For the new year instead of posting resolutions I will post five facts. A sort of five things you always wanted to know about cooper but were afraid to ask, except you never really wanted to know and would never even have considered asking. I was considering doing ten but I couldn’t even think of five.
1. How tall are you?
As of two hours ago I am five feet seven and three quarters inches tall. This totally goes against the “fact” I read which states most girls stop growing at age eighteen. I was five foot six inches tall when I graduated from high school. That means, for those of you who have been reading this blog for almost two years, I have grown almost two inches while you were reading.
2. Is your real name Alice or Alice Copper or Cooper?
My real name is anything I want it to be as far as this blog goes, but no my given name is not Alice or Alice Cooper, I am called cooper by friends — the reason will remain vague.
You can call me Tricia if you like, that is also not my given name but it is what my mother, father and brother call me, unless they are angry with me and then they use my real name.
Anyhow, anyone who looked up the only domain name I forgot to proxy will know that, so it’s no big secret.
3. What will you be when you grow-up?
Good question, and I do not have an answer to that as yet. Besides that I’m sure there are many answers to that particular question.
I found myself more interested in anthropology than photography within two months of entering school for photography. I have since decided that as an academic I would not be able to do what I want to do, even though studying the essence of humankind still has my heart. Being authoritative on any given aspect of a discipline does not necessarily mean one can affect change, as a matter of fact it is quite unlikely that one can affect change as an academic. As an academic one can only put ideas into the head of others to do so, therefore I am leaning toward getting a masters degree in public policy and international affairs which would allow me to be more active in affecting policy change than becoming an academic would.
I tend to have very little patience with all that arrogant academic pontification anyway.
It has occurred to me that becoming a surf or snow bum would be just as satisfying.
4. Innie or Outie?
Innie and it’s pierced, thank you very much.
5. Do you really drink gin?
I drink very little, but when I drink it’s gin.
Oh, and because my lists tend to be a little boring.….….……
The egg came first in case you are wondering.
This from A hundred things we didn’t know last year — courtesy of BBC News.
Please check the Darfur wall on the sidebar — a dollar lights up a number.
Do I get points for knowing some of that information?
The question is — when were you not grown up, and having said that maybe the surf bum option is the best.
I finally stopped growing.
I got hooked on photography in high school… I was in Seattle my senior year and not loving it so I got lost in the photo lab and in the drama department though I much preferred the photo lab.
And then in college I spent 20 hours a week in the darkroom and loved exploring pictures and techniques with my professor who had the same inclinations and visions as I did and that is such a blessing because if you have someone who does not see eye to eye with you advancing is hard to do without the input that a kindred spirit can yield.
And in Spain I went to actual photography school, TEN years ago, when I was your age (way to feel old DAMMIT) but left it because it hit me that it was a life of nonstop stress and pimping your pictures and I like photography because it satirfies(d) me and not because I wanted to sell anything and so I quit that and moved on.
Rub your damn height in why dontcha?
I wonder if I have ever had gin… I have had my fair share of alcohol (again, mostly TEN years ago) but gin? No me acuerdo.
All this to say that I love your self interview… anthropology was a passion of mine and so much so that I was in touch with my professor for years… he even flew to Spain for my wedding party to the Loverboy… not that it reflects on anthropology but I guess he kinda liked the weird girl who would not shut up with the questions and the discussions, even after class so yeah, beautiful stuff…
Anyway, I am gonna shut up now…
Oh! And sorry about the tooth dreams! Believe it or not, those are recurring for me now! I keep dreaming that half the teeth in my mouth pop out as I try to eat and that I am in constant pain and quite bloody… unfortunately, reality mirrors those dreams too closely these days. Ack!
The average academic enters that sphere to AVOID the world rather than INFLUENCE it. Crede expertum.
I tell anyone who will listen (and many who don’t), first decide what it is you wish to do and then go get the credentials to do it. The machine will gladly sell you any class or program it can convince you to pay for. And most of them will not fit the purpose.
That said, if you’ve spent most of your childhood being an adult, maybe you should in fact spend a year or so being a child. Like that beach bum. Otherwise, you might find yourself acting out the delayed urges when you least expect it, or can least afford it. Crede expertum. Again.
You’re taller than I am. Not to mention prettier (if those pictures are really you). But beware. You never stop growing. Just the direction changes. [grumble]
I would read your blog and follow your life no matter what name you chose or don’t, what you do or don’t
I have so many names I’ll answer to anything. If the first name begins with a P and the middle – often called it, begins with a T. There are many variations of that name which isn’t common anyway
Can’t give school advice. Changed my major with my undergrad school.
Dropped out of one grad school because it did dawn on me how totally impractical the degree was.
Went back years later for a practical grad degree and knew within a semester it was wrong for me, but there were only three semesters to go. So I helped the school keep its high rank and never parade the titles and certifications because too many people do, instead of true wisdom.
I find bloggers who offer advice based on degree and age, or degree only to be banal, boring and I usually disagree with their advice.
It’s been a pleasure to watch you grow more than an inch in the past year and a half, just a girl with a blog and so much more.
I’d pick snow bum, I only wish we had some snow right now.
The lack of snow around here is depressing, I may have to start surfing.
Dude she’s way prettier in real life, smarter too.
Not that you appear dumb here or anything cooper. ;)
#3? /signed
Everyone wanted me to be a professor and I told them to suck it. The ivory tower really holds no appeal to me.
Learning and academia have taken two completely seperate paths.
Interesting that you gained some height… I would love to grow a couple more inches since I only stand 5’2″ :(
I think the occupation of beach betty or snow bunny would be nice.
I try not to pontificate, but then, I’m not a real academic. I just pretend enough to fool my students.
Names are irrelevant. Much like spelling :P
Happy New Year, Cooper.
Dammit… since Leigh fessed up I will admit to being 5’3″ but always say I am 5’4″… how pathetic is that? Although the last time I got measured was about TEN years ago (what the hell is it with 21 today???? DIOS MIO!) so maybe I’ve grown! hell, I will take whatever I can get!
I’m exceptionally tall so I’m glad you grew a couple, you did look taller when I saw you, I thought it was the jeans. ;)
I think you should do a video to show people how beautiful you are, I think they would die. I am always good for a dark black dress. ;)
You see yourself as that caricature on your header, with the up turned lip and others see you differently.
I now drink gin, how cool is that?
I enjoyed this. You do a good job with the telling and not telling. Bombay Sapphire if I remember correctly.
The only career advice I’d give is keep a blog.
That’s five facts that I never wanted to know before about you, but now I’m kind of glad I do. It’s like having dirt on you to be used to blackmail you with later.
G: ten points.
Mizzy B: It’s always confusing, all my non self-instigated full scholarships were to art schools for either photography or art, I never considered going to just an art school so they were all out. I decided on applying to Tisch late. I was lucky though because by applying there I was able to apply to the college of arts and sciences for a second major in anthropology if I had been in the college of arts and sciences I would not have been able to apply to Tisch for a second major in photography after enrolling Tisch doesn’t allow it. Who knows I do better when I am doing things but do think I need to take some personal time I have allowed that part of my life to dwindle by choice and who knows I could die tomorrow.
I wasn’t rubbing in my height, I just found it odd I grew when I wasn’t supposed to.
I attribute this to the fact that I still drink copious amounts of non-fat milk.
I am still having tooth dreams.
OC: My grandmother was an academic an admittedly she was one of the most interesting people I know but the fact I knew her as my grandmother first probably mitigated some of the disillusionment I have with most academics.
I’m actually an ugly old witch and that is why I my old journal was titled “nowickedwitch”, so people wouldn’t be frightened when they saw me.
I have several friends heading either to the California coast or South America to spend some time hanging out before grad school so we will see what happens.
Pia: I am especially fond of people who are hesitant to give advice.
john: I can’t pay you for lying any longer john it’s getting expensive.
dan: my original thoughts were leaning that way and it could still happen down the road, things are just taking me in another direction right now.
Leigh: It is the milk I swear. I could do either but I am better at the snow. I met two guys in Chile, two summers ago who were taking a year off from school and traveling the world snowboarding, when I was in Santiago they were there doing the Andes — just beginning their journey. It sounded good then and it sounds good now. I just have a hard time thinking of screwing off for a full year.
coyote: happy new year to you too, it’s not nice to fool your students but then again if they are that stupid.…
mizzy b: you are beautiful at any height.
kait: lol, I have a few videos remember? ;)
Doug: You call that career advice? Well, of course it’s wonderful advice now that I think of it.
mojo: the real dirt shall remain locked up forever.
I kid about the height… I kid loudly and obnoxiously I am afraid and know you were not rubbing it in!
Everyone needs personal time to recharge and reconnect with themselves and I am glad you are taking that time for yourself.
I cannot tolerate milk… not even the sight of it. Yoghurt is my preferred dairy product… *sigh* 5’3″ it is then! ;-P
No more dental footage… I hope!
so people wouldn’t be frightened when they saw me
That’s my line. You can’t have it. And Indie has provided independent evidence supporting John’s claim.
:)
Sorry I’m late here; was sorta at a party that sorta lasted 24 hours.
I think I knew most of that except I’d thought you were 5’9′ for some reason. *shrug*
Hmmm… I guess I’m glad I took it easy on the milk after I turned about 8. Else I’d be a freak. Well, more of a freak.
What’s the point of growing up if we can’t act childish?
Happy New Year
Mizzy b: i think the only thing we disagree on is milk. Funny thing is most my closest girl friends are taller then me… from five nine to six foot tall every one. ;0
oc: inde is a devil.
EW: feel better babe, well I’ll just keep drinking milk until I catch up to you. ;)
I thank you for sharing the list we never wanted to read. I want to read more.