Date: July 22, 2009 06:27 pm Title: The Duel: Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone by: xoxoxo
Hey, know what? There's even a 'parking lot' in that Joni M. song! But, of course you knew that. ;-) And for someone who says she finds it hard to write Angela, you certainly have a knack. This was a lovely addenda to the episode...the subtle Pam/Angela dynamic was totes recognizable, the idea of Pam dueling Karen was delightful (and I do not mean that in a slashy way) and damn right it's okay to be a little mean sometimes. Therapeutic even.
Author's Response:
I did know that. :) I am so glad Angela's well...Angelaness came through. I struggle with her because she was - let's face it - kind of weird this season so I never know what she's truly going to say. I almost wanted to do the whole story about Pam's duel with Karen but I thought this struck a good balance.
I'm glad that you seem to agree. :) Thanks, you.
Date: July 22, 2009 09:57 am Title: Frame Toby: Our house was our castle and our keep by: callisto
Gorgeous. Because he did buy a house without discussing it with her, and they needed to talk that through- but I believe that deep down, Jim knew he could do that because he KNOWS Pam and that she would love it. Sweet, funny, sexy, and exactly in-character. Brilliant!
10 [Report This]Date: July 22, 2009 09:49 am Title: Business Trip: If you try sometimes, you get what you need by: Sweetpea
You know them all so well. I love the parallel structure you use, and you keep the level of detail exactly right. They all have depths, and we are lucky viewers for it, and lucky readers because you understand it.
10 [Report This]Date: July 21, 2009 01:35 pm Title: Weight Loss: Someone Just a Little More Funky by sophia_helix
Oooh, you make me miss Holly SO MUCH. I sort of forgot that they were the actual plot of this episode (hmmm, wonder why?).
Date: July 21, 2009 12:20 am Title: The Duel: Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone by: xoxoxo
What a Pam thing to do. Giving Angela that word of encouragement is just so incredibly her. And the whole part about her going to New York, New York and not Utica... that was MADE of awesome, Hugs. I can just hear Pam thinking that to herself, feeling all proud --what up 212! lol
Author's Response: I'm so glad you thought so! When I realized this is one of the episodes I'd have to write about I was perplexed at first but then realized on rewatch that it was begging for something between Pam and Angela. But for me - Angela is so difficult to write. I also think Angela not talking is perfectly in character so I'm ok with it. :) Thanks so much for the review. I really appreicate it!
10 [Report This]Date: July 20, 2009 04:13 pm Title: The Duel: Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone by: xoxoxo
My favorite part is when Pam says that it's okay to be a little mean sometimes. That's very true :)
Author's Response: I do think it's OK to be a little mean now and again. And Pam is a kind person but she isn't perfect. I liked letting that small bit of cattiness out of her. Glad you did too!
Date: July 20, 2009 12:51 pm Title: The Duel: Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone by: xoxoxo
I really like the idea you went with here, Hugs--comparing the two (three?!) love triangles. I especially love the idea of Pam "dueling" Karen. I haven't watched this ep in a while, but I think I have to now. When I do, this will be in the back of my head. Having Pam rescue the bobblehead was a very sweet touch. I can just picture Angela's reaction. Great job, as always. Glad you're part of this project!
Author's Response: Thanks Nan! I had three or four different versions of this knocking around. One idea I had was to make it more about Pam and Karen but I don't think Pam lives in that place anymore. I think she sometimes reflects on it - but it's not such a big deal anymore. Pam rescuing the bobblehead was all Callisto. I can't take credit for that one. :) I really appreciate the review. Thanks so much!
Date: July 18, 2009 12:42 pm Title: Moroccan Christmas: Just Last the Year by: Talkative
Using the Pam/Jim narrative to frame the other characters' bits (kind of like this beautiful organic vine threading through them) is such a great way to structure this. Not only does it give the overall fic a lovely flow and rhythm, but it's also ingenious, cause their story has played that role on the show in a way too - even when it's in the background, it's always the resurfacing heartbeat that echoes and draws us in. Each piece is so apt - I thought Michael's was particularly touching and kudos to you for making something as nutty as Princess Unicorn the catalyst for something so sweet and affirming for Toby.
As for P/J, well...love Pam's menorah explanation (hee!) and as someone said, this may be the most sexilicious Jim-quote yet: "Does that feel good?" he wonders, his question tangled in his breath. But best of all, for me: "I loved you," he says, the admission still painful, ducking his head, helping her undress him. "I love you." See now, that's what makes your writing so damn good - from that one sentence, that one subtle shift in tenses, I know more about their history/connection than many stories tell me in thousands of words.
Date: July 16, 2009 10:03 pm Title: Moroccan Christmas: Just Last the Year by: Talkative
That was the most fabulous thing. Honestly, your transitions from moment to moment with just that little intro from the previous moment...God - brilliance. And what more? The tie in to Engaged Ain't Married??!!! WHAT TUNA?! God, I love this so much. And to round out this completely incoherent review I have to say that the paragraph about Jim and Pam's desperation once she went to Pratt...that little paragraph, my dear was an absolute gold mine.
Date: July 16, 2009 08:15 pm Title: Moroccan Christmas: Just Last the Year by: Talkative
ooh. this may just be my fave chapter so far. great mix of all the couples =]
Date: July 16, 2009 07:23 pm Title: Moroccan Christmas: Just Last the Year by: Talkative
What an interesting way to tell this story - loved a lot about this but especially the simultaneous written scenes, the call backs such as "never give up" woven in, Jim and Pam's comfortable intimacy...and your Dwight is just perfect.
Date: July 16, 2009 12:50 pm Title: Moroccan Christmas: Just Last the Year by: Talkative
Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly... You just cemented your reputation as an evil genius, Ms. Talkative. Only you could make Moroccan Christmas so memorable and intriguing. And while I know that I should probably read this again before commenting, I just...can't wait. This story of yours has such great rhythm, such a wonderful flow and, as always, such vivid details. Thank you for bringing back Jewish!Jim. I love him so. To me, he's sexier than ProbablyChristian!Jim ; ) It warms my heart to think that Sasha would like the Princess Unicorn in spite of her cool tween self and her dad's bungling. "Engaged ain't married." Wow. What a sly and diabolical way to bring that back! Dwight with the ultimate prank on Jim. Pam's calm reassurance is just lovely. She knows her man so well, warts and all. And we also have Bob's tender handling of Phyllis. Whether we come to learn that he hooks up with the new secretary or not, he does seem to dig his wife :)
Of course I was taken by Pam and Jim's thread through this story--the fretting, the slow seduction, first Christmas as homeowners, etc., etc. are so believable and, of course, so incredibly sexy. Exhibit A: It's where she discovered his dirty mouth, her nails in his back, tiny thumbprint bruises on her thighs that he would not stop apologizing for. Exhibit B: "Does that feel good?" he wonders, his question tangled in his breath. "Oh, God, of course," she presses her forehead against his, sucks a sigh between her teeth. Such passion in so few words.
The true crime of this ep (other than it being only 30 minutes long) is, as your Phyllis so aptly puts it, poor, stupid, innocent Andy. It's heartbreaking to know the deception lying beneath his visions of sugarplums.
Lastly, can't forget DrunkDialing!Michael--perfectly in character. I hope he gets his Holly one day. *sigh*
While I figured that you would contribute to this, one can never be too sure. Hoping you'll make a return appearance. /greedy10 [Report This]Date: July 16, 2009 12:09 pm Title: Moroccan Christmas: Just Last the Year by: Talkative
Talkative - interesting technique! One that lends itself to challenging the reader to imagine sequences visually as they happen somewhat simultaneously. I like...I like... and I'm happy that Toby's Princess Unicorn gift turned out all right. :)
Date: July 16, 2009 11:13 am Title: Moroccan Christmas: Just Last the Year by: Talkative
First off, that was the most brilliant use of transition I've ever seen!
Secondly, I absolutely adore the parallel between Dwight and Jim and the way "engaged ain't married" came back to haunt him.
Third, you guys are all amazing. All this talent in one place is going to spoil us readers - please keep it up.
Date: July 14, 2009 06:19 am Title: The Surplus: on the grave of our old love by: Paper Jam
Paper Jam, this is a perfect Dwight and Angela, well done. The last line made me laugh out loud - that little smile. Good stuff.
Date: July 14, 2009 06:07 am Title: The Surplus: on the grave of our old love by: Paper Jam
Perfect Dwight and Angela, Paper Jam. You really are great at all things Schrute :) Excellent that Dwight and Mose planned in advance Mose's hitting Andy in the head and leaving manure in the kitchen, two of the highlights of this ep IMHO.
Dwight finishes up with the bouquets, deliberately picked a few days earlier and dried so the colours will be as faded and plain as possible. Ha! He certainly does know his woman!
Your last three paragraphs? Fantastic. I can just picture it.
Another great installment!
Date: July 14, 2009 04:51 am Title: The Surplus: on the grave of our old love by: Paper Jam
Knowing how to deliver a breech position calf is not only more useful than a trust fund, it's also more romantic. That is so totally Dwight!
Nice to see you 'round these parts again, Paper Jam!
Date: July 09, 2009 11:12 pm Title: Frame Toby: Our house was our castle and our keep by: callisto
I really enjoy this take on the episode! I always thought that Pam's acceptance of the house was far more about the gesture than the actual house and that there would definitely be things that weren't her favorite...but as she said -- he bought her a house... Thank you for seeing the romance in that, and the possibilities that could have occurred that night...that was absolutely LOVELY.
Date: July 09, 2009 09:53 pm Title: Frame Toby: Our house was our castle and our keep by: callisto
yay. more soon please =]
10 [Report This]Date: July 09, 2009 03:07 pm Title: Frame Toby: Our house was our castle and our keep by: callisto
Definitely one of the bestest chapters. I really liked seeing more of Jim and Pam and their little house. I also totally imagined them staying over that night so she could get a good feel of the place.
Date: July 09, 2009 12:44 pm Title: Weight Loss: Someone Just a Little More Funky by sophia_helix
P.S. Thanks for getting that song stuck in my head! *grumble grumble* ::Our house...in the middle of our street...::
Date: July 09, 2009 08:24 am Title: Frame Toby: Our house was our castle and our keep by: callisto
Callisto, my friend! So happy you stopped by with a morning treat :) You gals make my Mondays and Thursdays so happy. Death, taxes and Tesserae (by far the most appealing of the three constants)...lol!
While I'm sure you knew that I would love this, I'll tell you anyway: I love this. Love it. As with the chapters before it, your offering so beautifully fills in the gaps of this ep. The image of Jim and Pam quietly spending time after everyone's asleep on Christmas Eve--the beginning of a family tradition--warms my heart. As you detail here, I also imagine Jim as the dutiful, loving son.
“You bought me a house,” she marveled. His relief was palpable. “I did.” That is my favorite part of this ep--the way Jim goes from terror and "backpedaling" as you so aptly put it to obvious relief. I didn't give a thought to how strange it would be for Jim to be in his empty childhood home (if only for a short time). I'm sure it was always busting at the seams with noisy boys, etc. Their sleepover was so goofy and sexy, just perfect and absolutely in character. Thanks for satisfying my craving for CallistoFic!
Date: July 09, 2009 08:24 am Title: Frame Toby: Our house was our castle and our keep by: callisto
I KNEW it! I knew they christened (or exorcised) that orange carpet!!
Christmas at the Halperts is made of awesome. And sugarplums. And maybe flan.
Date: July 09, 2009 08:08 am Title: Frame Toby: Our house was our castle and our keep by: callisto
Ah, great job. Thanks for revealing the conversations we never got to see that would make Pam's acceptance of the house believeable.
10 [Report This]Date: July 08, 2009 07:37 am Title: Business Trip: If you try sometimes, you get what you need by: Sweetpea
The men of Dunder-Mifflin, by Sweetpea! The word for this chapter is charming, I think. I went in excited to see what you would do with Pam's return, but found myself distracted and delighted by how well you wrote both Andy and Oscar. You handle Andy with such care, getting at the gentler forces that drive his sometimes ridiculous behavior. And your Oscar makes me think that he's a character that just doesn't get enough love in fic. So much saddness there. Well done all around. Thank you so much for participating - don't be a stranger!