Date: July 22, 2008 10:42 am Title: Tuesday
This was a great chapter. I like that they are opening up with each other. Very nice!
Author's Response: Thanks, kh. Glad you like it. :)
9 [Report This]Date: July 22, 2008 10:24 am Title: Tuesday
Ohh.....this is my favorite so far. Great chapter.
Loved this line:
"She averts her eyes when he sucks frosting off his thumb and his smile lets her know that he noticed."
Author's Response: I think it's hilarious that the whole lot of you like the frosting part best. Sick, sick, sick... :) I like how this one turned out, too, but I think tomorrow's is my favorite.
Date: July 22, 2008 10:00 am Title: Tuesday
awh :'( so good
Author's Response: Don't cry! Here's a tissue!
Date: July 22, 2008 09:36 am Title: Tuesday
P.S. Just call me queen of the postscripts. I really should think it through before reviewing the first time. Upon further reflection after reading this again , I wanted to note that the playground conversation is particularly beautiful. I know you've said that you have trouble with Jim's voice, but, honestly, IMHO you capture him so well. I can so vividly picture his wanting to share his feelings with Pam, while still not quite being able to talk about his emotional state of the prior year(s). He vacillates between flirty and heartbreakingly insecure and gunshy. It makes me think about your prior fics where we "hear" his inner voice wanting to speak up but needing so much for Pam to go first.
Author's Response: I'm glad you think it turns out well, Nan, because I re-write almost everything that boy says 3-5 times. I've made things extra complicated in this fic because I've given myself rules in Week's End - he has to be holding back in a serious way, they can't sleep together, and I have to set Pam up as the slightly more assertive one. I have kicked myself a couple of times while writing this one.
10 [Report This]Date: July 22, 2008 09:07 am Title: Tuesday
I thought I'd have to wait a little longer for this today. What a pleasant surprise! I think this is my favorite chapter yet. The way their love is blossoming gives me butterflies. She averts her eyes when he sucks frosting off his thumb and his smile lets her know that he noticed. That is just so perfect. I love this awkward little cat-and-mouse game they're playing. I love that she loves him. I love that they don't know what to do with themselves. love love love
Author's Response: I thought you would, too. I've been staring at it and re-writing it for about three days. I was going to let it marinate until after lunch, but then I decided I should just end our collective suffering. Now it's on the internet. Now I can't change it without being sneaky. And, yeah, doesn't the awkward just kill you?
Date: July 22, 2008 08:59 am Title: Tuesday
Eating is a very social thing. It's ok. So is kissing. (Hooray for kissing).
Author's Response: It's like that commercial for Red Stripe Beer - Hoo-ray kissing! I've been thinking about it, and I'm pretty sure I'm leaning on the eating so heavily because, when I started dating he who would become my husband, I gained about 15 pounds in short order. Write what you know, I guess.
10 [Report This]Date: July 21, 2008 09:16 pm Title: Thursday
I love how you contrasted the date with the physical distance they have at work; just another little detail that makes this fic so wonderful! You definitely show your knowledge and love for these characters with your attention to detail...you just seem to "get" Jim and Pam, from their body language with each other to the fun and witty banter.
Loving this fic, but I'm still rooting for an exceptional exercise in pacing: an update a day til the premiere? ;) Joking, but that's testament to just HOW much I like your writing :)
Author's Response: Oh, you always bring the flattery, honey. Thank you so much. An update a day? I think the mods would get really, really sick of me hogging their site *and* I have no idea what I'd write about.
Date: July 21, 2008 05:33 pm Title: Monday
Aw, I love Pam being all grabby at Rite Aid to make up for not touching Jim all day at work. Looking forward to the longer chapters ;)
Author's Response: Doesn't that seem like a very Pam thing to do? There's so much giddy lurking under that sullen surface.
Date: July 21, 2008 03:40 pm Title: Sunday
Oh, I love the image of them at the pool! A nice way to try to work through potential intimacy/body issues without actually being naked :)
Author's Response: And, you know... it's hot out. But that's probably just Pam's excuse so she can get another look at Jim's legs. :)
Date: July 21, 2008 02:08 pm Title: Monday
Good Job!
Author's Response: Thank you!
Date: July 21, 2008 12:55 pm Title: Monday
The antici...........pation is killing me. Can't you whip up a 5,000 word chapter? That would be much, much more satisfying. Seriously, this is such fun. Going back to Week's End, I was wondering how he fit calling her Pamela into their candy-buying trip. So adorable. I love that they're having fun and falling into a groove.
Author's Response: Ahh! A Rocky Horror fan!! You can stay, my friend. I'm trying to work in a few callbacks between this and "Week's End" and the "Pamela" thing was among them.
10 [Report This]Date: July 21, 2008 11:10 am Title: Monday
I am seriously addicted to this story! I had been waiting (impatiently) for the update and so happy to see it on the front page. These two kids....you take really good care of them. Great job with the flirting and banter and excitement. Lovely.
Author's Response: Thank you, bitter. I'm happy to hear that my experiment has been a success for you. I'm hoping today's (Tuesday's) update will come sometime this afternoon.
Date: July 21, 2008 11:04 am Title: Monday
Hmm... if Pam can go that long without touching Jim, then maybe she is sublimating some sort of urges. Get on that, will you?
Author's Response: Oh, undoubtedly. But we already know that she prefers not to act on her feelings for Jim at work, right? So, yeah... and I think she'd clock me if I got on that. Or wait - what do you mean? ;-D
10 [Report This]Date: July 20, 2008 11:20 pm Title: Sunday
Ok, I think it's absolutely criminal that I've read all your stories, and favorite authored you, and I'm pretty sure this is my first comment. Anyways, your writing is fantastic. And I look forward to each chapter almost as much as Pam looks forward to another date with Jim. (You know, since I live vicariously through her.)
Author's Response: It's cool, StarShine. Thanks for leaving a review! Come back anytime. :)
Date: July 20, 2008 02:35 pm Title: Sunday
What a lovely summer picture you paint, Talkative.
I know we already got Jim's point of view, but I would have loved to have known what was going through his mind right here. It couldn't have been easy for him to keep up the front of the "level-headed, brand-new boyfriend" on this particular date. Their pool flirtation was sweet, though.
And yes, I was wondering when the movie date would come in. Also looking forward to seeing them interact when they go back to the office.
In other words, still hooked.
Author's Response: My theory, Blanca? I think it was. I don't think Jim is making a concerted effort to play it cool, I think he's too stunned and nervous to do much of anything else. Detachment seems to be his default move when he feels like he's in over his head, even if he's actually really, really bad at it. Btw, we'll see them in the office tomorrow.
9 [Report This]Date: July 20, 2008 01:22 pm Title: Sunday
The simplicity of this just makes me so happy =)
Author's Response: Thanks, flonk. I hope it keeps making you happy.
Date: July 20, 2008 01:18 pm Title: Sunday
Going to the pool! Perfect date for building sexual tension. The checking out, the obligatory lotion ... all good. But I did not foresee the moment when Jim rests his hand on her bare stomach. That was a great little touch. It would make her nuts.
Looking forward to the movies!
Author's Response: I'm fairly certain that Pam suggested the pool just to get him out of his shirt, but I can't get her to admit it. That one's sneaky, she is.
Date: July 20, 2008 12:38 pm Title: Sunday
OK, I might have to hate Pam if she can wear that swim suit and still eat nachos. Well, that and the smooching Jim are making me just a teensy bit jealous. OK, a lot jealous. Who can blame me?
Author's Response: She's burning off a lot of calories by swimming and being deep in smit with Jim. Best diet plan ever.
Date: July 20, 2008 12:35 pm Title: Sunday
I'm loving every word. Those two are so adorable, and I love your take on their burgeoning relationship here. I smile and find a comfortable spot to read every time I get an update notice.
Author's Response: Thanks so much, EverybodyHurts. :)
Date: July 19, 2008 04:14 pm Title: Saturday
Well, your scheme is working so far. These parts seem to go by in a flash, so sweet and so right and then they're over and the waiting begins. But I do think you're taking this empathy thing a little too far with the hangover today. Take it easy, drink lots of water and tell your mom that you're finally dating Jim. Oh, wait, that's Pam. Forget that last one. ;-)
Author's Response: I think my mom would want to know what happened to my husband if I started going on about some Jim fellow. :) Thanks for all of your reviews, Blanca.
Date: July 19, 2008 03:32 pm Title: Saturday
It felt vaguely pornographic.
You are just TOO spot-on! Plus that's precisely how I feel when I buy something just because I heard one song on a TV show and someone asks how I heard of them... :)
I like the messiness of Jim's breakup, no perfect first date sex (although in other fic there's no problem with that), and the way the two of them are fumbling a bit with the transition from intimate friendship to intimate relationship. Looking forward to the rest!
PS Pam's music habit sounds like canon. It would be so like her to use it as a quiet way of expressing herself, organizing her thoughts, having some control around her environment. Not to mention something she shares with Jim *sigh*.
Author's Response: Variella, thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review. I appreciate it. I've gone back and forth on my opinion about how soon they slept together, and, clearly, I've decided that it was pretty quick, but not the first night (though, like you said, I have no problem with that interpretation). I feel like Jim rushing out to buy the engagement ring confirms my little theory, so I'm just going to run with it. And, yes, I'm sure that Pam's life was littered with all sorts of little ways that she let Jim in without acknowleging it to herself or Roy. Music seems like a likely one.
Date: July 19, 2008 01:05 pm Title: Saturday
Oh, the music! I love Pam's secret music habit! I will admit to doing something similar in my (recent) past - hee! And the way Pam tells her mom - I love it! I can't wait for Sunday :)
Author's Response: Like I just wrote to Vamp (below), me, too, Jen. I re-wrote how Pam told her mother about three times, but that was my personal favorite. I'm happy that Mrs. Beesly was the first person she told.
Date: July 19, 2008 12:08 pm Title: Friday
Just when I think I can't love Jim anymore, you make him even cuter! I love the bit about him being a lousy kisser when drunk and Pam "taking advantage!" I really like Pam being his friend with the whole Karen deal instead of just trying to jump into relationship mode. You've got the pacing going really well here.
Author's Response: Thanks, Jenn. I know Pam had decided to be unapologetic about how she felt about Jim in front of Karen, but I can't see her completely ignoring this huge part of Jim's very, very recent past. She'd have to at least honor the fact that he had ended this relationship on very short notice for her. If I were her, I'd really want to make sure that he was okay and that was okay.
10 [Report This]Date: July 19, 2008 09:25 am Title: Saturday
Oh, this was positively delicious! I love the details about how illicit it feels to Pam to buy the music that Jim introduces her to. I love that she always tells her mother that her week was "Good" regardless of how it really was.
Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.
Author's Response: I kind of tripped over that one, Vamp, but doesn't Pam seem like she would do just that when talking to her mom? And I'll admit to having done something very similar wrt to the musical taste of a hardcore crush I had a few years back. There is something kind of sneaky and creepy about it that's a little hard to get over, even if you're just buying a CD.
Date: July 19, 2008 09:22 am Title: Saturday
There was no way that he could know that she consciously limited herself to two CDs a month, as anything beyond that seemed like too much somehow, and that her hands would sweat as she stood in the Rock/Pop section at Borders with a list of names on a Post-It note. She always paid cash. It felt vaguely pornographic.
There's something slightly brilliant about these few lines, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Looking forward to tomorrow! :)
Author's Response: Thanks, Velvet. I'm happy you're enjoying it.