That's One Way to Get on the Partnership Fast-Track!

On this day in 1869, the Golden Spike was driven in Promontory, Utah, completing the first Transcontinental Railroad in the United States. The image of Helen as a locomotive bearing down on you is probably a familiar sight to Daria, especially when extracurricular activities are involved.

Fandom News!

• The PPMB has a new "quick reply" feature!


• What do you think was 2000's greatest blunder?


• Discussion is underway about the movie The Untouchables. Be warned--there are spoilers!


• Stripey wonders if anyone is interested in participating in a Daria Fanworks Day activity.


• What do you consider the best dead fic? If ever a thread was made for pitchforks, this is it.


• Two new Iron Chefs in the Creative Writing forum: getrealordie187's Unlikely Team-Ups and Lord Yellowtail's Maimed/Scarred Quinn.

Happy Mother's Day!

Today is Mother's Day in the United States, so today would be a good day to call your mother (or favorite mother figure, if you prefer). Helen Morgendorffer just might look up from her work in time to notice, but let's not hold our breath, okay?

Today is also Victory in Europe Day, which commemorates the end of World War II for Europe. All in all, a pretty good day!


New Fanfic!

• Belching Daria (Pie, Pie, My Darling), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Daria and Jane gazed down at the refrigerator box. 'Well, it's a box alright,' Jane observed. 'It's more than a box,' Daria said, more to herself than Jane."


• Daria Unplugged S1, by peapotmaster: "MR. BUZZCUT Listen up, you morons, and shut the hell up! As you know, one of you bastards is leaving Highland. I wish it was Beavis and Butt-Head, but it’s Daria Morgendorffer."


• Fat Unlike Me (Pie, Pie, My Darling), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "They finally arrived at their destination: a rather seedy-looking minimall somewhere downtown. Quinn got out, gesturing for Sandi to do the same, and she then led the chubbier girl to the rear of the Good Times Chinese Restaurant. 'Like, what are we waiting for, Quinn?' Sandi asked, impatient. 'Sandi, in just a few minutes, you'll find out why I want you to lose weight so much.'"


• The Ghost Drawler (Iron Chef: Unlikely Team-Ups), by Smijey: "'Are you telling me after three damn years, somebody FINALLY NOTICED TOMMY SHERMAN?' The man with the broken nose gave a whoop. 'Dollface, I ain't never been so glad to talk up a chick like this before, you know what I mean?' The smirk on his face gave a strong hint as to what he meant. Tiffany left the confines of her mind and noticed the ex-football player again. 'If you don't get out, I'll tell,' she said, pointing towards the door."


• God Save The Esteem ep29: Daria's High Score, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Not taking anymore chances, Ken went for his car. He’d have to leave Tiffany behind and all his hopes & dreams of her calling him 'Ken', but he’d have to make that sacrifice – he was almost home free- The window directly above him shattered; Janet Barch came hurtling through it, screaming 'MEEEEENNNNN SSSUUUUUUCCCKKKKK' on her way down, and as she landed she jumped and dropkicked him in the face."


• An Invitation You Can't Refuse (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): "'Are you ladies in need of a knight in shining armor?' 'Can we take the armor and ditch the knight?' 'Hey!' Charles smirked. 'It's a packaged deal, toots!' Daria and Jane exchanged a look, then Daria unzipped her boxy green jacket, swept it open and drew her glock from her tooled leather shoulder holster."


• Is It Lunch Yet? (Pie, Pie, My Darling), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'I'm not much for public speaking, or much for speaking, or come to think of it...' She trailed off as she looked at the award in her hands. The microphone picked up the growling of her stomach. Daria opened her mouth, and..."


• The James Lane Chronicles Chapter 6, by InvisibleDan (part 3): "'I can't believe this. You don't even bother asking me what I would want to do so you volunteer me for something I would never choose and now that your boss's boss is involved there's no way I can get out of it without making you look bad.' Helen just shrugged her shoulders. Her voice as cold as ice, Daria said, 'I'll be in my room.'"


• Kevin and His First Battle, by Wassersauefer (COMPLETE!): "Kevin hissed when Dame Kirsten adjusted the dressing around his broken left leg but he was unwilling to scream like a little boy in front of a hot chick. Not that he would ever try to land with Kirsten, her being older than him. And of course there was the fact that her boyfriend could kick his ass every day with his hands tied down. Speaking of her boyfriend, said young man stormed right into their direction. 'Yo, Hendrik-Bro...', began Kevin, grinning like only he could, when Sir Hendriks armored fist connected with Kevin’s nose, breaking it instantly."


• Legacy, by getrealordie187 (COMPLETE!): "She meets her wide eyes in the mirror. "That b***h. She planned all of this. Every single piece of it." And knowing you've been played only means you get to figure out exactly how long that man behind the curtain's been making you look like a fool. It doesn't help persay but on the brightside? You can finally see where the strings were being pulled. And then all you have left is the fun task of wondering how you missed it all in the first place."


• Level A (Bits & Pieces that just BEG to be made into Daria FanFic), by RLobinske (COMPLETE!): "At the moment, all Daria could hear was the faint hiss of of air flowing from her backpack tank to her respirator. Her uncorrected vision was blurred even more by the lenses of the full-face respirator and the plastic face of the outer containment suit. The baggy, blue suit restricted her movements, so she compensated with extra care as she set the offending container into an overpack drum. With a nod to her partner, they put the drum lid in place and tightened the bronze bolt with a non-sparking wrench."


• LLH Alternate Future - 08 - Get Real, by psychotol: "'Daria?' asked one of the patrons. 'No. Daria’s a wuss. Takes a real telepath to scramble someone’s brain and entire nervous system. X-rays are dead. Excuse me.' She left. It wasn’t Daria, just Daria like. 'She ... god that was creepy,' said someone."


• Man of the House, by Smijey: "Daria was extremely disgruntled for the next few weeks in the lead-up to the wedding. The day after she blew up at me, she had a rather heated phone conversation with Helen. She demanded to speak to Quinn, but Helen rejected it, citing that she didn't want Quinn to talk to Daria while she was so 'upset'. Then Helen asked to talk to me, and she bitched me out for getting Daria so upset. After she ran out of steam, I managed to ask about Jane, and she at least agreed to that."


• Not So Different 15: Payback Is A Barch, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "Suddenly Sonny was ambushed by his mother, who was indeed wearing a red team armband. She pointed her paintball gun at him and he surrendered at once. 'Sonny, you could at least try.' 'I'm learning about another aspect of warfare, the experience of the captive.'"


• Not So Different 16: Ju-Jutsu, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "'The only reason she got an A', Sonny went on, 'is that O'Neill is emotionally incompetent to recognise that a cry of pain is not necessarily a mark of intellect. Maybe next time I have to do an essay for him I should just write: “I don't like doing homework! Please don't make me do homework! I hate it so much!” Then I could just spill a few tears on the page before I hand it in...'"


• Rude Awakening Ep. 4: It's That Kind of Day, by DIsaac (parts 4 - 6): "DARIA: 8:35 on WHUB 98.5, Alright I want to talk about a couple of things, that for lack of a better term, came out during that Jodie and Mack conversation. MACK: One, Jodie would have done Jane back in high school if she swung that way. DARIA: Two, Jane hates being hit on by lesbians." (Part 5) (Part 6)


• Sick Sad Photography (Long Story Challenge #2), by untra: "'Mom, I can explain,' Quinn began, casting a pleading look to Jane. 'There were these photos of Daria, but I think they're actually of aunt Amy, and-' 'You mean photos like this one?' Helen growled, holding up the crumbled photo of her daughter. 'Because it's not aunt Amy, I can assure you.' Both Quinn and Jane went quiet, thinking of their next words. After a long and awkward silence, Jane spoke up with the most honest words she could come up with for the situation. 'Oh fuck.'"


• Tales of the Ringbearers: With Extreme Prejudice, by Doggieboy (part 1): "A panicked male voice on a speaker suddenly said, 'Dunwich Base, this is Norwood Base, we are under attack! I repeat, we are under attack! Attacker appears to be a Ringbearer. I repeat, the attacker appears to be a Ringbearer! Please advise us to what we need to do! We have no----' The voice cut out then and for several seconds, everyone in the lab froze and stared at the now silent speaker."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Mack Dynamite Goes to School), by Dark Kuno (COMPLETE!): "Jodie smirked and Mack let out a chuckle as they took in the decorations setup for the Boogie Bash '70s Revival Night, the latest of Ms. Li's fund raising plans for 'capital improvements'. 'Looks like they managed to find the disco ball,' said Mack as he glanced up at the sparkling mirrored sphere hanging from the auditorium rafters."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Mack Dynamite Goes to School), by Hyrin (COMPLETE!): "Mack walked into the bathroom, the door slamming into the wall hard behind him. 'It's just too much,' he muttered, pacing the length of the room, stopping to stare at the mirror. 'Come on, man,' he said to his reflection. 'You can do this.' He took several deep breaths, then felt his control slip."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Mack Dynamite Goes to School), by Hyrin (COMPLETE!): "'KEVIN! What were the ramifications of the Watergate scandal?!' 'Um...Everyone got wet?' 'Shut yo mouth!' Mack said, slapping Kevin so hard that his ring left an imprint of the words 'Jive Sucka' in the QB's forehead. 'Big Daddy Dick had to walk the long walk o' shame. Mr. Model T himself took over and there was crying in the streets when he gave out the great "Get Outta The Slammer Free" card.'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Unlikely Team-Ups), by getrealordie187 (COMPLETE!): "'Do you not know that we have a common enemy young Sloane?' 'Err...call me Tom. And I don't like to think of my girlfriend's father as the enemy.'"

Don't Cry for Me...or the Bomb-Sniffing Dogs!

On this day in 1919, Eva Perón was born. Also referred to as "Evita," she was a controversial figure as First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death 1952. Many people also know a (not-so-historical) version of her story from the musical Evita, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Angela Li is doing her impression of Perón on the left, and I think we would all prefer that she not start singing.

Today is also Astronomy Day, so get out there and check out the stars and planets. Ms. Barch has this recommendation, too:

Ms. Barch: Class, our planetarium trip has been canceled due to lack of funds, so your assignment tonight is to locate Orion the Hunter in the sky, then write an essay on why you think he needs to carry a weapon to feel like a man.

--episode 501, Fizz Ed

Today's discussion question: Should Pluto be considered a planet or not? Discuss.

A Feisty Holiday and an Ugly Piñata!

It's Cinco de Mayo, which I'm reliably informed has nothing to do with mayonnaise but instead commemorates Mexico's victory in the Battle of Puebla. It is apparently more popular in the United States than in Mexico, though, possibly because of the American tradition of taking any excuse to drink a lot.

Never mind the liquor, though. Upchuck's been leering at me just a little too long. Pass me the stick, please.

Fandom News!

• cynigal is going to Europe and wants to know if anyone can meet up with her and her boyfriend.


• Roentgen started a new discussion in the Deep Thoughts forum: Jockocracies: Lawndale...and Raft?


• The Sidhe found a game review for Beavis and Butthead in Virtual Stupidity.


• Join the discussion about the new Mortal Kombat: Legacy web series.


• Erin M. posted a new Iron Chef in the Creative Writing forum: Mack Dynamite Goes to School.

This Is Not the Blog You're Looking For

Today is Star Wars Day! You know, "May the Fourth...." Get it? Yeah, I know. Don't blame me; I didn't come up with it.

There don't seem to be any Star Wars-related alter egos out there, but I thought this image of Daria was appropriately space-ish. Feel free to mentally replace her outfit with Leia's gold bikini outfit while I post the latest fanfic:

• Daria/Dorian Ch. 15: Summertime Blues, by LadieT (part 1): ""'I take it that I wasn't the only one who had a long night,' Jane said. 'No, but Quinn helped me finally stop thinking enough to want to fall asleep.' 'Really - how did she pull that off?' Jane asked. 'By being there.'"


• Daria, or the Confession of a Single Lonely Male, by Arena del Sur (part 3): "Friday. I know it is madness to keep this journal but it gives me a strange thrill to do so. Let me state with a sob that today my D. was reading on the so-called 'piazza,' but her mother and some other woman were around all the time. Of course, I might have sat there in the rocker and pretended to read. Playing safe, I kept away, for I was afraid that the horrible, insane, ridiculous and pitiful tremor that palsied me might prevent me from making my entrada with any semblance of casualness."


• A Demonstration of Anger, Part Two, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "I have doubts. For if the Plan doesn't work, then the fate of the entire Omniverse will rest in the hands of whatever is destined to rise to confront Judith. And as we are learning, all too late, Destiny is just unreliable enough that Judith may yet emerge victorious in the end. And should that happen, everything will burn." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• A Different Look at 1111, by cfardell_Brenorenz29: "'So, have you wondered what other previous owners this house has had?' Jane asked. Some thoughts connected in Daria's mind. 'Actually, I think one of the previous owners was a stage magician.' Jane was surprised. 'Really? What makes you think that?' Daria got out of the seat. 'I'll show you,' she said. She walked over to the internal door closest to the external door."


• General Semantics, Private Angst, by gwrtheyrn (part 38): "Jim Vitale pursed his lips, and scratched the angle of his jaw. 'Ms Morgendorffer, the Empire's attack on Mars has reached a curious stage. If conditions were normal, it would have to be called a failure.... Yes, I thought that would interest you. But that failure now throws every human being in the Solar System into deadly danger.'"


• The Girl by the Oak (GlitterShrooms's Crazy Ideas/One-Shots thread), by GlitterShrooms (COMPLETE!): "No matter who the girl was, she had to be new to Lawndale High since Jane had never seen her before. The girl in question was remarkably pale, and had auburn hair that went all the way to her waist. What caught Jane's attention the most though was the few tears forming behind her glasses as she read a paper-back book. For some uncharacteristic reason, Jane decided to introduce herself to the new girl. 'It's hard,' said the auburn hair girl to Jane as she approached the old oak."


• God Save The Esteem ep29: Daria's High Score, by Charles RB (part 2): "'I ran away so my father wouldn’t smack me one, but I had to come back home so he did,' said Jake, for whom Memory Lane was part of an inner-city ghetto. 'Well SCREW YOU OLD MA- Hang on a second.' He rushed to the phone, dialled a number, and roared down the line: 'SCREW YOU OLD MAN I GOT MARRIED, RAISED SOME GREAT KIDS AND MY ELDEST TOTALLY GOT LAID LAST NIGHT oh hi Mum, could you put Dad on?'"


• Judith's Nightmare ('Flashpoints': A Worldburner Mini-Fics Thread), by the Quiet reader (COMPLETE!): "She walks into what was once Winsor Hills Resort. Now it is a cathedral of the horrors that await her. Judith opens the doors to see a band setting up and what she saw she couldn't unsee. NegaJane was being encased in what appeared to be liquid fiberglass that was now hardening. Some kind of non conductive metal was used to hold her up as well as spill her black blood into a bowl which the band would take turns drinking."


• The Last Word ('Flashpoints': A Worldburner Mini-Fics Thread), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Kevin watched as the world caught on fire, and yelled: 'You SUCK, Judith! YOU SUCK YOU SUCK YOU S-'"


• LLH 'Mini' - 'The First Battle of Legion Tower', by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "Thousands upon thousands of flame-Judiths disappeared in loud, violent explosions that peppered the early-morning sky like a fireworks display in just six seconds... but that was just a minute fraction of the millions of flame-forms converging upon them from every angle. Far, far, far too many to escape... ...until the wall of flame-forms exploded into a miles-long tunnel of glowing flame!" (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Mad Dog's Legacy Chapter 8: Adult Supervision, by Hyrin (COMPLETE!): "'How are you holding up, amiga?' Jane asked, putting down her sketchbook. 'Better than I thought I would, but it’s still freaking me out.' 'Want to talk about it?' 'Not really.' A pause. 'I guess it’s just that I couldn’t do anything to stop it. Everything happened so fast. First him…and then Tad…and then I woke up in the hospital. I couldn’t react.'"


• Man of the House (My Best Friend 2), by Smijey (part 2): "I don't usually dream. I only dream when I'm drunk. I only drink when I hear the Old Man, giving me hateful remarks on my life, ranting about how much better he was than me, or just chuckling at the misery my life is. I dream an awful lot."


• The Message (Long Story Challenge 3, Round 2), by Shull Bitter: "He was trying to withdraw, he really was. But she just seemed so lonely, especially now that Jane had a boyfriend. He tried to set rules for himself. 1. He'd never be the first one to contact her. He would reply, but not initiate new conversations. 2. He would discourage their correspondence in a variety of subtle ways, from never giving details of his own life to being flippant or as distant as he could be while being polite. 3. If she needed him, he'd be there. 4. He wouldn't exploit her. The rules didn't help much. They were impossible to follow."


• Not So Different 12: Misery Misses Company, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "Sonny stared appraisingly at the being who had provided half his genes and, at least in theory, half his upbringing. There was nothing to say. He removed himself from his sleeping bag, dressed, and emerged from the tent to join his father, who clapped him on the back with appalling heartiness. 'Isn't nature great!' Jake inhaled deeply and then put his arm around Sonny's shoulder again and gave him a squeeze. 'And here we are together, father and son, the way it's supposed to be, getting food for the tribe!'"


• Not So Different 13: 'When Your Soul Is In My Soul's Stead', by J-D (COMPLETE!): "Anyway, the bottom line was the same as always. Tommy Sherman was as devoid of appeal as Sonny had expected him to be, but Sonny wasn’t going to change who he was because of that. He certainly wasn’t going to start charging to the rescue of his classmates, any of them."


• Not So Different 14: Solidarity, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "'Listen', said Jane. ‘I haven’t forgotten the time when you told me you were never going to collaborate with me on an artwork again, because you’re not in my league artistically. But it’s not doing the actual work I need you for. I’m looking for a concept. And the plan is to find a negative concept, and negative concepts are your best thing.’ ‘Thanks.’"


• Quinn of Hearts, by Kristen Bealer (part 1): "Pizza Prince will be closed for two weeks for renovations in order to serve our customers better. We look forward to seeing you again when we reopen! The girls' eyes went straight from the sign on the door to the window above it. All they could see was a dark restaurant, deserted and silent. 'They can do that?!' Jane cried desperately."


• Raft College: The First Year, by rglovejoy (part 47): "Jane continued to look shell-shocked after the cruiser drove away. 'Welcome to Boston, Jane,' Daria said teasingly. 'You just met your first crackpot.'"


• Rude Awakening Episode 4: It's That Kind of Day, by DIsaac (parts 1 - 3): "JANE: We are just one step away from a crazy house. MACK: You all are just joking around, right? BURNOUT: Oh, Michael Mackenzie, Forgive him for he knows not of what he about to walk into." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Sacked (Iron Chef: Mack Snaps), by TheExcellentS (COMPLETE!): "Kevin: 'Listen to yourself, Mack. I don't know what's going on in your head. We've been buds since high school, we've worked our way through the ranks of the LFC, we've won the tag titles. Heck, you won the world title, and I couldn't have been happier for you! Through thick and thin, we've had each other's backs. But I don't know where you're coming from anymore. You're definitely not the Michael Mackenzie I used to know.'"


• Save the Last Trance for Me, by jtranser: "Daria shook her head: 'What a waste.' 'True that. Well, it's time for you to go punch in and connect with your Godness on an official basis.'"


• Summer Lovin' (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): "They ran into each other during summer break. One sarcastic comment led to another, and before they knew it they were in his new old car, making out in front of the Pizza King. He invited her back to his house. She surprised them both by accepting."


• Surprise Buttsex! ('Flashpoints': A Worldburner Mini-Fics Thread), by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "For three whole days, the King of the Gods abstained – and, being the canny bastard he was (after all, being in charge of a whole group of horny, backstabbing and downright smug, yet sexy deities who could get their freak on better than an entire season of an Aaron Spelling prime-time drama required being quick on your feet - and a refractory period measured in microseconds) he figured out how..."


• Unnamed story (AUs, Brain Farts and other stuff), by Greystar (COMPLETE!): "'Every outfit you've put on, you've walked out here and asked if it makes you look fat. I tell you that it doesn't, but you change clothes anyway.' Quinn closed the magazine and looked at the half open closet door. 'Why is that?' 'Why is what?' Tiffany asked. 'Why is it you don't believe me when I say that you don't look fat in whatever outfit you have on?'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Mack Snaps), by Erin M. (COMPLETE!): "The three girls looked around as the sound of funky '70s guitar began echoing through the hallways. The other students also looked puzzled as the music got louder and louder. And then...there he was. Stylish black platform shoes, navy blue bell bottoms, orange wing collared shirt open halfway down his muscular chest. Stylish black leather jacket. Aviator sunglasses, a well styles Afro on his head and a luxuriant mustache on his face. Every move lithe and smooth, exuding confidence, unlimited virility, and an infinite capacity for badassery."

Happy Birthday, You Delightfully Twisted Little Cruller!

Let's all wish a happy birthday to Niccolò Machiavelli, born on this day in 1469. Daria apparently is a fan, shown reading Machiavelli's The Prince during the episode "Fire!"

Tom: Hey, The Prince. Planning on taking over a country?

Daria: Well, not now that you've ruined the surprise.

Today is also Teacher's Day in the U.S. I'm sure the existence of this holiday alone is enough to give Mr. DeMartino the job satisfaction and peace of mind that he's been looking for. Or something.

Fandom News!

• Temppeli is happy to announce that Linnanmäki, the oldest amusement park in Finland, is open.


• What's your signature outfit? Sorry, someone's already got dibs on green jackets and Doc Martens.


• The Canadian election is being discussed in Nick's Corner.


• Which are your top movies you wish you'd never seen?


• JPAGC has posted a new Iron Chef in the Creative Writing forum: Mack Snaps.


• Artist S-C has created model sheets for Daria and Jane, which should be useful for other artists who want to draw the characters.

Ready...Set...Caption!

As usual, post your caption ideas in the comments. Have fun!

Double, Double Toil and Trouble

Tonight is Walpurgis Night, a holiday celebrated in parts of Europe. It's a spring festival associated with the supernatural and often involves costumes, bonfires, and dancing. Sounds fun, although I don't think Quinn would be amused by how much the Three Js are getting into it.

Today is also the 208th anniversary of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty. It not only doubled the size of the United States, but also tied in strongly with Manifest Destiny--but I'll leave Daria to describe that in greater detail!

New Fanfic!

• God Save The Esteem ep29: Daria's High Score, by Charles RB (part 1): "Two weeks later, O'Neill burst into Daria's class, crying out 'Daria! You'll never guess who's by the phone waiting to hear from you!' – and unfortunately, the class was Gym and, specifically, the changing rooms. The stares of two dozen girls registered with him too late. 'I... I... um... oh dear.'"


• Ixmythot (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by Ixmythot (COMPLETE!): "Anthony chuckled, an honest chuckle at that, as he continued, his tic calming with the last of the more painful students gone, "No Andrea, this is something more important than a by, or a missed test. I noticed a certain Symbol on one of your tests, and I have to ask you something: What does the term "Ixmythot" mean to a young woman such as yourself?""


• Life After Highland Ch. 1: Rush This!, by LadieT (part 2): "Daria watched Brittany as she slowly made her way to the store's exit. Feeling a slight tinge of regret, Daria caught up with the cheerleader. 'Look, if we get finished with everything here before midnight, I might show up - but I won't stay long. Half hour to an hour tops.'"


• Mad Dog's Legacy Chapter 8: Adult Supervision, by Hyrin (part 4): "The Morgendorffers, along with Jane, were shuffled out by the nurses, and Daria lay back on the bed, trying to get some sleep. She lay still, with her eyes closed, trying to relax, when she heard footsteps in the doorway. Looking over, she saw Mack standing there, watching her. 'Hey,' he said when she opened her eyes."


• Not So Different 10: Leniency For A Second Offender, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "As the three figures came up the path, Quinn could see that Sonny was limping and the driver was helping to support him. Sonny was speaking in a low voice, and she half-heard and half-guessed that he was telling the other two that he could manage. The scruffy guy was telling Sonny that it was no problem. Quinn stepped out from behind the bush to find out how bad the damage was and decided, judging from times Sonny had got into trouble before, that it was only minor. The guy supporting Sonny looked at her and said, 'Hey.'"


• Not So Different 11: Older Male Siblings, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "'All the way to Swedesville?' said Sonny. ‘For a music festival?' 'It's not a special occasion or anything. We'd just be hanging out for a while. Of course', Jane went on, 'we'd understand if it would interfere with your busy social schedule.' Sonny had to give in."


• Paisley Gal (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by paisleygal (COMPLETE!): "Travis sat at a small table in the back corner of the bar. He had an open bottle of beer in front of him, but he was more interested in watching the people in the bar than in drinking tonight. He sighed as he watched the couples doing the two-step to a George Strait hit. His friends had told him he was a fool to fall for some fancy city gal from Lawndale, but he couldn't help it. From the moment he first laid eyes on her, he knew that she was the one."


• Promises, by LadieT (epilogue): "'I just wanted to thank you again for taking such good care of Cleo. I know it wasn't exactly something you wanted to do - ' 'That's not true, Quinn. I made that promise because I wanted to be there for her if she needed me. I love you, sis.' 'I love you, too. And Jane as well. - I mean I would be so lost right now without you guys.' 'It's going to be okay, Quinn. Just remember, we're here for you. Who knows, maybe someday, we'll need you to return the promise,' Jane said."


• Quinn's Code - 02: Invite of the Geek, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 7): "'Have you done any dance lessons?' she asked. 'Well, no,' Sandi admitted. 'Then you have no right to say that our dancing is abominable!' Kristen said. 'That should make her think!' 'You mean that you have?' Tori asked. 'Of course,' Kristen said. She grabbed the approaching Joey and began to waltz with him. He was so shocked that it took about 15 seconds for him to respond."


• Royal Wedding (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "'And do you, Prince Thomas, Duke of Brittingham, Earl of Cloves, Earl of Watercress, Earl of Hines, Count of Basie, Baron of Munchhausen, Essence of Myrrh, Knight of the Garter Belt, Cab of Calloway, Satchmo of Armstrong, and Elf of Keebler take this woman, Daria Precious Morgendorffer, as your lawful wedded wife, to have, to hold, and to never make any reference whatsoever to her unfortunate middle name?'"


• Rude Awakening Episode 3: Drive, by DIsaac (COMPLETE!): "DANI: You know if Jodie heard that, she would of flipped out. Mack was a NFL player and the reason why Jodie was so pissed at him was because she told me he dumped her the second he was drafted. STACY: He dumped Jodie the second he got successful? DANI: Exactly." (Part 15)


• The T Virus, by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'Damnit, Daria, there's an outbreak going on!' Daria sighed and closed her book; she'd clearly be spending the next few minutes massaging her father's latest paranoid fear. 'Okay, dad, an outbreak of what?' 'The T virus! There are zombies EVERYWHERE! I almost DIED!'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "Ghetto" Daria), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Tom whistled at the parade. 'It is a stunning array of pod people.' 'Two more minutes,' said Daria."


• Vigilante Shift: Double Docked (Non-Daria), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "'What are you doing?' 'I'm broodin',' she murmurred to the voice in her ear. 'It's what superheroes are s'posed to do. We brood on rooftops.' An exasperated sigh, then, 'Yes, and you are also supposed to capture criminals, as I recall. They don't capture themselves, you know.' ''Cept that one time.'"


• Way Too Cute, by Smijey: "Daria smiled -- wide. Quinn was perturbed seeing the unfamiliar gesture on Daria's face (and a little revolted at how perfect even her sister's teeth were). 'Don't you get it, Quinn? For the first time in my whole damn life, somebody looked PAST my appearances!' "And they thought you stank!" Quinn added. That did not deter Daria from giving Quinn a great big hug, though. 'Aggh! What are you doing!' Quinn flailed and tried to escape, but it was no use."


• Worldburner: The Fixer VS the Final Countdown, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'Three and a half minutes left to save the world.' Dr Charles Ruttheimer, Extradimensional Handyman – crossworld 'fixer' for hire – grinned. 'Time to get feisty.'"


• Worldburner: They Were Nine, by Erin M. (COMPLETE!): "Judith's expression hardened, causing Neely to start crying again. Judith blinked and winced as the pain returned, whatever trance the baby had put on her breaking. She got to her feet and looked down at Daria, who looked back up with an expression of dread. Judith look a deep breath and let it out through her nose. 'There's other survivors in Swedesville,' she said quietly. 'About thirty or so. They've made camp by a stream with clean water. I was going to burn them out but...'"

We've Come a Long Way, Baby!

Exactly one year ago today, the very first Daria DVD sets were received by fans. Hooray!

So, what has changed since that momentous DVD release? I have several thoughts, but I'd rather open it up for discussion. What effect do you think the DVDs have had on fandom? Talk about it in the comments while I update the latest news:

• News and reactions are being shared about the tornadoes in the Southern U.S.


• Interested in attending or helping to organize Midwest Dariacon 2011? Post in the thread!


• Derek posted some exciting news about space exploration.


• What are your top 10 movies you don't ever want to watch?


• The latest Doctor Who episode is being discussed now.


• GardenStateMachine is looking for recommendations for running music.


• Some new activities in the Creative Writing forum: GlitterShrooms's Daria: The Last Woman. IC/Discussion and psychotol's God sez: (Round robin challenge: Why would she do this?).

Express Yourself Using Medium Rare!

Today is World Graphics Day, a day to celebrate the use of graphic design in communication. Or, as Jane would put it, "This is going to be fun: you doing words, me pictures. It's exciting." Either way, it's an opportunity to get creative. Be graphic!

Um...not that kind of "graphic," though.

Fanfic Update!

• Alone in Crowds (IC: Daria and Jane:Enemies at first sight), by Charles RB (COMPLETE): "Jane had seen the new girl, this Daria Morgendorffer, react fast to the teacher's question and come up with the right answer – and then, after giving an accurate description of manifest destiny as the belief of America's destiny to expand, add in 'but I imagine if they'd seen this class they'd have not thought that'. Whether that was a dig at the students or DeMartino, Jane didn't know, but even Kevin could've told you that DeMartino would think it was a dig at him. Which, of course, he took out on the rest of the class with a surprise quiz tomorrow. Thank you, Ms Morgendorffer. Just what she needed."


• Chair Resurrection (Iron Chef: TAKE OUT TRENT LANE!), by the Quiet reader (COMPLETE!): "Trent Lane wakes up in a room. He looks around to see an egg at his feet. Beside him lay a dead facehugger and a half eater rare burger. 'What's going on here?' He questioned but nobody seemed to be around."


• Daria, or the Confession of a Single Lonely Male, by Arena del Sur (parts 7 and 8): "How the look of my dear love's name even affixed to some old hag of a editor, still makes me rock with helpless pain! Perhaps, she might have be a writer too. Born 1982. Inspired (I notice the slip of my pen in the preceding paragraph, but please do not correct it, Lisandro) The Murdered Journalist. Oh, my Daria, I not even have words to play with!"


• Don’t Look Back (Long Story Challenge #2), by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): "'Penny! Where're you off to?' 'Dominican Republic,' she replied shortly. 'They have wonderful beaches there. Have fun!' The door slammed with her exit, and Penny Lane was not seen on that continent again for a decade."


• Falling Short (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): "As Stacy followed her new friends to the school's main doors, she happened to glance aside. A girl with shoulder-length black hair was sitting cross-legged on the top step, sketching in a large book. When Stacy abruptly halted, the girl looked up and their eyes met."


• Fighting Lawndale (Iron Chef: Lawndale Fighters), by Wassersauefer (COMPLETE): "I survived this school for two years now. I have learned a lot. About survival. About fighting. About respect. I could go to any other school, my grades are good enough, I could go to any boarding school I like, my family is rich enough. But I won't. I hate this place and I love it in the same moment. I don't get beat up by football players, I lose in fights against them There is a difference, a big one. Because sometimes I win."


• Ginger Love (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by GingerLove84 (COMPLETE!): "Mack groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as a brawl threatened to explode. 'Guys....GUYS!' Mack bellowed, shocking them into silence. 'My point is... why do you do it? What is so special about Quinn that makes you all act like buffoons?'"


• God Save The Esteem ep 28: Punk Takes A Holiday, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'Quinn!' snapped Daria down the phone. 'Did you know supernatural entities were hiring Dad?!' 'Well gawd Daria, don't you pay attention during breakfast? He mentioned the Holidays four fucking times this week.' She thought back over the last week. She remembered hearing something over breakfast, but she'd long ago developed the skill of not hearing a single blessed thing her family said in the morning." (Part 3)


• God sez (Round robin challenge: Why would she do this?), by psychotol: "'Can you hear?' asked the pastor. 'I can hear,' said the 'Formally' deaf man."


• Guinipigs (AUs, Brain Farts and other stuff), by Wassersauefer (part ): "'So, you're a triplet and have yet a younger sister?' 'Three actually.' 'Damn, your father must feel outnumbered.' 'My brothers helps him to fight off the female influence.' 'So you're what, seven kids?' 'Eight.'"


• Historical Inaccuracies (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'You know what William Tecumseh Sherman's going to do now? He's going to go out onto the battlefield and check out his new artillery piece. He's going to read the letter from President Lincoln and think of all the people who admire him. But you wouldn't know anything about that. You're one of those secessionist dudes, always moping about what a cruel country the United States is, making a big deal about it so people won't notice that you're a loser.'"


• Hobbitdale Part 2: Friends with a Half Elf (Iron Chef: Tall Daria), by cfardell_Brenorenz29: "Half an hour later, after driving away a couple of Orcs whom had tried to foreclose on the Lanes (Jane’s parents were somewhere in Harafrica), Jane and Daria were eating pizza in the kitchen. 'So, your mother’s an Elf?' Jane asked."


• Irreverence (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by HolyGrail2007 (COMPLETE!): "'See what happens when you don't listen to me.' Tom replied ambivalently as he looked at the object in his ends. His bravado aside, he could scarcely believe it either. Sitting just before his hands was something Tom could have never dreamed of. Bathed in a glowing light, and with faint sounds of heavenly choirs, was a footed cup, or chalice, if Tom's history was correct."


• Jim North, The Newer Kid (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "'Who is that?' Jane asked in wonder, a tone unusual enough to actually cause Daria to look up from her locker and glance around. Her glance immediately turned into a stare as she laid eyes on the more gorgeous hunk of man she had ever seen walk the halls of Lawndale High. Or anywhere else, for that matter. He was an Adonis, allowed to walk the earth so that all others might share in his beauty."


• Lawndale and Sandi Griffin's Genie (Chapter 3), by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (COMPLETE!): "'What are we going to do about about it?' Kristen asked, not sure how the local urban legends that she knew of would be connected to Sandi's mysterious power. 'Keep an eye out for other unusual happenings that cannot be explained by the genie?' Jennifer wondered. 'Good idea, Ms Burns!' Mr DeMartino said. 'What else do we do now?' Kristen asked. 'Wait and see what happens next,' Mr DeMartino said."


• Mad Dog's Legacy Chapter 8: Adult Supervision, by Hyrin (parts 2 and 3): "'We don’t normally allow sitters to use the phone, but your mother told us that you might need…assistance, so feel free to call your house whenever you need. Now, here’s your schedule. As you can see, we've broken everything down into fifteen minute increments. Let's review it together.' They spent several minutes reviewing the paper, leaving Daria amazed at the precision with which it was planned. There was even a 15-minute window set aside for 'Spontaneous Activities.'" (Part 3)


• Mane Joemerl Back! (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by JoeMerl (COMPLETE!): "Twelve-year-old Joey Black sat in the office, squinting hard at a piece of paper as he held his finger under a word. The counselor leaned over her desk, frowning, as Mr. and Mrs. Black gave each other nervous glanced."


• Man of the House (My Best Friend 2), by Smijey (part 1): "I heard low talking in the kitchen area, and lowered my guard (by just a hair), as I recognized Daria as one of the voices. She didn't sound frightened, so I walked into the kitchen to see who our guest was. She looked up at me and, to my surprise, managed a cordial smile. She had hardly changed in the intervening fifteen years. 'Hello, Jake,' Helen greeted. 'You'll never guess who I ran into today at the courthouse.' Daria's flair for sarcasm and understatement was genetic, you see."


• Not So Different 6: False Flag Operation, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "Jane turned away from Sonny and picked up his magazine. 'What's this? Mercenary Times?' 'It's a bit like Soldier of Fortune. You know, that magazine that ...' Jane cut him off. 'You don't need to explain what Soldier of Fortune is.' She flipped through the pages. 'I didn't know there were others.'"


• Not So Different 7: Surgical Strike, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "'There's a blonde here to see you, sport, and I think she's a looker!' Sonny indulged himself in a wince, knowing his father wouldn't notice. 'Does she look like a cheerleader?' 'A cheerleader, too! Way to go, sport! I knew my boy had it in him!' 'Dad, that's Brittany. She's the dimwitted millstone that my teacher foisted on me as a deadweight partner for this lab project.'"


• Not So Different 8: Wisdom Of The Ages, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "The news that Sonny was going babysitting for the Guptys apparently didn’t filter through to his father, because as he was about to leave the house on Saturday evening Jake asked him where he was going on couples therapy night. When Sonny explained about the babysitting, Jake said ‘Babysitting? But isn’t Quinn the babysitter? Is that really your sort of thing?’ Oh no, thought Sonny. One of those conversations."


• Not So Different 9: See What You Want To See, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "Kevin’s interaction with Stoller had begun with the most basic possible misunderstanding: he had introduced himself to her as ‘the QB’, and still had not realised that when she addressed him as ‘Cubie’, it was because she thought that was his name. (He wasn’t the only student she’d renamed. When Sonny had identified himself to her, she’d said, ‘Sunny. That sounds like a hippie name. I think I’ll call you Sally. So much nicer.’ Sonny had seen no percentage in struggling against this.)"


• Oath (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by Lord Yellowtail (COMPLETE!): "It was an absurd, crazy idea, full of possible pitfalls and unseen traps. And Question's cynicism and Power Girl's well-justified paranoia aside, it was the best idea any of them had that didn't involve some sort of massive fraud, or, worse, a reality show. And as the Earth's eight most powerful superheroes talked, deep in the bowels of an abandoned, condemned, burnt out husk of a Denny's, a plan had been worked out. A great and terrible plan that was sure to bite them all in the ass in unforeseen and exciting ways, but in the end, it'd been an 8-0 vote in favor."


• Pashupati (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by Pashupati (COMPLETE!): "'Why are we there, anyway?' 'Well, the Pashupatinath Temple kicked us out after finding out we weren't hindu.'"


• Passion of Revenge (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by the Quiet reader (COMPLETE!): "Reading through a book while sitting in the library he glances up to see a puzzling sight. Two individuals who tried to look like spies were checking out a book which caused the librarian to choke. One was obviously Brittany with her bright blonde hair sticking out under her hat. The other looked kind of like a cross of Sandi with Stacy's pigtails. After a few minutes they left and he went back to reading away till his cell phone went off and he answered it."


• Pie Pie My Darling VS My Best Friend (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Daria nodded quickly and waddled to the back of the truck, trying not to notice the rude gesture he gave to emphasise his 'joke'. Jane looked up at her, tears in her one good eye; Daria mouthed 'I'm not leaving you alone'. And then sat on something. She sniffed: peanut butter?"


• Promises, by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "A few minutes later, Quinn began to tire. She lifted her daughter's hand to her lips and kissed it. Cleo didn't want to leave, but knew that her mom needed sleep. Cleo waved and blew her mom a kiss as Jane wheeled her out of the room. Daria bent down and gave her sister a gentle hug. 'Take good care of her. I love you,' Quinn whispered."


• Quinn's Code - 02: Invite of the Geek, by cfardell_Brenorenz29 (part 6): "'You know, Tori, that Vice-President position is still open.' 'Really?' Tori asked, whilst in thought. 'Yes. You can, like, help me with my plan for the destruction of that geek's popularity,' Sandi said. Tori didn't hesitate. 'I'm in.' Sandi shook her hand. 'Welcome to the Fashion Club, Tori Jericho.' Something about Sandi's demenor unnerved Tori. 'What have I just gotten myself into?' she wondered."


• Raft College: The First Year, by rglovejoy (part 46): "'You were great, Daria,' he typed as fast as his fingers allowed. 'Yeah!' Elvis stood beside him, laughing. 'We couldn't have done it without you, Daria.' "Uhh, thanks." Daria's cheeks flushed red from the embarrassment of being the center of attention. 'I just did what you asked me to do.'"


• Remembrance, by HolyGrail2007 (part 11): "'But if you own these warehouses, perhaps you can tell me who owns the one I'm interested in.' Mister Sloane paused for the longest time. In truth, he didn't have to cooperate: Kim had no search warrant, to begin with. 'Well, you should know I rent these out. Why don't we go back into my office and I can take a look.' Mister Sloane gave a friendly smile, and now Kim was sure that kind of guy would be just the type for Daria. "


• Reunion, by Hyrin (part 2): "Numbly, Daria walked into the hospital room. Jane lay on the bed in front of her, asleep. Numerous half-healed cuts littered her face, and her left arm was sealed in a cast. The most striking change, moreso than the long black hair Jane now sported, was the obvious spot where the blanket was no longer held up by a right leg. 'Pretty bad, huh?' A soft voice said over her shoulder. She stiffened, trying to push back memories."


• Roentgen (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "'Your geiger counter, Mr. White, is broken. Aside from a few grams of test material, nothing in this room is radioactive.' 'Yeah,' Jamie said. 'Besides, I got this from Ted DeWitt-Clinton, so you know that it's got to be working.' Everyone looked at each other. Ted DeWitt-Clinton would never let a geiger counter go bad. Not on his watch."


• Rude Awakening Episode 3: Drive, by DIsaac (parts 10 - 13): "SANDI: What did Jeffy do to put himself over the top with you? QUINN: What he did was awesome and thoughtful. STACY: I want details!" (Part 11) (Part 12) (Part 13)


• A Rude Awakening X-tra (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by DIsaac (COMPLETE!): "JANE: You bastards. When I said I had a fear of dogs, it didn't mean LET DO A STUNT WITH JANE INVOLVING DOGS!!!!"


• Save the Last Trance for Me, by jtranser: "'But I just don't know exactly what I have to do.' 'Tell you what, I'll step next door and put together a guide for you.' 'Oh, just great. It's bad enough I'm couldn't do this on my own, now I'm going to get a copy of "Life Creation for Dummies"!'"


• Second Chance for Tommy, by Wassersauefer: "Finally he found himself on the sidelines of the football stadium again. Although he had no idea how that had happened - he did not remember walking back - he did not really care anymore. There was only one explanation and he did not like it one bit. He was in Hell. He was dead. Closing his eyes he sat down on the ground and began crying."


• Song of the South (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "Satisfied, Helen left her suitcases by the welcome mat and opened the door. 'Jake! Daria! Quinn! I'm home!' Daria and Jane bounded down the stairs. 'Why shut my mouth and call me cornpone,' Daria said with an accent distinctly rural and monotone. 'I do believe it's my dear old mother.'"


• Temppeli (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by Temppeli (COMPLETE!): "'I still wonder why you took that Finnish class, Daria,' asked Jane, who sitted behind the table against Daria, holding a book. 'BFAC has a huge variety of languages, and this language was Tolkien's interest. Please ask those words, Jane. I have a word quiz tomorrow,' Daria demanded."


• Tridecadal, by RLobinske (part 5): "'Happy birthday,' Michael whispered to Daria after hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock. 'It's a birthday,' Daria said, still wrapped in their blankets. 'Happy is still to be determined.'"


• Two Girls, a Guy and a Pizza Place, by TheExcellentS (COMPLETE!): "'I don't get it, Daria. Why are you being so hard on Jake?' 'I'm just trying to make sure that nothing goes wrong,' Daria said in reply, 'You know what his reputation is like.' 'I think you're just refusing to believe that his reputation might have changed for the better, and I can't for the life of me understand why.' Daria sighed, as a clap of thunder rumbled outside. 'I know he's better than ever with his cooking, Jane. But I just can't shake the feeling that something is going to wrong eventually.'" (Part 6)


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "Ghetto" Daria), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Tom stared in incomprehending awe at Mystik Mayhem, the Zon, the people in the Zon, and even the graffiti on the ceiling that said 'REMEMBER TEDDY-BOY DW-C'. After a while, his mouth began to work and he said the first thing that came to mind: 'Holy crap.'"


• Unnamed story (IRON CHEF - 'Legionnaires on the Air-!'), by psychotol (COMPLETE!): "'Who, is, deadliest?' The voiceover was done over some stock footage from the VR matches that had been released by the USAES and Xavier's Danger Room for the show." (Roentgen's epilogue)


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Stacy's Mom, Where Are You?), by Chris Tucker (COMPLETE!): "'Who am I? I'm the goddamned BATGIRL!. Now talk or hit the sidewalk head first!'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: TAKE OUT TRENT LANE!), by psychotol (COMPLETE!): "Jane, now stood at the door, asked 'Where you taking them?' 'Mortuary, don't worry, he's done.' 'Done with what?' 'Existing.'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Fashion Centipede), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Kevin looked at Daria and Jane expectantly, like a beloved puppy who's just killed the baby during a bit of play and thought it hadn't done any wrong. The two girls gazed in dull horror at the writhing mass that Kevin had created with a lot of time and superglue. It was...roughly in the shape of a human, and it wore very pretty clothes (the Cashman's tags still hanging off most of them). A blonde wig topped it off."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by Hyrin (COMPLETE!): "Trent opened the Classified ads and skimmed down to one specific ad:"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by J-D (COMPLETE!): "The interviewer leaned back in his chair. 'So, why don't you start by telling me what first got you interested in the possibility of a career with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention?'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "Yes, switching over from homeschooling was indeed the right choice, he had decided. Unfortunately, one of the downsides was that the school was much larger than his house, and he didn't quite know where everything was yet. After getting turned around for the fourth time in the maze-like halls, he stopped another student to ask directions to his next class."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Name Game), by LadieT (COMPLETE!): "Daria and Jane were sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch when Kevin stood up to do his daily lunch dance offering to the gods. Sighing in agitation, Daria pulled out a tiny pistol and fired it at Kevin. He fell to the ground and immediately started twitching. Daria slid the Deringer-size stun gun back into her coat pocket."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: What's behind Alter Egos?), by JoeMerl (COMPLETE!): "Daria's eyes widened. 'I can't believe this.' 'Yeah, I know. The head is too small.' 'The head---Jane, this thing is as big as the real Sphinx! How did you manage to do this in just one semester?!'"


• Unnamed story (Long Story Challenge 3, Round 2), by Hyrin: "'Tell me again the fancy name you came up to describe it in that paper you wrote for Sick Sad World?' 'Orgasmically-induced chrono-variance detection.' 'Which is a fancy way of saying I see the future when I get off. I love it!'"


• Winter Interludes, by Chris Tucker: "Connie's crutch occupied the 4th seat. (You would have thought that someone as smart as Connie would have realized that snow and ice on a sidewalk would equal 'slippery as hell'. But no. 19 years living on the Gulf Coast, where ice was something you put in your drink, had not prepared her for life in New England. A badly twisted ankle and spectacularly bruised and colorful bottom was her object lesson.)"


• Worldburner: A Demonstration of Anger, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "The sky behind them lit up as if the clouds had parted at high noon. Archangel and Ian, Ringbearer and Ringwraith, stood side-by-side and watched as a wall of flame-Judiths – literally tens, hundreds of thousands of the flaming doppelgangers – rushed towards the spot where they stood. Ian kept his eyes straight ahead as he spoke. 'Are you sure this will work?'"


• Worldburner: Reach Out, by RLobinske (COMPLETE!): "'All sensors are working properly. Something is hiding that reality.' 'Hiding?' 'Yes, sir.' 'How in the hell do you hide a universe?'" (Part 2) (Part 3)


• Worldburner: They Were Nine, by Erin M. (parts 7 and 8): "Jane and Daria sat in O'Neill's former classroom. Neely was asleep in Daria's arms, sucking fitfully on a pacifier. Jane kept looking at her daughter, occasionally flicking her glance to the classroom door. 'I'm sure they're fine,' Daria said, trying to reassure her friend. 'I haven't heard any explosions or anything.' 'I know,' Jane said. 'That's what worries me. I really wish we hadn't lost the damn walkie-talkies last week.'" (Part 8)

Perfectly Normal, Innocent Penguins!

Today happens to be World Penguin Day, which is of course only relevant to fandom at all because the Penguins were the mascot of one of Lawndale High School's rival football teams.

Yeah. Just that. Nothing else.

(cough)

Anyway, while I'm here I may as well post the latest (NOT PENGUIN-RELATED, HONEST!) fandom news.

• Anyone else stressed out about finals? Commiserate with others in the thread.


• Deref has posted some lovely Autumn photos.


• Arena del Sur asks a question about Jake's graduation in Buxton Ridge.


• LadieT is looking for anime suggestions.


• What are your top 10 video games?


• For those who don't have the series on DVD, Daria comes to Hulu.


• Jim North tries something different with one of his fanfics: Fics on Tape.


• How do you overcome permanent writer's block? Lots of good advice in the thread.


• Lots of new Iron Chefs in the Creative Writing forum: Charles RB's Lawndale Fighters, Vukodlak's Daria's Trash freakout, Ms. Kinnikufan's Daria and Jane: Enemies at first sight, Temppeli's What's behind Alter Egos?, and Roentgen's The Name Game.


• Wassersauefer is looking for a picture of the entire cast of "Legion of Lawndale Heroes." Can you help?

Have an Eggs-celent Holiday! (Sorry.)

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates it! The bunnies on the left aren't the kind usually associated with the holiday, but I don't think we'll hear Upchuck complaining any time soon.

If you're more interested in Easter eggs, then Joey might be able to help you out. I don't know about you, but I think I'll pass.

I have been informed by Charles RB that Daria has been featured in a Beavis and Butt-head Easter story comic. You can view a page from it here. Thanks, Charles RB!

If you'd like some Easter-related Daria fanfic and fanart, look no further than Thea Zara's Easter Egg Hunt collection! Be warned--there will be "awwww!"

Now go forth to hunt eggs and bite the heads off chocolate rabbits!

Happy Soda--I Mean, Earth Day!

Yes, today is Earth Day! Although the Earth shown on the left is not, technically, Earth-shaped, I am reliably informed by our sponsors that it is both refreshing and bubbly.

Now, everyone keep drinking while I update the latest fanfic!

• Barch vs DeMartino (Iron Chef: Lawndale Fighters), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'I understand you're cutting the club pictures out of the yearbook. You know who the faculty advisor to the Science Club is? The same person who sponsors the Take Back the Night Lawndale High School women's self-defence club!'"


• Daria, or the Confession of a Single Lonely Male, by Arena del Sur (part 2): "When I try to analyze my own cravings, motives, actions and so forth, I surrender to a sort of retrospective imagination which feeds the analytic faculty with boundless alternatives. I am convinced, however, that in a certain magic and fateful way Daria began with Cintia."


• God Save The Esteem ep27: Live Fast Die Old, by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "On the way to class, Daria gave the volunteer sign-up sheets a look – they covered a wall, with a photo next to it of happy models of various ethnic groups and ages holding hands; 'Awareness of Others' had a smiley face for the O. O'Neill was really trying, which must mean something was going to go horribly wrong." (Part 2) (Part 3)


• God Save The Esteem ep 28: Punk Takes A Holiday, by Charles RB (part 1): "Daria paused and looked at the speaker: a short guy wearing a lurid green leprechaun costume (he even had the bowler hat), who had an Irish accent as spoken by an American who'd never been to Ireland. Beside him stood a laidback fat guy in a toga with a heart-adorned toy gun. Daria looked again at the speaker. He was still a short guy wearing a lurid green leprechaun costume, alongside a laidback fat guy in a toga with a heart-adorned toy gun."


• It's All About R-E-S-PE-CT (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Colonel Kyle Armalin looked out past the curtains at the audience, who had been chanting non-stop for ten minutes for the show to begin."


• I've Got To Be Direct, by ninetwelve (COMPLETE!): "The next day your mother slowly explains that its been six months. You've missed graduation. Your spot at Raft has been given to a student who can walk. Your tongue is dry and your mother places an ice cube at your lips. It tastes like sweet strawberry syrup. Slowly you begin to realize nothing will be the same."


• Jake and the Fat Man (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'Hey, kiddo! I was looking through some of my dad's papers this morning (lousy rotten old man)...and I found he had a storage locker here in town he had paid up for the next ten years. You'll never guess what I found inside!' Daria sighed; her father getting entangled with anything to do with his father never led to anything good. 'An unexploded nuclear bomb,' she joked. 'Hey, that's right!'"


• Learning to Trust (Iron Chef: Charter School), by Cap (COMPLETE!): "The world became a blur of color before turning white as pain shot through her when the floor raised up to smack her back and head, her breath leaving her in a violent whoosh. Vaguely, she heard her portfolios hitting the floor around her but all that registered was the hurt. Before Jane could reorient herself, Daria had a foot on her throat. Icy eyes stared down at her. 'But what you probably don't know is that I don't have to outrun anyone that I can out fight,' the shorter girl told her in a voice colder than an artic stone. "


• Mad Dog's Legacy Chapter 8: Adult Supervision, by Hyrin (part 1): "'That reminds me: Daria, since Quinn is still in the hospital, the Gupty's were wondering if you'd be interested in babysitting for them.' 'Not particularly.'"


• My Best Friend, by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "He knelt down, so that he was almost at eye level with me. 'In a way, Daria, I'm glad this happened. You'll make sure that Janey gets the help she needs, and her life will get better and better.' He chuckled. 'Then, when I get out of prison in a few years, breaking her back in will be so much fun. And the things I'll do to you...'"


• Not So Different 4: Willy Nilly, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "Jane nodded. 'So, has this experience killed your enthusiasm for the whole project?' 'My what?' 'Your enth—oh, sorry.' 'Forgiven.'"


• Not So Different 5: Unhealthy Business, by J-D (COMPLETE!): "'So much for principles', Sonny said. He spoke in a low voice, more than half to himself, but Jodie caught the words. 'I don't see any principles involved', she said before joining the coupon-collecting crowd. 'Youthful ideals. I come to bury them, not to praise them', said Sonny."


• Questions Asked Questions Answered & Pizza w/ Jane Ch 4, by Lord Yellowtail (part 1): "She looked at the empty seat next to her, thought of the art supplies and paintings she dusted every day, and Trent alone in a huge, empty house. She could blame Tom ten dozen different ways for how he'd unraveled their relationship. She could never blame him for wanting out of a boat that had been half-sunk from the very beginning. She had been content with their arrangement, but he'd wanted more than she ever had to give. It just wasn't fair."


• Remembrance, by HolyGrail2007 (part 10): "'Back in high school, Sandi would steamroll over her. Stacy couldn't even look a person in the eye without wimpering. She didn't get a spine until her junior year.' 'Hmm...I suppose this should be expected.' 'Huh?' Jeffy asked. 'Constantly nitpicked, beaten down? That sound about right? Probably silenced her with a glare, didn't she?' Kim asked. 'Wow, you're...you're totally right on. That's what she was like.'"


• Rude Awakening Episode 3: Drive, by (parts 5 - 9): "MACK: I'm about to reenact that famous moment in 1978 Gator Bowl. I'll be Woody Hayes and you be Clemson nose guard Charlie Bauman. KEVIN: Hey, I know this game! Isn't the game where Woody Hayes punched Bauman in the throat which led to the end of the Woody era at Ohio State. MACK: Yep. KEVIN: I don't like that re-enactment. MACK: But I love it." (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9)


• Searching For a New Hope, by thatLONERchick: "Daria heaved a sigh of relief and walked forward only a few paces before stopping dead at the sight which greeted her. Quinn was sequestered by the minister who had preformed the ceremony, sweaty comb over plastered to his scalp as he leaned over the obviously uncomfortable girl. Something snapped in Daria, and she moved forward with a serene smile on her face to intercede."


• Two Girls, a Guy and a Pizza Place, by TheExcellentS (part 4): "Suddenly, Jane got up and took both her and Daria's plates to the kitchen. As she came back, she threw a sticky, beige ball of dough at the back of Daria's head, knocking her glasses off. Daria put them back on and picked the dough out of her hair, before standing and turning to her assailant. 'What the hell, Jane?' 'It was too tense in here,' said Jane with a sheepish grin, 'So I'd thought I'd... you know... lighten things up with a doughy ambush.' Daria couldn't help but smile. 'Oh, it's on now.'"


• A Typical Morning at Jefferson (Iron Chef: "Ghetto" Daria), by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): "Jane slipped her chain over her head as she waited for Daria to walk through the metal detectors, then the two of them moved toward their shared locker. Jane turned and gave someone the stank-eye for scuffing the toe of her boot, then shot them the bird when they gave her the eye right back." (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4)


• A Typical Night Away from Jefferson (Iron Chef: "Ghetto" Daria), by thatLONERchick (COMPLETE!): "'Here it comes,' Jane sighed, and waited for the bomb to drop. The strobe lights came up first. They started slow, but as the band trooped onstage and took up their respective instruments and positions, the lights picked up momentum. Chuck scratched out a beat just as the singer came up to his microphone and started the first song, a fan favorite."


• Unnamed story (IC: Daria and Jane:Enemies at first sight), by Hyrin (COMPLETE!): "'Hey! New kid!' The girl stiffened, then turned slowly. 'Can I help you?' 'Sorry I was such a bitch in Self-Esteem Class. It’s been one of those days, you know?' 'No, I don’t know.' And with that, the girl turned and kept walking."


• Unnamed story (IC: Daria and Jane:Enemies at first sight), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "'He doesn't know what it means. He's got the speech memorized. Just enjoy the nice man's soothing voice.' Daria whipped around in her seat, eyes wild. 'Oh my God!' she yelled. 'We are enemies now!'"


• Unnamed story (IC: Daria and Jane:Enemies at first sight), by ninetwelve (COMPLETE!): "Jane licked the back of her teeth, considering the girl. Plane and pudgy. Brown eyes and glasses. Dressed like a homeless veteran in a skirt. 'Wish you'd showed up a little earlier. Normally I have to make myself sick, could have used a good look at you about two minutes ago.'"


• Unnamed story (IC: Daria and Jane:Enemies at first sight), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'What's this about a speech impediment?' Li asked. 'She says po-tay-toe,' Daria said, snarling. 'And she says po-tah-toe,' Jane snarled back."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Bridal Expo Scenes), by the Quiet reader (COMPLETE!): "Spike and Bob took their seats as the bridal show started. 'Why are we here again?' Bob asked his friend. Shaggy behind them replies 'Ms. Li will make it mandatory if not enough people show up.'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Fashion Centipede), by Raskolnikov (COMPLETE!): "'You know, I'm wondering how did she convince DeMartino to volunteer for the experiment.' 'Volunteer is such a harsh word. I prefer the word brutally coerced with the propect of an uneding agony topped with mutilation. What I really find impressing is how she managed to track down her ex-husband and kidnap, I mean, to bring him back and puttting him at the end of the line. I find that quite an achievement.'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Fashion Centipede), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "'Jane, I found a portal to unlimited parallel dimensions behind the Chinese restaurant downtown.' Jane was thoughtful. 'What did you do with it?' 'I decided to start a parade...'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: The Fashion Centipede), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Daria looked from her father, down to Helen, Rita, and Amy, and back again."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "Ghetto" Daria), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "The country club denizens stared at Daria, and she flipped the bird right back at them. 'Shit, the money's so old here it's got mould stanking the place up.' 'Nah, that's the pasta,' said Tom, before his face fell. 'Oh crap.'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: "Ghetto" Daria), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "Daria was stalking home at night, eyes snapping left and right for potential trouble, when she saw... wait, that can't be right. Nobody dressed like that in this hood. Not unless they wanted to get their ass kicked and their wallet scavved. On the other hand, looking at that car... well, okay, he'd get his ass kicked but nobody would bother with the wallet."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Lawndale Fighters), by Wassersauefer (COMPLETE!): "'Quinn Morgendorffer!!' Said redhead whirled around as she heard her name yelled and looked at the young man several yards behind her. He was kind of cute, his cloth were stylish and he clearly was a buff, being tall, good looking and muscular. He pointed with his hand at her and took an aggressive stance, before he declared: 'I, Skylar Feldman, challenge you to a duel! If I win, you will go on a date with me!'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: TAKE OUT TRENT LANE!), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Jane eyed the new librarian as he nervously approached her. His demeanor reminded her a lot of Mr. O'Neill, except he was a lot older, and wore glasses and a tweed coat. 'Miss Jane Lane?' he asked hesitantly. Jane nodded in confirmation. 'My name is Rupert Giles, and I was hoping I could have a word with you.'" (Part 2


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Tom's Trashfreak out), by Hyrin (COMPLETE!): "As he turned to go back into the house, he saw a small white stick amongst the trash. He leaned down and, upon closer examination, saw that it was a pregnancy test. A used pregnancy test. Tom walked back to the house, muttering curses under his breath."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Tom's Trashfreak out), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "As she wondered who else in the house could be pregnant, Tom left the room. A moment later, she heard him speak from Quinn's room. 'Sandi, Stacy, Quinn, and Tiffany? We need to talk.' 'WHAT' Daria roared."


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Tom's Trashfreak out), by Smijey (COMPLETE!): "Tom glared daggers at Daria. 'Daria, my loving girlfriend,' he said contemptuously. 'Do you care to explain how you became pregnant without the two of us having sex?' Daria opened her mouth, but a great booming voice said, 'I think I can answer that.'"


• Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Tom's Trashfreak out), by tafka (COMPLETE!): "Tom climbed the stairs, planning on attacking the communal bathroom next. Hearing voices inside Quinn's room, he paused. '...and it turns out you can have a false-positive on those little stick thingies after all!' Quinn chirped into the phone. Tom sighed with relief. It was Quinn's test. No harm. No foul. But an interesting topic for conversation with Daria later."


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by Charles RB (COMPLETE!): "'WHORE!' screamed Finn."


• Unnamed story (Scenes no Daria fanfic should have: It's Friday!!), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "The brunette walked around to the other side of the table, squatted down, and laid her chin on her forearms. 'Maybe you should see a doctor or something. We need everyone in the club to be in their best mental condition, or-' The first bullet went straight through Sandi's skull, into her brain, exploding out the other side even as she turned into mist and disappeared completely."


• Vomit, Lipstick and Accusations, by ninetwelve (COMPLETE!): "The toilette bowl was streaked with lipstick around the rim. A sickly wad of vomit dripped over the side. And a pile of clothes which stank of stale urine were bunched up at its side. Quinn's clothes."