Planning a Flight

Going somewhere in an airplane isn't just about hopping in and taking off.  A lot of planning has to take place before launching.  
First things first, I find out the airport I'm going to and from (duh).  I use my airport information manual to find out all of the radio frequencies I'll need at each airport and in between and record them so I'll them readily accessible in the air.
Then, I find the two on the map and play connect the dots, but here's the tricky part.  Going from one airport to the next in a straight line isn't always the best option.  Instead, most of the time, I don't have a direct path and instead have zig-zag lines.  This is either to cross radials of VORs, or if I'm using dead-reckoning, it's to fly over landmarks that are easily seen from the air.  It adds on time, but it costs me even more time if I get lost due to poor path planning.
Next, I find out the winds along my path.  I use these to find my true headings and to calculate my ground speed, and thus the time elapsed for each leg of the trip and in total.  Using all of this, I can find out how much fuel I need.
Lastly, I find out anything along my route that might affect my flight, such as non-working VOR stations or closed runways.
At the end of this, right now, I have to have my plan reviewed by an instructor before I leave.

And, right before I leave, I call up a Virginia Flight Service Station (FSS) and file my flight plan.  Unless I'm just sightseeing, I will never make a flight without a flight plan.  You tell them who you are, where you're going, contact info, your plane info, and when you're expected to return.  If you don't call to close your flight plan by that time, they send the search dogs out after you.  As dismal as it sounds, if something ever went wrong, I'm glad to know that someone will always know where to look for me.  Trying to avoid ever having to use this though =D