Hey everybody
Sadly, I have to find a new home for my pet mice. This summer they can't live with Kate as we had planned and my cat will do everything in her power to eat them. They are three girls, two light brownish red and the other is black and white. I think they are probably sisters and I want to keep them together. THey are really nice and can be handled and played with. I will give you 3 small exercise balls, food and bedding and if you really need a house i can lend you the one they are living in now. I am also placing an ad on craigslist but I would really rather give them to someone I know to assure that they are safe and happy. Oh, and they have their own myspace you can check it out at http://www.myspace.com/micepoop

Thanks, Leah

So I haven't written in this forever, but I thought this was update worthy. I have become a legally ordained minister for the Universal Life Church tonight over the internet. I can now legally do weddings, funerals, house blessings, baptisms, etc. I can also legally call myself Reverend Leah Marie Markus. If any of you need any Minister-y duties done, I am the girl to do them. I am very very amused by this.

Hey Guys!

If any of you want to help me with an english project could you please write a short poem or haiku about women I would love you tons! It can be about women in general, the liberation of women, abuse, suicide, whatever. Even the crappiest thing will help. I need it by Wednesday Night, but the sooner the better. Thanks!

I I chose 3D Design as my major. I am so excited to work with metal, clay and wooooood! here is a survey I was peer pressured into
THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Leah
2. Applebottom
3. Bunny

THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
1. TheGrrlhasMoxie
2. Randomplaid
3. Supergrrl007

THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. Artistic Ability
2. My Personality
3. I have this strange ability to succeed in anything I ever tried and really wanted to do (so far at least)

THREE THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. I worry and stress about everything
2. I make fun of people to be funny and sometimes I think it hurts them and I dont mean to
3. I am bratty

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. Hungarian
2. Italian
3. Scotch-Irish

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. Not being in control
2. disappointing people I care about
3. aliens

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. talking to Ian and my parents
2. doing something productive
3. dry humping with my moore girls, because this is an all girl school and we obviously are horny and make out all the time.

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. camisole
2. bra
3. underwear

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS:
1. ATO
2. Fannypack
3. Minor Threat

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS AT PRESENT:
1. Daddy Yankee: Gasoline
2. Eartha Kitt: My Heart Belongs to Daddy
3. The Mars Volta: Televators

THREE NEW THINGS YOU WANT TO TRY IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS:
1. play bingo with the nuns at the catholic church
2. meet John Waters at the Baltimore Film Fest
3. Go on tour with DSC

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP (love is a given):
1. Honesty
2. like-mindedness
3. hot lovin

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order)
1. The cat I have had for 14 years is a hermaphrodite
2. I voted Bush and am pro life
3. i love to eat foods considered gross by others such as olives, black jelly beans, etc.

THREE THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX (or same) THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1. Height (must be over 5'7)
2. Mind/ sense of humor
3. Face

THREE THINGS YOU JUST CAN'T DO:
1. Start a confrontation
2. put up with stupid people
3. DRAW SLINKIES (NO ONE CAN!!!!)

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE PASTIMES:
1. crafting (the hipster way not the lame tole painting way, haha)
2. thrifting
3. watching John Waters' movies with the directors commentary turned on.

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. get this semester over so I can have my summer and start my fun classes
2. go to sleep
3. be at home in Waynesboro

THREE CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING:
1. freelance artist
2. freelance artist
3. freelance artist

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION/HOLIDAY:
1. the rainforest (not sure which one)
2. all over europe
3. vermont to the cabin I stayed at when I was little

THREE KIDS' NAMES:
1. Simon
2. Moxie
3. Robot

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. go to all the famous art related sites in Europe
2. successfully avoid any type of "real" job
3. meet John Waters

THREE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ
1. I
2. don't
3. care

So me and Mr.PennyxArcade had a chat on aim tonight in which he continuously refused to dance off! I think this is highly lame and the challenge is still out there. Think of the olden days when someone was challenged to a duel and they refused, people were KILLED!!!! Its like the GloveSlap episode of the Simpsons. I guess I might have to seriously move into his front yard and he'll be forced to move to a farm and create tomacco.

But seriously, I want you guys to vote if you want to see this dance off happen or not, and if you do talk to the kid. HERE
is his entry not wanting to dance because he is lame and afraid of the DSC's mad skillz. and also I need you guys to help me come up with concequences if they do not accept, ie knife fighting, bare knuckle boxing, etc, etc.

The kid was so lame that he ended up blocking me becuase he couldn't handle the challenge I suppose. Dude this would be amazing if this goes down. THE GREAT THRASH VS. EMO DANCE OFF SHALL OCCUR!!!!

After much shit talking and general stupid internet drama, I have decided there is only one way to handle this situation between the Destroyer crew and certain members of morningside heights... A DANCE OFF!!! This is to let it be known (publicaly) that I have challenged them to a dance off, Destroyer Crew vs their crew March 11th, during the Hot Dix set. They have yet to accept the challenge, but if they have any self respect or pride in their band they will. the stakes have yet to be made, I will update that part later. It can be known as the great Hagerstown area emo vs thrash dance off! It will be great, and they will GET SERVED!

Everybody needs to come out and see me play in THE DESTROYER CREW this Sunday. Its at the Leitersburg Grange and we go on at 12:30. Tons of other good bands are playing and its all day so please come. We are hopefully going to have a demo and awesome shirts, patches and scandelous undergarments handcrafted by us.

January 9th
Leitersburg Grange Hall
21140 Leitersburg Pike
Hagerstown MD
12:00 NOON- Compliance- 30 minutes
12:30pm- DSC - 40 minutes
1:10pm- Stasis - 30 minutes
1:40pm- Red Oranges- 30 minutes
2:10pm- Martyrdom- 50 minutes
3:00pm- Morguewhore - 30 minutes
______________________________ 15 minute
break______________________________
3:45pm- Trustfalls - 45 minutes
4:30pm- The Depotts - 45 minutes
5:15pm- Stupid Hero - 45 minutes
6:00pm- PostPardom - 45 minutes
6:45pm- Forgotten Symphony - 45 minutes
7:30pm- Break Away - 45 minutes
8:15pm- The Hourlys- 45 minutes
9:00pm- Karmellas Game- 1 hour
10:00pm- My Epiphany- no more than 1 hour
$7 with one can of food $6 with 2 cans and $5 with 3 or more
Starts at noon sharp for more info email Mark at mark_of_f87@yahoo.com

Apparently there is no show Tuesday, correct me if I am wrong Mr.Brinser. However the show on Jan. 9th at the Grange is going to be really good so I hope everyone can try and make it out. Christmas was awesome this year, I am very grateful for that.

So I am doing a quick read through of my friends list before going to my grandparents for dinner and I am quite shocked. I can't believe how many people on my friends list are complaining about christmas, especially what they did or didnt get. I dont even know what to say. As for me "not being around" or being a horrible friend or whatever, I have been working and spending time with my family. Sorry if that makes me a bad person. Maybe I've grown out of my angsty stage, but I have been enjoying my break quite thoroghly, and I'm not apologizing for it.

In other news, there is supposedly a DSC show on Tuesday in Leitersburg, more info on that as I get it. And to the members of DSC: practice tomorrow and Monday? I still dont have a car, so I will be online tonight to make plans for sure...

Whatever you are doing today I hope you have fun.

So finals and final critiques are over, and basically I've had my ass kicked. I really have no social life or free time whatsoever, and that leaves very little time for el jay updates, so I am alive even if updates are rare. But hardwork has paid off, I've managed to get 5 A's and 2 B's and a pass in a pass or fail class, which is very good considering Moore has one of the hardest basic courses in the country. But I am back in good old Waynesboro and I will be for a little over a month.

For those of you who dont know I am in the DSC (a rippin female fronted thrash band) and we are playing a show on January 9...be there!
Leitersburg Grange Hall
21140 Leitersburg Pike
Hagerstown MD
12:00 NOON- Bag of Salamanders - 30 minutes
12:30- The Red Oranges - 30 minutes
1:00- Stasis - 30 minutes
1:30- DSC - 40 minutes
2:10- Martyrdom - 50 minutes
3:00- Morguewhore - 30 minutes
______________________________ 15 minute break from bands to allow people to get something to eat, talk, etc.______________________________
3:45- My Winter Nerve - 45 minutes
4:30- Stupid Hero - 45 minutes
5:20- Manifest Destiny - 45 minutes
6:05- Forgotten Smyphony - 45 minutes
6:50- Break Away - 45 minutes
7:35- The Hourlys - 45 minutes
8:20- Karmellas Game - 1 hour, or more.

$6 with one can of food $5 with 2 cans and $4 with 3 or more
Starts at noon sharp for more info email Mark at mark_of_f87@yahoo.com

( SHE'S ALIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! )

I cannot believe this happened again.
I have been on the verge of tears all day long. I have a knot in my stomach that won't go away. All day people have been asking me whats wrong because I look so upset and I can't believe they don't know or understand why I am so angry and sad. Its like they don't realize exactly how big of a deal this is. Things are going to change, and not for the better. I am genuinely worried and scared for our country for the next four years.

Things I am looking forward to for the next four years:
Bush being about to pick 2 members of the Supreme Court, something that will continue to effect our country long after he is out of office. (It is very probable that at least 2 members of the Supreme court will either step down or die during this coming term) And if he chooses it will be that there will be more republicans on the cort than democrats and we can kiss all things liberal taken to that court goodbye.
The gap between church and state continue to close at a steady rate
The growth of rest of the world's animosity and hatred towards us
Prolonging this "War on Iraq/Terror" to the point that no one will want to enlist anymore, which will lead to...
Seeing most of my guy friends put in a draft
Losing my right to choose
Not having any of my gay friends get married or have civil unions
$5.00+ a gallon for gas
The economy contiuning to spiral out of control
Not having any help with my tuition bills
Watch bugets be cut for the Arts in order to pay off a war that should have never started
More bullshit like the "Patriot Act" which will continue to invade our privacy and take away our rights
More kids pregnant and stds spreading at a more rapid rate because of Abstinence Only programs in public schools
The US continuing to ignore dire situations in other countries becuase they have no oil or money to offer us
Cancellations or reduced funding for programs that benefit kids and the poor
AND MUCH MUCH MORE!!!!!

Maybe even MARTIAL LAW if we're lucky.

Thank you Christian Fundamentalists for coming out in huge masses and voting on issues that normally wouldn't and shouldn't win an election (i.e. Bush is anti-choice and anti-gay).

If you are as mad as I am about this please take initiative to stop him before things get way more out of control. Even if you just speak up and talk to someone and inform them, its better than nothing and its getting the word out. We need to stop him before our country regresses back to the 1950's or beyond.

I might just be the happiest girl in the entire world.



(ps picture post coming as soon as my digital camera is repaired)

bee double oh tee why, OH MY!

Yesterday was my first time voluenteering with the Philly Food Not Bombs and it was really rad. I will start cooking with them the next Sunday that I am in town, and that has me really excited. haha, I haven't cooked in so long, it almost makes me sad, I miss it.

While I was volunteering I *finally* met some punk kids. A group of 4 guys who are squatting over on the West side. They are all really cool guys so I brought them up to the dorms and we hung out and shared some food and they partook in my indoor plumbing, haha. However now there is all this drama with the girls on our floor because the boys "smelled" and I "should know better than to bring in homeless squatter scum". Its frustrating. None of the girls have directly confronted me, but I may go down and explain to them the situation and that I am going to keep bringing them around because they are my friends and they can come ask questions or whatever if they are unsure about them. But whatever, the guys are cool and if the girls are going to be that judgemental then I probably don't want to be BBF with them anyways.

On a side note I have been strictly vegan the whole time I have been here and it is so easy, Philly is an awesome place. I love it here so much!

I am so excited, I just found out Philly's Food not Bomb's chapter meets right across the street! How fucking rad is that? I always wanted to be part of FNB but the closet chapter to Waynesboro was Baltimore or something like that. It is so funny how every door that I ever wanted to open is opening for me here in Philly. Rock and Roll!

Crushes are so EXCITING! I love this feeling. I haven't had a crush this in over 2 and a half years. Its refreshing! HOORAY!!!

So I am all settled in here at the wonderful Moore college of Art and Design. I just got done my first class, it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. I have this neat German lady named Pia as my teacher and we got to draw a naked model, haha.

My roommate Jackie and I get along wonderfully, we stay up until 4 in the morning having political talks and eat vegan cookies and drink orange soda. oh yeah. We also made good friends with a girl down the hall named Megan, she is a lot of fun too.

I wish my digital camera worked, but its broken, otheriwese I would be making this a huge picture post. We live near all these museums and across from Logan circle, which is where all the excecutions used to take place but now it is a park and beautiful fountain. Our one wall is basically just windows, which rules. We have a pretty nice view of the city and its beautiful at night. We also leave across the street from a huge library, which rules so hard, its overwhelmingly cool compared to waynesboro's library.

School is wonderful. All the girls are realy nice, no one is catty, everyone is really accepting and open and kind. It rules here.

Here is my crazy schedule:
Monday: 8:30-11:20 Life Drawing
12:30-6:20 Basic Design

Tuesday: 8:30-9:50 English 101
10:00-11:20 Art History
12:30-1:50 BAsic Design Lab
3:30-6:20 1st Year Seminar

Wednesday 8:30- 11:20 Life Drawing
12:30- 3:20 Computer Application
3:30- 6:20 BAsic Drawing

Thursday 8:30-9:50 English 101
10:00-11:20 Art History

Friday 8:30-11:20 Basic Drawing

So my schedule evens itself out pretty well, only 3 days of 8:30 to 6:20 then 8:30 to 11:20 at the end of the week.

I miss everyone and I am having all kinds of wonderful adventures here. Its very strange to be on my own completely but I was and am ready for it. It is a welcome change.

the only thing going wrong is I am a little sick and I have larengitis (spelled wrong of course) and I keep coughing and losing my voice. I sound like I am going through puberty becuase my voice is deeper than normal and it keeps cracking. I HAVE PUBERTY VOICE. Its always been my dream to experience voice change. Actually I think this is instant karma for spending the summer making fun of voice change. Haha, life is fun.

Goodbye Waynesboro, Hello Philadelphia!

I am moving at 6:30 am tomorrow.

It is all so bittersweet. I have been waiting to move from this small town to a big city my entire life. But I've just started to really appreciate Waynesboro. So it goes.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE write to me, send me things, ANYTHING, and I mean that.

Leah Markus
Student Box #42
Moore College of Art and Design
20th St and the Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103

I love you and I will miss you all!!!

The worst part of going dumpster diving last night: Not finding anything but actual trash in EVERY dumpster behind the borders/ac moore/bed bath and beyond area.

The best part of going dumpster diving last night: THESE RAD HEAD FLASHLIGHTS!!!!!