Tickled Pink or Feeling Sick?

Quinn is ready to greet another National Pink Day, while Daria is asking someone else to hold the camera for a minute. She needs to excuse herself for mental health reasons. Or to grab some holiday-themed Pepto Bismol.

Fanfic Update!

• Daria: College Pains Redux, by James the Lesser (part 13): "Daria had avoided Luke for a week and a half but knew she should call him soon. After turning down a couple more dates from other guys, and girls, she works up the courage to pick up the phone and calls Luke. 'Um, hey Luke.'"


• Daria's pregnancy, by sparklingdaria (part 10): "Helen stared down at the pregnancy test she said 'Now what am I going to do? Quinn still lives here with her baby, I babysit for Daria's kids Maggie and Serafina often and Quinn has post natal depression! How am I going to cope with another child?!'"


• Dee Dee & Crazy-dy, by ognawk (part 2): "'My my, good day, luscious lady.' Cassidy finally closed the locker and saw a boy with curly red hair, freckles and a leering grin. 'Who are you?' Cassidy asked with a frown."


• Fielding Forever, by Princess-Pasta (part 2): "'Jamie!' Both of them stopped and turned in time to see a group of three girls approaching. The one who called was a wavy-haired brunette who had the haughty demeanor of someone who thought highly of themselves."


• Mine, by Vukodlak (COMPLETE!): "Daria was exhausted; both physically and mentally fourteen hours of labor would do that to anyone."


• Ow! My Ears - The Mystik Spiral Story, by Charles RB (part 6): "Trent will not say how he feels but he did bust into an a capella version of Betrayal. His friends and wife have confirmed that he was hurt: 'Mark left him miserable and tuned into some dark anti-vibes, and not in the good way that he normally did,' says Tulip."


• Shake, Shake, Quiver and Quake, by Kristen Bealer (COMPLETE!): "...Don't look down. Whatever you do, don't look down! Jake could see that he'd almost reached the top of the climbing rope. A couple more feet and he'd be within reach of the little flag hanging there, waiting for him to grab it. Just. Don't. Look. Down. He looked down." (Part 5)


• Transplanted Hippie (Iron Chef: Everyone Goes to Fielding), by Shiva (part 4): "'I still can't believe that you guys talked me into this.' Ethan muttered to Elsie as they followed in Tom's wake as he bounded for the car they were borrowing for the night."


• Unnamed story ([Iron Chef – Round Robin – Free For All] Time Loops), by Wraith (parts 22 and 23): "One advantage of having a brother like Trent was that he didn't question little things like his sister and another girl setting up to fight in the backyard." (Part 23)

Miss Natural

World-famous underground comics creator R. Crumb turns 67 today. At left is Quinn Morgendorffer, drawn by an MTV artist in the style of R. Crumb (and excellently done, too). Mr. Crumb, creator of Mister Natural and a host of other characters from the hippie years onward, is still alive and drawing, praise be! (Thanks to the almighty Pinhead for the image.)

This is also the birthday anniversary of the woman who started the entire genre of science fiction when she was only 19 years old. All hail Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, creator of Frankenstein!

Moar on the wai.

N0ooZ!

• Jim North has discovered some Fashion Club Pinup Dolls for us to play with. So far, the Fashion Club, Daria, and Jane are present, plus some fans...
• CR85747 has created a difficult Iron Chef: Daria, based on the life of Daria. The link explains all. Good luck!
• Caira the Great has discovered a long-lost treasure in a computer hard drive: "Free Radio Lawndale" (Broadcasts 1-6), by Ken Tremberth and Erin Mills. The series was lost in the tragic GeoCities Shutdown of 2009, but now appears on PPMB.

FF.net

• NEWER! A Sick Sad Interview, by abe1803 (COMPLETE!): [Previously appeared on PPMB]

PPMB (in progress!)

• Daria/Dorian 7: Motorcycles and Jocks Don't Mix, by LadieT (Part 5): "Don't be looking so down son, you played a great game." Jake chimed in from the driver's seat. "Yeah, but it was for naught. We lost." Dorian's frustration showed in his voice. Jane put her arm around him and squeezed. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Once inside his house, Dorian decided to skip the movie. Between Brittany and the game, he was afraid his mood would ruin Jane and Quinn's evening. Going up to his room, Dorian got dressed for bed. A couple of hours later, he heard a knock on his door. After getting up to open it, Dorian laid back down and continued to stare at the ceiling.
• Daria: Hunter 5—Infectious, by Jim North (continued): The buzzing in Axl's head had risen to the level of a beehive. Scratch that, of a hundred beehives, all crammed down into his skull, then battered around with a stick until the bees inside were well beyond even a reasonable amount of "pissed off". System after system was slipping from his grasp, and no matter how many times he split himself, there just weren't enough Axls to go around. A comm line called for his attention and he moved to quash it, but before he could finish the mental commands necessary to shut it off, it opened seemingly of its own accord and let through the sound of his own voice speaking in smug, condescending tones.
  

• Finn Morgendorffer 56: A Journey to Eternity, by HolyGrail2007 (COMPLETE!): Finn and Tom decided to meet up for pizza the next day. Apparently, some old friends of the Sloanes were coming to visit. They were eager to see Tom, which meant he needed to be anywhere but there. “Yo, dude,” Finn greeted his friend warmly. “How’s everything going? With the breakup and all?” Tom asked once they had their pizza. Tom was the only person Finn had told about the breakup, until he accidentally blabbed it to Daria. (ending here)
  
• For Life, by LSauchelli and Quiverwing (Part 5): Almost five minutes passed by without either girl saying a single word. Jane interrupted the silence calling out, “Daria?” “Hmmm?” Daria managed to say, not really feeling like talking at the moment. “Why did you fight those women?” she asked, and proceeded to ramble on. “It’s not like you actually needed to prove a point you—” Daria rolled her eyes and stood up making as much noise as she could. “When I see something I don’t like, I always try to pummel it to the ground, be it with my wit or with my fists.” “But...” Jane started to say, not entirely sure of what she was about to say, “why didn’t you just call the guards?”

• NEWER! God Save the Esteem 4: Melody Power to the People, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): She sat in darkness lit only by monitors, a spider in a vast electronic web. The suspects were entering the area again. They had to be watched. Only she stood against the terrorists, the drug dealers, the gangstas, the smokers, and the people who put gum under the seats, stood between them and Laaaawndale High. Li tapped a button and Camera 12’s image covered the screen; a push of the controller and it zoomed in on one Daria Morgendorffer. (Part 2) (NEWER! Ending here)
  
• Hack the Planet.exe, by Brian Taylor and Charles RB (prologue and Part 1): On the day the judge pronounced sentence in The People vs. Daria Morgendorffer, every tech and crime reporter worth even half his salt had congregated on the Montgomery County Circuit Court from every corner of American soil. Cameras from every local affiliate lined the sidewalk, and vans from every international news network lined the street. Not every punk sixteen-year-old with an old Dell and nothing but time to burn could punch a hole in the Department of Defense's mainframe, redirect all visitors to the Republican National Committee's website to the North American Man/Boy Love Association, and single-handedly cause enough of a crash in commodities trading that the New York Stock Exchange dropped fifty points in twenty minutes. (Part 1) (Daria/Hackers)
  


• Jane Lane: Ace Attorney—Turnabout Teacher's Pet, by LSauchelli (Part 15): “Good afternoon, Ms. Li,” said Jane, smiling, “It’s nice to see you again,” she offered her hand. Li did not take it. “What do you want, Lane?” Charles snorted. Jane tried not to glare as she answered, “To have a few words with you, of course.” Li did not ask them to sit down. Jane frowned and decided not to ask permission. “So, Ms. Li,” she said, sitting back comfortably in one of the chairs. Charles imitated her, “you said you left the school at 6:30 PM that day, right?” “Yes,” said Li, glaring, “and I have no motive to kill Mr. Cartwright, nor there’s any evidence pointing at me as the killer. I believe you’re wasting your time here,” she added, frowning.
• NEW! Jane Morgendorffer, by LadieT (Part 6): "The reason why I pulled out the tape recorder is so that no one can question the validity of the adoption. So I must ask, is everyone in this room okay with me taping this meeting?" Everyone nodded in agreement. Pressing the record button, Sarah began explaining what would happen. "I want everyone to state their names clearly into the recorder. I am Sarah Kraft and I am an attorney who specializes in private adoptions. In the room with me are... " "Vincent Lane." "Amanda Lane." "Helen Morgendorffer." "Jake Morgendorffer."
  
• Moving Pictures VI, by Brian Taylor (COMPLETE!): The interior of a high school gymnasium being decorated for a Valentine's Dance. The bleachers are pushed into themselves. A P.A. system is being set up by the mats on one wall. The focus zooms in and out. From the quality of the tape, this is a second- or third-generation copy. "Testing," says Amy's voice, near to the microphone. "'Tenser,' said the Tensor. 'Tenser,' said the Tensor."
  

• Oops! by Malakite (COMPLETE!): Nibbler, as the ancient being was sometimes known, felt like sinking into the ground beneath him. He'd baited the wrong human into cryostasis.... (Daria/Futurama)
• Popularity, by GlitterShrooms (COMPLETE!): “I’m going to do it Lilith! Today’s the day!” “What are you going to do Arnold? Swallow the lunch lady’s meat without throwing up?” she said with her Cheshire Cat smile. “No. No. No,” responded her best friend. “Today’s the day that I become the most popular kid in Hollywood High!” “And how do you, the most unpopular kid the universe has ever known, propose to do that?”

• Raft College: The First Year, by rglovejoy (Part 23): They walked down the hallway together. Daria felt a little uneasy, but not because Sam was holding her hand. His presence actually was helping, as she believed that she needed a strong protector right now. No, the problem was her lack of underwear. It became even more noticeable when they went down the stairs. Cool air brushed against her, making her blush. "Is everything alright, DeeDee?" "Yeah." At the bottom of the staircase, Daria quickly smoothed out her skirt. "This is kind of embarrassing, but can you keep a secret?"
• Sleepwalker, by Jim North (continued): Charles' corpse sat in a small pool of blood that almost appeared reflective under the sodium glare of the lamps overhead. Anthony and Claire looked down on the crushed body sadly, then slipped on the latex gloves they had pilfered from the inn's cleaning cart. After Anthony retrieved the abandoned tire iron and slipped it through one of the belt loops on his pants, the two of them got to work straightening Charles out. It was easier to do than they had expected. Rigor mortis hadn't had time to settle in yet, and the smashed bones gave the body even more flexibility than usual. Almost too much, as it turned out.
  
• Two Body Problem, by RLobinske (Part 1): Amy sat down on a leather chair and looked at the diploma she had just hung on the wall. A calendar on the desk reminded her that it was August, 1991 and that she had three weeks until Tennyson University was again filled with students. For now, the halls were mostly quiet, with only a few staff members, other faculty and the occasional graduate student wandering the halls. More than enough time enough to settle into her new tenure-track position. She smiled and said, "Finally." Her auburn hair was pulled into a ponytail and her t-shirt was half-soaked with sweat from moving into her office at Tennyson University.

• Unnamed story (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "Hammer Man—Hammer! Hammer Man—Hammer! Whenever there's a crime, 'Round the Lawndale property line, Bad guys better beware, 'Cause the Hammer Man will be there! (Daria/Hammer Man)
  
• Unnamed story (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Daria..." Tom thought through his lie, realized it was stupid, and just went for broke... (fairly obvious crossover)
  
• Unnamed story (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): My name is Tom Sloane, an astronaut. A radiation wave hit, and I got shot through a wormhole. Now I'm lost in some distant part of the universe on a ship—a living ship—full of strange alien life forms. Help me! (Daria/Farscape)

• Unnamed story (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Wormbait (COMPLETE!): Daria stared at the filthy man with the shaggy blond hair and beard, dressed in tattered clothing and tried to remember the last time she had seen him, certainly long before she had met Jake, her mum's current boyfriend. (Daria/Yellowbeard)
  
• Unnamed story (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by Wraith (COMPLETE!): "Okay, Jane, I knew this school was... odd when I first got here. But explain something to me...." (Daria/Cromartie High School)
• Unnamed story (Future Daria: Iron Chef or merely an annoyance?), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "This is Daria Morgendorffer, and if you are viewing this message it means either I've failed or my co-workers at Planet Express have done something incredibly stupid that ruined my careful plans. It will almost certainly be the latter...." (Daria/Futurama)
  
• Unnamed story (Jack), by Wormbait (COMPLETE!): Timothy O'Neill woke slowly to the dull ache in his arm from the tattoo Anthony had talked him into getting the other day....
• NEWER! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Terror of Metalmouth), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): Metalmouth knew he'd bitten off more than he could chew when the horde of co-eds tied him to a spit and began building a huge fire in a nearby roasting pit.
• NEWER! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Terror of Metalmouth), by Jim North (Part 1): Metalmouth chuckled softly to himself as he watched the two frightened teenagers flee from the woods. He hadn't been able to catch them, unfortunately, but he often enjoyed scaring the hell out of them just as much as he enjoyed tearing the flesh from their bones with his vicious teeth. (NEWEST! Part 2)
• MOST NEWEST OF ALL! Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Terror of Metalmouth), by NightGoblyn (COMPLETE!): Ms. Li looked up in shock as the man barged into her office. He was tall, with dark hair, and seemed to be covered in dirt and dried blood. His clothes were filthy and worn; in one hand he carried a shotgun, and in the other... the other hand was in some sort of oversized, metal glove. "What's the situation?" he asked. (Daria/Evil Dead)
  

• Unnamed story (Why Jane is Daria's best friend), by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "No, Daria. We're NOT going to that stupid Glenn Beck rally. We are putatively adults, we have good jobs, we have boyfriends, we don't have police records. We are going to keep it that way."
• Unnamed story (Why Jane is Daria's best friend), by Getrealordie187 (COMPLETE!): "What am I doing? God, I can't do this. Why did I think I could do this?" "Daria, you're freaking out. Take a deep breath and get a hold of yourself. You can do this. You're going out there and you're giving your speech and you're going to be the leader of the free world for the next four to eight years. You said you wanted it; now you have it. I'll be by your side every step of the way. Just like always."
• MOST NEWEST OF ALL! The Vision of the Burning Cities, by jtranser (continued): The Bogeyman smiled at his captive and, with relish, explained in detail what would be her final moments: "Your re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere will be spectacular!" "You mean I'll burn up?" "No. You'll be protected from that. What I have in mind is more spectacular and will confuse and frighten all who see it for decades. Indeed, it will be Fortean in its proportions!!" "You mean?..."' "Yes! You will appear in the skies above East Wilmerding, Ohio in A RAIN OF DARIAS!!!"
  
• Where Gods Hold Sway, by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): “Daria. Jane. Welcome back.” The auburn haired woman nodded and rolled her shoulders within the confines of her ash-grey suit. The stenciled pale grey outline of spread wings covered her back and curled around to her collar bone, an empty sword belt slung across her hips. Beside her, a tall brunette stood in like attire, the wings on her back stenciled in a blue so light it was almost white. The belts on her hips hung like gun holsters, though they seemed to be built for a different weapon.

• A Work in Progress, Subject to Revision: 9 to 5, by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "Come on, Quinn! Answer your damned phone already!" The call went to voice mail. The call to the home phone went to the answering machine. "I'm going to kill her, I swear!" Another number was dialed. "Yo! Daria, what's up?" "Jane, you need to get to my place NOW. If Quinn is there, kill her for me, and then tell her you need a makeover, suitable for a job interview. I'll be home in 15 minutes. Go, NOW! I think I found a job for you." "On my way! Thanks!"

Still have not quantified all stories in this thread, but it will be done soon!

Now, That's a Lot of Spam!

Here we see Quinn giving her laptop a puzzled look. That is because today is the third anniversary of the biggest sending of infected e-mail in history, thanks to the Storm botnet, a network of remotely controlled zombie computers created by the Storm Worm. About 57 million e-mails went flying that day. The huge size of the Storm botnet was surpassed (probably) by the following year's Kraken botnet. How wonderful can the Internet be?

We also wish writer Ray Bradbury a happy 90th birthday. He wrote the first SF book to be carried aboard a manned space station (The Martian Chronicles, aboard Skylab).

PPMB

• Daria/Dorian 7: Motorcycles and Jocks Don't Mix, by LadieT (Part 2): Coach Smith approached Dorian. "Ms. Li had a point. We need one more player and I wouldn't have to worry about you academically. I will try my best not to put you in any of the games unless it's absolutely necessary. Today during gym we'll try to figure out what position would suit you best." "Okay... Can I quit once Kevin is back on the team?" "Yes, unless you decide to stay on." Coach Smith walked away. Jane gave Dorian a sympathetic look. Then an evil grin came over her face. "I guess that means I'm dating a jock. So can I drive you crazy like you did me when I was on the track team?"
• Finn Morgendorffer 56: A Journey to Eternity, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 5): “Hey, Daria.” Henry had called Daria on a Tuesday, and Daria wasn’t sure whether or not she was grateful to hear from him. If he came to down, he could be seen. Seen by Mom or someone else. And she’d insist on meeting him. Mountains of bad ideas coursed through her head as to what could happen. Henry was polite around Miranda and Mark, but they didn’t ask probing questions, they just wanted to see he exists, for the most part. Mom would be different. Mom wanted to know everything. Hell, she went so in-depth she might try for blood samples.
• friends (more than) series: tutor, by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "There she is!" the older woman fairly squealed. "My little girl, all ready to get those last few grades up so she can graduate next year!" Ted suppressed a frown. He had seen Tiffany's grades from her previous attempt to graduate, and "last few" was a serious understatement. Out loud he said, "Thank you, Mrs. Blum-Deckler. Do you mind if we use the kitchen for our lessons?" She released Tiffany and pointed down the hallway. "Oh, of course not! It's that way, second door on your left." (NEW! FF.net)
  
• God Save the Esteem 2: Fight for Your Invite to Party, by Charles RB (Part 3): From across the way, there was a loud commotion. Daria sighed as the source of the disturbance become clear: the Maleficent Eleven had turned up, scowling and aggressively wearing dark colors and some chugging beer. “Wonder how they got past Brittany at the door?” asked Jane. “It’s Brittany. They showed her something shiny.” “You know ‘Killer’ Quinn and her posse?” asked Tom. “I’m related to her. I remember when she was Kick-Butt Quinn at age 6. She had the most adorable tiny Mohawk.” Pat Seven was staring at the loud gang with bemusement. “They’re a rather whimsical lot, aren’t they?”
• In Any Other World, by Charles RB (Parts 2 to 4): “So... like, what do you like to do after school?” “Oh, nothing special. Go to the movies... or, like, a theme park... or out for a really fancy meal now and then... or maybe go to a concert, if, like, I know somebody's got good seats and is renting a limo and stuff.” She had the patter down and she knew she had the looks: every boy would be after her. Every girl would want to be her. Things would be great. Except... “So, you've got any brothers or sisters?” (Part 3) (Part 4)
• Jane Morgendorffer, by LadieT (Part 1): Helen called up from the kitchen. "Jane, Quinn... time to get up. It's the first day of school. You don't want to be late." Helen and Jake laughed as they heard a flurry of activity from the rooms above. Quinn came bounding downstairs first, eager to show off her new pink sneakers and t-shirt. Jane arrived a few minutes later wearing a red shirt and black shorts. In one hand was her backpack, the other her favorite book, Black Beauty. After finishing breakfast, Jane and Quinn hugged their mom before following their dad out the door. (preview)
• Kolchak: The Lawndale File, by Chris Tucker (continued): Harrison opined that the killer, looking to stash the body, figured my car was an abandoned junker. If it was towed, so much the better. It would be in the impound lot for a few days. I don't know what angered me more. That I was without wheels for the foreseeable future, or that the killer thought my Mustang was an abandoned piece of junk. As I was leaving the station, the desk sergeant called me over. He handed me a note from the Morgendorffer girl's mother. Helen Morgendorffer would like to speak to me at my earliest convenience. Swell.
• The Lane That Wasn't, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Follow me." The old man led Jane to the crossroad of both paths. He turned her away from the crater and the mountain. Another opening began to form in the road. Stretching his arm out towards it, he stared at Jane. "All you have to do is what you love doing... run. Just like before, the descent takes less than a second." Nodding her head in understanding, Jane extended her hand. "I guess I should be saying thank you or thanking whoever brought you to me. I know you said you only come once and that is only when you are called. So I guess this is goodbye." The old man shook his head.
• NEW! Legacy, by Getrealordie187 (Parts 6a and 6b): "I don't know what's the matter with you lately. You act like you're not excited to see your sister at all. Sisterhood is a very important bond, Quinn, and I want you to try to form one with Daria the moment we arrive. This is not a suggestion." "When's the last time you talked to Aunt Rita?" "Rita! Don't get me started on her. All the times she gloats and rubs in my face that mother..." Quinn looks out the window and ignores her mother's droning. (Part 6b)
  
• Masochist's Memories, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): [A new view of The Daria Diaries' trip down memory lane.]
• NEWEST! MST version of OverlordMikey's "A Get Well Gift" and TAG's "Pause in the Air," by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "Instead of the usual movie milieu, we're going to be delving once again into the wonderful world of Daria fan fiction, straight from the deepest, darkest depths of the internet and beamed directly into your unsuspecting peepers through advanced projected-light-on-white-screen technology...."
• NEWEST! Pulp Fiction: Future History, by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "Stand by! Target acquisition window opens in 10 seconds from MARK!" "Target acquired. Target in range. Activate intrinsic velocity neutralizer. Target seized and stabilized." "We're on the clock, boys and girls! Here we go..." "Can Opener - GO!" "Container breached. Inner container open!" "Dog Catcher - GO!" "Subject retrieved!" "Puppet Master - GO!" "Simulator installed." "Can Opener - GO!"
  
• Shower, by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): Daria looked up as Jane drifted through the door of Daria's bedroom, towel around her neck and dreamy smile on her lips. Without a word, Jane dropped to her knees on the carpet and climbed into her sleeping bag. "M'night..." she sighed. Daria smirked. "Good shower?" There was only a snore for reply. Rolling her eyes, Daria went back to her book. Then...
  
• Unnamed story (John Lane 47: Another Look in the Mirror), by Malakite (COMPLETE!): "Authorities are saying tonight that they believe they have finally found the killer in the infamous Inna Gadda Da Vidda slayings some 25 years ago. Police say this boy is the so-called Hippie Ripper, who in 1969 killed 16 hippies who were living in a van. Asked how a 15-year-old boy could have committed a crime that happened more than two decades ago, police spokesmen explained, quote, 'He's very clever.' "
• Unnamed story (Kolchak: The Lawndale File), by McKeon (COMPLETE!): "Damn it, Helen! I lost another client!" Jake exclaimed.
• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: Ouch Time), by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): The underground blockhouse shook as the earth trembled. "T-130. 15 megaton yield. 20-25 klicks out, just about true north." "They're zeroing in on us." "What do mean 'us' white girl? They're after you, Morgendorffer!"
• NEWEST! What could have happened if Legacy!Daria had gotten along with Trent? by Getrealordie187 (COMPLETE!): "You've got to be out of your mind. I'm not doing it. No way, no how." Tom's face is mutinous where he sits on the couch next to his friend. Trent looks between the both of them rapidly from where he lays on the floor as his face continues to blush. Daria's face is pleading. "Come on Tom, it'd be so hot. Just this once and I'll never ask again. Consider it an early birthday present."
• NEWEST! Worldhopper Worldburner, by Erin M. (preview): "Tell me something I don't know, Dr. Science!"
  

Happy Birthday, Quinn! (Now you know where your tax dollars just went.)

Richard Lobinske's Falling Into College series places today as Quinn's 27th or so birthday today, a secret revealed in "A Daze at the Races."

This is also National Tax Day in the United States and its territories. Either way, Quinn or the government, someone's going to get all your money.

Today being the 558th birthday of the Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci, we again post the famous alter ego of Jodie Landon as da Vinci's "The Vitruvian Man." Clicking on the last link here shows the original drawing from which this picture is taken, and explains what the drawing really means. It's more complicated than I'd thought.

More tomorrow, tired now. Zzzzz....

PPMB

• Finn Morgendorffer 42: The Suburban Symphony, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 5): “What happened? You seemed burned out at work.” “It... it was nothing. Nazi Michael found my screwdriver and now I got fired. Fun.” “Lindy, you were drinking on the job?” “You should know, you’re the one who told him I was.” (NEW! Part 6 here!)
  
• I Just Don’t Get You, by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): Quinn hesitated, and then blurted, “I don’t get you.” Jane, thrown by this statement, could only manage a confused, “Oh?” “Are you mad?” asked Quinn. “NO!” said Jane, perhaps too quickly, before adding, “I mean, no, of course not.” “Good,” replied Quinn, “because I want to like you, but I just don’t get where you’re coming from.” (Daria/MST3K)
• Into the Fray, by Minx (Part 9): Quinn leaned forward and peered through the tiny crack in the door. She could see the two men standing on the front porch facing each other; she could just make out their conversation. “There’s no one here, just bags by the look of it. I think—” Walker’s voice was cut off by the sounds of shouted male voices and a volley of gunfire. “They’re down the road. They must have jumped the fences!”
  
• NEW! Into the Fray, by Minx (Part 8): The usual variety of knickknacks were strewn across the drawers; a jewelery box, old photos, a large ornate lamp. They could have been in any house in America. Jane opened the jewelery box and picked up a golden earring, as she did so a chill ran up her spine and she quickly dropped it and shut the lid. Jane was thankful when she heard the water stop, as the door opened she quickly ran in and shut the door.
• NEW! Some unnamed concept that I will name later, by SigDiff (Part 1): Jane shrugged. “I've never been in the city before. Got sick of seeing nothing but the green world, so I came here.” “And a strong sense of curiosity, even at this age. Usually the world beats it out of them by now.” Jane was clearly being judged, much to her displeasure. “Quinn,” the figure continued, “I think we could really use her.” Although she'd never heard it before, Jane didn't like the idea of being used. “I thought you'd say that,” Quinn commented. “I'm okay with it.”
  
• Springtime for Scarlett the Fairy, by Aloysius (COMPLETE!): You do not ever want to hear a fairy after she has pricked her finger on a needle. Talk about coloring the air blue. That brings up a question I’ve always had, and you should be curious about it, as well. What color is a choking Smurf?
• Unnamed story (Scenes That Should Be: Breakfast of Zombie Champions), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "I thought this was a horrible nightmare. But it was wrong. It's a horrible nightmare that I can't wake up from. You and your god-damned Jell-O shots." "Shut up. You were right in there with me."

Another Digression on Alter Egos

The awesome UU and Pinhead provided the, um, enlarged inspiration at left for this particular post, which is about those wacky MTV Animation artists and their very clever use of alter egos to remind us of pop culture past.

One of the late season alter egos of Quinn Morgendorffer was this one on the left, identified on the MTV website with the caption: Quinn poses for a glamour shot as Jayne Mansfield.

What makes Quinn become Jayne Mansfield, though?

First of all, some background. Unless you are as old as me (or, worse, older), you might not know that Vera Palmer, a.k.a. Jayne Mansfield, was a buxom movie star from the 1950s and 1960s. She was a Playboy centerfold star, too, and a nightclub star, a Broadway star, a television star, and a paramour of both JFK and RFK. (Good Lord!) Because she liked to show off her ample bust, she was once introduced on a late-night talk show with the legendary phrase, "Here they are, Jayne Mansfield!" (This story was later mutated to have been said about Dolly Parton by Johnny Carson, but that was not true.) She played the violin and other musical instruments, sang quite well (once with none other than Jimi Hendrix on guitar), entertained American soldiers in Vietnam on USO tours with Bob Hope, and got married to one of her husbands while wearing a transparent gown. She knew how to live large, and she did. She almost became Ginger on Gilligan's Island, but turned down the part. Her impact on pop culture is incalculable.

Quinn becomes Jayne Mansfield because: 1. she has Jayne's 40-inch chest, 2. she has Jayne's hairstyle (with Quinn's trademark bangs), and 3. she's wearing a leopard-skin bikini. Do not underestimate the leopard-skin bikini. Jayne liked bikinis and was fond of ones with leopard prints. One female reviewer for the Miami Herald, in an article about how the bikini became so widespread in use and so beloved by the public, wrote, "In the beginning... there was Jayne Mansfield."

It is said that Jayne Mansfield was one thing that Brittany Taylor isn't: smart. She could pander as well as anyone, but behind the 40-inch breasts was a powerhouse mind and a hard-driving actor/entertainer with an extraordinary range of professional skills. It was literally impossible for her to fail at life.

This post closes with a thought from her: If you're going to do something wrong, do it big, because the punishment is the same either way. Enjoy.

The Groundhog and the Angel

How many years has the Daria fandom been around, and we still don't have any Groundhog Day fanfiction! It's amazing. It's like it's not an important enough holiday to write a story about, and it's got groundhogs! I give up. If anyone writes one, just don't imitate the Bill Murray movie. Do something original.

This is the birthday anniversary of Farrah Fawcett, the TV and movie actress who, with her fellow Angels, changed television forever. "Murder, She Snored" even has Quinn with Farrah Fawcett's hair!

Let there be ART!

It's time again for 2010's all-new

ART!

(in no special order)

• Amy's Attitude, by Minx
• Amy in the Danger Zone, by Minx
  
• Cage, by Pinhead
• Upchuck's Brand of Angst, by Kael Seoras
• S-crap-s, by Pinhead
• Meg as Daria, by (unknown)
• Meg as Daria, by napoleonxvi
• Esteeminator: Protectors, by Jim North
• Older Daria, by Vlora
• My version of "Three's Company," by DBR70
• NEW! LLH Comic WIP Sketches- Quinn, by midnightstorm
• NEW! Daria's birth, by Pinhead
• NEW! I Wonder What She Wonders... by MDetector5
• EVEN NEWER! More "Small Jokes" from Pinhead
• and Pinhead returns with a short animated GIF, "Boxing Daria"
  

Did you ever wonder who came up with the "Mirror, Mirror" episode of the original Star Trek, with the counterclock universe with the evil bearded Spock? This very popular episode has been imitated and parodied in everything from South Park to Futurama to Daria fanfiction (here, here, and here in scene 67). Today is the 87th birthday anniversary of Jerome Bixby, the genius Hollywood writer who dabbled in SF writing and created meme after meme in doing so. He's the reason why evil universe animated characters are frequently given goatees. So now you know.

J. K. Rowling finished the last Harry Potter book three years ago today. We won't even go into all the Daria/Harry Potter crossovers, there are trillions of them.

A few Daria fanfics take place during January, when high school and college are back in session. A few January-based, school-related tales appear below. "Fizz Ed" probably took place (in part) in January, which we know thanks to mention of the Super Bowl. Jake Morgendorffer, a Capricorn, might have been born this month, too.

High School

• "Many Are Culled" (TLAS)
• "Victory Lane" (Daria returns after being brainwashed)

College

• "Chosin Fate" (FiC)
• "Art Frieze" (FiC)
• "Refrieze" (FiC)
• "Between the Lines" (FiC)
• "Christmas Melody" (FiC)
  

Other

• "Still Wet by Moonlight" (All My Children)
• "Invisible Planet"
• "Nine Point Oh"
• "When the Torrent of That Time Comes Pouring Back"
  

In other January fandom events, Kara Wild wrote an essay on The Triangle, "The Other Side of the Kiss", seven years ago this month. The Irony Maiden, a beloved U.K. fansite, closed its doors last year at this time.

The first fanfiction update for 2010 is coming very soon.

In with the Old, Out with the New!

Pinhead and UU have once again come through for us. In with the New Year, out with the Old Year, something like that.

The following posts are this blog's feeble attempt to cheer those who are spending the New Year's celebrations at home on the computer. Unlike me.

Oh, you might check out the constantly growing number of "In the Spotlight" online interviews with Daria fans, by Daria fans, on PPMB. Vlora and Devilkitty are the new ones up.

And Minx's new version of Quinn.

And Vlora's continuing display of outrageous artistic talent, of which I have none. (The Daria pin-up is mind-blowing.)

Collectible Cuteness

What could be better to find under your Christmas tree than this special item at right? Quinn, however, did not think much of this product and said so. (Pinhead and UU provided the large image.)

Last year we asked: would you buy a Quinn doll? We ask that question again this year just because we can. What version of Quinn would you buy?

And now for a Christmas-load of holiday fanfic not listed elsewhere. I think.

• Abruptly Amy: A Very Amy Christmas, by Carrie D. Wildly, a.k.a. Kara Wild (here's the art!)
• Cheese Fries and Politics, by CAP
• Crusts of Pizza, by Brother Grimace
• Daria GTS, by Reese Kaine
• Daria Is Raven's Apprentice, by Project Pegasus
• Daria Saves Christmas, by Dr. Mike (and here)
  
• Eve, by MidnightStorm
• Falling into College 8: Winter's Eve, by Richard Lobinske
• Falling into College 9: Holiday Breaks, by Richard Lobinske
• Falling into College 36: Christmas Melody, by Richard Lobinske
• Falling Into College 55: Emerald Season, by Richard Lobinske
• Falling into College 66: Christmas in White, by Richard Lobinske
• A Gupty Christmas, by Galen "Lawndale Stalker" Hardesty
  
• The Holidays Are All about Suffering, by TheEleventy
• Iron Chef: Round-robin Christmas Songfic
  
• Murphy’s Christmas, by Legendeld
• Quinndy-Lou Who, by NightGoblyn
• Scarlett the Fairy Meets Santa Claus, by Aloysius
• Scarlett the Fairy's Twelve Days of Christmas, by Aloysius
• Scene from a Lawndale Christmas, by Undefinedlust
• Snow Fall, by thatLONERchick
• Stomping Through Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Lawndale Stalker
  
• Submariner Series 4: One Season at a Time, by Wildgoose
• Unseen Phenomenon 6: If I Could Tell You, by Wildgoose
• A Very Daria Christmas, by The Alchemist
• With Minds Wide Open, by Legendeld
• Yes, Quinn, by NightGoblyn
• Yuki-Onna, by Sleepless
  

Have a merry one!

"Is that thing radioactive?" "Isotope so!"

Today is the 142nd anniversary of the birth of Marie Curie, who studied radioactivity but wasn't as careful with her samples as she should have been. DON'T TRY TO FIND OUT IF RADIATION HAS A TASTE! DON'T CARRY RADIOACTIVE ITEMS IN YOUR POCKETS! That should do it. (Thanks to the almighty Pinhead for the image.)

Albert Camus would be 96 today had he not died in order to avoid seeing himself mentioned in "Quinn the Brain":

Quinn: By the way, do you know what existential means? Because today someone told me my writing was existential, so I thought I should coordinate, you know, with wardrobe.
Daria: Yeah, that's what Camus would have done. For your purposes, existential means "pseudo-intellectual poser with accessories from the street fair."

Camus was also mentioned in a Daria essay by Guy Wheatley. Good show.

Engineers celebrate this day for its value in teaching us about bridge building (as in, how not to). Love that video!

And you should know that this is an important date in a fanfic in which Jake Morgendorffer and Amy Barksdale conduct a torrid secret sexual affair that causes Daria to have brain damage. So, Amy likes his "fortitude," is that it? Yeah, right.

ART GNUZ

• In almost no time at all, Jim North produced a superb rendering of Albino Quinn from "In Silence Sarcastic." Click to the pic and tell him he is an awesome dude.
• NEW! Pinhead's "Strange Dream." 'Nuff said!
  

PPMB

• Anti-Trope, by Pinkminx (Part 6): “Self-esteem is important because..." Mr. O’Neill read the first question tentatively and glanced up at Dean. “It's a quality that will stand us in good stead the rest of our lives.” Dean replied in perfect monotone. (FF.net)
• Apocalyptic Daria: Scarlett's Tale, by Doggieboy (Part 14): Within fifteen minutes of starting their walk, Scarlett and Roger lost sight of the church or anyplace remotely familiar. The teen stopped briefly, looked back, then turned around and walked on ahead. (SFMB)
  
• Chances, by Coonassblondie (Parts 3 and 4): “So Jesse gave you his jacket, huh? Guess he’s pretty serious,” Trent said as he turned toward his sister as they sat at a traffic light, smiling softly at her. “To tell the truth, Trent, I don’t really know. I don’t know that much about him. Until tonight, I wasn’t aware he could form coherent sentences.” Trent only laughed in response, ending in his hacking cough. “Guess you learn something new every day, huh?”
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 12: Carnivore, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 2): “You owe me big for waking me up at 9 AM.” Jane’s eyes were bleary and tired looking. “You get up earlier to go to school.” Daria reminded. “The keyword for that is school.” Jane returned. “And the keyword in your earlier speech is AM. It’s a sin to wake a Lane before lunch.”
• In Silence Sarcastic, by Trscroggs (continued): Wednesday afternoon, three days after the Morgendorffer move was official, Quinn gingerly stepped out onto her back porch. While she would never admit it, Quinn was silently glad that the bulk of the house blocked light from the descending sun. Regardless, her prescription sunglasses were firmly in place as she looked out over the back yard. Standing in the middle of the yard Daria swung a bokken through a complicated weapon kata. Coming to a stop, Daria looked over at her sister.
• Iron Chef: Daria is Raven's Apprentice, by Project Pegasus (continued): "You're going home to visit your demon family for the holidays, aren't you?" "Maybe." "Let me go too! It'll be fun!" "No! I'm going alone. It'll literally be Hell enough going down there by myself." [Thanksgiving comes....]
  
• Regifted, by Ajar (Part 22): “Calm down, Stacy,” Quinn said. “We're almost to the bathroom. No one will even know that we're going to see that blemish.” “Blemish?” Stacy was confused. “What blemish?” “You know, the thing we're seeing in the bathroom.” “Ohh... that blemish.”
• NEW! Unnamed story (S-crap-s), by Raskolnikov (COMPLETE!): —Daria? What are you doing in my dream? —Excuse me? What are you doing in MY dream?
  

Birthday Girls

According to a certain popular fanfic, today is Daria Morgendorffer's 27th birthday! Thanks to Austin Covello for that date and the story.

In the real world, actress Wendy Hoopes (at right, a.k.a. Jane Lane, Helen Morgendorffer, and Quinn Morgendorffer) turns 37. Here is Ms. Hoopes as Jane, here she is as Quinn, and here as Helen. Thank you, Ms. Hoopes! You rOoL!!!

Fifteen years ago today, Daria appeared in the Beavis and Butt-head episode, "The Trial." Wonder if it was based on the Kafka novel. Hmmm, apparently not. (Click, copy, save, say no more.) That's Daria laughing in court at something Butt-head said, by the way. The prosecuting attorney is not amused. So this ninth-grader likes courtroom kibitzing? Daria was a heck of a kid, wasn't she? (The interesting images from the episode are displayed here.)

Kristen Bealer has raised the terrifying specter of a Midwest Dariacon 2010! Read and reply!

MDetector5's most excellent Fashion Club art is all the rage on PPMB's art channel. And Pinhead's "small jokes" just keep on rockin'!

Amusing photographs that could be of Quinn's Fashion Police have appeared at PPMB.

JPAGC has started a new Iron Chef based on a single screen capture from "I Loathe a Parade." See what you can do with it.

I was reminded of a great car-lovers' webpage that our own D. T. Dey helped create. It is the best!

PPMB

• Falling into College 71: Merging Goals, by Richard Lobinske (Part 1): "So, since you know him better, are you going to call Mr. Morgendorffer?" "I suppose I should." "What, his wife wouldn't appreciate him getting a call from a stripper?"
• Finn Morgendorffer 11: Man of Honor, by HolyGrail2007 (COMPLETE!): “Finn, you know you aren’t supposed to drink champagne. Alcohol isn’t for the under 21's. Put the glass down,” Helen instructed. “Finn, you don’t have to put it down as long as you’re staying here,” Rita returned. “Rita, Finn’s my son, not yours.” Helen’s eyes narrowed as she regarded her sister. “And I’m sure that makes you proud,” Rita replied.
• In Silence Sarcastic, by Trscroggs (Part 2): “My name is Daria Morgendorffer,” the sheet began. Before Jodie could read the next line Daria held her whiteboard up. “Daria Sunbeam Morgendorffer,” the board said.

• Invisible Love, by Charliefox2012 (Part 7): “Um, is Jane home?” Duncan asked tentatively. Trent only stared at Duncan impassively. After a moment, he sighed. “Yeah. She’s home,” he said and moved back from the doorway to let Duncan in. (FF.net)
  
• Unnamed story (Scenes That Should Be: Brains for Rent), by NightGoblyn (COMPLETE?): Daria sat on her bed and tried to read, but the stifling heat of the room distracted her and ruined her concentration. With a frustrated growl she tossed the book onto the nightstand and walked across the room to open a window. She had already stripped down to cut-off sweat pants and her sports bra, and only the thought of having someone walk in on her prevented her from trying to read in the nude.
  

Tricks and Treats!

Trick or treat time is here (and time for Daria to add a snarky comment). Hard to imagine Daria, even as a kid, going trick-or-treating. Look at her feet: no boots. Poor kid. You can't kick without good boots. Wonder what she said to greeters when she rang the doorbell.

Quinn at left is dressed for Halloween like Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, who might be unfamiliar to some of you. She was the syndicated hostess for many a late-night fright movie on TV when I was younger. She was (and still is) awesome. Love her accent!

And Dawn is back as her traditional Dawn-o-lantern self, with Walkman attached. Thanks to Pinhead for both images. You rule, dude!

Pinhead has a new Daria image at PPMB: "Just One Kiss?"

Did you ever wonder what Beavis and Butt-head do for Halloween? Watch "Bungholio: Lord of the Harvest" on MTV, for free, right now! (You will have to wait through two other episodes, but that's cool.) If you can't wait, go here and see the whole thing straight out. A rude classic.

Enjoy your candy!