10 [Report This]Date: April 11, 2007 01:35 pm Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
So my initial review for this chapter was short. Because I read this the first time on my phone and I left the review while sitting in class before it started so I didn't have much time. So then I started this livejournal post where I was fangirling over it and stuff and decided it would better to just leave it as a review for you.:)
Ryan made me cry. Well, not. Because I was sitting in the Cove (my school's little eating place type deal) reading it. But I had to like lean forward and put my hand on my forehead to sort of shield myself because I was sure I had this look on my face like I was on the verge of sobbing. Because I was. And I find myself holding my breath a lot during this story. The first part with Jim and Pam having lunch together. It was just so- After such a long stretch of time with neither of them saying anything outright, it made me go, "<i>Oh.</i>" You know? And then when he's just suddenly on her side of the booth, kissing her. It felt natural and right but not at all.
And I looooove Pam for being bitter about how Jim is trying to go about this. How he asks her to tell him to break up with Karen and she's not going to give him that, because he needs to do it on his own. And how much it hurt to realize that he hadn't already broken up with her and how much of an asshole thing that is to do to both Karen and Pam. But it's also such a Jim thing to do. To not say anything unless he has something behind him to catch him when it goes wrong, you know?
And Ryan saying, "I'm not Jim...Which means that I’m not moving to another state, and I’m not going to go out and find some replacement girlfriend. I’m not giving up on this. I just wanted you to know that so that if you decide to stop running from it you’ll know that the door is open." How on the boat, it seemed like the whole thing was just drunken, reckless fun, but it wasn't really that to him at all. It was something else. And I just get this sense of discovery here. Like they're both discovering this person they thought was something else, but really isn't at all. Ryan didn't really know who Pam was at all before the cruise and now he does and he's seeing both her blatant faults and the better qualities of her and- I mean, he wants that. He wants her. And it gives me this feeling I can't really explain.
Also, something about Ryan calling her while she was on that double date made me giddy and excited. I'm not sure why.
I'm sad there's only one more chapter, but I guess it had to end sometimes. :( And I'm not sure how this is going to end up, but I'm sure I'll be happy with however you choose to end it.
Date: April 11, 2007 01:32 pm Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
aww! I need to know what happens! you totally left us hanging!
AND THERE STILL HASN'T BEEN AN ORGY!! What is up with that?!
8 [Report This]Date: April 11, 2007 01:20 pm Title: Hold on, its gonna be a bumpy one
No no no. You can't run away with miss_bennie because you have to run away with meeeee! I'll let you do the internship in New York! Because SERIOUSLY. This story owns me. Or at least the part of me that really wants to make out with Ryan. Hee. Again, your Kelly voice was so great (ahahah her reaction to his calling was SO spot on) and I just love the way Pam is in this chapter, that she's finally coming to the realization about Jim/Ryan/everything. Gah. Oh, story!
Date: April 11, 2007 12:48 pm Title: Hold on, its gonna be a bumpy one
Oh and I forgot to mention, that prank acted out has the potential to be hilarious. You should suggest it to the writers!
And also, perfect Kelly!
9 [Report This]Date: April 11, 2007 12:46 pm Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Wow. This chapter is so intense! Its really interesting because everything with Pam and Jim and Ryan is not at all what I expect and your take on their thoughts and perspectives is so unique. A part of me doesnt like it because its not instant gratification!Jam, but that part is really small and deserves to be shut down anyways. I like reading about how Jim and Pam need to figure out their lives and that they dont need each other to be complete and happy. I'm really excited to see where you take this!
And unless you do it tonight...I have to wait 10 days! And that would be mean. But since it'll be the last chapter (tear!) you should really take your time...I guess.... ;)
Date: April 11, 2007 12:39 pm Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Dude.
You know the last chapter when I said I wanted her to end up with Ryan? I still do, but I wasn't expecting it to hurt so much when things DON'T work with her and Jim.
This is so ridiculously good and I think it's killing off pieces of my soul (in the good way).
Date: April 11, 2007 12:38 pm Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Wow, you really hit this one out of the park. Kelly's reaction to Ryan phoning Pam was classic - pretty much had me stunned for a page and a half of text.
It pains me physically that this is coming to an end.
Date: April 11, 2007 12:34 pm Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Wow. I have to say that I can really see this - the idea that Pam has evolved though the hardship she's had to face post-Casino Night while Jim really hasn't. He was striving to get BACK to where he was on Casino Night, while Pam has really moved beyond that.
The fact that he STILL hasn't broken up with Karen infuriates me.
I loved Ryan's "I'm not Jim" speech. I can't believe you have me rooting for Ryan/Pam in this story! It really is an amazing feat.
Though the fact that Pam was conentrating on Jim's sweaty hands or the counter digging into her back -- instead of the fact that she's kissing Jim! --made me really sad.
This is a really great story you've crafted here. Personally I could see it ending with Pam moving to NYC for school, leaving it open ended as to who she ultimately ends up with (if anyone). That both relationships were necessary for her to get to the point to leave D-M and venture out on her own. But however you envision it ending, I'll be sad to see it finished, that's for sure.
Great job, seriously.
Date: April 11, 2007 12:13 pm Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
I’m not giving up on this. I just wanted you to know that so that if you decide to stop running from it you’ll know that the door is open.
OMFG. Go Ryan! I'm so glad that this isn't turning into Pam/Jim afterall (though I was worried for a bit, with the kissing). Also, go Pam - register for school!
Date: April 11, 2007 12:05 pm Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
My heart is breaking in three different places: one for Pam seeing who Jim really is, one for Ryan seeing who Pam can be, and one for Pam not getting it yet for herself. But she's almost there! She's so close! And yeah, Jim, get it together. I can really see where this characterization of him comes from, and I love the way you're doing it. Because funny, light, thoughtful guys like Jim can also have the other side of being passive-aggressive, needing to be right, needing to be safe, and not noticing underlying changes in others. (Not that I'm bitter or anything!)
Date: April 11, 2007 12:03 pm Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
...only one more chapter?! but...but...but...who will Pam end up with? Because seriously, as much as I love Pam and Jim together, I almost want her and ryan to get together more.
I love the way you write. The way you talked about Jim thinking about getting the promotion to corporate and how much he used to hate his job. And the part where he hadn't broken up with Karen yet because he wanted to know how Pam felt first? Amazing.
Date: April 11, 2007 11:32 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Wow. Fancy New Beesly with a vengeance. I like her. I like her a lot. And damn if Ryan isn't getting hotter by the minute! What an amazing story. Is there more?
Date: April 11, 2007 11:28 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
GOD. I have no words. Ryan is so- And Jim. And. Sighhhh. I love this story so much.
Date: April 11, 2007 11:25 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Oh, this was just wonderful. I really want her with Ryan. Really really really. I don't know if this is heading that Pam does growing all by herself, but I really really want her with Ryan. Really. :) THis has been an amazing story, I will be sad to see it end.
10 [Report This]Date: April 11, 2007 11:21 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Poor Pammy. Two hot guys gunning for you? That must be tough. ;o)
Jim is such a wuss, and I love that this story has allowed me to have an outlet for the teeny tiny bit of Jim hate I've been feeling recently.
10 [Report This]Date: April 11, 2007 11:20 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
June 10th is so soon! Hopefully BJ will be available then...
Oh, the chapter just does things to me, because it's so real and PAM and that is just how Jim IS and even in his declarations of love(?) Ryan is still snarky and matter of fact and amazing and I kind of just want to make out with the whole thing.
So. I'll just be over here, dying slowly until the ending. Storing up words so I can babble at you through 3 different internet mediums again.
Just promise me you won't dump me a few days before June 10th, mmmmkay? I promise I won't hold you back from your dreams!
Date: April 11, 2007 11:18 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
wow, maybe my favorite single chapter of a long fic ever, this went to from being a fun slash story to something way, way more.
Date: April 11, 2007 10:59 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Awesome...just...awesome. I love this dynamic you have really created between the fantasy life of the boat, and the reality of the office and how a seemingly insignificant drunken-office-outing weekend can really change Pam's outlook. And the evolution of Pam? Love it. This chapter is particularly dawesome.
Date: April 11, 2007 10:58 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
wow, Pam is all independent woman now... in this story I just don't know how I feel about Jim... I just know that I'll never like Ryan, too much negative reinforcement from the show lol.
Date: April 11, 2007 10:52 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Wow. I am so proud of Pam. Her life is just one big train wreck right now, and doing something for herself is the best possible thing she can do.
Other things I LOVED:
CowardJim! He's all hedging his bets, and trying to make her stay, and not doing it for her with his kisses, and I want to punch him in the face.
Ryan... just Ryan. When he made his little "I'm not Jim" speech I covered my mouth with my hand and went, "Oooooh," like that girl from the cell phone commercial who thinks her boyfriend is cheating on her, only I was happy. It was just sooo good.
You rock.
Date: April 11, 2007 10:43 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
I really like this story whether it ends up being Jim, Ryan or no one.
I think the last chapter should be very smutty, but that's just me. :)
Date: April 11, 2007 10:39 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
I like that Pam is finally doing something for herself! I like that it looks like this isn't so much a Pam/Ryan story, or a Pam/Jim story. I like that it looks like it's a Pam story.
*doing a little Pam dance*
10 [Report This]Date: April 11, 2007 10:30 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
Wow, DF. I just. I've been going at this story ALL WRONG. This story isn't about Jam or Pryan, it's about Pam and her journey as a character. I mean, I love the previous chapters, and all the Jam/Pryan goodness, but now I'm going to have to go back and read the whole story with this new perspective.
Your Pam voice is remarkable, really. The inner turmoil she's facing is so thick and rich and just GUH. I know exactly how she feels, and you've written that struggle so, so well. The second guessing, the pushy, irritating Jim, the sweet, understanding Ryan, being pulled in 400 different directions without a clue of what she actually wants/needs, ALL SO AMAZINGLY GOOD
Just WOW in general. I'll be so sad when this is over, and yet I can't wait for the next chapter. DOUBLE EDGED SWORD, DF.
10 [Report This]Date: April 11, 2007 10:28 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
I don't think I've reviewed since they were still on the boat, but I have to tell you I LOVE where you've taken this since. [And also that I was WAY more pissed at Jim than usual during last week's episode, and I'm pretty sure that was all your fault. ;)] You've done a fantastic job of guiding us through Pam's dilemma, especially because we're in pretty much the same situation she is - at the beginning, of COURSE I wanted Jim and Pam together, but then who was this Ryan character being all sexy and fantastic? Then when the cruise ended, I had no idea what I wanted, and now that Pam's sorting it all out I'm right along with her. In other words, NICE WORK.
Also I would totally appreciate one last appearance of SexGodRyan in the final chapter, but I know he's a very busy man so I understand if it can't be arranged.
Date: April 11, 2007 10:17 am Title: It's impractical, I'm not going to try to get a house like that.
ooh ooh ooh! Things are heatin' up in the office! I love the great insight you have on Pam and how confused she is. It's very realisitic and provides more drama ;) Only one more chapter! Ah!
What will happen in the dramatic conclusion? Will she choose Ryan? Jim? Neither? Will Pam leave Dunder Mifflin? Tune in nexxt time to find out..... ahha sorry I've been watching too much TV! Lovely lovely writing DF!