Patrick Cooper: Greetings from Evanston, Ill.

I want to plant an idea inside your mind

Patrick Cooper — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:00:44 +0000

I wouldn't say Inception was the first movie to give me a panic attack. The movie didn't get me that far. But it took me about halfway there. The experiential combination of personal loss, nerves and complication sent me toward a racing head, disorientation and distance. The movie made me believe a panic attack was possible. [...]

All we need is an ice cream truck for the best convoy ever

Patrick Cooper — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:51:01 +0000

Refrigerated trucks parked 50 feet apart in my neighborhood: Sing it with me, Youtube: C.W. McCall, Convoy.

Good music, no medical disasters

Patrick Cooper — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:29:41 +0000

All that Grey's Anatomy-viewing finally paid off. I went to Mat Kearney's show tonight at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue and knew about half a dozen songs, which was about half a dozen more than I expected. The man played a good, fun show. He hit all the notes from the studio, got creative about [...]

The best video-game rock action-hero romantic comedy ever made

Patrick Cooper — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:14:49 +0000

I'm not afraid to say it. Michael Cera's new Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is the best video-game rock action-hero romantic comedy ever made. If graphic novels are responsible for this, I am now more okay with them. Friend Amy is awesome for snagging last-minute preview tix last night. Young people will enjoy the anti-hero Cera, [...]

America's pre-eminent writer on grief?

Patrick Cooper — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:44:21 +0000

With a book review in The New Yorker this month, Meghan O'Rourke takes another step toward the title. Not yet 35, several years ago O'Rourke was culture editor at Slate. More recently, she's published her poetry — her "Troy" is among those hanging on the side of my fridge — and been a poetry editor [...]

Rescued dog day afternoon

Patrick Cooper — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:37:51 +0000

Meghan and I went north to Elizabeth and Justin's home to meet dogs. Beyond our shared Medill pride, we went for Walter (shown sitting). Walter was a rescued dog — predecessor and hero to all dogs there. There was also a kitten who lived in the bathroom. Fun times were had by all except Simon, [...]

You can lurk in the schools but not in the Post

Patrick Cooper — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:16:37 +0000

Major congrats to friend Jen, my Glee- and Grey's-watching comrade, for her coauthored expose of teacher Kevin Ricks in today's Washington Post. Sweeping in scope, the Ricks narrative dominates today's front page (at right) and runs deep both in print and online. Readers aren't going to be able to put this one down. Unlike many news packages [...]

Jobirthday

Patrick Cooper — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:08:49 +0000

Hilary invented the word. Sheri approved it. "Jobirthday." When you take major job action on your birthday. Webster's, you're on notice. Delayed a few weeks for trips, work, illness and more, we dove into the Art and Soul cocktail list. There were egg whites and sno cones. We walked to Chinatown and Red Velvet and [...]

Some miles down the taken road

Patrick Cooper — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 05:51:00 +0000

Did you ever consider not becoming a writer? Do you mean did I ever consider becoming something else? Yes. As a boy, I wanted to be the Peruvian Diego Maradona. Sadly, Peru hasn’t made the World Cup since 1982, so I guess I did well to choose something different. But, more to the point, not [...]

First night in Los Angeles, for a fistful of dollars

Patrick Cooper — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:49:12 +0000

Yet another highlight from the 12-day first work week, ending today. Through the tunnel from the Terminator and Independence Day scenes. Into downtown Los Angeles, close by City Hall, to the Redwood Bar. Home to the karaoke in 500 Days of Summer and my favorite lines. First up, the folk-rock-meets-Mordor sounds of Eagle Winged Palace. [...]

My first Tiny Desk Concert

Patrick Cooper — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:54:49 +0000

The harmonies of Ivan and Alyosha, which are, of course, not names of anyone in the band. Dostoyevsky, apparently. Mellow but a good time, especially when you can hear them warming up as you sit at your new desk and then walk feet down the hallway to see them play for you… As usual, expect [...]

Today's learning-a-new-job inspirational thought

Patrick Cooper — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:37:49 +0000

Part of my latest New Yorker catch-up attempt, in the June 28 issue — neurologist Oliver Sacks examines the case of a writer who suffered a stroke and lost his ability to recognize all written words. As the writer struggles to practice his craft again, Sacks covers how reading works. We are all faced with [...]

The debut of National Public Racing

Patrick Cooper — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:15:22 +0000

Bringing you a Speedway Moment. Late night Los Angeles, what were we doing? Where were we going? And why was there an Earnhardt tribute in this place of business? 'Cause we were going go-karting, that's why! High-speed go-karting! Didn't I just go go-karting, you ask? I sure did. You see, friends… This time was Dave's [...]

One-star reviews of great books

Patrick Cooper — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:22:10 +0000

First morning back in the D.C. area. As I attempt to return to Eastern time, catch my breath, answer your e-mail, and, good Lord willing this week, get the blog back on track, Morning News digs into its archives for "Lone Star Statements," a fun and highly readable set of "excerpts from actual one-star Amazon.com [...]

To celebrate being in California and done with presenting

Patrick Cooper — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:17:19 +0000

Elvis! Los Angeles, give me Norfolk Virginia, Tidewater four-ten-oh-nine, Tell the folks back home this is the promised land calling And the poor boy's on the line.

Reminding you to bookmark Indexed

Patrick Cooper — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:50:38 +0000

True! See Jessica Hagy's blog here. I remain a daily fan.

Repurposing content never gets old

Patrick Cooper — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:00:24 +0000

The Morning News links this month to Futility Closet's reprinting of "Twelve Ways to Commit Suicide," which is from "the American Medical Journal, reprinted in the Manhattan and de la Salle Monthly, 1875." It's a great read, not about suicide but how poor life choices lead to sickness and death. "Wearing insufficient clothing, and especially upon the [...]

Cameos in 'The Best Campaign Video You'll See All Year'

Patrick Cooper — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:18:37 +0000

Tweets the Washington City Paper last night: "Ward One Candidate Bryan Weaver Produces Funkiest Ad of Campaign Season – tightt." Friend Josh retweets it, and hey, there's me and Meghan! Find us at the 1:35 mark. Remember the morning of the cereal restaurant and doughnuts? The final photo there shows the taping of this video. [...]

The first week

Patrick Cooper — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:42:29 +0000

Walking to work Monday morning, a window washer hangs above my head and for fun pushes himself off the building and into the air. In the light, all my cellphone grabs is his reflection in his windows. His work! It's been a non-stop week, day and night, and isn't likely to slow down for another [...]

Still here!

Patrick Cooper — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:47:29 +0000

Busy as can be. Hope to resume here in the next day. Update Thursday: Today is not the day. Let's root for tomorrow!