Who's Feisty Now?

I see Upchuck has tragically misunderstood the point of Run it Up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day. It's also very unlikely that anyone's going to salute, either. Still, at least he's safely away from everyone else, and that's good news.

Today is also National Science Fiction Day, and in honor of the holiday I present to you the entire Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror section of Outpost Daria Reborn! Holy cow, there's a lot of sci-fi Daria fanfic out there.

Fandom News!

• The 2018 Daria Fanworks Awards are open! Nominate your favorite Written and Visual works.


• Share your Happy New Year wishes in the thread.


• What do you think of Sen. Elizabeth Warren seeking the Democratic nomination for president in 2020?


• Discuss realism moments in cartoons.


• Talk about the movie Aquaman.


• Comment on CAP's fanfic Perceptions in the Golden Oldies forum.

"Mixing primaries during daylight hours? Not done."

Tiffany is trying to finish her flag in time to celebrate the anniversary of the current American flag design--thirteen stripes and one star for each state. I pretty much guarantee that Tiffany's flag will have the wrong number of both, and we'll be lucky if she gets the colors right.

Fanfic Update!

• Daria/Power Rangers: Watching the Watchmen, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Angel Grove had once been a shining city on the hill and now the few skyscrapers still intact looked like jutting bones."


• The Invincible Rose, by breitasparrow (part 2 revised): "'Actually...' Rosalie's heart was pounding hard in her ears. '...I was thinking that, since the wedding begins this afternoon, if I win...' She could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she tried desperately to avoid stuttering. '...You get to be my escort to the reception this evening.'"


• Lost, by SentrytheDefiant (COMPLETE!): "It wasn't as if she was really gone."


• Mysteries of Lawndale 02: The First Party, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 3): "'We're going to walk to the edge of Crewe Neck and back,' Daria said. 'Good idea,' Quinn said. 'Yeah,' Stacy agreed. 'Let's go,' Jane said."


• The Only Pair, by SentrytheDefiant (part 9): "The black clad figure waited until both vehicles were gone before he crept his way towards the front window. Three thick bushes provided adequate cover when he crouched, which was how he maintained his obscurity."


• Reclamation, by SacredDust (parts 3 and 4): "Tom rubbed his eyes and took a closer look. It was a yellow Vexxer, just sitting there with the lights and engine off." (Part 4)


• Renewment, by RLobinske (part 3): "Quinn took a quick look to the living room to make sure Jake and Helen were busy with Jacob. 'When they fly to Florida tomorrow, I'm going to call Daria. We're going to figure this out.' 'When you and your sister put your mind to something, I've learned to stay out of the way.'"


• Unnamed story (IC: Codename Kids Next Daria), by Fhujeth_x (COMPLETE!): "Daria stared down the hallway of Lawndale High School, paving a visual path of wreckage of Kevin standing before his poor and destitute football team while they lay in heaps across the floor."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: April Fool's day), by PrecambrianStudios (COMPLETE!): "Mr. O'Neill picked up the phone. 'Hello?' 'Greetings. This is a prank call,' said a high, nasally voice. 'Would you like to be pranked today?'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: April Fool's day), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "It was 7:30 am on a Tuesday. The phone rang at the Morgendorffer residence. Helen picked it up. 'Hel-o-ooooo?' She put her hand to the phone. 'DARIA! It's for you! Someone named Brittany Taylor!'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: No longer in the 1%), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "'I want to break up with Kathleen, but it's so hard,' Tom said. 'My life is more difficult than anyone else's on the planet. And yes, I'm including starving children, so don't ask!'"


• Without Warning, by SentrytheDefiant (part 1): "Jace Lane's steel-toed combat boots thumped loudly on the pavement as he made his way towards Lawndale High."

Oh, No! She's Mixing Primaries During Daylight Hours!

Happy New Year! Tiffany is busting out her mad sewing skills as Betsy Ross, who was born on this day in 1752. Ross is popularly believed to have created the first American flag, although there's no evidence that this is true. That's okay, though; Tiffany's ability to sew (or do anything aside from apply mascara) is also unlikely to be true.

Fandom News!

• Remember to nominate your favorite written and visual fanworks for the 2013 DFAs! The deadline is January 15, so don't put it off too long.


• Wish your fellow PPMB members a happy new year!


• Help brainstorm a new name and logo for the Washington Redskins.


• Whompy Whomperson is looking for a reasonably-priced The Daria Database.


• Talk about the movie Rollerball in the Weapons of Mass Distraction forum.

Horizontal Stripes and Primary Colors? Ewwwwww.

On this day in 1818, the U.S. Flag had a bit of an upgrade. Instead of adding both a star and a stripe for each state, the stripes would remain at thirteen and only stars would be added. This is the current procedure for the flag, and it's a good thing. Fifty stripes would be very hard to cram in, especially for someone like Tiffany. Do we even know for sure if that girl can count past three?

In a sadder anniversary, it was on this day in 1968 that Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated. The world lost a great man, but his legacy has continued on. Rest in peace, Dr. King.

Fanfic Update!

• April Fool's Day (Iron Chef: April's fool), by Hyrin (COMPLETE!): "'Daria! What are you doing up so early?' 'Early?' Daria glanced out the window and saw that it was still pitch black out. 'What time is it?' '5:27.' 'Quinn,' Daria muttered. 'Should have seen that coming.' 'What?' Helen asked, confused. She glanced at the calender and smiled. 'Ah, it's April Fools Day. I guess someone got you.'"


• April Fool's Joke The Kiss (Iron Chef: April's fool), by Reven384 (COMPLETE!): "Quinn read the note again. She considered ignoring it, but she couldn't pass up the chance to date a rich hottie who'd make her even more popular. Even if she had to give up one little kiss. What harm could it do?"


• Armored Cynic Daria, Episode 1: Esteem Rising, by RX-87 (part 8): "TRENT: Janey! There's been a change of plans. It has to go down today. Get out of there now!"


• Be Careful What You Wish For, by Doggieboy (part 8): "Finally, after fifteen minutes of walking, the redhead saw the house where John’s apartment was located. A cryptic smile appeared on her face and she thought, You’re almost there, girl. You’re almost there. Get in, get the stuff, and get back to class. He’ll never know you were here, and then you can see him tonight."


• Birthday Surprise (Iron Chef: Daria character wins lottery prize), by DeacBlue (part 1): "Jane slipped her hand into her pocket, and pulled something out. 'Oh, before I forget, happy birthday!' She handed it to Daria. 'A lottery ticket?' Jane looked slightly ashamed. 'Can you forgive me? I'm trying to save up for BFAC, and it's going to be tight.' She grinned. 'On the other hand, the jackpot's gonna be over $650 million, they say, almost $500 million if you choose lump sum.'"


• Clique Swap, by psychotol (parts 27 and 28): "Stacy: Nods 'Yeah, poor girl.' Agitated 'Oh god, the midichlorians, we injected ourselves with the same midichlorians we injected into Nallok!' Darth Krayt: scornful 'Yes. Nice one. But wait, it gets better. The latest batches of death sticks Maladi's department sold made their users force active. We now have flying ravers sharing their hallucinations.' Quinn: 'Death sticks?' frowns 'Who takes drugs from something actually called a death stick?'" (Part 28)


• Daria - Double Down, by neonhomer (part 34): "Jane spoke up. 'We are looking for her sister.' She said, pointing to Tilly. 'Daria?' asked the librarian. 'Yeah. You know her by name?' asked Jane. 'Of course. She used to come in here quite often. However, over the past couple of weeks, I haven’t seen her. Then, yesterday, she comes in. She looked different. I asked her where she had been, and she muttered something and kept walking.' Said the librarian."


• Disconnect the Dots, by InvisibleDan (part 10): "But then I saw it. It looked just like a journal I kept in high school. Leatherbound, with creamy, unlined paper, it was beautiful in an age when everything was going to the lowest common denominator. I put down the basket and picked it up in both hands to feel the weight. I put it up to my nose and took in a deep breath. The smell took me back to high school."


• DW: The Many Doctors, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 7): "'I am the Doctor, and you are trying to take over Ilkona for your own ends! For what purpose are you doing this?' 'For what purpose, you ask, Doctor? I answer with a question of my own. Why not?' the person who was attempting to take over Ilkona said, in response. 'I ask you, right now, to give up your plans to take over this planet!' the Doctor said, with a warning tone."


• Family Reunion, by januense (part 1): "'Well ... at least we're almost there ... I recognize the neighborhood.' They continued to walk, until eventually reaching an unpaved little street that connected the main road with a house built on the top of a nearby hill. There they stopped , standing side by side while gazing at it."


• God Save The Esteem ep41: Is It Fun Yet?, by Charles RB (part 5): "Quinn staggered back into the house, confusion like a rash on her face. 'Mum? Dad? Do security guards count as The Man?' Helen and Jake paused in the act of playing Scrabble – Jake had got 'tosspot' on a triple word score – and began to think this over."


• Just Kidding (Iron Chef: April's fool), by januense (COMPLETE!): "It was a stunning bright night and the moon reflected its rays on the surface of a little lake. On the border there's a little restaurant with a porch just in front of the water, where little circular tables with a single candle lit on each one, host some couples in search of a romantic set."


• Memory Lane, by echopapa (COMPLETE!): "One day, Jane was sitting in a chair turned backwards sketching Zimmerman and Maddox preparing for another round of tests on Jane's memory core. She was just finishing drawing the pair as Frankenstein and Igor, with her as the Monster, when Zimmerman's combadge chirped. 'USS Voyager to Doctor Zimmerman. Request permission for three to beam down to your location.'"


• A Mothers Love, by ash_blackfire (part 10): "The past can play tricks on you. Amy thought as she saw the man who had be just a boy sitting across from her. Over they years not much had changed about his outward appearance. His hair cut almost the same .He was still lanky. It reminded her of his dad when he was younger. His personality was something that had changed by far."


• My Heart Will Go On (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by LongSnakeMoan (COMPLETE!): "'Hello Jack. I changed my mind. They said you might be out here.'"


• A Resentful Cynic Ch. 1 New Life, Old Life, by ST91 (COMPLETE!): "'To be honest, I was watching you because you don't look like one of those people,' said Daria. 'What people?' asked a confused Quinn. 'You know ... lonely people like you. Since you're an only child.' Daria said, while a grin of satisfaction appeared on her face."


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 14, by Fhujeth_x (parts 1 and 2): "Wearily and not very pleased, Quinn Morgendorffer came to the window and opened it up, glancing downwards at the two Griffin boys who were so rudely awakening her from her beauty sleep. She yawned, rubbing her eyes, 'Sam?' She blinked, trying to make sure who they were, 'Chris?' She didn't really want to speak to them but she knew how persistent and totally obnoxious they were, 'What do you guys want?'" (Part 2)


• Steven (A genderswap never before done), by ST91 (part 1): "'Steven dear , thanks again for helping us to choose these swimsuits.' said Sandi Griffin , president of Lawndale fashion club ."


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "A girl's allowed to fantasize, Helen sighed, looking at the parade of swaying man-flesh less than five feet in front of her - of course I'm going to be front row for this!"


• Vivian (Iron Chef: Vivian Taylor), by ST91 (part 1): "My God has it already been 10 years ? Vivian Blake said to herself while she stood in front of what had once been her home."

Flaaaaaaaaag?

On this day in 1818, the current-ish design for the American flag (13 stripes for the 13 original colonies and one star for each state) was approved by Congress. At the time there were 20 stars for 20 states, but apparently there have been a couple more added since then.

Someone should probably help Tiffany with the one she's working on, though. Never mind getting the number of stars and stripes right; we'll be lucky if she doesn't decide to redo the whole thing in something more fashionable, like pastel colors or pictures of Hello Kitty or something.

While somebody explains to Tiffany why that flag doesn't make her look fat, I'm going to post the latest fanfic update.

• Awakening, by Chris Tucker (part 8): "If there was one rule for Pizza and Bad Movie Night at Jane's dorm room, it was that serious personal matters were not discussed once the movie started. It was snark, sarcasm and popcorn tossed at the screen. Tonight's film, 'The Creeping Terror'. A film none of the girls had ever seen before. The DVD had ended. Someone had turned off the DVD Player app on Jane's Macintosh. The three girls were stunned."


• Beavis and Butt-head Do Daria, by Smijey: "One of the students, a girl with her hair in pigtails, approached. 'Hi! You're cool. What's your name?' she asked. 'Quinn Morgendorffer.' 'Cool name,' said another girl standing next to the first. 'Uh, hey baby,' Butt-head said, having already gotten out of the car. Jake watched expectantly as Butt-head and one of Quinn's new friends conversed. He winced as the expected slap came, sighed, and put the car into drive."


• Behind the Iron Curtain, by Temppeli (part 3): "Darya entered the store. It was small, and had surprisingly good selection of art supplies. She wandered to the cash counter, and said. 'Gorbachev bought red roses.' 'And Reagan bought pralines,' smiled the female cashier, and continued, 'Follow me.'"


• Crazy Punk-Self-Insert Two and a half, by Wassersauefer: "The funny thing about fanfiction is, that you don't really know how much time the story takes. In-game... or is it called in-fiction in this case? I don't know, I'm confused. Either way is it a bit confusing, especially if you're living in a fanfic. Thanks again Charles, but seriously, Death Rowe tripling on a jock is in real life not as funny as when reading it. Don't even know why it was funny the first time. Perhaps because nobody even knew what tripling is. Now I do. I wish I didn't."


• Cynical Yours, by peapotmaster (part 1): "'Who said that?' Daria asked. 'I don't see anyone,' said Jane. 'Down here, assholes!' the voice belonged to a gray squirrel, who is eating a bagel with cream cheese. 'The name's Foamy the Squirrel, sluts. Welcome to my world, stupid humans.'"


• Daria/Dorian Ch. 14: Hair Dye On The Highway, by LadieT (part 4): "Monday arrived and as Jane was met by a flurry of compliments. Kevin even called her a 'babe', which made Brittany smack him in the middle of the hallway. Right before lunch, Sandi remarked at how good it looked and complementing her on spending a lot of money on professional grooming assistance. When Quinn told her that Stacy was the one who had done Jane's hair, all Sandi huffed and called it a sub-standard job. Dorian and Jane watched as Stacy's head and shoulders slumped."


• Esteemster Series, by TheExcellentS (part 2): "Scarlett: 'Ah yes... the posers... They are blinded by the allure of faux celebrity, seeking glory not for love of the sport, but for mere fame and fortune. Now I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, because that's something that Andrea is so much better at, but to step out of the shadows of darkness, and grab the glittering prize the end of the road, you need to want it for more than just getting a shortcut to the real Hollywood a-list. You need to want it on all levels of your being. Every bone in your body, every reach of your mind, every part of your soul needs to be focused on success. And then, when you finally reach a personal nirvana, you will realise... that you still have to go through us.'"


• A Friend's Work - A Sequel ('Flashpoints': A Worldburner Mini-Fics Thread), by GlitterShrooms (COMPLETE!): "Judith stood high above the city lights as yet another place fell to the Chaos that she allowed. Still, it wasn't long before NegaJane interrupted her view. 'Lynn's latest piece of "art" is ready. Care to see?' asked N.J. 'I suppose. Explosions can only entertain for so long.' pelied Judith."


• God Save The Esteem ep25: Exam Nation, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'Hey, Tommy Sherman says we did the best we could... well, best I can be assed to do, so let's just leave 'em and-' 'I will not have the sports teams decimated. I will NOT. Sports will prevail. I will MAKE IT PREVAIL. I come from a bloodline of sportsmen and my family WILL NOT BE ASHAMED OF ME AGA-' She cut herself off, realising she was in a corridor and not coming fourth-last in a sports day. 'You didn't hear that.'" (Part 4) (Part 5)


• It's All In the Delivery (Iron Chef: Turning 30), by InvisibleDan (COMPLETE!): "The emcee took the microphone from the comic and began his introduction. 'Ladies and gentlemen, our next performer is originally from the DC area, but don't hold that against him. He's been featured at the Wacky Shack, Boingtastic, the Texas Laugh Depository and Yucks Incorporated. Now please give a warm round of applause to... Luhrman!'"


• I Was Framed (AUs, Brain Farts and other stuff), by Wassersauefer: "When Daria stepped into the office she had the urge to sigh. It looked like any other office she had been in before, at least on the first glance. Gray walls, big writing desk ,and a throne-like chair behind it, some pictures on the desk and a single computer monitor on the right. What was different was the big array of monitors on the left wall, showing different scenes from all over the building."


• John Lane 49: Acceptances, by RLobinske (COMPLETE!): "Inside the house, Jodie found her parents in the den, both reading. Her stomach twisted and she felt like the blood was draining from her face. Neither parent looked up from their magazines while Jodie fought her internal battle. After taking a step back, she whispered, 'No,' and stepped forward to the center of the room. 'Mom, Dad, we need to talk about something.'"


• Lawndale and Sandi Griffin's Genie (Chapter 3), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 4): "'Ms Li wasn't in her office?' Stacy asked. 'No, her office was a mess, and she was nowhere to be found,' Jane said. 'Sand-di did wish thaaat the stuff in theeere would break,' Tiffany said. 'Oh, yeah,' Stacy said. Daria looked at Tiffany. 'Whaaat? I do take notice sometimes,' Tiffany said."


• Life In Eight Lines (Iron Chef: Where the Rubber Meets the Road...), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Meanwhile, across town, Quinn's best friend from high school, Stacy Rowe was on a date with Ted DeWitt Clinton. The two had just left the movies, when some one pointed a gun at them and demanded their money. Stacy rushed to pull the money out of her purse. Ted refused and proceeded to try to disarm the robber. In the insuing struggle, the gun went off and Stacy collapsed to the ground."


• LLH Alternate Future - 08 - Get Real, by psychotol (parts 1 and 2): "'I think she'd rather modify her training to get back to maximum effectiveness,' said Stacy, 'also, you need to get a life, when was the last time you painted a picture or forged a sculpture or something?' 'The Legion is my life,' said Jane. 'That's ... ... admirable,' said Stacy, 'look, sometimes you need to take time off and do something different, or you go insane, I mean, we're all Legionnaires, and we all have something, I race in motorbike rallies, Jodie runs that CSI continent in Second Life, Brittany seems to be getting the hang of that basic First Aid course.'" (Part 2)


• Lost and Found (Iron Chef: Turning 30), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "The struggles with withdrawal, the pain she felt as her body fought to get rid of the poison she had been feeding it with - just thinking about it made Jane shudder. Then there was the facing of the fact that she had thrown everything she had ever cared about away. Her art, Daria, Trent - she had tossed them in the garbage because she loved the heroin more. Hell, she was surprised she wasn't in some numbered coffin in a Potter's field somewhere. Jane watched as the tears rolling down her cheeks hit the floor between her feet."


• Mad Dog's Legacy Part 7: Teenage Experimentation, by Hyrin (parts 1 - 3): "At dinner, Helen broached the subject with her usual finesse. 'Daria, I heard you're working with Kevin Thompson on a science project. He's quarterback of the football team, isn't he?' Quinn wilted almost instantly under Daria's death glare. 'Brittany was sobbing in the bathroom!' 'Tell me all about your project, Daria,' Helen said softly, trying to defuse the moment. 'I have to force a mild mannered, simple-minded creature to bend to my will. Also something about a mouse.'" (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Melody Powers' Last Stand (Iron Chef: April Fools!), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Jane put down the thousand-page manuscript. After reading the first page, she had randomly flipped to one of the pages towards the middle. Disgusted by what she read there, she checked out several more pages throughout the story, and each was more revolting than the last. Setting down the most disturbing piece of erotica she had ever read, she looked at the other object that was in the shoebox hidden at the back of Daria's closet."


• Moments in Life (Iron Chef: Where the Rubber Meets the Road...), by Hyrin (COMPLETE!): "In Boston, Daria Morgendorffer walked down the street to a non-descript apartment building on the outskirts of town. Checking to see if she had been followed, she went up the stairs to apartment 3-J. She entered and closed the door behind her. Turning, she saw a man lounging on the couch. 'You're late,' he said, a smile in his deep voice."


• A New Set of Rules, by Dennis (part 20): "Taken aback, Jane blinked and blurted, 'What's gotten into you? Next you'll tell me you're going out with him.' Daria's insides froze. If she thought she had hidden her shock at hearing what she'd come to tell, Jane's next words disabused her. 'You are going out with him,' she breathed in an awed tone usually reserved informing supervillains of their madness."


• Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. (Iron Chef: Turning 30), by untra (COMPLETE!): "Kevin gave the customer a goofy smile and he punched in the final buttons on the cash register. 'That will be $33.87, maam. Thank you for shopping at Quickmart, have a nice day!' Good, good. You're definitely on your way to a promotion Kevin. Just keep working hard and think good thoughts. Once you get that promotion, you can get your own apartment. You're living the dream, kid!"


• Promises, by LadieT (part 13): "When dinner was over, Helen, Jake, and Trent volunteered for clean up duty while the former Lawndale High students gathered in the living room and told their favorite Jeff stories. Several of them included Quinn, of course, which kept Cleo quite fascinated. Her mom and dad had told her a couple of stories, like what happened with a squirrel, and something about a play at school - but these were new stories. Each story was followed by laughter, and occasionnally a tear or two would fall."


• Questions Asked Questions Answered & Pizza w/ Jane Ch 3, by Lord Yellowtail (COMPLETE!): "Bubbles just smiled. 'I can't tell you how you'll feel. There's a passage I love in one of Robbie's books, though, that explains exactly how you'll change. 'The two of you start talking about your feelings and your feelings float outside of you like vapors, and they mix together like a fog. Before you realize it, the two of you have become the same mist and you realize you can never return to being just a lone cloud again, because the isolation would be intolerable.''"


• Quinn's Code - 02: Invite of the Geek, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 4): "'I'll move my car out of the driveway,' Jennifer said. 'No need, I can drive on the lawn,' Trent said. 'No, Trent, remember the last time you tried that? You almost hit the scupture, and the mailbox, and almost crashed into the house!' Jane said."


• Recruitment - A 'Worldburner' Mini-Series, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "Typing out a number of commands, Richard smiled as a single purple light blinked rapidly for three seconds. 'We have alignment.' Thirty seconds later, a portal of glowing white energies, rippling like the watery portal generated by 'sliding portals', appeared on the other side of the office. 'Nice effects, Archangel,' Richard yawned. 'Would you mind telling me why you felt the need to sneak in through the back door – and why you felt the need for me to put a 'temporal lock' in place around the office?”'" (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4a) (Part 4b) (Part 5a) (Part 5b) (Part 5c) (Part 6) (Part 7a) (Part 7b) (Part 7c)


• Remembrance, by HolyGrail2007 (parts 1 - 3): "She was going alone. Neither Jonathan nor Kim herself would ever justify the need for a partner on this case. One was sufficient enough, any more on a case this small would could cause...offense on the part of the local police. They may be untried on such a case, but they were not incompetent, and no overtures on the part of the FBI should insinuate otherwise." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Rock and Rule (IRON CHEF - Worldburner: Judith vs. Jim Vitale!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Judith whipped out the guitar as if from nowhere and the sonic blast threw Jim across the street. She chuckled, turned, and then fell as a sonic boom hit her - somehow, from somewhere, he'd gained his own. She snarled. 'Oh, looks like someone wants to get funky. Sorry to say, Jimbo, but I like to stack the deck.'"


• Rude Awakening: Episode 1, by DIsaac (COMPLETE!): "DARIA: I appreciate it. If you want to talk to me, just call. SANDI: (Back in her office): Talk to you later, (Joking this time and smiling) Quinn's cousin. JANE: Sound like she hasn't change at all. DARIA: She changed and we will as well. "


• Rude Awakening Episode 2: "I'm the Boss", by DIsaac (parts 1 - 3): "JODIE: After nailing down that Channel 5 Deal with WHUB that we been trying to nail down for a decade, Turning around a station that was a sinking stone by redoing the play list, growing the rating with said play list and putting the station in the top 5 in the market for the first time in the long time. That doesn't sound like a Musical Director to me. DARIA: (Interested): What does that sound like to you? JODIE: (matter of fact) My new Programming Director! Daria Morgendorffer, would like to accept this offer of a new position with WHUB?" (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Save the Last Trance for Me, by jtranser: "Sad to say, there always seems to be a large number of devious opportunists on alert for just such circumstances. So, naturally, this girl's misfortune was noticed and they moved in and took over. In short, they did a dreamjacking and she's become a dream puppet. Our job now is to carefully disconnect the strings...' She was interrupted by Tiffany moaning in her sleep while making slow fluidic swimming motions: 'Do these manatees make me look faaaaattt?'"


• Screams of Silence, by Jim North: "I've never been that furious before. Never that . . . vicious. I didn't just want to kill those harpies to let off some steam. I wanted to hurt them. I was ready to start torturing the second one I downed, and I don't condone torture, not under any circumstances. Not even these beasts deserve that. So what the hell was I thinking? What have I been thinking this entire time, even? Is it really this town pushing into my head, like David said? Making me paranoid and enraged? Making me think that inflicting pain on other creatures is a good idea?" (New part)


• Sick Sad Photography (Long Story Challenge #2), by untra (part 2): "Suddenly a thought came to her. She blinked a few times and then gasped with surprise. 'What?!' Jane growled with frustration, but was answered with Quinn diving for the book bag. Quinn reached in through the sides and grabbed the inkjet pages, unraveling them and looking with great interest at the girl posing in the photos. 'Say "please" next time,' Jane sighed, looking down with annoyance at Quinn. 'What is it Scooby? You found a clue?'"


• This One's For The Girls (Iron Chef: Turning 30), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "'Miss Rowe - this is your third victory so far and the season is still young. Do you think you have what it takes to be in the Chase at the end of the season?' One reporter asked. 'I think so - I'm a part of a good team and my crew chief is one of the best in the business - so not only do I expect to be in the chase - I plan on being number one when it's all said and done,' Stacy answered."


• Trent-Foolery sequel (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Damn The Torpedoes!), by GingerLove84 (COMPLETE!): "(Trent and Daria look towards the stairs in surprise. A bunch of thuds are heard and then Jane comes running down the stairs looking like she had a rough night. Her t-shirt is on inside out and her shorts are on backwards. One her feet are a tennis shoe and a sandal. She runs to Daria and grabs her by the arms.) JANE: How much did I drink last night?"


• Try, Try Again (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Damn The Torpedoes!), by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): "An hour later, after a trip to the drug store and another little stay in the bathroom, Daria punched numbers on the cordless phone and listened as it rang. 'Yo.' 'It happened again.'"


• Unnamed story (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "'Noah, man,' Trent breathed, terrified as he walked amongst the marked chambers. 'What the hell have you done?' 'Exactly what I set out to do,' Noah Barkman replied. Trent pulled his lips back in a grimace, baring his teeth. 'Who are they?' he asked. 'I don't really see how that is of any consequ-' 'Who. Are they?'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: April Fools!), by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "'Dammit, Daria! I should know not to make bets with you by now!' 'Come on, Lane, fork over the ten-spot.' 'Yeah, yeah, here's your filthy lucre!'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Turning 30), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "She actually tried to keep it going. There were arguments; he wanted kids and she didn't. She figured he cheated - who didn't cheat these days? But when she found out that one of the women he was with had a child, all she could see is a future claim for child support on the horizon - she could never imagine De'Shaun being careful - and she called up Ashley-Amber, her ex-stepmother and life confidant."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Turning 30), by Vukodlak (COMPLETE!): "Quinn looked over her birthday cake with pride, the words Happy 30th written in green frosting. She had a good life, a job in fashion marketing a husband and four kids. Now shrouded by her family and friends she said. 'I couldn't imagine a better 30th birthday'"


• Unnamed story (IRON CHEF - Worldburner: Judith vs. Jim Vitale!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Vitale had just entered his office when the punch knocked him to the floor. By the time he'd registered that, a steel bar was raining down on his jaw, his elbows, his spine, his knees - bones splintered and blood stained the carpet and he screamed from the pain and the humiliation until it finally, blessedly stopped."


• The Unsocial Network (Iron Chef: Turning 30), by InvisibleDan (COMPLETE!): "Charles got close to the door and, as he was about to pull the handle, he saw his reflection in the glass. It startled him. He saw the same red hair, but there was a lot less of it now. His face was still youthful, but there were a few lines where he used to smile. The eyes of the person he saw in front of him were different than they used to be. They were tired, older than his age which was now thirty. This was the night of his thirtieth birthday and his dinner was done microwaving in front of him."


• The Void (IRON CHEF - Worldburner: Judith vs. Jim Vitale!), by Vukodlak (COMPLETE!): "'Where are we?' questioned Judith. 'The void' answered an irritated Jim. 'How the hell did we end up here and why can't I gate away' in the real world that out burst of anger could have shaken building or shattered glass but here it was nothing. 'It happened because we were both in the same place at the same time, should an irresistible force ever meet immovable object the universe rather than be destroyed expels the deviants into the void the space between universes. Next time you go to kill one of your alternate selves make sure she isn't seeing her mother at my office.'"


• Whatever It Is, by GingerLove84 (part 1): "DARIA: Don't ask. (Bt) Why don't you go find your boots while I kill your brother. JANE (grinning): Alright, but I'm determined to have you as a sister-in-law. I think Wind is single again... TRENT: Not even a serial killer deserves that Janey."


• What the Fuck? (AUs, Brain Farts and other stuff), by Wassersauefer: "'I heard your girlfriend made some dollars on the side in a run-down strip club.' Some of the football players in blue, the ones from Polk High, chuckled. But instead of getting angry, Kevin Thompson just seemed confused. 'Um, no. That club is in rather good shape.' 'How do YOU know?' 'My father owns it.'"


• Worldburner: The Red Sky Experiments, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Here's the thing: when you hop around as much as I have, you notice the same things keep happening over and over in the multiverse. Everyone can be a talking dinosaur or a universe under SkyNet control or a world where Ringo was a really good drummer, and you will still have the same few points where that reality and others attached to it can be altered. A number of them related to the green jacketed snot-nosed bitch. I could have chosen any, but come on, that kiss. I had to vape that one."

Culture Clubbed

Happy Flag Day to everyone out there in the USA and everywhere else. This is also Boy George's birthday, and wouldn't you know, there's an alter ego of Kevin as Boy George. If I ever hear "Karma Chameleon" again, it will be too soon. Someone on the MTV staff must have liked the song or whatever.

Ah, just found a much better image of Kevin as Boy George, courtesy of Pinhead. Thanks, man!

I started this entry a bit late in the day, but better late than never. I'm going to save this as I create it, so keep checking back in this evening and watch the blog entry grow. Sorry for the delay, too much Real Life.

Need to list the new fanfics and news. That will take a while. Stay tooned.

NO0oZ!

• PPMB is getting software upgrades soon. Look for the changes at an unpredictable date not far away.
• The DariaWiki cleanup is ongoing (hate that word). Keep up with the updates.
• Current series discussion: Why didn't Jodie Landon end up at Grove Hills, in "Gifted"? (Topic related to this thread on "Gifted.")
• Everyone still arguing over why nerds are unpopular.
• The Daria Geek Movie Consensus is consentuating along quite well. Much food for thought and argument.
• People still talking about which writers focus on certain Daria characters, and why.
• Some issues with writers' block and burnout being addressed.
  
• The etiquette of commenting on (and correcting or critiquing) someone's fanfiction is a good thread.

Will have to stop here for a while. Will return later.

She Is the Egg Man, Not the Walrus

Today is Easter, hope your day is filled with many chocolate ellipsoids and good tidings. And Helen Morgendorffer says this about that.

Did you know that today is also World Rat Day? No? Shame on you. It's for the pet fanciers. This day is also the anniversary of the day Congress finally settled on a design for the U.S. flag, which only took them only a few decades, of course.

Some sources claim this is School Librarian Day, which would of course fall on a Sunday and not a school day. There is disagreement over the date, though, some quoting April 23rd. Whatever. Our best to you, Kristen Bealer the fan librarian, hope you don't mind being our mascot. We have a furry suit for you somewhere around here.

Do you like nerdy girls like Daria? Check out this blog post covering "retro nerd girls" from the movies and TV. Wow, didn't know there were so many!

PPMB

• NEW! Finn Morgendorffer 41: It's Called Boston, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 2): “So anyway, I hatched this plan to get Jane to go up to BFAC and see the sights and meet some people and look at some art and...” “You are aware this plan can backfire on you in so many ways it would take too long to mention them?”
  
• RATBOY!! by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "Kevvie, take that off. Your fur smells funny." "Aw, babe!" [Just in time for World Rat Day!]
• Ring-a-Ling, by Doggieboy (Part 1): “I’ll get it!” Quinn Morgendorffer yelled as the phone rang. Her older sister, Daria, lay on the couch and watched Robot Monster on the television. “Of course you will,” she muttered and chewed on some popcorn. She chuckled as bubbles came out of Ro-Man’s radio-thingy. “Ah, why can’t they make movies like this again?”

"Does red, white, and blue make me look fat?"

In addition to being New Year's Day, this is also the 258th birthday anniversary of colonial-era seamstress Betsy Ross, often credited (at least in legend) with sewing the first official United States flag (seen at right).

A short but intriguing essay on the origins of January 1st as New Year's Day appears here on Wikipedia. Hard to believe there were so many other days in the past when the new year started.

Richard "The Great" Lobinske has completed the annual compilation of Daria Visual Fanworks, all the great art at which we marvel through the year. An epic achievement, three years in a row! Thank you, Richard, and a big THANK YOU to the artists!

The 2009 Daria Fanfiction listing has also been completed. A banner year for great storytelling, let me tell you. The Booties will be hard-fought this year.

"Do these horizontal stripes make the flag look fat?"

Tiffany Blum-Deckler, as Betsy Ross, dresses up for Flag Day in the United States. She must have been paid a lot of money to wear that tacky gray outfit.

Today is also auspicious in a global sense. On this day, 187 years ago, a paper was published by the Royal Astronomical Society in which inventor Charles Babbage proposed the creation of a "difference engine," which was basically the first modern math calculator. It was hand cranked. He later proposed a more advanced version he called an analytical engine, more like a true computer. How might history have changed if the computer had caught on over a century earlier than it did? There is a Daria fanfic that attempts to find out: Legendeld's "Other Side," the only existing steampunk fanfic in this fandom. Would a steampunk world be better than ours? Jane Lane doesn't think so.

FF.net

• John Lane 40: Starry Eyes Open (COMPLETE!): Ms. Li's voice announced over Lawndale High's P.A. system, "Welcome back students and remember, the school nurse is in and ready to take your voluntary urine sample. Show your Lawndale High spirit with the gift of urine!" Walking down the hallway with Daria, John looked up at one of the speakers. "She didn't really say that, did she?"
• Just Friends, by Pinkminx (Part 11): "Daria? Is that you?" Jane's voiced echoed through the expansive flat, followed by the sound of rushed steps as she descended from the upper level meeting Daria in the hall. "Great, you're finally home. So, how'd it go?"
• Unfavorite Daughter, by Richard Lobinske (COMPLETE!): "Oh, don't bother," one of two boys said as an auburn-haired girl walked by them. "It's that brainy chick." The 16-year-old girl didn't give them a glance as she snapped, "Darn, and I wouldn't have been able to resist your manly good looks."

PPMB

• Apocalyptic Daria: Scarlett's Tale, by Doggieboy (Part 10): After their meal, it was fully dark outside. Roger and Scarlett deposited the bowls in the kitchen sink. At that time, he looked out the window at the car and asked, “Is that your car? Or does it belong to your parents?” She shook her head and blinked as she looked down. “It belonged to John,” she said. “I took it from him when I k--, I mean, escaped from him.” (SFMB)
• Caught, by Legendeld (Part 1): The kitchen table jumped when Quinn Morgendorffer stuck both palms onto its surface. “Daria, tell Jane she’s being unreasonable.” Daria rolled her eyes as she lifted her novel higher to block the fighting duo from view. “All I said is that I think it would be cool if you acknowledged me at school.” Jane pulled out a chair from the table and plopped down in it. “You’re the one that wants to keep our dating a secret. You don’t get it both ways.”
  
• Expecting Trouble, by Legendeld (COMPLETE!): Quinn sat between her sister and Sandi Griffin as the television show came back on. “She looks so strong,” she whispered to Sandi. “I wish she had gone with her hair up though. The pigtails are making her look childish.” Sandi whispered back.
• Gimme Skelter, by TAG and Brother Grimace (Part 7): Between those interruptions, as his left arm throbbed and a warm dry breeze blew over him from the driver’s view port, Mackenzie found himself falling into a different world. A few pages of typed commentary were appended to the main body of paper-clipped text, which was a carbon-copy transcription of what Daria, whoever she was, had been transmitting from California. (HTML)
  
• Lawndale's Finest: Action Stories Issue Three: Two Knights Defense, by NightGoblyn (Part 1): The hallways of Lawndale High were filled with students milling around, talking with friends, and unloading books into lockers. The traffic was mostly headed in a single direction, and carried Jane and Quinn along with it. “What are we being dragged into the auditorium to listen to this time?” Jane grumbled. “Heck if I know,” Quinn answered with a shrug. “I still have flashbacks to the riot that broke out after our self-esteem speeches.”
• Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part II), by jtranser (continued): [Looks like Luhrman is going to be a bit tied up in his work.]
• Things Fall Apart, by Doggieboy (Part 16): On his first flight over Svalbard Island, Martin Peters took Tatyana Petrova with him. He concentrated on scanning the area for any undead, while she was ecstatic from the thrill of the experience. “I can’t believe this!” she said and looked at him. Her expression showed her happiness. “Doesn’t this thrill you?”
• Two Halves, by Dark Kuno (Chapter 4, Part 1): Jane opened the front door of her home and greeted her two best and only friends with a semi-lucid “Yo.” “Morning to you too, sunshine,” responded Daria dully, drawing a smirk from her brother.

Flagged

One hundred ninety years ago today, Congress finally decided what the American flag should look like (red and white stripes, stars added with new states, etc.). This is sort of typical when you think of it, that it took only FORTY-TWO YEARS for Congress to figure out the flag thing after 1776. Tiffany recreates the Betsy Ross legend in the alter ego at left, and that seems appropriate, doesn't it? ("You... made... me... lose... my... place. Now... I... have... to... start... over.")

Today is also National Walk-to-Work Day, but it's a little late in the day to celebrate that.

I am thinking about restarting the interview-a-fanfic-author thing on my own, though filling the shoes of E. A. Smith will be a tall order. I don't think I'm very interesting, but other people are, and we'll see how this goes. More later after I think this over. I would like to include artists, essayists, website operators, and so forth as well as authors, taking questions sent in by fans on PPMB and SFMB. Comments and criticism of this idea are all too welcome; I could use all the advice I can get. More soon, with updates on fanfics and fan art this weekend, and more on Mystik Spiral for UU.