Dribbling Ink

(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...

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 ...

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...

(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...

As promised I sat down (virtually) for my first chat with fellow writer and Arkansan Ashton Reely. We both grew up in Northeast Arkansas and graduated from the same high school. Ashton is one of those friends who makes Facebook statuses worth enduring the typical “takin a shower txt it at your bestie bff love hugs peace” messages. She also writes a blog and does freelance writing work in Searcy, Arkansas. Anyway, what follows is the complete and unedited version of our chat. Enjoy. Jacob Cooper: Honestly, I've never done anything like this before, unless you count the four years I worked as a sports reporter; however, this seems different than interviewing a coach or a player. I guess it's easier for me when I feel like I'm in complete control of the story or column. I've never really sat down (virtually, I guess) with another writer and tried to work through inspiration or the creative process. However, because I know that you've also worked as a journalist befo...