Begorra! The Saints' Days of Holiday Island Preserve Us!

It's Saint Patrick's Day once again, time to drink green liquids and party party party and pretend you're Irish and all that traditional stuff. We have the Holiday Island leprechaun-type St. Patrick here, and the Tiffany alter ego-type St. Patrick, so do it to it.

These two costumes, by the way, would be extremely easy to duplicate for those fans whacked out just enough to do it.

"College Bored" (season one, 13 years ago), "Daria Dance Party" (season three, 11 years ago), and "Murder, She Snored" (season four, 10 years ago) all premiered on this date. Another three good reasons to celebrate the date!

NEW! N0O0Z

• I'm seeing reports that the first two season of Daria are also available at iTunes.

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• Finn Morgendorffer 37: Mature Relationships, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 5): “There’s this... squirrel!” Jake ranted. “Knocking over my trashcans, digging near my shrubs!” “Yeah, squirrels are pretty aggravating,” Tom agreed. “Tom, don’t encourage him,” Daria remarked. “I’ve been trying to catch him, but dammit, the squirrel grabs the acorns and the stupid trap doesn’t close!” “Ummm... have you tried something sticky?” Stacy asked. “I know they like peanut butter, maybe that’ll get it caught.”
• NEW! General Semantics, Private Angst, by Gwrtheyrn (Part 19): Daria first ran to Nastasya Mackenzie. She pressed a quick thumb into her carotid artery, but could detect no beat there; there was not another moment to be lost on anything more. She had to disarm all the guards, before anything else.
• NEW! The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, by Roentgen (Part 16b): "Why do they call Clarissa van Maar 'Tony'?" asked Quinn. "A lot of it's kind of weird," said Jill. "But I can show you. Tony!" "Hello, Jill," Clarissa said. "How are things, Tony?" "Things are [i]grrr[/i]eat."
  
• Shining Star: Temporal Conundrum, by RLobinske (Part 2): While his team fitted charges around the six Architects Gates in the room, Ian Llwyd held off a group of trans-dimensional pirates who had been using the distribution node as their base of operations to loot and steal across the multiverse. His number two called, "Ready, Ian!" In a Cornwall accent, Ian said, "Fall back to the rally point and prepare to leave!" Keeping up a steady stream of covering fire with his modified Sterling submachine gun, he backed to the rally point while also keeping a wary eye on the explosives.
• NEW! Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: Ouch Time), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): The crowd of over 300,000 screaming fans cheered as Tom Sloane picked up his guitar and stepped to the front of the stage for the final song of the night.
  

That Was Then, This Is Later

The second-season Daria episode "That Was Then, This Is Dumb" premiered 12 years ago today. Ah, those wild and crazy hippie days of yore. We learn that Jane and Jessie are NOT going to make it as a couple, that Jake and Helen haven't changed a bit since their college days, and if Jake really had managed to levitate the Pentagon, he would be that world's version of Doctor Manhattan, only not so blue and not so naked. More on this episode can be found here.

And, hey! Who is that bulldog chasing the yellow Volkswagen named JANICE? Darn right! It's the bulldog Daria almost runs over a few episodes from now, in "Through a Lens Darkly"! It's J.B. himself, or "Pugsly," his stage name. Good boy! Just seeing him almost makes me want to get a dog again. [sigh]

NEW N00Z!!!

• Medea42 shares with us her "personal rules for writing fanfic" on her blog.
• Join the discussion on The Best Of Daria Fan Fiction Community on FF.net! Is YOUR favorite story in the list?
  

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• NEW! Apocalyptic Daria: Timeline, by Doggieboy (Part 2): Hello. It’s me, again, the Chronicler. What I showed you of the events from what people now call “Twilight Friday” shows a pretty much normal Friday night for a lot of people. Such is the way of the world. Until some cataclysmic event occurs, the world goes ticking along at it’s own normal pace....
• NEW! Big Brother, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): Jane picked up the phone, tears streaming down her face. She and Jesse's discussion about wanting children had turned into a heated argument. It ended with Jesse walking out of their house, slamming the door. The last words out of his mouth chilled Jane to the bone. "Jane, I want a divorce."
• NEW! Cheery, Cheery Night, by CAP (COMPLETE!): The post-award reception was in full swing. The massive gold-colored drapes and thick crimson carpeting did absorbed but little of the loud laughter and noisy hum of hundreds of conversations. The moving mass of people made it difficult for Brittany Taylor to spot the people she was seeking. Every other person stopping her to pass on his or her congratulations for her Drama Desk win as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play slowed her even more.
  
• The Dream of the White Darkness, by jtranser (continued): "Then he will fire the admissions director and replace him with someone who has a clear understanding of what sort of person a new student should be. Such a student is usually intelligent, excited about attending such an intellectually rigorous school and will, in the final analysis, do and believe what he or she is told...."
• NEW! Finn Morgendorffer 37: Mature Relationships, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 4): “So, back to the original question. Who's the lucky lady coming as your date?” “Don’t know if I’ll choose anyone. I’d love to bring you Jane. Y’know, backup and all, but, between Mom and Daria, I just see blood being spilled. Mine.” “Oh.” Jane was pretty disappointed. To be Finn’s date was not a thought that was completely unpleasant.
  
• If Ever I Fall, by TheSharpie (COMPLETE!): As Phil drove down the old highway Quinn held his hand as the song from earlier played on the radio. “Tonight was perfect, sweetie.” “Anything for you, love,” he replied. The radio played on. As they approached an intersection they heard the screeching of brakes as an SUV ran the light....
• NEW! In the Cold Summer Sun, by Malakite (Part 1): Doctor Fisk looked up from the file he was reading with a certain amount of disbelief. The man looked nervous, almost sheepish in his blue business suit. The woman tapped her foot impatiently. It was obvious she was in a hurry, the way she kept glancing down at the cell phone in her purse. Fisk still couldn't quite believe what he was going to say to these people, but then he couldn't quite believe what that plant had done to the county's water, either. It was getting harder. This was the fifth set of parents he would have this conversation with this week.
• NEW! John Lane 45: Haunted by the Past, by RLobinske (Part 2): "I might consider the proposal," Sandi said, "if your sister had a fraction of your fashion knowledge." "She knows fashion," Quinn said. "She just doesn't use it." "I bet." Quinn opened a folder and pulled out her secret weapon. An old copy of the Highland Herald. She opened it to the fashion column and said, "Look at who wrote it." Sandi read out loud, "Daria Morgendorffer." Shocked, she sat down. "Your sister wrote a fashion column?"
  
• They, by OverlordMikey (COMPLETE!): The morning sun through the motel window woke the young man from his slumber. He remembered the night before, how she had insisted they meet at the Rondayview Motel off Route Six for a night he would never forget. He had not noticed that she was crying when he got there, nor had he considered why she wanted to meet him there instead of them going together. That night had indeed been the best they had ever shared he thought as he opened his eyes to greet the new day. He looked to his side and saw no one next to him. (FF.net)
  
• NEW! Zero G, by SigDiff (COMPLETE!): “They can go EVA. They pull up beside us and just drift over. We'll need to have someone in the airlock with the outer door open so they can get in. Maybe a rope tied down that we can throw over. And no worries about them breathing our atmosphere, because they've got suits.” [Ending is here!]
  

Beware...

Back in Roman times, today was the Ideas of March, the mid-month. We know of this date thanks entirely to Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. The Ides of March reappears in Daria fanfiction as a person, thanks to the existence of Holiday Island ("Depth Takes a Holiday"). The Ides is not a "holiday" in the usual sense, and it is certainly not regarded as a nice day as a result of what happened to Caesar exactly 2,053 years ago. The physical appearance of the Holiday Island character known as the Ides of March was based upon a cross between 1950s spree killer Charles Starkweather (at left) and 1963 presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, more the former than the latter. Fanfic authors, use him as you wish.

Today is also World Contact Day in ufology circles and among those who believe in Men in Black. The date originated 57 years ago with a conspiracy theorist, and the concept eventually grew in the telling (particularly in a 1967 essay anthology) until rock groups like Klaatu and the Carpenters (!) were singing the official song of World Contact Day. If you want to know more, follow the Wikipedia link and sub-links, but be warned you are heading out on a very bizarre Internet trip.

Roentgen has once again opened a can(on) of worms in his opening post of what promises to be an interesting PPMB thread on the usefulness of canon in Daria fandom. Enjoy.

Sick, Sad World has updated again! Yay!

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• Apocalyptic Daria: Timeline, by Doggieboy (Part 1): Before I begin this timeline, let me introduce myself. I am the Chronicler, and my job is to tell you of the events that mark this particular corner of the world I watch. To hear my wife tell it, my job must actually be to sit at the pub and throw back a pint or two of stout whilst telling ribald tales and eating a plate of fish and chips. She is wrong, although I cannot deny that I do enjoy such pleasures.
• Falling into College 72: Valley of Love and Delight, by RLobinske (Part 14): "Have another drink, Daria," Jane said. Daria shook her head. "You can have a hangover in the morning, I'm going to pass. Besides, I want to have the blackmail material after tonight, not be the blackmail material." "You're no fun."
  
• Zero G, by SigDiff (Part 4): “Daria, we've apparently got a rat infestation.” ”I'm not sure I want to know how you found that out.” “Well, what are we going to do about it?” ”Nothing. But if we lose another system to a rat, I'll suit up and vent the whole damn ship.”

Pi and Chocolate

Yes, it is Pi Day again, as was explained in an earlier post, and it is also the anniversary of Albert Einstein's birthday. Much goodness there. Not only that, it is the birthday anniversary of Linux, too, with its cute sexy logo of my special life companion Tux.

Like chocolate? Today is White Day, a Japanese sort of Valentine's Day in which gifts of chocolate are given by men to their loved ones. You know what to do, people: tell that special someone to give you chocolate right freaking now if they know what's good for them. That's the spirit!

Outstanding new art on SFMB: Yeahrobots is a new artist in our fandom with incredible stuff! Go see teh awesomeness!

The Final Frontier! Sort of.

Many years ago on this date, Uranus was discovered. (Huh huh huh huh huh huh...) And Pluto's discovery was announced this day too, though much later. Beavis and Butt-head have a Very Special Educational Episode related to the above. Enjoy.

Over 150,000 hits on this site! Yay!

FF.net

• NEW! Alison vs Mr T, by Smileyfax (COMPLETE!): Mr. T poked around inside the robo-remains of the robo-Jane robot. Inside, he found a robo-note written on robo-paper. "Mr. T!" the note read. "I have kidnapped Jane, and spirited her away to my fortress of evil and seduction! I intend to seduce Jane to the ways of evil... and sexiness! We will have sexy, evil times, mark my words!" "Does her boldness know no ends?" Daria questioned aloud. (Daria/The A Team) [Smileyfax is BACK!!!]
  
• NEW! Freaks of Lawndale, by Skraeling (COMPLETE!): Scarlet stood by the front of her new school, too nervous to walk closer, ignored by the students already there, and by those arriving. In front of her a sign proclaimed Lawndale High School and an American flag fluttered slowly in the wind. Clutching the silver ankh around her neck, she stepped closer....
• [Other stories that were published elsewhere have FF.net links placed with their mention here.]
  

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• Dark Date, by Ajar (COMPLETE!): "Tonight, on Dark Date, a Home-Ec teacher from Lawndale, Maryland meets an entrepreneur from Santa Clara, California, and when the lights come on, there's a revelation you have to see to believe. Coming right up, on Dark Date."
• End over End, by Shull Bitter (continued): "Is this the part where the ax murderer gets us?" Daria finally asked. "Nah, this road is so dead that he's probably still sleeping," Jane said.
• Finn Morgendorffer 36: Brain of the Family, by HolyGrail2007 (COMPLETE!): Once Daria got started, she realized now how much she could understand O’Neill’s frustrated sobs. Most of these tests were pathetic. She asked them the easiest question she could think of, in a play that was not very complicated, and they couldn’t answer it. No one tried to think for themselves on what the play was about. It wasn’t until she reached the essay written by Jeffy Mercer that she thought there was some light in the darkness. He had the overarching belief that Romeo and Mercutio were lovers. And he even cited a few of the lines in the play to back it up.
• Finn Morgendorffer 37: Mature Relationships, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 1): Stacy or Jane? [NEW! Part 2 is here: "Eeew, Daria’s pregnant, isn’t she?”]
  
• The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, by Roentgen (Part 15): "You ass!" She practically shouted it. "What the hell?" Tom asked. "Now what are you pissed off about?" "I let you dance with Daria but I didn't think you were going to slow dance. Now the girl's infatuated with you. And just after you applied your inexplicable charm, she notices you chatting up some greasy band groupie." "Excuse me, but that 'groupie' is the sister of the lead singer." [Uh-oh!] [See the story in Sweet Valley High format, too!]
• NEW! High Stakes, by Project Pegasus (COMPLETE!): "To this Godly community I say, I have seen too many frightful proofs in court — the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!" "Poopy."
  
• Invader Dar, by Wraith (Part 1): "Galactic conquest is near! Galactic conquest is near!" Dar sighed and looked up from her hand-held view-screen. The robot sign on the building had been going on for quite some time and the repetition was getting on her nerves. She still wasn't quite sure why she had even received an invitation to the Great Assigning. Or why she actually showed up. There was probably a mistake somewhere, but the invitation had come from the Almighty Tallest, or at least their robo-secretary. (Daria/Invader Zim)
• NEW! Jacob Morgendorffer, Esq., by CAP (Part 5): “Rafe thought that we might want to give the Army JAG corps a look,” Jake said. “JAG,” Helen disdainfully exclaimed. “Are you kidding me?” (FF.net)
  
• John Lane 45: Haunted by the Past, by RLobinske (Part 1): "Don't insult canines by comparing them to that movie." "Okay, what can I insult?" "Slugs. But only the real ugly ones." "There are fashionable slugs?"
• Pluck'd a White Rose, by Dennis (COMPLETE!): Just sixteen, with dark auburn hair uncharacteristic in her family of redheads, Daria Anne had been a pawn in the Wars of the Roses all her life, a fact of which she had been acutely aware since long before her tenth birthday. She was just 5 when King Edward had taken the throne from Mad King Henry with her father's help. She spent the early days of the new King's reign at Middleham Castle, the only happy days of her life. Her mother, Helen Anne, had made much of her, though more of her sister, and the Queen Mother Cecily, had been a frequent guest bidding the girls to be her friend and call her Kay. She'd even had a playmate in Kay's youngest son, Tom. Tom was actually the Prince Richard Plantagenet, but as the third son and undersized at that, he'd insisted she treat him as just another child, and call him by his second name.
• NEW! Shining Star: Temporal Conundrum, by RLobinske (Part 1): "So, Gerald, what brings you here?" "We found a problem on Earth D-793." "I'm not familiar with that one," Richard said, going over to his computer and typing in the designation. On a display of a bundle of green threads, one was separated and labeled. A brief synopsis appeared to one side, which he read. "Hmm, most significant event was van Maanen's star going supernova in the year 1,000 CE. Everything looks in order. What's the problem?" (SHINING STAR shared Dariaverse)
  
• Two Halves 6: Role Models, by Dark Kuno (Part 1): "Hey I thought... oof... big brothers were... ack... supposed to protect... their sweet... ugh... innocent... oof... little sisters," said Daria, interrupted by pillows to the face. "That might be true," stated Alex as he halted his attack and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "But since I don't have a sister like that..."
• NEW! Zero G, by SigDiff (Part 3): “Anyone want to help me to a wall or something?” Mike asked as he floated almost dead center in the room, out of reach of any hand holds. “Apparently I have the highest coefficient of restitution of anyone on this flight.”
  

But what if Jane was never deprogrammed?

Ninety-eight years ago today, the Girl Scouts and Girl Guides were created. About twenty years ago today, Jane Lane was deprogrammed after leaving the Girl Scouts so she would stop singing marching songs.

This is also the 9th anniversary of the premiere of "Camp Fear," in which we meet Daria's fan club, which had only one member. The club was disbanded after this episode.

One year ago today, we said goodbye to a wonderful member of our fandom. Thank you, Guy, for all you gave us. You are still The Man.

ARTz!!

• The incredible Kem gives us... Brittany as Q-bert! Weird, man, I'm tellin' ya.

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• Daria—The Next Chapter, by LadieT (Part 5): "This photo was taken a couple of months before Tom died." Jane took a deep breath. "Tom had taken a position at a small law firm. The pay was okay, but Tom loved the job. The firm mainly dealt with divorce cases involving spousal or domestic abuse. An ex-spouse of one of their clients came in irate over his divorce proceeding. He was armed to the teeth and just started firing. Three of his coworkers died on the scene. Tom and three others were injured. The gunman killed himself. Tom was shot twice, once in the right arm and once in the chest. He fought for two days. His sister and I were in the room with him when he passed." Jane's tears flowed freely. (OD)
  
• Falling into College 72: Valley of Love and Delight, by RLobinske (Part 13): "It's a good thing you found each other," Quinn said, "because nobody else could stand you."
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 36: Brain of the Family, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 3): Finn was performing in school, and excelling at it. He had the whole package: tall, strong, handsome, and now smart. “So where does that leave me?” Daria sighed.
• Kamen Rider D, by Silver (Part 4): Jane poked her head out from the bushes, watching as the energy sphere engulfed Kamen Rider D, changing her back into Daria Morgendorffer. "One less monster," Jane commented dryly. Daria didn't respond. Jane poked her friend. "I'm fine," Daria told her flatly. "Just wondering what's with these monsters." Jane shrugged. "At least you're doing something. Me, I'm cowering behind the bushes."
• The Other Thing, by Ticknart (COMPLETE!): After a while Jorge started to slow. He didn't stop digging or breaking dirt clods, but he didn't use the claw or trowel with any real force. He didn't seem tired, just listless. He stopped working and sat up on his heels. "Aunttany..." he said. "Yeah." "Why aren't you my mommy?"
• Rainbow Connection, by Ranger Thorne (COMPLETE!): [Perhaps best not to give anything away here...]
• Zero G, by SigDiff (Part 2): "It's time for lunch. We've left the Oort cloud, by the way. If you weren't already, you two are now officially interstellar travelers. Would you like some pilot's wings?”

It's a Ghost, Ghost, Ghost, Ghost World

Happy 28th birthday today to actress Thora Birch, who starred in the often-compared-to-Daria movie Ghost World. Wonder why no artist has yet drawn Daria or Jane as alter egos of Enid.

Mulling over your pre-order options for the Daria DVD set? Read on!

Fanfiction Explosion

Between regular writing, challenges, March Madness and Iron
Chefs, there has been an explosion of new fanfiction. One-shots and serialized stories, they are coming fast. Not only stories, but comments from readers. I find it amazing that the oldest post on the front page of Creative Writing is only six days old. New writers like LadieT, established writers like TAG getting his groove back, and returning writers like 11tee.

Wow.

Really, wow.

Times are good for Daria fans.

ZZZZZZAP!!!!

Three Daria episodes premiered today in the distant past: "The Invitation" (13 years ago), "Depth Takes a Holiday" (12 years ago), and "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" (11 years ago). At left we see the results of Cupid's Love Taser on Jake and Helen. A very sweet and special moment it was. ZAP!!!

And a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to CHUCK NORRIS! He turns 70 today. No kidding. He is THE MAN!!!

OZ NuZ!

• NEW! Mega-fan tafka from Australia has posted a link to the OzDariaCon site on Facebook, with photos from past OzDariaCons. (You need to be logged into Facebook to see the link given in her post.)

ART R0O0LZ!!!

• "Surrounded by Idiots" (Andrea done Lichtenstein style), by Minx: an unbelievable work of pop genius! You can have MY fifteen minutes of fame, too!
• LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE! "Burnout Girl a la Warhol's infamous Marilyn series," digital media (PSP), by tafka. WE BE ROCKIN' NOW!!!
  
  

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• Daria—The Next Chapter, by LadieT (Part 4): Jane's night was no better. She tossed and turned. As she fell into an unnerving slumber, she had an eerily vivid lifelike dream. She was sitting on the couch in their old apartment in Boston. She was looking at photos strewn over an old coffee table, with her hands in her lap. She heard the door open and close. A pair of arms reached around her. She looked up and saw Tom's smiling face. "Hi, Jane. How are you?" [continued here]
  
• NEW! A Few Years Difference, by Vlora (Part 3): "So what did you do all day, Trent?" the younger girl asked, her hands tucked under her chin as she pretended to look interested. Daria had felt her attention snap to Jane accidentally at the question; she quickly turned her eyes back to her half-eaten slice. "Slept." Jane groaned, "How do you manage to sleep all day?" "With my eyes closed," said the resolute male whose name was apparently Trent.
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 36: Brain of the Family, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 2): Daria wasn’t surprised to see an older male teacher walking out with a box of his things as she walked to the school the next day. That must have been Mr. Edwards, the teacher Finn had mentioned was doing whatever it was to that girl he was talking about. Daria briefly considered what ramifications it would have, but dismissed it. She didn’t care what happened to that guy, and they’d just pick another teacher. I wonder what idiot would take that stupid job, she thought to herself as she looked out front at the real teachers, who were holding up strike signs.
• NEW! General Semantics, Private Angst, by Gwrtheyrn (Part 18): The face was intact. It looked unmarked by the terrible fear and agony that had wracked her in those last seconds as she had burnt like a match in front of the Games Machine. There even seemed to be a touch of colour in the cheeks. Daria felt sure that that dead face looked more lifelike than her live one at that moment. (Daria/van Vogt's World of Null-A)
• NEWEST!!! In Vino Veritas, by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): After a song by Skin Klinik finished up, the channel went to a commercial. Most of the dozen folks in the bar paid little heed, but one woman fixed her steely gaze on the TV before her. “La la la la la,” sang the TV as a promo for Daria: The Complete Series came on. Various clips from the series run were played to best characterize Daria’s wit. At the end, a female announcer read, “Daria: The Complete Series. Own it Tuesday on MTV DVD.” The woman stared at the TV, a look of hatred in her eyes. “I freaking hate her.”
  
• NEW! Zero G, by SigDiff (Part 1): Ringing filled the bedroom as the alarm clock, blinking the time of 7:00 AM, bleated its morning call. A slender hand slid out from the covers lying on the bed beside it, blindly guided to the Off button with a precision obtained from years of muscle memory. “Ugh.” A voice muttered from the bed. After several seconds, Daria rolled over and sat up. After her body automatically retrieved her glasses from the nightstand and put them in place, she scanned the room, finding the other bed empty. I guess Jane found a guy to spend the night with. I just hope she's already awake and on her way over. (based on this idea)
  

More eventually, fuzzy headed at the moment.

"I Don't" Did It!

One of the best of all Daria episodes, "I Don't," aired twelve years ago today. We get to meet Amy Barksdale, but enough about her.

What about Daria's cousin Erin? Could she be rehabilitated in fanfiction as anything other than a ditz? Discuss below in Comments. More soon.

NO0oZ!

• The Magnificent Kara Wild has updated DVDaria!
• Respite has discovered a new Daria fanfiction site at ArchiveOfOurOwn. Enjoy! (I do need to update the links here soon, some of them need fixin'.)
• NEW! Advice from tafka appears on PPMB on how to post an artwork in progress.
  

FF.net

• A Few Years Difference, by Vlora (Part 2): "We won't talk about it," said Helen to Daria. "You do know about contraception, though?" "I'm 22." "Well, when a woman and a man love each other very much—" "Wow, look at the time, gotta go out!"
• The Passing of a Loyal Friend, by Johnny Style (COMPLETE!): The bodyguard simply pushed her charge to the ground and then stood in the path of the incoming gunfire. The other bodyguards quickly identified where the gunfire was coming from and returned fire. The woman who had stepped in the way of the incoming bullets also tried to draw her side arm. However she felt something wrong and when she drew her hand away she saw it was covered in blood. Her own blood, it seemed she must have taken a bullet or maybe two. "Britt?" asked her terrified charge. "Just stay down Jodie," the bodyguard said as she slumped to the ground. "Don't worry I'm sure the others will..."
• [Links to stories already mentioned here have been placed with those stories.]

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• Apocalyptic Daria: Scarlett’s Tale, by Doggieboy (Part 17): Tents, makeshift shelters built out of plywood and tin scraps, and assorted vehicles of all shapes and sizes were set up haphazardly amongst the homes and buildings that made up Taylorsville. “I didn’t think that there’d be that many people here,” Scarlett said, her voice reflecting her awe. George looked at the teen. “There’s at least two million people who have been displaced from eastern Maryland and Delaware alone. That’s a lot of people to absorb... and move on out.”
• Daria: Hunter—Infectious (continued): Daria fired again, but once more her shot went wide, that time missing completely. The creatures closed in too quickly for a third shot, so she dropped her gun completely and made the move to unsheathe her right blade while slashing with the left. One of the creatures caught the edge across the face and spun off to the side, leaving Daria open to strike at the other. Her right fist came up and she realized too late that there wasn't a blade sitting over it.
• Daria: The Next Chapter, by LadieT (Part 1): Jane glanced down at Anne, still sleeping peacefully. "Looks like I have to get ready to pack some things. We are going to visit Grandma Amanda and Uncle Trent for a few days." Jane went into her bedroom to grab some luggage. As she packs, she stares at a photo on her nightstand. It was a picture of Anne, Tom and herself taken eight months ago, when they were happy. When they were still... Jane shook her head.
• Daria: The Next Chapter, by LadieT (Part 2): After some time to gather her wits about her, Daria decided to drive around to see how much things had changed. She frowned when that the pizza parlor she and Jane had hung out at had been turned into a bland chain restaurant. Yet another small business gone to hell in a handbasket. She made a mental note for her next editorial.
• NEW! Daria—The Next Chapter, by LadieT (Part 3): Daria and Allen found a place near the pharmacy. Damn, don't this bring back bad memories. She closed her eyes to block the visions going through her head. Allen stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him and smiled. Allen saw her parents and waved. They returned the gesture before heading to sit with the Griffins. Their feud ended years ago with Sandi's overdose. That event led Quinn to become the woman she was today: wife, mother, soldier... currently six months into a year long tour of Iraq. Once she returned home, her time with the Army would be over. She had decided not to reenlist and to go back to college. Daria stood quietly and wished for her sister's safe return.
  
• The Dragon's Kiss, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): The night air was crisp as Mack exited his vehicle. He grabbed a duffle bag out of his back seat and made his way to the house. He knocked on the door. A leather clad figure opened the door and directed him inside. The only noise he heard from behind him was the clicking of the lock. He felt a gloved hand run through his hair. He reached around to pull her in front of him. After an intense kiss, they broke apart. [EYE-BLEACH WARNING!]
• Dying on the Inside, by Minx (COMPLETE!): Sleep. That’s all I wanted, all I needed. Just one night’s sleep, but it’s impossible, that’s when they return: the memories.
• Finn Morgendorffer 36: Brain of the Family, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 1): The rumor around school was that the teachers wanted a raise. That didn’t surprise Finn in the slightest. In a word, Li was cheap. Cheap as balls. After all, that whole fiasco with the soda cans was because Li spent all their money on bomb-sniffing dogs and other high-tech gizmos that were completely and totally unnecessary. Who would be using a satellite to spy on the school anyway?
• General Semantics, Private Angst, by Gwrtheyrn (Part 17): "Still not ready!" he said sharply. His suspicious gaze darted over the room. Daria shrugged into the dinner jacket she'd grabbed. "No-one specified white tie, Mr Vitale," she said, mildly. "Do I need to change?"
• The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, by Roentgen (Part 15): Pulling up a chair, Quinn flipped on the back switch of Daria's Banana computer. Instead of the typical screen saver, Quinn was greeted with a name and password login screen. The name DariaM was already filled out. All Quinn needed was a password. Hmm... what would Daria use as a password? Quinn decided that she'd try the same password that she herself used and typed her first guess. Password: password. Immediately, the login screen was replaced by a picture of an angry looking Daria. In bold letters the caption underneath read: GET LOST, QUINN!!
• Infamy, by RLobinske (COMPLETE!): The room hushed as the school board superintendent, Mr. Cartwright, crossed the stage and stood before the podium. He cleared his throat and said, "Under Civilian Exclusion Order 34, issued by Gen. John DeWitt, commander of Military Area 1, your principal, Angela Li, has been relieved of her duties and sent to a War Relocation Camp. Mrs. Bennett will be acting principal until a permanent replacement can be named. Thank you and you may return to your regularly scheduled classes." (FF.net)
  
• NEW! Ohio, by Respite (COMPLETE!): Helen answered just a bit too cheerily. “We’re just so glad to have our girls back safe and sound. I’m so glad your schools came to their senses before all that violence spread to Boston. You’re not taking part in any of that nonsense, are you, Daria? Good. Now, where are your father and Quinn? They really should be home by now.” Daria followed Jane into the kitchen and busied herself with a head of iceberg. “Actually, Mom, I’m—" (FF.net)
  
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "...And that's how your dad and I got together"), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): Daria turned the radio on and cranked the volume. An unholy electronic screech filled the car for a moment before a prerecorded voice replaced it. "This is the emergency alert system. The President of the United States has issued an Emergency Action Notification with an attack warning throughout the United States."
• Vincent and the Lovely Light, by Respite (Part 1): “Why are we doing this again?” Daria asked. “Because we’re bored.” “Bored. We’re going to risk our lives, and maybe our sanity, because we’re bored.” “Yup,” Jane answered. “Bored. It’s Springtime, we’ve been cooped up for ages, we’re young, and we need adventure, Daria. Besides, how lucky are we to have a trans-dimensional wormhole in our very own town?” “You couldn’t be like every other teenager and just look for drugs or sex?”
  

That Blew Right By Me

While watching "Daria!" (the musical) the other day, I noticed that among other things that flew through the sky in the approaching hurricane were a large sign with a cow on it (labeled MILK) and a two-handed logging saw. Someone else has already caught that the cow sign was doubtless a reference to the 1996 movie Twister, but the saw really locks it in (per the movie's end scenes with the flying sharp objects in the barn). Just wanted to throw that out there for everyone's amusement. Click on the pix here for better images. Sneaky artists, those MTV guys.

Outpost Daria has updated its information on the DVD release!

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• NEW! collar, by Jim North (continued): "Stacy, Sandi, look at me," Quinn said. Two pairs of brown eyes reluctantly met hers. "I'm not going to say I understand what the two of you have going. I'm not even going to say that I'm completely comfortable with it yet. But... I want to understand it. I want to be comfortable with it. Living in Los Angeles, especially in the fashion district... well, you kind of have to get used to things like this. It was getting to know people over there that showed me that by acting the way I did, I was shutting out several wonderful people over here who just happened to have a lifestyle that wasn't like mine."
  
• NEW! Daria: Hunter—Infectious, by Jim North (continued): "I think we have to start considering the possibility that the person we're trailing is pretty damn dead," Jane said through her teeth several minutes later. "No way a normal person could have lost this much blood and kept on going."
  
• End over End, by Shull Bitter (Part 2): On Friday, she went to the Good Time Chinese restaurant. Even if the letter from Jane, a Jane still living and breathing, was manufactured by Daria's own imagination, it was still Jane. There was a filthy bum sitting cross-legged, head slumped over, next to the dumpster when Daria arrived. On a closer look, there was no bum, just a very depressed musician who looked like he had neither slept nor showered in days. Daria wondered if that was what she looked like. "Trent…"
  
• Making the Grade, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Mom...have you picked out a name yet for my soon to be brother?" "Yes... Anthony Jr." "Was that your idea or dad's?"
• With a Wicked Pack of Cards, by TAG (COMPLETE!): Quinn shook her head, looking both sad and resigned. “She's in there with the druggies and the gangbangers and the crazies, right while we’re sitting here talking. Poor Stacy.” Sandi’s eyebrows went up. “Excuse me? ‘Poor Stacy’? Quinn, dear, are you saying she didn’t deserve to be sent to reform school for what she did?”

Monday Again

Again, 1st season Daria episode are now available through Amazon's video on demand system. Whoa. It finally came true!

Today is International Women's Day, which means women everywhere can take today off from work and just relax. Ha ha! Just kidding! Srsly, what better way to celebrate than get some Daria eps? Darn right.

Debate Question: Was Daria a part of third-wave feminism? Why or why not?

I'M OVERCOME WITH EMOTION!

BREAKING NEWZ! Daria episodes are now on Amazon's video on demand!!!

THIS IS
SPAARRRTAAAAA!!!

Also, get set for Daria fandom's own version of MARCH MADNESS!!!

How do I turn off the CAPSLOCK??!?!?

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• A Double-Blind Trial, by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): Sandi called out to Stacy in a whisper, “Stacy! What’s going on?” Stacy’s attempt to make a reply caused her to wince in pain, as much as she could without being able to safely close her eyes. “Um, sorry, Stacy. Can you handle nodding?” Stacy nodded with a noticeable effort. “Good. Did you see who did this to you?” A nod. “Was it some pervert guy trying to get lucky with you?” Stacy shook her head. “Was it a guy?” Head shake. “It’s a girl?” Nod. “Did you know her?” Nod. “Wait, if you’re here, and Quinn’s over there, where’s…?”
• NEW! End over End, by Shull Bitter (Part 1): "Jane, you look terrible," Daria said. "Thanks, amiga. You always know just what to say to make a girl feel good about herself," Jane said. Her words were croaked out in between sniffles. Jane was fully dressed and accessorized with a box of tissues tucked under one arm.
  
• Engineered Tiff, by Ajar (COMPLETE!): God, would those two ever shut up. Maybe if I called an accessory committee meeting, that would get me out of this. If being here didn't guarantee me instant popularity I wouldn't be able to stand the boredom.
• Falling into College 72: Valley of Love and Delight, by RLobinske (Part 12): "Still trying to figure out how Michael lucked out," Jack said. Thinking about Daria's story of how they got together, Helen said, "From what I understand, he took a chance." "And still got lucky," Jack said. He paused and hurriedly added, "I don't mean that kind of lucky."
• Finn Morgendorffer 35: The Fat Chick, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 5): “Sandi, that girl dared to stand against you, and said she didn’t need you anymore. And now, she’s here. You have the opportunity. Crush her, break her. Show her what a fool she was for ever thinking she was superior to you. Who deserves to be the queen of Lawndale High?” “Me.” Sandi smiled cruelly.
• NEW! The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, by Roentgen (Part 13): Daria gave up on further attempts at friendship and left the room. Daria enjoyed the fact that the four flights of stairs she had to climb were down, and not up. Stepping forward, she OH MY GOD IT'S A PIT I'M STEPPING INTO A BIG BLACK PIT THAT GOES STRAIGHT DOWN AND GOES NOWHERE GOD HELP ME I'M GOING TO FALL PLEASE GOD HELP ME
  
• Not So Slow, by Jim North (COMPLETE!): I flick the switch up, then I flip it down so I can flick it up again. This time, I have to do it right, or something bad will happen. The switch flips up, the lights come on, and it is right this time. I know because I can feel it in my fingertips. If it had not flipped right, I would have felt it all along the whorls and curves on the pads, intruding on the tissues underneath like a virus trying to spread through my body starting at the extremities. But I do not feel that, so it is okay. It is going to be okay. I am not slow. (FF.net)
  
• Tales of the Ringbearers: A New Ringbearer, by Aloysius (Part 4): “Back when Beavis was being trained, he happened to run off a cliff and started to fall. You could even hear him yell, ‘AIEEEE!’, as if he were Daffy Duck. Then one of the metahumans we normally deal with watched him and said, ‘You know, I wonder if that silly boy will remember that he can fly?’” She chuckled and shook her head at the memory. “Did he finally remember?” Tony asked. Rose shook her head. “Nope."
• Tales of the Ringbearers: The Aeon Interdict, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): I wish I could see the children now, Claire Defoe said, feeling ashamed as she remembered seeing the battle that took the life of Sandi Griffin, one of the students she remembered from Lawndale High School. I wish that I could let you know what I can do, and help all of you start to rebuild the world...
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "...And that's how your dad and I got together"), by Project Pegasus (COMPLETE!): [Oh, I'd better not ruin this one. Hang on.]
• When the Bullet Hits, by Silver (COMPLETE!): The gun fell from Jane's hand. It fell as much from shock as any thing else. The force of the round it had spat out moments before had kicked Tom Sloane over backwards. Her Tom. Or so she'd thought.
  

Caption Contest!

This picture needs a caption! Anyone can play!

Put your answer in "Comments"!

Wasn't he the head Ninja Turtle?

One of the greatest fan artists of all time, Michelangelo, turns 535 years old today, hooray! And David Van Driessen is on hand to show his Highland High class Mike's most famous work, Beavis Goes Boiiinnng! (Sorry.)

Today is also Frozen Foods Day in honor of the frozen- then- microwaved lasagna that seems to be on Daria's plate at almost every meal. You think I am making up the Frozen Foods Day thing, but I am not. President Reagan made it so (see link).

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• A Brave Dead World, by 11tee (COMPLETE!): Her hands ripped the last vestige of the football jersey away, her teeth pulling at the flesh. There was a whimper as his life ebbed. Others were closing in for the fresh kill...
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 35: The Fat Chick, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 4): I have this sudden feeling that a great period in my life has just come to an end, and I never really enjoyed it, Finn thought to himself. [Just occurred to me that Sandi broke her leg in this story on the exact anniversary of the day she was shown breaking it in reality. Coincidence? I think not.]
  

"Ooo, my leg!"

"Fat Like Me" came to the little screen nine years ago today on MTV. Daria and Jane's part in the story was lame (sorry, I know), but Sandi and Quinn got to change their relationship. This point has been discussed here before, so click on "fat like me" in the Labels section for more.

Sandi could have wound up with injuries far more severe than a broken leg. Not really sure if that would make much difference to the story, though, unless she was wheelchair-bound for years later. Otherwise, same old thing.

What if nothing had happened to her whatsoever, though? What if she should have been hurt, but wasn't? Having Sandi discover she was indestructible would mean changing some past events (like the toxic vinaigrette subplot), but it would be a trip. I had an idea for something like this once, never got it off the ground. Oh, well.

NY00Z

• A new Write Off Challenge has been started by Kristen Bealer on PPMB. Get in line to participate! Round 1 is up and movin'!
  
• NEW! The first-ever 2010 Art Off Challenge, in response to the Write Off Challenge, has been started by the marvelous Minx. Round 1 is underway!
  
• Bad Science in Daria Fanfiction? Absolutely. Step right in and see for yourself.
• NEW! MDetector5 has re-released two of his older works showing Jane Lane, rarely seen in his stuff: Attempted Jane Times Two and Something for Mindy. Nice to see this.
  
• NEW! Daria has, um, grown in this excellent work of fan art.
  
• RATS! I seem to be having some problems with my home website (theangstguy.com). Maybe it's just my computer. If the blog's left column does not entirely load, let me know. Thanks.
  

PPMB

• Bringing the Cheer, by Jim North (COMPLETE!): Daria Morgendorffer woke up feeling relaxed, refreshed, and ready to get the day started. "That's weird," she mumbled to herself as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. (FF.net)
  
• NEW! Finn Morgendorffer 35: The Fat Chick, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 3): “Oh, poor Sandi!” Stacy remarked sadly once the two found a corner. Finn, no longer able to hold it in, started to laugh hysterically. “Finn!” Stacy was horrified at his behavior. “Ha, ha. I’m sorry, it’s just...it’s just so funny.” Finn wiped a tear from his eye and choked out a sentence between his chuckles. “Finn, this is horrible for her!”
  
• NEW! General Semantics, Private Angst, by Gwrtheyrn (Part 16): Daria told her everything else, succinctly. Before she finished, Jane flung herself into a chair, and bit her lip in obvious vexation. "Damn it, amiga, even this second body of yours is just a pawn. You don't know anything more than your old body did, and your fooling around on Mars amounted to nothing. We've gotten nowhere in this past month, and time is running out."
  
• The Hallowed Halls of Fielding, by Roentgen (Part 13): As Daria drew a quick sketch, she heard something that sounded like a tweet, followed rapidly by another tweet. The two sounds repeated themselves, and then stopped. For a few seconds, Daria thought she was suffering from tinnitus. No one noticed anything. Anderson remained at his seat, reading from the textbook.
• Jacob Morgendorffer, Esq., by CAP (Part 4): Rita looked at her sister closely as they made small talk for several more minutes. Helen looked tired. No surprise there. She knew Helen was knocking herself out trying to be the valedictorian of her class. Her competitive nature would not allow her to try for anything less and she was working part time to boot. Yet there was an odd tightness around Helen’s eyes that Rita noticed but could not put a name to. “Are you okay, honey?” she finally asked.

DariaWiki? I'd hit that!

We haven't given the incredible crew building DariaWiki its due of late, and we shall do so now. I confess things like DariaWiki make me think we have one of the best informed fandoms anywhere. There's not much that doesn't get by us. (The two images here are ones recently added to the 'wiki.)

First, the crew itself. A big hand goes out to Jim North, Brother Grimace, Quiverwing, Disco316, JPAGC, Roentgen, Heydrian, and Kchishol1970 for their fantastic work. You guys ROCK!!!

Curious about which DariaWiki pages are the most popular? The longest? The newest? Click and see.

Some of the webpages recently added or improved include the following in no special order whatsoever. Enjoy at your leisure.

Cheer Lords
Das Elendskücken
Monsters
Nightmare
Decelaraptor
The Hallowed Halls of Fielding
Maryann Lyter
Therian Thirty
Esteeminator: The Daria Morgendorffer Chronicles
Daria World
Part of the Solution
Bull Session
Guy Moore
Cassandra
One True Pairing
Guilty Pleasures
Mount Covenant
Mack Mackenzie
My Night at Daria's Anthology
Is It Smiting Yet?
Daylight
John Andrews
Strictly Business
A Special Day for the Colonel
Daria: Hunter
Malevolent Turtle
Jon Kilner
The Musician's New Muse
Colin Farrington
The Red Maid
Stacy Rowe, Evangelion Pilot
The Chris Series
Daria: The OAVs

Through a Closet, Darkly

Finally, help is needed in editing what's there, or in adding missing material. If you can add a wanted page, link up an orphaned page, or categorize a page, please do!

N0O0Z!!!

• Latest most best fan art: Teh Wickedness!!!
• The latest Iron Chef: "...And that's how your dad and I got together." (Great stuff already in progress!)

FF.net

• What Have You Done, Faux Jane? by NihilisticAmbition313 (Part 1): "I really didn't mean for it to go this far, or get this out of control." Quinn said barely above a whisper. The tears were now streaming from the redhead's eyes, but Daria was unmoved. She wanted Quinn to cry, to feel the pain that she had caused herself and her best friend.

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• The Best Is Yet to Be, by Ravynstone (COMPLETE!): Jane was trying very hard not to laugh. “You had a sex dream about Kevin Thompson?” Daria scowled at her best friend. “Yes.” “Wow. And I thought you were dark before, Daria.”

• Cast Aside, by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): Brittany Taylor was the only other survivor of the Princess Fairy. She had snuck off with her boyfriend, Kevin Thompson, for one of their patented makeout sessions. They found privacy in the ship’s only lifeboat, then found themselves adrift after the rope holding the boat to the ship snapped. Kevin tried to use the oars to catch up with the boat, but had accidentally dropped the oars over the side. Kevin then decided to signal the boat by standing up and lighting a match. When he tried this, he fell into the water. With the storm picking up and Kevin’s pads dragging him down, Brittany had just missed grabbing his hand before he sank for the last time.
• collar, by Jim North (continued): "Oh wow," Quinn said once she was sure the waiter was out of hearing range. "Is that boy the most gorgeous thing ever or what? Ooh, that voice, and you could nibble on that butt for days!" (SFMB)
  
• Finn Morgendorffer 35: The Fat Chick, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 2): “It’s Sandi!” Stacy interrupted. “Yeah, she’s not here today.” Finn remarked. That was not a bad thing, persay. “No, I mean she’s not here because of her leg. I heard from Rebecca who heard from Abby who heard from Brooke that Sandi broke it yesterday night.”
• Folie à deux, by Charliefox2012 (Part 4): Evie scrutinized Daria intently, and then sighed lightly. “You’re actually worried that she’ll send me away again.” Daria hesitated before she gave her a small nod. “I’m pretty sure mom wasn’t kidding about the boarding school.” Evie gave her a small smile. “Mom is done sending me away,” she said confidently. “How do you know?” Daria inquired.
• Onwards and Upchuck, by Shull Bitter (COMPLETE!): Charles Ruttheimer III gave a gentle growl-purr as he reached his locker, and the enchanting vision of loveliness standing before it. "Well, if it isn't the red hot, foxy younger Morgendorffer. What service may I offer?"
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "...And that's how your dad and I got together"), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): Ficlet
  
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "...And that's how your dad and I got together"), by RLobinske (COMPLETE!): Ficlet
  
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "...And that's how your dad and I got together"), by Roxanne M (COMPLETE!): Ficlet
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "...And that's how your dad and I got together"), by Shull Bitter (COMPLETE!): "Well, you know, like your father and I were stationed together at the same post in World War Three," Brittany said. She twirled her still blonde hair, now in a single longer ponytail, around a finger. "But we actually knew each other from when we were little kids. Back in high school, we were both dating other people. After graduation, I never thought I'd see him again, but then came the attack on Old Los Angeles. I was a third semester freshman in college then. The government asked for all able bodied people to enlist so that they wouldn't need a draft, and, well, who's more able bodied than a cheerleader?
• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "...And that's how your dad and I got together"), by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): The twins' faces were awash in horror. "You hooked up at a key party?!"
  

Another Digression on Alter Egos

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

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

What makes Quinn become Jayne Mansfield, though?

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

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

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

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