Date: December 06, 2023 04:51 am Title: Step 5, Let Simmer
What is always such a treat with your writing is all the extra stuff we get, like in this one the added bits about Tarzan and Mr. Rogers. You always have such good details to share (or in this case Sam).
Speaking of details, I appreciated the details about their first meeting and how she was having the ring resized - so he didn't know during their "first date" how she was engaged and what a rough way to find out. I also caught the details that the teal teapot was one of the items she wanted to take from the cupboard.
Good for Jim not trying to be a fixer yet and just being there for her, taking Sam's advice to be a Good Man.
And hot chocolate toast is always a good way to close out a chapter. Looking forward to what happens next.
Author's Response: Thank you! I have a lot of fun adding in those details so I'm glad they work for you too. Same with how Sam's speech landed. Kind of the thing Jim needs to hear to grow a couple years emotionally. Glad you liked it all and thanks for always picking up on the details.
1 [Report This]Date: December 05, 2023 01:10 am Title: Step 5, Let Simmer
Was great how Jim was just there for Pam as a friend, not trying to rush her into anything. It’s what she needs right now. Plus some hot chocolate, that makes everything better!!
Loved Jim noticing the watercolour, it’s the little things that make him, him
Looking forward to more!
Author's Response: I like to think it's because he pays so close attention to Pam that he's able to come up with really meaningful gestures like this. Unlike others who gloss over her. Thanks for the comment, love reading them.
Date: December 04, 2023 01:30 pm Title: Step 5, Let Simmer
I know that this off subject,
but do you think we can get
an up for Sliver Wings soon?
Author's Response: I'm probably not going to even start until after the new year. I'll be working on a Christmas fic soon so that'll take priority. After that will be Silver Wings for sure though.
Date: December 04, 2023 12:25 pm Title: Step 5, Let Simmer
Yay I’m so glad that you updated this story!
Jim was smart to listen to Sam about being a good man. It made Jim smart to be there for Pam, but to not jump the gun about telling her that he has feelings for her because the timing would have been all wrong. I do think that Sam and Beth are good for Jam because they can help him and Pam see things from a different perspective.
Please update soon!
Author's Response: That is entirely the point of Sam and Beth. Give Jim and Pam some outside perspective on how their lives are going right now. It's one of the biggest things Jim and Pam lacked in canon in my opinion so it's fun to explore in fics. Thanks for the review.
Date: September 27, 2023 06:21 am Title: Step 4, Bring To a Boil
I really like how you add the recipes in here. Hope you contiue this soon!
Author's Response: Glad you like the recipes. More on the way as soon as life allows.
1 [Report This]Date: September 21, 2023 05:32 pm Title: Step 4, Bring To a Boil
First of all - very clever title - Pam was boiling alright by the end of this chapter and halleluiah for that. It's about time she saw the light (in part thanks to one very helpful Beth and of course in seeing that her cooking partner is a better an than her potential future partner. I do hope her decision sticks!
Other things I enjoyed in this chapter -
how Jan has to pad the due date knowing Michael so well - and that Darryl knows how Jan knows Michael so well. Little details that add to the overall story.
Little nods to show elements - like the strip bar and going to Niagara Falls.
The little call out to a MTT classic. The locker scene - yup classic Roy. I thought you nailed character of Kenny too.
The small visions of family life (the ones she would like to have that she shares with Beth) are so sweet to read.
Great details to have Jim anxious to check on the cook. However I am with Kenny however about the mushy peas. Not of fan of peas at all but make them mushy and sorry to say but I'd toss them down the sink too. Sorry to yuck anyone's yum.
Now that Pam is a free agent looking forward to how you title the next chapter - and of course how it plays out.
Author's Response: Thank you! I've been having fun with the chapter titles in this one for sure. Both Jim and Pam had moments where they were boiling so it seemed to fit, though of course it was also intentional. Pam's gotten a lot of fresh perspective from a new source here and it's made all the difference. To be looking more at actions rather than words and if those actions are the kind of thing she'd want going forward. Kind of a look to the past to predict the future kind of thing.
Glad you caught all the little details I put in. Jan knowing Michael, various locations from the show, the MTT call out. Always fun to put stuff like that in and see if people catch it.
I've got some fun ideas for the next chapter. Thanks as always for your detailed reviews.
Date: September 20, 2023 11:53 am Title: Step 4, Bring To a Boil
Yay you’re back!
Good for Pam for not taking a hard look at her relationship with Roy but also not putting up with it anymore. Roy was never going to grow up with Pam.
He was always going to be that high school kid.
Also good for Pam for not taking Kenny’s crap as well. Please please please update soon!
Author's Response: Yeah, Roy's still the same guy he was back in high school just in an adult body. He's never had a reason to change till now which means Pam's outgrown him. Kenny's always a jerk so goodbye to him too. Glad you liked it.
1 [Report This]Date: September 20, 2023 06:20 am Title: Step 4, Bring To a Boil
Ok, this was a GREAT chapter. Absolutely love it when Pam breaks up with Roy and you wrote it so well!!
Loved the Squirrel McPants reference!! And hey! measuring things is SO much easier to make a recipe than cups!!
Great chapter, really can't wait to see what comes next!
Author's Response: Figured I'd keep the measurements as in the recipe since it was UK night after all. Thanks for the recipes. Always fun to add in some in-site references too. Glad the fight between Pam and Roy came across well. Should be interesting to see how it pans out.
1 [Report This]Date: June 09, 2023 10:54 am Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Hello! I've been reading for a while, but finally "joined" this site just so that I could leave you a message! Primary reason I'm leaving a review here - aside from this being a great story - is it appears it might be your most recent work, and I am really hoping to let you know how much I'm enjoying your writing in general!
I am a very late arrival to the world of The Office. I was in a somewhat bizarre accident back in December 2022 where I was thrown from a vehicle, resulting in head trauma and significant TBI. I'm doing great recovery-wise, BTW. But one of the things I had to "work back up to" in recovery was screen time. Legit, more than 5 minutes could make me sick, even on my phone. So when we started working on more sustained time, my PT recommended finding a show I could stream, whose episodes were 30 mins or less. Enter: The Office!
Of course I quickly fell in love with JAM - who wouldn't?! But when I finished the series, I was still hungry for more. I had to meander from FF to here, but I found my way... and I've found many lovely stories to fill my JAM bucket.
Your stories have especially intrigued me, so thank you for them. In addition, I believe at least one story documents some of your personal history as a paramedic... and as someone who recently benefitted from some life-saving emergency care, I want to say thank you for that service as well. If I'm also not reading too much into things, it sounds like you may also weave bits of your personal faith into your stories... and that, too, has been a life-sustaining part of my recovery journey these past few months.
I am a therapist by trade, and have been pursuing additional certification in treating PTSD/PTSI for law enforcement and emergency services workers. I am only back to my job at 20 hours a week currently (CRAZY how slow this recovery is! But it *is* recovery!), so some of my professional development is on hold. Just wanted you to know that I'm honored by both the work you do and the hobby that hopefully feeds your heart... and just wanted you to know, it's feeding mine as well! :)
With a grateful heart,
Maddi (sn:TheOneTimeTheyParkoured)
Author's Response: First of all, I'm very glad to hear your recovery is going so well. TBI's are nothing to sneeze at as often they can be a hidden kind of injury. A broken bone often leaves a scar. It's often hard to see the internal scars from things like a TBI so I'm thrilled you're getting better each day.
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words about my stories. I'm delighted you've enjoyed them so much. I have a great time writing them so it thrills me to hear when others enjoy them too. Yes I do bring in elements of my personal life to my writings. After all write what you know about and writing is easier. But yes I will bring in real life aspects when I feel they're appropriate. I try to be delicate as I aim to be true to myself and yet respectful to anyone who might not view the world as I do.
Amazing that you're looking to get into helping First Responders deal with the PTSD that comes with our line of work. We need it. I've utilized the services of mental health professionals a few times over the course of my career. Writing fanfiction stories is another way I deal with some of that stress. A fun hobby that primarily is just that, fun. There are other benefits of course, but it's just fun and that's worthwhile in and of itself.
Once again thank you for the lovely message. Hopefully I'll get some new things up soon. Life is always busy, but I'm working on it.
Take care.
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
1 [Report This]Date: March 19, 2023 09:13 pm Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
First: this recipe sounds delicious.
Second: I really love how you portray this subtle dance of the kitchen they're doing here, and how well they're able to do it without thinking about it. Sure not something Roy would bring to the table. And you can really see Pam feeling liberated to create in this environment, such a contrast from where she is in canon.
AHHHH BETH AND SAM HAD THEIR FIRST DATE AND ENGAGEMENT AT CHRISTOPHER'S. GOLDVERSE-CEPTION. And again... what a contrast to Roy and Pam. Really like Beth making the point about the wedding not being the end of the journey but the beginning.
Congratulations btw: that may be the worst version of Roy's proposal I've ever read. Jfc, Roy, the callback to the first date? Really? He's extraordinarily lucky that night didn't end with him wearing one of those beers.
“No offense, but how does a dental hygienist know all this?” Isabel: wtf man
Ooooof. Sam and Beth finding all their soft spots here...
Author's Response: Thanks, it is quite tasty.
Glad you're still enjoying this one. it's fun to write Jim and Pam in a good place that's for sure. It was fun to bring in Christopher's like this. I thought Roy might try to propose in a way he likes, a way that gives him maximum attention, not in a way that would be meaningful for Pam. Thy guy might think he knows her, but no not really.
I'll admit I completely forgot about Isabel's job when writing this. Nice catch there. But yeah Sam and Beth know just where to push. Which is of course the point. Thanks for the review.
1 [Report This]Date: March 12, 2023 04:58 pm Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
I love your chapter titles! Just like a recipe, they too are organized in step order! I can see how Pam is loving these cooking classes... it definitely ties into expressing her creativity through art... and you do such a great job of showing how "friends" Jim and Pam are just as in sync as the married couple Sam and Beth. Not surprised that Jim and Pam are in step together when in close quarters in the kitchen!!
I love Beth's correction to "lady". It was a great metaphor to what Pam's relationship is with Roy--a kid, high school relationship--to what it could be with Jim--an adult partnership. Really points out the difference in how the two treat her. I'm glad Pam got Beth's number to potentially discuss some of these big topics with her away from class.
I love Sam's blunt approach with Jim. I thought that he brought up some excellent points, especially that if Jim says he's Pam's best friend, shouldn't he be honest with her? Even if it means saying that he is in love with her? I'd LOVE to hear the conversation Sam and Beth have in the car on the way home tonight--playing a little bit of both matchmaker/therapist... Can't wait for the next chapter! As always, the recipes look great! We always add sour cream, milk, and butter to our mashed potatoes--but I LOVE the idea for the pork chops--including the original use of cherry jam! I frequent Cherry Republic up in Glen Arbor so I have a lot of cherry products, including jam, and that would be a great use!
Author's Response: Thank you for mentioning the chapter titles. That's kind of the point for sure. Painting on a canvas or painting on a dish. Each involve a lot of creativity and rule systems, but within those rule systems there's a lot of room for creativity, adaptation, improvisation, and exploration. Add in being there with Jim and it's a lot of fun to bring out some of the best sides of Pam.
Exactly the point of the "lady" correction. To get Pam to start thinking more as an adult and not as a child anymore. It's also a nod to how Jenna and Angela talk to each other on the podcast, so double bonus!
Jim needs the hard kick in the pants. In canon it was the looming wedding date and his transfer. Here it's Sam going for the man to man direct approach. Great fun beating some sense into his brain for sure.
Glad you're interested in the recipes too. Hope your turn out well if you choose to try them out. Thanks for a great review!
1 [Report This]Date: March 10, 2023 05:51 am Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Yeah- a proposal at Christopher's - points for Beth, from a Beth...should be worth even more (wink-wink).
Speaking of Beth, this one is extremely observant and VERY wise (as all Beth's are - wink-wink-wink)
Hopefully she is helping to open Pam's eyes to what a healthy relationship should be. The bit about the marriage being the start of the journey as opposed to the end - I loved that.
Sam's approach to reaching Jim, while different was just as profound (even if it did cause him to scratch) and hopefully will push him to where he needs to go and say what needs to be said, what he pulled back from saying when he slipped back the card, and thanks to Beth she will maybe be in a place where she is ready to be hear it.
Of course, the cooking bit was fun (did the cooking lesson thing once for an anniversary) as was hearing about Beth and Sam's wedding planning.
Bring on what's to be come next........
Author's Response: Figured you'd get a kick out of the nod to Christopher's. The idea was to make Beth and Sam as kind of an audience stand in. They can see right from the off that Jim and Pam are meant for each other so they get to say what we as an audience always wanted to. Glad you liked the cooking parts too. Should be kind of interesting to see where we go from here for sure.
1 [Report This]Date: March 10, 2023 04:56 am Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Am loving the slow build up of this, Warrior (and the recipes don't hurt either ;))
Author's Response: Glad you're enjoying the story and the recipes. Thanks for being here for everything.
1 [Report This]Date: March 09, 2023 09:36 am Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Am I mildly obsessed with this story? Possibly. I love Pam's thoughts over the teapot and Beth's gentle approach compared to Sam's straight up 'you love her bro' approach. Fits well for the Jam. As a tongs owner I agree two clicks is basically the law! Looking forward to more!
Author's Response: Glad to have you here for it. Having Pam gush over her teapot is always a fun thing. Also glad you picked up on how the two different approaches Beth and Sam used. That was the exact intent. And yes, always click your tongs.
Date: March 08, 2023 12:59 pm Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Yay you’re back!
Beth made a lot of good points here.
Actions speak louder than words.
Roy’s proposal was awful and so completely him.
I think Pam and Roy were together for so long is because they were each other’s comfort zone.
So when Jim came along it disrupted the only thing that they ever knew, and I think that’s why Pam was having a lot on confusing thoughts and feelings.
Roy and Pam were never going to have an adult relationship with each other. They would always be
in their high school relationship no matter how old they got, and it seems that the Pamin this story is starting to realize it.
Author's Response: Yup, all that's the point. To get Pam and Jim both think about their various relationships with an adult mindset and clear reason rather than just the feelings of everything. Early season Pam is also scared of change unless its forced on her. So what would it be like if change comes via a mentor type relationship versus a desperate declaration? Glad you liked it.
1 [Report This]Date: March 08, 2023 11:04 am Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Tong clicking is most definitely a male thing. I’m pretty sure it’s the only utensil my husband knows how to use, and always does that first.
I really liked Jim adding a ‘snapshot’ of Pam to his mental folder.
Sam and Beth are very wise people. Seems like Jim and Pam have a lot to think about…
Great chapter!
Author's Response: Clicking one's tongs is pretty much obligatory at this point. Glad you liked the lighter and heavier subject matter in this one. And yeah, they both have a lot to ponder.
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 07:49 pm Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
The "don't lose money"/"when has that happened"/"last week"/"Lonny cheated" exchange is gold. And very Roy.
Jim immediately noticing the painting AND Pam's intention? I ship it. (As does Beth, clearly.)
Oh, Roy. I'd like to say that pasta mistake could happen to anyone, but I'd be lying.
Love them immediately getting mistaken for engaged either way... and strange that Pam isn't QUITE as eager to correct the mistake when it's not someone they have to deal with in their normal lives...
Happy National Men Make Dinner Day! And thanks for the bonus recipe with this fic...
Author's Response:
Roy always kind of came across as the very self confident guy. It worked for him in high school sure but it's fading more and more the further out from his school days.
I had a lot of fun with Jim noticing the painting and everything with it. It had to happen that others would assume they're a couple, right? But yeah, Pam's not quite so quick to deny it. But a few more cogs are turning for sure.
You're welcome for the recipe. Hope you like it if you ever choose to make it.
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 07:49 pm Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
Great chapter! Also love the bonus recipe— looks super easy with veggies already built in! I’ll for sure try this one! I loved the easy Jim and Pam interaction… I have to imagine that Roy will eventually find out that Pam’s attending the classes… with Jim as her partner— and that likely won’t go well…
Great use of the Men Make Dinner day! I also love that Jim noticed Pam’s artwork. Will their cooking couple friend bring them closer together?? Will Jim and Pam spend lunches eating their shared leftovers?? Can’t wait to see what they’re cooking up (both literally and figuratively; yes, it’s a terrible pun!) next chapter!
Author's Response: You're welcome for the recipe. I hope you like it, we do around my house. Ah early S2 JAM banter. So much fun for sure. Yeah there's some akwardness, but not as much as after the specter of June 10 lands. Roy's reaction to all of this will be interesting for sure.
Ooh, there's an idea I hadn't really thought of. Them eating their leftovers back at work. Thanks for that. I just may have to build that in now. We've got something ready to simmer that's for sure.
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 11:24 am Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
This is really cute, warrior! And thanks for posting the recipe. Looking forward to more (and I'm curious to see if you'll stick to canon here).
Author's Response: Thanks TD. Glad you're hear for this one. I hope you enjoy the recipe. As for canon, well it IS labeled AU, so there's that. ;)
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 10:19 am Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
It looks like this cooking class, and meeting
new friends, is opening Pam’s eyes to the
short comings of her relationship with Roy,
and even Roy himself. They really don’t have anything in common. I’m definitely curious to see Roy’s reaction to Pam taking the cooking class.
I hope she tells him to piss off.
Author's Response: She's got a few cogs turning that's for sure. Roy's reaction should be a quite the thing when we get there. Thanks for the reivew.
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 06:00 am Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
First of all nice work getting this up in time for the auspicious (I have faith in you for tonight, you seem like you do this often) holiday today.
It's not like you had much time but to be fair I shared as soon as I learned of it myself. And the way you weaved it into the story felt very natural and very Roy - who absolutely burned the pasta (the food you make in the thing that puts out fires) on purpose so he wouldn't be asked to cook again ever. Cad!
Okay have to remark on the painting. Nothing of substance, she can paint it but can't recognize it in her own situation (but hoping this might be remedied soon)
As for the couple, am I being presumptuous that the Beth was for me? If it was. I'm touched and honored and if you just like the name, well so do I. I did appreciate the advice they told them about engagement period - I can only hope Pam did too.
And that was a funny bit about the prom photo shoot - always enjoy these side stories too.
Enjoyed this chapter a lot.
Author's Response:
Thanks for the heads up about this particular holiday. Though you're right, I don't need or want a specific day to cook around the house. I like cooking but the day adds some fun to it for sure.
Honestly I didn't intend that Roy burned the past on purpose. My thought was he's just that bad at cooking. Watch the first few episodes of a season of "Worst Cooks in America," and yeah there are people out there who are that bad.
The whole painting scene was great fun to bring out too. Glad you liked it.
I'm sorry to say I forgot about your character Beth. Originally in this fic her name was Jill, but that was to close to Jim so I changed it to a name that I've had many good associations with during my life. That being said, hopefully some outside perspective helps both our heroes.
I'll tell you the full story of that prom photo shoot over on Discord.
Thanks as always for the great review.
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 05:16 am Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
Very cute update!
Really liked Jim complimenting and completely understanding Pam's picture, that was a nice little piece.
The conversation with Sam and Beth, you could just feel Pam's awkwardness of not wanting to lie, but also wishing it was kind of different.
The recipe looks great! Will most definitely be trying this.
Lovely work as always, and so timely for National Men Make Dinner day! Looking forward to the next slice of this!
Author's Response: Save for one time in S3, and it's understandable even if it's still kind of a dick move, Jim has always been supportive of Pam's art. It's one of the first things Pam says about him in her first talking heads in the pilot. I see no need to change that, and it's fun.
Sam and Beth are going to be key as we go forward so I'm glad you enjoyed them showing up in Jim and Pam's life.
I hope you enjoy the recipe. It's become a favorite around our house.
1 [Report This]Date: November 01, 2022 11:19 am Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Very cute! I love it! Jim would be such a pleasure to have in the kitchen I am sure. Too bad Roy is such an oaf.
Thank you for the story!
Author's Response: Thank you. Lots more to come with this one so I'm glad you're here for it.
1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2022 08:57 am Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Now that I have my computer back I can sit down to review this new one. First off this premise has a lot of potential for fun and for bringing these two to where they are meant to be.
But I'm not sure what Pam was thinking in wanting to do this with Roy...it's only fun when you work together - has potential to be quite the opposite when one of the potential cooks puts poker night ahead of his relationship.
'The way she was starting to hunch in on herself. How her voice didn’t have the same light confidence he reveled in when they planned a prank together. No, she was in full on Roy-mode now.' - Good description here.
Good thing there's Jim to pull her out of it. I have to mention that I did the cooking class thing with my spouse (as a one-off... we had fun but may not have made it through a series...I'm a little bossy and have high expectations)
Combo christmas gift and payback for driving lessons - nice but does this mean no teapot? I guess that's okay because I'm sure you'll be bringing lots of heartwarming moments in this fic (and I'm hoping some useable recipes too).
Looking forward.
Author's Response:
I'm looking forward to this premise too. I agree, we'll have a lot of fun.
Pam, bless her soul, is trying with Roy. But yeah, it's very one sided, thus her shrinking in on herself. So of course in steps Jim. Yes, I'm planning on a lot of quality heartwarming moments.
Thanks as ever for your detailed comments.
1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2022 07:04 am Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Yay cooking class story!
I love the opening vision of Jim's immediate future, which under most circumstances must have played out exactly like he imagined. One of those things that make it clear why Jim hung in there so long. And the way he's rudely jerked back into the broader reality he's living in by Roy occupying the space he thinks of as his own (but that Roy must feel he has every right to) is poignant. (Also, love the call-forward to the vending machine prank.)
I like that Jim immediately leaps into action at the sight of disappointed Pam but doesn't immediately see the cooking class as an opportunity for him to step in. It's a big move, I feel like realistically it would take him a minute. And him framing it as payback for the driving lessons feels like a familiar exercise in carefully staying in bounds.
Looking forward to the cooking action!
Author's Response: It always seems to happen. Right when you think you know how things are going to go, life says nope. Glad you caught the call forward too. You picked up exactly what Jim was trying to do there. Not let Pam feel bad when he can help it, toe the line between being there for her and not showing his true feelings, and jumping on any opportunity to spend more time with her. Thanks for the review.