The Girl without the Dragon Tattoo

My friend Brittany is one of the most fascinating people anyone could ever hope to meet.  She is extremely creative, shockingly beautiful, and flat-out hysterical.  She is also full of surprises.


A few weeks ago we were hanging out, and someone mentioned the novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.


Brittany says (very casually, very cooly):  "I haven't read it, but I'm actually on the cover of the book."


With any other person I might be skeptical, but with Brittany all things are possible.


Me:  "Really?"


Brittany:  "Yeah, I think I have a copy around here somewhere."


Sure enough:

That's Brittany!  Also, that tattoo was not added to her image.  That's Brittany's tattoo! (I made her lift her shirt and show me.)


So last night we were hanging out and I learned that Brittany is in the process of having her dragon tattoo removed.


Whaaat!?


So here's what makes Brittany cool, and what makes me a total loser: if I had a tattoo that was prominently featured on the cover of a novel that is a global phenomenon, I would never remove it. Not only that, I would probably go around introducing myself as "the girl with the dragon tattoo" and keep a copy of the novel in my purse at all times.  


I asked Brittany why she was removing the tattoo and she explained that she was tired of it and ready for something new. 


There are certain things that I learn from certain friends.  Brittany teaches me about fashion, art, and basically gives me lessons on "how to be cool."  Lesson number one: don't live in the past.