One thing I think would be cool for the future is an online law enforcement agency, the Internet Police Department! The IPD would be a government agency that would able to track all websites that people are going to that could be doing illegal stuff. At this day in age, lots of crimes are committed using the internet. If there was an entity that could stop these people, the internet would be a much safer place. How many times have you heard of people getting caught hacking, using computer viruses, or any other illegal activity on the internet? The internet is a very cool thing, but with advances in programming and technology, it becomes dangerous at times. A lot of personal information is spread on the internet and there isn't really anything that stops people from getting it. Identity theft is a growing problem in America and it is mostly because of technology and the internet. With the Patriot Act, I don't even think it would be illegal for the government to track every website we go to. Unethical? Debatable.... but not illegal. I want all of the sites that give viruses or have illegal content to be removed from the internet. There is a lack of control and regulation on the internet, and it makes it kind of a dangerous place.
Article about law enforcement and the internet, from New Technologies, Inc.
Cyber Law Enforcement - Basic online law enforcement agency. If this concept could be advanced to a much larger scale, online crimes could be prevented and prosecuted.
My Social Network
Hey everybody! I made a social network for all my friends, family and followers to join on www.socialgo.com. Click the hyperlink below to see it!
Phillip's Social Network
Phillip's Social Network
Future of my Blog
If I were to continue my blog, what could I do to increase my readership? I think I would just advertise it more. A lot of people didn't even know I was blogging but if I actively went out of my way to recruit readers I think I could get a lot more people. I found out that more people are blogging in the world than I initially thought! Maybe some of those people would enjoy reading what I have to say... at least people in Gainesville would!
Almost Done
Hey everybody!
Thanks to the few of you who actually did check out my blog! It was a pretty cool experience learning how to do all of this stuff. I have blogged before but never created my own and I really did enjoy it. Just a heads up, the class that I created this blog for ends Friday, August 6th so my posts after that date will be sparing, if they happen at all.
Thanks again! Party on!!
Thanks to the few of you who actually did check out my blog! It was a pretty cool experience learning how to do all of this stuff. I have blogged before but never created my own and I really did enjoy it. Just a heads up, the class that I created this blog for ends Friday, August 6th so my posts after that date will be sparing, if they happen at all.
Thanks again! Party on!!
Ice Bar in Amsterdam
This bar is unbelievable! There are several of them around the world, including places like Las Vegas, Dubai, London, and this one is in Amsterdam. Everything in it is made out of ice!
Flair Bartenders
This is a video of a bartending trend called "Flair Bartending." It is actually a preview for a documentary or movie about 14 bartenders that travel the world showing people their skills. These people didn't visit Gainesville but I wish they did. Some of this stuff is absolutely amazing!
Cool Party Tricks
Here are some pretty cool and funny party tricks. I don't know how a lot of them are done but they are cool to look at!
Cool Party Tricks - Watch more Funny Videos
Cool Party Tricks - Watch more Funny Videos
Slideshow
It's simply a slideshow of a bunch of pictures I took one night and me narrating telling the story of what happened that night.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
This is my podcast episode
This is a simple narration of what I did one night out at the bars. It featured trips to Balls, Cantina, and Swamp. Oh, and Jimmy Johns at the end of the night.
My Podcast
My Podcast
Photos
Picture 1 - This is my friend Chris. It was his first night back in Gainesville from his summer internship. I was a director for this picture in the sense that I told him to drink his beer. The tip I used was - "Lock the focus." I locked the focus on his beer can. It made the background blurry but Chris and the can are in focus.
Picture 2 - This is a picture of my beer when it was half full (or half empty for the pessimists out there). I used the KODAK tip - "Get down on their level." I thought it was a cool close-up shot with my fingers in the background of the see-through cup.
Picture 3 - This is the group of friends I went out with that night. I used the tip - "Be a picture director." I gathered my group of friends so they would all fit in the picture. I did tell them to do their own interpretation. That is me in the green shirt. My friend Kyle apparently is camera shy so his "interpretive picture" was to turn his back to the camera!
The Deep Web
I did a Google search and found a website that is a wordpress blog entitled "The Gainesville Bucket List." It reminded me a lot of my own blog so I read all the way through it. Guess what I found out? It IS a lot like my blog. The only difference is that it goes even further into things to do in Gainesville.
One thing I read about that I completely agreed with was that Ginnie Springs is one of the most fun things to do in and around Gainesville. I've done it twice already this summer and it really is one of the most fun things I've ever done. You can take a group of any size and it lasts anywhere from 3 to 4 hours. It isn't nightlife, but it is something that can be done while drinking. There's nothing better than a nice weekend float trip with all your friends and a cooler full of cold beer... as long as there is a DD to drive back.
The website is well put together, because wordpress does a uniform layout that users simply fill in. It is extremely easy to navigate and really fun to use. This blog in particular is hardly funny, but it does have a very light-hearted style and is intended to be fun. I mean, it is entirely about things that are fun to do in Gainesville isn't it?
I will definitely take some of the things I noticed about that blog and use them in my own. As I am still fairly new to this blogging thing, it is nice to see other people's blogs and use them as inspiration on what to put on mine!
One thing I read about that I completely agreed with was that Ginnie Springs is one of the most fun things to do in and around Gainesville. I've done it twice already this summer and it really is one of the most fun things I've ever done. You can take a group of any size and it lasts anywhere from 3 to 4 hours. It isn't nightlife, but it is something that can be done while drinking. There's nothing better than a nice weekend float trip with all your friends and a cooler full of cold beer... as long as there is a DD to drive back.
The website is well put together, because wordpress does a uniform layout that users simply fill in. It is extremely easy to navigate and really fun to use. This blog in particular is hardly funny, but it does have a very light-hearted style and is intended to be fun. I mean, it is entirely about things that are fun to do in Gainesville isn't it?
I will definitely take some of the things I noticed about that blog and use them in my own. As I am still fairly new to this blogging thing, it is nice to see other people's blogs and use them as inspiration on what to put on mine!
Rules I Live By Online
1) I will not plagiarize.
2) I will be honest in all my works.
3) I will do everything as diligently as I can.
4) I will remain unbiased.
5) I will respect others.
6) I won't take anyone's work and play it as my own.
7) I will treat my sources nicely, as real people, not as just sources.
8) I will not make anybody look bad.
9) I will tell only facts.
10) I will keep my affiliations out of my work.
11) I will admit when I'm wrong.
12) I will do what it takes to succeed, as long I am doing the right thing.
13) I will enjoy every day of my life.
14) I will help others.
15) I will use my craft to better the world.
16) I will be remembered.
17) I will captivate audiences.
18) I will not abuse my subjects.
19) I will not slander anybody.
20) I will be just.
2) I will be honest in all my works.
3) I will do everything as diligently as I can.
4) I will remain unbiased.
5) I will respect others.
6) I won't take anyone's work and play it as my own.
7) I will treat my sources nicely, as real people, not as just sources.
8) I will not make anybody look bad.
9) I will tell only facts.
10) I will keep my affiliations out of my work.
11) I will admit when I'm wrong.
12) I will do what it takes to succeed, as long I am doing the right thing.
13) I will enjoy every day of my life.
14) I will help others.
15) I will use my craft to better the world.
16) I will be remembered.
17) I will captivate audiences.
18) I will not abuse my subjects.
19) I will not slander anybody.
20) I will be just.
Nightlife Podcasts
There aren't just a ton of podcasts about Gainesville nightlife, obviously. But I have found several podcasts that revolve around fun and good times, which is what going out is all about.
One podcast I found is called "The Sound of Young America." It has various parts, spanning from comedy to rankings of restaurants, college towns, bars, theme parks, and tons of other things. My favorite part was the comedy. It was actually really hilarious. It is from maximumfun.org.
I found a podcast called "New Brew Thursday" that is about "the world of craft beer... the revolution of the craft... and how you could be an advocate of craft beer." Craft beer is essentially home-made or micro-brewed beer. There is also a portion of it where "Dr. Bill" talks about perfectly pairing certain foods with certain beers.
"Everyday Drinkers: Common Man Cocktails" is another one that I like. It is a way to expand your library of alcoholic beverages that you can either make or order at a bar one night. It gives a 4-7 minute episodes of 65 different cocktails where they give recipes and what the drinks go good with.
The basis for the last one is a podcast called "Everyday Drinkers." It is a bi-weekly podcast that discusses all kinds of drinks including beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Different panels give recipes and reviews of all the different drinks that are brought up.
The fifth podcast I found was "Alcohols By Volume." This is very similar to the Everyday drinkers one but it gives a "his and her" perspective. It gives a good idea of what kind of drinks to get at a bar. (and what kinds of drinks girls may like to drink at the bar!)
Hope you check out some of the podcasts I've recommended! They're mostly entertaining and pretty educational.
One podcast I found is called "The Sound of Young America." It has various parts, spanning from comedy to rankings of restaurants, college towns, bars, theme parks, and tons of other things. My favorite part was the comedy. It was actually really hilarious. It is from maximumfun.org.
I found a podcast called "New Brew Thursday" that is about "the world of craft beer... the revolution of the craft... and how you could be an advocate of craft beer." Craft beer is essentially home-made or micro-brewed beer. There is also a portion of it where "Dr. Bill" talks about perfectly pairing certain foods with certain beers.
"Everyday Drinkers: Common Man Cocktails" is another one that I like. It is a way to expand your library of alcoholic beverages that you can either make or order at a bar one night. It gives a 4-7 minute episodes of 65 different cocktails where they give recipes and what the drinks go good with.
The basis for the last one is a podcast called "Everyday Drinkers." It is a bi-weekly podcast that discusses all kinds of drinks including beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Different panels give recipes and reviews of all the different drinks that are brought up.
The fifth podcast I found was "Alcohols By Volume." This is very similar to the Everyday drinkers one but it gives a "his and her" perspective. It gives a good idea of what kind of drinks to get at a bar. (and what kinds of drinks girls may like to drink at the bar!)
Hope you check out some of the podcasts I've recommended! They're mostly entertaining and pretty educational.
What I've Learned This Week...
I am taking a class called Investigative Reporting. I had a project due Wednesday, where I had to make a 2 and a half minute news package about a controversial issue in Gainesville or Alachua County. My original topic was about college athletes receiving free stuff from boosters, club promoters, etc. I hit a bump in the road when I set up my interviews with several basketball players, then they told me that they couldn't do it because of UAA rules. I had to scramble for a topic and what else did I choose but the new Gainesville drinking ban, much like my last blog post.
I gathered a lot of information by just going to the bars as I usually did and asking bartenders, managers, and bar-goers what kind of changes they've noticed since the drinking bans were put in place on July 1st. All of them agreed, the financial impact of the drinking ban is hurting the local economy more than the fewer underage arrest is helping the city. Swamp even said they have had a "disastrous" two weeks of business since the ban was put in place. The exact law states that if bars that hold 200+ people get 10 underage drinking citations in a three month span, they are no longer allowed to let people under 21 in for 90 days. That is a really long time.
The funniest thing about my research is that I would call and ask for the bar owners for an interview and they would give me an emphatic NO! But when I would go to the bars at night and talk to them as if I was just a normal bar patron, they were more than happy to talk to me about it. If only I had a pair of those glasses with a hidden camera so I could have used the video in my report! All of the bar-folk I talked to are all very frustrated with the strict laws that have been put in place. I hope all this madness stops before there is a full-on Gainesville prohibition and we have to open a speak-easy.
I gathered a lot of information by just going to the bars as I usually did and asking bartenders, managers, and bar-goers what kind of changes they've noticed since the drinking bans were put in place on July 1st. All of them agreed, the financial impact of the drinking ban is hurting the local economy more than the fewer underage arrest is helping the city. Swamp even said they have had a "disastrous" two weeks of business since the ban was put in place. The exact law states that if bars that hold 200+ people get 10 underage drinking citations in a three month span, they are no longer allowed to let people under 21 in for 90 days. That is a really long time.
The funniest thing about my research is that I would call and ask for the bar owners for an interview and they would give me an emphatic NO! But when I would go to the bars at night and talk to them as if I was just a normal bar patron, they were more than happy to talk to me about it. If only I had a pair of those glasses with a hidden camera so I could have used the video in my report! All of the bar-folk I talked to are all very frustrated with the strict laws that have been put in place. I hope all this madness stops before there is a full-on Gainesville prohibition and we have to open a speak-easy.
Aggrivation with laws on drink specials/underage drinking
As anyone between the ages of 17 and 30 knows now, Gainesville is cracking down on drinking. In a college town that has become known for binge drinking and excessive partying, the local government and UF president Bernie Machen have stepped in to try to give it a better image. While I'm all for regulation on drinking, it is getting excessive and annoying! Swamp, Cantina, and Rum Runners have all fallen victims of government regulations and are no longer allowed to permit people under the age of 21 to enter the bars between 9 PM and 2 AM. This law is really hurting the businesses. Swamp and Cantina usually have good business every night. Since July 1st, when the law was put in place, I've seen the two bars close early half of the nights I go there. This used to never happen. Granted there are fewer people in town because it's summer, these bars are still usually reliable places to go to meet friends. Before, you could literally not talk to any of your friends and just show up at Swamp or Cantina and be guaranteed to find somebody to hang out with. Not anymore! Not since the government stepped in.
Another law that has been put in place that is stupid is no "discriminatory" drink specials. This includes nights like "Ladies' Night" at Copper Monkey. The government says this is discriminatory against men. As a man... I DON'T CARE! What guy in his right mind would actually be offended that girls get to drink free while we can't. Luckily, Copper Monkey is getting around it by doing a "Shaved Legs" night on Wednesdays.
As I said, I'm all for regulation, but this is getting out of hand! The bars are losing business and we are missing out on a lot of fun time with our friends!
Article explaining the drinking ban
Another law that has been put in place that is stupid is no "discriminatory" drink specials. This includes nights like "Ladies' Night" at Copper Monkey. The government says this is discriminatory against men. As a man... I DON'T CARE! What guy in his right mind would actually be offended that girls get to drink free while we can't. Luckily, Copper Monkey is getting around it by doing a "Shaved Legs" night on Wednesdays.
As I said, I'm all for regulation, but this is getting out of hand! The bars are losing business and we are missing out on a lot of fun time with our friends!
Article explaining the drinking ban
Tutoring Zone Free Beer Night!
Last night, the 21st, TutoringZone sponsored a free beer night at Mothers. It was really cool to see all of the people that the event brought... it was quite diverse. If you brought any TutoringZone packet, with its infamous "red paper" you got free beer and free burgers and fries. While it seemed like a good idea at the time, the beer was TERRIBLE!!! I asked Mothers' owner TJ what the deal was, and he said it was an old Miller High Life keg. It tasted like they put melted butter in the beer, no joke! Call me ungrateful, but the free beer tasted like it should be free. The burger and fries were good though. TJ said if we finished the first keg then the next one would be fresh. Being the sneaky, wily people that me and my friends are, we decided we should order a bunch of beers and hide them in the corner of the bar until the keg ran out. I have never been one to waste a good cold beer, but these were literally undrinkable. Our plan worked and the beers for the rest of the night were fresh and oh so delicious.
Worst part of the night... walking home from Mothers to my house which is, oh, 2 miles away. It's much easier after a night of free beer rather than before!
Worst part of the night... walking home from Mothers to my house which is, oh, 2 miles away. It's much easier after a night of free beer rather than before!
Google Sites
Hello again!
Here is a link to my Google Sites homepage. It is still a work in progress but it will continue to develop as time goes on.
Phillip's Online Party Playhouse
Here is a link to my Google Sites homepage. It is still a work in progress but it will continue to develop as time goes on.
Phillip's Online Party Playhouse
Introduction
Hello, all! Welcome to my blog. My name is Phillip and I'm a senior at UF. I'm 21 years old. I was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas until I decided to come to Florida for college. In my four years here I have learned a lot, not only in the classroom, but also socially. I am currently the social chair of my fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (the house with the lion statue) and it has really taught me a lot about socializing, organization, and having fun. That is mostly why I chose for my topic to be: Gainesville Nightlife
I'm pretty new at this blogging thing; I've only done it for one other class and it was really boring because it seemed like every post we commented on was about "going green." Not to say that I don't appreciate that whole movement, but I am honestly pretty excited to blog about something that I actually enjoy, partying. I'm no alcoholic, but, like most college students I do enjoy a good time. That is why I chose for my blog to be all about nightlife here in Gainesville. I hope that my blog will show people some different fun places to go and maybe find some new, fun places to go myself. I hope you all enjoy!
Here is a link to a list of drink specials in Gainesville that I use to drink on my very strict college budget:
Gainesville Drink Specials
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