The day I have been waiting for has finally come — and I don't mean the DVD release of "Iron Man"! Phish, by way of a video on their Web site, have confirmed the rumors that have been swirling for months: They're back!

The announcement came in the form of a time-lapse clip showing an artist painting an abstract portrait of (arguably) Phish's most storied venue: the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia. The "Mothership," as it is known among fans, will blast off on March 6, 7 and 8 of next year when Phish play their first concerts in more than four years.

This guy couldn't be more psyched. It is 10:30 a.m. and I am bouncing around the office with so much energy that co-workers must think I downed all the coffee in the building. I haven't been this excited about anything that's flowed through the newsroom since I began working here (although the Jonas Brothers love-life updates are quite fascinating).

The band called it quits back in August 2004 in Vermont, at that pigpen of a festival known as Coventry, and I knew they couldn't go out like that. They were too good. They were destined to play music together again, and the "brahphecy" has been fulfilled. Be prepared for a full tour announcement in the coming months and (fingers crossed) an end-of-summer festival. For a chance to get tickets, throw your name into the lottery. Tickets go on sale to the public on October 18. Phish fans: It's time to throw on your favorite version of "Run Like an Antelope" because things are about to get out of control!

It might be time to grow those dreads back and unpack your tie-dyed Ts, because a Phish reunion might be on the way.

Reunion rumors began to swirl on Internet message boards a month ago, after Rolling Stone published an article in which Phish frontman Trey Anastasio hinted at his desire to bring the band back together. Anastasio (who recently completed a drug-treatment program stemming from his December 2006 prescription-drug arrest) has been recording with longtime writing partner and friend Tom Marshall, at his recording studio in Saratoga Springs, New York. In an interview with PopMatters.com, Marshall poured more fuel on the rumors. "Trey wants Phish to come back," he said. And when all of the members showed up at the Jammies in May to accept their lifetime achievement award, talk continued.

The buzz has gotten so loud that one bandmember has finally gone on the record: Phish pianist Page McConnell posted an open letter on the band's Web site on Thursday. McConnell says of his ex-bandmates, "I can honestly say that I'm closer with all of them now than I've ever been in our 20-year relationship." He goes on to say that since they all have projects currently in the works, "the announcement of a reunion is premature." But he says they plan on getting together "to take a look at what possible futures we might enjoy."

For Phish fans, it's good news (and as close to an announcement as you're going to get until THE announcement). Page ends his letter with some wise words of advice: "Try not to focus too much on secondhand sources and random gossip. If there is anything real to announce, it will come from the four of us as a group." So, it's not yet the return of Phish, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed, because, as they say, where there's smoke, there's fire (or something you can burn, anyway).

Do you want to see a Phish reunion? Tell us what you think!