bringing a little Dixie to Cowtown

...the makings of great Southern summertime refreshment. Bigelow's "Mint Medley" includes spearmint, which may be the most delicious herb God planted on this green earth.

12 yummy mp3 freebies

Andrew Osenga has released TWO free EP's for your downloading delight, Letters to the Editor Vol.s 1 & 2. His lyrics are thoughtful and casually personal, like he's letting you get to know him. Both recording sessions are lo-fi, but Vol. 1 is especially unpolished--just him and his guitar doing one-takes. His vocals sometimes crack or slip off key--it's endearingly adolescent and naked. He doesn't want to shine it up or overdo it. He just wants to sing you his songs.

Get downloading!

(I know I promised not to be a music blog. I'm just enjoying music today!)

post for Jessica / listen to this!

Although War Froggle will never be a music blog (instead, you should read Brian Hawkins'), I've elected to respond to the future Mrs. Akin's complaints of months of postlessness with a music recommendation. The band is Passion Pit. The album is Manners. It's different and delicious, so get yourself over to Passion Pit's MySpace and give "The Reeling" and "Sleepyhead" a listen. If nothing else, it'll give you something to do besides check my blog for the updates that just aren't coming.

Muddy Buddy

Matt and I raced the Muddy Buddy in Dallas last weekend. The partner race concept was cool: we shared one mountain bike between the two of us. Matt started the race riding it, and I started out running. About 1.5 miles into the 6-7 mile race, Matt reached an obstacle: a big inflatable. He climbed the cargo net to the top and slid down the slide on the other side. Then he started running, leaving the bike behind. Once I came and completed the obstacle, I jumped on the bike and rode. I passed him just before he reached the next obstacle, where we swapped out again.

So we leapfrogged through the entire race until we arrived at the final obstacle, which had to be completed as a team: the namesake obstruction, a 30-yard mud pit through which we had to crawl.

I had a blast, and we placed really well, too. Check out the photos, especially the aftermath of the mud pit. Look for the mud showing in our teeth when we smile. So fun!

Mr. Big Stuff

Filmed back in September, this video was directed by the up-and-coming Fletcher "F-bomb" Ash. Experience the joy of an interview gone well, set to the tune "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight. Indulge me in some serious narcissim.

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In addition to my cheeseball moves, this video highlights some of the Magic City's suburbs: Homewood and the Villages (English, Crestline, and Mountain Brook).



Cameos by Vulcan, a med-school cutie, my parents, and the director.

Chez moi

As promised, pictures of my abode. As I've been saying, it's the nicest place I've lived since Mom and Dad's house: Nicer than Broun Hall, nicer than FarmHouse, and nicer than beloved albeit dilapidated residence as an upperclassman. So I guess I haven't told you very much about the quality of house I live in. Check it out.
My little office space. What do you think of it?















Living room.
























Kitchen. Granite!



















Tiny bathroom! It's like a portal to England.

I'm safe!

Mom, Dad, and Auburn friends...I know you've wondering what I'll do if confronted by a gunslinging desperado. Fortunately, TCU's campus is watched by the same silent guardians as Auburn's. These symbols of security make Fort Worth feel a little more like home. I hope that knowing they're here helps you all sleep more soundly.