This is the hardest piece of writing I have ever had to create. The hardest part of writing this is trying to make everyone reading this understand where I am coming from. I am not going to bore anyone with the story of the past two years of my life. I figured that I would just come out and say that this is my final Jambands piece.

I am leaving the staff of Jambands this month. This was not a decision I made lightly. I am laughing to myself as I type this realizing that this column is five days late. Is it really a surprise that I need to give this up?

I have watched Jambands evolve from a small website that maybe a few people were reading, to a robust music website which many people look forward to reading each month. Knowing that I was a part of Jambands from the beginning makes me very happy. However, given the current state of and stage that I am at in my life, I know I cannot be a part of Jambands in the future.

Aside from the roller coaster health situation, I find myself at a place in my life where a lot of stuff that was important to me three or four years ago, really is not that important now. I no longer can afford, financially or time-wise, to go out on tour, to see tons of shows, to trade loads and loads of tapes. I took time off for about a year and have never gotten back into the loop. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I am in my second year of graduate school, just started a career embarking job, live with my wonderful boyfriend, just adopted a cat, and have made some friends in my newly adopted hometown. When I have free time, all I want to do is read or sleep.

My parents laugh at me. In their minds I have finally joined the ranks of "the real working world", this is what it is like to "be an adult." I guess I agree. Part of being an adult is knowing your limits. I know that I can no longer be a part of this publication because I have no time to dedicate to it. To give anything less than my full effort would be a disservice -- a disservice that I am not willing to have happen.

I have loved writing for Jambands. Knowing that I have made at least one person say, "I wonder what that band sounds like?" makes me very happy. Allowing me to vent my frustrations in a public forum every once in a while is something I am extremely grateful for.

I wish everyone on the staff good luck and much success. I want to thank Dean for allowing me to be a part of this site. I remember when I was one of only two females on staff; we have definitely come a long way. I wish all the readers happiness, feel free to drop me a line ( mchimato@drexel.edu), I am always happy to hear from people.