ANTHONY R. VIZZARI | ARCHTOGRAPHIST

Arkansas game officials probe mystery of falling birds Arkansas game officials hope testing scheduled to begin Monday will solve the mystery of why more than 1,000 blackbirds fell from the sky just before midnight New Year's Eve. The birds -- most of which were dead -- were found within a one-mile area of Beebe, about 40 miles northeast of Little Rock, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said. Karen Rowe, an ornithologist for the commission, said the incident is not that unusual and is often caused by a lightning strike or high-altitude hail. A strong storm system moved through the state earlier in the day Friday. Officials also speculated that fireworks shot by New Year's revelers in the area might have caused severe stress in the birds. "Since it only involved a flock of blackbirds and only involved them falling out of the sky, it is unlikely they were poisoned, but a necropsy is the only way to determine if the birds died from trauma or toxin," Rowe s...

A few weeks ago, I found an old Argus C3 Brick Body camera in a Wisconsin shop. In near mint condition, I snapped it up for the fine price of $20. Without even clicking the shutter, the heavy metal body brought back a decade of images. The leather wrappers were perfect and the lens pristine. On my first trip to Italy, I packed that very same model Argus. Toward the oculus of the Pantheon in Rome, I aimed as it rained through the massive dome… I nearly slipped on the slick stone underneath my feet. When I was 19, I smuggled drugs from Tijuana across the boarder in the same camera. The pills fit ever so neatly between the shutter and film plane. I had spent that afternoon inhaling Tijuana street scenes; candid, dry, bright, dirty and cheap. It was a foolish expedition and that camera was my accomplice and confidant. In both cases, the camera was complicit in my exploits, strapped over the shoulder slung like a rifle. …it was the most perfect companion. ...It’s always nice to run across a...

Lillian was my grandfather’s sister, my mother’s aunt…and therefore, my great-aunt. With best intention, my mother recently sent me an old photo of Lil in a wedding dress, torn in half, without a groom. –black and white. In her mind, my mother was probably thinking… "wow, look at this old photo of Lil… you like old photos…and, well, you were somewhat close with Lil, so you should have this.” Of course, that gesture was great… I do like old photos, I did like Lil. I was legitimately surprised to see this torn modest artifact tucked inside a card. Under normal circumstances, I’d find something like this at countless flea markets, shops, etc… I’d relish in the fact that someone took the time to cut out their husband, yet, somehow couldn ’t manage to discard the photo of themself in a wedding dress? I’d find this ironic and write a little story about it. The story would be dry, or, tongue-in-cheek, yet “somewhat” close to the truth, because, as truth would have it, we’re not all th...

Ouch, yes...that is my finger and typing is not so easy! Andrea and I went up to our house in WI over the weekend to do some work. On the way there, I checked the oil on the van only to have the latch spring back and close on my finger. That wasn't so bad becuase the skin was still covering the wound. So, I grabbed some bandages and went on our way... but later in the evening, it got worse. I was installing a new door and jamb, with my father-in-law, into a masonry opening. We needed to install a new door leading into the furnace / utility room under the house... otherwise, the cold air would leach in and burst the pipes, etc. That required building a new custom jamb into the opening... which means Tap-Con masonry screws... as I was driving one of the screws into the jamb, I took my eyes away from the bit to say something to Andrea and presto!! The bandaid got stuck in the drill bit and ripped the skin off the top of my finger.... Awesome! Being about 20 degrees where we were worki...

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.The Supper at Emmaus, 1601. ( Currently on loan to the Art Institute of Chicago .) It's always better to see his work in the intended location, such as a small niche in Rome...but it's still worth a visit to see such a powerful work here in Chicago. All too lately, I start off my entries in this manner...making a statement about how much I’ve been working without the time to write, etc. etc… I often wonder if this is true. Well yes, the constant working is true… but what is the motive? Am I secretly avoiding something by always trying to move forward at breakneck speed? It’s much easier to bury your head in the sand and commit to your business, all the while, neglecting the real matter at hand… the elephant in the room… the baby on the door step… the time bomb ticking inside of me… ticking this wretch of blood and pumping with so much eager activity under the skin, rooted in the organs, chewing little by little at the whole thing that is me...

Kodachrome: Square: Circa 1970: From the Collection: Photographer Unknown How could I not want to swim? Jump off the dock and let the cool water wake me up... floating on my back watching the clouds drift by... ears going just below the water, so that the wind can no longer be heard, just the fins of fish, pushing water like so many mini hurricanes toward the single-celled universe.

Found Photo: Gelatin-Silver Print. From the Collection: Photographer Unknown. When I was in high school I worked at a local 24hr gas station. It was a place where the AM and PM crowds crossed paths on their way to and from ...wherever it was they were going? In four years, I think I learned more from the gas station than I did in high school? It was there that I developed my ferocious appetite for sugar, nicotine, and bottomless cups of worse-than-dinner-truck-stop coffee. It was there that I learned about people, right and wrong, truth and lies… I probably owe more to that gas station than I do to Moby Dick or George Eastman’s Kodak. Behind the register, or from behind the cooler doors, I did more than stock and punch. – I observed. However, no matter how much I watched others, it was as if I didn’t exist? People would barely look at me, or only stop to grumble more than their pump number. Was I invisible? I don’t know, but that was how it felt… The man who came in with his wife a...

"Short Order...?" Silver Gelatin Print: From the Collection: Photographer Unknown. What can I say? I'm absolutely drained...! It's been a while since I've felt like this, but I'm burnt out! I've been working like a crazy man over the last few weeks... with the last weekend being the most brutal. On Saturday, I did a 21hr day, on my feet the whole time, which was proceeded by back to back 18hr work days, followed by very little sleep... I'm shocked that I'm still functioning in any capacity. Then again, I've always had a lot of energy. I've always been very good at accomplishing a lot, despite the physical and emotional drain. So, I'm still plugging away, but I really do need a break! Actually, what I need more help. I have a good crew of people who work with me, and Andrea is the best, but I need a full time assistant and/or clone? The main problem is finding the time to effectively manage everyone. It's not that easy! But hey, this...

Art Sinsabaugh: Chicago Landscape #23, 1964 (printed 1966) One of my favorite photographers is Art Sinsabaugh... and, one of my all time favorite writers is Sherwood Anderson. In 1964 Jargon Press (Jonathan Williams) put together a killer book pairing 15 pieces from Anderson's Mid-American Chants with Sinsabaugh's photos. I have the book, a limited edition of 1550 copies, which is a PRIZE in my collection. I think I once told Andrea that this book made me fall in love with the Mid-West. It's more than a piece in a collection, but an inspiring artifact. When I need a minute to escape, I take it out and flip through the long panoramic pages. I also have a great first edition of Mid-American Chants with a nice corn colored cover, and of course, a few orginal Sinsabaugh photos. Those too hold a special spot in my life... In the Forward to Mid-American Chants, Anderson writes: "I do not believe that we people of mid-western America, immersed as we are in affairs, hurried a...

Polaroid Epitaphs: Part II: No. 1 : Lisa's Lips: 05/30/2009 While it is true that my blog entries have been sparse lately, a lot has been transpiring. Business has been, well, business, -up and down. -That goes without saying… My recent chest CT scan revealed nothing. That is to say, no primary tumor was discovered in the lungs. While most people pray that they will never find a tumor in their lungs, I was disappointed. I just want to know where it is…? I want a face to hurl a dart at…!! Yes, it’s a strange stick to pull, but it’s my stick. Short of exploratory surgery, we have only one more test to go on the hunt for the primary tumor… that is, a colonoscopy in a few weeks. With that test completed, we will have effectively run the gamut! I suspect that too will be inconclusive? My pathology report came back last week from Dr. Woltering. The news was mixed… my KI67 is very low at 2%. However, Woltering noted that my tumor is Moderately differentiated, not Well (note previous repor...

A BA City Bus... yes, we're leaving... 04/25:Saturday: We ventured out to see some of the City’s free museums, which are not huge, but definitely worth a visit to. The museum of Bellas Artes has a decent modern collection, with a Van Gogh, as well as some other heavy hitters. The BA cultural center features some great, yet small, exhibits by BA artists. (With the exception of a Martin Par exhibit.) After the museums, we meandered through surrounding vendor stalls set-up every Saturday, where local artisans sell their goods. As is typical, much of the items are tourist grade. However, there are a few artists who have items worthy of purchase. From the museums, we took a taxi over to the Japanese Gardens for some Sushi. It was a peaceful place, and, they had coy, but not on the menu. After the gardens, we headed back to our apartment and relaxed on the patio for a bit. For dinner, we went to a spectacular Italian restaurant. We too a very romantic private balcony seat overlooking ...

Recoleta Cemetery Tomb Sculpture: Buenos Aires: 04/21 Recoleta Cemetery Tomb Sculpture: Buenos Aires: 04/21 Recoleta Cemetery: Drawing w/ Reversed Glass Foil: Cloisters Museum Collection: Buenos Aires: 04/21 Recoleta Cemetery:Cloisters Collection: "Figures of the Cloth..." Buenos Aires: 04/21 Me with Cemetery Gato... Recoleta Cemetery Gato... Yesterday , we moved to a new apartment about 5 blocks away. This place is great, living up to my “idea” of an Argentinean apartment dwelling. Pictures to come in the future…(orange walls, tall doors, brick & plaster, hardwood throughout, etc.). We’ve become accustomed to a good long brunch, probably by default, seeing as though food service moves very slow here. Sit down for a café con leche and you just gave up an hour. Ask for some light food and you just tacked on a bit more…and getting the check, well, that’s another wait. With that said, I have no where to be, so I quite enjoy giving in. Yesterday, we also explored the down...

Two 2.5x3 silver gelatin prints, from the collection. Day to Day: I was tired today… there’s a ton to do, always, and it’s a fight to get down the list. I guess I’m going to have to resign myself to the fact that the list will never end? Just as soon as I cross something off, another task is added! So, why fight it? Nevertheless, I managed to get a good amount done today. On the top of the list, I made an appointment with Dr. Richard Warner in New York City. I’ll be headed back East in May, just for a quick consult. I don’t know what Warner will say, but feel it’s worth the trip. I really like my current Oncologist (Benson), but see no reason why that should stop me from seeking ALL opinions at reach. The hardest part is waiting for things to happen… waiting for appointments, tests, phone calls, etc. I’m ready now and have no interest in waiting, but trying to be Zen. I have a good feeling about Woltering and Warner, and looking forward to those trips… I feel positive. Thanks: Of cou...

Found this door on my run today. On my route I run down one small alley behind a commercial disrict. That's where I spotted this little gem! Luckily I use my iPhone for music when I run... so, the camera is handy! Supreme Juices!! Even though I didn’t sleep well last night and was dead tired today, I couldn’t pass up the weather. I strapped on my running shoes and did my 4 mile route this afternoon. The running helps clear my head when the thoughts are getting crowded. I’ve been trying to figure out a prognosis for this disease, which no doctor has been willing to give me. Recently, Dr. Benson said, “We still need to see more of the pieces to put together the rest of the puzzle…” I thought that was surely evasive, but probably very true. Don’t worry, I’m not looking to write my obituary yet or anything, but for those who know me well, I’m a planner. I’ve always been someone who makes big lists, big plans, scratches things off, and gets stuff done. I like a neat schedule. Well, Can...