1 [Report This]Date: May 15, 2020 05:36 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
I loved this. I loved the descriptions of Pam's creative insight, I adored Jim's parents. I gobbled this up. You crafted an entire world that the reader just falls right into, shifting seamlessly between perspectives. Well done.
10 [Report This]Date: February 13, 2010 12:47 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
wow, this is definitely a masterpiece. fantastic job, and all i want to say is that this has been a pleasure to read and i've enjoyed every word of it. your perspectives were spot on and just lovely. amazing!
Author's Response:
So nice to read this after so much time has passed, PMH! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond, but I really appreciate hearing from you and I'm so glad you enjoyed this story. I loved writing it!
10 [Report This]Date: January 04, 2009 07:07 pm Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
Pam woulda loved the new art center at Buff State :)
http://www.yournewburchfieldpenney.com/
Author's Response: I am mortified that this comment is over a year old, aimzers! But it's been longer than that since I've hard internet access. I just came home from a trip back to the hometown and saw the new Burchfield-Penney Center and got to experience my first Allentown in many years. Thanks for the link!
Date: October 11, 2008 12:22 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
OK, so I avoided this story for a while because it was still being written and I'm scared of stories that are still being written when they have words like loss in the summary - and when it was completed, I just forgot about it completely. Then I found some of your other fics and clicked on your profile and I ended up at this story, a couple of hours ago.
This is gorgeous. I absolutely adore the realistic, wonderful way you drew both Jim and Pam out of Scranton - the beautiful way you characterised not just the two of them but even their parents (the Halperts especially were fantastic) - it's so refreshing to see Jim/Pam in the future with problems but it's not angsty for the sake of angst so much as it's an exploration of what they may be going through - they have their fights but you can never doubt that they love each other, you know? And I've read enough fics to feel genuinely depressed about how dark they're written, their love, but you never even approached that area - in that way you stayed true to the show in a way that fit, and this story was freaking brilliant because of that.
The way you've written this is beautiful, too, in that I never got the feeling that this was written so much as it was told, and even then I found things that I loved, like a turn of phrase here or a bit of humour there.
I was not expecting this at all when I started reading this story, but I feel like I've travelled with them and I feel accomplished and I also feel a little sad that this is the end. I guess what I'm trying to say to you, Sweetpea, is that I'll miss this story (heh) even though I've only known it for so long.
Going in my favourites and staying there until the end of time. I haven't reviewed a story in god knows how long, and it hopefully shows how head over heels I am about this one. (: Basically - gorgeous. And lovely.
Author's Response:
Wow, I am just speechless, but a review likes this deserves a thoughtful (not ZOMGWOW!!!!111!!!!) response.
This story was huge undertaking for me when I started it. I had it outlined and I really liked the storyline and I felt comfortable with it, because I know that world so well. Buffalo's my hometown, I went to Buff State, I lived on Lafayette, and I had many magical visits to Allentown. But I hadn't written anything substantial in a long, long time and I had no idea how this story would be received. Would people think it was stupid or unrealistic to have them move to Buffalo? I was nervous.
So, when I read your review today after this story's been hanging around the archive awhile, I can't tell you how much that meant to me. And to read that you feel like it was "told" rather than written - wow. And it came on a day when I was struggling with a new chapter in a new story so it was a big vote of confidence when I really needed it.
Thank you so much for doing this - so thoughtful, moofoot. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
10 [Report This]Date: January 08, 2008 12:10 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
This is the story that caused me to register so that I could tell you how much I loved it. Awesome job with both the story and video. They brought tears to my eyes.
I'm looking forword to reading more stories from you.
Author's Response: Okay, hotcircleofgarbage, okay. A. AWESOME screenname, and 2. WOW. Just...wow. It was only about 6 months ago that the same thing happened to me. I was reading 11:59 by Becky215 (read it and all her other stuff, too. In fact, you can click on other people's favorites here and see who THEY like to read - it's a great way to find wonderful fic buried deep in the archive) and I just had to tell her how much I loved it. So, wow. Thank you. I'm so happy this story made you cry - now doesn't that sound awful? - but that makes me think the emotions I tried to convey resonated with you. YAY! Thank you so much and welcome to MTT!
Date: January 07, 2008 07:46 pm Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
I really enjoyed this story and I loved the video you put together as well. Great job!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, Jenn! I had fun with the video and I think I may have found another new addiction. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
10 [Report This]Date: January 07, 2008 08:37 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
You did a beautiful job on this story. I love the way you portrayed both Jim's and Pam's journey together, and especially Pam's own journey to her goal of having her own little family, AND a degree in art education. This was one of my favorite stories about that aspect of Pam. Fanfic writers write about Pam's art all the time, but I felt like this was the most realistic one I've read. And I love that Jim's mom is also an artist and helped support Pam through her period of not being able to create anything.
Very sweet story. Definitely one of my favorites. The last chapter brought tears to my eyes.
Author's Response:
Oh, how lovely to read this, PuffingNoise! I'm really surprised that my first big attempt focused on Pam. She's kind of hard to pin down in my mind, but (and this might be weird) I feel like I got to know her better writing this story. I really loved giving her everything she wanted after hurting her in the beginning by taking her gift away. I felt so bad for her! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and I'm pleased the last chapter was moving...I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one crying!! Thank you so much for such a sweet review.
Date: January 06, 2008 10:06 pm Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
Fabulous. What a beautiful accompaniment to the story that video was. That song already reminded me of Jim and Pam and then you add in the pics and slides of Allentown -- you had me at hello (I mean that in reference to the story and the video). The honesty of the emotions and feelings in this story are what really stood out for me. There's something that Jim's mom said in this chapter...something like "the wheel just turned again" and that reminded me of one of my favorite songs by John Mayer called "Wheel" no less. I think a "wheel" is such a perfect metaphor for life and that's what this story felt like too - one beautifully told metaphor for life.
No bells, no whistles, no gimmicks...just good, clean story telling. Although I know better than to think it was effortless, it certainly read that way. Elegant craftmanship, my dear. Cheers to this one!
Author's Response: You know how I feel, so I won't go all blubbery on you. This means so much to me. You know, the wheel metaphor has been in my life since I was a little girl. My mother used to use that on me when I was misbehaving! She'd say, "the wheel turns slowly sometimes, but it always comes back around, so whatever you do comes back to you." HA! Italian-Catholic guilt much?! I'm so grateful for your encouragement. Thank you so much for making me laugh and propping me up when I was feeling not so great about doing this. Couldn't have gotten over that slump without you. :-*
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 05:20 pm Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
This has just been an outstanding ride! I can't wait for your next story.
Author's Response:
I'm so glad you came along, Vampiric Blood! It was a long ride, and I think I'm going to relax and do some sight-seeing here in the archive while I catch my breath. I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thanks so much for reading and reviewing! Whenever the train starts up again, I hope you hop on. :)
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 02:57 pm Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
Warning: long, rambling review ahead. Almost as long as some of my chapters...
So, funny story. At 5 a.m. I awoke to the sounds of my dog vomiting. This is roughly five hours earlier than I usually wake up on Sundays. I mean, it's still dark. But I leapt out of bed, ran for my dog, and half carried, half dragged her away from the carpet and onto the tile in the nick of time. Victory.
Anyway. Here I was thinking this 5 am adrenaline rush was unfortunate, but then I think "hey, I'll check MTT for updates." (What? Obsessed? Me?) And voila. Allentown!
Oh wait, did I say funny story? What I meant was "rather gross story that was also perhaps too much information."
At any rate, I decided to wait til later to review, in the interests of coherency. Not that a vomiting dog story actually fits that description, but whatever.
Once again, of course, another amazing chapter. Pam finally finding the right path, everyone there to see her walk, wanting her daughter to be there and be proud of her, Jim with Natalie’s chin resting on his head, the mosaic metaphor (also: honorable mention to the mucous plug shout-out). Just amazing.
But on a higher level than just this chapter, I also wanted to say that watching this story unfold has been remarkable. I know you said you’ve been reawakening writing muscles and finding your own inspiration again, and it’s so visible here. This story started out really good and became something incredible. It’s brought the past, present, and future of these characters to life for me in a way that no other story has. Actually, forget “these characters;” it’s an inspiring piece of writing in its own right, with or without The Office. Congratulations on getting through it. I look forward to reading whatever you write next. (Will it be steamy? ;) )
Author's Response:
Thirty, I'm just speechless. I usually say that and follow it up with 500 words, but this time, I really mean it. I don't even know what to say and 'thank you' just doesn't seem to be enough, but that's all I have. Thank you. I may print this out and stick it on the refrigerator so I can read it every morning before I start my day out in the real world. Thank you.
I may have a little steam built up that's waiting to blow off. God, that sounds dirty! :) How about you? Next chapter of Shift? Come on, give the people what they want!
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 02:53 pm Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
i really can't tell you how much i loved reading this! it has been such an awesome story and so beautifully written and really just awesome to read. thank you so much for writing it! and the video was a great little bonus. :]
Author's Response: Oh, this makes me downright giddy! Sunday, thank you so much for reading and for all your kind words of support and encouragement. And I'm so glad you liked the video! I nearly abandoned that a few times because it was my first time doing it (it shows, but...like Jim playing the trumpet, I tried hard!) and it was really frustrating trying to get it right. Thanks again and I hope to see you next time around!
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 01:48 pm Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
you know its good writing when you forget that this didnt actually happen. you write it so gorgeous, this whole story was absolutely amazing and such a wonderful ride. i can definitely see jim and pam in this future and it makes me so so happy to see it all play out. thank you so much for allowing us all to come along.
Author's Response: Oh, walt! Honestly, I've lost all perspective on this because I've been stuck in this world inside my head (where Jim and Pam are real people living in Buffalo - really!) and to read that you forgot that it didn't really happen is just so gratifying. This world feels like a warm cocoon to me, a place where they could thrive and be really, really happy. I'm so glad you came along for this ride, too. It wouldn't have been any fun driving this bus alone. Thank you so much for your sweet comments and support and I hope I see you next time around!
Date: January 06, 2008 12:54 pm Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
OMG, Sweetpea, I have no words. None. Well, a few, but they are woefully inadequate to review this chapter. And I'm afraid to watch the video, because I miss those two so damn bad.
I love how Pam has learned to improvise as life hands her new challenges. I think that is one of life's most valuable lessons. God knows, I had no idea ten years ago that I'd be where I am today.
Way to go, Sweetpea. You are definitely going into my Favorite Authors list!
Author's Response: lisahoo, I'm so honored! I'm so pleased you enjoyed this one and you hit the nail on the head...Pam's learning to roll with the punches and look how well it's serving her! (I know it's not real and these people aren't real. Just wanted to state that for the record) I miss them so much, too. I think I'm going to have a shower and a little S4 marathon for myself. Yeah, I was bawling at the end of the video and I could have tinkered with that forever. It's far from perfect, but I enjoyed doing it. Thank you so much for always being here and leaving kind words that mean so much. XO
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 12:10 pm Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
Oh, Sweetpea, this is one of the best stories I've ever read! Usually, I don't like the concept of J/P moving somewhere else, where the Scranton folks aren't a regular part of their lives, but the Buffalo move seemed to really fit. Since the strike, I've been reading a lot of fic, and I was always so excited to see that "Allentown" had been updated. Now, we need the next great masterpiece!
Author's Response: Good grief, this was so great to read, Mountaineers! I'm glad you think the Buffalo move seemed to fit. I think it's a town similar to Scranton and not so far away and they had the nice connection with Jim's parents having lived there, too. It's so cool to read that you excited to see updates to this and thanks so much for this review. I'm taking a little bit of a breather, and I don't know about masterpiece (gulp!) but there will be more! Hope to see you then.
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 10:56 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
Sweetpea, you gave me chills. Fantastic. So sorry it's done!
"I’m thinking of my father telling me to 'just love her' and me thinking that was like telling me to breathe." I so loved that line. Sigh : )
Author's Response: Chills! So awesome, Nan! I love when people quote their favorite line and, yeah, loving Pam is like breathing to Jim, I think. Thank you so much for taking this ride with me and being so wonderfully supportive. You're the best.
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 07:34 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
This was simply one of the most lovely stories Ive ever had the pleasure reading. Thank you for that.
Author's Response: Oh, albie_, what a wonderful thing to say! I'm so glad you found this story and stuck around for the end. I loved writing it so much - even the parts that gave me fits and made me think I had no business trying to tell this story. Now I can take a step back (like Pam) and say, okay...that was pretty good fun. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing and I hope to see you next time around.
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 07:33 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
Sweetpea--What a LOVELY treat to wake up to on a Sunday morning! I enjoyed every word of this story, and the epilogue was poignantly beautiful. I've loved a lot of your stories in the past, but you've really got something special here that you should be very proud of.
Your chapter lyric might be from James Taylor, but it reminds me of Dewey Cox. Enjoy!! :-)
Thanks again for a beautiful ride, and I can't wait to see what you'll come up with next!! --CH
Author's Response: Okay, the Beautiful Ride vid cracked me up, CH! Hello, CHEESE! I'm so pleased you enjoyed this final chapter. Hmm...I said a review from Colette was like having Clapton say I didn't suck on guitar, so a review from you is like having Mario Batali say, "hey, your pasta's not bad!!" (hope that made sense - I'm pretty tired). You've given me so much pleasure with your writing, it's an honor to entertain you a little. Thank you so much.
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 06:48 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
Such a lovely, heartwarming story. You capture the passion of life so beautifully. I loved the image of the mosaic. And you give us hope, not just for Jim and Pam and their future together (yay!), but for everyone who reads this story. I for one often feel like life is just a little too uncertain, that the future is just murky and unclear. This story really reminds me that life will turn out okay, and even better than I expect. It's so full of encouragement and hope for everything that can and will be. Truly inspiring.
Thank you Sweetpea for writing an incredible story and sharing it with us. I can't wait to read more of your work in the future.
Author's Response: PBS, you're killing me here. I stayed up most of the night finishing this - I just had a few hours of sleep in the chaise in the living room with the laptop still on. My neighbor's boyfriend came in at 12:30 am and waved at me, sitting here typing. He left at 7:30 this morning and here I was, same spot, same clothes, typing away. All that to say I'm overtired so I got all kinds of weepy when I read your review. I'm so glad you likd the mosaic and it's so true and a good thing to remember when you get stuck in the daily drudgeries of life. Taking a step back and saying it's all part of the big picture and the big picture is just lovely. I can't thank you enough for coming along on this ride and being so encouraging and supportive. :-*
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 06:10 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
This was just lovely. The whole thing. From now on, I choose to believe that this is the life Jim and Pam will lead together. I love that they find themselves in eachother and the family they have. I love that they find happiness in what some would consider a simple life. Teaching, managing a branch, living in a small town, having a family. To some people these seem like ordinary things, but for me it sounds like a perfect life. Jim and Pam seem to think so, too.
I absolutely loved every word of this entire story, sweetpea. You really have a gift and while I'm sorry this story is over, I enjoyed every minute of the ride.
Thank you for making me smile on such a dreary Sunday morning! :)
Author's Response: It is dreary here, too, kells and thank YOU for making me smile. It seems like a perfect life to me, too, and one that seems so right for them. No Big Haircut life, but a neatly trimmed, yet shaggy medium life. God, I'm so envious of two fictional characters in a totally made-up story that I wrote! What's wrong with me?! :) Writing this story has been a real labor of love for me and when I read your review this morning, I was so happy to know the love and warmth I tried so hard to convey came through. Having a gift (wow, thank you for that!) should make the writing go more easily, right? Nah, I didn't think so! I Thank you so much for being so supportive and I'm really glad you enjoyed this.
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 05:57 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
Oh, Sweatpea, this ending was incredible! I loved this line:
It's like a mosaic we're making together, Jim and I. I'm thinking how, if you stand too close sometimes, you focus on all the little pieces...some pieces are fine like polished glass, and some are ragged and worn, some weathered and tear-stained. But if you step back, you can see them all coming together to form images and scenes that tell the story of us.
It's such a beautiful analogy of their journey. I love that Pam finally realizes what she is meant to do! This entire story is so wonderful, and I'm so greatful that I found it. You're a fantastuc writer and I hope we can expect more stories from you in the future! Oh, and I'm totally going to the Allentown Art Festival this year! lol. I've been to that area many times (mostly the albright-knox) but never the festival, so this year we're going! Anywho, thank you for writing this story! It's definately down as one of my all time favourites. The story was beautiful, the characters were spot on, and your descritions of everything (emotions, situations, places, yeah everything lol) were absolutely perfect. Ok, I think i've gone on long enough, haha. The point being: Allentown=Amazing. I'm off to watch the vid now. Good luck on all future stories Sweatpea! You're awesome!
-Spencer
Author's Response: If I can inspire just one person to go to Allentown, my job here is done! Spencer, you HAVE to go! Have a hot dog! Look for Andy Russell! And go to Santasiero's for some pasta! Thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews and kind words. I've loved writing this story so much and I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Date: January 06, 2008 05:44 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
I can't lie...just the image of Natalie (one of my fave names, btw) on Jim's shoulders and him wrapped around her finger reduced me to a steaming puddle of Colette. And this made me laugh: "...Look at my hair, huh? Clearly, I’m not an expert.” It also really made me want to look at his hair. So, I did ;-)
Anyway, love how you tied this up - not only that Pam graduates/finds her path, but also Jim - his taking the new job is a plausible transition - not reinventing himself completely, just cranking it up a notch and mostly, finding himself in his family with Pam. Like that. This story has been a lovely ride - kind of sad it's over...but now we get a video too? Stop being so multi-talented - you're making the rest of us look lazy! Okay, thanks for this - off to buy my tix to Buffalo now.
Author's Response:
A little girl riding on Jim's shoulders...::sigh::...we'll probably never get to actually see that except in our imaginations, Colette, so thank God they're vivid! I'm so glad you enjoyed this - it's like having Eric Clapton say you're pretty good on the guitar. The video...I've been wanting to do it for a long time and I haven't figured out how to capture actual video yet, but it was so much fun (and a ton of aggravation) to put the stills together. If only this kind of extra effort went into housework or something more practical! Thank you so much for all your inspiration and encouragement. Now I'm going to sit back and let you entertain me with Northern Lights.
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 04:11 am Title: Epilogue - Isn't It a Lovely Ride?
It's like a mosaic we're making together, Jim and I. I'm thinking how, if you stand too close sometimes, you focus on all the little pieces...some pieces are fine like polished glass, and some are ragged and worn, some weathered and tear-stained. But if you step back, you can see them all coming together to form images and scenes that tell the story of us. It's a story we're still writing and I can't wait for the next chapter.
Oh, wow. That is a spectacular piece of writing right there, Sweetpea! I felt a shiver go up my spine when I read it. (The good kind of shiver, of course).
What an amazing story this has been! I have absolutely adored being along for the ride, and I'm so glad I found this story and decided to give it a read! Your future for Jim and Pam and little Natalie (YAY for the name!!) fits just perfectly with the utter realism that you've been crafting all along here. I know it's strange to keep using the word "real" when describing a fictional story about fictional characters, but I can't think of a better word. :)
Because, basically, this is as plausible an ending (beginning?) for Jim and Pam as anything I've ever read. Maybe even more so. :)
Congratulations on a superbly crafted story, and I look forward to your next endeavor!
Author's Response:
Aww, Mose, thank goodness you're up to keep me company! I'm so glad you've been along for the ride, too. When you started reading and reviewing chapter by chapter...man, that made me feel so good. Thank you.
The passage you quoted did not want to get written. I think my brain was just too tired to find the words, but it finally squeaked out, bit by bit. I'm so glad you got the shivers!
It makes me really happy to think of Jim and Pam settling in my hometown. Buffalo gets a lot of bad press for having too much snow, a failing economy, and an absurd number of bowling alleys, but the people are warm and friendly and the art community is indeed thriving. I have a feeling the city would wrap Pam and Jim up in a thermal Bills or Sabres blanket and give them a big hug!
Thank you again for all your kind words.