Date: January 21, 2009 05:29 am Title: Diving a Dumpster
DIY Jim= hotness. Bringing in dumpster 'treasures' to support new DIY enthusiasm, not so much.
Poor Jim, I hope that he can soon start the career he really wants. In the mean time, I hope Pam can help him cheer up, without allowing trash into the apartment.
Yea! wedding plans!!
Author's Response: Yes, but his intentions were noble, right? He was just trying to make Pam feel at home. Poor guy. You can't help but feel for him. :(
It frustrates me that there has been a lack of wedding planning shown on the actual show, so I'm getting all of that out of my system here with this story. Take that, Office writers. Ha-ha.
Date: January 21, 2009 05:06 am Title: Diving a Dumpster
Great chapter! I'm so glad you decided to continue this, because it's a lot of fun. It's cool to see them go through normal couple-first-living-together things.
PS - I definitely have to move to Wisconsin, because the rent is CRAZY cheap there!
Author's Response: I know, right? I would move up there in a heatbeat, but I hate commuting. And if I do end up having to move again, it's going to be somewhere farther south so I can say good riddance to all of this friggin' snow! Grr... As you can tell, I'm not a big fan of the winter. Texas native, right here. :(
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, and that you find their journey together so normal and- hopefully- interesting. Thank you for reviewing!
Date: January 20, 2009 08:35 pm Title: Diving a Dumpster
You're back already! *dances* And you named the sequel after a Sufjan album! How wonderful.
Looking at these two chapters, it's really interesting to see where the characters are developing and it's also interesting how we are focusing more on JIm than before, or at least Pam's perception of JIm, rather than her own progress(so far). It's so interesting because Pam seems to fight against this maturity, with the food shopping and the rational decision making and the motions of being a couple in an apartment together. It's harder for her to adjust, it seems, to this living and I really like seeing her frustration and her adapting and such. Being a couple is one thing, living together is entirely something else.
On the other hand, we see Jim wanted to be this responsible adult and working really hard at it. With the nesting and the prompting of the wedding planning and just being comfy with the old married-ness that he seems perfectly content to settle into. I think these two will reacha happy medium, but it's so interesting to see the contrast. I also really liked how Jim threw himself into an HGTV livelihood and how it took Pam a bit to really see why he needed all that and why he needed her support of it too.
Altogether, I just really love how they have remained the same, but there is also a new angle to their dynamic and that's going to be great to see develop. Oh! And i love the running "That's what She Said" gag here with Jim shrugging it off that it's due to some guy he works with. Just great :)
Reall looking forward to more.
Author's Response: Argh- Pam and her cold feet- and it's only been a month!
I love, love that you have read this story, and that you totally get it, because there is so much that I wanted to throw into this chapter, as far as what was going through Pam's head, and for some darn reason I just couldn't figure out how. So I am left hoping that my words and little Jim & Pam conversations speak for themselves and just convey what this story is all about.
So what happened to Pam? Just a couple of months ago, she was a housewife-in-training, and now she's somewhat hesitant toward the idea of growing up, and beginning a new life with Jim in the suburbs. It is a big change from living in the city, and I think she's a little nervous, since this whole situation is all brand new. It's been a month since she's last traveled to the city or seen any of her close friends, and I think the isolation from all of that is just killing her. It will take awhile for her to settle in to Kenosha life and get adjusted.
And Jim, poor Jim! He's trying so hard to create a little nest for him and Pam to happily live in, and she just doesn't see that at all. Sure, dumpster diving wasn't the greatest idea, but his intentions were respectable. Oy. Pam is just going to have to learn what it takes to be an adult! Let's hope Jim will continue to stand by and teach her.
Thank you for the wonderful review, this made me so happy, and I'm so glad to hear that you are enjoying this story so far.
10 [Report This]Date: January 20, 2009 08:04 pm Title: Diving a Dumpster
Great chapter! =D
Author's Response: Thank you! :)
Date: January 20, 2009 06:22 pm Title: Diving a Dumpster
Ah yes dumpster diving. His effort was so sweet but probably not the best idea. I hope he can work through his job troubles. Poor guy. Way too young to be that unhappy. They are too cute.
Author's Response: Dumpster diving Jim is too cute. Poor guy's just having a tough time, stuck in a crappy entry-level job, so he's taking out all of his frustration on trying to create a nice little home for Pam. It's too bad she just can't seem to realize that. Grr...
Date: January 20, 2009 04:14 pm Title: Diving a Dumpster
yay!!! You wrote a new one! :D I thought i would just check the site just in case. And yay 2 new chapters! This is cute. Please continue it until their wedding. I'll certainly read it diligently.
Author's Response: I'm glad you've enjoyed these past two chapters, and I'm so happy to have you back as a faithful reader. Thank you!
Date: January 20, 2009 03:53 pm Title: Diving a Dumpster
Guh, seriously you kill me dead every time you update.
One thing I totally love about your writing is that I can relate to SO much of it, and for that to be a consistent thing in a fic is unusual, for me anyway. When I read your fics, I can picture everything so perfectly in my head, so yeah, you iz amazing ;)
Ikea, oh I can SO see Jim being all “wtf” cos that place is CRAZY, especially at the weekends lol.
THANK YOU FOR THE DIY JIM, God, what a fecking sexy image that was, I truly wanted to jump in to my computer and steal him from Pam. I definitely think he should continue, maybe he can make something for Pam?
Poor thing finding work so stressful, I hope he gets enough money to get his teaching certificate soon, I don’t know why, but him teaching young kids is so sexy, they’d all so crush on him, don’t you think?
Fave parts:
”I put the first shelf on upside down,” Jim said. < I can SO SEE HIM POUTING aw.
“Pssh. Piece of cake,” Jim shrugged, reaching over for another piece of wood. “I’m a professional now. I should sell my services.” < Where can I book him?
Pam’s lips curled into a smile. “You’re not going to go all groomzilla on me, are you?” < groomzilla FTW.
“Ooh, we should go buy some wood tomorrow and I could try to build an entertainment unit for our TV.” < LMAO I have images in my head, you’d pay to see them ;)
Actually I could go on forever, as you know, I love you lol. Your fics are like my crack addiction lol.
Author's Response: I am so glad that you can relate to this story, and I'm glad that I can continue to make you smile. :D Poor Jim and Pam are going through some growing pains, but I'm hopeful that they will be able to work it out.
DIY Jim! DIY Jim! I told you he would appear, and he did indeed- several times. I'm sure it isn't the last that we've seen of him, don't worry. ;)
IKEA is frakkin' crazy, but I can't keep myself away from that place. I'm looking around my living room now and, yup. Pretty much all of my furniture is from IKEA, including the couches. (Thankfully, my husband isn't a dumpster diver.) The thought of Jim being shuffled among the crowd at one of those home improvement stores on a weekend made me chuckle, and I just had to throw that in there. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Also, to book Jim's services, you can simply call 1-800-555... Ha-ha, no seriously- for now I think he still has a lot to learn. And he needs to work on acquiring that tool belt that you requested. And perhaps purchase a house with a garage that he can seclude himself in while he works on his projects. Shirtless, and perhaps with safety goggles.
Thank you as always, for an amazing review that made me smile from ear-to-ear. :)
10 [Report This]Date: January 20, 2009 02:55 pm Title: Diving a Dumpster
Great update. I love how things aren't perfect for the two as they adjust to living together, and it's all so believable with realistic peeves from each of them.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I figured it was only normal for Jim and Pam to go through some growing pains, but it's good that they have the opportunity to work through them now instead of after the wedding. :)
Date: January 20, 2009 02:52 pm Title: Diving a Dumpster
I'm in the process of getting married in June, and your banter between Jim and Pam re: their wedding plans is spot on. I love it. I also love that I too have an account on theknot.com :) lol...
I love this story already. You rock.
Author's Response: The Knot is amazing, isn't it? I spent forever and a day gazing at all of the pictures, looking for inspiration when I married a little over a year ago. Good luck on all of the wedding planning, and congratulations! :D I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
Date: January 20, 2009 02:00 pm Title: Diving a Dumpster
I saw the sundance photos !
they are freaaaaaaaakin's amazing *dies*
this story= still awesome, plus your playlist for the last chapter was named after ben folds's album, right? (:
Author's Response: Why can't Jim look more like Sundance!JK on the show? Give Halpert some scruff and a parka! Come on writers, get with it.
And yes, the last chapter was named after the Ben Folds album. Sorry, I should've mentioned that. Love the song. :)
Date: January 20, 2009 01:37 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
cute, as always.
&& guhhhh, sufjan is just totally awesome (:
Author's Response: Yay, a Sufjan Stevens fan! Love the Sufjan! Yes, yes. And thank you, I'm glad you were pleased with the first chapter.
Date: January 20, 2009 01:17 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
Yeah, I love this. I can't wait to see them adjusting to living together. It's not easy even when you love someone.
Author's Response: The first few months of living together are always oh-so tough. Poor Jim and Pam! It will be a bit rocky at first, but those two are just going to have to learn how to support each other, and work through all of the tough times together. ;)
Date: January 20, 2009 08:47 am Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
A great start! The grocery store scene was very well done. I was getting irritated with Pam along with Jim since she was throwing such garbage into the cart! I hate grocery shopping with people who eat that kind of crap *lol* Can't wait to read more! And please expose us to more music!
Author's Response: Oh yes- Jim and Pam's grocery trip was very much inspired by my own supermarket adventures with my husband, only the roles are reversed because he's always sneaking random junk into our cart when I'm not looking. I shouldn't mind since he usually pays, but still. Grr...
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, and I promise more music is on the way. ;) Thank you for reviewing.
10 [Report This]Date: January 20, 2009 01:11 am Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
Oh, yes!! I have to admit that I squealed a little when I saw this! I'm a little surprised that it took you so long (hee) but I absolutely love that you decided to continue this after all! Yay!
I loved this btw. It was a nice little glimpse into what their life together is and dare I say that Pam's semi-annoyance with Wisconsin and all may create some drama later? Hmm? I guess we'll have to wait and see, hehe.
But again- yay! Awesome job, you, and I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us now!
Author's Response: Being away for an entire week killed me too. I would be sitting in front of my laptop and my hand would keep moving the cursor to the favorites menu and lead me to this fanfic archive while the voices in my head whispered, "Write something. Write, dammit!" So yes, I am back and I hope that I do not disappoint. ;)
And yes, things may be a bit rocky at first. But I promise, Pam isn't the only way who is frustrated with their new life in Kenosha. I have a feeling that Jim has some underlying issues as well, which we will discover in the next chapter. Ooh... *cue ominous music*
Thank you for taking the time to read, and for the wonderful review.
Date: January 19, 2009 10:00 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
Yay! So glad you decided to continue with this little gem. Can't wait for the next update!
Author's Response: Thank you!
Date: January 19, 2009 08:43 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
i am so happy to see you writing again!! Now I have something to hope for every day! I can't wait to see how this develops. Great Job on the first chapter!
Author's Response: Thank you. I'm hoping to be able to keep up with daily updates since I have a somewhat lighter load of classes this semester. Hurray! Thank you for the review; I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!
9 [Report This]Date: January 19, 2009 08:37 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
I am so glad you're writing another story! I loved the ending to Indie Rock so I was excited to see this posting! Looking forward to more updates. Just a little *nothing*, there are no Meijer's in Kenosha... we are not that fortunate to have them here in WI, but everytime I go to Indiana I always stop at one and I love it.
Author's Response: Ah yes- I caught my mistake when I was perusing store locations on the Meijer website. D'oh! I'm thinking of sneaking in there and changing Meijer to Target instead. Shh... Don't tell. You see, it helps to have readers like you who are familiar with the area since I've yet to visit Kenosha, so thank you! And thank you for taking the time to read and review. :)
Date: January 19, 2009 08:20 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
yay! I'm so excited! I have been so sad since Indie Rock ended and it hasn't even been a week!
I loved the beginning to this story. And please please please have DIY Jim in the next chapter!
Author's Response: Ooh yes, DIY Jim will definitely be making an appearance- several times, in fact. ;)
7 [Report This]Date: January 19, 2009 08:06 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
WHOOO! What a happy end to my day!
And I just moved to Illinois 6 weeks ago, and I've discovered that you can't leave Meijer without spending 200.
Author's Response: Oh my goodness, shopping in Illinois is so ridiculously expensive. Moving from Texas to the Chicago-area years ago was such a dramatic change. My grocery bill went up well over $100. How is that even possible? Yeesh. I love Meijer though. It's my new Super Wal-mart.
10 [Report This]Date: January 19, 2009 07:30 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
I can not express how happy I am that you are doing a sequel. The first one was one of my favorites, and I can't wait for more of this to come!
I hope we end up meeting Michael too :)
Author's Response: Yes, you caught that did you? ;) I have a feeling Michael and a couple of other characters will be popping up soon. They were dearly missed in the last story, but I hope that I've found appropriate places to finally put them to use. Thank you so much for taking the time to review.
10 [Report This]Date: January 19, 2009 06:58 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
yay! when i saw your name on the update board, i had a huge smile on my face. this story is already amazing and i am seriously looking forward to the rest of the story. once again, yay! :)
Author's Response: I'm glad to hear that you're already it so far; I just hope that this story can continue to bring a smile to your face. Thank you so much for the review.
10 [Report This]Date: January 19, 2009 06:52 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
Yay a sequal! Like always great chapter!!
Author's Response: Thank you!
Date: January 19, 2009 06:10 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
OMG I'm so happy you're back! I can't wait to see what happens next and more about their pre-married life together. Love it.
Author's Response: Yay! I must warn you though, things may get a little rocky for our Jim and Pam. The first few months of living together are always tough. Yikes! Bikes! Thank you for the review.
Date: January 19, 2009 05:51 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
Welcome back, welcome back, wel-come baaack! (Sung like Welcome Back Kotter theme song, complete with dance you can't see) I realize that it has only been a few days, but you've been greatly missed!
I eagerly look forward to Feeling the Illinose! with your new story.
Again, yea!!
Author's Response: Dance party! Bust out Dwight's bear horn! (*Does Andy dance*)
Thank you so much, and I can't wait to share the next part of Jim and Pam's journey together with all of you. I can only hope it holds up as well as the last story did. Eek!
Date: January 19, 2009 05:31 pm Title: Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs
Oh oh oh, how I have missed you. I’m not kidding, ever since Indie Rocks finished, I check the updates page and frowned a little at not seeing your name – and ahhh, I think I almost had a heart attack when I saw you had started a sequel.
I freaking adored the grocery store scene, I could picture it perfectly in my head. What’s so funny is that the comment about the Oreo’s, my friend says the EXACT same thing, so it made me smile even more =)
I very much like the idea of seeing Jim go to Ikea and putting up some shelves, maybe he owns a tool belt, oh god, yes, have him own a tool belt, and drink a can of Diet Coke while he’s putting up some shelves… are you with me?
How I have missed you *smooshes you and your fantastic fic filled brain*
MOREMOREMOREMOREMORE
Author's Response: Hello again! It's such a treat to be able to read your reviews again, and it's so great to be writing again. I just couldn't stay away. Grr.
I'm glad you enjoyed the first chapter, and seriously- once you've had Double Stuffed Oreo's, is there any going back? Ha-ha.
I'm not sure Jim owns a tool belt just yet since he's just getting started on these DIY endeavors, but perhaps he could sign up for one on the wedding registry?