I'm just going to leave this here... Mostly because I know that E is not on LJ and hasn't seen this post. Short list of "How To Handle Your Tiger", written originally back in November 2009 (updated to fit now).

- I don't know when to quit. Failure is a word that I strive to keep out of my vocabulary, and that extends to almost every aspect in my life. What I need to do is learn to accept failures and defeats as a part of learning and growing. I am a persistent little git. In general, this is a good thing because it means that I will find ways to solve problems. It's not so great within my relationships because it means that I will poke someone until either I get an answer or I get a tactical nuke to the face. Usually, it's a tactical nuke. I need to work on this through developing patience.

- My brain does not deal with an abstract concept of time. At. All. A lot of times, people will hear me talk in concrete terms. This is because I don't know how to process an unknown. I need to have deadlines for when things are due and the like. I need to also have goals set up, not concepts of goals. For example, if someone tells me that "I'll talk to you in a couple weeks", unless something comes up that they need to know about Right This Second, I'll go off and focus on something else for that two weeks, then poke at them around when the deadline is. Without having something to look forward to, it sends my brain careening off into "oh, shit" space and I start reading into every little thing looking for answers and/or reassurances. As long as people understand that I need "deadlines", this is something that can be mitigated.

- Up until a couple of weeks ago (November 2009), all my brain understood is "work or girlfriend", not anything in-between. This is very much a case of me needing to find something else to focus my energy on. I'm working on that one. Getting back into reading, plus there has been talk of a Tinker's Dam game being started up soon. RP is very much one of my passions, and I want to re-ignite that blaze. There has also been light talk of a Changeling LARP starting up down around here. Ultimately, though, I need hobbies to keep me busy from Point A to Point B to Point C.

- Physical affection is good. It's very good for me. In general, I am very self-conscious of my appearance, mostly due to everyone and my mother commenting on either the state of my teeth or how rotund I am. By receiving hugs and the like, it reinforces my self-worth. Specifically, in a relationship, I prefer non-verbal communication to display my affection and attraction, so the importance to me is kicked up several notches. Ironically enough, though, my brain is wired in such a way that when I am near my partner, even if we're working on separate projects in different parts of the dwelling, I can be content with the knowledge that I could just as easily go to where that person is and give them a hug or kiss if I wanted.

- I keep mentioning "clue-by-fours". The fastest way to get me to do something is to tell me flat out, "please do X, Y, or Z". Don't skirt around an issue with me; my brain is VERY much wired like a male's and, as such, being blunt and honest with me is the best way to communicate with me. Telling me flat out what I need to do, plus giving me a "deadline" more or less ensures my compliance. Giving me a reason why I'm being asked/told to do something gives me even more of a reason to comply. Likewise, I try to be clear in my communication, as well.

- Along with that last point, tell me straight up if I'm being an idiot or I've missed a cue. I can be really dense at times and can/will miss cues that I wouldn't when I'm at the top of my game. It's happened a few times recently, and I am working on getting better about it, but I still need the "clue-by-four" reminders.