My Night With Four Loko

Earlier this year I signed up for 4square as a way of keeping track of where I went at night. I never kept up with it because I don't really party to the point where I don't remember my movements anymore, so it was more of a hassle than anything. This weekend though I thought I'd try a new experiment. I wanted to try the new drink Four Loko that they are talking about trying to ban. It's alcohol and caffeine in one drink, and supposedly people are getting really sick/drunk from them. If you remember the brief run that Sparks had, it's essentially the same thing. The talk is that people don't realize they are mixing uppers and downers combined with the fact that it's 12% alcohol. I don't buy either of these excuses because wine is around that percentage and so are some beers. Plus, I'm pretty sure those Redbull vodkas we all order have just as much caffeine and are 20% alcohol. In any event, I wanted to check it out. Given the number of stories there were about people getting violently sick, I thought I'd keep tabs on myself just in case by twittering as the night went on. Well, here was the results. I've altered the order of the posts a little as to make sense of people's comments and my responses.

1. Just picked up a bunch of Four Loko out of spite for those trying to ban it. Hope I don't die.5:23 PM Nov 6th via HootSuite

1. mydogbeasley @TheFlintSkinny I know someone who drinks that drank 2 and was puking 1 hour later. Be careful

   5:42 PM Nov 6th via TweetDeck in reply to TheFlintSkinny
2. Good lookin out by @mydogbeasley. I'll let everyone know how the Four Loko experiment goes tonight. Off to Moonshine(seems fitting).7:59 PM Nov 6th via HootSuite in reply to mydogbeasley
3. Four Loko downed. Not feeling much affect from it. I'll give it an hour before I call bullshit.10:37 PM Nov 6th via HootSuite

4. stephanief54 @theflintskinny hmmm. You may have said the same about hot chicken wings...

   10:42 PM Nov 6th via txt

5. dahlshowmary i was thinking the same thing RT @stephanief54@theflintskinny hmmm. You may have said the same about hot chicken wings...

   10:57 PM Nov 6th via web
6. @stephanief54 Jake melnick is a liar....anyone have a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk I can borrow?11:13 PM Nov 6th via HootSuite
7. 1 Four Loko, one patron shot(thanks oprah!), one beer. No adverse affects. Not hyper, not drunk. Close to calling this myth busted.10:52 PM Nov 6th via HootSuite

8. twenty3curls @TheFlintSkinny Michigan just banned Four Loko and all other alcohol-based energy drinks. Takes effect Dec. 1, I think.

   11:04 PM Nov 6th via web in reply to TheFlintSkinny
9. Grow a pair Michigan. It's my body I do what I want. RT @twenty3curls: @TheFlintSkinny Michigan just banned Four Loko.Sun Nov 07 2010 00:14:55 (Central Daylight Time) via HootSuite
10. Add another full energy drink to the mix. Gonna be a good night.11:25 PM Nov 6th via HootSuite

11. djmal24 You are so dumb. Fo real. @TheFlintSkinny

    11:29 PM Nov 6th via Twitter for Android in reply to TheFlintSkinny
12. @djmal24 you betta hide ya husband, cuz I'm rapin everybody out here* (for entertainment purposes only)12:11 AM Nov 7th via HootSuite
13. Four Loko, patron shot, bud light, red bull, jack and diet. Finally feeling drunk, but no different than any other Friday. Stay tuned.11:51 PM Nov 6th via HootSuite
1. 1. Four Loko, patron, bud light, red bull, jack and diet x2, miller lite. On to the next bar. Loving the live tweet.Sun Nov 07 2010 00:36:14 (Central Daylight Time) via HootSuite
   1. Bangers and Lace, so hipster the bartender had a curled up mustache. Add a Dragon Milk to my tab.Sun Nov 07 2010 00:57:48 (Central Daylight Time) via HootSuite
   2. Patron XO Cafe for the win!Sun Nov 07 2010 01:53:40 (Central Daylight Time) via HootSuite
   3. Add two Manhattans to the tab. Debating calling the night to a close. I've proved the 4loko haters are bullshit. Ad companies, call meSun Nov 07 2010 01:48:51 (Central Standard Time) via HootSuite
   4. Several hours later, Four Loko is harmless. If you puke from drinking, it's because you are a pussy. The Flint Skinny approves this message.Sun Nov 07 2010 02:03:10 (Central Standard Time) via HootSuite
      2. Sorry to disappoint the masses, but that's the end of my road. Full night recap tomorrow.
         Sun Nov 07 2010 02:27:47 (Central Standard Time) via HootSuit
      1. Recap: 1 FourLoco, 1 RedBull, 1 Patron shot, 3 Patron XO Cafe shots , 2 Manhattans, 2 Jack&Diet, 2 BudLight, 2 MillerLite, 1 Dragon's Milk.about 23 hours ago via HootSuite
      2. Didn't puke, go to the hospital, or die. 4Loko if you want me to testify before congress for you, I will...as soon as this hangover's gone.about 23 hours ago via HootSuite

For those curious about the seemingly random chicken wing reference, a few weeks ago I was at a bar called Jake Melnick's. They have XXX Hotwings(made with the hottest known raw chili pepper in the world, the Bhut Jolokia, also known as the Ghost Pepper) on their menu, so DahlShowMary and myself decided we would be willing to give them a try. For the first 30 or seconds it didn't taste all that hot. The sauce was actually quite delicious. I then went on to have burning lips for 5 minutes and numb ones for another 5 after that. It was easily the spiciest thing I've ever eaten. That first little window of arrogance was paid for tenfold. Apparently they thought my overconfidence was about to repeat itself with the FourLoko experiment...but no such luck. If you want to join in this sort of fun times, feel free to follow me on twitter.