For all of my adulthood, I have been teased by friends and family that I know someone everywhere I go. Sadly, or not, it's true. I come by it naturally, though. My parents, who are celebrating 50 years of marriage this weekend, taught me to be a social creature and introduced me to many people. My brother and sister know a lot of people too, but they tend to hide from them.
I am St. Louis born and raised. I've lived here my entire life, other than 3 1/2 years of college in New Hampshire and 1 year and 1 week living in California. My circle of friends and acquaintances goes beyond the West St. Louis County comfort zone. And, as I said, I am a very social creature.
As we all know, the big question in St. Louis is, "Where did you go to school?" My husband, being from Nashville, TN, would answer, "Mizzou." He didn't understand that it was a "high school" thing. For the most part, it is about the "who you know" not the "where you live" when being asked where you went to high school...at least for me it is. I love to see who I know in common with someone, or how we may be connected through a friend's friend or relative. I'm guessing it's my need to connect people with one another that gets me asking questions.
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My co-worker says that NETWORKING and NOT WORKING are just one letter off, but I find that it can be a job to keep up with all of the connections. Facebook has been my dream come true. I can keep up with everyone's stories and pictures and don't have to leave the comfort of my bed, desk or living room.
That being said...it may be six degrees of Kevin Bacon, but my friend Donna is convinced that it's only two degrees of Tracy Speller.