Date: March 25, 2020 09:02 am Title: Chapter 17: Height Differential
You know, things are really tough in the HonestAndCourageous household right now, and I was feeling really defeated until I read this... YAY! Dorky Jim waved to the public, Pam turned away from what she was holding onto and they couldn't let each other out of their sight... needless to say I'm not ready for this one to be over yet, but so excited for the next chapter.
Thanks for writing!
Author's Response: I'm sorry to hear that things are tough, HAC (I'm not surprised, alas, since they're tough everywhere, but my best wishes to you in not giving in to defeat!). I'm glad this could do whatever little bit to cheer you up. Thanks for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: March 25, 2020 08:17 am Title: Chapter 17: Height Differential
Love it! I can't wait to see what happens next!
Author's Response: Thank you! Next chapter is up now!
Date: March 25, 2020 04:43 am Title: Chapter 17: Height Differential
I read this chapter three times so far, and I'm grinning like an idiot right now because they are so them. Their communication is unbelievably sweet and witty. And there are so many lines I like (Pam's realization that Jim didn't expect to see her at all and Jim's understanding that no, he wasn't insane are precious), but the final line 'you're not getting away again that easily' is just the best.
Thank you so much!
Author's Response: Thank you! I hope I can keep that up!
1 [Report This]Date: March 25, 2020 01:11 am Title: Chapter 17: Height Differential
Time for another story from warrior4 at work. So, tonight started out horrifically busy. Whereas my company likes to have 5-6 ambulances cover our area at night, this night we have 3. Needless to say we're all getting our butts kicked with calls. Than an even more enjoyable (not) event happens. The internet on my truck won't work so I can't pull up the program I use to write my medical reports about each call. Finally we get cleared to our station to get a new ambulance with working internet. And now I have 6 reports to write that each take 10-15 minutes each to complete. Yeah, good times. So what do I do instead? I click over to MTT to see if "Stay-at-home-Dad" has any more reviews and inso doing see this story has updated. I couldn't think of a better motivation to get my reports written as quickly as possible than knowing there's a new chapter up. Well maybe that and the king size 3 Musketeers bar I bought also as a "get your reports done," treat. Anyway I digress. Clearly said reports are filed and this chapter is read. On with the review.
So many great lines throughout this whole chapter. "getting married to *that guy* in mumblty-mumblty hours," "maybe there were more potent 'botanicals'...than he realized," and of course the start of the coup-de-gras, "what the hell are you doing here?" followed of course by the rejoinder, "Getting a crick in my neck, apparently. What the hell are you doing all the way up there?" Just wonderful ways to set the scene and pull your readers into the world you've created.
Grrr, now we're getting another call. I shall return to this review as soon as I'm able.
40 minutes later I'm back. Now where was I? Ah yes.
I was very curious to see how their first conversation would go. Excited? Angsty? Fearful? Joyous? Lots of different ways it could go. However what we got was just some classic feeling JAM banter. Just lovely through it all.
It feels they're starting out on a good foot with this conversation. Jim being all agog that she's there. Her feeling everything falling into place as she turns away from the Opera House.
Can't wait to see how they react to each other once they're truly face to face. Bravo on this one my friend. Bravo.
Author's Response: As always, I appreciate both your in-depth reviews and the compliment you pay me by telling me that my updates are important to you. I really enjoyed writing this one, so I love hearing that you enjoyed it!
Date: March 24, 2020 10:27 pm Title: Chapter 17: Height Differential
That most definitely lived up to expectations, I love that they’re still them. It’s nice in a way, that they’re on different levels and have a moment to process before they’re really physically together. I absolutely adored that line about Pam turning away from the things she’s long wanted to see because Jim is the other direction. That’s how you know indeed. What a great update!
Author's Response: Thank you! I really appreciate this, and I hope I can keep on living up to those expectations!
Date: March 24, 2020 08:49 pm Title: Chapter 17: Height Differential
I’m so giddy about this chapter!! This is such an awesome story to read while we’re in confinement
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm really enjoying writing it from confinement too!
Date: March 24, 2020 02:59 pm Title: Chapter 16: Walking Tours
😱
Author's Response: ! Thanks!
Date: March 24, 2020 01:02 pm Title: Chapter 16: Walking Tours
What?! Yes! So excited - not the path I thought this would take but better. I like how you've tied the drawing of the Sydney Opera House from earlier into this chapter as well as giving us Pam's perspective and feelings attached to her art. Lovely.
Thanks for writing, especially during such crazy times.
Author's Response: Thank you! I really appreciate you catching the details like that, and I appreciate that you think this is better than you expected!
Date: March 24, 2020 06:03 am Title: Chapter 16: Walking Tours
Ooh! They finally meet!
Author's Response: Indeed! Someday they'll even talk! Thanks for the review!
Date: March 24, 2020 03:04 am Title: Chapter 16: Walking Tours
Ahhhhh, I’m too excited about where this has ended to leave any sort of coherent review! Please post the next chapter asap!
Author's Response: It's up! Thank you for the review!
Date: March 24, 2020 02:53 am Title: Chapter 16: Walking Tours
Yay! It's the perfect place for them to meet! I suspected that they stayed in the same hostel (and somehow would meet there), but your way is sooo much better.
Perhaps, my joy is a tad early since they haven't spoken yet, but I'm just happy now :)
Author's Response: Thank you! If you'd like to see them speak, next chapter is up.
Date: March 23, 2020 09:18 pm Title: Chapter 16: Walking Tours
Ah! Sic em Pam!
I'm glad to see they're close to making contact.
Author's Response: Contact ahoy! Thanks for the review :)
Date: March 23, 2020 08:19 pm Title: Chapter 16: Walking Tours
So my theory proves correct. Yes, you would do that. Well done.
I was grinning ear to ear reading this whole chapter. Can't wait to see how their reunion goes. Wish I could be more eloquent, but I just sat back and enjoyed this one. Can't wait to read more.
Author's Response: I'm delighted to know you liked it! It's a real pleasure to know I can make you, who are always so eloquent in your comments, sit back and enjoy.
Date: March 23, 2020 04:13 am Title: Chapter 15: Museums Galore
I like to really test the old memory & not google map where you’re sending them - I know Sydney’s big landmarks aren’t all that spread out... Hyde Park I can actually picture.
I’m really enjoying your virtual tour of Sydney, I think you’re doing such a lovely job of describing the sights. Would recommend the bridge climb.
You’re moving through the landmarks, which leaves me very, very curious as to where they will eventually meet at. Nice to get a glimpse into where they’re both at in terms of thinking (or not) about one another. Looking forward to the next update!
Author's Response: That's fair! You actually have some knowledge that I don't, so the need to Google might be less. I'm glad you think I'm doing it justice (and there might be a bridge climb in this fic's future--sadly probably not in mine). Thanks!
Date: March 22, 2020 09:43 pm Title: Chapter 15: Museums Galore
Wonderful work as always. It is a testament to your talent that these chapters are all less than a thousand words but still have a lot of emotional depth and character development that might take other writers (cough cough me cough cough) like 2.5k words to do, haha! Also it was way fun to explore Sydney on Google Maps! It was already on my bucket list but now you’ve given me lots of places to go when I finally get the chance to visit!
Author's Response:
Thank you! This next one is our longest, but it's still only 1500 or so. Thank you for the compliment! I usually feel like I am cheating everyone by not having the longer chapters everyone else writes, but I'm literally incapable of writing more than about 2k words in a single mental arc, so I don't. Delighted to know it still works for you emotionally.
I also want to visit these places so badly. Gotta admit, the travelogue element is kind of wish fulfillment here, especially mid-pandemic.
Date: March 22, 2020 07:41 pm Title: Chapter 15: Museums Galore
I'm so happy I Google mapped this! I've been really enjoying all your updates and seeing their thought processes aligning so well. I'm looking forward to the next update!
Author's Response: So am I! Thank you for reading and for following along on the map too!
Date: March 22, 2020 07:25 pm Title: Chapter 15: Museums Galore
So Jim's out and about. Nice that he's having a good time. It seems his thoughts are calming down a bit. *Taps chin* Interesting. *Goes to Google where Jim is right now* Very interesting.
Pam going to a tall place because Jim is tall was a hoot. *Googles Pam's starting and ending points in this chapter* VEEERY interesting.
*Notices- (Remember that story? I remember that story. Good story, moving on) Notices another landmark currently north and east of the current location of our heroes*
Would Comfect do that? That be the place where they finally meet up? Quite probably, which is leaving me grinning from ear to ear hoping my theory is right. Time will tell.
Still lots of fun with this story. Keep it up.
Author's Response: Would I do that? Would I? Did I plan this entire fic around that? You'll just have to keep reading. Thanks!
Date: March 22, 2020 11:54 am Title: Chapter 14: Lows
Yes, yes, yes. So glad to see Jim is processing what happened and why Pam reacted the way she did.
Halpert Helper?! So cute. Sounds like something Pam for sure would have done.
Thanks for writing!
Author's Response: Thank you! More coming now!
Date: March 22, 2020 10:27 am Title: Chapter 14: Lows
I love the exploration of Jim's guilt. I don't think we see that very often, and I think it's very much a thing he would have gone through. It's like you said-he does know Pam, he does know how hard change is for her, and what really were his expectations? I'm glad to see that addressed! I'm glad that they're having this time alone to figure things out, so to speak. And I'm proud of them both for actually trying, not just wallowing. I feel like Jim so often is written as sitting around getting blind drunk after the events of CN, and I just don't know how much I agree with that. I'm happy to see that he's just hanging around Sydney pounding Foster's, haha.
Anyway as always, great job! Can't wait for what's next!
Author's Response: Thank you! I think it's important that he goes through that, even if by S3 he's going to be an emotional basketcase, because while by S3 he knows she's broken up with Roy but not called him, here he's dealing with his own actions, not hers. Or not just hers. I agree that it's Roy, not Jim, who gets shitfaced after Pam's rejection, and that distinction is important.
Date: March 21, 2020 11:58 pm Title: Chapter 14: Lows
Yes, Jim, you definitely should feel guilty! And I like that he got that by himself (and not after a nudge from friends/family/colleagues/Pam herself).
Also, I have a feeling that while Jim is reflective and just a bunch of nerves in human form, Pam is collected and has this 'a woman on the mission' vibe (though her thoughts about how many things she ruined for him are heartbreaking).
P.S. I'll give all I have to see Jim's impression of a sea lion!
Author's Response: Thank you! I would too, honestly. Someone should get John to do that for Instagram or something.
Date: March 21, 2020 11:20 pm Title: Chapter 14: Lows
I like Jim’s journey here. We as the audience see that Jim disappearing without giving Pam thinking time is a big part of the drawn out angst in Season 3. It’s great to see Jim acknowledge that here.
Bonus points for a line that made me chuckle in spite of my myself given the emotional content - the “started with a P and ended with...” one. Wonderful writing, as always.
Author's Response: Thank you! I think it's important that Jim have these thoughts, even if we know by S3 he was a wreck. I think it was really not hearing from Pam, rather than just the rejection, that broke him, and so here he's doing his own healing before he discovers that.
Date: March 21, 2020 09:32 pm Title: Chapter 14: Lows
Okay so here I am at work, and we get a call from the police to come and evaluate a subject who is having a psychological issue. Long story short, as we're driving into the hospital a very angry patient start shouting, yelling, and flailing his arms around. And he's about twice my size. He didn't hit me but he was clearly upset and more than a little ticked off. Left me feeling quite nervous once we cleared the call.
The reason I tell you this story is because once I got the report written up and clicked over to MTT, seeing an update for this story did a lot to help me calm down and let that call go. Wanted to let you know that.
Now getting into the actual review of this chapter. Jim's introspection continues. I like that he comes to the realization about the huge weight he dumped on Pam that night. How he wasn't being fair to her or to himself really. Hopefully since he's going through and hashing all this out with himself, once they do meet up that'll make their discussion go smoother.
Pam walking through the wax museum sounds like a ton of fun.
Author's Response:
Well, thank you. That makes me feel very good inside that this was helpful to you at such a time. I'm sorry you had to deal with that, but thank you for all you do outside of this site as well as for your reviews which are uniformly insightful.
I think it's reasonable and important for Jim as a person to have this reflection at this point: I think Pam not telling him about the wedding being off is really what triggers his S3 frustrations, but he'd have realized that the initial "rejection" wasn't entirely her fault.
Date: March 21, 2020 06:39 am Title: Chapter 13: At Cross Purposes
Aww, I do like Pam's planning. And it was lovely to 'walk' in Sidney with them. Hope to continue this 'journey' soon :)
Author's Response: Thank you! I really appreciate it.
Date: March 20, 2020 10:19 pm Title: Chapter 13: At Cross Purposes
After that line about a quiet neighbor in the hostel, I now suspect that Pam has stumbled into the same hostel as Jim & has taken up residence in the room previously occupied by the Germans?! Will this wild prediction prove accurate, I guess only time will tell...
Another lovely update. I love the Halpert Helper. It’s such a fun way for Pam to work on tracking Jim down. This story is so much the richer for no cell phone calls/Jim telling everyone the exact details of his trip, i.e. the name of his hostel.
Author's Response: Thank you! Pam seems to me to be the kind of person who would keep that kind of list. I don't know quite why.
Date: March 20, 2020 08:25 pm Title: Chapter 13: At Cross Purposes
So are they at the same hostel? Staying in the same place and only separated by a wall at night? You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but that's quite devious.
I did Google the Maritime Museum and the best response for an aquarium was something called Sea Life. If that's the one you're thinking of, that's all sorts of devious fun considering their location on the map. Bravo.
I like that Jim has an inner scientist in him. Kinda fun to bring out a new facet of his personality. Don't worry Jim. Methinks sometime in the (nearish) future you'll be able to tell Pam all about your adventures.
The Halpert Helper is wonderfully cute. Good instincts Pam. Wasn't really expecting her to find him right away of course. What fun would that be? Still nice to see she's on the hunt.
Author's Response: Good googling! Thank you for your attention to detail, as always, and it won't be too long now.