BACK in the SADdle Again!

Mr. DeMartino has found a new career by following in the footsteps of Gene Autry, who was born on this day in 1907. While "singing cowboy" doesn't offer that much more dignity than "teacher," it does mean that he doesn't have to deal with Kevin and Brittany as students anymore. An overall win!

I have no doubt that the decreased stress will be good for his heart condition, which is great because it's also World Heart Day! Jake should be celebrating this one by avoiding things that upset him (which is just about everything) and finally telling everyone what the doctor told him about cheese.

He should probably lay off the caffeine, as well, even though it's National Coffee Day. Quinn will approve of that decision, but Helen simply will not function at her usual 200% without her morning coffee.

Fanfic Update!

• Alison's Last Word, by riotsquirrrl (COMPLETE!): "Jane mopped her brow with her bandanna and squinted at the white cube of the gallery. The show was nearly fully mounted and she still didn’t know what painting she was going to put on that last bit of wall."


• And so what? We have free will anyway, by natalieee_139 (part 11): "'But mooooom! Why do we have to get Daria back?! It's not like she's important or anything anyway!' Quinn whined, stomping on the Lane's porch."


• Her Last Words, by Sheila Wisz Ellayn (part 100): "Anna Coulthard looked all around her to admire the gardens of Starlight Castle as she walked beside Lockie that cold and snowy morning. It was the very first time that she was allowed in the castle grounds after all, since she had finally completed her Agent trials four days ago, and Anna was really happy that she would be there to witness history that day."


• LLH Reboot, by roentgen (part 3): "Daria, Jane, Tom and Stacy waited outside the Major's office. It was time for the 'lessons learned' part of the training exercise."


• Spider Quinn 18 A Birthday and Stormy Sonnets, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (COMPLETE!): "Officer Peterson was still on duty at the station. William was still in one of the cells, waiting for his parents to come with their part of the story, and for transport back to the hospital as a patient. She knew it was going to continue to be a mess."

Watch Out For Those Dark Circles!

I'm not sure if that's coffee Daria's drinking (especially because at one point during that scene her mug is a glass instead), but let's pretend it is because today is National Coffee Day! Don't tell Quinn, though. She'd be devastated.

Still, Daria should take it easy because today is also World Heart Day, and too much caffeine can't be good for her. Especially since she has a family history of heart attacks.

Fanfic Update!

• Crystal Claw, by Sheila Wisz Ellayn (part 20): "'Hello mom!' Ella Anne called out happily, even standing up fast so that she could pull a chair for the sleepy Helen to sit down- 'As you can see, breakfast is ready! Nothing special, but I hope you like this special recipe of mine... I trust you slept well?'"


• Doctor Who - Changes in Time and Space, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 5.2): "The TARDIS materialised outside the town. 'The Old West,' the Doctor said. 'That’s good. Haven’t been there for a while,' Felicia said."


• Navel Gazing for Fun and Profit, by entrancedcat (COMPLETE!): "Upchuck - Feisty...lady! Daria - No, I won't show you my belly button."


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic Should Have: How did We survive?), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'Dad, why are we at the bank at this hour?' Daria asked as she follow Jake into the First Central Gotham Bank."

An Apple a Day Keeps the QB...Busy

Kevin's hoping for a big apple tree crop for Johnny Appleseed Day, but I don't think he has much of a green thumb. A thick skull, yes, but his gardening skills are doubtful. Then again, who knows what hidden depths lurk in there? Fanfic potential, perhaps?

Today is also World Heart Day, and I hope you'll all join me in hoping that Jake has been extra careful lately. One heart attack is plenty, and he doesn't exactly live a stress-free life.

Fanfic Update!

• Danny Morgendorffer, by st91 (part 58 - 60): "The next day, Daniel and the members of the school newspaper were having lunch at their usual table." (Part 60)


• Something To Talk Show About (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have), by breitasparrow (COMPLETE!): "'I kissed your boyfriend. I kissed Tom,' Daria said. Jane closed her eyes as the 'Oooooooooooooooo!' from the audience grew louder."


• Teddy's Muse, by wilddogjj (part 1): "A class of second graders was assembled on the basketball court outside of the school. Their teacher, a middle-aged woman with graying hair named Mrs. Donnelly had just brought them out for Phys Ed."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Daria and Brittany Swap), by welltemperedclavier (COMPLETE!): "As she approached a freshly cooked breakfast of eggs and sausage, awaiting on a silver plate placed upon a seemingly endless rosewood dining table that she'd never eaten at before, Daria wondered why this all seemed so familiar."


• Who Will Survive In America?, by ladyevil (parts 4 - 6): "Daria hoped she could get through getting changed for swim practice without being annoyed by idiots." (Part 5) (Part 6)

Back in the SADdle Again!

I'm not sure if DeMartino is more, less, or exactly as stressed as usual as Gene Autry for the singer/actor's birthday. Autry was born on this day in 1907, and I think Mr. D would have been happier as a singing cowboy, but then I think he'd have been happier in any other job, no exceptions.

Today is also World Heart Day, and I hope Jake remembers what the doctor told him about cheese. If he does, I also hope he'll share it with the rest of us because I'm dying to know!

Fandom News!

• Discuss dramatic moments on TV that were unintentionally funny.


• Help make sure the 2020 Daria Fanfiction list is correct.

"Coffee...caffeine. Dark circles. Capisce?"

Daria's enjoying what might or might not be coffee on National Coffee Day, but she'd better not overdo it. Today is also World Heart Day, and too much caffeine wouldn't be healthy. Jake should take note, too, although I think caffeine for someone as high-strung as Jake is a bad idea even without his heart condition.

Fanfic Update!

• Burned Out, by Wrabbit7 (part 14): "Jennifer yawned wide, earning herself a painful CLICK in her jaw. As she walked into the kitchen, still in her oversized nightshirt, she saw her mother sitting at the table, documents spread across it as she compared two piles of paper in her hands, and another laying before her."


• Cancerous Like Me, by Lady Evil (part 1): "Another day, Highland High was letting out. 'Of course I want to have dinner with you tonight, Tom!' Quinn was saying on her cell phone. 'But you know how important the fashion club is! Oh, yes, of course you're important too! Why don't you pick me up at Sandi's place at around sixish and we'll take it from there? Oh, I can borrow something from Sandi if I have to dress up first.'"


• Daria Ravenclaw: The Year of the Owl, by Meester_Lee (part 11): "Daria had never thought that an eleventh birthday would ever be important. But it was, at least in the magical world. She was now old enough to attend Ilvermorny and Hogwarts might or might not send her their acceptance letter."


• Divisive Loyalties (Iron Chef: Mack Is Jane's Addition), by Youth of Oz (COMPLETE!): "'Do you think I complain a lot?' asked Daria as she lay in Mack's arms, her auburn hair feathering against his dark chocolate skin. She was frowning slightly, but her glasses magnified it into a deeply-troubled scowl."


• From Champ To Chump, by WildDogJJ (parts 1 and 2): "It's a brisk Friday night in the fall, which means only one thing: high school football. On the field Lawndale is playing a close game against Oakwood." (Part 2)


• You Want It Darker, by LSM (part 13): "'I told you you'd knock ‘em dead, baby.' She was curled up on Todd's lap, snuggled into him as he played with strands of her hair, strong fingers untangling the knots firmly but gently."

Regular or Decaf?

Daria's all set for National Coffee Day, as long as Quinn doesn't catch her and start lecturing her about dark circles. She might want to save her lecturing for Jake, anyway, because today is also World Heart Day and I think I saw him getting the cooking pot out a few minutes ago. That can only end badly.

Finally, G'mar Tov to anyone observing Yom Kippur tonight.

Fanfic Update!

• Cops And Robbers And Magic, by psychotol (part 30): "Matilda looked at reports of robbery of small stores. You want to fight a war, you have to get money from somewhere, they picked up grenades from those white supremacists, and some cash and ammo."


• Drake And Jane Diaries, by James the Lesser (part 3): "Jane... Went to her mom. She ran, hitchhiked, and whatever else until she got to her mom. She's nuts. Maybe back in the seventies you could hitchhike without ending up chopped to pieces but today... I'm just happy she's safe."


• Harry Potter Morgendorffer, by Meester_Lee (parts 5 - 7): "There was a different receptionist at the front desk when she came in the following day. The receptionist did not take it well when Helen stated her business." (Part 6) (Part 7)


• Life Cycle (Defect/Bug), by TalkingAnimals (COMPLETE!): "You feel...small. You wish you had a better emotional vocabulary; you actually wish you had a better grasp on your whole emotional register, period."


• A Place On Earth (Pasta's Never-ending Ideas Thread!), by Princess_Pasta (part 1): "Daria Morgendorffer didn't wonder about the afterlife. By the time she was ten years old, she'd come to the conclusion that God didn't exist."


• Quinn, Episode 2: New Horizons, by WildDogJJ (COMPLETE!): "We see Quinn, Lindy, and Jane sitting on the floor. With the aid of Jane's trusty glue gun the three of them are making multi-colored mirror frames." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Quinn, Episode 3: Sibling Anxiety, by WildDogJJ (COMPLETE!): "We see a woman with graying red hair watching a baby play with letter blocks on the floor. The small child has on a green shirt and black overalls." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Unnamed story (LLH - Short Entries), by Roentgen (part 48): "'This wouldn't be a very difficult alteration to do,' Danielle Todds said. 'And I could make it permanent.'"


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "'Why are you making me do this for you again?' Daria asked. 'Dah-r-i-AAAH? Who doesn't wish to be able to talk to animals?' Quinn said."


• Unnamed story (World's Shortest Crossover, Part XIV: The Crossover Awakens!) by WacoKid (COMPLETE!): "'Now then,' Ms. Li explained, 'The two of you are all ready to be students here at Lawndale High. But there's one last thing.' 'Is this another test?' Quinn asked with a frown. 'Or is it more story time pictures?'"

"Fashion show, Mom. Don't handicap yourself."

Daria's enjoying a rare peaceful moment on International Coffee Day, and I'm sure Jake's going to join her soon. Let's just hope he's got decaf, though. Also, Quinn wants to remind everyone that coffee = caffeine = dark circles. That was today's public service announcement.

Speaking of Jake, today is also World Heart Day, so whatever you do, don't mention what the doctor told him about cheese.

Fanfic Update!

• Another Saint Daria, by LSauchelli (part 1): "'Where did I go wrong?' She wondered out loud. But she knew."


• Backstage Preparations (Iron Chef: Oh No, She Didn't!), by JPAGC (COMPLETE!): "(Scene: the backstage of a beauty pageant. A young woman is preparing to go on stage. She is assisted by three other women) 'All right, Daria, again: considering the current world state of affairs and the threat posed by extremist terrorist political groups with the operating all over the world, what do you think...'"


• First Words (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: No longer in the 1%), by DarkDranzer (COMPLETE!): "It was spring time in the old DeMartino residence that normally housed two occupants. Tonight, however, was a special night where the elder member of the household was expecting this evening to go well."


• Forced Impression, by Indigo (part 4): "'You don't think nearly all my clothes going missing at the same time as we moved to a new town just happened, do you?' 'You mean mom arranged it somehow?' 'Yep, this way no one in Lawndale got to see the real me.'"


• Loopholes (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: No longer in the 1%), by DarkDranzer (COMPLETE!): "Anthony DeMartino was grinning ear to ear, sure the school he teaches at is an irredeemable cesspit of corruption and failure but today he's been given a lifeline."


• Occupy Lawndale (Iron Chef: Billionaire Daria), by InvisibleDan (COMPLETE!): "It began on my eighteenth birthday. I woke up from a dream that I couldn't remember. That always irritates me."


• Psychiatric Devaluation, by DarkDranzer (part 4): "On the other side of the door Anthony growled, he could just picture Barch's damn smug face right now. However, Li's comment hit a raw nerve. All she saw was the glory of Laaawndale High, all the more glorious for her because she didn't have to teach the damn idiots that populated it."


• Redux, by Princess_Pasta (part 14): "A slight figure dressed in a form-fitting pair of black jeans and a heavy jacket stood on the edge of the railroad tracks, cool night air blowing her long hair in several directions. She stood and stared, the tiny suburb of Lawndale seemingly gigantic as it was spread out before her."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Billionaire Daria), by DIsaac (COMPLETE!): "'Well I can't believe it! The old bat finally gave up the ghost finally.' Jake said in his joking manner. 'JAKE!' Helen said quickly to remind him of where the family was."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Billionaire Daria), by TheTuxedo (COMPLETE!): "Daria paid the clerk and took her pizza to the only empty booth, where she sat down alone. She liked to come here occasionally to pretend she was someone else, someone who wasn't judged on the size of her wallet."


• Up In Smoke, by Princess_Pasta (part 1): "Quinn tried not to let her restlessness affect her work performance...no matter how tiring her job was becoming. As an administrative assistant, she had to do lots of menial tasks that made her want to rip every red hair from her head."

"Coffee...caffeine. Dark circles. Capisce?"

I suspect quite a few Daria fans will join Jane in celebrating National Coffee Day, so grab a mug (or two) and get your morning pick-me-up. Quinn will just be sitting over there, moaning about how badly you're going to do in the Mother-Daughter Fashion Show.

I'm sure Brittany will be happy to know that today is also World Heart Day, because hearts mean romance and she loves romance novels! To celebrate, let's share some of Helen's heart-smart lima bean cupcakes...on second thought, let's go grab a pizza instead. I'd rather take my chances with the clogged arteries.

Fandom News!

• Talk about the laughable list of requirements one man is demanding of any would-be partner.


• When exactly does personal responsibility go out the window? breitasparrow wonders about alcohol as an excuse for bad behavior.


• Daria made TV Guide's list of the 60 greatest cartoons. Discuss the ranking and see who else made the cut!


• Jeremy Garrett and Robyn have artwork requests in the Easel.


• What was your favorite artwork from 2013?


• Give your opinion of the fanfic series Abruptly Amy in Golden Oldies.

Chief Mack Daddy

Mack is doing his Sitting Bull impression again because today is Native American Day, which leads me to wonder...are there any Native Americans in Lawndale? Or is African American the closest they could get?

Fanfic Update!

• A Crashing Encounter (IC: Daria wrecks a car), by ashk09 (part 2): "Daria sighed, wondering how much they would dock her pay if she was to murder her friend right here and now, and use her entrails as an exciting new topping. 'If you're not gonna order anything, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.'"


• The Great And The Good, by ognawk (part 20): "'I can't believe I'm letting you two drag me to a mall,' Daria huffed. 'Oh come on, Daria, we're going to a formal occasion,' Ashley replied, 'There is a certain level of decorum required by these fancy, upper crust types."


• Just Friends, by minx (part 17): "Trent could hear the girls muffled voices, indistinguishable while his head was covered with Jane's duvet. He thought he heard something vaguely like 'Trent'. His interest piqued, Trent uncovered his head, walked over to the door and strained his ears to listen."


• MST3Q (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: Why, oh God WHY?!), by SacredDust (COMPLETE!): "The first scene of today's experiment lit up the theater, and immediately its three viewers longed for the darkness. The first words on the screen appeared: 'Crisswell Predicts.'"


• A New Direction (Iron Chef: My Dad, the director), by peetz5050 (part 13a): "'HI, I'm Kayla Lindstrom from CMC Marketing. I work with Quinn Morgendorffer on the publicity side. I was wondering if you and your friends would have lunch with me today? I have a proposal for you.'"


• Nursery Rhymes (Daria and the Gang Thread), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "'Okayyyyy,' Tiffany said. 'What do we dooo next?' 'I have it!' Sandi said. 'Nursery rhymes'"


• Unnamed story (IC: Early Meeting), by ashk09 (part 1): "Through the gale, Daria heard a noise, but between the roar of wind and having her jacket pulled up around her head, she couldn't make out what it was; there was a sudden screech, the sound of something slamming, and then a noise she was all-too-familiar with ... someone berating her in a strident tone of voice."


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: Why, oh God WHY?!), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'911 emergency dispatch. What is your emergency?'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fan-Fic Should Have: Why, oh God WHY?!), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "The carrot-top let a tiny smile cross her face as she saw the single hole in the center of the sheet of paper tacked upon the sand-worn sheet of wood, once part of a wagon... a paper with the face of an angry-looking Chinese woman."


• Unnamed story (Scenes that should be: Pacific Rimmers), by Aloysius (COMPLETE!): "Anthony DeMartino saw the sign that said, "Duck Jerky, Cherry Fudge, and Homemade Potato Chips," and just knew that he had to stop. None of the three advertised items went together, so the story of this stand just had to be interesting."


• Veronica's Story : The Highland Years, by ST91 (part 4): "'Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Veronica, happy birthday to you!'"

Pouring on the Potpourri

Daria's plastic model at left (taken from her room without permission) reminds us that today is World Heart Day. Take care of yours, please.

Kevin's alter ego at right reminds us that this is the 124th anniversary of the birth of stage magician Blackstone, Sr.

Today is also National Chocolate Milk Day, but I was unable to find a Daria-ish image to represent that. Just make a glass of it and celebrate.

Jane's multiarmed avatar of a Hindu deity at left reminds us that today is World Tourism Day. Which deity is she, though? She is holding the mace Kaumodaki, so she might well be Vishnu. I hope this image is not sacrilegious. Sacrilegious stuff belongs in fanfics.

Just 104 years ago, Annalen der Physik published a paper called "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" by some guy named Einstein, which described the relationship of energy, mass, and motion, represented by the equation E=mc². This turned out to have quite an effect on world history, particularly in the Geekdom of Nerdland. Atomic Space Trent reminds us of this event at the bottom right.

That should about close it out. Oh, Avril Lavigne turns 25 today, but she only shows up in Canadibrit's fanfics as the musical background.

Have a good one!

LATE NOTE: Richard Lobinske has updated the 2009 Daria Visual Fanworks list!