Mariah is 10! It's my niece's birthday today! Happy Birthday to the Little Kid! What was going on Ten years ago:

1) The birth of my wonderful niece!
2) I was a skinny 23 year old kid who was clubbing out at the Gay bars in Kansas City every night I could. I was also working for the local Planned Parenthood which began my political and government interests. I started applying to graduate schools in that area that fall. I was also working part-time at a hospital emergency room on weekend nights.
3) The number one song this week was "I'd do anything for love (but I won't do that)" (an ode to my niece to come?) by Meat Loaf. Everyone was also dancing to "All that she wants" from that crazy new group Ace of Base and being told how to 'work' by RuPaul. And everyone was trying their best to not hear "I will always love you" by Whitney Houston anymore.
4) President Clinton was still in his first year of office. Frat-boy George W. Bush was gearing up for a run for Governor of Texas against the great Woman Governor Ann Richards.
5) Late-Night Wars between Letterman, Leno, and O'Brien were the talk of the town.
6) Jurassic Park and Mrs. Doubtfire were raking in the dough at the movies.
7) Michael Jackson was possibly caught doing something with kids, and his downfall began.
8) John Wayne Bobbitt had something taken away from him by his knife-wielding wife.
9) Cheers went off the air. My favorite show was no more.
10) River Phoenix died. And I wore black for three days out of personal devastation and devotion.

But most importantly, my niece was born!!!!!