A book cover that incorporates the silhouette of Risse while presenting the source of these stories as Alaska.
Surviving Singlehood in the Arctic:
A story of resilience
Chapter Summaries
Hippy Days are Here Again
This chapter presents its audience with the most successful relationship that is outlined in the entire book. Starting off at a “Jersey Shore” themed party and leading to Hippyville (?) This section of the book provides an outstanding set up and gives ample support to further establish that anything is possible.
The Formation of a Relationship
In this section of the book Risse begins to realize how difficult it can be to have a relationship, especially when it’s with someone whose best friend is named “Pot.”
Mossy Creek: Retreat of the Hippy
The Mossy Creek adventure marks Risse’s first time on an adventure with a man. This section of the book shares some insight into her belief that the “hippy way” is not adaptable to her lifestyle.
What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
This chapter serves as a continued examination of the unusual relationship between Hugh and Risse. Throughout this chapter many relationship formalities are taken and during the culmination of the chapter Risse steps onto an airplane and wonders what she had gotten herself into.
Long Distance Relationship
Continuing to study the hardships that are experienced between an ADD pothead and Risse, this chapter serves as the conclusion of the ill-fated Hugh/Risse relationship. This chapter provides its audience with the longest romantic liaison featured in this book.
In Florida, Risse continued to share her passion of choreography. Hugh’s best friend may have been “Pot” as this point, but that never stopped her from choreographing stellar Fosse combinations;.
The Discovery of the Moped
Introducing the concept of the moped, this chapter provides its audience with a formal definition and also sites several examples of actual mopeds.
Chapter 7: Bipolar Boys
Risse explores whether or not life will not be the same after therapy, hospitalization, and a diagnosis of Bipolar 1. Most importantly she wonders if the process of dating will change due to her newly acquired status.
Chapter 8: Overtime: A Series of Unfortunate Events
The string of events that make up this chapter make it by far the longest in the book. It discusses the good, the bad, and the ugly concerning Risse’s experiences of bar hopping.
Chapter 9: Two Haydun’s In One Weekend, I Am Not Worthy!
The events within this chapter introduce us to two boys who share the exact same name along with the same bizarre spelling, who she just happened to go out with during a 24 hour period!
Chapter 10: Rugby Affiliations
Equipping the audience with the unforgettable setting of the infamous Rugby House., the descriptions within this chapter make it one of the most hilarious of the entire book. This chapter fully solidifies the belief that some people just don’t grow up.
Chapter 11: On Snap! How Do They Find Me
This chapter serves as an investigation putting into question Risse’s inability to attract normal men. Acknowledging to her audience that having a boyfriend is not a difficult feat to achieve, this chapter focuses on one specific instance where Risse happened to have landed a doozie and found that even after years of separation, it was difficult to dispose of him.
Chapter 12: The Saga of How I Became a Member of match.com
Taking on a sandwich format, this chapter starts with the ending and then travels on back through time. In the middle of this chapter there is a collection of entertaining New York City stories, but in the end the events travel back to Risse and her dating. After a horrible drought, Risse finally had experienced a good first date, but a horrible second date left Risse despairing. To culminate the chapter Risse decides to join match.com.
Chapter 13: Loser Foreign Boys
Focusing specifically on two different relationships, but more importantly it acknowledges Risse’s annual problem of the Halloween tool-bag acquisition.
All dressed up and ready to go Halloween 2009!
This chapter serves as the discovery to NOT look for love at the gym!
Chapter 14: Gym Rats and Their Influence on Me
Examining several different gym interactions that have been experienced by Risse. This chapter is extremely diverse and ranges from political beliefs to the film “Joe Dirt.”
Chapter 15: The Bookstore Encounters
Starting out with a frustrated Risse going to a local bookstore after an encouraging therapist told her to give this new venue a try. Appalled by the results, Risse somehow managed to maintain a special quality of resilience and therefore continued onward in her quest for romance.
Chapter 16: LOL
Conveying Risse’s overall level of excitement when concerning going to New York and anticipating getting rid of the familiar. In this chapter she decides to fly by the seat of her pants. At one point during the evening someone brought up the topic of Broadway, and the boy who she was ultimately trying to win over became frustrated and impatient by her long winded rant, and therefore decided to go to bed. At this point Plan A simply vanished and without an agenda she found herself trying to sleep on a friends’ couch next to a virtual stranger.
Chapter 17: And She Lived Hopefully Ever After…
This is the concluding chapter of the book the main message that it expresses is that it’s impossible to live “happily ever after.” Instead, living “hopefully ever after” is much more realistic. Risse believes that instead of viewing relationships and life so seriously, it is important for one to include humor within their life while realizing that things don’t always work out and can oftentimes be messy.
GLOSSARY
The Glossary contains many nonsensical words, defines them, and gives an in text example of that word occurring.