HAL

We've used the initials of our three first names to refer to our family for quite awhile now. HAL is how we often sign cards, fill out our return address on mail and I even have it stamped on a necklace that I wear all the time.

For a long time now I have been toying with the idea of getting another tattoo.  Why yes, I already have 2 that I got in my early 20's. After lots of consideration for what I would get, where I would put it, colour, design and choice of tattoo artist, I finally decided:

I left the overall design up to the tattoo artist, Helena.  I just told her during my consultation that I wanted it on my forearm, I wanted our 3 initials and that I wanted it somehow bordered by a Celtic line.  One of my other tattoos is a Celtic knot on my shoulder, so I thought it was a nice tie in.  I had tried to doodle many designs on my own, but since I have the handwriting of a drunk squirrel wearing oven mitts, my "designs" were kinda frightening.  I was thrilled when she showed me her drawing today.  I hadn't settled on colour till I sat down in the chair, when I decided to go with purple.

I'm so happy with the overall result!  I can't wait for it to heal (and no, the blueish/purplish colour around the HAL is not bruising, it's shading) so that I can see exactly how it will look for the rest of my life.