You Could At Least Pluck it First!

I'm not sure if Mr. DeMartino is celebrating Embrace Your Geekness Day the old-fashioned way or if he's just really, really hungry. Given his financial situation, either is possible. I think Quinn would rather bite the heads off chickens herself than act geeky, but we have more than our share of geeks in fandom so I say flaunt it, everyone!

If raw chicken isn't your thing, might I recommend National French Fries Day instead? Daria and Jane will take theirs with a healthy (or unhealthy, to be accurate) serving of cheese!

At least the turkey legs in "Fair Enough," which aired on this day in 1998, were fully cooked. While you had to eat them with your bare hands and they didn't come with fries, they did make excellent projectiles against poor acting skills.

Shine On, Harvest Quinn!

Joey, Jeffy, and Jamie are celebrating Barbershop Music Appreciation Day, but I'm not sure barbershop works as well as a trio instead of a quartet. Still, as long as they harmonize better than they impress Quinn....

Today is also the anniversary of the episode "Fair Enough," which aired on this day in 1998. In that one, we saw a performance of a much different style than barbershop, although I wouldn't be surprised if the three Js' singing also ended with audience members throwing food at them.

Fandom News!

• Discuss common behaviors in fandom that you take issue with.


• Two new Iron Chefs have been posted: peapotmaster's Ms. Barch is a Lesbian and Lord Goring's Symbolism.


• RIP, Monty Norman.


• Discuss Croatia joining the euro zone.

I'll Have an Order of "Things"

Jane and Daria are joining the crowd of people ready to celebrate National French Fries Day, and yes, I think they will have fries with that! They might even splurge on cheese fries, even though that's not the name of the holiday. Still counts.

Today is also Embrace Your Geekness Day and Fool's Paradise Day, which means pretty much everyone is covered. Most of the people I know fall into at least one of those categories!

Finally, the episode "Fair Enough" first aired on this day in 1998. There were plenty of both geeks and fools in that one, but sadly a shortage of fries to go along with the turkey legs.

Fanfic Update!

• Danny Morgendorffer, by ST91 (part 46): "Once P.E's time was over, Daniel went on to perform his role as secretary in the weekly student council meeting. It lasted less than the last time and was less animated but Richard was unpleasant as always."


• Daria's Great Adventure, by dmsfanman (part 36): "Tom came up behind Daria as she was looking in the mirror. He put his arm around her waist and gently kissed the back of her neck just above the strings of the polished tiny stone spheres known as 'Martian Pearls' she was wearing."


• Is It Show Time Yet?, by Lady Evil (part 12): "'I don't need anything,' Jesse sang as he twirled Clarissa around. 'Anything!' Clarissa did jazz hands and prepared to be picked up and spun about."

Three Part Harmony

The Three Js are one short for their quartet on Barbershop Music Appreciation Day, but even if they added one more person I doubt Quinn would be impressed by their efforts. I'd be surprised to find out even one of them could carry a tune, honestly.

Meanwhile, Daria and Jane will be enjoying National French Fries Day today. Extra points if they get cheese fries.

Finally, today is the anniversary of the episode "Fair Enough," which aired on this day in 1998. There were no fries or barbershop music at the medieval fair, but there were turkey legs and a madrigal singer. Does that count?

Fandom News!

• Captain Marbles posted a new Iron Chef: Daria Rocks Your Socks Off!


• Is Daria optimistic or pessimistic about human nature? Share your thoughts in the thread.


• Tell everyone what you're playing in the video gaming thread.


• Discuss the Chinese film industry VS Chinese censors.


• Vote in the Deadliest Warrior poll between Mister Roarke and Doctor Strange.

Just Don't Ask Quinn to Read Her Poem

Daria and Jane are definitely going to participate in National French Fries Day, although they may change their minds at the last minute and order some "things" instead. Whatever that means.

Today is also one of Quinn's least favorite holidays, Embrace Your Geekness Day. As far as she's concerned, the only thing geeks are good for are setting up websites and giving her extra hotel perks.

Finally, today is the anniversary of the episode "Fair Enough," which aired on this day in 1998. I doubt the historical accuracy of the school's medieval fair, but it was still fun to watch Quinn get pummeled by turkey legs.

Fandom News!

• ognawk and Princess_Pasta have released a new Lawndale Lowdown podcast!


• Discuss Charlie Gard vs Great Ormond Street.


• What do you think about Joe Scarborough quitting the Republican Party?


• Meester_Lee suggests the idea of Stacy Rowe's older sister.

Apparently Mr. D. Is Getting Really Desperate for Snacks

DeMartino is celebrating Embrace Your Geekness Day, although I don't think that's the kind of geek they meant. Since our fandom has more than its share of geeks, this holiday seems appropriate!

This is also National French Fries Day, and you have a choice. You can either order them at Chez Pierre and pay an exorbitant amount for them, or just head out for some cheese fries with Daria and Amy. I know which one I'm choosing.

Finally, today we celebrate the anniversary of the episode "Fair Enough," which aired on this day in 1998. In honor of that, Quinn is going to make a dainty garland for her head and sing.

Fanfic Update!

• Blade Robber (1,001 Deaths of Tom Sloane - Part III), by ognawk (COMPLETE!): "Tom had followed Elsie outside the house. She was hugely excited about something, but refused to tell Tom what, insisting that she show him instead."


• Mine, by Vukodlak (part 9): "'Oh god!' Jane gasped looking at the laptop screen in shock. 'Did you hear what this idiot candidate for Senator in Missouri said?'"


• My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, by LongSnakeMoan (COMPLETE!): "And so, following the usual Bromwell experience of networking, discreet 'partying' as the rest of society would call it, and lining up potential wives from a roll call of his feminine contemporaries, Tom had set out on his Grand Tour."


• Nobody's Home, by ognawk (part 1): "Trent reached into his pocket and fished out his house keys. As he went to put them in the lock, he noticed a note taped to the front door. He pulled it off and read it."


• Trip Down Memory Lane, by Evil Icing (part 2): "He sighed. Grandma Lane was the exact opposite of his parents: strict, disciplinary, always in a mood (did his parents even have moods?)... And she had never been too fond of him."


• Upper Echelon, by Princess_Pasta (part 6): "Tori Jericho was lounging in her room listening to Boys R Guys. Blissfully unaware that her social standing was about to go plummeting into the abyss."

Sweet Ade...Quinn!

It's Barbershop Music Appreciation Day, and the three Js are in fine form even if their quartet is short by one. They're no doubt singing a love song for Quinn, who will most likely just turn up her Boys R Guyz CD to tune them out.

This is also the fifteenth anniversary of the episode "Fair Enough," which aired on this day in 1998. Daria and Jane survived a close encounter with a heartbroken Stacy and Upchuck barely escaped being beaten to death with his own mandolin. Hey, do they write barbershop minstrels?

Fanfic Update!

• Bro!Tom Learns That He Has a Bastard Son (Proposed IC: My Secret Baby), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Ok so I had just finished tellin' my Pops all about this hot slam piece that I nailed the night before when he dropped a HUGE ass bomb on my ass!"


• Daria+Stacy fluff, by Astrocar82 (part 4): "'Well, I have to do this now or Quinn will stop taking my threats seriously and end up telling Mom and Dad and she'll get them to put me in weird programs, but I really don't want to do this right now.'"


• Darius Taylor, by Shiva (part 13): "In the deep end of the Taylor's outdoor in ground swimming pool, Mack and Darius were taking a moment to relax after a vigorous race between them. Though they were both keeping an eye and an ear on Brian who was currently racing in and out of the pool to work on his cannonballs."


• Death Comes To Those Who Live By It (IC: Todd and Jane Ianuzzi -Takedown), by DIsaac (COMPLETE!): "They thought they escaped. They thought they actually escaped justice.... I knew what I need to do."


• Dylan, by J-D (part 23a): "Then Mr Chung had announced that the school would be holding a medieval fair to raise the money it needed for repairs, and that participation and attendance would be on a voluntary principle, or his personal version of a voluntary principle, in other words, compulsion."


• The Foundling, by peetz5050 (COMPLETE!): "'Is she not... I mean are you not sisters?' She addressed the elder girl now who seemed mildly amused by the redhead's distress. 'No Mrs. Manson. Quinn is correct in her assertion. We are not related consanguinously.'" (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4)


• Great Professor Dario Ch. 1 A fresh start, by ST91 (part 1): "A black Citroen DS 19 cruised the streets of Lawndale, Maryland headed to the only high school in the city, Lawndale High. At the wheel sat the 28 year old Dario Morgendorffer and in the seat next to him, his 16 years old sister, Quinn Morgendorffer."


• Ianuzzi Vs. Suicide Squad (IC: Todd and Jane Ianuzzi -Takedown), by macross (parts 1 - 3): "It had been five years since the Ianuzzi's had announced to the world their survival of the shoot out in Highland, their body-count had been raised to 250, and they had no plans of stopping. Courtney Ianuzzi leaned against the counter of the kitchenette of her 'families' RV. She was 17 and she was lost." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• I Can't Leave Yet (IC: Todd and Jane Ianuzzi -Takedown), by SacredDust (COMPLETE!): "Jane clapped her hands over her mouth and shook with a fit of giggles, her feet twitching as she sat on the motel bed. What HAD gone through Quinn's mind in those last few moments?"


• Little Ianuzzi's at the Memorial Service (IC: Todd and Jane Ianuzzi -Takedown), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Death by radioactive lake water. In the dark watches of the night Dean Ianuzzi (or Lane as the State was still insisting on calling him and his sibs) was willing to admit that it was a unique way to go out."


• Minds Touched by Madness, by welltemperedclavier (parts 4 - 5): "'Jane?' she said, her voice not much more than a whisper. No one slept in the bed, the sheets in disarray. Standing on legs still wobbly from sleep, Daria touched the mattress, finding it cold. This can't be happening. Wait, stay calm. It's probably nothing." (Part 4.5) (Part 5)


• Mine, by Vukodlak (part 5.5): "'How can he do this?' Daria raged, 'Isn't there a law against this?' After moving fifteen hundred miles away from Highland Texas Daria never imagined Dean would find a way to terrorize her life again."


• The night Jake left home, by Gnome (COMPLETE!): "As he stood and watched the world around him the door slammed open and his father, Mad Dog, burst inside."


• Of All The People That Won't Be Missed, by LongSnakeMoan (COMPLETE!): "Daria had dreaded going back to school after the events of summer with the whole world knowing she and Jane had become irreversibly estranged and she'd been the focal point of an appalled fascination for weeks afterwards."


• Quinn's Code 08: Alternapalooza, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 4): "Quinn, Cindy, Kristen and Keith had left the diner behind. They saw the Tank on the side of the road. 'Isn't that Daria?' Kristen asked. 'With Trent Lane?' Keith asked."


• Something (Slightly)Wicked Chapter 1, by macross (COMPLETE!): "She opened the door not seeing her parents in the living room, figured she could just sneak upstairs, hide her purchases, and say she been out studying or something else. As she stepped on the first step of the stairs she was alerted by sound of her mother calling her, 'Quinn Josephine Morgendorffer you get in the kitchen right this instant.'"


• Something (Slightly) Wicked Chapter 2, by macross (parts 1 and 2): "The girls were chatting about the previous night's Sick Sad World episode, when they noticed Brittany Taylor jogging toward them with a large black German shepherd." (Part 2)


• Something to Make You Feel All Dark and Depressed (Probably Not) (Something to Make You Feel All Wam and Fuzzy Inside), by PrecambrianStudios (COMPLETE!): "Sandi Griffin looked in the mirror that was protected by a dome of plexiglass. Once, she was pretty. And that was a fact; everyone told her how absolutely stunning she was. And now......now admiring had become hating."


• Tom Joins the Heavenly Choir (IC: Tom Sloane, Lax Bro TAKEDOWN!), by PrecambrianStudios (COMPLETE!): "Tom woke to find himself strapped to a chair in a darkened room. He couldn't see anything. What the hell happened?"


• Unnamed story (IC: Todd and Jane Ianuzzi -Takedown), by peetz5050 (COMPLETE!): "'Esteem - a teen, they don't really go together do they? now...' 'Mr. O'Neill, excuse me! Mr. O'Neill?'" (Continued by LongSnakeMoan)


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: MY EYES THEY BURN!!), by Silver (COMPLETE!): "'He's...uncreative, the boss.' Tom Sloane sipped at his brandy, somehow managing to never disturb it."


• Welcome To The Family, by ST91 (COMPLETE!): "It was a cold autumn evening and Sebastian Hecuba was returning home after doing his usual patrol. Since it was dark he did not see the nail on the road but only heard the sound of the tire deflating."


• What Does Not Live (IC: Todd and Jane Ianuzzi -Takedown), by SinisterExaggerator (COMPLETE!): "'Todd, stop!' Jane cried. He could have screamed. It was all within his ability. Todd was just glad he hit the brake. Two red dots poked out in the air. Were they headlights? There was no car."

Eep!

Look out, everyone! It's Friday the 13th once again, so try to avoid any open ladders, broken mirrors, or black cats. Also try to avoid Ms. Barch on a bad day and the Fashion Club on a makeover spree, but that's good advice no matter what day it is.

Today is also the anniversary of the airing of "Fair Enough" in 1998. Quinn's acting career suffers a major setback while Daria and Jane learn far more than they ever wanted to about Stacy's personal life.

Fandom News!

• ThanatosRW is looking for advice about an annoying Magic: The Gathering player.


• What is the difference between a dream and an obsession? Share your thoughts in the thread.


• Two fandoms collide: exciting news about a former member of Daria fandom and My Little Pony.


• Talk about the fiftieth anniversary of the Rolling Stones' first gig.


• Two Iron Chefs have been posted in the Creative Writing forum: Fhujeth_x's Detective Daria and Roentgen's Titles.

Expecto Dariam!

J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter's number one fan, is 45 today. Happy Birthday to you, and thank you for all the great books that inspired so many Daria crossovers. We leave Ms. Barch's crystal ball from "Fair Enough" as today's special image. Previous blog posts naming some of the Daria/Harry Potter crossovers may be discovered by clicking on Ms. Rowling's name under "Labels."

Another source of Daria crossovers, The Shadow, was first broadcast over radio on this day 80 years ago. Thanks to Ranger Thorne for his marvelous "Shadow of a Cynic" series.

Finally, this is Hawaiian Flag Day, the easy-to-pronounce version of the day's real name. The Is It Fall Yet? image of the Three Js surfing is sufficient for that. And Stacy in a hula skirt, and Mack as a surfer dude (late adds). Enjoy.

NuuZ!

• Roxanne M offers a new and startling Iron Chef: The Date. Perhaps you should read it instead of me spoiling it here...
• Getrealordie187's new Iron Chef is Daria and Military School. (Self-explanatory enough, right?)
• And now we have Iron Chef: Guys and Guys. Do it to it.
• NEW! Erin M. warns us that today is the LAST DAY for Judith Strikes! stories. Get to it!
• NEWER! Daria Motivational Posters by the metric ton!
  
• NEWER! OverlordMikey presents: The Puppet Princess Of Lawndale Kingdom 'The Artwork'
  

FF.net

• If Nothing Else, by Harley McCoy (Part 2): Soon they arrived, the double doors hissing open to allow Quinn, Jane, Jodie, and Mack to enter. Still wearing her blue gown, her tassel jumping as the young Morgendorffer girl clopped in her heels into the lobby. Helen was first to notice her daughter and the barrage of people behind her. "Quinn! Thank God you're here!" Mrs. Morgendorffer was made-up nicely, a knee length skirt and red silk blouse. Jake had a green polo and tan slacks. More casual than Helen would approve, but with a rising concern for Mr. Morgendorffer's heart, his over-worked wife let it slide. "How are you holding up?" Fumbling to articulate an answer, Quinn mumbled at first. "I, uh, I'm fine. What happened? Is she all right?" "We don't know yet. The doctor won't tell us," Helen answered, her voice rising in pitch from frustration.

Outpost Daria

• The Alter-Ego Chronicles 1: Rowe'd Racin', by The Excellent S (COMPLETE!): "Why did you pull me in? We were in the top 15!" "The tires were about to go, and we have no more left." "Really? No more tires? You've got to be kidding me..." "Money is tight, Stacy. We have to keep starting-and-parking until we can get a full-time sponsor. It's not good, but it's all we can do." (PPMB discussion)

PPMB

• MORE NEWEST! The Ballad of Daria and Stacy, a round robin by lots of people (in progress): "Excuse me. I have a question." "Sorry, question-and-answer time is later." "I want to know what "realizing your actuality" means," said Daria, not saying "it's meaningless isn't it?" but certainly thinking it loudly. "It means... look, just let me get through this part, okay? Then there'll be a video!" She wasn't sure whether to bother paying more attention in the hope of gleaning info, or if she should veg out and catch up on sleep. Before she could decide, the petite, pigtailed brunette sitting behind her gave a gentle poke. [Sorry I didn't catch this one when it first appeared!]
  
• Behind the Scenes of the Parade, by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): Ted stood in an alleyway with Robert. Behind them the parade continued onward unaware of their encounter. "I came to this parade to find you," Ted said nervously.
  
• Daria/Dorian 5: Mountain of Truth, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Dorian, I have to admit. I was skeptical at first over the whole change thing. However, I see so much of Daria in you. I knew I was wrong." "How do you think I feel? I went to bed that night as Daria..and after night of complete and utter hell. I became Dorian." "May I ask... what was it like, changing like that?"
  
• Daria/Dorian 6: Christmas Chaos, by LadieT (Part 1): It was strange how the whole Daria-to-Dorian thing had changed Jane's view of Quinn. Jane remembered the night Quinn had shown up at her house because she didn't want to be at home by herself. Then, Jane thought about the night of Daria's birthday. How she held Quinn while Quinn cried over the loss of her sister. She is truly afraid that she will end up alone and forgotten. I guess I'm not the only one with abandonment issues. Maybe this will be good for the both of us. (FF.net)
  
• Dimwits & Dragons, by Ken Tremberth (Part 1): Sighing in exasperation, Jane stood up and went over to her canvas, turning the light on. It was an incomplete painting. It had remained incomplete for most of the week. She picked up the brush, dipped it into the oil paint, and stood staring at the half-finished painting. Outside, the rumbling of thunder could be heard as a storm came in. Jane had known about this storm since eleven, the only thing on TV at the time being the local news. Her eyes narrowed as she stood there holding the brush an inch from the waiting canvas. (Daria/Dungeons & Dragons: The Animated Series)
• NEWER! Feel Like a Winner, by HolyGrail2007 (COMPLETE!): The football game was long and hard, and, thanks to yet another attempt by Kevin to run the touchdowns in himself like Tommy Sherman, Lawndale ended up losing again. Robert sighed as he headed back to the locker room.
  
• NEWER! Finn Morgendorffer 54: On the Outside of Love, by HolyGrail2007 (COMPLETE!): Jane was glad she wasn’t holding anything fragile in her hands when she saw her mom, she nearly toppled over. “I cannot believe you are here!” Amanda remarked with both surprise and pleasure. “In... France.” Jane wasn’t certain what her mother was trying to say. (Part 6) (ENDING)
  
• A Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl's Gotta Do, by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "Daria, are you feeling alright? I mean, this plan of yours, it's so not you. It will upset the natural order of things at school." "Yes, Jane. I'm fine. It's something I have to do." "Wellllll.... alright. I trust you. Foolish of me, I know."
• Gravedigger, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): Daria sat her shovel down. She lifted her gloved hand to push her glasses back in place. She looked up at the sky. It was turning a darker shade of grey by the second. She looked at her map of the cemetery and walked towards the spot highlighted on the paper. She grabbed her ladder. Her usual partner had called in sick. It was rare for the funeral home to call her in to do a solo dig. She thought back on when she first got the job two years earlier. Her mother went ballistic. Jane handled it better. "That occupation survey we completed our junior year did say you were better suited to work with the dead."
  

• Grove Hell 2: All the Lawndale People, by Charles RB (Part 4): Daria had been all set for another session of blushing, being nervous, and otherwise indulging her hormones with Trenty goodness, but that was a bit hard when Jane was in the basement too, with paint and easel and a gleam in her eye. “You better not be about to say ‘I’m here to paint you’,” said Daria, “or I’m going to play Spice Girls songs. This is not an idle threat.” “I’m present to paint you,” said Jane. “Well played. As will be Zig-a-Zig-Ah.” (FF.net)
  
• The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, by Roentgen (Part 47): Helen didn't even bother pulling up to the driveway. "All right, now remember that we have frozen lasagna." "We have seven boxes of frozen lasagna!" Quinn cried. "Gahd!" "Well, until I can trust that neither you nor your sister will destroy the kitchen, you'll be sticking to frozen foods." Daria smiled. "You're still not going to forget Quinn's little accident, are you?" "Mo-OM! I was nine!" Quinn cried.
• Hell Hath No Fury, Like Daria Pissed Off! by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): The two girls huddled across the table at their local pizza joint. "Val's coming back to Lawndale to do a followup piece on me." "What? Where'd you hear that?" "I got an email from someone at the magazine. She didn't like the hatchet job Val did on me, and wanted me to know Val is going to do a piece on how the whole cancer/leukemia thing has affected "'D', the bummer chick". She somehow must have seen that little announcement about me coming home in the Sun-Herald. Anyway, I already emailed Mac and asked him not to cooperate with her. He told me she or anyone else from the magazine won't even be allowed past the front door!" "I always did like him. Now I know why. So, now what?" "I'm thinking about it."
• Jane Lane: Ace Attorney 2—Turnabout Teacher's Pet, by LSauchelli (Part 2): Jane dragged her feet, forcing herself to meet her client. She was thankful that Sandi didn’t see a reason to accompany her for this task, because truthfully, she thought she would have her plate full with one psychopath at a time. She looked at the ceiling and started counting cracks on it, wondering how much of an idiot she was for not only accepting this case but also betting her career on it. (NEW! FF.net) (Daria/Ace Attorney)
• MORE NEWEST! John Lane 47: Another Look in the Mirror, by RLobinske (Part 1): The cordless phone rang and Helen said, "I'll get it," as she picked it up. "Hello? Oh, hello, Mom." John quickly stood and went behind Helen to move the kitchen knife away from her hand.
  
• Judith Strikes! A Story About Nothing, by NightGoblyn (COMPLETE!): "I hate Ring portals," the second woman said, glaring around at their surroundings. She was dressed in military fatigues in the white and grays of the urban camouflage pattern, but was without a helmet and allowed her auburn hair to sweep around her shoulders. Her goggles glinted greenly as they automatically compensated for the low illumination in the room, and she carefully swept her HK-5 from left to right as she scanned the room.
  
• Judith Strikes! Would It Help to Close Your Eyes? by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): Judith appeared in the middle of the street. She was ready for whatever the world might throw... there was nothing. It wasn't what wasn't but what should have been. This was a populated world. There should be people—people who would pose a threat to her—yet when she appeared she saw no one. She had brought two armed men with her to keep the fools who attacked her at distracted since she didn't have time to kill everyone, yet they were gone as well. Judith opened her mouth but no sound came out. What the hell?
• NEWER! Just a Peek, by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): "Damn, I can't take it!" sounded the voice of Jeffy. "Quinn's just using us!" cried Jamie. "She's really cute and all, but I'm beginning to think she doesn't like me." "I still like you," Jeffy said with a grin.
  
• NEWER! The Lane That Wasn't, by LadieT (Parts 8 and 9 and 10): Jane was asleep when she heard a slight moan come from Daria's bed. Jake shot up from the pullout couch he had been lying on. Trent who had been sitting beside Jane got up and walked over to Daria's bed. He was the first she saw when she came to. She blinked several times as she tried to focus. Trent reached for her glasses and placed them on her. She gave him a weak smile. "Hey Dee... glad to see you're awake." (Part 9) (Part 10)
  
• Pulp Fiction, by Chris Tucker (Parts 4 and 5): "Hey, James. There's cops going door to door outside." Jane was by the window that overlooked the street. "Looks like they're carrying flyers. I think they may be looking for you!" "Damnation! I can't be found. Too many questions would be asked that can't be answered right now. I need the phone again." (Part 5) (Daria/Doc Savage)

• EVEN MORE NEWEREST! The Question, by LadieT (Parts 1 and 2 and 3 and 4): It was not often that Anthony showed his softer, gentler side in public. Being with Timothy, though, always helped him open up. They had been keeping their love life completely private... (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4)
  
• Sleepwalker, by Jim North (continued): Once again, Stacy found herself running headlong toward what was certainly some sort of peril. Before, it had been the thought that the Goggle Eyes Man might hurt someone else when she could have done something about it that had driven her forward. But they had caught him. She and Ms. DeFoe had found Kevin and were keeping a close eye on him. Hearing the piercing shriek had jumbled those confident thoughts. (more continued)
  
• Stolen, by Malakite (Part 3): Henry blinked. Something seemed slightly off. There was a girl maybe half his age hanging on his arm. He pushed down the uncertainty as just being unable to believe his good luck. He'd gotten away from that shrew Janet, she had been a shrew, he reassured himself. They weren't happily married and she wasn't a wonderful wife and mother. Where had that come from? He leaned over to kiss Cindi as the query exited his mind.
• Three-Edged Sword, by NightGoblyn (COMPLETE!): "Hi, Daria," Sandi said, smiling and waving the shorter girl into the room. "I'm really glad you made it, you don't know how worried I am about my algebra. I know I'll pass, but I don't want to just pass I want to do well, and..." Her voice trailed off as she watched Daria toss her coat onto the couch. Her guest turned and faced her with an expectant look on her face. "Is that... why do you have a black eye?" Sandi asked. "Did Tom...?" "No," Daria said, shaking her head. "Tom didn't hit me, Jane did."
• Uncle Anthony's Happy-Fun Esteem Class, by Charles RB (Part 2): "I've got a little CHALLENGE for you. TODAY we talked about your DAYdreams and what you WANT from your home life—toNIGHT, you're ALL going to home and do JUST THAT—and if they COMPLAIN, tell them the SCHOOL ORDERS IT!" He jabbed a finger at Daria. "What's a daydream that YOU'D like to see COME TRUE?" "I guess I'd like my whole family to do something together. Something that'll really make them suffer." "And WHY is that?" "To get them to actually pay attention to me and not trying to get me to be more like my sister." "Remember the GOLDEN rule, Daria..." "If someone is doing something to irritate you, tell them about it in detail," she parroted. "EXCELLENT."
  
• An Unexpected View, by Paisleygal (continued): "My sophomore year in college, I injured my knee...in practice. It was kind of disappointing that I couldn't go out in front of a crowd of screaming fans, but it did put me out of the game. I had to have two different surgeries and several months of physical therapy. The doctors said I could play football, but if I got hit just right I might have trouble walking without a cane. My heart wasn't really in football anymore, so I made the smart choice."
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Date), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): [Too short to sample!]
• NEWER! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: In Celebration of Stanley Kubrick), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): The gang in white tore through the door laughing, their leader seizing Jane as they went, stomping and jeering into the kitchen... ...and stopping. "Wait, is this house pre-trashed? What are we supposed to do then?" (Daria/A Clockwork Orange)
  
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): Tom stared down at the piece of paper that showed the address. He stood at the door, frozen in time. The house itself had gone through major repair, but the mailbox proved it had the same owner. It was a familiar place, one he used to visit when he was a teenager. That was when he was on top of the world....
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): [Too short to sample!]
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by Dark Kuno (COMPLETE!): [Too short to sample!]
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by rglovejoy (COMPLETE!): [Too short to sample!]
• NEW! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by Breitasparrow (COMPLETE!): Trent was exhausted from the night before. It took seven hours to get to their weekend gig, which didn't end until 2 am. It was 10 the next morning when he woke up to a light kiss on the ear. "Jesse?" "Hm?" "Why did you kiss my ear?"
• NEW! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by rglovejoy (COMPLETE!): "You the man, Tommy! You the MAN!"
• NEWER! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "Hey, what's with all the damn noise down there?!" Jane yelled down the stairs. "I mean, the noise that isn't the usual barrage of anti-music?" "'Nother fight," Trent said as she stomped into the basement to stand next to him and Jesse. "The usual."

• NEWER! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by LibertyBellJar (COMPLETE!): Jake Morgendorffer was left alone in the silence of the Lane family’s living room as Jane and Daria got ready upstairs. His eyes wandered and he soon found himself staring up at the ceiling, admiring a rough mural of the cast of Saved by the Bell descending into the fires of hell. As jarring as it was, it was hardly out of place in a home where photographs of medical school cadavers were splashed across the walls.
• NEWER! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by Breitasparrow (COMPLETE!): [Too short to sample!]
• NEWER! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by rglovejoy (COMPLETE!): The toilet stall felt so cold and impersonal. Anthony hated doing this, but when he felt his urges coming on, he needed relief and he needed it right away.
• MORE NEWEST! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Guys and Guys), by rglovejoy (COMPLETE!): "You want some of my pepperoni now?"
• EVEN MORE NEWEST! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Real Esteem), by Ranger Thorne (COMPLETE!): “I pity the fool that don’t have self-esteem!” (Daria/The A-Team)
  
• NEWER! Unnamed story (Short note...), Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "Quinn, it's only for one week. One week won't kill you." "NO! I'm NOT leaving the house wearing, that, that, that THING!"
  
• Unnamed story (A Work in Progress. Subject to Revision), by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "James, it was really nice to come with us to see Jane off on her flight to New York." "Hey, no problem. Got a few hours between finals and I needed the break. I like hanging with you two. You're fun to be around." "Still, it was nice and we both appreciated... Jeeze, look at that!" She was pointing to huge, delta winged jet making its landing approach at Logan airport. "Oh, hell! It's the X-1! What the devil are they doing here? This is NOT their turf!" (Daria/Doc Savage/Venture Brothers)
  

Urban Legends Never Die

"Legends of the Mall" celebrated its 10th premiere anniversary yesterday. Sorry about missing that. Loved Metalmouth. Had a lot of fun with him.

"Fair Enough" premiered on this day 13 years ago. An excellent episode that afforded me much fun as well. Will attempt to catch up on stories soon. Stay tooned.

A Day for Great Books

Two great and long-lived works of literature are connected with this day. Today is the day that Odysseus supposedly arrives home in Ithaca after the Trojan War, 3,188 years ago, as calculated by an astronomer a few years ago. Homer recorded the story in The Odyssey. Daria at left holds another work in which Odysseus was mentioned, Homer's Iliad (as seen in "The Big House").

This is also the day, 623 years ago, when Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales supposedly takes place, going by time-related clues left in the manuscript. (An editor figured it out.) Jeffy at right holds a copy of The Canterbury Tales as he tries (and fails) to enact the part of Palamon (as seen in "Fair Enough").

Daria would celebrate the day by reading. Perhaps imitation of her would be wise.

A Little Song, A Little Dance, A Little Wedgie in Your Pants

Happy April Fool's Day to you all. Jesters are the logos and mascots for the day.

This blog has popped a couple or two 4/1 stunts in the past. It's amazing how many April Fool's stunts have been pulled on the Internet as a whole, including:

• April Fool's Day RFC
• Fossil Fool's Day (not such an April Fool thing)
• Pigasus Award
• Edible Book Festival
• Google's Hoaxes

This day has at least one website devoted to it, though I am partial to the Museum of Hoaxes and especially to one of the best prank-busters of all time, Snopes.com. Well worth a look for your enlightenment.

I'd still like to know what April Fool's Day is like at Holiday Island High, whether a prankster or some ironic twist on the same.Only one Daria fanfic I can find is actually attuned to April Fool's Day, that being Richard Lobinske's "I Meant to Do That." I did find a nice Liliane Grenier artwork of Trent as a court jester on Outpost Daria, but no other jesters.

It's been three years to this day since all the appliances on Earth took over and enslaved humanity. You'd think someone would notice.

Would Mack Mackenzie make a good businessman? What kind of business would he be in? Add your comments to the thread!

The supervillain named Valwire has been captured... in Jim North's artwork! Excellent!

The above item appears here. An old collectible. Darn.

FF.net

• Apocalyptic Daria: Scarlett's Tale, by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): [Previously appeared on PPMB.]
• Dying on the Inside, by Minx (COMPLETE!): [Previously appeared on PPMB.]
• Mata Dari, by Dennis (COMPLETE!): [Previously appeared on PPMB.] (OD)
  
• A Night of Bells (But No Whistles), by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): [Previously appeared on PPMB.]
• Shieldmaiden, by RLobinske (COMPLETE!): [Previously appeared on PPMB.]
• Storytime, by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): [Previously appeared on PPMB.]

PPMB

• NEW! Falling into College: The Clip Show, by Richard Lobnske (Part 1): "Hi, I’m your host, Karen Myerson. Right here in front of Fenderson Hall, what seems like the best place to start our show."
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 40: Higher Learning, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 4): Fantastic. Now all we need is a flat tire, Daria thought. It didn’t come to pass when she thought it, not like the TV shows. But this was bad enough on its own.
• NEW! Fragments of an Unnamed Tale, by Staticblast (Part 1): "It has been eight years now, since my family left the south to move here, and seven-and-a-half since I became fast friends with the artist, Jane Lane. My father was, and still is, considered strange by the community for having me tutored at home, and insane for doing the same for her. As you know, she has been both reviled and praised for her illustrations and paintings of the contents of the seven cryptical books of Hsan, named a genius and claimed to be in need of an alienist." [Part 2 here!]
  
• John Lane 45: Haunted by the Past, by RLobinske (COMPLETE!): "The girls of Lawndale owe you big time, Daria," Quinn said before hurrying away.
• NEW! (Semi)Permanent Reminder, by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): Daria awoke in a semi-dark room, the morning air cool and still. After a good stretch she moved the sheet off her legs and stood. She wore a thin white sports bra and boy shorts, which she straightened as she walked to the bathroom. On the door was a sheet of white paper, a message printed across the center of the page: LOCK THE DOOR
  

Enough Fair

"Fair Enough" debuted 11 years ago this evening on MTV. In addition, Greystar began this story 7 years ago today, and a canon character (with fanon elements) was preparing to get married 73 years ago today.

Anyone up for a June 2010 Dariacon in England? If so, click here!

Don't have much else to add right now. Stay tuned.

PPMB

• Tales of the Ringbearers: With New Responsibility, by Richard Lobinske (Part 8): Archangel and Richard had scouted the abandoned restaurant before taking up observation positions around the portal and waited. While scanning, his ring detected something. Archangel said, "Someone's coming." "Apocalypse?" "No. Zero reanimates or metahumans within five klicks. We have humans approaching."
  
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Daria Is Raven's Apprentice), by Project Pegasus (continued): "I tell you the truth, using those gleefully obtuse Latinate phrases is better than sex."
• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Angelboy (COMPLETE!): Daria looked at the opossum sitting on the floor next to her. "I told you, Opie, I'm not going to kiss her..."
• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): The shuttle began its slow approach to the landing beacon. Commander Jek played a popular warrior's chant over the shuttle intercom. "This relocation is not necessitated by a loss of honor," he said. "And therefore, there is no shame in the relocation. You will understand that, Dakra." "I was paying no attention," snarled Dakra. "I see no changes."
  
• Vigilante, by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Parts 1 and 2): “Now, that’s not something you see every day,” said the slim detective. He threw his cigarette straight to the floor at the sight of the corpse in front of him. [Part 2: “Got the vic’s name,” said a bored detective Guttenberg. He had been expecting a challenge in the Dragon Serial Killer, as the media was calling the maniac who had murdered the girl. It didn’t matter to the media that one victim hardly meant "serial," but it bothered him to no end their meddling.]
  

Psychics' Sidekicks

Brother Grimace found an online article about the problems in writing about psychic characters in fiction, but he has some issues with the author's issues. For more on this, click over to PPMB. The debate is well worth reading, especially if you have (or will have) psychic characters in your fanfiction.

Another MTV Daria alumnus has done good in the animation world. Read about him here.

Lorenzo Sauchelli has a teaser for the next chapter of Legion of Lawndale Heroes Special: Tokusatsu Team Up!

Kalad1 has a new Iron Chef about transhumanism!

Who will write the 300,000th post on PPMB? It's coming up soon! More 2 come eventually.

PPMB

• Iron Chef: Love in the Postmodern World (unnamed story), by respite (COMPLETE!): A postmodern love story. A weird one, too.
• Turnabout Confusion Part II: All The King's Horses, by Dennis (continued): Papers covered the Morgendorffer kitchen table, Jane had been dispatched to a bar for a night out, and the three Morgendorffer women sat in what could only be a described as a council of war.
  
  

Where's Glenn? (Part 3)

Okay, I think that's Glenn Eichler in the middle of the front row, chewing on a turkey drumstick as he watches Quinn perform in her play ("Fair Enough"). What do you think? All these white guys with beards look alike to me.

I missed a news item from a week ago: Dariaverse.com has a marvelous webpage with almost all of the known Legion of Lawndale Heroes stories on it. You've got them all in one spot! Kudos to Lorenzo Sauchelli for the page!

Roentgen's brand-new addition to DariaWiki: the Junction Belt.

Roentgen also provides us with a Scene No Daria Fanfic Should Have, but it's a story that definitely should be!

Someone has added a "Daria Tribute" video to the Daria Fan Club.

On FF.net, Farren O'Blivion is asking once more for feedback on her revised story, "Daria: The College Years." Chapter 11 coming soon.

Looking for a new Iron Chef on which to test your creative talents? Try this one.


PPMB

• Legion of Lawndale Heroes 13.4: For Those About To Rock, We Salute You, by Roentgen and Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): Andrea hopped on her big BMW touring motorcycle—which would have shocked her fellow students if they knew she had it, or how it came into her possession—and roared out of Lawndale. Well, I’m out of here. I don’t need this place anymore.
• Long Trek Home, by Ranger Thorne (continued): “Just try to only use your powers in the cause of good,” said Mack. “I refuse to make any promises I can’t keep,” Daria told him. ALSO, in the latest section, great "in" references to several other fanfics. See if you can catch them.
  
• Size Does Matter, by BlackHole (Part 36): Daria was busy in the kitchen, preparing a sandwich for dinner when the doorbell rang. Knowing that everyone else was further away from the front door, she went to open up. On the way she used the dish towel hanging over her shoulder to dry her hands and the knife she was still holding. (SFMB)
• Turnabout Confusion Part II: All The King's Horses, by Dennis (continued): How the hell did I get myself into this? Jane mentally berated herself. She turned to see Skylar's handsome face in profile as he drove. Oh yeah. It's to make this oily sonofabitch crawl.
• Upholder of the Good, by SoCalledGoodeGuy (Part 3): “Welcome to the Take Back the Night self-defense seminar, ladies!” Mrs. Barch seemed to strut back and forth in front of a small crowd of girls. “Tonight you’re going to learn how to defend yourself from any sleezeball man who might think that he could take advantage of you! Or how to beat the crap out of a cheating husband.”

Blondie for a Moment

While looking through his collection of images for the Backgrounders website, UU discovered and passed on to me this pic from "Fair Enough." For one instant, as the scene shifts between Ms. Li and the class, the Jennifer on the left becomes a blonde. When the scene shifts to her again, she has black hair once more.

Animation errors. I love 'em.

Now try to explain them in the context of the show. That is the fun part. More after I wake up.

Dammit!

I no sooner finished publishing the Big List o' Fanfic when two authors wrote more stuff for their stories, after I had already updated them! How am I supposed to keep up with everyone if they keep writing? Do I look like a machine?

I'll let it pass this time.

PPMB

• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): Many Chicago pedestrians avoided the corner of State and Wacker, unless they absolutely had to be there. Why? Read and find out.
• Tales of the Ringbearers: Journey's Debt, by legendeld (Part 3): “You cheated on my sister, you little punk!” Trent said as he started forward. Alison grabbed his shoulder and held him in place. “That Tom got eaten, remember? This Tom is the nice man who is going to give us a ride.”

Peace out, dawgs.

Fair Enough For Ya?

The world premiere of "Fair Enough" was ten years ago today. Interesting that Andrea later used Upchuck in the same jester outfit in her "Gothic Nights" comic in The Daria Database.

What makes "Fair Enough" really interesting is the collapse of the library roof at the start, as Daria, Brittany, and Kevin could have been seriously injured or killed as a result. (This happens in at least one AU fanfic.) Ms. Li's looting of school funds for paranoid projects is also intriguing, as is Linda Griffin's archery skill (she hits the target under stress, but Helen doesn't). Linda's got focus and drive, for sure. Could she be an archery superhero in disguise? Or an assassin? With ebola arrowheads?

What did you like or dislike in particular about this episode? What oddities caught your attention?

Brother Grimace started a page on "Casa Lane" on DariaWiki, and I was moved to add to it. I think separate webpages on Jane's room and Trent's room are called for.

Speaking of DariaWiki, Richard Lobinske is heroically correcting errors and clarifying links. I note with some dismay that many of the errors he's fixing are mine, and I humbly apologize and promise to find some other kind of error to add to DariaWiki in the future, not the same old ones. Richard has created the most recent of the 1,884 or so pages in the 'Wiki: Fuzzy Wuzzy Wee Bits.

Legendeld's Rantings (a blog by the same author) has been added to the recommended/active list at left. Sorry I didn't do this before, I miss a lot by being me. I've added the Beavis and Butt-head tales at FF.net, too, because many of them feature Daria in her Highland years.

Alas, however, I removed the Dariacon Wiki link, as it no longer seems to work.

FF.net

• But What About the Baby Sitter?! by Kristen Bealer (COMPLETE!): Nothing but wholesome shippery goodness here. Enjoy the fun!
• Daria: The Two Equals, by MrPowerpuff (Part 3): Despite her name, Angeline is not a very nice person.