Last month marked a decade since I first set foot in the Valley of the Sun. Taking a prompt from page 49 of No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog by Maggie Mason, here's my last ten years.

1997: Moved to Arizona in a car with no air-conditioning or windows that rolled down. In August. What was I thinking?

1998: Bought a car with air-conditioning AND working windows thankyouverymuch. Julie moves to Phoenix. We will be roommates for the next nine years. Began volunteering at the GLBT community center.

1999: My father dies. My only concern not attending his funeral is possibly offending my grandmother. My grandmother, one of the sweetest souls I've ever known, says she understands and it's okay.

2000: Received an award for volunteer work at the GLBT community center. Had to unexpectedly hug a large, sweaty lesbian on the stage of the Orpheum Theater.

2001: Started this blog.

2002: Visited New York City for the first time. Minor fender bender sets off major depression.

2003: Started therapy with the biggest quack. Had the good sense to flee. Julie and I move from our modest crack pad in Tempe to swanky new digs in Old Town Scottsdale. My mom visits during Christmas.

2004: Nothing sends you running back to the therapist couch faster than your mother visiting during the holidays. Worked out some major stuff and took some not-so helpful medication. Tripping the blog fantastic and meeting bloggers Adam, Dyanna, Kacy and Homer.

2005: My grandmother dies. After two days in Oklahoma, I was never more happy to see the desert skyline. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was home.

2006: Started a new career that I love, love, love. Named Roller Derby Fan of the Month. Oh, and produced the hottest dance track ever. (See Thomas. There was a time when I publicly mocked other people.)