Dribbling Ink

I have so much homework to do that the fact I've even typed this much (pause, consider just how little I have typed to this point) is ludicrous. Then consider that I am going to talk about my fish, and all hope for my future (a M.L.A. degree) is lost. Look, I don't have time to charge my camera and take a picture right now, but I will later; however, I just don't understand my new fish. He is anorexic. Seriously. I've never seen him eat one food pellet. Periodically I drop a few pellets into his bowl just like the food container recommends. Every time, he goes through the same routine. He swims up to smell (do fish smell?)/ consider the food, pauses for a seconds, and swims away. Scribbles, my last fish, would eat every pellet I dropped into his bowl. I mean, I could drop like six in there and he would eat every one of them. Of course, the container only recommends two to three pellets every few days. I think Scribbles might have died of gluttony. My new fish doe

(Caption: Arkansas pwns LSU. This is the best caption. Ever. And it defeats the entire purpose of this blog.) Sports, literature, Arkansas. These are the supposed topics of this blog. I've got the sports covered; however, I'm slacking in my literature and Arkansas material. (I have fiction to post, but I still get nervous about posting my creative writing). I guess you could consider the Conversations as concerning Arkansas since everyone I've interviewed is from the Natural State (minus the imaginary conversations). Still, seeing as Dribbling Ink is the most followed blog concerning Arkansas (or at least pretending to be) on Networked Blogs, I feel I should write a blog about Arkansas -- or at least make an attempt to. Yeah, I am kind of a big deal in Arkansas, moving in on Scottie Pippen, Corliss Williamson, and Bill Clinton territory. Note: I started this blog on Monday...it's now early Friday morning. Needless to say the flow is gone, but the links are still r

(Caption: Kathryn refused to let me use a picture of her. I guess this is effective.) I write a lot of pointless blogs on Dribbling Ink; however, blogs like this make it worth it. It's always interesting to talk to other arists and creative people; it's even more exciting when you grew up with the person, which is this case with this week's interviewee -- Kathryn Richey. I've known Kathryn since kindergarten. In fact, in elementary school, Kathryn, Daniel Vangilder, and I morphed ourselves into three Arkansas Razorback basketball players: Corey Beck, Corliss Williamson, and Scotty Thurman. It's been a long time since then, but Kathryn continues to utilize her creativity in new ways. Jacob Cooper: Recently, very recently, you started posting pictures that you've taken on Facebook -- professional-grade portraits, I guess (everyone posts pictures on Facebook). You also started a group/business, Kathryn Richey Photos. So, how long have you been interested in p

(Caption: OMGosh! It's a giant tomato rolling at breakneck speed! Uphill!) Lists are dangerous. Write a list and the next thing you know it's the only thing you can do. I'm not much of a list person, especially "To-Do" lists. The most important lists to me are grocery lists. Of course, as my wife can attest to, food consumes me (Nope, not the other way around: "Food consumes me" is exactly the reason that studying English is useless. Any string of words makes perfect sense). The only reason I'm saying this is because I have an insatiable desire to post another list. I just posted a list on Monday. See...it's unstoppable. It's like those killer tomatoes in Attack of the Killer Tomatoes -- they just roll over you and squash you--well, tomato you (I think I just made a vegetable joke. Dang, this blog is going downhill quickly... like those evil killer tomatoes !). Whatever. You get the point? Next, I'll be trying to write my papers

(Caption: This may be lurking behind that greenish-yellow cloud of pollen.) March Madness. Spring break. My birthday. There isn't a reason to dislike March. In fact, there's every reason to be sad at its departure. Yup, it's that time of the year again. That time. The time we all hate. You know, that time? Oh, I mean that time. THAT time. If you're wondering, my wife would say this is how I talk about everything. But I'm not vague. IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR. So, in honor of it being that time of the year again, I'm busting out a list. The top 10 reasons, in no particular order (ignore the numbering, it just makes it easier to read), to hate/love the post-March year. Hate... 1) The greenish-yellow cloud of pollen hovering over the world -- or, at least, Arkadelphia. I'm waiting for those bat/pterodactyl-like things to burst out of the cloud like in Stephen King's novella/film The Mist . 2) Getting older. Yeah, I know: it's always ha

Yup, I am going to talk to a holiday. Maybe a more appropriate title would be A Discourse on April Fool's Day. Heck, I just keep forgetting to find someone to talk to on Thursdays. I always think about it at the beginning of the week, but then work and college consume my week. Today, one of my co-workers said that I always apologize and act like I don't want to write this blog. Pssh...I never make excuses or complain. Well, according to Wikipedia -- yes, I said Wikipedia ; I can hear all my English teachers weeping; I feel like I am sinning anytime I mention or read Wikipedia , even if it's for useless things like this; Mama said Wikipedia is the devil -- April Fool's Day is first mentioned in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales . Who knew? Probably Dr. Atchley. (If you're reading this Dr. Atchley, which I know you aren't, but just in case, that is a compliment.) Anyway, who cares about where it originated or why or anything like that. The point of this blog is

Hello. I am Jacob’s wife, and I will be writing this week’s Thursday blog three days early. I know, I know—this doesn’t make a lot of sense. I mean, this is his blog, and you read it because you are interested in the things he says. Well, unfortunately, he has neglected to tell you about his little problem. He is a procrastinator, and, therefore, will be writing about thirty pages worth of papers this week. I hated for this blog to disappoint again, so I decided I would make an attempt to please the masses with an early post instead of a skipped post. ( Of course this is my blog, and I am taking control. I'll be the voice of reason after each paragraph since she is a newbie blogger. First, Dribbling Ink never disappoints...because there are no masses to please. Just thought I'd clear that up.) (Is it like sexist or something if I use a larger bolded font for my thoughts?)  I would like to point out, even though it was mentioned in previous blogs, my love for Kansas. I ap

If you're like me, you did nothing during your break. And you enjoyed every second of the nothingness. Of course, I'm sure I'll see plenty of pictures from the beach on Facebook for those lucky enough to get away. Good for you. Wait, even my wife went to San Francisco while I sat home. Whatever. More importantly, I would do anything to avoid going back to school, but I have to no matter what. That's why I am just avoiding my homework instead. Do I actually have something to talk about? Of course not. But that's the beauty of Dribbling Ink: it never has a purpose (yeah, yeah, I know: I keep trying to give it one and it keeps failing), but it doesn't have to. Here are a few quick links that I found while wasting time. Butler's Too Big, Yo: http://www.midmajority.com/2010/03/too-big-yo.php Leave it up to a mid-major college like Butler to predict its magical run to the Final Four in verse. Apparently, a few players recorded a rap during Spring Break righ

So, I am at a gymnastics meet at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock—this isn’t the first line of any fiction, unfortunately, but it is as creative as this post may get. Sorry. First observation from my first gymnastics meet ever: three year old boys that can talk and run don’t need pacifiers. I’m just saying. On that note, I’ll switch to the little female robots doing gymnastics. My wife told me that some of the gyms her girls compete against practice twenty hours a week and are forced to have curly ponytails, even if it means wearing a hair piece. My wife’s team only practices nine hours a week, and they have ponytails, pigtails, and sheeptails (maybe I made up the last one). Well, this is a great start to spring break. After this my wife is going to Cali and I’m going to Paragould. Even my dad is in Cali. Anyway, back to me, because this is my blog. I have so much work to do over break, but I am excited about my American West paper. I am writing about spaghetti westerns and th

AP Photo/Al Behrman -- Caption: It's like a rematch of the 1994 championship game on Friday: Arkansas versus Duke. Well, sort of. (Written Wednesday night:) The NCAA Tournament is absolutely one of my favorite events of the year. When else can you wake up and watch basketball practically nonstop from Thursday to Sunday? In fact, I may skip class and work for the rest of the week and do nothing else but watch games in the student center. A fellow co-worker of mine used to save up his vacation to do this very thing (well, at his house)--hint: he works at the Jonesboro Sun now. Anyway, I promised chats on Thursdays, and a chat I will deliver. Of course, this week I am going to do things a little differently. I will be talking to multiple people and the theme will be NCAA brackets. I know, I know: I said last week was my last basketball post, but I meant about Razorback basketball. This will be my last basketball post--unless something crazy happens like UAPB beating Duke. (Skip to Th

Caption: The Big Nasty looks to add to his legacy in Arkansas as a coach. I couldn’t make up my mind whether I wanted to write this blog or not, especially after last night’s failure. However, I feel better today, and it makes sense to write a wrap-up blog about the Arkansas basketball team now that the season is officially over. (I intended to post this on Saturday; nevertheless, I didn’t get it finished in time and one of my many cousins came down to Arkadelphia for a visit.) First, I’d like to start with a website I find amusing, and it’s actually relevant: http://firejohnpelphrey.com/ I guess it would be a stretch to think this is some sort of conspiracy by Pelphrey or Jeff Long to make a few extra bucks? I mean, with all the money the university is throwing at the football program, the basketball program has to keep up somehow, right? Of course, I am kidding, I think. Anyway. I listen to a number of Arkansas sports shows daily and the hottest topic for the past month

(Friday's Note: I'm sorry this conversation wasn't longer. I had a lot more questions I wanted to ask, but my week didn't slow down until today -- and I know Meggie is busy, too. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up with Meggie again later and hash everything else out.) When I first came up with the idea of conducting a weekly chat for Dribbling Ink, this week’s interviewee — Meggie Hodge — was one of the first people that came to mind. I would say I have a recreational interest in fashion and style. For what it’s worth, I check out GQ Online almost daily; whether my personal style benefits is questionable. That’s why I brought in an expert to talk fashion. Just so you know, we both graduated from the same high school in the same year; we also lived on the same street (probably less than a mile apart) for a number of years. The only reason I bring this up is so I can sell my story someday when Meggie is famous. Anyway, if you don’t know, Meggie is kind of a big dea

Caption: Your optimistic dad cheering for the Razorbacks. No offense to baby Chase, but the magic is gone. Yep, it’s time for another classic Arkansas drought. As an avid sports fan, I understand that there will always be ups and downs no matter how good the team is you are rooting for. As much as my wife would hate to admit it, even the Kansas Jayhawks have lost a game this season—the funny thing about that loss is it’s the only Kansas game we made a point to watch all year. Luckily, Arkansas ’ losing streak is exactly what An Optimistic Razorback Fan wanted to talk about in this week’s installment of the Dribbling Ink Conversation Series. An Optimistic Razorback Fan: OK, since losing is a part of sports, I should be able to cope with the Razorbacks’ newest losing streak. Right? You win some, you lose some? Plus, we still have a chance of finishing .500 and going to the NIT. Jacob Cooper: Wrong. Let’s look at Kansas ’ loss to Tennessee earlier in the year. Since the Jayha

Go ahead, ask: Where are these pictures from and why are they important? Easy. My parents' new house and...because they are of my parents' new house. OK, easy enough for me, but you're still wondering why they are important to you or, at least, why you should bother wasting your time looking at them. The only answer I have is because we are all products of environment, whether it's our house or our hometown. There are three things that have undoubtedly shaped me: family, Arkansas, and "home." The first is easy enough to understand. When I say Arkansas, I am specifically referring to Paragould, Arkansas, and more generally to the South. However, in this blog I'd like to talk about "home," in which case I am referring both to a physical dwelling and the environment I grew up in. The pictures featured below are taken from my parents' sixth new house, the first since I moved out a few years ago (of course, I only lived in the fifth house a few mo