Date: December 26, 2008 12:18 am Title: Obstacle 1
I have to say I am loving the references to the actual show you're throwing in here. Katy and the 28 Days/28 Days Later mix-up being my favs :) Kelly sent him a Twilight bumper sticker!! HAHA! That's awesome, and so perfectly in character.
And in keeping with my usual challenging of every piece of information, if Pam cut up her credit cards and "liberated" herself, how is she paying for the apartment? Was that already paid for? Is she now paying for rent, food, books, art supplies, and extra stuff with just a Starbucks salary? I just wondered what her set up was with her parents.
I really love this story. I'm always checking for updates, and you are by far the most consistent author I have read on here. Thank you for being so kind to your fans ;) Oh, and I don't care how amazing Jim is, he would never EVER get me to watch The Exorcist or The Shining. And I agree that Pam never having watched the Goonies is a travesty.
Author's Response: Hey, JainaMac, thank you for the review! I do believe that you were the only reader to pick up on the Katy reference. Good eye. ;)I so pegged Kelly as a Twilight reader. I wonder if they'll ever allude to that in the show, because she totally would be. Edward Cullen. Ahh.
Pam, Pam, Pam and her money issues. What can I say other than she will have one heck of a loan to pay off once she graduates next year. I did the whole loan/grant/scholarship thing when I went to Columbia and now I am in over my head in bills. It is not fun. So, yes, I am thinking Pam took out a loan for room and board as well as tuition, perhaps with a few grants thrown in for good measure. I'm guessing her parents were able to co-sign on a few of those loans so that she was able to get a good rate because, Lordy. That is a lot of money to pay back. We'll definitely see a challenge for Pam once she starts filing for financial aid next year. I'm thinking she will definitely start regreting that liberation celebration very soon. ;)
I'm so glad that you are still enjoying the story, and thank you for all of your kind reviews. I still don't think I've managed to watch The Exorcist or The Shining without one hand over my eyes, so kudos to Pam for being so brave. And 28 Days Later? Oh my God! Zombies can't possibly move that fast!
Date: December 25, 2008 11:39 pm Title: Feeling Lucky
Sigh. Another marvelous chapter. I love the banter between Jim and Pam. I just spent a good five hours watching old Office episodes with my family, and reading this afterward just made me realize how in character your Jim and Pam are, even though this is an AU story. Very well done. Can't wait for more.=)
10 [Report This]Date: December 24, 2008 04:39 am Title: Obstacle 1
I do agree with Jim, I could never be in a relationship with someone who hasn't seen <i>The Goonies</i>. Seriously.
Oh yeah. All of this sucks. Doesn't start off my two days away from work for Christmas off wonderfully. Nope. Awful, stuff.. all of it. Never write again. Seriously, spare us.
:D You're awesome.
Author's Response: Haha. Oh, your review had me laughing out loud. Thank you.
Date: December 24, 2008 12:52 am Title: Obstacle 1
Me again, I actually came on here to re read this chapter, to find the url for the diner you had them go to, as my sister is going to Chicago next month :)
You can certainly go on forever with this, so don't stop at 24/25, I don't want to get angry with you lol. You could totally follow them, and maybe see Jim go on to be a teacher. I would so read this forever :)
Also, I was SO in your head because as soon as I posted my last review, I thought, "maybe it was more like his hair in LTW." freakyyyy :)
Anyway you = awesomecakes.
Author's Response: Ha-ha. Well, thank you. I am always here for your traveling needs. :P I hope your sister has fun on her trip! Tell her to bring lots and lots of layers. Soooo cold. We had a big ice storm this morning. Ugh.
I'm thinking of maybe branching off into a second story. Maybe. We'll see- it all depends on how much time I have on my hands once school starts back up again. School. Bleh.
Date: December 24, 2008 12:42 am Title: Brighter Discontent
So I know that I said that Alias was my other favorite show...well, GG is my other, OTHER favorite show. Even before I saw your comment at the end of the chapter, I thought, wow, Pam eats like a Gilmore! Fabulous.
Date: December 23, 2008 11:08 pm Title: Obstacle 1
Haha, thanks for the shout out! I love 11 City. The lox and latkes are fantastic. Speaking of Communist, have you ever been to Orange? Their menu literally says something like "if you want to make your own, go to a restaurant with golden arches." They are a NO SUBSTITUTIONS place. Total gem for a veghead like me (or not).
Anyway...great chapter again. I loved Jim's bitching about the newspaper. I'm a journalist (a real one, not just an "I write a blog") and I completely empathized with everything he said.
Finally, I love Angela in this story. She's so similar yet different to how she is on the show. And her test of Jim was hilarious. As was Pam's order at 11 City. My word! I hope she can hold all that food. As Joey on "Friends" said, vomiting stories aren't funny.
Author's Response: I've never been to Orange, but it sure sounds like a stand up place. Haha.
I totally watched that episode of Friends yesterday where Rachel put beef in the trifle and Joey mentioned "Vomiting stories aren't funny..." So weird. Vomit tux! Vomit tux!Thank you for the review, and thanks again for the recommendation. I keep begging the hubby to take me to 11 City. Perhaps once the weather warms up a bit.
Date: December 23, 2008 08:54 pm Title: Obstacle 1
Never Seen Goonies?? Unbelievable... When we were kids my cousins and I WERE the Goonies!! I'm glad that Pam has Jim to introduce her to the things she needs in life, Goonies, good music, books about farts...
Buttcrack hair makes me laugh out loud! I love! More please...
Author's Response: Oh goodness, I remember when buttcrack hair WAS the hair style back in high school- back when Nick Carter and Devon Sawa and the like made it extremely popular. One of my long-term crushes had blonde, buttcrack hair. Oh, memories. Haha.
Oh, so much our poor little Pam has missed out on in her life. Thank goodness we have Jim to enlighten her about... Well, everything. Jim just gets so much of a thrill, introducing her to all of his favorite things. Kind of like Oprah's favorite things. Which, by the way, I would like tickets to attend one of these days. I'm just saying... Haha.
9 [Report This]Date: December 23, 2008 08:43 pm Title: Obstacle 1
Well Pam sure sounds like Lorelai and Rory in any restaurant...ordering any and everything and eating it... and Angela sure sounds like Paris! Love the tie ins. Please include more Wisconsin references! Still loving this story. They should come up for Summerfest and Jim can introduce her to a lot of great bands!
Author's Response: Ooh, I went to Summerfest last year- even though I swear it was only just last week, this year has flown by so fast. Great suggestion, and so Jim and Pam! Thank you! I love Wisconsin, so it's bound to show up again. I feel like I have to take them to Madison. It seems like Jim's kind of town. :)
Angela is definitely a Paris. Pam is definitely a Gilmore in her eating habits. I just couldn't keep the references from bleeding in after watching the show. So much snarky dialogue. I love it. Thanks for the review! I'm glad you're still enjoying the story.
Date: December 23, 2008 07:36 pm Title: Brighter Discontent
I love this story so much so far! I loved this chapter and Angela's quizzing of Jim. And after Pam ordered all of that food, I actually thought that you must have been watching a lot of Gilmore Girls! I figured that Jim's coffee comment was inspired by it too!
Anyway, love it! Can't wait for more!
Author's Response: Hey, flyingcars, thank you so much for the feedback! I heart you! Pam has such a Gilmore diet. Where or where does she fit all that food? And yes, Jim's, "Don't you dare. My coffee, mine," was very much GG inspired. Good eye. ;)
Date: December 23, 2008 04:19 pm Title: Obstacle 1
Hahahaha, I LOVED Angela's quiz and subsequent prerequisite haircut. I can't believe Jim actually let her do it. That whole scene played wodnerfully and I do like seeing Jim getting the approval of Pam's family. I'm assuming he was getting Kelly's when he wandered out shirtless ;) Really, such a good time.
I have one question and you may have answered this before and I just forgot. How is Pam paying her rent? Is it through school loans? I'm all for her liberation of the parents. I was just curious about that little factoid.
As always, looking forward to more!
Author's Response: Oh, yes. Leave it up to Angela to come up with a huge list of completely unrelated questions that somehow allow her to decide if Jim is truly a good guy for Pam. I'm glad he passed the test! He was on his toes that morning. And yes, Jim most certainly received Kelly's approval once she saw shirtless/toweled/recently showered Jim. ;)
I'm not sure I ever addressed Pam's living/financial situation, and that's probably just a part of the story that I overlooked and a slight error on my part. Sorry! I can say that Pam definitely has some huge school loans to take care of after graduation. I actually went to Columbia and lived on campus- taking out a loan for both tuition and board- and now that it's repayment time, I'm left wondering if that really was the best idea. So yes, she is living on loans. That poor girl. And she started working at Starbucks, A) for the basic necessities and B) because I'm sure she has an endless list of things to do this summer with Jim. There's just so much to do in and around Chicago. ;) Thanks for the review!
Date: December 23, 2008 04:05 pm Title: Obstacle 1
OMG so many favorite lines from this chapter, I cannot quote them all, but I LOVED
“Besides, we’re Facebook friends now. She sent me a Twilight bumper sticker.”
”It hurt my spirit, Pam. A part of me is dying,” Jim frowned.
“I cannot be in a relationship with somebody who has never seen The Goonies. That is a crime against the entire motion picture industry,” Jim said, opening the door. “Wait, that’s not dramatic enough. It’s a crime against America. No, the entire universe.”
I have to agree with Jim, not seeing The Goonies IS a crime, and she should be punished for it lol.
I really enjoyed Angela and Jim's interactions, I don't know why, but I see her giving him the haircut he had in Leatherheads, is that what you pictured?
Seriously I freaking love this story, it's on my favourite list and is the one story I look for every day to see if it's been updated.
I hope you never leave the office fanfic world EVER :)
Author's Response: Haha. Thank you for all of the quotes! I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter because it was such a pleasure to write. Angela and Kelly are definitely my favorite characters and I like to think they deserve a story of their own.
You're so in my head, it's scary. I was thinking Leatherheads when I thought of Jim's haircut, especially with Angela possessing the pair of scissors. Perhaps he cleaned it up a bit, so it's looking a bit more "License to Wed"? It was probably about time he got a trim. He is graduating in a couple of months after all. Time for some job interviews!
I had actually never watched The Goonies until this year. Nor had I ever seen The Breakfast Club. When I revealed the fact that I had never seen either of those movies, I pretty much garnered the same reaction from my friends, so... I so feel for Pam and her lost childhood. Haha.
10 [Report This]Date: December 23, 2008 01:37 pm Title: Obstacle 1
Still loving this story, hope it continues for a long time. Just one thing confuses me, why does Pam seem to be so against her parents? Is it just her being a teenager, because it seems they are quite nice. Yes they may not have wanted her to pursue her Art but I just figured that was them being worried about their child's future. Why is Pam so ungrateful considering for eg she has their credit cards etc
Author's Response: Oh, Pam and her parents. It's definitely one of the mysteries that I've been waiting to delve into a little bit later in the story. When Pam's parents are finally introduced, I think then we will find out where a falling out actually occurred and why she feels so separated from her family. There's definitely a lot of history there.
I'm sure her parents were confused when she turned down Roy's marriage proposal and I'm thinking they probably gave her somewhat of a hard time for it over the holidays, when Pam was already reeling from the fact that she had broken Roy's heart by saying no. And the fact that they were never really supportive of her dreams of becoming an artist (despite the fact that they're still helping her financially, of course, because they ARE her parents after all) has been a bit tough on Pam. Pam has felt like her parents were trying to pressure her into something her heart was never really into, and I think she's just had a hard time dealing with that. She was in college for five years studying to go into Pre-Med until she made the big "rebellious decision" to finally go into something she was truly interested in, and over Christmas break, her parents were calling her art degree a "hobby" instead of something that could turn into an actual career. That had to hurt. :( And they forgot to call her on her birthday! That's just cruel! I'm sure the fact that Pam hasn't exactly been the best at keeping touch was a factor in that... But, I promise all of that will be explained a little later on in the story. So thanks for sticking with me. And thanks for the review!
Date: December 23, 2008 12:55 pm Title: Obstacle 1
ahh i love this story. please don't ever let it end, ha.
Author's Response: I know, I'm in love with writing it, and I'm so glad you're enjoying it. I'm still not sure where I want to end it, but I doubt it will go more than 24, 25 chapters. I'm not sure you guys will want to keep reading after that long. Haha.
Date: December 23, 2008 12:53 pm Title: Obstacle 1
cuteness! Unfortunately I did not notice the tie-ins. Gotta brush up on my Gilmore Girls I guess.
anyway I really enjoyed this chapter (as always)
Author's Response: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! :)
Date: December 23, 2008 12:09 pm Title: Obstacle 1
Very cute. I love smut but seeing the banter again was great, especially seeing Angela quiz him. Love it. Cannot wait for the next part (literally) and more "action," if you know what i mean :)
Author's Response: Oh, I am sure there will be plenty of action pretty soon. I mean, Jim and Pam are two college students in love, practically living together. What else would they be doing, right? ;) Haha. Thanks for the review!
Date: December 23, 2008 10:49 am Title: Obstacle 1
Gilmore Girls tie-in=The Goonies...right? :)
Author's Response: Ooh. The Goonies actually wasn't deliberate, but I can definitely see that being a tie-in. ;)
Date: December 23, 2008 06:42 am Title: Your Ex-Lover is Dead
Three Cheers for the New Chapter!! Of course Pam is upset that Roy is getting married after proposing to her at Thanksgiving!! And when Pam ran into him when she went home around Christmas, did he not still try to beg her back to him??
But also, it makes sense for Jim to react to this as he did, with his, 'you moved on, why do you care?' philosophy.
Excellent job on this chapter, I was extra happy to read your update!! It was HOT! Are they going to watch old movies together soon? {I love TCM!} More please.
Author's Response: Thank you for the great review! Poor Jim. He was just so jealous that Pam appeared to be a wee bit resentful towards Roy's engagement and the fact that he had moved on. I think Jim's head was somewhere over towards, "Well, if you're worried that Roy has moved on, then what the hell are we doing? Is this just a rebound?" I thought it was important that both of them clearly stated how they felt about the topic, and I think Jim needed to give Pam a little reality check and remind her that she is much better off without Roy in her life. Otherwise, Pam would probably be grieving over the whole idea for months to come, wondering just exactly what the heck she was thinking- moving on her own, living off her parent's credit card, getting a degree in art instead of a more lucrative position in the medical field... I love a more honest and open Jim and Pam. Also, I will be bringing a little pop culture back into the fic, including several old music and bands. Jim just loves to educate Pam on her lost childhood. TCM rocks! It just might make an appearance soon.
Date: December 23, 2008 04:57 am Title: Your Ex-Lover is Dead
You haven't just stuck the older Jim/Pam in different roles, instead they are just as I think they should be at that age :)
She swore that a special education program needed to be created just for her sometimes.
Totally made me giggle.
Your mind is in excellent shape. Really, they're healthy young adults in a new exciting relationship who don't live at home and have apartments three doors down from each other. Sooooo.... really, something weird would be going on if they weren't going at it like bunnies. You're very good at steamy scenes, I don't think you have anything to worry about there :)
Really enjoying this series, although I was concerned when opening this chapter that you'd killed off Roy!
Author's Response: Haha, with all that Roy put Pam through in the last couple of chapters, the temptation to off Roy was there. (TWSS?) But no, I would never go all soap opera on you guys. I promise. Thank you for the awesome review, I'm glad you're pleased this new Jim/Pam dynamic as I know some people are slightly apprehensive about the whole AU thing, including myself. This is a whole new realm for me, so it makes me sooo happy to know that you're enjoying the story so far.
Date: December 22, 2008 10:07 pm Title: Brighter Discontent
Yay! You're back! Another excellent chapter. Can't wait for the next update!
Author's Response: Thank you!! I'm trying my best to keep the updates coming. Being alone for the holidays has somewhat been a blessing in disguise as it allows me all of this time to keep up with this story that I love writing oh so much. I'm glad to hear you're still enjoying it. :)
Date: December 22, 2008 07:12 pm Title: Your Ex-Lover is Dead
That was... just awesome. My one criticism (since I'm engaged and just had to go thru the ropes of having it put into the newspaper) is the very first line about Roy. It probably should read "Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald of Portland, OR announce the engagement of their daughter, Katy, to Roy Anderson of Naperville, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy's parents". But anywho.
That being said, I loved this chapter. I can completely feel Pam's frustration about Roy being re-engaged after only 4 months. While she's not wishing it was her, the pain she felt having to turn him down to have it basically thrown in her face that 7 years meant nothing to him could be nothing but heartbreaking. Jim's speech to her was something I could see him saying without a doubt, trying to prove to her how much he loves her, but not trying to be all Royish about it. Such an internal struggle for that guy... Wanting to be the man, but trying to not be the "man" that Roy was... You did it very well. And the smut is delish. I'm definitely looking forward to Ch. 16!
Author's Response: Ah, thank you. Now see, as someone who studied journalism for a year and a half, my heart breaks at my utter FAIL. Haha, thank you for the correction. And congratulations on the engagement! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, and that you understood why Pam was feeling so "in the dumps" over Roy's engagement. Poor Jim does have a lot to live up to, but I feel like he's doing a fine job so far. ;)
10 [Report This]Date: December 22, 2008 03:10 pm Title: Your Ex-Lover is Dead
Whew. Another fantastic chapter! Very steamy and very sweet. Can't wait for more :D
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the review.
Date: December 22, 2008 02:48 pm Title: Your Ex-Lover is Dead
I was worried you'd forgotten about us, so phewwwwwwwwww you're back lol.
That was so dirty, I am ashamed (ha yeah right, more more more) god that was hot, and I love how much Jim adores Pam, god ahhh AWESOME!
Author's Response: Definitely didn't forget about you guys. I was so disappointed in myself for not getting a chapter up over the weekend, so I hope this one satisfied. ;)
Date: December 22, 2008 02:16 pm Title: Your Ex-Lover is Dead
I know he’s your first love, Pam. But you’re mine.
I loved that. I loved that he threw this right back at her after she attempted to deflect his understanding of the situation. I loved that you allowed her to talk about thsi immediately, not fester and create sitcomish, unneeded angst. You had them talk it out, shout it out, and heh, fuck it out ;) Another reason I love how you've written the relationship. And no worries about the dirtiness. We eat it up and this was a lovely snack :) I really like how you always make sure to show their connection. You continue to highlight Pam slowly becoming contented with who she is and I enjoyed how you showed how Jim is enamored with THIS Pam, current Pam, with all the faults and accepts and encourages her. That will definitely help Pam get to where she needs to. As always, looking forward to more.
Author's Response: Ah, I hate all of the unnecessary angst. I know that the Pam and Jim in this AU are a lot younger than they are on the show, but I'm trying to bring a little more maturity into their lives. It's just too frustrating when a couple who is supposedly so great together has problems communicating and being honest with one another. I think that's one thing Pam learned from her relationship with Roy, and it's allowing her to be a bit more honest and aggressive in her new relationship with Jim. And, oh, Jim is just so supportive of Pam. And coming from a family who never really supported her true ambitions, she so needs someone like Jim to encourage her along. :) Thank you for another amazing review.
Date: December 22, 2008 12:48 pm Title: Your Ex-Lover is Dead
you know why you rock?
I'll tell you why:
you used one of my favorite songs for this chapter.
is it too early to say I love you? (:
Author's Response: Thank you! I love you for always providing a great review!
Date: December 22, 2008 12:37 pm Title: Your Ex-Lover is Dead
squeal!!!!! I love it love it love it. First of all that was hot. And second of all "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" is one of my absolute favourite songs ever. Stars is amazing. I adore this story. Please update soon! :)
Author's Response: Ahh, I love Stars and that song is just... amazing. Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter because I was way nervous when I wrote it. Ahh.