So, heads up, this is one of what will probably be a few different LJ posts in a short time. I have a few things I wanted to post about, but don't want to do it all in one post. I only practice conservation outside of LJ. Sorry, kids.

So, yesterday was slightly eventful. I planned on chilling at home with my newly reinstated cable. Whee! It's how I prefer to spend Friday nights, in all honesty. But then, my brother-in-law and sister would not let up and insisted I go to them to casinos. I ended up going, but they had to all but drag me into the car. I explained to them that I was always hesitant of gambling because I have such a bad nervous habit. I will just keep doing something just to do it. Examples include drinks. If I'm just sitting there, and there's a drink, I will just keep taking sips over and over again. Thankfully, in the past couple of years I usually order water at restaurants. But, you get the idea. So, I knew that gambling is bad if done compulsively. But, I gave myself the small limit of $5 and that worked out. I actually played for quite a while on it.

I'm going to interrupt this recount with some expository information. I didn't find out until several years ago that gambling is illegal in most areas of the United States. The fact still blows my mind. In southwest Louisiana, it's hard NOT to find a place to gamble. Casinos are in various towns and many restaurants have little video poker areas. In Lake Charles, the main attractions are riverboat casinos, locally referred to simply as "the boats." To answer any possible questions, I will recreate an exchange on the topic I recently had with a friend.
ME: Well, the casinos in the area are usually riverboats.
FRIEND: Wait, riverboats? Like real boats?
ME: Yes.
FRIEND: Do they go along the river?
ME: There's no river in the area, just the lake.
FRIEND: So, they go along the lake?
ME: No, they just sit on the lake. Docked.
FRIEND: Is it just casinos?
ME: No, they have hotels and stuff in them.
FRIEND: On the boats?
ME: On the boats.

The casinos weren't bad. Not as loud as I thought they'd be. It took me forever to find a machine to take my five. I played a few machines, earned some, lost it again. Then, I was down to $1.55 and my brother-in-law's dad who we met up with wanted to go to a different casino because he and his wife weren't doing that well. So, I cashed out the $1.55 and we left. Since no machines would take the 55 cents, I just had a dollar. I actually played for quite a while on it, winning some to play with. Then, when I was out, I was out. Or so I thought. But my brother-in-law's dad gave me $10 to keep playing with. I was down to $3 when I went to a machine. First round, I got up to $30. I went back down, then managed to get back up to #35 on the next machine. I didn't cash out, just went ahead and played til I lost it. Surprisingly, the $35 went quicker then the $5, which had lasted me a couple hours. My sister and brother-in-law tried out the machines that had done me well, as his dad gave them more money, too. My sister Staci managed to get past $50 and then cashed out when she got back down to $50 after a few rounds. Her husband was up and down, then cashed out at $30. Played another machine until he was down to $20, then he cashed out. So, $70 between the two of them, not bad.

We went to IHOP afterwards, which was past 1AM. We had a good time, my brother-in-law Eric gave the waitress a hard time, like he usually does. Though, he was doing it in light fun. Plus, he was tipsy from 4 bloody Mary's. (Thankfully, Staci had taken the keys to drive.) I was about to pass out, so I drank a cup or two of coffee and had a belgian waffle. The coffee didn't affect my sleep. I was that tired. I didn't get in until near 3AM.

I woke up today at half an hour after noon. Ugh, PM. I hate sleeping late. I feel so unproductive. Thank you more caffeine!

Overall, I made the best of the time. There were still many other ways I would have rathered been spending those several hours, sleep included. But, you have to try new things. I don't regret going. I do regret not cashing out on the $35, but I didn't go to win. Still, keep thinking about. (Another reason I'm not the gambling type -- I will worry about what if's for the longest time.) The verdict: It was okay but I don't have any plans or desires to go back anytime soon.