I am a native Californian from Sacramento where I attended the Waldorf School and Sacramento High. I was fortunate to have CSUS Alumni as parents which gave me full access to the college library where was able to spend time in the stacks, map room, and humanities sections. I myself, attended CSUS for 2 years before transferring to The San Francisco Art Institute where I majored in Fine Art Film studying under George Kuchar and Gunver Nelson.
After graduation I moved to Los Angeles and worked as a production sound professional in the film industry working mainly on feature film both in the “studio zone” and on location. Around the time of the dot com explosion, I learned programming and transitioned to IT consulting and project management which I still do for Rady Children’s Hospital.
As my fifth decade came to a close, I felt compelled to volunteer for the community, first with the board or Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market and then with the Normal Heights Community Planning Group and Normal Heights for Smart Growth.
When not in San Diego I am visiting my son and grandson in Pasadena where the family has two more boys on the way.
About Paul Coogan
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My mother’s side is from Italy and Mexico, while my father’s family came mainly from Ireland and England.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
See above
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be persistent,
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Exploring the San Diego Zoo with the grand kids!
Paul Coogan & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Blind Lady Alehouse, Thai Joint, and the “neatloaf” at Jyoti Bihanga
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
2010 is my official move in date.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
One thing about Normal Heights is you will meet some interesting cats. Nick Hawks (at Paleo Treats) is a good start!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The diversity! Especially in art, science, and music.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Mark Hamill at Blind Lady Ale House (we worked on two pictures together in the 90s).
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Wire, Treme, Poor Things, The Princess Bride, The Shawshank Redemption, Leon: The Professional, The Counterfeiters, Kelly’s Heroes, Michael Clayton, The Petrified Forest, The Prestige, Moonrise Kingdom, Asteroid City, Sunset Boulevard, Lawrence of Arabia, oh, wait, you said one?
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have done origami my whole life so I can fold a fitted sheet!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Sequoia sempervirens A.K.A. California redwood.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Wavy Gravy: “Put your good where it can do the most”.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
Normal Heights community Planning Group, Normal Heights for Smart Growth, San Diego Community Planners Committee, Normal Heights United (neighborhood church)
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Just smile and do your job because there’s a hundred people behind you.” – Trevor Black sound mixer on Mortuary Academy.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Normal Heights
What I love about my Neighborhood:
Beer choices and quirky people.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
May coastal “grey” and a powwow in Balboa Park complete with fry bread.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Coastal redwoods in Sonoma County.
