It's hard to believe that less than 10 years ago we were standing on the precipice of the 21st century.  Here's a list of things that will have you saying, "My, how things have changed".

• Just 10 years ago, China, not Arab-Islamo-Fascists (or whatever term Mr. Cheney made up for them), was going to be the next American enemy.
• Although violence in schools has always been an issue for inner-city schools, it was brought to the forefront after the Columbine Massacre brought the issue home to middle America.
• At one time the Internet's most popular music downloading service, Napster debuts in 1999.
• Kosovo War: High schoolers today will remember having to write reports about terrorism and the Middle East, but for a generation of us that came of age, the war de jure was in the Balkans.  Thankfully, the myriad number of conflicts was drawing to a close in 1999, and the 21st century would usher in an era of relative peace for the region.
• Remember when Stephen King got hit by a car?  Yup, that was 10 years ago.
• Another Kennedy Taken too young: John F. Kennedy Jr. died in a plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in the Summer of 99.

You may be wondering why I'm focusing on the year 1999 given that it's June.  Well, it's because on this day in 1999 I graduated from high school and was marvelling at how so much has changed in just 10 years.  It seems like so much has happened in the world since I became an adult.  In actuality that 10 years is but a small part (hopefully) of my life, and barely a blink of an eye in terms of the age of written history, not to mention pre-history.  And that is why I chose to write this blog.  The hiatus is over.  I hope you guys are ready for some history, because I'm back...with a vengeance.