The alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Alcohol is flammable (so flammable that it can be used as a fuel).

Alcohol is an amazing popular social phenomenon. Being legal, alcohol has become very assessable, cheap, and so has become socially acceptable. Alcohol is a drug and if invented today it would be a class ‘A’ prescription only drug as it is addictive and can cause physical and emotional damage.

Alcohol dissolves easily in water and so absorption within the body is effective.

After absorption, the alcohol enters the bloodstream. The blood carries the alcohol throughout the body. The alcohol from the blood then enters and dissolves inside each tissue of the body (except fat tissue, as alcohol cannot be dissolved in fat). Once inside the tissues, alcohol exerts its effects on the body. The observed effects depend directly on the blood alcohol concentration (BAC), which is related to the amount of alcohol consumed.

Once in the bloodstream alcohol leaves the body in 3 ways:
The kidneys eliminate about 5% through urine,
The lungs exhale about 5%, and
The liver breaks down the remaining alcohol into acetic acid and leaves in urine.

The liver can only eliminate 0.5 oz (15 ml) of alcohol per hour. So, it would take approximately one hour to eliminate the alcohol from a 12 oz (355 ml) can of beer.

Because the body uses water to expel alcohol it sends a message of thirst to the mouth that is telling us to consume water, this message can be misread and often results in the desire to take a further drink of alcohol! This increases the BAC, and acts on the nerve cells in the brain.

Alcohol interferes with communication between nerve cells and all other cells, suppressing the activities of excitatory nerve pathways and increasing the activities of inhibitory nerve pathways. The body responds to alcohol use, firstly in the form of euphoria – excitement – stupor – coma and with continued use death. Alcohol can cause death or sever physical problems whilst drinking large amounts very fast or with heavy prolong use, or due to sudden physical withdrawal.

The medulla, or brain stem, controls or influences all of the bodily functions that you do not have to think about, like breathing, heart rate, temperature and consciousness. As alcohol starts to influence upper centres in the medulla, such as the reticular formation, a person will start to feel sleepy and may eventually become unconscious as BAC increases. If the BAC gets high enough to influence the breathing, heart rate and temperature centres, a person will breathe slowly or stop breathing altogether, and both blood pressure and body temperature will fall. These conditions can be fatal.

What happens when I drink?

When alcohol is consumed, 20% is absorbed through the stomach and into the blood; the remaining 80% is absorbed through the small intestine. The body recognises alcohol as a poison and tries to eliminate it. Alcohol blocks a chemical called vasopression, this leads to the kidneys sending water to the bladder instead of it being reabsorbed in the body. The body needs water to help expel alcohol from the body but due to alcohol consumption the organs become dehydrated. Due to the fact that alcohol depresses & slows down the cortex functions of the brain, sleep is followed after heavy alcohol use. This means the body is not being re-hydrated, hence the organs become dehydrated. The organs try to make up for their water loss by stealing water from the brain, causing the brain to reduce in size; this pulls on the membranes in the skull, resulting in pain. These symptoms are a familiar pattern in the sensation of ‘hangover’.

Frequent urination also expels salts & potassium that are necessary for nerve & muscle function; this can result in fatigue & nausea. Alcohol also expels glycogen that is stored in the liver; this results in further weakness, fatigue and poor coronation.

Been watching movies but haven’t really found the time to blog about them, so here’s a run-down of the recent movies I’ve caught…

Jennifer Aniston filmed this not long after she broke up with Brad Pitt, which may account for the success of this film. Everyone wanted to see if it’s a reflection of real life, and also, the amount of emotions she brings to the character helps make the movie real for most of us.

The story, written by Vince Vaughn, probably covers every cliche in any relationship, but nevertheless, it’s something which everyone can relate to. I like the movie because it feels real for me. Perhaps I’m biased based on personal experiences, but I enjoyed this movie

(3.5 stars out of 5)

As with the past few Adam Sandler movies, this movie starts off with cheesy laughs and slapstick humour, but the humour turns dark halfway through the show, and actually moved me to tears (as he had done previously with 50 first dates). Christopher Walken is fantastic with dark sinister characters with killer wit. The movie might not have worked so well without him.

If Sandler had left out the cheesy bits and catered mainly to a more tasteful audience, this movie would probably have become one of my all-time favourites (and made much lesser money with a smaller audience)

(4 stars out of 5)

As befitting the fashion world, the dialogue and plot in this movie is sharp, witty and bitchy. Once again, Anne Hathaway reprises her formulaic role as an “ugly duckling” metamorphosising into a swan. Her role is pretty bland, so the real thing to look out for are her makeovers and costume changes of course.

Meryl Streep (multi-Oscar nominee) steals the limelight in this movie of course. Other than looking glamorous, she is convincing as cold-hearted manipulative fashion bigwig, who is really vulnerable on the inside. No real breakthrough in the storyline, but fantastic clothes and bitchy dialogue is enough to make me rewatch this any day

(3.5 stars out of 5)

One of the most talked about movies in the US for the past few months. I guess no one expects a movie title to be so literal. I guess some movie mogul just suggested “What if we put a frigging load of poisonous snakes on a plane?” and the movie took off from there.

Not trying to detract from its entertainment value, this movie is pure brainless fun. Probably paying tribute to B-grade creature flicks, this movie starring Samuel L Jackson will probably become a classic in its own right.

(3.5 stars out of 5)

Just had a farewell dinner for Yuanxiu and Jenny. More people leaving for abroad. I am so envious. First Peishan, now Yuanxiu and Jenny. Hmmm, they should have a baby abroad too. It will probably spark off a “kiasu” have-your-baby-abroad syndrome which will raise international alarm.

Doubt I’d be going anywhere for a while, except maybe visit UC people in KL. Pretty much grounded by my flat for next few years. Time to seek more money and think long term investments. Sheesh, I feel so ‘adult’ now…

Just began signing my life away this week. Before the year is up, I will be the owner of a 3-room corner unit in Ang Mo Kio Ave 5. Watch out soon for more blogging on HDB policies, bank loans, renovations etc.

Shall make it a point to blog the whole process as a point of reference on the net, something which I had difficulty with when i started out on this purchase