a pat on the back.Make a list of all of the "pluses" you will bring to a roommaterelationship. Here are a few examples, but take time to think upyour own. Make sure you cover all three categories:Personal: Sense of humor, ability to listen, non-smoker, morningperson, etc.Technical: Knowledge of plumbing, phenomenal cook, etc.Material: Stereo, car, living room furniture, etc.List Your Faults.Now that you know you're not such a bad person, consider what"minuses" you will bring to a relationship. Be as honest as youwould want your roommate to be with you. (If you can't seem tothink of anything, you are kidding yourself). Again, here are afew examples to start you thinking:Personal: Moodiness, sloppiness, you think all Beethoven musicis just random noise, etc.Technical: You can't change a light bulb, don't know acarburetor from a radiator, etc.Material: No furniture, cook...

...ing utensils, TV or stereo.What Are Your Needs?What do you want out of a roommate relationship, and what mustyou have? For example, must you have your own room? Do you fallapart if you don't sleep between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.? Thislist is vital, so take your time.Now Evaluate.Take a good look at your lists and consider your priorities.What is there about you or your lifestyle that is absolutelycrucial to you? If you have always been a slob/ smoker/ morningperson, whatever, don't kid yourself into thinking you canchange now. If you want to change, great! But don't decide tolive with someone who is allergic to smoke just to see if itwill make you quit. By the same token, decide what things youmight be willing to compromise on to suit your roommate'stastes. Giving these matters some thought ahead of time willmake it a lot easier when you actually start interviewingprospective roommate...