Date: December 20, 2007 10:22 pm Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
There's just something about this story that I'm going to go ahead and try to articulate (probably unsuccessfully, but what the hey).
So I'll be reading along, and then wham, a line will just... hit me in the heart. Something that just lends this immediacy to the story and adds another layer to these characters. Like these two lines:
“I popped,” she said, and she sounded so pitiful, I put my arms around her and kissed her neck.
...her skipping around the yard saying ‘this is all ours!’
I think what I love about it (and this is true of the show too, and one of the reasons I think it's so good) is that we're not just told "Jim loves Pam" in some sort of generic flowery way, but we actually see it, and see why, in the little things she does that makes her unique and the one for him. And vice versa.
So, now I've rambled, but to make a long story short (too late), I love it. :)
Author's Response: This is just so...great. Especially coming from you, thirty! I so admire your style. You manage to get so much feeling across in so few words (even when some sadistic beta keeps clamoring for more!) and I feel like I run halfway across town to get to the same place!! I kind of loved the "skipping around the yard" line - I can just see Pam doing that! Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate it!
Date: December 20, 2007 08:15 pm Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
Sweetpea you are supremely welcome. Beta = sneak peek! What could be better? I've already told you how much I enjoyed this chapter, BUT I have to say after going to your link for that mansion, I am even MORE excited for the next chapter! How amazingly romantic! And I continue to love the dynamic between Jim and his parents. What a beautiful story you've put together here.
Author's Response:
You know, there was just no sense in sitting here, fretting over every last thing. I was thrilled you gave me a hand up out of the hole I was in so I just can't thank you enough. I called a friend back home in Buffalo to ask about the mansion - it wasn't renovated before I left town, and I wanted to make sure it was as beautiful as it looked. She assured me it was amazing, so I feel good about sending them there. I'm still chuckling over how we were both a little turned on by how Jim knows what to pack in Pam's suitcase!!! Really, it's okay to be weird! Thank you, thank you.
Date: December 20, 2007 07:07 pm Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
I absolutely love all the banter between them in this chapter. Perfectly spot on.
Love Pam, the pregnant eating machine. So funny, and totally relatable. "Eating for two" they say. Total BS. :)
The line about Pam telling Jim he doesn't always have to ride in on the white horse and save her totally made me think of "It's a date." I'm sure the boy can sometimes hover too much in his overwhelming desire to just keep her happy.
The bedroom scene with him thinking back over their relationship and worrying about all the changes to come, and then afterwards, when they realize that as long as they have each other, they can weather anything....that was some awesome writing. As usual.
One more thing...can I please mention that I love, love, love, LOVE it that Jim still calls her Beesly occasionally, even though she's officially Halpert now.
Can't wait for their Allentown adventure.
Author's Response: You know, EH, I'm always thrilled when someone says they love the banter because it's so much fun to write, but when you manage to always find the passage that gave me the most trouble, it makes me feel fantastic. And you always get it - you always get the full meaning of what's there. I love the Beesly thing, too! Even though she's a Halpert now, she still has Beesly-esque qualities and definite Beesly moments! So glad you're looking forward to Allentown - I really hope you're going to have fun! Thank you so much for all your encouragement with this story!
Date: December 20, 2007 05:02 pm Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
I might be as excited as Pam is!! Love the bit about Jim's 'bubble'. It does get a LOT different when there's another little person in it.
Author's Response: Yay! I'm so glad you're excited for the road trip, lisahoo! I am too, but good grief, I'll be a nervous wreck driving the bus!!! It's not typical Jam fluff for them to be a little hesitant and maybe have a moment of reluctance about the coming baby, but I do think it's realistic to worry about those changes that you know so well. Thank you so much for the review!
10 [Report This]Date: December 20, 2007 11:35 am Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
Again I am just amazed with your ability to highlight the small, seemingly insignificant, but really incredibly important moments in life. You write this so well. Beautifully done as always.
Author's Response: So nice to read this, PBS, after this chapter gave me such a hard time. I restarted it about four times and I have a whole "deleted scene" between Jim and Dwight that was (in my mind) hilarious - but it just wasn't right at this point in the story. Thank you so much for your kind comments and encouragement!
10 [Report This]Date: December 20, 2007 08:45 am Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
another great chapter! loved it!
Author's Response: Yay! Thank you so much, ISB!
10 [Report This]Date: December 20, 2007 08:22 am Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
Sweetpea, updates to this story are like warm chocolate chip cookies : ) I just wish it was an endless batch.
Author's Response: Nan, I can't tell you how good it is to read this after this chapter gave me fits getting itself finished! Thank you so much for being all along the way!
10 [Report This]Date: December 20, 2007 08:12 am Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
Okay, so I have been enjoying this story a lot and have been shamefully neglecting to review it. Also, I have a rule that any use of Springsteen lyrics merits a review.
This is very good storytelling in a way we don't always see in fanfic. The focus is on the story, rather than generating a particular reaction in the reader. It's not about happy fluffballs or heartwrenching angst, but about a story you want to tell. I don't know if that makes sense.
Also, in this particular chapter, I love the aspect of Jim needing to always fix things and Pam sometimes being frustrated by that. I think that is a very realistic dynamic.
So, great job on this.
Author's Response: What a wonderful, wonderful compliment, brokenloon, and it totally makes sense, and I'm thrilled you think so. The dynamic you mentioned - I think it's a pretty common one that most couples can relate to. Jim gets so idealized in a lot of fic, and this story is no exception, so it felt right to give him a bit of a typical male flaw and have Pam react in a typically female way. She just wants to vent and he doesn't need to rescue her! Thank you so much your kind words and I hope you stick around for the rest!
10 [Report This]Date: December 20, 2007 07:39 am Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
Sweetpea--Let me begin with a quick sneak peak of the CH Story Hour. I have spent the past 20 hours wrapped in the not-so-fun world of foreign policy notes. The exam was at 9:00 today, so I crawled away from the world yesterday to hang out with Woodrow Wilson, Teddy R., and a bunch of folks who wanted to get trade incentives in Asia. It was not a fun day. At all. I woke up this morning, ate half a muffin (I don't eat a lot before tests--I get antsy and queasy), then took the test at 9. Afterwards, I crawled out of hte building, into the snow, licking my wounds from a WHOLE semester of school that is finally over. I came home, opened my computer, swigged a diet coke, and then I saw that "Allentown" was updated.
It was like some cathartic, biblical experience in relieving my burden, taking away the horrors of exams, and bringing a smile to my face. Like some heavenly moment where the lord said, "This is good."
So, yeah, I loved this chapter, and thank you thank you thank you for giving me something so fabulous with which to kick off my winter break!!!!
CH story hour concludes...now. --CH :-)
Author's Response:
"Biblical?!" Get outta here!! I hesitate to say that this chapter's been the hardest, because I sure as hell don't want to jinx myself for the next one, because I'm feeling a little like Michael at the end of "Healthcare" doing the drum roll. I really don't want the next one to be an ice cream sandwich or a ride down a mineshaft! It sure would be great if it were a trip to somewhere fabulous - like an "All-Inclusive"!!!!! Thank you for the sweet review!
10 [Report This]Date: December 20, 2007 06:19 am Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
Sweetpea! What a treat to wake up and find a new Allentown chapter! Especially since I'm all caught up now and can feel like I know what's going on. :P
First off, I have to point out something I never noticed before until this chapter, but which I absolutely love: Pam has changed her last name to "Halpert," (as evidenced by her screen name), but Jim still calls her "Beesly." I don't know why I didn't make that connection until now, and I don't know why I adore that so much, but I do. It's just another one of those little touches that make this story so great.
I also laughed out loud at the "pregnant woman with the bionic hearing" line, and smiled happily when Pam said "we're going to be okay." Such a blissfully real moment.
Well done, as usual!
Author's Response:
Mose, so nice to see you here again! I love that you love the "Beesly" thing! I kind of think Jim probably pulls that out when Pam is misbehaving - kind of like how your mom uses your first, middle and last names when you're being bad!
The "we're going to be okay" scene...that was tough, there was a lot going on there, I think. Pam is really, really happy to be having a baby, but she's pretty disappointed about her dreams for a new career being put on hold. I think she had a similar realization in the shower that Jim had in the bedroom - everything was about to change and it was inevitable. But I think she wants to make sure Jim knows she's not unhappy with him or the coming baby and when she sees him on the bed, I think she knows he's sensing the winds of change, too. She's the one who needs to comfort him this time.
Wow, did I just tell a whole 'nother story there? Okay, I'll just wrap it up by saying how much I've enjoyed reading your reviews and how much I appreciate this one!
10 [Report This]Date: December 20, 2007 05:59 am Title: Chapter 9 - Show a Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night
haha I always thought Allentown was a reference to PA. Never heard of the art thing in Buffalo before. I really love this story and squee every time its updated. Everything about this is kick ass. Seriously.
Author's Response: Sharipep, I figured most people would assume the Allentown in this story was Allentown, PA. Now, I've never been to Allentown, PA, so I can't really compare, but I can assure you that the art festival is pretty great. Glad you're still squeeing over this and thanks so much for the review!