Date: May 29, 2021 04:25 pm Title: Video
You did well illustrating the trap they're in here. Jim's efforts to separate himself are bound to fail because they're noticeable and confusing and upsetting to Pam, and Jim in addition to not wanting to separate himself much in the first place can't bring himself to maintain these efforts when they're confusing and upsetting to Pam. (Of course the good news is that they're confusing and upsetting to Pam because she loves him too, but, you know, we've got a ways to go before we get there.) Tough.
Also, Michael's version of Home Alone sounds VERY Michael.
Date: May 29, 2021 03:52 pm Title: Office Outing
"Pam’s answer to that is to very openly mock Katy with raised eyebrows and a head jiggle and he can’t stop smiling at her because he thinks it’s ridiculous as she does and love her love her love her." The love her love her love her running through Jim's head is both poignant and feels like what it's really like... not a lot of coherent thought, but feeling. And the push and pull within Jim's head feels right here - trying to establish some distance but also rationalizing how it's okay to not have distance because reasons. And the moment you created of their feet brushing under the table... sad heart eyes.
"And then he looks at her, really looks at her in the way that he always wants to but never allows himself. There’s silence between them and it makes the cold air heavy and thick and he can tell that she’s uncomfortable but it’s suddenly become the most important thing in the world that she speaks first. He feels like they’re on the cusp of something, like Pam is about to finally be honest with herself. With him. Because there has to be something there. Maybe if he stays silent long enough she’ll get the courage to admit it." This is a very different take on the 27 seconds of silence, and one I like a lot. The idea that this is about Jim wanting *her* to acknowledge what's going on makes a lot of sense, and I think strengthens the later moment of him deciding to speak up - it's less about him trying for the opportunity he missed earlier and more of a true realization that she's never going to.
"Outside the window, the lights of the city look blurry again." Oh, Jim.
I don't know. I liked this a lot.
Date: May 29, 2021 02:42 pm Title: Phone
I like the table-setting for Jim's Stamford transfer here, and how it builds off Pam's "I'm fine with my choices" line... it is striking how much Jim's advice to her in that episode applies to *him*, too, and it's nice to see him wrestling with that. I was also struck with the note of Jim trying to balance his obligations to her as a friend and what's good for him here - I feel like in canon it's so blatantly obvious that Jim Is What's Best For Pam that we don't get much exploration of that tension.
"But that’s not true at all. He’s a better person because he’s met her, and maybe even because he’s in love with her. She’s taught him about looking for the best in people and how to trust and how to listen and be still when someone needs you to be. She’s made him laugh harder than he’s ever laughed before in his life, she’s expanded his horizons as far as music and books and art, she’s made him want to be a better person, the kind that she’d be proud to be friends with. Or proud to just be with, period." - Just wanted you to know this paragraph, and really this whole section of Jim questioning whether or not he regrets falling for Pam, has really stuck with me, and definitely is something I was thinking about in writing my 05-05-05 chapter. You did really well in general capturing the back-and-forth in his head and how it keeps him from making decisions or moving on, how torn he is at this juncture.
I also like this version of his complaint to Toby - I think you squared the circle of how he came to make this complaint and take it right back realistically, with him not having made a *decision* to complain to Toby so much as Toby just having gotten to him at a bad moment.
It all just slots really well into canon. Well done.
Date: May 27, 2021 04:57 pm Title: Secret Santa
I love the detail of Jim remembering Meredith liking her art, which is such a thing Jim would store in his memory banks and Roy never would, and Jim sweating that he's outed himself feels like a really good glimpse into his daily struggle to be a good friend while hiding his feelings.
The idea of the card coming about at the last minute, and this all happening somewhat organically as opposed to being a big plan, feels very realistic, and also like it offers a lot of context to him taking the card back... this is not a plan he's really fully committed to even before the video iPod debacle.
As much as the idea of Jim not really being able to enjoy this moment of her getting the teapot back stings, it again feels real. Her getting it back might well not loom as large in his head as her giving it up in the first place did.
Date: May 27, 2021 06:39 am Title: Office Party
I've been driving myself *nuts* trying to remember who wrote this one, in spite of the fact that NLM very clearly referenced it when we were talking about 05-05-05 stories. Ha. Anyways, in addition to insight into Michael of him planning this very explicitly because Packer is coming, this feels like a really good look into Pam's head at this moment in the narrative and how she'd be consciously processing what she's feeling for Jim (or, more to the point, *not* processing it).
Date: August 22, 2020 08:11 pm Title: Office Romance
The talk about Pam's parents' marriage is a really good note - I think the fact that Pam's parents turn out to not be nearly as happily married as she thinks they are explains so much about her relationship with Roy, and it doesn't get quite as much attention as it should.
Date: August 22, 2020 08:01 pm Title: Message
"sometimes you're with someone that also fits the description of a labrador but that's just how it is" is a brilliant line. As is Jim's subtle flirting about how the Dundies were a religious experience for him, too.
Date: August 22, 2020 07:18 pm Title: Conference Room
"he will happily sit in an uncomfortable chair in the conference room of his boring job for forever if it means that Pam Beesly stays sleeping serenely on his shoulder" is S1 Jim in one sentence.
Date: August 22, 2020 07:06 pm Title: Paper
An interesting spin on this meeting - I feel like this moment is normally portrayed as a lot earlier than this. Makes more sense, really - a Pam who is just starting to grapple with her feelings towards Jim when the cameras arrive seems more likely to make some of the choices she did than a Pam who has been ignoring her feelings for almost as long as Jim has been dealing with his.
Date: July 05, 2018 07:34 pm Title: First Day
This was another great chapter! Jim's need to be busy rang really true and I loved his trying to make friends in an almost hostile office with minimal results. You're too good for them, Jim.
Back off, Karen. Back off now.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! And yeah, Karen, if we could just make her go away that’d be great. Ugh. But conflict makes for a good story and a happy ending, so she has to stay around for a while. Unfortunately.
1 [Report This]Date: July 04, 2018 08:35 pm Title: First Day
I loved the little nuances about Hannah and Tony. Seems appropriate. We never got a taste of what Jim’s first day was, and I think you hit the internals right on the head!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I feel bad that I left Martin out, haha. I appreciate your reading and reviewing!
Date: July 04, 2018 07:34 pm Title: First Day
A very good look into Jim's head, especially in the time between seasons 2 & 3. I think you captured his feeling of stir craziness very well here. Looking forward to more.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I think stir crazy is a good way to describe how he must have felt. I’m glad it was conveyed well! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: June 19, 2018 06:47 am Title: Birthday
Oh, yay for Penny! I love the sister dynamic here. Pam’s waterfall of emotions from sad to angry to inspired seems completely in character and makes total sense. Who hasn’t had an epiphany in the middle of a dance floor, right? ;)
And yeah. Still wanting to hug Jim. I can’t wait to read more!
Author's Response: Right? All my life altering realizations have happened while out on the dance floor. Well maybe not all, but at least one or two. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: May 28, 2018 12:56 pm Title: Parking Lot
Holy... what a beautiful and heartbreaking chapter! You write both characters so well but I especially love your insight into Jim.
Can we all just hug crying Jim?
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I would absolutely LOVE to hug crying Jim—wouldn’t we all? If only.
1 [Report This]Date: May 28, 2018 10:05 am Title: Parking Lot
You hit the nail on the head with this one. Wow. You’re writing these so beautifully. I can wait for more!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them all and I so appreciate all the reviews.
1 [Report This]Date: May 28, 2018 08:50 am Title: That's What She Said
My intention to read this all the way through and then comment at the end is failing miserably because I keep finding the need to stop at the end of every chapter all of a sudden. I LOVE the way you write the inner monologues. The way that Jim calls Katy in desperation and then feels guilty is so spot on. And I can only imagine that Pam pulled one of those “Make myself feel better about Jim having a girlfriend so I go find Roy” type of deals at the end. Ugh. So good!!
Date: May 27, 2018 03:38 pm Title: Prank
Stopping again because the way you talked about Pam’s heart made MY heart melt. Ugh. I love that stuff. Moving on to the next one!
Author's Response: Keep ‘em comin, sister! I am a review whore so feel free to leave one for every chapter if you like. 😉
1 [Report This]Date: May 27, 2018 08:05 am Title: Parking Lot
Melting. So well done.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! It might be my favorite chapter that I’ve written so far.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! It might be my favorite chapter that I’ve written so far.
1 [Report This]Date: May 27, 2018 07:24 am Title: Message
Okay, I have no idea how I started this and then let it get away from me, but I’m catching up and just had to comment on this chapter (because you know how I love a good IM story) and say that you nailed it (are nailing it)!! The IM was spot on in character, and aside from that, the way you have this set up in this little internal dialogue way of writing is just fantastic (that’s for the story as a whole. I’m blabbering. ANYWAY). I can’t wait to finish the rest! Keep up the amazing job!
Author's Response: Thank you! I love a good IM story, too, they’re my favorite. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
Date: May 25, 2018 09:35 pm Title: Parking Lot
Wow! You capture exactly what was happening and it is . . . wow! This is a great glimpse into Pam's mind and heart and Jim's as well. It's so heavy, and yet not melodramatic. And the way it plays out makes sense. Pam's train of thought follows a logical path, particularly that of "I can't". Beautifully written BT!
Author's Response: Thank you, Clover! That means so much. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
1 [Report This]Date: May 14, 2018 06:57 pm Title: Bears
Oh I love it! Wish there was more! Very good job!
Author's Response: Thank you! There definitely will be as this is a current WIP, so make sure you check back! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: May 12, 2018 11:07 pm Title: Bears
Aww, I love this take on Bears. I kinda of want a 14a and 14b on Beets and Battlestar Galactica, but that's just because you're doing this whole series so well.
Author's Response: Aw, thank you! I struggled a lot with trying to figure out how to incorporate all three without it being too heavy handed and while keeping it in the right time frame. I actually have a draft of it, but it felt too silly considering that the next installment is Casino Night. So it got retooled into “Bears” alone, and I’m really happy with how it turned out, and I’m glad you are too! :)
1 [Report This]Date: April 12, 2018 10:49 am Title: Lunch
I’m finally caught up and I’m loving this!
The way you had Katy brought back after Jim claimed he hadn’t seen her for a while in email surveillance is my new head canon.
(Also really enjoying all the Kelly interactions)
Author's Response: Thank you! Part of what has made this so fun for me is that I can incorporate my own head canons, so I’m glad they’re becoming someone else’s, too! And Kelly is probably the most fun for me to write because I relate to her on a spiritual level...in that I don’t know when to shut up. 😂
Date: April 09, 2018 06:36 pm Title: Lunch
I really like the work you do on Pam's internal monologue. I'd love to know the Jim version of this (not that I think you need to write a whole chapter on it, just that the Pam version made me want more).
Author's Response: Thank you! That's a high compliment. Jim's perspective is definitely coming soon!
1 [Report This]Date: March 20, 2018 07:30 pm Title: Paper
I love your style of writing so much! Always look forward to updates of this.
Author's Response: Thank you! I’ve really enjoyed writing it.