Dr. Fisher's take on things

I have been home sick for two reasons: I managed to contract a textbook case of flu over the weekend, and the thought of going back to an office with a post-vacation PD makes me want to put my head in the oven. Ultimately I'm angry with myself for letting another person affect me to the extent that she does - or has done, at least; I'd like to think I'm getting a realistic grip on it. But for the time being I still need the paychecks, and

Between watching stuff I Tivo'ed and clearing up the house, I went through my email. A friend of mine, who shares my interest in psychological tests, sent me a link to a test set up by a Dr. Helen Fisher. Allegedly she has written a reasonable book on why people fall for certain people. While I'd like to leave this up to less scientific reasons - whatever happened to animal attraction? - I decided to see what sort of person I was according to the doctor. Her test branded me a Negotiator, with the secondary traits of an Explorer. According to her, this is what I need to do to land Prince Charming:

As a Negotiator, you seek a spiritual, life long connection to a "true love". But you don't want someone who is emotionally dependent. You admire people who need a good deal of autonomy. Marriage is important to you; but the social pledge of matrimony is far less sacred than the personal commitment you privately make to your beloved. You avoid conflict and strive for harmony in your primary relationship. So you express your love regularly-with hugs, thoughtful presents, romantic weekends or by creating other special times together. And you want a mate who is daring, playful and adventurous, yet one who will balance you-someone who is calm, decisive, strong-willed, focused and supportive of your enthusiastic, caring and imaginative spirit.

While I certainly disagree with the "marriage is important" accusation, and tend to avoid gift-giving unless I spot a truly promising item, some of it makes sense. For example, DD* never made fun of me for being a cat lady; instead, he admired it. But then he liked cats himself, so I may be reading it all wrong.

The older I get, the less I seem to know about myself. Yet another depressing fact of modern maturity.

* Definitions are at right.