Comments on: Bingo

By: Leah

Leah — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:47:41 +0000

I was an obsessive, teenage Douglas Coupland fan. I even, rather sadly, hit on him at a book signing when I was 19 (only to find out years later that he’s gay). Life After God was my favourite book of his, and the first one I had, and that quote always resonated with me.

It pairs beautifully with the bingo photos.

By: Puanani Leal

Puanani Leal — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:02:20 +0000

Love, love, love, these photographs.

By: Renee

Renee — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 11:44:47 +0000

It’s not often that my heart aches from reading a blog post. Amazing stuff (and Life After God is going straight on my Goodreads list).

By: Camila F.

Camila F. — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:33:11 +0000

Simply brilliant!

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:19:27 +0000

This is amazing. Bingo is such a “slice o’ life” pastime. I want to go the next time I’m in Iowa.

By: Sarah Rankin

Sarah Rankin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:06:53 +0000

These photos are so beautiful, I just love them. They remind me of when I worked in a concession stand at a bingo hall when I was a teenager. One evening my co-worker’s husband came to pick her up and he decided to play the last round (the satellite round, which is an all-Alberta jackpot round). This co-worker was such a sweetheart. She was in her ’20s and had five kids. We had an unspoken agreement that she could take them as much pop and candy as she liked. Anyway, I will never forget the moment that her husband came over to our concession stand that night and said, “Babe, I gotta find that receipt. I won!” She thought he was playing a trick on her, but he really had won $40,000. I believe firmly that it couldn’t have happened to better people. He bought a tow truck business and she quit the concession stand. Dreams really do come true at bingo!

Sorry about the novella length of this comment. This just brought back that really fabulous memory.

By: makayla

makayla — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:23:56 +0000

this is why i love the internet. i’m good. not temping anymore (thank god). it is really good to see you here too. keep up the good blogging.

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:24:59 +0000

Oh my god, I remember that! Blast from the data entry past! How have you been? So cool to see you here.

By: makayla

makayla — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:59:15 +0000

i love this post. and, i love your blog! and i am pretty sure you and i temped together a few years ago. as i recall we were tasked with calling many, many doctors. anyway, you’re blog is awesome.

By: heather

heather — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:58:55 +0000

Pass the kleenex…. cuz I’m a’cryin’ over here!

By: Molly

Molly — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:41:20 +0000

Alison,

I read that book 9 years ago when I was 15 and it changed the way I saw the world, the entire UNIVERSE. Thanks so, so very much for reminding me of it. You’ve inspired me to seek it out again.

Oh, and these photos are bomb. As is your blog. I’m reposting this.

By: knitxcore

knitxcore — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 03:59:43 +0000

i have a lump in my throat. my eyes feel itchy.
these photos are heartbreakingly beautiful.

By: kim baise

kim baise — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:25:59 +0000

wow
these photos and quote
so amazing now….. i’m speechless

By: rebecca

rebecca — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 05:36:51 +0000

god, i love bingo. thank you for this!!!

By: Liesl

Liesl — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:44:57 +0000

This is a very moving series, and the Douglas Coupland quote you selected to show with the work is really beautiful and a perfect match. Thank you.