10 [Report This]Date: February 14, 2007 11:03 am Title: Chapter 1
The only reason I didn't review this earlier was because I was hiding under a rock. This is one of my favorites of yours. Love the line about the entanglements, grown-up suits, and neckties that feel too tight. Yeah, Jim would want to loosen that tie. And maybe a few others. I like how you made him so aware of Karen's suspicions while he was laughing with Pam, but he doesn't care. And that's a big ole' wake-up clue to Jim, if he'll only listen. Thanks for this.
Author's Response: So glad you've returned to public life! I'm glad you liked this...sorry it only had physics, not chemistry references! And yeah, I think he genuinely cares about Karen, but being with Pam sort of obliterates everything else for him (including that poor doomed interloper.) Thanks, you!
Date: February 05, 2007 09:49 am Title: Chapter 1
So lovely. I squeed out loud when they passed that cellphone. Beautifully written.
Author's Response: Thanks Paper Jam (and welcome back!) Yeah, that phone passing moment on the show is bound to become iconic. In fact, I was so fascinated by their hands touching that I couldn't resist including a bit of hand stuff in the next fic I wrote (while you were away, I think.) Glad you liked!
9 [Report This]Date: January 30, 2007 12:22 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh, this is just beautiful. I love all the space imagery of weightlessness and endlessness and the lack of oxygen he feels... what a great idea to use that kind of description.
My favorite sections were definitely these two: Her smile is still sweet, just for him. He tries to get lost in it. Problem is, his compass is unerring and only points in one direction. I love the way you've used Karen in this piece: not as a villain, but not someone you really care much about either. Love the compass metaphor.
My other favorite section was this: He knows Karen is probably watching. Her antennae are keen now. She'd notice even if they weren't standing a little too close, wearing giant sombreros. I love the way you've made these lines all about observation -- Karen watching them so intently and them being so obvious without any effort, without really even knowing what they're doing.
Fabulous job here, Colette. I love it.
Author's Response: Thank you, allibabab. I'm glad the space imagery had some resonance for you. I like the idea of their being drawn to one another being almost like a force of nature. And yeah, Karen isn't a villian; she's just not the one. (And, now I'd like her just to go, thanks.) Anyway, thanks again for such a wonderful review.
Date: January 24, 2007 08:26 am Title: Chapter 1
The she that was his, for just a second, is still in his arms. But she’s a ghost now. Oh man, Colette. You're still evoking pain from that night, just when my therapy was starting to work! He's never really left at all. So true. The pain is still there. Their ability to be good together (seamlessly, without a WORD, pulling the prank on Andy) is still there. Nothing's changed. Beautiful! And need I point out that you've managed to use physics yet again with your references to black holes, space, etc. Actually, you've advanced to astrophysics! Just proves my opinion that you're a genius! ;-)
Author's Response: So sorry to reverse your therapy. If they don't get those two kids together soon, I think we're going to have to write a self-help book for obsessive fans. Really, it's getting almost masochistic to watch! Glad you liked this, even if you do need to increase your meds as a result. Re: astrophysics...WHAT is up with me? Very mysterious. Either it's your influence, or clearly I was Galileo in my former life. Anyway, wrote this faster than the speed of light (there I go again!) so I'm pleased it worked for you. And that you found it (was buried within hours.) Thanks, you!
10 [Report This]Date: January 21, 2007 07:19 pm Title: Chapter 1
Absolutely BEAUTIFULLY written. ^_^ Colette, your writing is awesome as usual!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, StarShine! What a lovely thing to say. Glad you enjoyed.
Date: January 21, 2007 01:25 pm Title: Chapter 1
Beautiful. I certainly agree that was an eye catching moment last Thursday. And I also love that you've given Karen antennae...brilliant!
Author's Response: Well, clearly her radar blipped resoundingly at the Jim/Pam interaction....glad you liked. Thanks so much!
Date: January 21, 2007 01:08 pm Title: Chapter 1
This was sweet and sad and hopeful all at the same time. And I loved this part - "It’s like it ever was. Except for the thousand ways it’s different."
Author's Response: Thanks kaystar! And also for being such a diligent reviewer - means a lot!
Date: January 20, 2007 07:59 pm Title: Chapter 1
How sweet! I loved this line: He’s learned the hard way not to second-guess her.
How true is this? This is why we will ultimately have to wait for Pam to initiate the "Big Talk."
I also loved the intimacy of the hands touching. As someone on TWoP mentioned, pranking is like sex for Jim and Pam. The way the two of them just connect....hotter than any of those couples hopping in and out of bed on Grey's. JMHO.
Anyway, thanks so much for this. You did a wonderful job Colette.
Author's Response: I agree - got to be Pam this time. And yeah, pranking is like their language (I actually wrote another little fic about that.) And it's definitely hotter that Grey's (how artificial is that show?) Glad you liked this...and thanks for the thoughtful review!
Date: January 20, 2007 07:17 pm Title: Chapter 1
YES. This is EXACTLY it.
You're so good at this.
(twss)
Thank you.
cheers.
--Lex
Author's Response: That's so sweet, Amalia! Thanks a million and cheers back at you!
10 [Report This]Date: January 20, 2007 06:04 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh my god, colette. There's just no way anyone ought to be able to write Casino Night this far after the fact and somehow make it hurt that much more, but I'll be damned if you don't do that here: "He knows, dreads, the answer already. The she that was his, for just a second, is still in his arms. But she’s a ghost now."
As if that weren't enough...the rest of this- the delicious metaphors, the parallels -- "it's his turn to nod now." Oh my god.
Seriously. I know you would categorize this as angsty or moody (and yeah, it is), but it's beautifully so -- you strike the perfect balance here between articulating the raw vulnerability that makes Jim Jim (and he and Pam them) with the barely discernible hope that's brewing beneath the surface and has been since the beginning.
Don't care how passive she is or how long it took him to finally confess -- these two will make it happen, and stories like this just reinforce the why and how.
Awesome, as usual. (Question: Are you capable of writing a sucky story? I'm thinking not....)
Author's Response:
You know, I was kind of hesitant to even touch CN at this point, but the parallels were just too tempting. So glad it didn't come across as 'been there, done that!'
And I agree - it's that vulnerability that makes Jim so appealing and relatable and there is an almost bittersweet quality of hoping against hope about him...which is partly what makes it so hard to watch this season. It's like it's been trampled.
Anyway, I'm really pleased that this spoke to you...and yes, I am more than capable of suckage (won't draw attention to which fics or which parts therein, but trust me, it's there.) And you're a fine one to talk! Thanks, as always, for a characteristically in-depth and heartfelt girl7 review...next best thing to one of your stories!
Date: January 20, 2007 03:45 pm Title: Chapter 1
Problem is, his compass is unerring and only points in one direction.
THAT is just a wonderful line. Exquisite work as always.
Author's Response: Why, thank you, LoveFool. This really was a quickie, so I'm just happy it even made sense. Exquisite is more than I bargained for!
Date: January 20, 2007 02:26 pm Title: Chapter 1
I love all the metaphors with Space and blackholes. It really sets the mood and works well. Without Jim and Pam there has been a sort of vacum left in the show. Thursday it was filled! But then Dwight was gone...just can't catch a break...
Author's Response: I agree about the vacuum...kind of like a black hole, no? I'm glad the metaphors made sense. Thanks for reviewing!
Date: January 20, 2007 01:52 pm Title: Chapter 1
Her smile is still sweet, just for him. He tries to get lost in it. Problem is, his compass is unerring and only points in one direction.
Fabulous lines! Nice work.
Author's Response: You know what? I liked that line too...there, I said it! So happy you enjoyed. Thanks, Nestani!
10 [Report This]Date: January 20, 2007 01:49 pm Title: Chapter 1
Just one of the lines that hit me the hardest:
His sentence stands. She’s still the judge and jury
It really says how much she needs to let him know things have changed. Her "misinterpret" comment cut him deeper than she probably intended or even realised.
One point though - in the hand off, Pam is giving the phone to Jim as they walk to the kitchen. It's still the very important touch, and nothing changes the meaning, but thought I'd mention it.
But you completely rock, When's your published anthology coming out? :-)
Author's Response: I corrected the hand-off thing...oops! My anthology will come out when you write your epic novel with 150 chapters of jammy goodness. Anyway, she absolutely needs to let him know. Stop the insanity!! Thanks, mox!
Date: January 20, 2007 01:13 pm Title: Chapter 1
Wow! I love this so much, the title was so perfect. And the way you related the events of Casino Night to where he says "yes" is awesome. Great job!
Author's Response: Thanks, Davina. I hoped the connection between those moments would read. Glad it did!
Date: January 20, 2007 12:58 pm Title: Chapter 1
My favorite part of The Return was how Karen came to her conclusion based on the slightest of contact between Pam and Jim. Which is why I want to reach into my TV and shake Pam silly. How can she not see how he feels about her? Even now. And how the hell can she sit behind him and not want to tackle him on a daily basis. Seriously - the woman's got some amazing willpower.
I've been trying to be patient but they are freaking killing me. KILLING. ME. I have a need to write (or read) some fluffy future (post denial nonsense) fic pronto!
Author's Response: I hear you. I'd be all over him like a bad coat. I empathize with Pam's insecurity, but after a point...a good slap upside the head might be in order. My patience is also at the breaking point...speaking of which - how about some future fluff? Could you get on that please? Would be ever so grateful!
Date: January 20, 2007 12:11 pm Title: Chapter 1
Beautiful and sweetly sad.
Author's Response: Thanks, LL! You're such a faithful reviewer - it really means alot. Sorry to make you sad, but so glad it worked for you.
Date: January 20, 2007 12:10 pm Title: Chapter 1
You should write everything in an hour if it comes out like this. Beautiful, and I love how the image of their hands has come full circle.
"They work together like they’ve never missed a beat. It’s seamless, it’s perfectly played. It’s just them."
That is....exactly how I felt watching The Return. And the last line made me sigh. Just...no words for how much I loved this.
Author's Response: Aw, thanks, Bennie. There was just something about the images of their hands separating (GWH) then touching again (TR) that just spoke volumes to me. And pranking really is their currency, I think. Anyway, so glad this struck a chord and thanks so much for the lovely review!
10 [Report This]Date: January 20, 2007 12:00 pm Title: Chapter 1
I really have no words for how much I loved this. I loved the reoccuring elements in each section, like hands, outer space, playing cards, and the biggest one being Jim's loss of his sense of direction. Your description of Jim's thoughts as he's sitting in the breakroom are so dead on, because after all that happened you just know that Jim was asking himself what he was doing.
And my favorite part of all? The fact that the only thing Jim was thinking about at the end was his hand touching Pam's, and that for him, nothing's ever changed.
I really want to feel bad for Jim for realizing this, because he's done so much work to try to make things different for himself. And now it hits him in the worst way that it's all been for nothing, his feelings for Pam haven't changed, he hasn't changed, and even in doing the prank the fact that Jim and Pam are perfect for each other hasn't changed.
This story makes me think a lot and it's definitely going into my favorites.
Author's Response: I think that moment in the breakroom before Karen enters is the pivotal one...glad that came through here. And yeah, that one touch was so powerful, kind of obliterated so many other things. Anyway, I'm really pleased you found so much to think about here...and thanks for such an incisive review. (And how flattering to be a favorite!!)
Date: January 20, 2007 11:40 am Title: Chapter 1
I love Jim coming to his senses! I particularly liked this paragraph: Ironically, the catalyst is annoyance at this new buffoon (who makes the old one seem a prince.) At all of it: fancy new titles and big-boy suits and entanglements like neckties pulled too tight. The urge to loosen the knot and undo the top button shouldn’t be so strong. But it is. It encapsulates so much about Jim's situation and is so poetic.
Author's Response: Yeah, I think he's coming to his senses, but is going to be betwixt and between for a while, sort of in limbo. So glad you thought this captured his state of mind. Thanks, as always for your comments, MA!