I’ll admit, growing up I always saw golf as a reason for folks to wear funny hats and pants, and I treated it more of a punch line than a sport. When Tiger came to the scene he definitely brought an element of “cool” to the sport, by my interest was still mild at best. But as of late, I am beginning to realize that not only is golf one of the most challenging and interesting sports I’ve tried, but also one that combines social activities, athletics, and relaxation into some glorious and frustrating combination.

Last week, I was lucky enough to play a course with a few friends that one friend described as “fairly ghetto.” I’m not sure if I just haven’t played enough courses, or if he has played too many nice ones on the island, but I thought it was sweet. We lucked out with beautiful weather and a course that was low in traffic. No pressure from groups behind us or any targets in front for me to hit, just a chance to really learn the game. I won’t say who won or lost, or even share my score (let’s just say that if it was a quarterback rating, mine would be near perfect) but I will share some quick shots from the day.

Mr. Chat checking out his next shot.

Jeremy rocking his best “Tiger.”

“Dude, I have no idea where that went.”

Like a champ.

Our home in Vegas.

Some weird stuff happened in Vegas. Check out @NealKido

Notice the strategic hand-in-pocket placement. Yup you guessed it, model school.

Bigger than my body gives me credit for.

Vegas was good fun. But after watching “The Hangover,” we all decided we’re due a second trip with some new twists. To be continued…

If you are unable to see the full screen by clicking the four corner arrows below, please use the following link to watch “South Shore Sundays.”

On some computers there is a bit of a delay once you hit the play button so thanks for your patience in advance!

This year I wanted to dignify my birthday with a coming of age. A celebration that suits my maturity level if you will. So naturally, Kim and my closest friends planned a BBQ in the park that included food, drink, horseshoes, flying kites, and of course… kickball!

I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday! Not only did my Mom fly over from New Jersey to spend the week with us but my closest friends rallied under Kim who secretly planned the entire day! Huge thanks to all who attended, it was too fun! To those who wanted to stop by but were unable to make it, we missed ya! To check out some more pictures from day click here.

The interview was held at 6am the day after St. Patrick’s Day, so with little sleep and some butterflies in my stomach, I headed out to the interview in the middle of the night. It was a little nerve wrecking to be on live television for the first time but the folks at McNeil Wilson Communications made it a super smooth process! The warm welcome from the entire KITV4 crew was much appreciated, and Mahealani Richardson made it feel like I was just talking shop with a friend. So here it is, why Twitter is a fantastic self branding and company marketing tool:

If you are interested in catching the “State of the Web 2009″ panel discussion, you can catch the live stream here, live on March 24th, 2009 at 9am Hawaii time.

For that very reason I have always been timid about my time on the internet post the work day. Adding to that I moved to Hawaii sixteen months ago and have become obsessed with being in the water as much as possible to surf. I own a Facebook account to be contacted as needed and I was a large advocate of participating in LinkedIn to stay connected with my professional contacts. After that it was only the uploading and sharing of pictures on Flickr with family and friends that took up my personal time on the computer. 

But then, after being so far away from friends and family and five hours behind, I began looking for new ways to connect. Video Skype was great for those connections but not as easy and as fast as I would like. And then, like a savior from the heavens (can you hear the harps?) Twitter came along. Here are 10 Reasons Why Twitter is Better, in 140 Characters or Less (go ahead, check em’) and why it should come along for you. 

1. It gives me access to the brightest minds in a variety of industries & professions. Not just as a receptor but a opportunity for discussion.

2. It allows me to post my thoughts, opinions, videos, pictures, & links to share with a unique & interested audience. Rants, raves, & randoms.

3. It increases my network of professional contacts, vendors, partners, & clients through the sharing of articles, opinions, & discussion.

4. It allows for powerful social media movements like the worldwide Twestival success or a new kidney for a girl in need. Unite the masses!

5. On multiple occasions my Twitter network has provided me with a vendor/partner that has allowed for a marketing campaign to launch in time.

6. Im able to attend conferences & events virtually w/ the ability to ask questions to the presenters as well as discuss topics w/fellow guests

7. I hear about news events almost as soon as they happen! Links to video, photos, interviews, live action, everything! I choose my news source

8. Twitter is like a personal Google assistant. Ask a question & receive multiple responses, opinions, examples, and some articles to boot!

9. This might be cheating but here’s 16 more reasons why Twitter is better, with @Mashable ‘s 16 Great Twitter Moments!

10. Last & most critical: It allows me to connect w/family & friends in an efficient & simple manner. Less process, more connecting, stoked.

Please feel free to follow me @danzelikman, or leave a question about Twitter, social or digital media on this post and I’ll be sure to get back to you. Cheers!

Logo by Valdezign

On February 12th, 2009 over two hundred cities hosted a Twestival in order to raise money and awareness for Charity Water, an organization that provides clean drinking water to people across the globe. Wether it was in a restaurant, bar, nightclub, or backyard, Twestival parties were organized across the globe. Similar to the event Live Earth, the event showed the amazing capacity to unite people across the World for a good cause. At the time of this post, over $250,000 in total was raised in a single night. To put that in a more comprehensive statement, the money raised (so far) can bring clean drinking water to almost 20,000 people! I will update this post with the final tally as soon as it is published.
Of course in the beginning there were skeptics, “I’m not going to some Twitter party!” For some it was difficult to get passed the notion that this event was being planned by people using Twitter. What folks didn’t realize is that the Twestival exemplified the future of global movements and change. The speed and efficiency of technology was now being paired up with the compassion of people and a cause. It was planned and executed on a similar premise that Barack Obama’s successful campaign for Presidency was founded on. A powerful idea was established and then shared with the social media evangelists and their mega-phones. This immense mob of Tweeple (Twitter People) then spread this message around the world in a record time (the whole process was put together in less than a month). City after city began jumping on the cause and the Twestival became an epic buzzworthy event. Honolulu claimed bragging rights of over 250 attendees, and over $7,000 raised! Not bad for a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific.

Big cheers, mahalo’s, and thank you’s to all of the Honolulu Twestival (hitwestival) sponsors and organizers that you can find here. It took the contributions of local people, companies, hotels, restaurants, and Hawaii media to pull off the big night. Their collaboration created a chain reaction that lead to a strong return of two hectic weeks of work. Their amazing generosity and effort can also be reflected in the statistical presentation seen below. Cheers to Olaf Witkowski for putting it together. 

The success of the first Twestival was only the beginning. Be sure to follow @twestival on Twitter, or check out the website to hear about future events and promotions. Remember if you don’t celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, there will always be a Twestivas for the rest of us! I’m stoked.