So I figured out why the Lakers lost last night, because today is Friday the 13th. They weren't the only ones to be affected by this day, M. Night Shyamalan's film sucked on multiple levels. I'm not sure why I went to go see it, in fact, I'm not sure why I actually saw any of his last five films, but I'm going to keep going back. I know this guy can do better, I just know it! And Indians gotta stick together, right? Otherwise, who knows what'll happen when botanic chemicals are released in the air and spread through the wind. All will be lost! Maybe if he didn't write his own movies, he might do well. The Happening was written soo horribly. What's happening? M. Night's career is being destroyed, that's what's happening. But it was mildly (I stress mildly!) fun. Good movie to watch if you want to laugh when you're supposed to be scared. Wait no, I have rephrase that because there were times where I was genuinely scared. I'm not going to sit here and write about the movie because I have more important things to do (and it's getting late), so if you want to know what I think about M. Night, look up my Lady in the Water post from two years ago, my thoughts haven't changed. I still support you though Manoj!

I'm sure that you're wondering about that title, that graphic, and that huge map of the US. Well, let me quickly tell you what's going on. I'm going on vacation. I don't go on vacation too often – well actually I do, almost as often as Bush, but let me have my fun. School just ended, so my family and I decided to take a trip out to New York. But instead of flying like normal people do, we decided to drive there, because we're insane! Well, we're driving not just because we're insane, but also because we want to see more than just New York. I know what you're thinking, "Albuquerque and Springfield? You want to see that?", well no. But those points are just the cities we're going to sleep at on our way to New York. When we come back, we're going to hit loads more cities, like Niagara Falls, Philadelphia, D.C., Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, and the Grand Canyon to name a few. Tons of places, I know! And the best part is? I've never driven farther east than the Grand Canyon, and have never been anywhere east of Kansas City in my life, so almost every place we hit is going to be brand new to me! Not to my folks though, they used to travel a lot before I was born, they say I ruined their lives, but I know they're only joking!

So how about some stats? The trip is going to be 22 days long and we plan to drive at least 7,699 miles. I say at least because the miles driven are just the miles we will drive on the highway getting from one point to the next, not for driving within the city. We are staying at 13 different hotels and we will use up at least 350 gallons of gas (we will single-handedly pollute all of America!). The 350 gallons stat is pretty staggering, I know, which is why our original plan was to rent a Prius (we'd only use 150 gallons with that baby), but it was too small for us and we didn't want to feel cramped for three weeks, so instead we're taking our own car, our beautiful 2003 Honda Odyssey. Only 22mpg, but the most luxurious and spacious car ever made (no really, the Maybach's got nothing on this puppy). And if you look at the Odyssey graphic above, not only will you see my head sticking out of the windshield, you'll also see a Laker flag fluttering in the wind; we have to represent LA driving cross country you know!

I was originally going to run down each city we were going to hit and what we were planning to do, but there's no time. I'm supposed to leave in less than eight hours and I still haven't completely packed! But don't worry, you won't be left in the dark. Want to know what I'm going to do while I'm gone? I'm going to still update. You heard correctly folks, I'm going to update this site in a different time zone. I rented this lens, see, a Canon 10-22mm wide angle beauty from LensRentals.com (best place online to rent a lens, and they're not even paying me that much to say that!) and I plan to take a bunch load of photos. Every night, before I go to sleep in a different time zone, I will pick one or two pictures (or maybe even three if you're lucky!) and post them on this site for you all to look at and feel jealous of my parents because you're not on the road with me. But wait, that's not all folks! Every night, I'm going to update that map above so you can keep track of where I am at every hour of the day. It's like e-stalking, only cooler, because you're e-stalking Asim! And don't worry, I'll have a TV available for every night of the Finals that are left. We're staying in Springfield on Sunday, and New York for Tuesday and Thursday. And yes all games will be played and I'll be representing the Lakers on the East coast like no one else. And when the Lakers win that trophy, I might even drive up to Boston and throw salmonella tomatoes at everyone! It'll be fantastic.

So that's my first post of this New York Trip 2008. Remember, e-stalking me is very simple, just check back every night from now until July 6th (unless you get sick of me by then, but how could you!) to catch a photograph (or three) from the day, and perhaps leave a comment about how stupid I am to be driving cross country and wasting so much gas! So check back tomorrow night, June 14th; in 808 miles, I'll be in Albuquerque, Insha Allah. Have a good summer folks! Oh, I forgot to say good-bye to Tim Russert. You were a good man, Tim. We'll miss you. Take care everyone. see u.