I remember when I was vehemently opposed to tattoos. Not on other people, but the idea of affixing a permanent picture on my body was ludicrous. Those times have changed.



I have had it in my mind to get a tattoo for the last few years and I knew that it would be this: an ampersand (the older style one that was derived from the word "Et" which is French for 'and") and an exclamation mark. I use this logo to represent my website, YESand.com (the improv information source that cannot be denied, ahem), but also to represent the idea of Yes Anding itself, to enthusiastic embrace.

I polled some friends as to whether I should get this tattoo now before leaving NYC or when I get to Austin. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of getting here (maybe I should have asked non-New Yorkers, oh well). And I agreed.

I am about to undertake several big life changes simultaneously and I want to have a little inspirational reminder right there on my forearm looking up at me, reminding me to enthusiastically embrace. My friend, Dan, who was my tattooist, kept asking me if I was sure I wanted it facing that way as opposed to the typical way of having it readable by others.

This one isn't for others, though. It is for me.