This is What Daria Sees Whenever Someone Mentions Extracurricular Activities

It was on this day in 1869 that the Golden Spike was driven at Promontory Summit in Utah. This marked the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad, which was the first railroad to connect the east and west coasts of the United States. Just a little something for the train fans out there--you know who you are!

Fanfic Update!

• About Us, K&D (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'So... about us...?' Kevin Thompson began asking hesitantly, not sure how else to start the topic. 'I... I don't know.' Daria Morgendorffer said, her face a kaleidoscope of emotions."


• Andrea's Tears, by BrownEyedBagel (COMPLETE!): "I’ll be honest, what he is wearing... it doesn’t really suit him. His tux matches him as well as the wedding dress goes with me. The only reason were doing this is because my mother has been fantasizing about this day since I was born."


• Apathymorphs: The Invasion, by JoeMerl (part 2): "[They are parasites,] the alien explained. [They—UGH!] Another blast of pain went through us; I saw the alien’s chest rise and fall rapidly, the slits on his face expanding with effort. [They live in the bodies of hosts. In this form they are known as Controllers. They enter the brain and connect to its neurons and synapses, taking over their minds and bodies.] 'Wait—you mean like people?' Jodie said in amazement. 'There are aliens on Earth—living inside people’s brains?'"



• At the Crossroads...(Chapter 9), by oni (part 2): "When Tori finally got up to them to speak, she could only get a couple words out before Stacy grabbed her and pushed her up against the lockers. Everyone else in the hall came to a dead stop and watched the enraged Stacy yell at Tori, excusing her of being behind the attack. Quinn came right in front of her best friend and tried to pull her off of the girl."


• Blessings of the Moon -- Chapter 1, by Fhujeth_x (parts 2 and 3): "Sipping his coffee, Mr. Rowe nodded, 'So... Stacy...' He glanced over at his wife, nervously, 'You weren't out past cur--' Lightly punching her husband in the arm, Mrs. Rowe alerted her husband not to mention anything about curfew, 'Stacy, I was wondering, think you could run down to PayDay this morning, pick up some food for the family dinner we're having tonight?'" (Part 3)


• Crossing The Legion (Hell is Crossed People), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "'...Here comes the kick - and it's GOOD!' The unholy sound of the puppy, howling in pain as Tom Sloane's kick sent it whirling off the roof of Legion Tower and into the distance, brought a smile to Sandi Griffin's face. 'Well, well, Tommy boy. Looks like we found something that you do well.'"


• Darryl (PLOT BUNNIES: free to good home), by DeacBlue: "'I'll try to help Quinn through this difficult period of adjustment, Dad. See you.' He sighed as he made his way, ignored through the doors of Lawndale High. At least he thought he was ignored. While Quinn was busy chatting with the popular girls, several jock-types looked at the 5'3" boy with long hair and scented fresh meat. 'Hey, look!' the blond one said, 'We've got a geek here that doesn't know if he's a boy or a girl!'"


• A Distant Lawndale (Part Two), by Arena del Sur (part 6): "'Dad...' I said and Dad looked at me. 'Tell me...' 'Yes?' 'I wondered... Are you happy?'"



• Dropping Meteors (Scenes That Should Be: Breakfast of Zombie Champions), by Walter Kovacs (COMPLETE!): "'...And that was your valedictorian's speech. Now, here's to a fine young woman who started at this institution as a frosh and is now graduating with high honors. I present to you Daria Sloane, who will be recieving this award for academic distinction and valor beyond the normally high standards that Fielding demands of it's graduates'"


• Dylan, by J-D (part 4b): "'Okay, Dylan, just remember, I’ll do all the talking.' Dylan shrugged as Kris rang the doorbell. He stood silently next to his brother until a plain young woman opened the door, and continued to stand there silently as Kris began his pitch for the long-distance phone cards they were supposed to be trying to sell, asking the woman about the quality of the service she was getting and suggesting the importance of clarity of reception."


• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch 3 Rise Above the Bollocks, by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Then through the din of stuck up elitism Ethan heard the cutting voice of Aunt Mildred call out, 'And what about your sister’s child dear Kay, Ethan was it? I’d like to ask him a few questions...' Ethan sighed inwardly and readied himself for his auto-da-fe and wondered if he should bother to pray despite being an atheist."


• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch 4 Power to the Snark, by Shiva (parts 1 and 2): "'I have to admit that I’m still impressed that Trent and your Dad were willing to risk life, limb, and the Lexus into order to find us.' Jane noted as an afterthought. 'Families are like that.' Daria added and then blushed when she realized what she had said without thinking." (Part 2)



• Found, by DIsaac (part 1): "I still remember that day. I should. I mean it was the day that changed the course of my life forever. I mean not many people have a story of finding themselves on a milk carton."


• Germination Mastication (Pie, Pie, My Darling), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'I knew you guys would screw this up,' said Daria, waddling up to the dimwitted duo. 'I just had to see for myself.' 'What do you know about nachos, Daria?' Butt-head asked, oblivious to the fact that, given her girth, she likely knew a lot about nachos."


• Heil Li! (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Anthony DeMartino gave a lusty leer to the asian sex kitten that had just entered his bedroom wearing nothing but a leather harness, an SS officer's cap, a hitler mustache, and jackboots."


• The Hounds (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'That's right bitch, scream all you want, no one's coming to help you.' Mack said with a dark smile, 'In fact I'll scream with you, AHHH SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP!'"


• Into the Black, Into the Blue, Chapter 2, by Lord Yellowtail (part 2): "The blow sent Number 973 into the Land of Nod even as she raised her free hand and flicked her wrist, a pair of querangs whizzing through the air, disarming the remaining two agents in a cacophony of pained screams and breaking fingers. As they staggered, she drew her primed crossbow in a smooth motion and fired twice. A pair of thwips, and the newly disarmed duo went down in drowsed drug derived daze. Question blinked. Accidental alliteration. Need to sleep soon. ... There it is again. Damn."


• Ms. Barch's Secret Meal (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Janet Barch savored the flavor as she slowly chewed the meat in her mouth and her ears drank in the screams of pain coming from the filthy, MAN she had chained to the table."


• Oh Quinn You're So Silly (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Reven384 (COMPLETE!): "'Oh Quinn you're so silly,' Stacy said ignoring the girl's muffled sounds of protest, 'You really need to stop being so mean. You know I hate having to gag you.'"



• Sating Hunger (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Benedika Johanssen wriggled and moaned in ecstasy as she felt the two she had consumed earlier, fighting a vain fight for their lives inside her engorged stomach."


• Save the Last Trance for Me, by jtranser: "Jane reached out and gently held Amelia's hand: 'No, no, We just need you as weather-sensitive subjects for a series of low frequency EMF experiments, that's all. Although in your case, Amelia, you might want to change your sex to male to deliver any associated prophecies that might be generated as a result, especially those involving weather field emissions...' Daria laughed, and added: 'And pay special attention to the nocturnal ones, as they can be real hard to deal with...'"


• Scarlett the Dark Fairy Meets the Crossed (Hell is Crossed People), by Aloysius (COMPLETE!): "Scarlett the Dark Fairy never ever thought that she'd be the first line of defense for a rescue shelter. If you had asked her about that before all this happened, she would have laughed at you, kicked you in the balls and taken your wallet. Though not necessarily in that order."


• Some More Mack Torture (of a different sort) and Oh the things I do for that Silly Quinn (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Reven384 (COMPLETE!): "Mack struggled against his ropes as he tried to force his way out of his current predicament. He opened his mouth to make a sound but a larger person knocked the breath out of him and he felt a wet tongue enter his mouth."


• Step Up (Iron Chef: 'Sloane Trouble' Expansion), by JoeMerl (COMPLETE!): "'Mom! Mom!' 'What is it, Tom?' Kay asked, startled as her son stormed into the study. Tom motioned accusingly out of the room. 'Dad just said---he told me---'" (Continued by Roentgen) (Continued by Brother Grimace)


• Three J's and an Upchuck (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'We have been watching you for some time now Chuck.' Jamie said while he and Jeffy moved to look at him next to Joey. 'We've seen you letch on every single girl... Even Daria and Jane.' Jeffy added with a shiver of disgust. 'And it's... Clearly an act Upchuck... Just like how we act like fools for Quinn in public...' Joey noted with an ironic grin."



• Tiffany... Oh Tiffany... (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Her body was still warm as it lay on the bed, her nakedness was a wonder to behold, he ran his fingertips down her perfect skin, skin that he would ensure stayed perfect, forever."


• Unnamed story (PLOT BUNNIES: free to good home), by Trscroggs: "'So I have to ask, just because I like hearing the stories, how did you lose the eye?' Jane asked her new friend Daria. Daria’s smirk, seemingly a default expression, didn’t waver. 'I had to sacrifice it at Mímir's Well to gain wisdom in my bid to replace Odin as the leader of the gods.'"


• Unnamed story (PLOT BUNNIES: free to good home), by Trscroggs: "Maddie: So an eight year old becomes the host of a True Rune, the youngest host ever, and yet for almost eight years the fact that you had one of the runes went completely unnoticed. Daria: (raises a finger) Second youngest. The True Rune of Life and Death, aka Souleater, was tricked into a two year old for about three months. Well the fact is that I didn’t use the rune often enough for it to be noticed. I’m just grateful it’s allowed me to age, mostly. "


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by 45Ranger (COMPLETE!): "Upchuck is talking to Daria at the Pizza King. 'Daria... I'm pregnant.'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by BrownEyedBagel (COMPLETE!): "Daria savored the taste of blood to it's fullest. Tom was on the floor recoiling in pain."


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): "(at Cashman's department store) (Helen emerges from a dressing room, wearing a blue version of her red 'power suit') Helen - What do you think of this one? (Daria is nowhere to be seen.)"


• WaM, Ma'ams, Dark Paladin, by DeacBlue (part 6): "She was interrupted by a squeal from Stacy. 'Buffy! We're meeting Buffy!' A front hatch popped up and she squealed - again. 'Daria! That's Buffy Summers!' The now-identified Buffy blushed. 'Well, Buffy Rosenberg-Summers, but close enough. And I have a fan. How - neat.' She took Daria's hand. 'And I'll take a stab and guess that you're Daria?'"


• We Only Hurt the Ones We Love, by deneich (part 11): "As we were talking a girl on the other team called to Stacey. Stacey, looked at the girl nervously; obviously, not thrilled at being addressed by her. 'So, Stacey' the girl started 'how does it feel, having to hang around with losers? Don't worry, though, even losers like them will get tired of your clingy, needy personality and then you'll be all alone.'"


• Who's Your Daddy (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Reven384 (COMPLETE!): "It had been about two months since her father died of a heart attack. The whole house mourned and Daria and Quinn took it really hard. While that was happening Helen started dating again. She kept her new boyfriend a secret until she eloped. Daria sat in the living room her mouth hung agape in abject horror. Quinn screamed. Daria didn't blame her."

And To Think, He Could Have Been Born During an Influenza Epidemic!

Today is National Teacher Day, and I'm sure that this one day of recognition is more than enough to recompense Mr. DeMartino for the many years he's wasted trying to teach students like Kevin. Go ahead and ask him just how warm and fuzzy he feels today. I'll wait over here.

Today is also V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day. It was the day that Nazi Germany surrendered during World War II. The day is also notable in that, according to (the now-appreciated) Mr. DeMartino in "Fizz Ed," none of Lawndale High's history supplies were manufactured after that point. I think he was exaggerating, but knowing Ms. Li...maybe he wasn't.

Fandom News!

• Staticblast is looking for easy recipes. What can you suggest?


• The Latin American version of Netflix is now offering Daria--or at least some of it.


• Discuss the upcoming Judge Dredd movie in a new thread.


• Shiva posted a new Iron Chef in Creative Writing: 'Sloane Trouble' Expansion.

No One's Likely to Write a Musical about Her, Either

Happy birthday to the late Eva Perón, born on this day in 1919. Also known as Evita, Perón was both very popular and very controversial as First Lady of Argentina. Ms. Li may have the controversial part down, but I doubt she'd ever be able to pull off "popular."

Fanfic Update!

• 1984 Trouble (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'I think it is time I paid my friend a visit.' Ms. Morgen said to herself while brushing a strand of hair away from her glasses, noting that she would need a new pair crafted. She took note of the cell number and began the walk down the familiar halls of the Ministry of Love, the stark gray walls were oddly comforting to her, a symbol of the power of the Party."


• Blessings of the Moon -- Chapter 1, by Fhujeth_x (part 1): "Shrugging, she checked the scratch on her back, 'I guess she didn't break the skin after all...' Stacy smiled, feeling relieved there was no scar. 'I wonder why there is blood on my shirt though...'"


• Calling the Kettle Black, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "Daria walked from the kitchen upstairs to her room. The Fashion Club was meeting and Daria wanted to stay downstairs as long as possible, but needed one of her textbooks. Quinn's door was closed and the Fashion Club was laughing about something. Daria smelt something. Smoke? Are they setting something on fire? Daria took a deep breath, gripped the doorknob and opened the door. What she found was a surprise - the four members of the Fashion Club were sitting around a glass bong." (Continued by Greystar)


• Double Trouble (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Tom Sloane felt his eyes flutter open; his body blissfully drained from the previous evenings activities with one of the most beautiful girl he had ever met."


• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch 3 Rise Above the Bollocks, by Shiva (parts 6 - 8): "'My Aunt called my Mom today.' 'I assume this isn’t an ordinary occurrence.' 'They haven’t talked since the sixties.' 'Oh.' Daria said simply, and then mentally berated herself for not making the leap in logic. 'And now we’ve been invited to "The Cove" so that Mom and Aunt Moneybags can mend fences.' Ethan said in a dull monotone." (Part 7) (Part 8)



• Family New, by RLobinske (part 1): "The blond-haired woman wrinkled her nose at the slightly antiseptic scent in the air outside the front nurses station at the Cedars of Lawndale. Hospitals had always made her uncomfortable and this evening brought particularly dread. Choking back a couple of tears, she said, 'Hi, I'm Rita Barksdale. I was contacted as next of kin for the Morgendorffer family. I'm Helen's sister.'"


• Quinn's Code Story 6: The Lab Mouse, The Geek and the Convention, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 7): "'If you don't like it, give it back,' Tatiana demanded. She made a move for the paper in the fan's hand. 'NO! I'M NOT!' The fan's shouting brought the attention of nearby attention goers, including Jenna and Koichi. 'That won't end well,' Jenna said in embarressment. Koichi nodded."


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 17, by Fhujeth_x (COMPLETE!): "Staring at Trent, Sandi felt a bit of disgust go over her. He /was/ like 25 or something, why was he even visiting at the school, let alone, he smelled filthy and... how could he see Tommy Sherman... and... 'How did Quinn find out?' Sandi's mind went back to the first thing on her mind. 'No. Wait.' Pausing she glaced out the window, 'Who or what are you?'" (Part 2) (Part 2.5) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Epilogue)


• Sloane Trouble (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'And this must be Anne,' Kay Sloane said warmly in greeting as her son, Tom entered the room with a beautiful blond girl on his arm. 'Yes,' Tom said with pride dripping off his tongue, 'This is the girl I've been telling you about for months, Anne, this is my mother, Mom, this is Anne Peasegood.'"


• Smile, by Smijey (part 1): "At first, she had been awed by the sight of grass -- the first grass she had seen in her whole life -- but after the first hour realized that she hadn't seen a single sign of the old United States during the whole trip. Growing up in the Texan Blight Zone, she had spent many a day wandering the Great Blight, which had so many old burnt-out buildings, cars, tanks, and fighter jet wreckage speckled through it, her father had once likened the ruins to the chips in a massive chocolate chip cookie. (Her father always got sad and refused to answer whenever Quinn asked what, exactly, a cookie was)."


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by BrownEyedBagel (continued from earlier scene): "(Daria and Jane are minding their own buisness at the Pizza King) Jane: 'So I take it you convinced Brittany that your not responsible for her baby?' Daria: 'No...every time I tried to explain how the female repoductive area works she broke down and told me that I wasn't getting anywhere near that again untill we figured out what to do about the little bastard.'"


• WaM, Ma'ams, Dark Paladin, by DeacBlue (part 5): "Later, gathered around the breakfast table, Jane brought up the issue that had been in the back of everyone's minds. 'So, are we doing this? And if we are, why? Do we care if some BDSM SEAL gets his balls shot up? Heck, do we even care if Melody stays in New Orleans?' She looked around. 'I mean, it's not like this Gomer is going to go any further.' At Quinn's shocked look, she continued. 'Hey, I'm not saying no. But I'd really like a better reason than, "because we can."'"

Cinco de Feisty!

Hey everyone! It's Cinco de Mayo! Also known as the Fifth of May! It's a holiday that, in Mexico, commemorates The Battle of Puebla. In the U.S., it's mostly an excuse to drink a lot. Like most holidays, really.

Still, any holiday that offers us the opportunity to beat the stuffing (literally) out of Upchuck is okay by me.

Today is also Free Comic Book Day, so those of you who are still sober today can go get your geek on! Kevin's already called dibs on the Ratboy books, so hands off.

Fandom News!

• Remember the Battle of the Coral Sea in The Sidhe's new thread.


• Roentgen discusses whether cancellation can be a good thing.


• Talk about Yu-Gi-Oh: The Abridged/Cancelled Series in the Weapons of Mass Distraction.


• Lord Yellowtail has a Quick "Questions Asked" Question.


• Two new Iron Chefs have been posted in Creative Writing: Fhujeth_x's You write it, I voice it and Smijey's Football Banned.

Hey, What Rhymes with "Fire"?

Today is International Firefighters' Day, and I don't know about you, but Trent is probably the last person I'd want to rely on to save my house from burning. If he didn't fall asleep holding the hose, the flames would probably inspire him to wander off and write down song lyrics.

For geeks everywhere (and aren't we all, deep down?), today is also Star Wars Day. Because it's May the Fourth. Get it? Ah, Jedi puns.

Fanfic Update!

• Apathymorphs: The Invasion, by JoeMerl (part 1): "My name is Jane. That’s my first name, obviously. I can’t tell you my last name. The Controllers are everywhere. Everywhere. And if they knew my full name, they could find me and my friends, and then...well, let’s just say I don’t want them to find me. I won’t even tell you where I live. You’ll just have to trust that it’s a real place, a real town. Maybe even your town."


• The Cats Will Play, by RLobinske (COMPLETE!): "Bump pushed her head in, further opening the door to reveal a small plastic bag filled with a green herb. She grabbed the bag in her mouth and pulled it out onto the floor. Sissy grasped the other end and both pulled while also clawing at the plastic. In less than a minute, the bag ripped and the contents spilled out. Both cats stopped and inhaled deeply as the scent of catnip filled the air. It was going to be a good night."


• A Distant Lawndale (Part Two), by Arena del Sur (part 5): "The next morning Lawndale looked like a white desert. The view of the nearby houses surrounded with snow was shocking. Winter hadn't came yet, and this snowfall was a preview of its future rigours. I went downstairs to have breakfast, and turned on the radio waiting for a particular news. It was official, Lawndale High will be closed today. However, I was worried enough to celebrate the news. I put another sugar tart in the toaster and kept on waiting."



• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch 3 Rise Above the Bollocks, by Shiva (parts 3 - 5): "'Hey Ethan.' Daria suddenly said, 'You want another piercing?' 'Why you ask Daria?' Ethan asked, curious about the oddball question. 'I want a belly ring and I have enough cash for a two-for-one deal.' Ethan noticed that Josh had dropped Axl’s book in his lap and was staring at Daria in total shock; never in a million YEARS did he think that the Queen Bitch of Lawndale would ever do anything like this... ever!" (Part 4) (Part 5)


• General Semantics, Private Angst, by gwrtheyrn (part 42): "Daria Morgendorffer 3 had been having a rather quiet conversation with Jane Lane in her hotel room, but then something changed. The red-headed desk clerk, Kunegunde Morgen, was in the room, as if she had joined them some time before. She and Jane were dressed in identical blue-skirted, sailor-bloused schoolgirl uniforms. Each looked quite a bit younger than she had earlier, like a girl rather than a woman. Ms Morgen, and Jane, with such eerily synchronised choreography that one might think one mind animated the two of them, were performing hyperkinetic, almost spastic dance moves, and singing in unison...."


• God Save The Esteem ep41: Is It Fun Yet?, by Charles RB (part 10): "Daria stared out at nothing. 'That’s not it. I just don’t want to deal with them anymore.' 'Maybe you don’t have to deal with.' 'I always do. I always do, and look what happens. I can’t do that anymore.' 'We can stop the trip, Daria. We can go somewhere else. Somewhere more normal.' Daria closed her eyes. 'Please.'"


• Ironed Silk (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by LongSnakeMoan (COMPLETE!): "Jane lay on her back and grabbed the bedsheets tightly as waves of pleasure washed over her. She vaguely heard herself moan and her mind was blank, feeling nothing but the primal desire running through her every vein."


• The Lamp and Daria, by DeacBlue (parts 1 and 2): "'Oooo, like Aladdin's lamp?' Jane was grinning mischievously. 'Why don't you rub it?' 'I've got something for you to rub, Jane,' Daria snarked, 'but I do need to get the dust off of it.' She took out a handkerchief and wiped it off. Tried to, rather, for light and smoke erupted from the object, forcing a startled Daria to drop it and step back, while a silhouette, then a solid body (or at least one from the torso up) formed from the smoke. 'Blessed Mortal!' a deep voice reverberated around the room. 'You have freed me from the lamp! According to the Law of Solomon, you are due three wishes!'" (Part 2)


• Mack Daddy (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "Kevin awoke with a start when his hair was pulled hard by the person, nay the God who had finally showed him what it meant to be a man."



• A New Beginning, by LadieT (part 6): "Daria could feel Quinn tense up as the living room filled up with people. Daria looked over at Monique, her eyes pleading for help. Monique nodded and asked everyone to follow her into the kitchen. Stacy reached over and gave Quinn's hand a gentle squeeze before leaving. Quinn tightened her grip around her big sister. 'I'm not going anywhere, Quinn.' Daria whispered. 'Yeah, right - maybe you should have felt that way ten years ago.' Quinn said with venom in her voice."


• Runaway Daria: Fallout Lawndale Edition, by Vukodlak (part 6): "She held her for several minutes while her parents ate but soon she started fussing. 'Umm what do I do?' Daria was hoping this didn’t turning into full-scale balling. 'She wants your attention just talk to her.' Jack explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 'About what?' Little Katherine was starting to flail and Daria was ready to panic. 'Doesn’t matter just talk to her.' Daria nodded to her mother’s suggestion and turned to look at her baby sister. She began reciting passages from memory from her Big Book of Science volume eight and much to her surprise she had the baby’s rapt attention."


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 16, by Fhujeth_x (COMPLETE!): "This came as startling news to Sandi. She always knew Ms. Barch was a weird nutcase but... a liar? 'She made me this... werewolf?' Sandi muttered in disbelief, 'She did this to me?' 'Yes.' He paused, '...and according to my research, if you kill the werewolf who bit you. You will be lifted from the curse forever.' He smiled."


• TDJS Ch. 2 Interlude, by ST91 (parts 2 and 3): "Dario exhaled deeply. 'Jane I must tell you something ... something very important but first I want you to know that I didn’t want hide this thing from you ; it just slipped my mind to tell you because it's something that I'm used to doing .' 'Ok.' Jane said with a touch of concern. 'Tell me.' 'See Jane, I'm busy every Saturday because I am going with my father to a psychiatrist.'" (Part 3)


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): "Trent wandered into the kitchen in search of food and almost ran into Jane's outstretched hand. She held a large clump of plastic purple Easter grass, and her expression was unreadable."


• Whoops (Iron Chef: Kevin Morgendorffer), by Vukodlak (COMPLETE!): "A few minutes later Tom was slowly descending the stairs creeping along as quietly as he could. He struggled with the door for a minute before it finally opened. His heart sank when he found himself face to face with Kevin... who was coming home just after four in the morning. 'I won’t tell if you won’t.' Tom figured this was a fair deal. 'Tell what T-dwag?' Tom wasn’t sure if Kevin was agreeing to the mutual silence or if he genuinely had no idea. Either way Tom felt safe he’d gotten away with it."


• Who Watches the Legion?, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "So Charles and I thought about it all. The impression we had was that the Iraq War was about to be lost - the newest idiot plan was a 'surge' and who knows how that would have worked out? Gates told us the Iraqi government was not stable enough to hold on its own except with a massive US military commitment. And maybe, they hoped, we could do something."

"They're so cute when they smile at you. Hello, precious!"

Happy Baby Day! No, you don't have to celebrate by giving birth. Unless you have to distract Gary of Gary's Gallery. Your call, really.

Today is also notable in that it's the anniversary of the expiration date of the tainted waffles Jake ate in Is It Fall Yet? Okay, actually it was the sell-by date, but either way I think Trent ought to consider "Tainted Waffles" as a potential new name for the band.

Fandom News!

• Roentgen wonders about the origin of Jane's one-time boyfriend Nathan.


• Post your favorite suggestions for new fandom nicknames!


• Discuss Marvel's The Avengers movie in a Weapons of Mass Distraction thread.


• Vukodlak posted a new Iron Chef in Creative Writing: Kevin Morgendorffer.

"'Unto'?" "Buckle my shoe."

Happy Mother Goose Day, nursery rhyme lovers! Daria doesn't seem like the type to enjoy that kind of thing, but perhaps she'll put her own spin on the classics. I just wonder where she got that goose.

Today is also May Day, Beltane, and Walpurgis Night, which are all festivals from different parts of the world that celebrate spring. It may or may not look much like spring where you are right now--especially if you live in the Southern Hemisphere--but I'll take any excuse to celebrate!

Fanfic Update!

• Abbatoir Blues (1): The Hitman and Her, by LongSnakeMoan (part 2): "'Can I ask you a personal question Jane?' Well, that was direct. No bullshit small talk with this guy. 'Sure, ask away.' 'Why the hell are you a hooker?'"


• Clique Swap, by psychotol (part 34): "Hillary: 'So we have no other heads of state competing right?' Chiss General: Looks like he’s just remembered something. Hillary: Sighs. 'Who else?' Chiss General: 'Gar Stazi. Supreme commander of the New Republic Defence Fleet, wants to bring back a democratic republic.'"


• Daria - Double Down, by neonhomer (part 37): "They walked to Trent’s car, and got in. 'You cleaned the car out?' 'Yeah. Figured it was time.' Said Trent. 'Uh huh. Jane made you do it?' Trent chuckled. 'Yeah, but I found ten dollars, so it’s all good.'"


• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch2 Ye Olde Madness, by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'Hey guys,' Jane answered back while walking away from a booth selling ‘Authentic’ Manuscripts from the Middle Ages, 'What are you guys doing here?' 'What are you?' Ethan asked as a reply. 'I needed to get out, Trent discovered a new cord and now his band mates are playing it in an infinite loop.' At the mention of Jane’s extremely hot brother Trent Lane, Ethan started to look dreamy until remembering who he was standing next to and said some hurried words of sympathy and changed the subject." (Part 5)


• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch 3 Rise Above the Bollocks, by Shiva (parts 1 and 2): "'And so now I have to write a story with moral intentions, rather than just do a report on one I’ve already read.' Daria complained to Jane, Ethan, and Josh, while they were heading for Jane’s house. 'That’s what you get for knowing more than the teacher.' Ethan quipped." (Part 2)



• Family Reunion, by januense (part 3): "She began to panic, her heart beating as fast as a racing car engine's piston and her brain jammed. She was unable to explain his blitz, nor to figure out his intentions. Did he embrace her in a flame of passion that he can no longer hide? ... clearly her brain was on strike ... Will he try to kiss her? Her wildest dream were going to become reality? Why here? Why now? 'Why has that huge, heavy, old anvil just crashed in the same spot were I stood before?'"


• Lawndale School of Magic Part Two: Brittany's Party, by Reven384 (COMPLETE!): "Daria said as they reached the school, 'It’s as I feared. He’s removed most of my runes.' 'So what will you do now?' Jane asked. 'I still have one rune that is undetectable. I just need the chance to use it,' Daria said, 'This will be tricky because I’ll only have one shot.' 'And you want me to stay outside,' Jane said. 'I need you to stay outside,' Daria said pointing towards a monster Upchuck had conjured. "


• The Mageborn Cynic : Daria & the School of Magic, by peetz5050 (COMPLETE!): "They had reached a landing at the top of the stair with a single door and a smaller narrow steep stair leading to a trapdoor in the ceiling. Quinn wormed her way past Jane so she could get in first. Daria opened the door and Quinn darted in and turned around to watch. Jane cocked a bemused eyebrow at this carry on and looked at Daria who said 'Abandon hope and all that... go on in, it's just my bedroom. Jane did so not knowing what to expect but curious because of Quinn's antics."


• Paging, Dr. Morgendorffer, by oni (COMPLETE!): "The tape recorder was on play and the voice of a teenage girl came up through it. This is what she said... 'This is Daria Morgendorffer and Jane Lane, and it’s currently four o’ clock outside. It’s been about a couple of minutes since we’ve taken the drug commonly referred to as LSD. My friend Jane here found it under her brother’s... Jane, what the hell are you staring at?'"


• Quinn's Code Story 6: The Lab Mouse, The Geek and the Convention, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 6): "Daria thought. 'She may be at a friend's house. One of the other cheerleaders, for instance.' 'Do you know where the other cheerleaders live?' Jane asked Jennifer. 'Why would I know?' Jennifer responded. 'I do,' Mack said. 'Of course you do,' Jane said."



• Rude Awakening Ep.10: Sandi vs The EPT , by DIsaac (part 8): "LINDA: So you couldn't handle the pressure? SANDI: I could handle the pressure just fine...I just wanted something that is more challenging, Mother. LINDA: I taught you screw over everybody and screw the consequences. SANDI: Gee I wonder how that turned out. Dad is in jail for insider trading, All of us kids avoiding you like the plague and You still being miserable which you are totally unbearable as usual."


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 16, by Fhujeth_x (part 3): "Something was definitely wrong. She just knew it. Stacy and Tiffany were acting overly nice for some reason and they seemed to know something strange that she didn't know. 'About the other day...' She blurted out uncharacteristically but unsure of how to do it any other way, 'I...' 'Don't worry!' Stacy reassured as Tiffany spaced out completely on her make-up, 'Uhm, I hope. I mean, it's not like we're going to tell anyone you hear voices in your head...'"


• TDJS Ch. 2 Interlude, by ST91 (part 1): "'Dammit Dario why did you come out wearing just that towel?' 'Because my robe is still in the washing machine.' 'Shut up. Do you realize how bad an impression I made because of you?' 'Oh come on Quinn. It's not as if I was naked.' 'It makes no difference. Sandi and the other were eating you with their eyes.'"


• WaM, Ma'ams, Dark Paladin, by DeacBlue (part 4): "'And that's the smallest part of what this thing can do, almost a throwaway, minor power. This allows you to visit other universes, as well. Not just stars, but universes. You can go where the physical constants are different, where different choices were made...my head hurts.' She ran her fingers through her hair. Everyone started when Daria scraped her chair back. 'We're going to have to do some research,' she said, resting her hands on the table. 'I need all of the books, except mine, so that I can get copies made. We all need to be up to speed on this.'"


• What Did You Do During The War, Daria?, by echopapa (part 3): "'I can't go home,' Daria said. 'My parents and Quinn will be safer with me not around. I'll call Dad and tell him I'm going to your house.' 'But why are they looking for you?' Jane asked. 'I think that they are looking for all superheroes, anyone that might stand in the way of – whatever they're up to.' Daria created a tablet and used it to access the news sites. 'See? Reports of Hawkmen attacks in New York, Coast City, Central City, Gotham, Fawcett City, Seattle. Any city or town known to be the home of a superhero.'"

But Remember: Quinn Doesn't Slow Dance Until After the Fifth Date!

Happy International Dance Day! Daria and the Lawndale Lion are getting into the spirit--okay, one of them is, anyway--so why don't you? Ms. Li might be celebrating as well, as she reminisces about her brief career as a dancer. And let's not think too much about that one, okay?

Fandom News!

• Check out Brother Grimace's photo caption contest and post your own entry!


• NapalmKracken is visiting Japan and is sharing lots of photos.


• Share your thoughts on an essay about The Green Modernist.


• Sabertooth wants to know if there is any way to get the Daria novels online.


• Join the discussion about godparents and the Morgendorffers started by Ranger Thorne.


• Greystar posted a new Iron Chef in the Creative Writing forum: What did you do during the War of The Worlds?

Two Years Ago...There Was Much Rejoicing!

Today is the anniversary of the day fans first began receiving their Daria DVD sets in 2010. Woo hoo! It's been two years, and fandom has only kept growing since that day. Welcome, new fans!

Fanfic Update!

• Andrea's Tears, by BrownEyedBagel (part 4): "It’s hard to look back at it all now. The day I left, the things I’ve seen, none of it prepared me for what I would find when I came back. I really thought I was ready to take it all back. I was stronger and more confident, I had everything in line, and I had someone other than myself to fight for. Brandy made me stronger. There wasn’t a god damn thing I couldn’t do. Well...except for predict this anyway."


• Birthday Surprise Mini - The Bank, by DeacBlue (COMPLETE!): "Daria and Jane walked into the bank, Jane rubbing Daria's back. 'Dammit, Jane, all this crap is giving me the mother of all migraines.' She rubbed her head. Too bad this is too much to fit in the mattress.'"


• Daria - Double Down, by neonhomer (part 36): "'Sup?' asked Jane as she was tossing covers off the bed looking for the remote. She found it on the floor and pointed it towards the TV to turn it on. 'Not much. Uhh... Me and Tristan want to go with Trent and Daria.' Said Tilly. She could hear something clatter to the floor. 'Jane?' 'Run that by me again?' 'Me... Tristan... date.' Said Tilly. 'That’s what I thought you said.' Said Jane, picking the remote back up."



• Daria, in "X-ed", by Aloysius (COMPLETE!): "Daria lowered her newspaper enough to look at the businessman at the next table, her eyes narrowed. He seemed to be in his own world. Well, him and his cell phone. He was not only oblivious to her, but to the other patrons who looked at him with varying degrees of disgust and horror. We’re just a part of the furniture to this moron, she thought. I’ll give him a chance to tone it down...before I act."


• Dylan, by J-D (part 4a): "To the rhythm of a ghostly trumpet playing 'Pop Goes The Weasel' in his mind’s ear, Dylan marched in to see FitzPatrick and volunteer. FitzPatrick naturally adopted the most disgusting interpretation, that Dylan wanted to perform at the coffeehouse, perhaps by reading one of his essays. Dylan wasn’t that far gone yet. He explained that he’d been thinking more of helping to raise the funding."


• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch2 Ye Olde Madness, by Shiva (parts 1 - 3): "'You know if she just hawked some of the unused security equipment she’d have enough money for two new libraries.' Ethan said just loudly enough for the entire room to hear him. 'But that’s crazy talk,' Daria added, cutting into the silence, 'Because without that new polygraph machine how would she sniff out the Body Snatchers?' 'We have Body Snakes?!' Kevin asked in panic. Britney did everyone a favor by hitting him." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Hell is Crossed People, by Aloysius (COMPLETE!): "Daria Morgendorffer had heard the stories, but until she actually seen some of the...events, until they actually happened in Lawndale itself, she hadn’t really believed them. How could anyone normal believe that anything like this happening?"


• Lawndale and Sandi Griffin’s Genie (Chapter 7), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 2): "'Um, something has appeared to the south of here. It looks like it could be a mountain of ice-cream.' 'Ice cream?' Daria asked incredulously. 'Well, either that or mashed potato.' 'I’ll have a look.'"


• Lawndale School of Magic Part Two: Brittany's Party, by Reven384 (part 3): "No one noticed the door open, but they’d soon know who it was that was coming through the door. Upchuck smiled as he entered the party unnoticed. Time to crash the party. 'Hello ladies and gentlemen,' he yelled over the noise, 'It’s me. I’m here to entertain the lot of you with impressive feats of magic. Hello Brittany miss me?'"


• The Mageborn Cynic : Daria & the School of Magic, by peetz5050 (part 10a): "'Out with it.' 'My sister has some friends over too, we can go to my room afterward but we'll have to eat with them, sorry.' 'Don't fret about it, half the families in Lawndale owe my Father money so I'll just eyeball them and make them uncomfortable.' She grinned evilly. Daria looked at her with a sardonic smile 'OK, now I know why you were in Parity of Esteem class.'"



• Operation: Double Deep Cover (Iron Chef: Waking Up Melody), by BrownEyedBagel (COMPLETE!): "She got out of the shower and hurriedly dried herself off. She found her target a few months ago. Timothy O’Neil was about as red as they came. His small display outside the school saying that the Communist was the ultimate team player was not a good choice of words. Mr. O’Neil was a dead man; he just didn’t know it yet."


• A Resentful Cynic Ch. 3 The Curse of Middleton, by ST91 (parts 1 - 3): "Heck, Sometimes it is annoying to be always right. Daria thought before saying, 'Mom I don’t need to attend a college prep course. My 4.0 GPA will be enough to get me into a good college.' 'Maybe yes, Daria, but if you don’t get into a decent school your life will be ruined.' Oh, you don’t need to worry about that mom; you, Dad and Quinn have already done plenty to ruin my life. Daria thought." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Runaway Daria: Fallout Lawndale Edition, by Vukodlak (part 5): "In a few more hours her little brother or sister would be born. The idea of a little sister brought back memories of Quinn and the family she left behind years ago and a deep nagging fear she’d be left alone and abandoned. And in her mind a biological daughter had an obvious edge over an adoptive one."


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 16, by Fhujeth_x (part 2): "'Trent!' Jesse called behind him, 'I think this girl scout wants to sell you cookies.' He walked into the house leaving the door open, 'What kind should we get?' 'Get me three boxes of Samoas!' An unfamiliar voice shouted out from the background, 'Oh, and a box of Tagalongs!' Quinn grew frustrated quickly, as she had come to ask Trent about something as insane as werewolves and mythology, and not be thought of as a girl scout, 'I'm not a freaking girl scout, alright!'"


• WaM, Ma'ams, Dark Paladin, by DeacBlue (part 3): "Daria sat up, stretched, and got out of bed, where she saw Jane at the vanity, reading. 'This Mike Harmon is just a little bit twisted, isn't he?' she remarked as Daria kissed her good morning. 'I mean, besides being this rough, tough soldier type, besides being more than a little into bondage and girls half his age, he's got one hell of a hard-on for his universe's analog of Bush the Younger, and a heck of a dislike for the guy who signed most of his checks, Clinton.'"


• We Are Spyticus (Iron Chef: Waking Up Melody), by TheExcellentS (COMPLETE!): "'...the buses were headed for Jim's Paintballing Jungle when a drunk driver heading in the opposite direction swerved in their lane. Fortunately there were no fatalities, but there are reports of severe concussions to several students on both buses...'"


• Unnamed story (IC : Daria and the School of Magic), by Waylander (prologue): "This time the cards weren’t dealt in his favor. He wasn't the ruler of the United Kingdom of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, hero of the Second Battle of Hastings. IHe wasn't ship tycoon and philanthropist from Portland. He wasn't world’s famous comedian. He was just Artie Simmons, pizza delivery guy. Nothing special, except for knowing what could have been."

No Hug? No Worries!

Today is Hug an Australian Day, so find an Australian and hug them! Daria would like to firmly remind everyone that she is not actually Australian, and therefore there is no need to hug her. At all. Please. On pain of death. Thank you.

Today is also the 26th anniversary of the infamous Chernobyl disaster, one of the worst nuclear accidents in history. Thirty-one people died as a direct result of the accident, but the deaths caused indirectly by the event number at least in the tens or even hundreds of thousands.

Fandom News!

• MartinUK is preparing for his trip to Spain. Post your good wishes and demands for pictures now!


• yogSothoth wants to know if anyone can make a Dariacon in Sioux Falls, SD?


• Why did Big Band music die? Talk about it in a new Deep Thoughts thread.


• Erin M. posted part 1 of a two-part review of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.


• Two new Iron Chefs have been posted in the Creative Writing forum: ThanatosRW's Raising Rita and Grifter74's Waking Up Melody.


• Roentgen wonders if fans could put together an "Esteemsters" Uncut movie.


• Wouter posted an art Iron Chef in The Easel: 15 years of Daria.

Apparently Feathers Have Now Become the Current Neutral

Happy World Penguin Day! I'm not sure that's quite the right look for Sandi, but I guess you can't go wrong with formalwear. If you don't know why penguins are relevant to this fandom, then you really haven't been here very long!

Today is also Anzac Day for Australia and New Zealand, commemorating those who served and died in military service--particularly in Battle of Gallipoli.

Fanfic Update!

• Abbatoir Blues: The Hitman and Her, by LongSnakeMoan (part 1): "I look down the alley were the voices came from. Some low rent hood is grappling with a struggling woman, the kind of guy who thought dealing a bit of weed entitled him to slap girls around. She's giving as good as she gets though, aiming punches at his face and chest, and it looks like she's winning. Until he moves suddenly and punches her hard in the stomach. She crumples to the ground and at that point I've had enough."


• At the Crossroads...(Chapter 9), by oni (part 1): "Once Sandi was seated into the front passenger seat, she pulled out her cell phone and called Tiffany's number. Just getting the girl's voice message, Sandi turned her cell phone off and let out a sigh. Helen looked over at the brunette worried, before turning the car on. 'I'm sure she's ok,' Helen said, trying to sound reassuring. Even as she said that though, Helen knew that she had come to the same conclusion that Sandi had. That conclusion was the strange coincidence that they haven't heard or seen Tiffany since the attack."


• Being Melody (Iron Chef: Waking Up Melody), by Grifter74 (part 1): "Melody sat down on the bed drying her hair, while thinking about the situation. Nothing was adding up. She had walked away from the accident with only a small bump on her head, but was it really an accident or had someone tried to kill or capture her. She remembered a mission to Paris, the mess in Cuba, and several other missions, but nothing about why she was in Maryland."


• The Cats Will Play, by RLobinske (part 3): "The sound of the door lock overruled all curiosity in the felines. Being closer, Sissy climbed down the boxes to the floor. Once Sissy was clear, Bump jumped down to the midpoint of the stacked boxes and in the process, catching the handle of a small shopping back around her neck. The contents fell away to the carpet and the sudden weight frightened Bump. 'It's got me!' she yowled."


• A Distant Lawndale (Part Two), by Arena del Sur (part 4): "I felt all the sadness and loneliness of the man in that hug. When I noticed the thinness of his body squeezed against mine, I felt a deep anguish. God, it was so painful... 'Please... forgive me, please...' Smoothly, without realizing it, I hugged him too, moved..."


• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale: Ch1 Ethan Yeager Rising, by Shiva (COMPLETE!): "'Groceries... groceries...' Kevin said to himself before exclaiming, 'Oh I remember now! You were with Daria and Jane, your Ethan right?' 'Yeah.' 'Cool, well you should know that there's another new kid in school called Ethan who everyone says is a gay Trekkie and beat up Rex before lunch.'" (Part 5) (Part 6)


• The Mageborn Cynic, by peetz5050 (parts 8 and 9): "'Quinn!' She called out 'I'm sorry but you'll have to come in our carriage with me, Father sent for us.' 'But I wanted to go to Stacy's house, we were going to...' 'Quinn' Daria interrupted 'Maman is at home.' Quinn colored a little then recovered. Excusing herself from her friends she joined Daria in her carriage with unladylike haste and said 'Let's go!'" (Part 9)


• Resentful cynic ch. 2 No party . No problem, by ST91 (COMPLETE!): "Daria was about to say something but was interrupted by the sound of broken pots. The three girls looked towards the noise and saw that it was caused by the three idiots competing for Quinn. In a vain attempt to win her favors, Joey, Jeffy and Jamie were hitting each other while Quinn, sitting on the stairs, was enjoying the show . 'Just a second.' Daria said, before taking a photo of the fight in progress with the camera she had been carrying all evening. 'OK. Now we can go.' Daria said as she walked toward the exit followed by her two friends."


• Runaway Daria: Fallout Lawndale Edition, by Vukodlak (part 4): "'Your mother wants us to spend more quality time together before the baby is born.' Jack cast his hefty looking fishing pole the kind you'd expect for catching swordfish or some other pre-war giant sized ocean dwelling fish. He cast the lure back into the water and slowly started reeling it in again. 'That doesn't involve survival or weapons training.' He added before Daria could suggest doing something else."


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 15, by Fhujeth_x (COMPLETE!): "Quinn sucked up her pride, calling her sister wasn't a bad thing, it was just a thing, after all... and no one had to know she was calling her, but what was her sister going to think when she asked what she was going to ask. 'Daria? I think Sandi is a werewolf.' Swallowing hard she braced herself for the massive-flaming her sister was about to place onto her." (Part 4)


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 16, by Fhujeth_x (part 1): "Staring at his younger brother outside on the stairs, Sam Griffin held up a handful of what seemed like ordinary pocket change, 'If this works. Then we'll know Sandi is a werewolf.' Grinning, he cracked open his sister's door, 'Hey Sis!!' He walked over to his older sister who had been staring somewhat vacantly at herself in the mirror. 'I need some singles for the arcade! Can I swap ya some change?'"



• Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, by Sandi Griffin, by virtualstar (COMPLETE!): "One day before heading out on a date the Queen asked the mirror 'Mirror Mirror on the wall, I'm the cutest girl in Lawndale this fairytale place, right?' And to the Queen's total horror, the mirror said 'no, actually there is this new girl called Qui- I mean Snow White who is too cute!'"


• To Annoy a Mockingbird. Chapter 05, by BF110C4 (part 6.2): "'You haven't opened Upchuck present? Good, don't do it yet, just bring it here so we can share.' Jane voice turned serious for a second. 'I mean it Daria Morgendorffer; if you don't open it here in front of me there is going to be bloody revenge.' Daria suddenly had a bad feeling about the whole matter, however she knew Jane's tone of voice, and if that present was opened for even a little peek she might as well sleep with an eye open all night."


• Unnamed story (IC: Raising Rita), by OverlordMikey (parts 1 and 2): "She walked up to her sister’s coffin. Helen looked so peaceful; it almost made Rita want to smile to see her like this. Her only wish being that Helen and her had a better relationship. Rita sighed and looked around and the few people here. Her mother didn’t show; nor did Amy. Rita looked at Quinn and Daria; Quinn looked so upset and Daria looked more morose than usual." (Part 2 by GlitterShrooms)


• WaM, Ma'ams, Dark Paladin, by DeacBlue (parts 1 and 2): "'Jen, Jane! Come down to the fourth floor!' In a few minutes, both of her wives had joined her. 'So what's up?' asked Jen. 'Yeah, besides you destroying the house,' snarked Jane. 'You know how there was an area on this floor that we couldn't get to? Well, you're standing in front of it. I decided that I was going to break down a bit of the wall, and see what they were hiding.'" (Part 2)

But Just Look at Those Adorable Dimples!

Happy birthday to Shirley Temple, born on this day in 1928. The former child star was cute as a button, and so is Jane in her alter ego. But don't tell her that--judging by her expression, it might get you killed.

What do you want to bet that the Guptys are all huge fans of Shirley Temple's movies? Although I'm sure they'd never support the consumer culture by buying any of them on DVD.

Fandom News!

• DIsaac is planning a new project, 67 Daria episodes, 67 Days.


• Discuss the Crossed comics in a new Weapons of Mass Distraction thread.


• Two new Iron Chefs have been posted: Shiva's A Daria Game of Thrones and Brother Grimace's '___ and The Alleged Car!'


• Talk about Crusading_Saint's fanfic Griffin's Flight in the Golden Oldies forum.


• dulcinea asks, what is the name of this story?

At Least We Know the Earth's Atmosphere Could Support the Process of Carbonation

Happy Earth Day! I suppose the environmentally-friendly, ecological-awareness aspect of the day is kind of lost when the globe appears to be shaped like a soda can, but it's what I have to work with. Just pretend it's what will happen to the planet if you don't start using recycled paper!

Fanfic Update!

• Andrea's Tears, by BrownEyedBagel (part 3): "The noise of the train almost drowns out my thoughts. I really thought I had it all figured out back in Lawndale. Turns out, I didn’t know a god damn thing. Running away from a stable family with a kid on the way wasn’t exactly the best idea I ever had; but it was exactly what I needed. I met myself. Or rather I met who I wanted to be."


• Armored Cynic Daria, Episode 2: The 8th Circuit, by RX-87 (part 2): "ARMALIN: I really think you're overreacting here, Governor. In spite of the heavy losses the defense force took, civilian casualties were minimal and we didn't lose any major strategic objectives. ATBE: Minimal? Minimal?! Oh, that's right, I forgot who I'm talking to. What is it they used to call you back in Cydonia? Major Bodycount? ARMALIN: Hey, if the brass hadn't pulled me outta there when they did, we wouldn't be in this shit!"


• Birthday Surprise, Christmas Mini, by DeacBlue (COMPLETE!): "The fourteen foot tall Christmas tree stood in the thirty foot tall loft portion of the hundred year old farmhouse, where Daria and Jane Lane were addressing their families. 'We wanted to thank you all for your gifts,' Daria said. 'And, even more, we wanted to thank you for celebrating with us a week early, so that we could go on our honeymoon cruise and make it back in time for classes.' Jane smiled. 'And now it's time for our gifts to you.'"


• Clique Swap, by psychotol (part 33): "Quinn: 'Okay, get some rest before we start moving again.' All three: float asleep. Several minutes later. All three: Wake up. Quinn: 'Oh, not Sith.' Cameraman: 'Who aren’t Sith?' Quinn: 'Ship that just arrived,' floats over to the pilot’s seat."



• Ethan Yeager in Lawndale, by Shiva (parts 1 - 3): "'No offence Quinn, you are cute and all but I prefer guys.' Ethan stated, doing a good job of maintaining his normal voice, but Daria heard the slight crack at the last words, the hints of uncertainty of and fear at revealing this to them. For a minute it seemed as if Quinn hadn’t heard him, but then his words registered in her largely unused brain. 'Chez Pierre is soooo beautiful.... What?!'" (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Flynn at 1111 Glen Oak (Crossovers Still Crossing Over), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 5): "'Hi, Phineas, we need your help! Our sister was kidnapped by a Robot!' Sam said. 'We can help,' Phineas thought, and turned to his stepbrother. 'Ferb, I know what else we’re doing today.' 'Excellent!'"


• Lawndale School of Magic Part Two: Brittany's Party, by Reven384 (part 2): "Charles fingered the invitation in his hands. The best way to do things were to set things up so that you win no matter what happens. He smiled. It was clever of Brittany to hire someone to enchant the party. Only those with invitations could get in. He smiled. He had a party to ruin. The fact that Daria would also be there would only make things more interesting."


• The Mageborn Cynic, by peetz5050 (part 7): "Just then a bell rang. 'What's that one for?' she asked. 'Five minutes to get washed up before next class.' he answered. Daria noticed many of the students had already left. She looked sadly at her half-eaten lunch and shook her head. Then she went and helped a weeping Jodie out of her seat and walked her past a mystified Charles in the direction of the ladies convencience. 'It was nice to meet you Charles, we shall speak again, good afternoon.'"


• The Prep, the Artist and the Loner , by Walter Kovacs (part 4): "Finally, after several moments, Brittany turned to her table-mate. 'Jane, you're really good at art. Could you show me how to do this?' Usuauly, Jane would have blown off such a request with a typical dose of sarcasm, but this time, the fact that she got flattered by Brittany got the better of her."


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 15, by Fhujeth_x (part 2): "'So I rule that fur is a big no for the winter season. However--' Just then, like magic, Kristen appeared on Sandi's bed, impatiently, evilly, glancing at the fashion club president with dismay, 'Are you Sandi Griffin, I've got a message that you need to give to Janet Barch...' She grinned evilly."



• A Small Trip (IRON CHEF - '___ and The Alleged Car!'), by JPAGC (COMPLETE!): "'Not so bad?! Daria, I come from a long day at work, after having told you to take care of your sister, to find her locked in her room, crying and refusing even to open the door' Helen crossed her arms over her chest and stared down the girls. 'I know Quinn had a meeting with those fashion friends of her on the mall. I told you to drive her there. Did you refuse to do it?' 'No, No, Mom! Believe me, we did take her to the mall...' Daria hesitated. 'It's just that...'"


• Vivian, by ST91 (part 2): "The evening was very quiet. Steve was out for a business meeting. Brittany was sleeping in her room, and Brian had finally fallen asleep. After putting him in the crib, Vivian went to her bedroom. She was very tired and weak because lately she could not sleep. Despite this she was also very happy because soon would arrive a taxi that would take her to the airport. Finally she would be away from home, away from Lawndale."


• The Wake, by OverlordMikey (part 1): "Daria’s eyes opened; bright florescent lights in her eyes? Where did Jane go? Her heart was practically jumping out of her chest and her body felt tense and stone like. She was breathing heavier than she’d ever recalled."

I'll Bet He Didn't Even Inhale!

It's 4/20, everybody! Smoke 'em if you got 'em! It may look like Trent's way ahead of us, but I'm sure he's just naturally laid back. Really. (cough)

Anyway, today is also Volunteer Recognition Day, so this would be a good time to celebrate Awareness of Others Week by signing up for an extracurricular activity to make the world a better place. I've got my copy of Howl all ready to take to the Better Days Nursing Home, so I'm set.

Fandom News!

• Help Teeki decide what cause to support.


• Is PJ Harvey a living Jane? Check it out on the SFMB!


• Brother Grimace found some kids who Daria and Jodie could relate to.


• Roentgen asks, what is a war hero?


• LongSnakeMoan has made a polite request for a beta reader. Can you help?

Think Coyote and Willow Will Celebrate This One?

Today is Bicycle Day! In spite of Daria's physical exertion, the day doesn't celebrate bikes but rather the first intentional use of LSD in the early days of its discovery. Hey, I wonder if an argument could be made that Daria's bizarre dream from "Murder, She Snored" was, in reality, a rather elaborate acid trip?

Nah. We'll save that one for "Depth Takes a Holiday."

In other historical news, today marks the anniversary of the official start of the American Revolutionary War in 1775. I'm not even going to try to link that one with LSD, but you go ahead if you'd like!

Fanfic Update!

• Armored Cynic Daria, Episode 2: The 8th Circuit, by RX-87 (part 1): "SPLIT SCREEN: Close up on the faces of Daria, the Colonel and Max. ALL (in unison): Just what the hell went wrong?"


• Daria's Obsession, by BrownEyedBagel (COMPLETE!): "She let her eyes roam around the crowded subway station. She could hear the hammering of the trains, the various conversations people were having, and none of it mattered. Daria was here to find someone. Her gaze went over the scene the way a hawk looks for unwary creatures. He was in here somewhere. He had to be."


• A Distant Lawndale (Part Two), by Arena del Sur (part 3): "It must be a signal of something strange. Lately, Dad was working a lot. In the past weeks Dad used to went to work too early in the morning, before I had breakfast, and many times he had went back to home just in time to dinner. And now he carried work to home... No, it wasn't possible that Dad have an affair with another woman. He didn't have time to see her."


• God Save The Esteem ep41: Is It Fun Yet?, by Charles RB (part 9): "'You really believe this,' said Jane, and that made her feel slightly faint; they were past the point of a joke or a mistake, and Alison must have had experience with this and she wasn’t show any hint of doubt. Could she still be wrong? Jane knew people did repress their sexualities, that people could go for decades before realising the truth. And then-"


• Lawndale School of Magic Part Two: Brittany's Party, by Reven384 (part 1): "Daria, having successfully escaped her family, met up with Jane. They walked in silence for a few minutes before Jane opened her mouth. 'I am not going to Brittany’s party,' Daria said cutting Jane off. 'Come on Daria think of the artistic opportunities,' Jane said. 'I’d rather think about the effect this party could have on my mental health. Besides we are not invited. There is no chance Brittany will ever invite us,' Daria said."


• The Mageborn Cynic, by peetz5050 (part 6): "Daria went to the first empty table and sat in an end seat. As a servingman came up to her with the carte of the day she noticed the other empty tables filled up immediately, all save hers. Then she saw another girl hesitating nearby and considered her as she gave her food order. Slim, dark skinned, her black hair braided and clacking with beads, she wore a plain dark red gown, so dark as to be almost brown like those of the servants, yet she held herself rigid, somehow pushing the world away."


• Quinn's Code Story 6: The Lab Mouse, The Geek and the Convention, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 5): "'Hi, Jen. Daria, Jane? What are you doing here?' 'Her and Kevin's mouse was stolen,' Jane said. 'I suspect that it was Brittany,' Daria said. 'Brittany? I knew something of this sort would happen if Kevin was assigned to someone other than her,' Mack remonstrated as he sat down. 'So we're going to go to her house and talk to her,' Daria said."


• Rude Awakening Ep.10: Sandi vs The EPT, by DIsaac (part 7): "SANDI: (VO: Still at the door after all this time!) Are you going to let me in? My mother is driving me crazy and I can't drink due to this damn kid! DARIA: Jane, I gotta help her. I know I shouldn't but it would be interesting to see where this will go. (Daria gets up and opens the door for Sandi and she comes in) SANDI: How long were you going to keep me out there? DARIA: Not long enough."


• Sandi :: Well... This Sucks :: Chapter 15, by Fhujeth_x (part 1): "So while the football player had been so absentmindedly enamored by the TV and Kristen, the female ghost had used her skills to trap her new boyfriend in a ring of salt, mostly preset up before he had arrived. [a.n. sorry for the wording here, i hope it makes sense]. Preventing him from really getting out of the seat. Luckily for her, he hadn't noticed yet."

Poor Hammy--I Mean, Jamie!

Today is the 51st anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, which was intended to overthrow Fidel Castro but ended up not going so well. It looks like Jamie's attempt to use cheesy pick-up lines to flirt with Quinn had similarly disastrous results.

Fandom News!

• Have you tried any closed-door restaurants? What do you think of the idea?


• Join the bad science fiction discussion about crappy weapons and tactics.


• If nothing else, what has watching Daria taught you?


• Temppeli now knows why Daria felt so familiar!


• Post your Skippy list in a new thread!


• Two new Iron Chefs have been posted in the Creative Writing forum: Walter Kovacs's Landons lose their money and ThanatosRW's Racial Profiling.


• Fhujeth_x wants to read C.L. Basso's works. Can anyone help?

A Tramp with Self-Esteem

Happy birthday to the late comic actor Charlie Chaplin, born on this day in 1889. O'Neill is funny in his own way, I suppose, but he's nothing like Chaplin. For starters, Chaplin meant to make people laugh at him.

Today is also National Stress Awareness Day, to which Jake replies, "Stressed? Why do people keep telling me I'm stressed? If I weren't stressed, I'd get stressed by everyone telling me I'm stressed!" Considering today is also the day after tax returns are due in the United States, I'd say there are probably a fair number of people nationwide who are very aware of their own stress right now.

Finally, today is National Librarian Day, which I only mention because certain blogger librarians might be more than happy to accept whatever gifts and other tokens of esteem you might wish to pass along in honor of the holiday. Especially if they happen to be chocolate!

Fanfic Update!

• Birthday Surprise (Iron Chef: Daria character wins lottery prize), by DeacBlue (COMPLETE!): "'So what has dear Aunt Rita done now?' She listened. 'Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Okay.' She paused. 'Well, to be quite fair, I did say all of those things. Yes, I did. I may have told them to the world's dumbest bridesmaids, and then told them that I was lying, but I did say the words.'" (Part 12)


• The Cats Will Play, by RLobinske (part 2): "'Squirrel!' Sissy meowed as she jumped up onto on of the front window sills. A gray squirrel clung to an oak tree in the front yard and stared at the window, barking. Bump jumped up to join Sissy. 'Ah, it's Spaz Tail. I wonder if Bright Ears will show.'"


• Clique Swap, by psychotol (parts 31 and 32): "Helen: Opens the door revealing Hillary Clinton and another human in a galactic empire general uniform. Hillary: 'Is Darth Maladi here?' Helen: 'Uh, yeah ... right this way.' Walks back to the kitchen with Hillary, the empire general and the cameraman following her. Jake: 'Say, is that Hillary Clinton?' Daria: 'I have a batter question: What’s happened to my sister?'" (Part 32)


• God Save The Esteem ep41: Is It Fun Yet?, by Charles RB (part 8): "The audience descended on the venue, like a great wind had blown through a particularly smelly rubbish dump. Piercings and dyed hair and leather and body odour abounded, and three friendly fights had already broken out. And out went DeMartino onto the stage, seeing all the glass bottles in the front row and his mind screaming that he better get this right, he had only one shot at this-"


• Going out for a Pizza (Iron Chef: Getting Ready for the End of the World), by Doggieboy (COMPLETE!): "The two teens jogged up to the Buick's driver's door and looked inside the window. Daria asked, 'Ma'am, are you...' Then she gawked and stared at the inside of the car. 'Whoa,' Jane said. 'Where the hell is she?' Where the elderly woman had sat behind the wheel, there only remained a light blue dress, a slightly darker blue jacket, a hat, a set of false teeth and a pair of glasses. A rubber-tipped stainless steel cane and a large-print copy of the Bible sat on the passenger seat."


• The Hallowed Bungholes (Scenes That Should Be: Breakfast of Zombie Champions), by Walter Kovacs (COMPLETE!): "Two young men in poorly fitting blazers were sitting in an auditorium watching a stern elderly gentleman lecture on about the school's honor and dignity. As was usual for those two distinguished gentlemen both would rather be watching MTV than being there."


• Lawndale School of Magic Part One: The New Kids, by Reven384 (COMPLETE!): "After Stacy left Quinn walked over to Sandi, 'What did you want to talk to me about?' 'Yes if we are to continue hanging out then I feel I must be honest. My family line traces itself back to the Dark Lady Griffin,' Sandi said waiting for the fireworks. 'So I’m Mad Dog Morgendorffer’s grandchild,' Quinn said, 'I’m surprised you told me though. I go out of my way to avoid letting anyone know who my grandfather was.'" (Part 5)


• The Mageborn Cynic, by peetz5050 (parts 4 and 5): "Daria studied the man as he berated his less-than-prepared students. The colored threads on his collar, which meant nothing and were virtually invisible to anyone less than an Archmage, were predominantly silver, which meant he was a farseer, which also meant he would have spent the mandatory ten years in the military. That would account for what happened to his eye." (Part 5


• No Esteem (IC: DeMartino and Jake swapped), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'Girls, I realise it's not easy to move to a new town,' said her mother, giving nervous glances to the rearview mirror, 'but this does look nicer, doesn't it? The school seems a lot safer too, none of the- well, you know. Rough kids.' Well, we haven't arrived yet, have we?"


• A Resentful cynic ch. 2 No party . No problem, by ST91 (part 6): "While he and Jodie were walking to his Jeep, Mack asked, 'Will you accept Daria’s offer?' 'I don’t know. It depends if my parents will give me permission.' 'Jodie, please don't lie to me. You don't want to go because of Jane.' 'What ? Come on Mack don't make me laugh.' Jodie said. 'Jodie.' Mack said in a tone that brooked no argument."


• Rude Awakening Ep.10: Sandi vs The EPT, by DIsaac (part 6): "BRITTANY: Teddy, we aren't changing the subject now. What do you mean I have anger problem, Ted? TED: You tend to overreact, sometime physically, to things. BRITTANY: I don't overreact... as much as I did in high school... or in college... or with that job in Houston... or Miami... or Memphis... or Philadelphia... or Columbus... or Los Angeles... (pause) I'm not making a good case for myself right now, aren't I? TED: I wouldn't take that second career as a lawyer."


• To Annoy a Mockingbird. Chapter 05, by BF110C4 (part 6.1): "'Good morning Miss Morgendorffer, I am Doctor Amelia Northman, right now we are going to start with a physical exam, I already had Dr. Nicholson and Dr. Wheeler fax me your medical files,' ‘Both our old family doctor and gynecologist’ Daria added methodical to her description of the doctor, 'but I do find better to trust but verify, so I’ll be asking you some questions while we are doing your test, if you could please take off your jacket and put in on one of the hangers behind the curtain so we can begin?'"


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: The Morning After), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): "'Ladies and Gentelmen, the President of the United States.' Daria looked at the television screen with a sick feeling in her bowels as Angela Li walked up to the presidential podium."


• Venus Fly Trap (IC: DeMartino and Jake swapped), by LongSnakeMoan (COMPLETE!): "Helen. Please read this. Leslie I picked it up. Plain black with a large red broken heart on the front. LOVE HURTS. Domestic Abuse is the hidden crime. Don't suffer in silence. Oh, how ridiculous. Anthony isn't abusive. Anthony is passionate, he's extreme. He loves me and the girls, he just isn't the cuddly type."

Celebrate Twenty-Two THANKLESS Years!

Today is Ex Spouse Day, and it's a good bet that Ms. Barch is celebrating. Or ranting and raving. Come to think of it, I'm not sure this holiday would be any different from any other day for her. Carry on!

It's also a double episode anniversary, as both "The Lab Brat" and "Of Human Bonding" first aired on this day in 1997 and 2000. Oddly enough, the first connection between the two episodes that comes to mind is Upchuck's preference for honey from a bear and Helen's bumblebee pajamas. Because bees make honey, you see. Get it? Get it? Maybe I just need to get more sleep.

Fandom News!

• Deref has started posting photos and comments about his trip to Viet Nam.


• Check out Stilt-Man--Marvel's greatest warrior!


• Want to see something cute? The Sidhe shares it in the thread.


• Discuss the new movie Cabin in the Woods.


• Two new Iron Chefs have been posted in the Creative Writing forum: Reven384's Death Note and RLobinske's Worm Gruntin'.