So I know people get tired of the old "this is my last column" columns, but like Britney Spears sings now and Bobby Brown sang years ago, "It's my prerogative/I can do what I wanna do."

And speaking of clichŽs and songs, here it is at the end of the quarter and I've realized I actually do use a heck of a lot of song lyrics in my columns. Yet, I digress.

The point of this column is to bid farewell as editor in chief. I'll give ya'll a minute or two to grab the Kleenex. It's time for me to step aside as my very qualified staff move up The Tech Talk publication ladder.

Will I miss it? Of course. Since my sophomore year I've lived in the basement room known as Keeny 146. Why do you think I painted my office purple? If I'm going to spend the majority of my time within the confines of four walls, I might as well like it, right?

This feeling right now is so surreal. As I sit in my office typing my column for the last time on Sunday night, I have butterflies in my stomach.

How will I cope without deadlines looming over my head? (Wait, that's what I'll have the chance to experience for the rest of my life as a reporter.)

How will I handle the hours in the day after class and between practice? Being able to juggle it all is what makes me who I am, right? I live for the long days and nights of barely having enough time to breathe.

The adrenaline rush is what keeps me going, not the required eight hours of sleep that I never get.

Most importantly, how will I deal with not being in charge? How weird is it going to feel to not have reporters and editors look to you for advice? This is a big step in my life, and honestly, I don't know if I'm ready.

Jennifer, (see column adjacent to mine) promise me you'll let me sit in Purple Paradise from time to time. In case anyone was wondering because they missed the reference earlier, I'm talking about my office again.

Yes, this is the same office I painted by myself one Saturday while listening repeatedly to my Usher CD. The carpet still shines with Potentially Purple that I just haven't gotten around to cleaning up yet.

What else will I miss?

I'll miss hearing students in the Student Center talk about how much they enjoyed reading an article in The Tech Talk.

I'll even miss the complaints people had. After all, it only meant they were reading the paper, and it meant we could strive to do better. At least that's how I looked at it.

Somehow I juggled Tech Talk, softball, school and what little social life I was able to squeeze out.

Coach Dawson has been so understanding with my missing practices and all and not just this year, but last year too. Of course, I've had to make up the practices I've missed, but that's only fair to myself and my teammates.

And when I had to skip out on defensive practice last week to meet with Gov. Blanco, Coach completely understood. Thanks, Coach.

So, I did it Mr. Hilburn, Old Man, I "served two masters, both of whom wanted my soul." We hung in there together, and as my high school softball team motto suggests: T.E.A.M. -- Together Everyone Achieves More.

If you're wondering if I ever had a break down, I'll just say only those who work very close with me know the truth. They've seen the good days and the bad ones, but fortunately, my editors and Tech Talk production team were able to catch me when I felt for a moment that I might fall.

This is it, the end of my Tech Talk career. Sure, I'll still be around, checking out the paper and all. But sometimes you just gotta learn to let go.

They say you shouldn't say goodbye, rather see you later. So, see you later, Tech. Hopefully at the softball field.

Amber Miles is a senior journalism major from Dallas and serves as editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to anmiles24@hotmail.com.