Working with the amazing Stephen Rocktaschel to produce these wonderful cover designs, notice the whimicality as the central state of Alaska alludes to Japan, New York, and France.
Surviving Singlehood Hopefully Not Forever:
A tale of heartbreak, strength, and fortitude
Rebuilding A Habitat
In returning to normal day life Risse is presented with a rude awakening that it’s impossible to be satisfied with the mundane. In this chapter we are introduced to Jay, a gentleman who initially appeared to be harmless but went on to haunt Risse’s daily endeavors.
The Misogynist, the Classic Version
The early days of Jay are what dominate this chapter. The first real exposure to Jay featuring his loathsome nature is explored indicating to the audience the possibility for this one to be a real rat.
The Misogynist Strikes Back
At this point Risse found that she was deeply entrenched in the web that Jay was weaning. His personality continued to take on less than stellar traits, even inspiring some poetry.
Return of the Misogynist
The feeling of dues paying is fully conveyed in this chapter. After having passed the five year mark of being acquainted Risse saw the need to get the ball rolling again. She did this by laying down the “I Love You” card, which ended up being a giant fiasco.
“Your Girl is Lovely, Hubbell”
Realizing that it was not her destiny to remain in Alaska saddled with a red-neck husband and a couple of chillin. Her mind was suddenly made up when she heard news of a sudden engagement Jay had abruptly staged with some other women.
Deciding to refer to Jay as Hubbell from “The Way They Were” this helped her put into perspective the fact that she would never be a simple girl that would lay down her life for a man.
Fully embracing being a weird girl and never looking to have a normal existence. Sorry fellas!
The Persistent Popper
After a stint that lasted far too long with Jay it was high time that somebody else came to fill his shoes. That’s when Chase came bounding into the equation. This chapter begins with a short discussion of the creeper-like strategies used by Chase to secure a woman, then it drifts into an entry of life in France which ends with the lurking qualities that only Chase was capable of.
In Paris scoping out the creeper situation!
Persistence Leads to Perpetual Poppage
This chapter focuses on the continual struggle of combatting the hits of Chase, but after a period of depression Risse does attribute Chase’s desire to bed her as serving as the impetus and inspiration for her recovery.
Silver Spoon Boy
Always willing to rekindle relationships and always longing to travel closer to “the promised land.” Risse acknowledges that sometimes using less than ideal circumstances to reach the ultimate goal is the only way forward.
No Silver Spoon for Shellster
Exposure to extreme wealth was the name of the game for this chapter. After living in an unreal environment that lacked compassion and understanding, Risse decided that she would not be destined for the Long Island elite.
The Start of Something New
Serving as the introduction to the Japanese journey, “The Start of Something New” is originally just a song title from “High School Musical.”This time , however, it served as much more; the start of a new era for Risse.
Navigating A Whole New World
An investigation of the first full day in Tokyo, which leads to a tangent concerning Risse’s teaching career in Barrow, Alaska.
One Opportunity
The title of this chapter is taken from the well-known rap by Eminem capturing the emotional mood of this chapter. This section of the book explores the outings in Tokyo that brought Ri and Risse closer together and also goes back and provides ample backstory to describe the origins these two shared from dear old Stony Brook.
Someday My Prince DID Come
Thinking that she had struck gold in deciding to identify Ri as the one based on his ability to check off every characteristic on the proverbial “list.” This led Risse to be looking through rose colored glasses as she felt satisfied and deemed that her look for “the one” was finally over.
Mean Girls and Troubling Times Tokyo Edition
At this point in her Tokyo stay Risse finds herself to be surrounded by confusion. A categorization enthusiast at heart leads her to question her roles as a friend or potential love interest.
The Only Direction Was Up
Navigating to the beat of her own drum was difficult, however, not impossible; After feeling deeply wounded and defying the possibility of submission, Risse comes to terms with the fact that “singlehood” might just last a bit longer.
I’m On The Edge of Glory
Realizing that her trip was coming to an end brought about a mixture of emotions that ranged from sorrow to elation.
Singing some all-American Britney Spears at a karaoke bar on my last night in Tokyo.
Closing A Chapter
Ultimately knowing that this door only swung one way made leaving Tokyo an extremely sad event. Even though life in Tokyo had been the source of so much confusion and anguish, in my heart I knew that I was really going to miss it.
Life in the Promised Land
Even though the transition to life in the U.S. felt rough, Risse managed to make it appear to be as seamless as possible.
Emojis Can Hurt
Still feeling the need to communicate with Ri while making a new life for herself in NYC. In the beginning Ri started out as a considerate correspondent, but over time reverted into a man of few to no words, oftentimes only capable of producing a single emoji.
Given to me randomly by a deli worker did mark a very special moment in time.
With Tony award winning producer and my personal hero at the Broadway show that he wrote.
The Unsolicited Roadtrip
At this point Risse had found that her life was spiraling out of control. She was manic at that point, unmedicated, malnourished, and running out of funds. At this point she thought that it was best to go home, reload, and try again.
Playing spirited Broadway showtunes throughout the journey.
What is a road trip without a little Michelle Risse exuberance?
Deep In the Pit of Sadness
Feeling as if she was completely defeated, she found that after a while her “controlled” happiness was whittled away only to reveal a massive depression. After experiencing the true depths of despair she reassured herself that the only way up was out!
The Finale with an Unresolved Cadence
Proving to the audience that this “Singlehood” journey did not lead to a satisfying ending. Oftentimes one is left with an ending that is not found to be satisfying and full of dissonance.