So I've never been big on the "South" me being a Northener and all, but I got a really good friend who hails from Virginie way and one week she invited me to her stomping grounds of Roanoke, Virginia. Not knowing what I might be getting into, I packed a bag and hefted it into her car. The drive was long about 10 hours--I'm used to 4 hours max--but it was scenic.

When we got there I was introduced to her youngest brother, Akil and his friends. A nice bunch of kids (they're only a few years younger than me, but you get my drift). The weekend was to celebrate Akil's 21st and the moving of Nia's parents to some other Southern city. All of the Foderingham siblings are pretty active in some form or another. And Akil is the bonafide musician! He composes, sings, and plays just about every instrument known to man!