Reviewer: Hannah_Halpert Signed [Report This]
Date: February 13, 2009 12:33 am Title: All Good Naysayers, Speak Up! Or Forever Hold Your Peace.

I'm SO glad they waited, I was thinking that Karen may actually kill her if she didn't wear the dress she'd been busting her ass on for months lol.

Challenge for an upcoming chapter... Jim with a kid ;)

Author's Response: Karen would so-go crazy ass ninja on Pam's ass. Ha-ha. And I have read your challenge, and I do accept. ;)

Reviewer: stjoespirit04 Signed [Report This]
Date: February 12, 2009 03:50 pm Title: All Good Naysayers, Speak Up! Or Forever Hold Your Peace.

Aww Nightswept, you are SUCH a tease!! That was awesome :) I know how stressful planning a wedding can be, and I've suggested to my fiance that we elope once or twice... or 34 times. I know the big day will be worth it, but it's definitely hard. Your JAM issues are so realistic, yet still so THEM... You definitely have a gift :)

Author's Response: Mwahahah... ok, no. Ha-ha. I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter, and I'm sorry I threw in that little curveball there, I just had to have some fun with you guys. ;) I couldn't let Jim and Pam elope though. Not this AU version, anyway. They deserve a nice, stressfree wedding... Well, I'm not sure if stressfree is going to happen, but nevertheless...

Good luck on all of that wedding planning. I know that no matter how big the wedding, it can sometimes become a nightmare as all of the responsibilies start piling up. And I appreciate your lovely comments. I'm glad you're enjoying this AU couple, while I hope they continue to slightly stray toward the Jim and Pam that we see on the show. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and Valentine's Day! :)

Reviewer: albie_ Signed [Report This]
Date: February 12, 2009 01:45 pm Title: A Ballad for Jim and Pam, From Summer to Fall, and Winter, Spring

Okay, I'm taking the adjustment of the bodice on Pam as a personal shout out as I had commented that the bodice on that dress wouldn't do good things for Pam's "blessed, womanly chest area". Hee!

This chapter was so much fun. It was like seeing all the deleted scenes from the first story! The soundtrack, as always, great, btw. But back to the story, I liked Pam examining all these moments from her past with Jim. I adored the story about the nickname and that Jim messaged Angela and Kelly just to make her smile. I loved that moment of Jim in the elevator, where he made this admission, yet didn't and their encounter on the train platform made this huge dorky grin spread across my face. I liked hearing about Pam's mental shift from thinking just of herself, to thinking like a couple and the beautiful display for Valentine's, the fact that Jim just did it because he wanted to putting that last piece in the puzze for her. And I loved how you handled it in the past chapters, but again, Pam's grieving Roy's marriage, grieving ths relationship that she had spent so much of her life on, but that was never as real as she had once though. Jim comforting her, not understanding but comforting her anyway, really lovely. And that last memory of Jim just needing Pam to say that she was in it just as deep, another great touch on Jim. I so love seeing all these moments and I wish we could get a chapter of Jim doing the same, though that would probably be repetitive or something :) Sorry, I'm greedy.

Again, you capture their relationship in all these small AND big moments, their humor(the hand on JIm's ass had me laughing out loud), and ultimately, their love. The quiet moment at the end really illustrated that all in a simple "I love you" and a touch of a forehead.

Next chapter! 

Author's Response: Yes, yes, yes the shoutout and credit is all yours and I'm sorry I forgot to mention you in the endnotes! I was partial to both dresses, and even though our Pam went with dress #2, your POV contined to ring in my ears and I had to make it right. Ha-ha.

I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter and the "deleted scenes" from Indie Rock. Oh, what a fun trip down memory lane.

Reviewer: albie_ Signed [Report This]
Date: February 12, 2009 12:56 pm Title: Hot Toddy (Your Age is Starting to Show)

Gah! So behind! You get bogged down in life and fanfic gets pushed aside. Seriously, my priorities need some looking into :)

Because of the catchup, my reviews may not be as lengthy as usual but just as genuine. I loved seeing Pam seeing Jim, the teacher. I can fully picture him as the great English teacher everyone wants and crushes on. Sweet to see Pam showing the shy countenace she probably had when she was in HS as well, hanging onto the arm of the popular guy. And yet she's completely different and so is Jim. I liked that conversation they ahd about being glad to have met when they did. Because as lovely as it is to wish you had known your sweetheart forever, it took all that time without them and growing to fully appreciate them and be the right person for them. 

I also liked how they stuck their toes in the "babies" pool. Pam showing her insecurity and Jim assuring her, especially as she mothered him in his sickness. Just very sweet, quiet moment for them.

 Next chapter!

Reviewer: EarlyWorm Signed [Report This]
Date: February 09, 2009 09:59 pm Title: A Ballad for Jim and Pam, From Summer to Fall, and Winter, Spring

I love the flashbacks to Indie Rock and Keds, which is a story that I'm in love with. And seriously, 'the dragon' and 'Hank'? LOL. Your Jim is so funny and I hope he hasn't lost touch with that in the grind of 9 to 5.

One of my favorite parts of your AU is that Pam and Karen are pals. Thanks for that! So cute.

Keep writing...you're great at it.

Author's Response: I'm glad you are enjoying the Pam/Karen friendship. I just hate Karen always being the enemy, and I have the utmost respect for writers who choose to flesh that character out a little bit more than just being "the other woman" or "the enemy". I just hope that I can do her character justice. I've always had a soft spot for Karen.

I'm glad you enjoyed the nickname joke, and don't worry- I'm sure his quirky sense of humor is still there, even though he's matured a bit since the very beginning of this story, dating all the way back to Indie Rock. :)

Reviewer: Hannah_Halpert Signed [Report This]
Date: February 07, 2009 07:12 pm Title: A Ballad for Jim and Pam, From Summer to Fall, and Winter, Spring

Yo, Happy February yourself darlin’. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the length of this fic, the bigger the better (TWSS ha, I have always wanted to throw one of those in to a review.) Anyway, I loved the flashbacks, I think everyone will, especially because we all adored Indie Rocks like more than life itself, so you’re perfectly safe there =)
I honestly don’t have much to say here, other than omfgiloveit – and I say that all the time, but it’s true. I loved how you incorporated the Gumby joke in to your story – and the whole Pam’s never had a nickname, omg I cracked up so much. I cannot wait until chapter 11, it seriously brightens up my day lol. I hope this never ends ;)

Author's Response: Yo, yo, yo! (*Gang signs*) I'm a little frustrated while writing this review because... Ok, have you ever accidentally hit something on your mousepad that causes your main Windows toolbar at the bottom of the screen to move over to the right-hand side in a veritcal position, and it refuses to move back? If you say, "No, why would I ever have that problem? This is why I have a Mac," I think I might cry, and then I might throw my computer out the window. Which couldn't be that dramatic, really, because my apartment is on the first floor- but still. It's all about the act itself. Someone walks by outside, "Score. Free laptop." And I'm all, "Joke's on you. Laptop is a piece of crap, and the toolbar is totally in the wrong position which basically makes it unusable. So yeah, good luck with that."

But then, if I didn't have my laptop, I wouldn't be able to continue with this story, nor would I get to read your wonderful reviews! In all seriousness, if I can manage to be serious for at least two minutes- I'm glad that you enjoyed this chapter and the handful of "deleted scenes" from Indie Rock & Keds. It was fun, revisiting the earlier stages of Jim & Pam's AU relationship. I've missed those days. :(

I'm glad you enjoyed the nickname story! It was an odd storyline that popped into my head while driving to school one day. How random. Then again, I think anyone reading this review can discover how truly random I am, just in general. Ha-ha. Have a great weekend, Hannah_Halpert!

Reviewer: fashion_show_at_lunch Signed [Report This]
Date: February 07, 2009 02:32 pm Title: A Ballad for Jim and Pam, From Summer to Fall, and Winter, Spring

I'm to tired and overworked to come up with intelligent reviews anymore. But I'm keeping up with this story no matter how crazy school is. :)

oh and I love She and Him - love that song.

Author's Response: You should know that everytime I read one of your comments, I can't help but singing in my head, "Fashion show! Fashion show! Fashion show at lunch!" I just can't help it; it's contagious. And it always cheers me up, so- thank you.

I don't know how to thank you for sticking with me throughout this story, even despite that crazy workload it sounds like you have. I hope school eases up on ya in the next couple of days, and that you had a stress-free weekend!

I agree, She & Him is amazing. Love Zooey Deschanel. And I pray that I spelled her name right.

Reviewer: WildBerryJam Signed [Report This]
Date: February 07, 2009 09:50 am Title: A Ballad for Jim and Pam, From Summer to Fall, and Winter, Spring

gah, the ending of this chapter is so lovely.  Just so full of emotion and heartful.  :)

Author's Response: Thank you! To be honest, I rewrote the ending a couple of times, even after it was initially posted (shh... don't tell), so I'm happy to hear that you liked the "final final" draft. Ha-ha. Thank you for reviewing.

Reviewer: cri-man-squa Signed [Report This]
Date: February 07, 2009 09:08 am Title: A Ballad for Jim and Pam, From Summer to Fall, and Winter, Spring

The whole chapter layout/flashbacks were great. My personal favorite was the valentine's day one. :D:D:D Oh Jim is so adorable! This review might be a little longer if I weren't experiencing squealing fits of Kelly-proportions. Good work on the chapter, and I can't wait for more!! :)

Author's Response: I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. The Valentine's flashback/deleted scene (heh) was my personal favorite, too, just envisioning it in my head. After re-reading my own words, I realized that Jim may seem a little too perfect in this chapter and I found myself thinking, "Really? Is any man that perfect? This is ridiculous. Seriously." Then I remembered what this chapter was about when I initially went into it, and that Pam was thinking back to all of the moments that made her realize she was in love with him and just why he was "The One" for her. Oh, that boy Jim Halpert is too gosh darn cute.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. Have a great weekend!

Reviewer: Aivilo Signed [Report This]
Date: February 07, 2009 05:51 am Title: A Ballad for Jim and Pam, From Summer to Fall, and Winter, Spring

Thank you for writing. Just in general, on good principle, real life, thanks. You have great talent, and the fact that you share your imagination here for many to see and enjoy is wonderful. I appreciate it and always look forward to reading what you've been dreaming up. And the fact that you accompany with a soundtrack... awesomeness, friend.

Okay, chapter ten. Love, love, love. I felt like it was a bonus chapter, kind of a 'behind the scenes' to Indie Rock. It was so nice to revisit moments from that story and get more details into the scenes that made up Jim and Pam's love story.

Maybe Pam does feel a little 'less than' when writing because Jim is a Journalism major, but really, she shouldn't. The thoughts she had when she and Jim were reunited after the Holiday Break, about changing her perception and the future being about them... I loved it. And when she was telling Karen about how Jim makes her feel, inspired, acknowledged... you're killing me, actually. And about how they try to take care of each other... my favorite.

Again, thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! As I am sure you can imagine, I look forward to the next update!

Author's Response: Hey, Aivilo! I hope you're having a lovely weekend. I'm so happy to hear that you're still enjoying this story, and it's so true that this chapter served somewhat as a deleted scenes portion to Indie Rock. I was beginning to miss the innocent, early days of this AU Jim&Pam relationship, and I just had to revisit that. ;)

I remember reading in another fanfic once, about a quote that Pam had read about how, "If you could say it in words, there would be no need to paint," and I feel like that speaks so true of who Pam is as an artist. She's incredibly smart, and she's aware of how she feels, but I think she panics a bit when she's forced to actually put those words to paper, or speak them outloud. Sketching and painting is how she communicates, really. However, you're right in that she shouldn't be too spazzed out at the idea of writing her own wedding vows. I think once she puts her mind to it, like she did in this chapter, she'll do just fine. :)

Thank YOU so much for the wonderful review, and enjoy the rest of the weekend. I'm in a particularly good mood because the weather went up a whole 30 degrees here in Chicago. Trying to enjoy it while I can before the frigid temperatures return. Brr...

Reviewer: dancer288 Signed [Report This]
Date: February 04, 2009 07:56 am Title: Hot Toddy (Your Age is Starting to Show)

so cute...really love jim teaching...can't wait for more

Author's Response: I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'm happy to hear that you like Jim in his new career. Thank you for leaving a note!

:)

Reviewer: fashion_show_at_lunch Signed [Report This]
Date: February 03, 2009 08:21 pm Title: Hot Toddy (Your Age is Starting to Show)

yay. I had to read Lord of the Flies in both grade 8 AND 10. I've analyzed the shit out of that book. I still really love it though. It was so cute to see Jim as a teacher. He seemed so in his element.
I'm enjoying this story alot. By all means keep the chapters flowing. :D

Author's Response: Yes, oh my gosh I swear I read that book 84903259085904 times, then we had to watch the movie and oh- the essays we had to write. Ugh. It was a bit painful, having to relive those days again for this chapter, but I hope I remembered most of the elements of the novel correctly.

I'm glad you enjoyed seeing Jim as a teacher- I feel like that is what he was meant to do. :) So great to hear you are still enjoying this story. Thank you for reviewing!