Love Story

Rock star Courtney Love, beloved of MTV's animation staff so much that someone drew Quinn Morgendorffer in Ms. Love's attire, turns 46 today. Odd how some people cringe when I mention that I collect her CDs. Really like her music. Some people have no taste, I suppose. Click on the label "quinn as courtney love" to see previous Love birthdays, including an image that might have been the model for the alter ego at right.

Outpost Amy, beloved of Daria fans from way, way back, was last updated nine years ago today. Such a fun website with such wonderful stories! It was the first shared world in this fandom.

Stay tooned, moar on the wai.

NoooZ!

• Re-viewing Daria: a PPMB thread about watching the show all over again, and how it looks the second time around.
• Lord Akiyama presents us with another view of Quinn and one of her fanfiction beaus.
• Erin M. offers up an Iron Chef: First Impressions. "Your mission, should you decide to accept: Chronicle the first meeting between Helen Morgendorffer and Amanda Lane. Other members of either family can be involved in this meeting."
• Not to be outdone, we have Charles RB's Iron Chef: The Great Age Reversal. "Your challenge: do a fic where all the adult characters are students at Laaaaawndale High, and the teens are the adults. And Kevin is a teacher of the most inappropriate class he could possibly be given."
• And there is Iron Chef: Crossover the Pond, by MJPollard. "Your mission, should you choose to accept it: show one or more characters from Daria (your choice) interacting with the characters from any popular British television series (including, but not limited to, Coronation Street, Blake's 7, Red Dwarf, Absolutely Fabulous, Fawlty Towers, Prime Suspect, and, of course, Doctor Who)."

FF.net

• The InDark, by Mediancat (Part 25): Here they were. Once again, hanging around an airport again in the middle of the night, which was rapidly becoming early Tuesday morning. At least everyone else could sleep, Daria thought, seeing Jane and Oz sacked out a couple of seats apart. Aunt Amy was awake again and getting the two of them coffee. The third time she'd slept, for about an hour and a half, the First had apparently left her alone. She'd dreamed about Camp Grizzly, but nothing had reminded her of April 10, 1997, either the day or the book. (Daria/Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel/Dick Tracy)

PPMB

• Dammit, by Ajar (COMPLETE!): "Dammit, Peter! I've got a meeting with Buzzdome in twenty minutes and I need to explain to them why their market awareness penetration is below projections." "Dammit, John! Don't look at me. The new boy spearheaded that one." "Dammit, Peter! Get him down here." (Daria/A Bit of Fry and Laurie)
• Daria: Hunter 6—Infectious, by Jim North (continued): Axl scrabbled at the controls for the elevator doors with digital fingers, but they were locked down tight without even the slightest crack into which he could apply leverage. Boiling with frustration, he left a part of himself there to try a brute force approach as he turned his attention back to the exits. If he could get the survivors out of the building quickly enough, it wouldn't matter if they were all together or not. His brain buzzed with the intensity of keeping several parts of himself working all across the DENA network. The implants and surgery that the Engineer had put him through enabled him to split his consciousness across several parts of that system, but one of the downsides was the infernal itching that it caused in his head.
• The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, by Roentgen (Part 42): Unless one had read the back pages of the Sport section of the Fielding newspaper, Daria knew that one might never have guessed that such a thing as a Fielding Swim Meet existed. When the four of them—Helen, Jake, Daria and Jill—arrived at the Fielding Natatorium, the only clue of such an event was a simple sign near the entrance, a sign supported with two stiff wires shoved in the dirt. The sign read "SWIM MEET HERE." Not even the dignity of the school name. "Cool," said Daria, "I didn't know we were having a swim meet. I would have been completely unprepared."
• Judith Strikes! Mack Dynamite vs. the Crimson Phantom, by Erin M. (Part 2): As he reached the top of the stairs, he saw a slender female figure bent over in front of the upstairs door. She was wearing a short denim jacket and what looked like a white halter top. Mack Dynamite took a brief moment to appreciate the tight, muscular buttocks encased in the ass kissing red vinyl bell bottoms, before walking up and giving the woman a playful slap on the ass. The woman bolted upright, spun on one foot and lashed out with a fist. Mack Dynamite's forearm shot up and blocked the attack effortlessly. He smiled and looked into crystal blue eyes under shaggy black bangs. "Relax, Baby Jane," he said. "Didn't mean nothin' by it. Just saying hello." The expression of anger faded, and Jane Lane, Madame Daria's bodyguard and Gal Friday, smiled. Red lips parting to show perfect teeth.
• Life, But Not As You Know It, by Phoenix (Part 2): “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Elsie said as she removed her black over-sized sunglasses and looked up at the building in front of her. “This is a joke right?” she turned to her mother and waited for Kay to respond. “Do you see me laughing?” Kay said stiffly, and then began to walk across the small parking lot to the staircase that clung to the outside of the apartment block. Elsie gave a disapproving grunt and followed her mother. When Kay had first told her that they would be moving into an apartment, Elsie had envisioned the new high-rise that had recently been built near the shopping district. Not this. The building in question was a two-story structure that looked like it had been erected in the mid-to-late sixties; a place of residence that, in its heyday, would have been quite acceptable to live in. Now, however, it was in a great state of disrepair.
• The Light of the Charge Brigade, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): By the time the four arrived at the Khaki Barn, they were exhausted but all very happy, carrying multi-colored paper bags and shoe boxes. Stacy noticed a wool sweater featured on one of the displays at Khaki Barn. "Hmmm...." Stacy thought to herself. "Good choice, Sta-cee," Sandi said. "British hand-knit will be so in this winter. Way to think ahead." "Yeahhhh," Stacy said, "but I'm almost up to four figures on my parents' charge card. The last time I spent this much they yelled at me. I don't know." "But if you don't get it now it will be marked up in two months!" Quinn said.
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Crossover the Pond), by Lord Akiyama (COMPLETE!): "So... you're an artist." "You can say that." "So am I. What kind of thing do you do?" (Daria/Spaced)
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Crossover the Pond), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): [Too short to sample!]
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Crossover the Pond), by Quiverwing (COMPLETE!): [Too short to sample!]
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Daria and Jane pregnant at the same time), by NightGoblyn (Part 2 of this unnamed story): The door slammed thunderously, making the dishes in the cupboard rattle and causing LJ to start crying. Daria winced, and then walked over to the playpen, sweeping her little girl up and cooing at her. The brunette glanced up as her best friend stomped into the room and threw her book bag onto the worn love seat. "Rough day at the office?" Daria asked quietly. "Shut up," Jane snapped, glaring at the other girl. A little down the hall, a door swung open and Tom stuck his head out. He peered around with a sleepy, confused expression, and then asked, "What's with all the racket?" "Go to hell!" Jane shouted. "I'm a goddamn pariah, and it's all your fault!"
  

No Joy in Mudville

A little-known anniversary in American folklore and literature arrives today. This is the 122nd year since the famous sports poem, "Casey at the Bat," was first published. Jesse does the honors. The legendary poem is here, complete.

Silver has come up with a new shared Dariaverse idea: The Great Game. Contributions and suggestions are welcome at the thread link.

The newest Iron Chef is Obey Your Master, from brnleague99. Someone in Daria-land earns a Masters degree—and things get a little crazy as a result.

Some really excellent fanfic on tap for you. Enjoy.

FF.net

• NEW! The InDark, by Mediancat (Parts 3 to 6): Tommy Sherman watched the people fleeing the pizza place. Didn't see the chick Ms. Li wanted dead, so that was good. Meant she was inside. Li'd told him that he had a few dozen Bringers, but only a few right now. That was cool. First he'd see how this chick handled these guys with knives. Way, way creepy. Tommy Sherman didn't mind saying that. But they could handle themselves in a fight. (Daria/BuffytVS)

PPMB

• Daria: Hunter 6—Infectious, by Jim North (continued): "How long do I have?" "It's hard to say since I still haven't completed my study of the doctor's newest creation," Ted told her, "but from these readings, I'd say you'll be okay for at least a day or two, as long as you don't get infected any further and nothing horrible happens to your immune system."
• NEW! The Dream of the White Darkness, by jtranser (continued): The driver brought the car to a halt on the road shoulder and, instead of getting out, grabbed a mic, thumbed the push to talk button and called dispatch for a backup vehicle. He was informed one was on the way, along with escort cars to insure his human cargo would safely arrive at the airfield. He acknowledged the transmission, hung up the mic and waited. Shortly thereafter, three black Crown Vics pulled around the curve, and the driver got out to open the door and trunk and transfer his unwilling passengers. After he did so, he was surprised to see one of the reinforcements come over to him, smile and zap him with a cattle prod.
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 48: Filling Sacks of Failure, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 3): The following Sunday, Helen picked up the copy of the Lawndale Sun with an unusual interest. She always followed the press interest in the cases she was on. While there was a story about it on the front page, it was not written by the man who spoke to her yesterday. In fact, it didn’t even mention her, or the firm, at all. The entire story was written by someone named Terrence Jacobson, and, from start to finish, it dealt only with Congressman Sacks, and his response to the case. How he thought the case was a get-rich quick scheme, how they were out to profit off of kids, all of the half-hearted lies she thought that two-bit bribe-taking Washington man would perform.
• John Lane 46: Substitute Plans, by RLobinske (Part 4): Jodie wrote on the blackboard, "Test Tomorrow." Hearing the student groans, she turned around. "Look at it this way. You only have to answer the test once. I have to read every one of them. Trust me, I'm going to be far more tired of the questions than you are." Kevin said, "So... you're going to read each test paper?" "That's right, Kevin." "But, um, don't they all say the same thing?"
  
• Mission: Implausible, by Admonisher (Part 1): "Here's a road sign. 'Lawndale.' Look it up." "'Home of the giant strawberry.' Pretty good-sized population. Next door to a large university..." "Perfect! Zonker, turn off here." (Daria/Doonesbury)
• Morgendorffer, by Lord Akiyama (Part 2): "You're sounding awfully quiet this morning, Daria," Jane commented aloud, breaking the long silence between them. "As we probably both should be, Jane," Daria responded. "I don't want to jinx our good fortune for however long it can last." "What good fortune would that be?" Jane asked curiously as she continued painting. "Not being summoned to work," Daria answered. (Contains the great line: "You mean there are people out there who would want to know the definition to sausage?") (FF.net)
  
• NEW! Raft College: The First Year, by rglovejoy (Part 3): "Hello, Daria?" "Hi, Mom." "I'm sorry I didn't call sooner, sweetie. How is everything?" "Fine. The dorm they put me in kind of sucks, but my roommate seems cool and so is my academic adviser. I'm going to be in his seminar on writing short fiction and I'm also signed up for calculus, Western Civilization and Macroeconomics." "Well, that sounds very well-rounded. By the way, your father and I received something in the mail about a parents' weekend in October. Columbus Day weekend I believe. I never did get a chance to see your campus, you know." Daria covered the microphone and let out a low grumble. "It's okay, mom. It's kind of a hassle for you and Dad to come up here just for a weekend." "Oh, nonsense. We can take the time off. And Quinn wants to look at colleges up in your neck of the woods anyway." Daria choked. "What?! You can't seriously think she wants to apply to Raft, do you?"
  
• Regifted 2: I Put Away Joyless Things, by Ajar (Part 7): “Oh, you know,” Kevin stuttered. “The, uh, r-rumors about... please don't turn me into a newt.” “Relax,” Mack said. “She's not going to turn you into a newt.” “But she was talking about the devil and then I caught her. She's going to drown me or burn me at the stake, or something.” (Contains the great line: “Eggplant skirt with a burgundy top. God, Daria. I knew you were bad but this...”)
  

Lights Out

A mere 230 years ago today, many colonial Americans in New England became convinced that Judgment Day was at hand. They had good reason for thinking so, as the light literally went out of the day. As much of New England settled into an unexpected twilight, panic set in. The event became known as New England's Dark Day of 1780. Click the link to find out what the cause was. Interesting science footnote. Daria at right provides a reenactment. (Okay, that's actually from "The Teachings of Don Jake," but what the heck.)

Veteran fanfic writer Erin M. has a New Shared World Proposal: Judith Strikes! One Daria in the multiverse has gone rotten to the core. What can be done about her? You can help... by writing the story!

NEW NEWZ: Glenn Eichler has another animated show in development. Read more here!

PPMB

• Falling into College: The Clip Show, by RLobinske (Part 9): Holding a box, Jane stood next to an easel and yelled, "Not just no, hell no! I'm not going to do it. No freakin' way!" With a shake of her head, Jane slung the box and stormed off the set. The box bounced off a sound stand and came to rest face up, so that "Jane Lane Paint-By-Numbers Set" could be clearly seen. From somewhere else on the sound stage, a voice said, "Okay, we scrap that one."
• Finn Morgendorffer 46: Shields Up, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 7): “I’m here because of one of your teachers, Janet Barch, my son’s biology teacher.” “Ah, yes. Truly a remarkable woman.” “What’s remarkable is the fact that she’s even allowed to teach here. She flunked my boy yesterday for no reason.” “As I understand it, your son did not do his project. That’s grounds for failure, and unacceptable at Lawndale High.”
• Kismet, by Sara Winters (COMPLETE!): This was a bad idea. The minute Daria saw Trent in her bedroom doorway, she knew that. And yet, she couldn't say anything when he invited himself inside to wait for Jane. Still, there was no excuse for the ribald thoughts that flew through her mind when he lay on her bed and smiled over at her. Trent remarked on her mattress as he placed his hands behind his head and crossed his legs. Daria had pictured getting Trent into her room alone before, but hadn't given any real thought on where to go from there—mostly because the idea itself was as improbable as Brittany being accepted into Mensa. (AoOO) (FF.net)
  
• Parents Are People, by Legendeld (Part 6): Daria waited until the first movie was starting before she turned to Quinn and asked, "How long have you been calling Amy Mom?" Quinn looked at her more than a little confused. Jane answered. "A few days at least. They've been getting along really well." "Really?" Quinn looked a little surprised. "I didn't realize I was doing it." "There isn't anything wrong with it," Jane said firmly. "Amy is being a pretty good mom to you two." "I guess." Daria said and she snorted before speaking. "Hell, I thought I would be the favorite with Amy."
• Tales of the Ringbearers: I Hate the Desert, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "You seem to have the habit of—attracting attention. It seems that everywhere you go, you happen to find the worst possible kind of trouble. Courtney, you’ve run into Zombie Legionnaires three times!"

Moar Gud Gnuz!

Kara Wild continues to update the DVDaria situation for this lucky fandom, and it looks like we are about to receive an extraordinary treat next year. Now we've really got something to smile about! (More updates here.)

Good thing, too, because I was running out of acorns to sacrifice to the Great Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed One.

The quarter million fans at the Facebook site are talking. Reactions are coming in from the Television Without Pity message board, too.

Think maybe we can drop some hints about repairing the broken links to flipbooks on the official MTV Daria website? We would dearly love to see them!

XTER GUD GNUZ

• Jim North has opened up a new shared Dariaverse for fanfic writers! Go to it!

That F Word, Revisited (Part 1)

Failure isn't all bad. It's the only way we ever learn about stuff. I was mulling over some Daria projects started here that did not pan out as I had hoped. I don't mean unfinished fanfiction, which will indeed get finished one day. I was thinking of other things, poking around wondering how they could have been made better.

Like LATIFA.

The idea behind Lovestruck Atomic Teenage Invaders from Mars was to set up a silly shared-world background, entirely derived from bits and pieces of official Daria material (suitably mangled), offering Lawndale High as a center for science-fiction and fantasy hijinks of the comic variety. I added something about interstellar berserkers, and that part probably should have been taken out (wasn't funny, sort of irrrelevant to concept), but the rest of the background was to inspire writers to create wacky tales about Daria and Jane and company running amok around the galaxy or wherever the author wished them to go.

LATIFA did not take off like Daylight did. Daylight blew out of here like a Saturn V, but LATIFA did not even leave the runway. Its engines coughed a little, a few passengers got on but then got off, and LATIFA was soon pushed off to the side to make room for faster traffic.

I have pondered on the difference between LATIFA and Daylight. Was comedy less appealing than drama and angst and The End of the World in a Different Way? Or could I have put LATIFA together better, made it more fun and attractive? Not sure. LATIFA is still there and won't be taken down, just in case someone buys a ticket for it. It is hoped that the two webpages about it are at least entertaining. Lots of sound bites. Still wondering how to revive it.

More failures later. Stay tuned.