November 2, 2008
An Archivist and a Shootist
Lucy knew I’m an archivist. And she’d seen the odd photograph I shoot now and again. So first she asked me, “What do you archive?”, next, “What do you shoot?”
I sent her a camera-phone snapshot of some of the things I shoot: American coins. I use an air rifle and shoot mostly indoors these days, though in my wandering-in-the-desert year I used to sit out on the front porch and shoot not only coins but any liquor bottle that featured a suitable image. Bottles of Bombay Sapphire were always fun, though I never much cared for the contents.
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18 Responses to “An Archivist and a Shootist”
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I’m assuming Sheila if I had a pocket full of silver dollars I’d be safe from yer shooting antics…although I guess the drinks would be on me!
On the contrary, son. Them silver dollars would be easier to hit. But if you was looking to buy a round of drinks or two, I might sweeten up.
I want to be on Sheila’s team.
India, the air rifle team or the archives team?
I figured that buying my way out of trouble was easier than trying bullshit my way out - having said that, I’m can bullshit with the best!
Money talks. Bullshit walks.
Sheila: Yes.
OK I have been outed, I have no silver dollars and I have no idea how to bullshit but I’d love it if you’d teach me to shoot
Sheila, please wait until I get the coins out of my pocket, mkay?
I love this photograph! I have it in my folder of desktop wallpaper images. I want to see an art project where Sheila combines her archiving and shooting skills.
Lucy, I have always wanted to direct a production of one of Shakespeare’s plays that incorporated trick shooting — not as part of the dramatic action but in the form of intervals serving to revive the interest of bored groundlings.
In the meantime, I will ponder your inspired suggestion.
(Not that it’s about money, Alek.)
Sheila, Your idea for shooters in Shakespeare would do particularly well in some of the histories; it almost seems that I have seen it already!
Also, let me suggest bottle caps. Dimes are for railroad tracks. Another good target: at my grandparents’ lake house, when I was ten, I used to shoot wasps and mud-daubers on the wing with an air rifle. Also minnows swimming in the shadow of the pier (don’t tell Cindy).
Murder most foul.
This is a lovely photograph: a bit unsettling as one tries to decide exactly how the third dimension works on each individual coin. And what a sheen it has. Lovely.
Thing about the dimes, Daryl, is that I’ve had awful swell fun shooting the Mercury dimes on learning, thanks to you, that the model was the wife of my grandpap’s colleague Wallace Stevens.
is that a silver dollar in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me…?
Alek: I guess that’s the impression a lot of silver dollars can have!