Date: December 29, 2006 12:23 pm Title: explosions off in the distance
Jesus, 69c.o.n., you're killing me here with these mini-cliffhangers! You've written such a believable dynamic here between Pam and Karen - especially Pam's discomfort at the fact that she genuinely likes Karen. And I love the last several lines.
On to the next chapter!
Date: December 29, 2006 12:19 pm Title: the clanking of crystal
Ahh, you wrote the awkward Roy/Pam conversation so well that I could actually see it happening - and your talking heads were spot-on as well. And this? "Besides, how bad could one night be, right? "
...I could so see that being one of Jim's infamous dramatic irony/foreshadowing tinged talking heads. Sigh. This is such a great story!
Date: December 29, 2006 12:16 pm Title: and i don't feel any different
Hee, the whole Kelly exchange was so dead on that it made me laugh out loud. I'm really feeling Jim's pain here - eeee.
This is so great!
Date: December 29, 2006 12:13 pm Title: so this is the new year
I should get a ribbon for taking the time to review this instead of tearing into the next chapter. Wow. Such a realistically painful glimpse into Jim's psyche here. Love the metaphor of his first time as average, thus (maybe) setting the tone for his life. And poor Karen - though I could completely see her not ever pushing things with him, ever, and that's why she's a good rebound for him.
Okay (gulp), about this New Year's Eve party with Pam....
Date: December 29, 2006 12:03 pm Title: let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
He's tired of pretending. "Yes," he simply says.
YAY! Go for it, Jim! I was so excited when I read this I was bouncing in my chair. Which disturbs my co-workers no end.
Date: December 29, 2006 12:02 pm Title: so everybody put your best suit or dress on
I love it that Karen is clueless about all the trouble she's started with that one little question. Brilliant. Love Jim STILL not honest with Roy, and Roy's confusion and pain. I feel for that boy.
And the last part of this? With the bet (yes, I want to see Dwight sing Queen, but I thought they weren't there at the party?) and this:
"It’s New Year’s, Pam," he says softly. "We can all start over."
Long past time, dude. Start over and do it right this time.
Author's Response: Actually, I didn't mention their cars in the beginning when Jim arrived at the party, but I had it in my head that they actually are there. I probably should have mentioned them in the story earlier. But I'd like them to make an appearance in the story soon.
Date: December 29, 2006 11:59 am Title: for problems with easy solutions
Apparently, he’s not as audacious or reckless as most of his friends were, or are.
Word. Boy needs a heavy dose of gumption.
A hussy is not the same as a whore.
LOL! (high five)
I loved it that everyone has been serenaded by Andy on his banjo. Laughed out loud when they ALL drank.
And wow, can that Karen be a buzzkill or what? Yikes!
Date: December 29, 2006 11:56 am Title: for self-assigned penance
It's getting harder to break away from him every time. Harder to end every conversation, harder and harder to walk away.
Excellent Pam-angst. :D
"I see the way you guys have been looking at each other."
Oh, clueless Karen. I winced.
And Never Have I Ever? Oh good grief. No good can come of this.
I am loving this party. So many interesting undercurrents.
Date: December 29, 2006 11:52 am Title: and i have no resolutions
one of those stores where all of the guys who work there wear pink and call you "sir"
LOL! I guess Jim shops at a different mall than the one I sent him to. I love this image of Jim surrounded by adoring salesmen just dying to put him in something pretty. Thanks.
Gotta ask, though: what the hell is beer pong? Guess I rushed the wrong fraternity. (snicker)
there's never a bad time to mess with Andy.
Amen.
Author's Response: Heehee! Beer pong is a drinking game played at parties (around here, anyway. I live in northeast PA and it's pretty popular in high school, college, etc.) It's usually six plastic cups filled with beer, set up in a triangle on both ends of a long table, and two people stand on either side of the table, taking turns trying to throw a ping pong in the ball. If it makes it, the person on that side of the table drinks. Great way to get drunk...lol. Ahem. I haven't played it in years.
Date: December 29, 2006 11:49 am Title: so this is the new year
Pam with the multicolored paper napkins! And she does it privately, not telling Karen, because it's a private joke with Jim! Oh, how I love these Jam moments! Thank you.
Love Karen appreciating Pam's kindness while totally not understanding what Pam is really all about, or knowing what the relationships between all the players are.
And then the yearbook photo...who knew something so small could spark so much pain? Brilliant use of that prop.
Date: December 29, 2006 11:47 am Title: let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
Please just tell me if you still have feelings for her."
"Yes," he simply says.
Ok that says it all to me. Yes he has feelings so act on them Jim. Great story.
Date: December 29, 2006 11:46 am Title: explosions off in the distance
I know this is tiny, but I loved Pam thinking her living room is eleven square feet. I laughed out loud at MathImpairedPam; so in character of her.
You're writing Karen as such a good friend here it hurts to think what's going to happen to her. And I am mad at Pam for not telling her the subtext of this party, while I totally understand why she isn't. Great angst!
However, I thought Pam wondering if she should hate Karen to be a bit...high schoolish. I mean, this is the 21st century. That whole "women are inevitable rivals for the same man" thing kinda went out with Women's Lib, we hoped...Anyway, Pam sounds much more mature in this:
Too late to worry about what’s going to happen when Karen finds out that she’d allowed herself to be such good friends with a girl who is hiding way too much
Date: December 29, 2006 11:41 am Title: the clanking of crystal
I forget, which fraternity did you rush with?
LOL! Pure Jim-and-Pam. I can totally picture their talking heads, saying exactly what you have written. Especially Pam's hope that Dwangela don't actually show up at the party.
Loved clueless Roy (as usual) not picking up on Pam wanting him NOT to come to the party. Well done. Poor Roy; somebody fill this guy in.
She stares at the back of Jim's head. She's beginning to memorize the way his hair curled around the back of his ears and his collar.
Pam is only now beginning to memorize this? We hussies have had that DOWN for over a year now. :D
Date: December 29, 2006 11:37 am Title: and i don't feel any different
He’s glad she’s making friends, but did it have to be with the girl he’s sleeping with?
I love this. Just when Jim thinks Hell can't get any deeper...
I laughed out loud at Jim's 'conversation' with Kelly. You caught her to perfection.
Date: December 29, 2006 11:35 am Title: so this is the new year
maybe you’ll be satisfied with allowing everything else in your life to be just adequate.
Wow. What a great way to start a story; IntrospectiveJim! I like how you explore Jim's insecurities like this. So often writers (me) focus on his sexuality, but you're starting with psychology. Excellent. Thank you.
He still doesn’t refer to Karen as his girlfriend.
Very telling. I wonder if Karen has noticed this 'oversight'.
He likes the things that he can see outright, things he doesn’t have to reach in too far to find.
Oooo. Boy, has this guy been burned! Having gone so far in with Pam, he can't let himself dip below the surface of anyone else. What a defense mechanism. Good work.
Date: December 29, 2006 10:43 am Title: let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
Wooohoo, Jim! It's your turn now, Pam!
Author's Response: It is her turn,and Jim's not backing down!
Date: December 29, 2006 10:32 am Title: let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
Just freaking wow. Every voice in this is just spot on. I can totally see the JimLook as he looks up to the sky and says "yes". And I hear the whistle on the JamTrain, too. And so does Karen -- finally.
Author's Response:
Thanks! I actually was going to redo that whole last scene with Jim because I wasn't sure if he'd really sound like that so I'm glad you think it's in character.
And the JamTrain is getting close to the station!
Date: December 29, 2006 10:32 am Title: let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
Oh yay for honesty!!! And bless you for not torturing us too long waiting for an update. Well done noodles! Keep 'em coming!
Author's Response: I felt that the only way Jim could do it would be honestly. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up by tonight. Thanks sooo much for the review!
Date: December 29, 2006 10:29 am Title: let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
All I can say is YAY! for Honest!Jim!
But Pam! You kind of did cheat on Roy. I hope she tells him about the kiss, even if it was small compared to ten years.
Great chapter though! I love two postings in one day! Keep em' coming!
10 [Report This]Date: December 29, 2006 10:09 am Title: so everybody put your best suit or dress on
Aww.....alone in a dark bedroom and they just hold hands??? What's WRONG with you?? ;-)
Date: December 29, 2006 08:34 am Title: for problems with easy solutions
ooo! Trickily played scorned!Karen...
Great chapter...
Date: December 29, 2006 07:24 am Title: so everybody put your best suit or dress on
Sniff. Sniff. I'm just so sad...for all of them. No one's happy at the moment. I hope what Jim said holds true - that everyone does start over in the New Year.
Fingers crossed!! :)
Date: December 29, 2006 07:11 am Title: so everybody put your best suit or dress on
I am so glad you posted two chapters of this at the same time, but yowsa, am I dying for the next one! Well done! (And I love me some PissedOff!Karen, especially if it makes her look bad so Jim doesn't feel bad for paying more attention to Pam. Is that mean?)
10 [Report This]Date: December 29, 2006 07:07 am Title: so everybody put your best suit or dress on
I love it, I love it, I love it! LOL.
Date: December 29, 2006 12:16 am Title: so this is the new year
Wow, you are being so kind with the updates. I feel almost guilty nagging you for more, but then again it's your fault that I'm so completely hooked. So... pleeeease write more soon!!