What a great movie!

This is also the 64th birthday of Armistead Maupin, author of the Tales of the City novels, which had a pronounced effect on the writing of the Pause in the Air fanfic series. Thank you, too!

Christ Oliver has a striking new crossover artwork: Futurama with Daria and Jane. Enjoy!

PPMB update time at last!


PPMB

• Avalon, by legendeld (Part 21): The war against Avalon does not go well for the U.S.A.
  
• Big's Jake's Harley-Davidson, by Ranger Thorne (continued): A classic unfinished fic gets a new chapter! HOORAY!!!
• The Cynic, The Fashionista and The Jackass, by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): Hands down, the best Daria Western ever, and possibly the best crossover this year. Read it!
• Death Takes a Holliday, by The Angst Guy (Parts 1 and 2): A visitor arrives in Lawndale through the back of a restaurant, during a holiday. See what happens next. (SFMB version)
  
• Falling Into College 62: Run It Up the Mast, by Richard Lobinske (Part 3): Dancing, drinking, cute boys, drinking, dancing. More power to you, Jane.
  
• Infected, by legendeld (Part 1): Daria and Quinn have a little problem: everyone on earth is trying to kill them. Literally everyone.
  
• Size Does Matter, by BlackHole (Part 23): Quinn soothes the savage beasts.
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): The long-awaited update on Lord Manglepunk's delicate condition. Also, Tom Sloane speaks out on the obvious economic advantages of slavery.
  
• Turnabout Confusion Part II: All The King's Horses, by Dennis (continued): "Shakespeare really can be fun," said Quinn to herself. "Of course, Machiavelli can be more fun."

. . . and . . .

• The 1,001 Deaths of Tom Sloane (continued): More crimson goodness.

All the News That's (un)Fit to Print

Lots of recent news to catch up on. Here goes:

Martin Pollard wants to know: Where are all of the Outpost Daria submissions? If you've written anything at all lately that has the faintest mention of Daria in it, send your stuff in to OD right now! (Read the rules first, though, plus this update from MJP.)

Lawndale Online is looking a little thin on submissions lately, too, so read the rules there and get on the stick!

Want to know what Daria fanfic writers think? Oh. Well, some people do, so go read the very first alt.lawndale.creators interview, with Kristen Bealer!

Notorious Daria raconteur Quiverwing has started her own blog. Check it out, and demand more Daria news. Or not.

Deref the Barbarian has crossed the Channel and invaded France in his epic quest for the longest-distance Dariacon ever. The damage to the Louvre alone is beyond calculation. He was last reported in the sewers of Paris.

A quickie report has come in (with pix) of the Portland Dariacon (in Oregon, not Maine) a week ago. And, yes, our fandom is small enough that a meeting between any two fans counts as a full-fledged convention.

798 fans registered on the Daria Fan Club, plus a new poll. This site definitely needs more activity. Someone please add a few more images or chat threads or new (funny) polls.

1,848 articles on DariaWiki, with excellent recent efforts by Nighthawk, Dr. Mike, Brother Grimace, and Quiverwing. Thank you!

SFMB is showing very little activity lately. What up? I need a sad smiley here.

A beta request has been posted on PPMB by Dennis, looking for readers for the fourth GTS story: "Closets Are For Hang-ups." If you've got the time, he's got the story.

To everyone's great surprise, the Thread of Dread has been continued anew! Go to Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: Dawn of a New Nightmare.

Mike Xeno's PPMB thread, Irredeemable Daria Characters, keeps on going. The debate continues, and the evil (?) Dr. Shar enters the fray.

Which Daria story was the darkest one you ever read? Check out the Darkest Fanfic thread on PPMB and vote.

And the hits just keep on comin' in The 1,001 Deaths of Tom Sloane. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'! Plus, yet even more Things Students Are No Longer Allowed To Do At Lawndale High, and extra Scenes That Should Be: Brains for Rent.

Iron Chefs currently at large (thanks to Prince Charon and Greystar for some of these):

• Unusual(ly Gross) Superpowers!
• There are no laws, but there are rules!
• Everyone over a certain age suddenly dies. What happens next?
• Pranksters: What if Daria and Jane had liked to play practical jokes on people?

Wanna play around? More Daria Alphabetics is for you, then.

LATE NOTE: I just posted my 10,00th post to PPMB! I are a Darian!

And now for . . .


FAN ART!

• Wouter offers some Daria sketches in the PPMB thread, From the vault...
• Horas de Ocio (Leisure Hours), a marvelous color work by acidgirl. YES!
• Don't Mess with Them, a dual portrait by Lorenzo Sauchelli of Daria and Jane from his Dresden Files crossover tales.
• S.C.'s magnificent Cast Portrait (WIP) continues to progress as the Fashion Pu-uh, Pretties get a makeover.
  

More shortly, or not shortly, depending. Still trying to catch up.

A Racy Day at the Races

You know, the more I look at this picture, the more disturbing it becomes. Just trying to image the kind of roleplaying that goes along with Jake riding his filly to the finish line at The Oaks, and the kind of celebration they have afterwards, and what Helen is really wearing (or not) under that costume . . . it makes me feel like I will never be clean again. Bad dirty! Bad dirty! Ugh! Eww!

But that's why I'm here, and that's why you're here, too. Bad dirty is good to share.

On DariaWiki, Brother Grimace has written about Defender Rings, which are not birth-control devices.

New art is out!

• Lorenzo Sauchelli has given the Legion of Lawndale Heroes new uniforms. Wow!
• MDetector5 has created a new Quinn & Daria piece!

London falls beneath the Vegemite heel of Deref the Oz Barbarian. Oh, the humanity!

And Mike Xeno has started a conversation about Irredeemable Daria Characters. I have some thoughts on this but have to go to bed. More soon. LATE ADD: I've had my say on the topic, now. Post your thoughts as well!


PPMB

• Falling Into College 62: Run It Up the Mast, by Richard Lobinske (Part 1): Daria goes job-hunting: "Would you like fries with that?"
• The Kid Stays Out of the Picture, by Scissors MacGillicutty (fragment): A fantastic story bit inspired by S.C.'s portrait of Daria as a "cleaner."
• A Little Vacation, by Doggieboy (Epilogue 1): Robert goes up against zombies and comes out second best, only moments before . . .
• Oh, That Smell, by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): This is about as unusual and nasty a superpower as can be.
• Turnabout Confusion Part II: All The King's Horses, by Dennis (continued): I have plenty of time to crush them, thought Ms. Li as she watched her spy camera monitors.

Storms and Computer Issues

More soon, having to deal with multiple problems. Peace out.

LATER: Back again, all clear. Still need to reload Windows this week to fix stuff. Oh, well.

The next UK Dariacon, hosted by Deref the Barbarian and his prisoner cohort, Father Martin, is tentatively planned for May 3-4, once they finish looting Stonehenge and some Ice Age cave people. The gory details of Deref and Martin's cross-country rampage are here.

Eighty years ago today was born the only human to ever be buried on a world other than ours: Eugene M. Shoemaker, an American planetary scientist and geologist who hoped to make the journey to the Moon aboard an Apollo spacecraft. That honor went to another geologist/ astronaut, but Shoemake had done so much in the field of planetary science that, after his death in 1997, his ashes were placed aboard an American spacecraft that eventually crash-landed near the Moon's south pole in 1999. He was an awesome dude.

Today is also the birthday of Lee Falk, who created The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician. I don't recall if there have been any Daria crossovers with those two ("The Cynic Who Walks!"). There are Phantom Menace and Danny Phantom and Phantom of the Opera crossovers, but not THE Phantom. Hmmm.

In his continuing Cast Portrait (WIP) series, the ever-amazing S.C. presents . . . EVIL THOM! He looks pretty good for being evil.

Also in the artistic realm, Lorenzo Sauchelli experiments with Flash to give us Tiffany Blum-Deckler as the Eradicator, in his Dark Cynic & Super Artist series. More later.