February 18, 2009

Six Degrees: Bruce Anderson

Six Degrees of Separation. You know it, right? The theory that’s floated for decades about how interconnected we all are. Wikipedia (absolute authority on everything) says: Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is no more than six "steps" away from each person on Earth. In other words, person A only needs a maximum of five people in between to connect to person B -- supposing person A and B don't know each other.

Uh-huh. My problem-solving skills are stunted incalculably when it comes to math word problems. I don't know how many miles Person A is going to travel to see Person B and at what time their train will arrive if they're chugging along at 25 miles an hour while carrying ten hobos weighing 150.5 pounds each. So if that's too difficult for you to swallow too, get a load of this easy-to-follow chart.
Clear now? So I want to test out this Six Degrees theory. Call it a game. Wanna play? I'm trying to look up an old -- er, friend. He’s our first experiment: Bruce Anderson.

Dear Bruce,

I’ve been thinking about you lately, as I have from time to time over the years, wondering what you’ve been up to since we last saw each other. I’ve tried FaceBooking and Googling you (that sounds so kinky -- and kinda fun), but it's like trying to find an engagement ring teed off into a Par 4 fairway (I imagine). Do you have any idea how many Bruce Andersons there are in the world?

Let's start from the beginning. Phoenix, Arizona. August 1973. My father’s friend and your boss, Delbert "Del" Kindred (a pot-bellied, beer-guzzling, dirty-joking good ol' boy), introduced us at one of my family’s barbecues. Remember? I had five brothers and sisters, a dirty cockapoo, a giant shepard mix, and at least one cat (maybe three), all circulating around a Grecian-style pool. I was 18 and you were a year or two older. Amid all the commotion, you sat down and talked to me, and we instantly connected.

Here's a picture of me from 1973 when I graduated high school. It was so long ago, they hadn't yet invented color photography. But this is pretty much what I looked like back when you first met me. Too cool for school, as they say.

Oh, and how about this picture below? That's me in 1974, right after they had invented color. Notice the feathering around my face? Ah, the seventies. That was the long shag I got just after you left. Sorry you missed it.

Unfortunately, the only pictures I have of you are in my memory. You were a slightly built Scandinavian from Minnesota. Maybe Minneapolis. Wiry and slender – all firm, tan, construction muscle – longer white-blonde hair, and mesmerizing blue eyes. I remember thinking of you as a sort of Norse god.

You probably didn’t know this, but you were an important part of my life. You were my first real romance, the first to introduce me to true intimacy. Too many prying eyes here, so I don't want to kiss and tell too much, but those days were some of the most exciting – and educational – of my very short life up to that point. And I promise you, long, hot showers have never been the same.

Two months after we met, on a sunny afternoon in October, you came by my house on Evans Drive. In the street in front of my house, you asked me to go to Florida with you. The question caught me totally off-guard, and I wasn’t ready to leave home. I had also just happened to see my high-school crush and realized I wasn’t quite over him (what a 13-year brain fart that turned out to be). It was hard to say goodbye to you – I was torn – but off you to went to Florida.

Thirty-some years later, I wonder, where are you now? Did you get to Florida safely? Are you still there? Did you get married, have children, and move back to Minnesota?

Not long before you left Phoenix, you came over and helped me paint my bedroom. It was a family project and you fit right in. Then you did something that no other man has ever dared to do, something I’ll never forget as long as I live. My father and brothers loved you for it. Do you remember what that was?

I’m not looking to rekindle any romance. But I’d love to know what you’re up to, Bruce Anderson. If you’re out there, email me at fragrantliar@yahoo.com.

Blogging Buds: In the spirit of Six Degrees, stop a minute and think whether you know a Bruce Anderson or someone else who might know a Bruce Anderson. He would be 53-55 years old now. Ask your significant other, ask your friends, blog about it and link back here. Is there someone you want to look up via the Six Degrees theory? Pass along this message, and let’s see if it's more than a theory or six degrees of bullshit.
.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

No, I don't know any Bruce Anderson. I'm sorry I can't help.

Did I mention how f@$%ing gorgeous you are? I'd hate you if I didn't like you so much.

Debbie said...

I don't think I can help with this either, but I'll give it some more thought.

Anonymous said...

I happen to know a Bruce Anderson but he's in his 20's so unless he's aging backwards, I doubt it's him. Hope you find him though. Good luck!

Lori said...

This whole 6 degrees thing is fascinating to me. Bruce Anderson from Minnesota...hmmm...I am from Minnesota but that name doesn't ring any bells...although there are a hell of a lof of Andersons around here. Do you remember where he was from in Minnesota? That would be so cool if you could reconnect with him. I am going to ask around though!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

My delete. I did a quick facebook search and found a Bruce Anderson from Minnesota. I copied the picture and e-mailed it to you. Two gentlemen in the photo, didn't specify which one was Bruce though. Wonder if it could be him.

Anonymous said...

This could be interesting.... hope to hear more on this Bruce fellow...

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Fragrant Liar said...

Jan, you are so f@$%ing sweet to say that. Oh to be 18 again.

Debbie and MLS: Keep your ears peeled!

smiles4u: Don't remember what city he was from, but I think Minneapolis. Could be wrong.

Beki: Don't think that pic is him, but thank you so much for taking a few minutes to look. I have done Facebook searches too, and haven't found anyone that quite fit. He might not even be alive anymore, but I hope he is.

Di: I hope to hear from this Bruce fellow too. There are a gazillion Bruce Andersons out there, so who knows.

Sarah Lulu said...

Loved the photos ....Bruce Anderson hmmm ...
now he could quite easily have emigrated to Australia ...

I actually think I graduated from High School in 1973 as well!

*thinking back* ... to all the American's I've met and he doesn't leap to mind ..

But my best school friend's sister DID meet and marry an American she met when she was in Hawaii for a week (I kid you not.) ..when she was 20 ...they now both live in Australia..

Maybe they know each other ..I'll ask!

Old romance stories are so romantic...

Sarah Lulu

Pseudo said...

You're pretty. I bet you had them lined up for miles.

A lot of my friends and I met working at Bobby McGee's in the 80's. We call it the six degrees of Bobby McGee's over here.

Have you tried Facebook? I don't have one, but I heard everyone is finding everyone else on it.

Christina - Rant Rave Roll said...

I'm a newbie.. and your blog is really funny. I made my way over from WWoW. I thought it so ironic that we are both in Texas and that you are Ranting, Raving, and Rolling on your blog.. especially since my blog is named Rant-Rave-Roll. Funny, huh?

Unknown said...

Bruce Anderson. Hmm. Nope. I've got one of those too. I can't find him anywhere when I look around.

I'm not even saying his name. 'Cuz I suspect he's more interesting unfound. I came across one Bruce Andersonish and he had... fallen into disrepair.

Like SERIOUS disrepair.

Better that we all remain young, beautiful, and elusive.

...

Anna Lefler said...

Oh, I love this! I can't wait to see what happens next! (I don't know any fellas by that name, though - I'm sorry I can't help.)

BTW, thank you so much for your kind comment on Beth Kephart's blog today - I really appreciate that. Truly.

Have a great weekend and please keep us posted on your quest!

:^) Anna

P.S. You are a total BABE!

Beth Kephart said...

I have this feeling that somewhere out there Mr Anderson is searching for you. And won't stop, until he finds you......

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Girlie, you were gorgeous! No surprise as you STILL ARE! Sorry, I don't know a Bruce Anderson. I did a whitepages search in this area and didn't come up with anything in that age range. One 57 with previous address in Tucson? This is a very intriguing experiment you've got going. I hope it works. Wouldn't that be great!

I'm thinking maybe you should blog about that steamy romance......

Anonymous said...

Sorry no Bruce Anderson . . . but LOVE the chart. Great blog. Thanks.

Fragrant Liar said...

Y'all are so awesome. You are such great support for me, and I always feel better after I read my "smart remarks." You make me laugh and there's nothing better than that.

Please just keep this name in mind and ask people you know if they know a Bruce Anderson. Maybe one of these days I will find him again.

THANKS!!

Anonymous said...

I Googled "Bruce Anderson Oklahoma" and found 3. Don't know how to find out how old they except call and I probably won't be doing that. Check it out and see if any of the middle initials ring a bell.