Date: March 15, 2020 04:47 am Title: Chapter 8: The Thirsty Bird
Good on Mark to get through to Jim there in that recollection. Easy to see Jim could have gone down that path but still had friends to pull him back. Likewise that he remembered the lesson later.
For all the horror stories of air travel, sometime things just go right. Good to see more things going right for Pam.
Author's Response: Yeah, I wanted to tip my hat to the many fics where Jim does get a little lower than this along the way, but keep us up on the more straight and narrow I find more fun to write. Thanks for the review!
Date: March 15, 2020 04:43 am Title: Chapter 8: The Thirsty Bird
Some very wise advice from Mark there.
Why Foster’s the stereotypical beer of Australia I will never really understand... Although, there tends to be a bit of a default/classic beer in each state. I like your twist on the stereotype!
I’m glad Pam’s layover was relatively stress free. The travel gods really smiled down on her, which is a rare occasion! I loved her dry humor re the magazine headline.
Author's Response: I think it's a Fosters marketing campaign, honestly. Thanks for the feedback, as always!
1 [Report This]Date: March 14, 2020 08:50 am Title: Chapter 7: Food and Flight
Sooo good. I love that Pam is keeping it all for Jim. You write their inner monologues and thought processes so well! I have no trouble believing that this is something both of them could have done (if only, can you imagine a whole season filmed in Australia?) and can’t wait to see when and how they come across each other. Wonderful job!
Author's Response: Thank you! I would have loved at least one episode in Australia--or even Canada-playing-Australia--but alas...
Date: March 14, 2020 06:47 am Title: Chapter 7: Food and Flight
Great way to keep looking into their thoughts. I agree Jim, when not in America don't go for McDonalds. Yes it's easy, it's comforting, but there's other stuff out there. Looks like he's started trying to get over Pam. Of course his thoughts are still full of her but there's some movement too. Oh buddy are you in for another surprise.
Good job with Pam as always. Though I imagine her seatmates are going to be giving her a few side-eyed glances if she keeps the maniacal laughter thing up.
Author's Response: I'm glad you agree! Thanks for the kind words.
1 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2020 09:40 pm Title: Chapter 7: Food and Flight
Your endnote made me chuckle. I haven’t actually spent that much time in Sydney! I think you’re doing a wonderful job! I always love to see how people represent Australia in fics...
My heart aches for Jim in this. He’s trying so hard, but everything is so wrapped up in Pam. I feel like it’s true that a friendship break up can be more difficult to navigate than a relationship break up and that’s really what Jim is dealing with here. It’s tough.
I like that Pam didn’t blurt out her story to her seat-partner. The idea that she needs to save those words for Jim is perfect - some clear communication will only do them wonders.
I am very, very stressed for Pam’s quick layover! I would be an anxious mess...
Author's Response: Thank you, I always strive for chuckles. You've spent more time in Sydney than I have if you've spent any time there, so...still a comparative expert ;). Thank you so much for the comments on the writing, I really appreciate them.
Date: March 13, 2020 09:30 pm Title: Chapter 6: Hostel Airspace
I love, love, love the idea that Jim’s choice of Australia as a travel destination is somehow wrapped up in Pam. As much as he wants to run from her - he doesn’t.
The little thinking of Dwight moments were a nice injection of levity, as was the 40 Year Old Virgin/Michael reference.
I’m so glad Pam’s finally on her way! Her interaction with this kindly stranger is a great way to give us a glimpse into how she’s feeling. All in all, a really lovely update.
Author's Response: Thank you! I enjoyed writing those moments, so it's nice to see that they landed with you.
1 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2020 09:28 pm Title: Chapter 7: Food and Flight
First off, I am loving these quick updates!
I've always wondered what would have happened if she had gone after him, now I am finding out!
Their thoughts never really leave each other. I like the anticipation that the back and forth between characters and the long flight are building. Also, having them both as the sole characters works perfectly here.
Thanks for writing!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm honored to be your concierge on this exploration of possibility. And yes, it does help that I only need to write the two of them because I slimmed down my cast.
1 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2020 07:53 pm Title: Chapter 6: Hostel Airspace
“ She’d started to watch the Forty Year Old Virgin, only to stop after the main character reminded her too much of Michael.”
😂 This cracked me up!! Enjoying this AU so far and looking forward to Pam getting to Australia!
Author's Response: Thank you! It was just...impossible not to write that joke. She'll get there soon--but I do want to give Jim a little time to get back to his human self before she arrives!
Date: March 13, 2020 03:50 pm Title: Chapter 6: Hostel Airspace
Love the action, very fast moving. And funny about The Forty Year Old Virgin.
Author's Response: Thank you! The 40 Year Old Virgin bit was just irresistible as I was writing.
1 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2020 12:44 pm Title: Chapter 6: Hostel Airspace
This chapter so unbelievably sweet and sad. I'm almost crying because of so many sights of how much Jim and Pam's lives intervene together. He chose the city she'd drawn and talked about, she heart 'their song'... And oh, this moment 'what should I have said' - it's so believable!
And I like the moment with German tourists; it's so fun! I've been learning German in the uni and totally agree with Jim - if you don't know for sure the praises and the curses sound the same way :)
Author's Response: Thank you! I had fun making up the Jim connections, but the Pam ones are of course easily found in canon--which I think is the best way to fanfic.
1 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2020 12:16 pm Title: Chapter 6: Hostel Airspace
Loved the 40 Year Old Virgin reference. It made me laugh! Great update!
Author's Response: Thank you! I couldn't resist when I looked up movies that would have been on a flight back then...
Date: March 13, 2020 10:52 am Title: Chapter 6: Hostel Airspace
So many lovely little gems scattered throughout this chapter. Jim's thought's that German is a violent sounding language, wanting to imitate Dwight, Todd Packer is not in jail. Lots of fun. Then under all the memories is one inescapable fact. The fact that no matter what he does, how far he runs, how much he lies to himself, he can't find something that's not there. If he's trying to find his heart, he'll need to realize he gave it to Pam a long time ago and she still has it tucked away.
Loved the 40 Year Old Virgin shout-out. Pam's epiphany continues. Most often it's through adversity that we grow and I'm see that here with her.
Lovely as always.
Author's Response: Thank you! I had a lot of fun with Jim's memories. He'll get better as he has a little time to heal--of course, only a very little time before that second flight comes in.
1 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2020 04:32 am Title: Chapter 5: Work
So not relevant to the story, because it makes complete sense for Jim to be mulling these things over, but we Australians are a strange bunch & tend to just call our downtown/any CBD “the city”. Not so much the high street... We’ve butchered most of the Queen’s English into our own adaptations... We’re fun like that.
Oh Pam, the practicalities of calling off a wedding so close to the date would be insane. You’ve done a nice job of describing both the angst and sheer workload of the thing. I’m so proud of this version of her for making all these big adult decisions and going after what she actually wants.
Author's Response: Thanks for the insider info! I was pretty sure that was the case but I decided Jim wouldn't know. Pam must have had a horrible time cancelling that wedding, and I think it's important to acknowledge that and let her have that space to make those decisions.
1 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2020 02:21 am Title: Chapter 5: Work
Oh, such a nice chapter! The thing I always find extremely difficult and painful - dealing with cancellation of the wedding, lots of explanation to all relatives, etc. But I'm glad that Pam dealt with all of it and not just rode off into the sunset. It's realistic, and it's the right thing to do.
I'll wait for the next chapter!
Author's Response: Oh, thank you! I am trying in this one to make Pam as thoughtful as I think she should be, and that includes dealing with the aftermath (before fleeing to Australia, of course). I'm glad that's working for you!
1 [Report This]Date: March 12, 2020 09:51 pm Title: Chapter 5: Work
You wrote Jim dead on his feet really well here. Get some rest Jim, methinks your going to need it.
More momentum building with Pam. Seems like some of the fog she's been lost in is just starting to clear. I'm sure there's still lots of thoughts bouncing around, but the flurry of activity to get to JFK seems to have kept all that at bay...for now.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm drawing rather heavily on my own jetlag experiences for this. I'll let Pam and Jim get a little closer mentally as they get there physically...slowly but surely.
1 [Report This]Date: March 12, 2020 09:34 pm Title: Chapter 5: Work
I've been loving this! Thanks for the quick updates.
Author's Response: Thank you! I try to keep them coming, because that's how I prefer to read so it's also how I prefer to write.
Date: March 12, 2020 01:20 am Title: Chapter 4: A Brief Update
That last Jim line: “riding along, ticket-free, in his head,” was just brilliant.
Short, but very effective update.
I can’t wait for Pam to get to him...
Author's Response: I appreciate it! I'm afraid she also has to fly across an ocean, so it may be a few updates...
1 [Report This]Date: March 11, 2020 10:16 pm Title: Chapter 4: A Brief Update
Yes short, but nice to see. Jim's still just going through the motions. Pam though is building up momentum.
I also love you're giving us both of their perspectives in each chapter this time around. The one POV per character from your previous stories worked well too, but it's nice to see this change as well.
Author's Response: Yeah, Pam has a ways to go to get to Jim, both metaphorically and literally, so that dynamic may persist. Thanks for the feedback on the POVs--it's a thing I wanted to try, glad it's working.
1 [Report This]Date: March 11, 2020 06:46 pm Title: Chapter 3: Movies
I like these bits of humor that you sprinkle into this angsty piece "classics hour on Qantas " "CHEAPOAIR" and your nods to Mozilla and Firefox... keeps it from getting too heavy.
But this line "He smiled a pained apology and tried his best to suffer in silence. Which, he reflected, was what he was best at."
Poor Jim!
Looking forward to the updates!
Thanks for writing!
Author's Response: Thank you! I think this is an angsty moment, but that means we have a responsibility to keep it a little more upbeat.
Date: March 11, 2020 09:47 am Title: Chapter 3: Movies
If I could leave a gif comment it’d be one of me bouncing around in anticipation for this story to continue! Also I like that Jim watched Legally Blonde and enjoyed it and had to eat some crow, even if only to himself.
Author's Response: Thank you! I like the movie, so of course I have to make Jim like it.
Date: March 10, 2020 11:11 pm Title: Chapter 3: Movies
Yes, Pam, book those flights!
That line about Jim suffering in silence? Just perfect!
Fast updates are great, but if it slows down, we’ll still be here 😊
Author's Response: Thank you!
1 [Report This]Date: March 10, 2020 11:07 pm Title: Chapter 2: En Route
Wow. I think this is one of my favorite explanations for Pam calling off the wedding. This is exactly how I like to think it played out, with Pam trying to bring the simple things she’d enjoyed with Jim into her relationship with Roy and it just... not working... Wonderfully written.
Author's Response: Thank you! I decided to go with something other than my usual Roy-is-an-ass-and-it's-obvious approach, so I'm glad that worked for you!
Date: March 10, 2020 08:41 pm Title: Chapter 3: Movies
Aww Jim. Going through some self-depreciation there buddy. I mean I get it. This is one of the lowest points for him as a character so it makes sense. Nice touch with the shower and perm reference.
Last chapter I said both Pam and Jim are moving but without a destination. There at the end thought there's a glimmer of a destination for Pam. Now granted from your story description, this move is expected. However the process behind the move is fun to read.
Author's Response: Yeah. I think he's pretty low. I think he's going to stay low for a little while too, but hopefully some other motion will help him up...
1 [Report This]Date: March 10, 2020 06:47 pm Title: Chapter 2: En Route
Good introspection from both of them. Looking forward to more
Author's Response: Thank you! The introspection is fun to write, so I'm glad you're finding it good.
1 [Report This]Date: March 10, 2020 03:02 pm Title: Chapter 2: En Route
It's an amazing start! I like their inner monologues, the idea that they need to understand themselves better. Especially these lines 'was he really Pam’s best friend, or just a guy who wanted to get into her pants?' and 'he was the man she’d actually been in relationship with (in the sense that her childhood pastor had meant when he’d talked about “being a church in relationship with the community,” responsive to its needs and concerned about its concerns).' They are fantastic!
Can't wait to see more!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the introspection; I think this will be a slow-paced one in terms of action, so that's very important.