Thursday, December 31, 2009

New Year's Traditions: The Countdown

It's getting close to 2010, everyone is watching TV and the music is playing and you don't see any reason why the new year should be much different from the old. And you have a point. The countdown has started, ten, nine, eight, seven...

...and then you receive a message, and it goes:

New Year's Traditions: Getting Totally Wasted

While this tradition seems pretty obvious, there are special procedures that must be observed:

In with the Old, Out with the New!

Pinhead and UU have once again come through for us. In with the New Year, out with the Old Year, something like that.

The following posts are this blog's feeble attempt to cheer those who are spending the New Year's celebrations at home on the computer. Unlike me.

Oh, you might check out the constantly growing number of "In the Spotlight" online interviews with Daria fans, by Daria fans, on PPMB. Vlora and Devilkitty are the new ones up.

And Minx's new version of Quinn.

And Vlora's continuing display of outrageous artistic talent, of which I have none. (The Daria pin-up is mind-blowing.)

As we close out 2009....

Today is Hogmanay in Scotland, and New Year's Eve everywhere else. It is also National Champagne Day for obvious reasons.

Eight years ago, Daria appeared on MTV's New Year's Eve celebration. A transcript of her resolutions is provided on Outpost Daria. Or you can hear her live.

Want to read some New Year's Eve fanfiction? Look to Outpost Daria's special fanfic page.

Remember the 2009 Daria Fanworks Award Rules (final fanfic update coming soon), and try not to get too wasted this evening!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Other Daria

Yesterday was the 15th anniversary of the premier of the Beavis and Butt-head episode "Tainted Meat," in which extremely gross things were witnessed by Daria Morgendorffer. All of these gross things had to go with Beavis, of course.

Today is the 62nd birthday of actress Daria Halprin, for whom many fans thought Daria the cartoon character was named. (She wasn't. Wish we had more information about the namesake.) Daria Halprin is best known for her starring role in Zabriskie Point, a 1970 counterculture movie (with its own fandom) that has something to do with this Daria fanfic. (Details here.) Daria Halprin in real life eventually became an expressive arts therapist.

If you want to explore the Daria Morgendorffer/Daria Halprin connection further, you should check out Inaria's long-ago remark that Daria M. might have been named for the actress because her parents liked the movie Zabriskie Point. (Maybe Helen and Jake made out at the real Zabriskie Point in college.) This thought was followed by Scissors MacGillicutty's ficlet in which two Highland movie critics discuss Zabriskie Point, and finally UU's announcement of the passing of Michelangelo Antonioni, who directed the movie and thus had something in common with Glenn Eichler.

Exploring the origins of Daria M.'s name led to the discovery of the real reason why Daria hung out with B&B, and the origins of the "Diarrhea, Cha Cha Cha" song of which B&B were so fond. (Indeed, the "origins song" has its own blog! It's even in the Urban Dictionary! Is the Internet wonderful or what?) And we've come back around to the duo who gave us "Tainted Meat": the perfect circular blog post. Enjoy your day!

Monday, December 28, 2009

"O'NEILL... SMASH!...... HAVE A NICE DAY!"

Marvel-ous comics-miester Stan Lee is 81 today. Tim O'Neill appears here as the Incredible Hulk in his honor. (Thanks, UU and Pinhead!)


NEW ART NEWS FLASH!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Blue Angel and the Robotrix

Two famous German women were born on this day, an actress and an author, who have found their separate ways into Daria lore.

Today is first the 108th anniversary of the birth of mega-actress Marlene Dietrich, for whom a most unusual alter ego was created by MTV for Janet Barch (seen at right). Go to this link to learn more about The Blue Angel. (The whole story was written up in detail last year, so there's no sense in repeating it now.) Thanks to Pinhead and UU for the big image!

This is also the 121st anniversary of the birth of Thea von Harbou, an actress better known for screenplays written in collaboration with her husband, filmmaker Fritz Lang. Von Harbou helped pen the scripts for two early science-fiction movies, Metropolis (1927) and Frau im Mond (1929). She wrote the novelization of Metropolis and so became a science-fiction writer. She unfortunately became enamored of Nazism (unlike Ms. Dietrich, who detested it), and that ruined her marriage to Lang. After she survived World War II, her movie career was pretty much ruined, too.

Renown fanfic writer Milo Minderbinder penned a parody of Metropolis, called "Lawntropolis" (completed May 2001), and inked astounding art to go with it, including an animated alter ego of Daria as the female robot of Metropolis. An image of the original movie robot appears at upper left. Compares well with the Daria-bot, yes? Kudos to Milo for the fantastic work.

NEW! NU NUZ!
FAN ART
FF.net
  • So Much for the Cheese Fries... by SinisterDragula (COMPLETE!): A dark, ominous cloud enveloped the peaceful sky with each second until it became almost pitch black. The rolling thunder cackled a few moments after lightning shot through the sky. Freezing, misty rain floated down onto the two girls’ clothing, their fabric glistening with moisture. The auburn haired girl shivered at the crack of thunder and looked at her companion.
  • Technicolor Dream, by Miss Pennyfeather (Part 1): They were out of beer, or any form of beverage. So he had to go out and buy some more. Janey was off with Tom somewhere. Probably at the parade.
PPMB
  • Apocalyptic Daria: Scarlett's Tale, by Doggieboy (Part 15): As Scarlett’s cries subsided, Roger held her gently and asked, his voice a whisper, “How are you holding up?”
  • Anti-Trope, by Minx (continued): “These are really good,” Dean said as he continued to leaf through the art book and admire Jane’s work. He stopped at one and rotated his head slightly; a befuddled frown crept across his face. “This one’s quite...” He paused as he searched for an appropriate word.
  • Bumpmas, by Richard Lobinske (COMPLETE!): Bump sat on a window sill and looked through a window of the Williamstown, Virginia, apartment. The small, shared lawn of the duplex was dusted with snow and she felt alone. It had been four months since her humans had moved here and while she appreciated their devotion, she missed the Chosen One's friends.
  • Daria: The Untold Story, by Ajar (continued): How I Came To Be Daria's Twelfth Understudy Show Runner.
  • The Dream of the White Darkness, by jtranser (continued): She was trapped in a giant beryllium tube of mirrors spinning and tumbling into other versions of herself, forming temporary symmetries before some of her other selves made contact with the inner wall of the tube and vaporized in a chain reaction of blue light.
  • Finn Morgendorffer 22: Daddy, by HolyGrail2007 (COMPLETE!): “Mommy!” Jake’s voice jumped at least an octave as he made his meek plea. “Where’s my mommy?”
  • Flappable, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "Mom, Dad," Tom said with obvious pride. "I want you to meet my girlfriend, Brittany Taylor!"
  • The Lane Way, by Vlora (COMPLETE!): Christmas time in the Lane household was abysmal at best; not that Jane could expect much. Her parents saw no point in celebrating it, as they felt their family was close enough to feel comfortable being apart… as if that made any sense. Especially as they had explained this to a hysterical six-year-old who had been told Santa was a cooperate lie.
  • Love Is a Series of Burning Sensations, by Undefinedlust (COMPLETE!): The room was silent save for the smacking of lips and the occasional moan as the box moved wildly around on the living room floor.
  • Quinn: The Show—Episode 1, by Ajar (COMPLETE!): "I don't know why I was put in this class in the first place. I mean, I'm clearly a normal person unlike all the other people in the class, but I guess it's never a bad idea to brush up on the basics. Knowing what weight is good for your height and proper mirror use are skills that will stand us in good stead the rest of our lives." "You clearly haven't learned anything from the class, and I can't in good conscience let you graduate Now, go sit down."
  • A Reaper in the Wind, by Richard Lobinske (Parts 2 and 3): "You had another mind inside your head with you? That is so cool!" "I find it rather disturbing." "Well, yeah, but still cool."
  • Scarlett the Fairy Meets Santa Claus, by Aloysius (COMPLETE!): Our young heroine was quite awake... and waiting patiently for Santa... with a net and a tranquilizer dart.
  • The Secret Life Of Tammy Sloane, by MidnightStorm (continued): "Mom! Gawd, how many times do I have to tell you? I… Did… Not… Hack… Into… The… School's… Computer… Seriously! I can't even type a full sentence under a minute!"
  • Size Does Matter, by BlackHole (Parts 43 to 45): “So, could anyone NAME me what NAtions were inVOLved in the MEXican-AMErican war?” Mr. DeMartino asked into the classroom, surveying the class and not expecting any real answers. Almost as usual, Daria had her hand raised in a bored way.
  • Two Halves 5: Mall Rat Blues, by Dark Kuno (continued): “You know we’re going to see it on the news one day. ‘Coaster disaster at the Mall of the Millennium’,” stated Mack as he leaned against the rail and joined the others in watching the ride. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll have live footage of the ensuing carnage,” added Jane.
  • Unnamed story, by Trscroggs (continued): Blossom dragged her exhausted body through the Open Eye Café’s front door. If she had the energy to spare she would have lifted her eyebrows in surprise. Several transformed girls where in various parts of the café, some eating, some drinking, and quite a few sleeping. What she hadn’t expected was the new, and still unnamed, girl sitting in a corner listening to Warlock.
  • Unnamed story (Daria/Jane Burnout?), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): Daria fell to her knees and put one hand on the half-torn robot corpse before her. Hydraulics and other fluids leaked from the skinless metal legs as she stroked black hair away from sightless blue eyes. "Oh, Jane," she said softly. "I know you were really just a cyborg from the future sent to destroy me... but I loved you!" (continued here)
  • Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Merry Christmas!), by Wraith (COMPLETE!): Daria and Jane were in the usual pizza joint, but were eating a festive holiday pizza... meaning it had both green and red bell peppers on it.
  • Unnamed story (More Crossovers Not Yet Crossed Over), by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "I... hate... this!" Daria wheezed as they chased their quarry. Jane grinned, showing a wide expanse of teeth. "Come on, Morgendorffer!" she said, sounding perfectly at ease as she jogged alongside her partner. "Get the lead out!"
  • NEW! Unnamed story (More Crossovers Not Yet Crossed Over), by Lorenzo Sauchelli (COMPLETE!): Jane smiled and winked at her partner. She didn't seem bothered at all by the Army Rangers that were surrounding her. "Now, this should be fun."
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: Hump Day), by Roentgen (fragment): "Mom," said Daria, "there is no way that you can date Kevin Thompson."
  • Unnamed story (Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: Hump Day), by Vlora (COMPLETE!): "Jane, cut the crap. My parents are paying you to be friends with me, aren't they?"
  • Unnamed story (Three-peat! New Ideas Thread Wins Again!), by Lorenzo Sauchelli (COMPLETE!): Jane sighed in frustration at her utter incompetence. She proceed to glare at the easel in front of her, took her brush backwards and stabbed the painting with no mercy. "Squeal little pig! Squeal!" she exclaimed as red paint splashed her face. (Daria/Let the Right One In)
SFMB

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Save Your Boxes for Boxing Day!

Today is Boxing Day (nothing to do with "Boxing Daria") and also the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the first Daria Fandom Blog. The DFB was founded by CINCGREEN with the slogan: "We read the Daria message boards, so YOU don't have to!" To James Bowman's great work is this blog dedicated.

LATE NOTE: Still trying to think of more stuff to add here. Need to go out shopping. How are you doing today?

FAN ART!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas Afternoon, Egg-Nogginized

You've opened all your presents and you didn't get anything you wanted, which you had expected, but you did get a lot of stuff you didn't want, which you also had expected. It's time to kick back with your best friend and have some spiked flavored eggnog and offer your final Christmas thoughts.

Interesting old thread about the supposed religious backgrounds of the Morgendorffers and other folks. Worth a read in this particular season. Any new thoughts?

Did you know Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone, was born on Christmas Day? Read all about it here, including the many fanfic links between Daria and that scariest of places.

Fanfic update this weekend, I hope.

A Very Special Message from Highland


This speaks for itself, I guess. Oh, but there's this, too:

This is from "A Very Special Christmas with Beavis and Butt-head," showing Highland High School if Beavis and Butt-head had not been there. Note Daria (right) and Cassandra (left) singing Christmas carols. Daria has a boyfriend, too, shown moments later.

It's Cold Outside, and That's Snow Joke!

Pinhead and UU have once again come through for us with
the perfect alter ego for this time of year.


But how is Daria doing right now?



Winter Daria created by Karine Samson for CyberDaria (archived).

Collectible Cuteness

What could be better to find under your Christmas tree than this special item at right? Quinn, however, did not think much of this product and said so. (Pinhead and UU provided the large image.)

Last year we asked: would you buy a Quinn doll? We ask that question again this year just because we can. What version of Quinn would you buy?

And now for a Christmas-load of holiday fanfic not listed elsewhere. I think.
Have a merry one!

"Diane, the Red-Nosed Reindeer..."

At left, another of those curious alter egos that leave you scratching your head. Wonder if the outfit is used for the same role-playing purpose as that racehorse costume Helen has for those special bonding moments with Jake. Mrs. Bennett's husband would pretend to be a reindeer-friendly Santa Claus, and... oh, let's not take that any further. Sorry.

Enjoy these additional holiday-spirited words from Daria herself as you view classic artwork from Wouter, on PPMB: Naughty Daria. Not very naughty, but she means well.

TEN unnamed Christmas fanfics for you: one by Demi_Cat, one by SigDiff, one by A.J., one by Reese Kaine, one by Nemo Blank, one by TheEleventy, and four by Decelaraptor (others are here, and here, and here). Party on!


FAN ART!

Happy Holidays!

Yes, once again it is time to look under the Christmas tree and find nothing, but in the closet nearby are two guys who are into some kind of kinky bondage thing. That's the Christmas spirit!

More words of Christmas wisdom from Daria can be heard right here. Such a font of wisdom.

Remember Triste Monde Tragique, that French supersite that's not around anymore? It had a great holiday logo.

Want to read MOAR Daria Christmas fanfiction? Head to the special collection at Sh33p's Fluff. Enjoy!

NOTE: I've been searching for "Christmas Present," by Aloysius, but it has vanished. Anyone see it? It was based on "A Little Vacation," by Doggieboy. A pregnant Daria is trying to make a cake for Robert, but zombies get in the way.

Merry Christmas!


A little surprise from
Daria's Sick, Sad Life Planner: Daria's Holiday Wishes

Got a Christmas fanfic you want to write? Try the all-new Iron Chef: The Christmas Episode, started by Kael Seoras. (A great Iron Chef from the past was NightGoblyn's Iron Chef: Merry Christmas!) (And remember that great memory lane thread about your favorite Christmas fanfics? Thanks, Richard!)





And here's a special message from X, who sez: "Yo, my homies, this be the X talking at ya! Time to get down with it and open presents! It's after midnight, so it's legal! Party on, and remember: be excellent to each other all year long, don't hog the nog, peace out on Earth, and Good Will Hunting!"




This has been a Very Special Message from X, the Holiday Formerly Known as Christmas, speaking from the Holiday Island High School Christmas Party at the Holiday Island High School Gym. This greeting is not void even if prohibited by law. Don't Hog the Nog is a trademark of X. All Rights Reserved. Would someone please expand the DariaWiki page on this guy?

Meanwhile, Back in Highland....

A Very Special Christmas with Beavis and Butt-head.

Go. Hurry. Do it now, before it's gone.

And when you're done....

Want a sleigh full of major-league Christmas fanfic to read? Outpost Daria has it! Thank you, webmaestro Martin Pollard!

The Ghost of Christmas Past?

Suppose there was to be a Very Special Episode of Daria, in which she was sent to the hospital on Christmas Eve (for a rash) and was visited by one or more ghosts, per the familiar tale by Dickens.

How would you write that episode? Which ghosts would appear, and what would they have to teach Daria about her way of life? Which characters in Daria's life would be involved, and which events? And would X from Holiday Island be there, too?

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

P.S. Check out Outpost Daria's December update!


Wednesday, December 23, 2009

A Fish Dinner for Festivus!

Just 71 years ago today, the first live coelacanth (SEE lah kanth) was caught off the coast of South Africa. That makes today a Geek Holiday. The fish Mack caught is blue like coelacanths usually are. Do you know only one Daria fanfic even mentions coelacanths? Dang!

Today is also FESTIVUS, FOR THE REST OF US! And it is HumanLight, the winter holiday for secular humanists. Not as much fun as Festivus, I'll wager. Enjoy your Festivus card. And the only Daria story about Festivus.

The astrological sign of Capricorn began yesterday or the day before, so Jake Morgendorffer (per The Daria Diaries) was born sometime between then and mid-January. (Wonder if he got slighted presents for being born near Christmas.) Amy is also reported by some to be a Capricorn, not sure why. Maybe you know.

Capricorn is a constellation that dates back at least 5,000 years. Its origins might be connected with legends of a fish-man named Oannes, who taught the Babylonians (Sumerians, really) civilized behavior. It has been suggested by Carl Sagan that Oannes was an alien being, but it is also conjectured that the mythic creature represents the human sighting of a brilliant supernova 11,000 years ago, whose remains are now known as the Vela Supernova Remnant.

Another fanfic roundup soon....

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

NEWZ FLASH! Torn Between Two Sisters!

In the grand tradition of the worst supermarket gossip tabloids, mega-actor Ralph Fiennes (born 47 years ago today) once found himself torn between the steamy lusts of two oppositional sisters: the brainy and cynical Amy Barksdale (left) and the blonde Rita Barksdale (right). As you recall, Amy confessed her undying devotion to Ralph (pronounced like Rafe, rhymes with safe) in "Through a Lens Darkly," but tragically lost him to the scheming Rita before the airing of "Aunt Nauseam" (Rita: "... I promised Ralph—you know, the actor I've been dating—I promised to take him to New York for his birthday, maybe catch a play or two.") Thus, we know "Aunt Nauseam" takes place near this day, in December about 1999-2000.

Why would two animated sisters find themselves
catfighting over this man? A close look at Mr. Fiennes in his best known work outfits, shown below, reveals all. No wonder these hot-blooded women cast aside all sororal affection and civilized decency to have him for their very own!

Another cold case solved by the unstoppable Detective TAG. (Thanks once again to the awesome UU and Pinhead for the great images above!)

Movie Quiz: Name the three roles that Ralph Fiennes played in the three movies represented in the above images. Then say what it was about each role that got the Barksdale sisters so hot and bothered. On the other hand, maybe we'd best skip that. And skip the part about how Helen Morgendorffer fits in there, too.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Celebrate the Solstice! Yule Be Glad You Did!

Today is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, and in the Southern Hemisphere it is Monday. Throw the old Yule Log on the fire and haul out a bottle of fresh apple cider!

NEWZ!
PPMB
  • Apocalyptic Daria: Scarlett's Tale, by Doggieboy (Part 15): —You humans are strange. If it wasn’t for cats and dogs, you wouldn’t know what to do.
  • Counting the Days, by Jim North (COMPLETE!): She takes in a deep breath of warm Raft College air and expels it as if she is expelling a part of herself. The part, in particular, that is capable of coherent thought. The day is only halfway over, but she is already beat. (FF.net)
  • Eve, by MidnightStorm (Part 1): The lights in the small blue room were dimmed ever so slightly. The brunette shifted her steady gaze from the beds end towards her black-haired partner. She was her friend before, in another life, but from now on they would possess the title of "lovers."
  • Finn Morgendorffer 22: Daddy, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 1): “My...” Jake started to sweat a little more. His voice trailed off into a whisper, and his face flushed even more. The house was not warm at all.
  • Rainbow Disconnection, by Disco316 (COMPLETE!): “You are not the Morgendorffer I was expecting,” said Jane, realizing that Daria was not at her door. “I could talk like her if you think it would help,” offered Quinn in a flat, monotone voice.
  • Unnamed story, by Trscroggs (continued): Two nights later, Purple Blossom had to fight off a feeling of deja-vu. Once again she had been returning home late from a Fashion Club meeting, and again a monster appeared, forcing her to transform, and again the monster broke and ran when it caught sight of her.
  • Unnamed story (Iron Chef: Brain Swap), by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): Daria and Jane enjoyed those warm, comfortable moments after making love. Both rested silently in Jane's bed. Daria spoke up. "Jane... there's something I have to admit...."

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Armchair Psychology in Action!


Why Is Tom So Sad?
(answers go in Comments)

(I decided to take a day off. Have fun.)

Saturday, December 19, 2009

My Heart Will Go On... Until Death, Anyway

Twelve years ago today, the epic movie Titanic was released in the USA. This led directly to the penning of the Daria episode "Just Add Water," which shares many plot elements with the movie, except for being shorter. Brittany, upon being informed of the event in her history class, had this response.

Queen Jossie wrote the fanfic "Y 2 Day?" ten years ago today. Remember all that Y2K crap? Jeepers. Did get some good fanfiction out of it, though. In addition to the above, the following have moderate-to-high Y2K-ness. Anyone recall any others?

OUTRAGEOUSLY GOOD NEWZ!

Quiverwing reminds us that there are only TWENTY (20) days left in which to nominate your favorite works for the 2009 Daria Fanworks Awards! Read the rules!

FF.net
  • Secret Smile, by SinisterDragula (COMPLETE!): The front door slammed, followed by grunts of disgust. “God! Why did Jamie have to be such a jerk?”
PPMB
  • NEW! Ah, Good Memories, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "Tell me why we're paying good money that we could be spending on bad pizza to see another faculty roller hockey game, Lane." [Cosmic Epic Win.]
  • Another Normal Day in Lawndale, by JPAGC (Part 3): Quinn quickly spotted her sister with two of the usual companions: She remembered Brooke, the tall, brunette girl, but couldn't place a name on the blonde girl with a pink shirt also hanging with her. A junior? A freshmen? No matter, she thought, just another of the mindless fashion zombies my sister likes to so much.
  • Anti-Trope, by Minx (continued): “No, a million times, no.” Dean shook his head. “There is no way in hell I am going to play football.”
  • Crazy for Fashion, by Roentgen (COMPLETE!): "Let's look at the spectacle, Daria." "No." "Aw, come on. I'll give you a dollar."
  • Daria: Hunter—Mind over Plasma, by Jim North (COMPLETE!): "Artie." The man's head snapped up so quickly that it looked like it might tear straight off his skinny neck and fly across the room. "What? Yes? I'm Artie!" "Your abilities," said the bounty hunter. "Just how far do they reach?" (FF.net)
  • Daria: Hunter—Rememory, by Jim North (COMPLETE!): Another day filled with strangeness had passed, and Daria had made it out the other end alive. She told herself that that was the important thing. She was alive. Jane was alive. Their temporary ward Artie the psychic pizza cook was alive. The only person who hadn't survived the events of the day was the man who had attacked them, and good riddance. (FF.net)
  • NEW! The Dream of the White Darkness, by jtranser (continued): "A number of patient specific tests will have to be run before a complete diagnosis can be ventured. But one thing has already become clear. Evidence of psychotronic interference and embedding is faint but clear. In short, patient has been a subject of involuntary mind control experimentation." [and more added here!]
  • NEW! Finn Morgendorffer 21: Jane Errs, HolyGrail2007 (COMPLETE!): “Oh, come on,” Jane continued to tease. “It’s not like I haven’t seen you in your boxers before.” And that was enough. Daria pushed open the door into her brother’s room. “What the hell is going on?!” she shouted with righteous fury.
  • Hallway, by GlitterShrooms (COMPLETE!): "Morgendorffer! Lane! What do you two punks think you’re doing?” yelled the always angry Ms. Barch.
  • NEW! In Search of the Path, by Trscroggs (Part 1): Drawing on all the experience she had gained while trapped in this twisted world of sorcery, the Seeker yelled in her most authoritative voice: “Freeze! Hands in where I can see them! Turn around slowly and I won’t have to shoot. Oh my God! It can’t be!” The small woman who had been stealing the Seeker’s loot stared in surprise. “Brittany Taylor? What the hell are you doing here?” Daria Morgendorffer asked.
  • NEW! In Silence Sarcastic, by Trscroggs (continued): My sister, the dating guru, Daria signed. But I do not need to speak to the dating guru; I need to talk to the fashion guru instead.
  • Love Is a Series of Burning Sensations, by Undefinedlust (Part 14): Okay, so I really couldn't get everything Daria was saying, so I called Christina for help and we talked till midnight. Then I got really high and tried to go to bed. But I just couldn't sleep, I just kept thinking of her in that box... just thinking about her... What the hell made me think it was a good idea to go for a walk... a walk past her house... looking to see if her light was on... Geez Jane, act like a stalker much?
  • NEW! Monster Madness, by Trscroggs (continued): “Pilot Candidate Sterling has apparently decided not to read his briefing, sir. He called Pilot Morgendorffer a ‘know-nothing civilian brat’, sir.”
  • One Night..., by Charliefox2012 (COMPLETE!): [revised version of original at FF.net]: I lie here, naked, but covered by a thin sheet, in a bed that is not my own.
  • Quinn: The Show, by Ajar (Part 3): "So, um, what do you think about wrap skirts this season?" "First parachute pants and now this. Is there no end to Hammer's insanity?"
  • A Reaper in the Wind, by Richard Lobinske (Parts 1 and 2): Tom closed his book and set it on the table next to the chair before rising. Only a moment after the visitor had knocked on the door, Tom opened it. "Good morning." A man in a black suit presented Tom with a sealed folder and said, "Special Agent Sloane. Your next assignment." [Daria/NCIS]
  • NEW! Second Life, by Legendeld (Part 2): "I don't know why you keep putting up with Daria's crap, Jane. I know tons of models who would love to date you." Quinn took off her light coat and hung it on the stair railing. "Tell me what she did!"
  • Slumber Party, by GlitterShrooms (COMPLETE!): "My God, Li," cried Ms. Barch from outside in the tree. "Are you getting all of this?" "You betcha your fat ass I am," replied Li with her camcorder.
  • Stacy Rowe, Seeker (Part III), by jtranser (continued): High above Toronto, Stacy flew into the tomato sunrise. Below her, a hundred miles down, wreathed in light transparent smog, the brown and wrinkled surface of Earth bid her a silent forlorn goodbye as she engaged her drives and headed for the center of the galaxy.
  • A Very Saturnalia Holiday, by Vlora (COMPLETE!): "What if you don’t celebrate Christmas?" Daria asked, her eyes set on Mr. O’Neill’s face. "Then pick any holiday you like!" "May I go first?" [At last! Thank you, Vlora!]

Friday, December 18, 2009

A Few Anniversaries of Fandom Note

Lots of Daria-related birthdays today (with the connections & links in parentheses). Christina Aguilera is 29 (Stacy Rowe alter ego at right); Brad Pitt turns 46 (many mentions); Steven Spielberg is 63 (Jaws, E.T.); Michael Moorcock is 70 (see here); Piltdown Man (at left) would be 97; Joseph Stalin would have been 131 (Stalin jokes); Saki would have been 139 (Clovis); and the Holiday Island High student named International Migrants Day turns nine but looks 17.

Eleven years ago today, the webmistress of one of the early major supersites, Michelle Klein-Häss of Lawndale Commons, wrote an essay about the demise of supersite Planet Daria. A year later, someone else wrote about the demise of Lawndale Commons. LC continued in a reduced capacity until 2003. The fandom's been through a lot of collapses and regrowth.

Fanfiction updates are on the way for the weekend. Stay tooned.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Chill Out!

Canadibrit's heartwarming classic tale, "A Family Holiday," begins on this day nine years ago. (Prose version here.) Just thought I'd toss that out there.

Daria and Jane at right remind us that this is the time of year to dress warmly and not go hiking in the wilderness before a blizzard. If you do, good luck. At least you were warned.

Today also marks the beginning of the ancient Roman party holiday of Saturnalia, a week-long festival that is directly to blame for the commercialization and debasement of every December holiday there is today. You know what Christmas cards and Chanukah cards look like. When the Roman sent Saturnalia cards to each other, the cards looked like this. The Romans forgot more about partying than we will ever know. Thank God they couldn't drive.

Speaking of which, I complained a year ago that there was no Daria fanfiction featuring Saturnalia, and guess what? It's a year later and there's still no Daria fanfiction featuring Saturnalia. (Paperpusher wrote a story that mentions Saturnalia in passing, but the Morgendorffers aren't celebrating Saturnalia.) How low have we sunk to ignore this vital part of our midwinter holiday tradition? How low, Daria fen? ("Fen" means fans. It's old-timer fannish talk. Just roll with it.) Get on the stick, fanfic writers, and let the good times of Saturnalia rise once again!