RoadTrip Part One

So we're currently staying with Bendall in Dallas, TX and we've managed to get some downtime due to a sudden massive thunderstorm.

Roadtrip team:

1. AKL
2. BJM
3. JHL
4. JIE
5. MMF
6. Gipper (Buddy's brother)
   

Locations we've hit:

1. Boston, MA
2. Philadelphia, PA
3. Nashville, TN
4. Memphis, TN (w/ SXB)
   
5. Hot Springs, AK
6. Dallas, TX (w/ BSK)
   

Here's some interesting things I've logged:

1. New Yorkers are either crazy or retarded: Mikey and I were driving on the freeway through NYC and we saw a bunch of kids toss a bike off of a footbridge onto incoming traffic. We were right behind the big rig as the bike fell smack front of it. Seriously... wtf?
2. New Jersey = Sim City playground: Driving on the New Jersey Turnpike, I started feeling as if I was witnessing something straight out of Sim City, where the architect just went crazy. Electricity poles going everywhere, power plants at odd locations, constructions rigs arranged in the most bizarre patterns, and endless highway connecting everything together.
3. Broken signs offer comic relief: We saw a sign in big red letters that spelled, "Speed." Probably because the "reduce" part of the sign was broken.
4. Starbucks doesn't make the cut: Now that my MIT career is over, I thought that I could cut back on the energy drinks. I took a Double Shot expresso to stay awake for my 1 AM to 6 AM driving shift. It barely helped. I should've bought a Red Bull instead like I usually do for all-nighters.
5. There is a difference! There is a difference between authentic, Southern Sweet Tea and Arizona Sweet Tea: Authentic Sweet Tea is even sweeter. Sweet!
6. Dirty South is HOT: Southern folk definitely know how to look good. Botta took us to a bar called The Flying Saucers in Memphis. Let's just say that we spent most of the night looking rather than talking. I think the highlight of the night was when I went off to buy a round of beer and I come back to see an Asian MILF hitting on Jesse (she looked like she was in her late 20s but she's actually mid 30s) . Ask him about it.
7. Buffalo (x8): Apparently the word "buffalo" eight times in a row forms a grammatically correct sentence. Who would've thought?
   
8. Where be the Asians? Jesse and I started to keep a headcount of the number of Asians we've seen on our roadtrip. We're lucky to have passed double digits. We feel discriminated already.
   
9. Sunflower seeds and sleep prevention: Botta passed on some amazing advice for our roadtrip. Sunflower seeds are almost guaranteed to keep you awake while you drive because you are so focused on getting at the seed inside. Job and I have tested this and we agree. Screw the Red Bull! Sunflower seeds are healthier and you can spit the shell at people you don't like (aka Jesse when he starts sleeping).
10. WTF is CrackerBarrel? We've seen this place come up so often on our roadtrip that we've decided that we should actually go and see what this place is. We're very curious.
11. Creative city names: Arkadelphia and Texarkana were our top picks. Runner-ups included New Boston, Paris, and Pittsburg. Seriously guys, can you get any more uncreative?
    

Some pictures from our trip:


New Jersey where you at?


What my dashboard started to look like after 8 hours of driving.


Whoa wtf? (Scotland, VA)


And the confusion continues... (Nashville decided to build their own Parthenon)


Country Music Hall of Fame (Nashville, TN)


Live band action... this guy was simply amazing with the harmonica (Memphis, TN)


It's only Thursday! Why are you all out?! (Memphis, TN)


The childhood home of Bill Clinton and Hot Springs National Park (Hot Springs, AK)


Two days later... Texas! (Texarkana, TX)

Yes I realize this has been a ridiculously long post. Another, even longer post will probably come after Tuesday when I get back to LA. Until then...

- Anthony