:) !

Whenever I write an email, part of the process has always been editing out a bunch of exclamation points and emoticons by determining which ones are absolutely necessary. Without ever consciously thinking about it (until now), I've developed a rule of allowing myself just one or two emoticons per email, and one or two exclamation points. I mean, I don't want to sound like one of those breathless, freaky people whose emails are FULL OF CAPITALS and who end every sentence with four or five exclamation points!!!!!

Lately, however, I've been more liberal with the emoticons and exclamation points--maybe being on family leave has just made me more loosey-goosey, or less repressed, or something. Let the emoticons fly! (I just typed that sentence with more than one exclamation point and tried to leave it, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it . . .)