People often ask me about the tiger tooth and coral I wear around my neck. The fang reminds me that life is a battle, and that we are brave warriors just to live each day. The coral is often seen in Renaissance paintings, held by the baby Christ--it's said to represent the blood he will have to shed for humanity. I'm certainly no altruist, but when I'm hurting, the coral reminds me that my pain will give me strength to be kind and empathetic to others who suffer, and that my work may offer a tiny bit of sympathy or encouragement to people. And the mermaid...I guess it's there for the same reason pirates carved figureheads...