[Maryann Corbett]

Today is the fifth anniversary of my join date at the Sphere, so it seems to me a good day to announce that I'll be leaving the staff and becoming once again a plain old Spherean. I don't know how soon Alex will toggle the switches that take away my extra powers and stars, but I'm handing back the associated duties to Alex as of this morning.

This step isn't related to anything happening on the board now. I decided to take it over a year ago but put it off until the board got back to stability. I made firm plans for it back in December. I'd like to reclaim some time for writing and for rethinking what I want my writing to be.

I'll genuinely miss being able to stick a hand in the works, toggle a switch, and make some member's experience of the Sphere more pleasant. I'll also miss working closely with the staff, whose help and company are dear to me. I've already exchanged my thanks with them.

I thank all the rest of you, too, for your help and support. And though I shuffle my feet and look at the ground while saying it, thanks for the times you poked and prodded and whacked and challenged. I think I learned. I hope.

I'm not going anywhere, so there's no need for a lengthy valedictory. The important thing is to keep talking about poetry. Let's do that.