Is Someone Attacking a Cat?

While Joey's choice of musical instrument in honor of International Bagpipe Day will certainly get Quinn's attention, I don't think it will be a very positive reaction. Unless he can play some "Boys 'R' Guys" songs on that thing, perhaps.

It's also appropriate that Joey is wearing a kilt, because it's National Skirt Day as well! Daria, meanwhile, will celebrate the same way she does every day: by wearing the same outfit as usual. The Fashion Club will be horrified by the "too long" skirt, unless that kind of thing has come back into style. If it turns out to be fashionable, then Daria will be the one who is horrified.

Finally, today we observe a triple episode anniversary for "The Invitation" in 1997, "Depth Takes a Holiday" in 1999, and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" in 2000. Apparently March 10th was a good day for teen parties, personified versions of holidays, and motorcycle accidents. Who knew?

Did Someone Step on a Cat?

Joey is playing his heart out for International Bagpipe Day, but I seriously doubt Quinn will be impressed by his efforts. I mean, it's not like Boyz R Guyz ever released a bagpipe single, right? Ewwwww.

That said, bagpipes would be an awfully effective alarm clock, especially for those of us who just aren't feeling the time change for daylight saving time. Spring forward my ass; I'd rather have that hour of sleep back.

Today we celebrate a triple anniversary because the episodes "The Invitation," "Depth Takes a Holiday," and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" all aired on this day in 1997, 1999, and 2000. No one played any bagpipes in any of those, but "Depth Takes a Holiday" did feature Holiday Island's number-one harpsichord player...acoustic and electric.

Fanfic Update!

• best laid plans, by notkimberlyerikson (COMPLETE!): "'you gonna order sometime today?' 'sorry, sorry-!' I’ve been standing at the counter trying to figure out what I want for about 5 minutes."


• Homecoming, by DavidFalkayn (part 3): "'What the...!' Jake exclaimed as he, his wife, and the others with them suddenly appeared on a platform of some sort in a room where a man and a woman, the woman wearing a gold miniskirt similar to Angie’s, and the man wearing a red shirt and black pants, stood."


• Roasted, by wilddogjj (part 5): "Quinn and her husband, Jim, were sitting up in bed talking about how he's now a suspect in a murder investigation."


• Spider Quinn 07: Ashes to Ashes, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 4): "Even so, Sandi continued to spread her rumors..."


• Titanic - A True Story, by Sheila Wisz Ellayn (COMPLETE!): "The wind carried a deep forest scent everywhere as Larry Fitzgerald Cappstein tried to convince himself that all of this was not just a dream."

Can He Play The Sound of Silence? Literally?

Joey's taking a very original approach to wooing Quinn on International Bagpipe Day, but unless he knows some Boys R Guys songs I don't think it's going to work. Still, maybe she'll agree to go on a date with him in exchange for not playing the bagpipes anymore.

Today is also Middle Name Pride Day, so here's a shout out to Jodie Abigail Landon, Michael Jorden Mackenzie, and Terry Barry Barlow. If any other Daria characters have canon middle names, I don't remember them, so remind me in the comments!

Last but not least, this is the anniversary of the episodes "The Invitation," "Depth Takes a Holiday," and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale," which all aired on this day in 1997, 1999, and 2000. That's quite the anniversary!

Fandom News!

• What alter-egos would you like to have seen on Daria?


• Discuss your writing style: plotters vs. pantsers.

Jodie, Do You Even Have Time to Stalk the Night and Drain the Innocent of Blood?

If there are any would-be slayers who want to celebrate the anniversary of the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Jodie's a pretty easy target right now. The show premiered on this day in 1997, and not only was Quinn a fan, but it was one of the rare real-world pop culture references on the show.

Not to be outdone, Daria has three episode anniversaries today: "The Invitation" in 1997, "Depth Takes a Holiday" in 1999, and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" in 2000. Teenagers going to parties and supernatural elements? Why, it's practically a Buffy crossover!

Fanfic Update!

• Before the Battle of Jazshi's World (Scenes No Daria fanfic should have: The Closing Walls of Schloss Morgendorffer and Casa Lane), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "It still struck her as funny that in pretty much all of human Sci-Fi fiction that humanity saw itself as 'average' and most alien species were portrayed as either being smarter, stronger, more dangerous fighters and warriors."


• Day Tripped (Linn's short stories (or ficlets, drabbles...)), by Linnofthewoods (parts 1 and 2): "'...Oh, yeah, everything's great mom.' Rose was on the phone with her mother, Veronika, as she petted her kitten, Trixie." (Part 2)


• New Americana, by Lady Evil (part 1): "'Seventy-eight bottles of beer on the wall, seventy eight bottles of beer!' Kevin sang as the bus drove to the Mall of the Millennium. 'If one of those bottles should happen to fall, seventy-seven bottles of...'"


• Straight from the Art (General "Daria in Morrowind" Thread), by welltemperedclavier (COMPLETE!): "Jane blew on her cold-numbed hands and wished she didn’t live so far north."

Like in Brad Stoker's Book!

Jodie should watch out, because today's the anniversary of the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which first started airing on this day in 1997. I don't mean Jodie should worry about actual vampire slayers; I mean she should get out of Quinn's way so she can get home and watch one of her favorite shows (per "Speedtrapped.")

Speaking of TV show anniversaries, today is a triple anniversary for Daria: "The Invitation," "Depth Takes a Holiday," and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" all aired on this day in 1997, 1999, and 2000. Hey, the first of those aired on the same day as the Buffy premiere, and the other two (like Buffy) contain supernatural elements. Coincidence? Yes.

Fanfic Update!

• Daria of the Milieu Something Slimy, by Meester_Lee (part 2): "The doors closed, the buses started up, and the drivers began to take them to Baltimore. Despite the atmosphere of anticipation in the busses, there was undercurrent of fear."


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Highland Years, by Meester_Lee (part 32): "The Morgendorffers' prolonged stay at the Aylesford had forced both Jake and Helen to look at their housing situation in a new light. Should they stay at the house on Whirlwind Drive or should they move?"


• Edicius, by elainefr (part 6): "'How was your date?' She froze slightly at Trent's question. He had asked causally enough while strolling into the Lane kitchen and searching the cabinets for coffee."


• Fates Entwined, by Deep Metal (part 12): "After lying down on her bed for quite some time, Jane finally stirred herself back to her feet. A lot of time had passed and she wasn't even sure how long she had been idly lying there."


• Problem solving , by Rémi (part 1): "Jane parked her car and pointed to an house not unlike many others in the surrounding suburb. - That's where she live, according to your aunt Amy. - She will never agree to your idea, said Daria gloomily, so don't get your hopes up."


• Search Engine Obfuscation, by WellTemperedClavier (parts 1 and 2): "Maybe a cubicle will be better than a classroom. Daria didn't really believe it. Still, the thought offered some comfort as she took the elevator up to her interview." (Part 2)


• Star Trek: Voyager: What a Choice Leads To, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 3): "'50 light years in a second, 1800 light years,' Tom reported. 'We should be home very soon,' Harry said. 'Don't get your hopes up, a lot can still go wrong,' Chakotay said."


• Unnamed story (LLH Short Entries : Thread #2), by Roentgen (parts 110 and 111): "By the time the Legionnaires had returned from Catoctin Mountain Park after their second day of search and rescue, Daria Morgendorffer had called a meeting immediately after arrival." (Part 111)

Yet Another Category Where They're in the Minority

Jodie and Mack aren't actually very proud about their middle names for Middle Name Pride Day, but if you had a name like Mack's you'd probably feel the same way. As far as I can remember, Mack (Jordan) and Jodie (Abigail) are the only Daria characters who have official middle names. If you know of any others, let me know in the comments.

Today is also a triple anniversary for episodes, as "The Invitation," "Depth Takes a Holiday," and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" all aired on this day in 1997, 1999, and 2000.

Fandom News!

• percussivemaintenance's documentary is premiering at SXSW.


• Mike Quinn is in need of perspective.

Some Middle Names are More Worthy of Pride Than Others

Mack and Jodie are leaping for joy because it's Middle Name Pride Day and, well, they're the only characters on Daria who officially have middle names--Jordan and Abigail. Of course, I doubt Mack's really feeling all that proud of his middle name, but let's just allow him his moment of happiness.

Today is also a triple anniversary, because it was on this day that the episodes "The Invitation," "Depth Takes a Holiday," and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" first aired in 1997, 1999, and 2000. Bonus points to anyone who can come up with a good connecting thread among those three episodes, because I'm coming up blank.

Fanfic Update!

• "Aw Mama...Can This Really Be The End?", by Scissors MacGillicutty (part 37): "The man took off his straw hat and set it on the blue and white seersucker jacket folded by his side on the bench. Looking out the window, he smoothed his thinning white hair, and called to the young man seated at the counter to his left, 'Eton?'"


• Consequences, by ST91 (part 6): "Clint was nervous. The idea of having an official date with Jane terrified him."


• A Night In Manhattan: A Griffin Story, by Meester_Lee (part 1): "It was one of those kinds of visits, with business that couldn't be done quickly and settled during the course of a morning or an afternoon. He'd have to stay over. It was also the sort of visit that required a measure of anonymity, so he chose to conceal himself in crowds and take a hotel room in a Muggle part of New York."


• Origins of the Ringbearers - Michael, by Brother Grimace (part 3): "Angela Li – all eighteen years and five-feet three of her, with the face of a runway model and the air of a puppy acting as if were an attack dog – stood her ground in front of Mark Schindler's desk."


• РАЗГОВОРЫ ..., РАЗГОВОРЫ ..., by Shad_Tkhom (COMPLETE!): "Дарья не могла винить Линди. Она сама, Дарья-«мозг»-ботан конченный, не заметила как младшая сестрёнка выросла — впервые стала сопереживать другому, вынула голову из тряпок и увидела, что непраильно подобраные(не под цвет глаз) носки ещё не трагедия, а вышедший из моды галстук не мировая катастрофа."


• Physical Teducation (The Ted Zone), by Kristen Bealer (COMPLETE!): "That could be me, he realized with growing hope. Perhaps I could enroll in some kind of sport and get my name in the newspaper! And then everyone at school would notice me!"


• Runaway Daria : Guardians of the Galaxy (IC Runaway Daria), by Waylander (COMPLETE!): "As the leader of the infamous Ravagers, Yondu Udonta was a business man first and foremost. He had been accustomed to all forms of depravity, and barely batted an eye at his customers' outrageous requests... at least if the price was right."


• Spelling It Out (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: The Madness Sets In), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'A school-wide spelling bee to foster academic awareness and pride.' Daria's foul mood was fully evident even to Principal Li and Mr. O'Neill, who were standing at the edge of the auditorium stage as they watched the proceedings."


• Spirit Stick, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'Well... that isn't good.' Valkyrie felt her Ring's defensive shield snap into existence; in the cool, early evening air alive with the shimmer of the Aurora Borealis, she saw the momentary twinkle of a crystal-blue oval surround Archangel as his shield activated."


• The Ultimate Showdown (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: The Madness Sets In), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Jane passed the note to the new girl who sat across from her in the self-esteem class. 'You slam?' she'd written."


• Unnamed story (Mr. O'Neill, Asshole), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Daria kept one ear open as Mr. O'Neill lectured to the children making tchotchke after tchotchke. 'Now, I want each of you to think of the blue lanyard as representing how you feel on the inside, and the green as how my wallet feels on the inside. Picture --'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: The Madness Sets In), by Silver (COMPLETE!): "Daria awoke with a start. Correction: A start and the greatest great-grandmother of all headaches. Her hands shot to her head, and she stifled a cry of pain."

ZZZZZZAP!!!!

Three Daria episodes premiered today in the distant past: "The Invitation" (13 years ago), "Depth Takes a Holiday" (12 years ago), and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" (11 years ago). At left we see the results of Cupid's Love Taser on Jake and Helen. A very sweet and special moment it was. ZAP!!!

And a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to CHUCK NORRIS! He turns 70 today. No kidding. He is THE MAN!!!

OZ NuZ!

• NEW! Mega-fan tafka from Australia has posted a link to the OzDariaCon site on Facebook, with photos from past OzDariaCons. (You need to be logged into Facebook to see the link given in her post.)

ART R0O0LZ!!!

• "Surrounded by Idiots" (Andrea done Lichtenstein style), by Minx: an unbelievable work of pop genius! You can have MY fifteen minutes of fame, too!
• LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE! "Burnout Girl a la Warhol's infamous Marilyn series," digital media (PSP), by tafka. WE BE ROCKIN' NOW!!!
  
  

PPMB

• Daria—The Next Chapter, by LadieT (Part 4): Jane's night was no better. She tossed and turned. As she fell into an unnerving slumber, she had an eerily vivid lifelike dream. She was sitting on the couch in their old apartment in Boston. She was looking at photos strewn over an old coffee table, with her hands in her lap. She heard the door open and close. A pair of arms reached around her. She looked up and saw Tom's smiling face. "Hi, Jane. How are you?" [continued here]
  
• NEW! A Few Years Difference, by Vlora (Part 3): "So what did you do all day, Trent?" the younger girl asked, her hands tucked under her chin as she pretended to look interested. Daria had felt her attention snap to Jane accidentally at the question; she quickly turned her eyes back to her half-eaten slice. "Slept." Jane groaned, "How do you manage to sleep all day?" "With my eyes closed," said the resolute male whose name was apparently Trent.
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 36: Brain of the Family, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 2): Daria wasn’t surprised to see an older male teacher walking out with a box of his things as she walked to the school the next day. That must have been Mr. Edwards, the teacher Finn had mentioned was doing whatever it was to that girl he was talking about. Daria briefly considered what ramifications it would have, but dismissed it. She didn’t care what happened to that guy, and they’d just pick another teacher. I wonder what idiot would take that stupid job, she thought to herself as she looked out front at the real teachers, who were holding up strike signs.
• NEW! General Semantics, Private Angst, by Gwrtheyrn (Part 18): The face was intact. It looked unmarked by the terrible fear and agony that had wracked her in those last seconds as she had burnt like a match in front of the Games Machine. There even seemed to be a touch of colour in the cheeks. Daria felt sure that that dead face looked more lifelike than her live one at that moment. (Daria/van Vogt's World of Null-A)
• NEWEST!!! In Vino Veritas, by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): After a song by Skin Klinik finished up, the channel went to a commercial. Most of the dozen folks in the bar paid little heed, but one woman fixed her steely gaze on the TV before her. “La la la la la,” sang the TV as a promo for Daria: The Complete Series came on. Various clips from the series run were played to best characterize Daria’s wit. At the end, a female announcer read, “Daria: The Complete Series. Own it Tuesday on MTV DVD.” The woman stared at the TV, a look of hatred in her eyes. “I freaking hate her.”
  
• NEW! Zero G, by SigDiff (Part 1): Ringing filled the bedroom as the alarm clock, blinking the time of 7:00 AM, bleated its morning call. A slender hand slid out from the covers lying on the bed beside it, blindly guided to the Off button with a precision obtained from years of muscle memory. “Ugh.” A voice muttered from the bed. After several seconds, Daria rolled over and sat up. After her body automatically retrieved her glasses from the nightstand and put them in place, she scanned the room, finding the other bed empty. I guess Jane found a guy to spend the night with. I just hope she's already awake and on her way over. (based on this idea)
  

More eventually, fuzzy headed at the moment.

Suh-weet!

It's Sweetest Day! Tell your sweetest how much you love him/her/it, but please be sure not to do it while your sweetest's Significant Other is in the vicinity. I'm just sayin'.

Evel Knievel's 71st birthday anniversary is today. The Mighty Mack is wearing a costume very similar to one that Evel often used in his motorcycle stunt shows.

At Holiday Island High, the kid asking for spare change all the time is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, whose day is today.

Remember in "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" when Daria said, "A salesman's got to dream, boy"? That was from Arthur Miller's play, The Death of a Salesman, and today is the 94th anniversary of Arthur Miller's birth.

The immortal Mike Judge, who created MTV's Beavis and Butt-head and thus opened the door for Daria to have a show, too, turns 47 today.

Daria got a bit of media attention twelve years ago, when she offered some advice on gaining classroom attention. I can just imagine someone doing that while I was working as a substitute teacher some years ago. Oh, boy.

It was grrrrrr-REAT!!

"The Invitation" aired twelve years ago today, "Depth Takes a Holiday" (a favorite of mine) aired ten years ago exactly, and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" nine years ago. Time flies by, whether you like it or not.

Moar soon. Okay, it's soon now.

FF.net

• Just Friends, by Pinkminx (Part 1): She sighed heavily and drained the remainder of her Corona, tossing the empty bottle in the makeshift bin beside her. It hit the bottom of the can with a hollow thunk signifying its solitude. She turned and sat against the roof's edge.

PPMB

• Acts of Cupidity, by Disco316 (Part 9): Jane continued, “How was your first day on the morning shift?” Trent shook his head groggily. “Not so good. It ended up being my last day on the morning shift.”
• Rings and Things That Cannot Go Together, by Ranger Thorne (Part 1): “No,” Jane said flatly. “I’m not turning over my ring to a bunch of ringwraiths.”
• Turnabout Confusion, Part II: All the King's Horses, by Dennis (continued): Payback time, as the wise ones say, is a real mother.

Purple Pants: A New Style for Teens?

Another animation error, but this one is easier to explain than hair-color changes over a few seconds time. The girl that UU and I have nicknamed "Bib Overalls" suddenly wears purple overalls instead of medium blue ones in "A Tree Grows in Lawndale." She just wore a different pair that day. But only that day, if the other episodes are any measure.

Wasn't much else going on, just wanted to post something. Valentine's Day is coming. Moar l8r.

Where's Glenn?

While watching "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" a while ago, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the background. I do believe that is Glenn Eichler standing between Helen and Jake. It resembles the B&W line image of him I've seen. First time I've ever spotted him. Anyone else recall seeing the GE Man around? Plus there's that old not-blind guy, too.

Twenty-seven years ago today, fanfic character Francis "Fran" Lawrence was born, who later became Quinn's friend in the Falling into College series by Richard Lobinske.

More later when I figure out what else to write.

LATER: Wait, I guess that isn't Mr. Eichler. GE doesn't wear glasses. Damn!

EVEN LATER: Kara Wild reports that someone from Shout Factory has expressed interest in Daria, but does not see it as likely to happen anytime soon. Let's keep hoping.

EVEN MORE LATER: This question was brought up as to what music would best be kept on a Daria DVD, per this list on DVDaria. Anyone have any musical favorites from the original series to add to this?

Alter-Ego Improvements #1

Once in a while you find an alter ego picture that makes an improvement on the original character. The Don Johnson Miami Vice version of Kevin Thompson, IMHO, is one of those improvements. Maybe it's just the novelty of seeing him out of that dang football uniform, or maybe the style of clothing just looks good on him. This could easily be Kevin after high school.

Speaking of which, where would Kevin be after high school? He's too stupid for college, but he's still athletic and, if his performance in "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" was any judge, very good at speaking to crowds of children. Could he get work as an assistant coach, or as a sports coach or counselor for disadvantaged youth? Would he join the military, as some fanfics have suggested, either as a patriotic response to 9/11 or just because no other jobs were available for one such as he? He's almost underqualified for the modern military as there is such a powerful demand for technical skills, but everyone needs a grunt, and Kevin's QB talent would come in handy with grenades, no? Something to think about, anyway.

Though dumb as a box of hammers, Kevin at least had a good heart. Good luck, Kev, and don't forget to write.

Caption Contest

(Post your caption in the Comments area.)