i changed my oil (previous oil change was 3 months ago) and the oil filter was completely dry, like it had never been installed. what's going on here?

 

ouch...never heard of that one....something isn't right...something is clogged up inside your engine not letting the oil get to the filter

 

The same thing happened to me one time when I used a different filter than I normally do.
I now use only Toyota oem filters on my 22re and have had no further issues.

 

Since the filter is mounted horizontally, oil can drain out of it unless there is an anti-drainback valve inside the filter to stop oil from flowing back out when the engine is stopped. Some of the aftermarket filters lack this valve.