Just wanted to take a minute and tell everyone who is RSS’ing to this blog, that I am sorry.  I have not posted in quite some time.  I have been extremely busy and I have gotten far behind in the Mahalo world.  I guess you can say I took a bit of a “vacation” from Mahalo after the VLOG Idol.  I poured a lot of energy in to that and I guess I was a little burned out.  Well, I am back in the game and I will be posting a lot more real soon.

To give you a little heads up.  I will be doing a computer video series on http://www.seesmic.com and posting some content on my connectedgeek.net sites.

Also, if you haven’t seen them, please check out:

http://www.bacheLon.com - A Fan Site for Lon Harris

http://www.clawsonparade.com - A Clawson, MI Parade website

http://gameleagues.connectedgeek.net - a COD4 gaming league

http://www.firebynightministries.org - a future location of a Church site

and

http://www.sarahatwood.net - Sarah Atwood of Nerdtainment, her new site

I was working on these during my “vacation”.

Thanks again to everyone for subscribing to my blog!!

Jason Calacanis is probably the smartest human on earth!

He created a company called Mahalo.com - The Human Power Search Engine, where you can do re-search.  At this company/site, you can search for all types of information (from Paris Hotels to iPhones).  You will get a well defined - curated page with accurate links and a short (well thought out) Guide Note.

Mahalo also has an VLOG called MahaloDaily.com.  This site began right after Mahalo came on to the Internet scene.  It was hosted by Veronica Belmont.  Veronica came from CNET and she brought a ton of followers.  MahaloDaily.com did very well with her at the helm.  Veronica (as most of you may know) moved on to Tekzilla with Patrick Norton.  This was a good move to her, since she did haven’t to travel as much.

Well, as you may have guessed, Mahalo needed a new host for MahaloDaily.com…  So, about two months ago, Jason Calacanis opened up his UStream.tv account and told the Internet that he was in search of a new host for MahaloDaily.com.  Well (yes I said well again), that started a series of events that took a boat load people out to sea, dropped off about 88 of them and came back to shore where there was a bunch of happy, crazy and angry people.  What I am trying to say is… that for the past two months Jason and the Mahalo team have given the followers of Mahalo and MahaloDaily.com a very bumpy ride!

To see the happiness, craziness and angry-ness, check out these sites (make sure you read the comments):

http://mahalo.com/Mahalo_Idol

http://www.mahalodaily.com/

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jason-calacanis

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mahalo

http://www.andydesoto.com/web-culture/mahalo-vlog-idol-a-success-or-failure/
Mahalo Vlog Idol: a success or failure?
Author: Andy DeSoto

Ok… now that the history lesson is over…

So, here we are today.  After much suspense, Jason and the Mahalo team have finally picked a new host…. Leah D’Emilio  along with Lon Harris.  Also, Jason stated that Andrea Rene will stay on as a correspondent.  We wish her all the best!!

Now, if you made it this far in to the post and your not completely bored.  The next section is what I really wanted to say…

BTW… if you haven’t already figured it out, I suck at writing and I say “so”, “well” and “…” a lot.  It’s just my writing style, sorry.

Moving on… why did Jason and the Mahalo team go about picking a new host for MahaloDaily.com this way???  Well, that is a good question!  One reason (in my opinion), PEOPLE.  Jason wants people (or the P.C. thing to say is, community).  But, why?  Well, I think he will do anything to get people to come to Mahalo.  I know all of this a quite obvious and you are probably wondering why I am babbling on about it…  Well, I truly think that Jason has a good heart and he really wants to stand behind what Mahalo is trying to do… “We’re here to help.“.  I think he is community driven and doing this Mahalo VLOG Idol, The Bachelon, Episode 1 and The Mapprentice, Episode 1 were just a way to get people in the door at Mahalo.com.  Don’t get me wrong, I know producing these shows and working with people’s schedules is a nightmare.  However, all of the drama and the “who is going to be kicked off” reality show style episodes, did nothing but bring more people to Mahalo.  You know, I don’t work for Mahalo and I don’t know what type of traffic Mahalo got during this contest; however, I do know that the comments on the VLOG Idol blogs were a flurry!

I guess my point is… (yes, after making you wait this long, sorry)… Jason and the Mahalo team are on a mission and since it is to help and they need people to give that help too (and make a few dollars along the way ).  They just need to make the boat ride more fun next time and maybe they can keep it to a three hour tour instead

Mahalo

Larry

This evening I hosted a “TalkShoe“/podcast with former VLOG Idol contestants: Lisa Brewster, Sarah Atwood and Kristina Allison. Later on in the show Jason Calacanis showed up and then Andrea Rene.

We talked about the contest and their reactions to the whole thing. Also, we heard about the viral video that Andrea Rene was making… and Jason talked about the comments and voting.

Please check it out and let me know what you think!!

ConnectedGeek Mahalo Podcast - Mahalo VLOG Idol Contestants

So, it looks like I didn’t win the laptop (again)! On well…

Leah and Andrea have to make a viral video within 5 days of today… let’s hope they do a good job. I can’t wait to see what they will do

• Leah D’Emilio
• Leah’s audition and post-audition interview
• Leah D’Emilio’s Mahalo Daily - Capoeira Besouro

• Andrea Rene
• Andreas’s audition and her pre-audition interview
• Andrea Rene’s Mahalo Daily - How to Shoot a Gun

Here is Episode 2:

MD131 - The Mapprentice, Episode 2

Even though Sarah Atwood and Lisa Brewster didn’t win, I am still very happy for Leah D’Emilio and Andrea Rene. Best of luck to both of you… Since I wasn’t voting for either one… I will have to see who does the best viral video. Let the race begin!!! Who ever does the best job get’s my vote! Even though my vote probably doesn’t count… I will still comment and blog about it

I have much more to say about this topic and probably more than I need to So, I will be doing a podcast this evening with pcnerd37 of http://unofficialmahalopodcast.com/ and http://globalgeeknews.com/ on http://www.talkshoe.com. Stay tuned. The actual podcast will be out Friday or Saturday.

BTW… Kristina Allison is AWESOME!!! Best of luck to you!!

I’d like to take short intermission from your Mahalo VLOG Idol… which should be ending real soon, so stay tuned!!!

Two things would like to talk (in short)…

1) Twitter, yes our beloved Twitter.  This weekend Michael Arrington did a post on TechCrunch called Twitter!  I will have to say…  I had a ton of fun with this blog post.  Reason: Loic Le Meur the creator Seesmic.  The only way to describe the post is… well, go check it out and see… it was fun, stupid, interesting and most of all a glimpse in to our future of communicating. Check it out: Twitter! 

2) A good friend of mine is doing a series on Personal Branding.  It is a interesting topic and I believe it will be an excellent read… Check out!

On a personal note… I would like to thank all of the people that have visited my site over the past month (during the Mahalo VLOG Idol).  I truly appreciate you taking the time to stop on by! 

You’ll come back ya hear!

Thanks!

UPDATE: http://tinyurl.com/6q9×4b

You can vote now on Mahalo Daily!!

——————————————

I have to tell you that I my decision was very difficult to make!

All of the ladies did an excellent job and I don’t envy Jason Calacanis and Mahalo Team.

Here are the 6, in order of my most to least favorite.

1. Sarah Atwood

Sarah Atwood’s Mahalo Daily: Hawaiian Hula Dancing

I think Sarah did a great job here with Hula Dancing.  It was very informative and she showed a true interest in the art of the dance.  I read a few of the comments on Mahalo Daily, they mentioned that she didn’t show enough dancing.  Well, I think it is important to remember that Sarah was matching the interviewees pace and style.  Also, Hula Dancing is mostly hand movements.

2. Kristina Allison

Kristina Allison’s Mahalo Daily: Mix Engineer Dave Pensado

If I had a choice (and I don’t), I think Mahalo Daily should have 6 lady hosts; however, we aren’t making the final decisions.  Anyway, Kristina is a bang up job with this interview.  She got the interviewee to talk and talk and she listened and listened :)  It wasn’t her best interview, but she did very well!

3. Michelle Hummel

Michelle Hummel’s Mahalo Daily: Go-Karting

I have to say that this was my most fun show to watch, hands down!  Michelle did an excellent job showing the audience what it is like to ride a go-kart.  I want to go now :)  I think she could have had more interaction with the people and maybe interviewed some other customers.  All and all a great show.

4. Andrea Rene

Andrea Rene’s Mahalo Daily: How to Shoot a Gun

Andrea is absolutely great in front of the camera… Brilliant, I tell ya, BRILLIANT!  She did the interview well and showed us how to shot a few guns.  The only thing I didn’t like about the show, was the guns.  I am not a fan of guns so, the topic completely turned me off to the whole show.

5. Leah D’Emilio

Leah D’Emilio’s Mahalo Daily: Capoeira Besouro

Leah has excellent (in front of the camera) skills and I think she will go very far in her career.  However, I don’t think she is a good fit for Mahalo.  I believe Loren Feldman said that she was a little to professional, and I think I would have to agree with him.  All and all I great show, just not the best.

6. Nadine Heimann

Nadine Heimann’s Mahalo Daily: Mixed Martial Arts

I really hate having to pick a number to represent a persons talent… so with that being said, I can’t really give Nadine a 6th place in my ranking of the next Mahalo VLOG Idol contest… she is #1 in my book.  Actually all of them are; however, Jason asked us to do this and I am doing my best to follow :)  Anyway, Nadine is great in front of the camera and I think she would be awesome at Mahalo!

So, I leave you with this final thought… this isn’t a contest to see who is the best, brightest or most talented… it was an introduction to great bunch of ladies that have enriched our lives with there brains and beauty!

I have created a form/poll to capture my own stats:

This poll is not official and is not affiliated with Mahalo.com

Here is the form:

Approximately  24 days ago Mahalo (Jason Calacanis) started us on a journey that is almost done, and to be honest I am quite thankful that it is…

If you didn’t know, Veronica Belmont used to be the host of Mahalo Daily.  She was a great host and we enjoyed every episode she did :)  She moved on to Tekzilla with Patrick Norton.

So, the final days of Mahalo VLOGIdol are upon us and Veronica’s successor is on the horizon (as show below).  We have watched the MANY episodes of Mahalo VLOG Idols, Teasers and The Bachelon… and it will be done soon… oh but wait is it???  There’s more you ask???  well yes!! 
According to Jason Calacanis (as heard on a recent TWiT), each of the six finalists will be filming an individual episode to be judged. 
Sarah Atwood also said in her recent Tweet "so its down to the final 6. http://tinyurl.com/6odkqf stay tuned for my personally produced episode. YAH!"

Mahalo VLOGIdol Finalists

I have to admit, after watching these ladies for about a month now, I wasn’t so sure that anyone could fill Veronica’s shoe’s.  However, I saw one young lady that seemed to "get it" and had the spunk to pull it off… unfortunately for us all, she did not make it and I was not very happy about it!!  Her name is Lisa Brewster.  She did not have any VLOGing experience, but she did have a spark that Mahalo needs… even though she had spark, the judges were not looking for her

So, we have six left…who do you think we will win?? 
Since Lisa didn’t win, I vote for Kristina or Leah.  Who do you want to win?

I have updated my form below, please vote!!

Goto: http://www.mahalo.com/Mahalo_VLOGIdol for more details

I have been following Mahalo VLOG Idol from the beginning and it has been a very exciting race
All of them are very talented; however, only one will win… My Favorite is Lisa Brewster

Thank you Mahalo.com for giving us an opportunity to watch this process!!

Mahalo VLOGIdol Semi-Finalists

Mahalo VLOGIdol Finalists - at this moment there this only one

I think we need to vote… who do you want to win?? 
This poll is not official and is not affiliated with Mahalo.com

Here is the form: