A Surreal and Wild Night and Another Migraine

Last night, my research team went out to a local casino for drinking, a seafood buffet, and gambling. Now, personally, I don't enjoy casinos. I never have. And, I've never gambled in the past; also just don't like it. But, my advisor decided on the plans. She even acknowledged on the email planning it that she knows that I don't eat shellfish (its a Jewish thing).

Whatever, it was a beautiful drive up there, and I was grateful that another team member offered to drive the 45 minute drive to the casino. Because of county laws, they only allow drinking in their most expensive restaurant and only if you order food. So, we pounded through a couple of drinks and ate some fries before going over to the buffet.

Now, I have been trying to eat lots of brown rice, whole grains, and lots of vegetables lately in order to avoid migraines. And, I've been avoiding alcohol. But, I decided that I should just go with it. I mean, it was a real honor that they included me, and I know that it is rare for grad students to be given the opportunity to social with professors, especially as senior ones as in my research team. But, it was strange that they expected me to pay for all of this - we each spent $45 for drinks, fries, and the buffet.

There was smoking in the casino, which makes me feel half kinda sick and half like I want to buy a pack of cigarettes. Everyone went their own way, and I found this Israeli couple. When I told them what I study, they started going on and on about how the President of Israel, Moshe Katzav is clearly innocent because, well basically they don't believe in acquaintance rape or that it is possible to rape someone if you haven't beaten the woman beforehand and she goes directly to the cops afterwards (which is rare). And, I'm sitting there thinking about how they're basically saying that they wouldn't believe my story (that what happened to me was raped).

We were there all in all for 6 hours. Towards the end, the team ended up giving me $50 to go gabmle with, which was very nice, and which I quickly lost. But, I woke up today with what felt like maybe it was a hangover, but which has developed into a migraine.