Sometimes art captures life. Sometimes life imitates art. And sometimes that line between art and life becomes a little blurry.
10 You already know my feelings about this story and especially this chapter, but I'll reiterate some of them here. This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read. Period. Not just fan fiction, either. But ever read. This scene is so incredibly powerful, and the song choice is the perfect way to juxtapose Pam's emotions with her painting.
In short: this is simply beautiful. :)
10 Oh wow... I love the changes you made! The whole chapter is so much stronger as a result. And that's saying something, considering how strong it was to begin with!
BJB, Thank you for allowing me to help in any small way I could with this. I'm the one who feels lucky to have read early drafts of a lot of this--sorta like seeing a sneak preview of a great film. :) You are an amazingly talented writer, and I hope to see much, MUCH more of your work in the future! Well done!
Whoa. Uh... Yeah. I need a minute here to collect my thoughts about this.
Whew! This story made my chest hurt. I'm both furious at Karen for being so cruel and yet... no. I'm just mad over here.
Wow. This really struck some kind of chord with me, because I've read it three times in a row, and it won't leave me alone. Sorry for the incoherence of this review, but I'm not sure how to put into words all the emotions I'm feeling now.
Just... wow.
Jim gets some advice from a little seen source.
I must be out of my element here, because I was totally lost. I mean, it's a well written little vignette you've got here, but who's Marjorie?
Author's Response: And you call yourself a fan. ;) Marjorie is a little seen, rarely mentioned gray haired lady who works back in the annex beyond the kitchen. You can catch her in Office Olympics and she gets name checked in The Fire.
This might be cheating a little on the 55 challenge, as it doesn't technically bring Jim and Pam together.
But it does in a way. You'll know what I mean when you read it :o)
This isn't cheating at all--in fact, I think it fits perfectly! It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode with the speed dial. :) Wonderful!
Author's Response: Thanks! You know, I've never seen Seinfeld, not even one episode. I keep meaning to check it out cause it's supposed to be so good, but I always forget. Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing.
I love dialogue-only anyway, and this format was perfect! Oh, and OUCH! :)
It's amazing how much you can pack into these, isn't it? "Karen yelled at him - a lot." What more needs to be said, really? :)
Pam got her nerve a little sooner then "Beach Games" and sends a private gift to Jim in Stamford. Jim has some thoughts on the matter.
Spoilers through Initiation.
(This story has been edited it's actually only 1,624 words long)
Awww.... so sweet! (Yeah, I'm a big 'ol softie. What of it? I'm goin' straight to the Man Thread as soon as I'm done here...)
Author's Response: Yeah right, don't lie. I know you're headed over to the women's thread to discuss which foundation is best, and which shoes match your favorite dress.
Oh wow... I could really feel Pam's angst in this chapter. Like she's really hurt and confused and upset. I feel so bad for her, and wish I could do something to help her feel better.
Author's Response:
She is (was), I can't really figure out my tenses, I'm sure you would do anything to make her feel better. You're a good guy CM.
Thanks for the review...don't leave your computer there will be another chapter soon. Good stuff too. Happier, smuttier (I know you're not a big fan but give it a shot), JAMier, all the "-ier" words I can think of.10 So I've been noticing that Pam has been calling Jim a "dork" more often these days. And I think that's both hilarious and sweet. One of the things that's so cute about them is their tendency to verbalize their emotions to each other in rather child-like ways. Hence, the "dorks" and "I hate yous." Very funny, yet also very, very sweet and endearing.
Just like this story! :)
I don't know where you got "flusterificated," but I'm sure that it's just another sign of your genius. :) Fantastic chapter, m'dear, full of awesomnosity and splendorifituitousness. For realsies.
Author's Response: Hmmm, I don't remember where I got it but I think it was some silly guy going around calling himself Cousin Mose, what kind of name is that anyway? ;) It's nowhere near dmscranton, I mean come on!
See, your version of the events of season 3 are SO much happier! :) I love it. And, let's not forget to give you major props for being so prolific in updating in such a speedy manner! Who has two thumbs and is impressed? This guy! :)
Author's Response: Well I seemed to be struck with the creative bug last night after reading this hilarious fic. Some crazy guy is writing it but it's so funny something about money, Toby wasn't included, Michael's an idiot. Eh, can't remember.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
Someone once said that real art takes courage and honesty, and I can see both here in this chapter from you. I know this is going to sound unbelievable, but I really am at a loss for words here. So, if you don't mind, I'll just go back and re-read this very quietly and let it wash over me. :)
"I mean she's cute, but eh."
And just like that, the whole Karen thing could have been diffused and become nothing more than a distant memory. How nice would that have been? :)
Again, you have a real knack for this back-and-forth, dialogue only kind of stuff. The mixture of spoken and unspoken words is just right, and it manages to tell the story quite well. Excellent work, m'dear!
"Dense as a turnip farmer" is going to be my new catchphrase, so thanks for that. :P
I love the surreal nature of this chapter and Pam's dreams. Quite a cool concept to explore what goes on in our little Dunder-Mifflinites brains after the Sandman has whacked them over the head for the night. Hmmm... makes me wonder what Jim might be dreaming about... :)
So, no. I don't think you jumped the shark at all here. As odd a chapter as this was, it still helped to move your plot along nicely, as Pam was able to figure out a few things.
Now, if you write a chapter about Jim and Pam going to Sea World and physically jumping over a shark... :D
Oh Mose! You know Jim will be donning a new leather jacket in season 4...."Eehhh".
Thank you again for being so supportive, it's so incredible. :)
Look at you, being all prolific and what have you! Two updates essentially in the same day? You're spoiling us. :P
I liked the change of pace here, with them actually talking on the phone instead of text messaging--as much as I liked that--and it was nice to have the story stripped down to just the dialogue.
Now, can I be constructively critical for a moment? You lost me at the points where Jim and Pam had their long, drawn out "confessions" to each other. Everything was fine before and after that, but those two speeches felt like they were reading a script rather than just saying what they felt. Let's face it--these two aren't exactly the most eloquent pair in the first place! Just stick to the awkwardness and short sentences that work for them.
Otherwise, great chapter!
I know, I felt the same way, and I wrote it. It just felt like they were cleansing themselves, being all cathartic and blah blah. If I threw in their thoughts too there would've been a few "What am I saying? Or wow I need to shut up now" but...eh.
Thanks for the review Mose! Always love them, always! I might have another update tonight, I already have an idea that involves Dwight (your cousin) :).
Okay, so even though "your" season 3 isn't really going in the same direction as the season 3 we all watched, I'm glad you're still referencing some familiar things, like Diwali. It makes me nervous, though, that Jim will still get drunk and Karen will still drive him home... :P
Another fabulous chapter all the way around, though. I love seeing the beginnings of Jan's downward spiral into the abyss that is Michael, and Pam's email to Jim was very cute as well.
Great work! (and thanks for the shout out!) :)
No, i don't want to hug you...
Crap.
That was hysterical!
Okay, now that I'm all caught up on this brilliant piece of awesmoness that is slathered in wonderfulnissitudinous, I feel like I can breathe again. Like life will be okay. Because now, I can keep right up with wherever you take this great story.
And that's totally dawesome.
Oh, those last few lines just cap off a brilliant chapter with roughly five pounds of solid awesomenosity! (Trust me, it'll be a word someday, if I have anything to say about it!)
Author's Response: Thank you, thank you *bows*. Actually that one was on hiatus for a good 2 weeks so you missed on having to wait, you're lucky.
I just love these inner monologue-type stories. Pam freaking out that she's not wearing lip gloss for a phone call, getting soap all over...just fabulous stuff. I can even abide the country music for the duration of this story! :)
Author's Response: Too bad you can't upload songs to play in the background, I could've tortured you.
I am starting a band called "Car Treble." We'll be mega stars and it'll all be thanks to you! :)
Author's Response: I hope I'll get a cut at least!
Okay, get out of my head. I have had conversations with myself that sound exactly like this! (Just switch the names around...)
Love it!
Heh... so funny. I love their text messages back and forth to each other. Who else but Pam could say "I hate you" and have it be the sweetest thing ever?
Author's Response:
I hate you.
No I kid, but you're right it didn't sound as sweet.
Oh, good grief... of all the stupid things I have ever done in my life, the absolute STUPIDEST thing of them all is that I only just started reading this story now! Seriously, where have I been? This is BRILLIANT!
Okay, so expect a lot of these over the next little while, 'cause I've got a lot of catching up to do! :)
Wonderful!
afsdfqwefq. 'Scuse me. I'll be in my bunk.
Author's Response: *giggle* (That's all I've got)