Ames Tweetup

#burritoup at Panchero’s-Tuesday December 15th (Ames, IA)

It’s that time of the year again when the smell of food fills your head and all you can think about is friends and well, food.  No, I’m not talking about the holidays, we still have just over a week to get into them.  I’m talking about the recent #burritoup that happened on Tuesday at Panchero’s in Ames.

Even with Iowa’s cold winds, ice and deep snow, that didn’t stop sixteen brave and hungry burrito fans.  They decided to join their family, those who love burritos so much, at the adjoined tables  The conversation revolved around the fact that 2009 is soon to be over, revolvers, family and friends, and the not so distant travels of some.  Getting so close to the holidays, it’s hard to share time with family- like friends.  We were lucky enough to have such a day yesterday.

Apart from catching up with those we have known from other events, there were some new people the joined us.  It’s a great thing when you can extend the love of something as wonderful as a burrito.  With the holidays coming up fast, this event may be one of the last of 2009.  I believe some may think of that in a sad light and yet it gives me hope for a new year.

#amesuglysweatertweetup at Olde Main- December 17th, 2009

Thinking about the holidays and snow, got me thinking about ugly sweaters.  With all the crazy possibilities for holidays and ways to spend them, I thought about my twitter friends.  Yes, it’s time for another #tweetup, but not just any #tweetup, a sequel to last years Epic Ugly Sweater Party, but in Ames this year.

If you have an ugly Christmas sweater or just plan ugly sweater, I hope you will join us next Thursday at Olde Main (bar side) at 6pm.  Don’t worry about looking funny or not being taken seriously.  This time of year, you should be looking for a reason and excuse to get a little crazy and do something fun.  Be prepared to have some laughs, some drinks and food by spending some time with friends and doing a little networking.  You can RSVP to the event here, so we know if we will see your amazingly ugly sweater or not.  I’m looking forward to seeing you all before the holidays and having some fun together.

Connecting with Hajj Flemings at ISU- August 26, 2009

Wednesday a small group of tweeps were able to sit down and connect over bottles of water and cookies with Hajj Flemings (@HajjFlemings).  The branding expert, speaker, author of The Brand YU Life: Re-thinking personal brand management and founder of Brand Camp University put his best foot forward, and was more interested in listening than talking.

The group that came to listen and connect all shared an entrepreneurial spirit and understood passion.  As we went around the table of five, we all shared our ideas to better the world, our community and our personal lives.  Once the conversation got going, you would have thought we were trying to burn the place down.  The room was filled with fire like passion, excitement and electric currents of connectivity.  Following Hajj’s lead we all put our best foot forward as well, to listen and offer words of wisdom and thoughts to the ides on the table.  We shared a few laughs, personal stories and our plans for the future.

Apart from the connections I made Wednesday there were two pieces of information I took away was from the man we came to see and connect with.  One thing I learned was the term “Grustle” which is a combination of Grind and Hustle.  Your “Grustle” can be broken down into two parts.  The first part, your Grind in what provides your income, pays the rent and puts food on the table.  The second part, your Hustle is what you love and are passionate about, it’s what you aspire to do full time.  It’s also something that could possibly offer more advances and opportunity and the career of your dreams.  You can check Hajj’s video blog for more info about “Grustle.”  The other thing I learned and really got me thinking was about “Operating In Your Genius” which means using talents you have, the things you are good at and fully utilize them.  You can also check out the Brand Camp blog to learn more about how to find and utilize “Your Genius.”

I have to say thank you to Debra Sanborn (@DebraSanborn) for letting me know about Hajj coming to ISU and them both wanting to get a group together.  I also want to say thank you to Hajj for making it a point to connect with people while he was here.  It was great meeting Hajj and seeing Debra again.  I’m glad that we were able to get a few people together for this event,  Kate (@kate919), Krandon Henry (@KrandonHenry) and myself Dallas J. Moore (@mrdallasjmoore), all have big plans and dreams for the near future.  I can’t wait to watch those dreams develop.

After first meeting Hajj, before everyone else arrived I posted on Twitter, saying that Hajj had “a killer handshake.”  Later in the afternoon he responded, “my handshake is part of my brand”.  He was right, it was heartfelt, confident, strong and memorable.

Thanks again for the book.  I haven’t been able to put it down yet and plan on finishing it today.

Make Plans With Us Wednesday Afternoon- August 26th, 2009

This week Hajj Flemings (@hajjflemings) from Canton, MI will be in Ames.  Hajj is the founder of Brand Camp University and author of  The Brand YU Life: Re-thinking who you are through personal brand management.  Hajj is also a personal branding expert and speaker.

Through the grape vine and Debra Sanborn (@DebraSanborn), I got word that Hajj wanted to get a group of people together to talk, listen and learn while he is in town.  We plan to meet at Hixson Lied Student Success Center on the Iowa State University campus from 1:30pm to 3pm this Wednesday, in conference room 1158.  We will hit topics mainly revolving around branding, including brand management, brand value, brand success, authentically packaging, communicating your brand and passion.

If you don’t know the Iowa State University campus well, I have included a map if you need directions.  There is plenty of parking just NE of the building.  You can also jump on CyRide the Orange route takes you right to the building.

This is an exciting opportunity and way to start thinking about yourself as a brand, if you are not already.  Hajj will also be giving out some copies of his book, so plan to join us Wednesday!

#amestweetup at DGs Tap House A Fun Night

Last Wednesday we had another #amestweetup.  This time we had a recommendation to try DGs Tap House (@DGsTapHouse), also downtown Ames.  The bar, which is upstairs and almost hidden (a good thing for a relaxing night), was filled with seating from bar stools and tables to booths and large shaped booths.  Of course we had to take one of the large booths, you just can never know.  The brick walls on both sides of the bar almost felt like a speak easy, hidden away for only a select crowd.  Large windows brought in extra light and an amazing view of downtown.

As the night went on we handed out business cards, talked about how we knew each other from past lives and enjoyed $1.00 pints.  Even thought we had a small group this time, I think we were the loudest group in the bar.  I think everyone could tell we were having a good time.  For a small group, we sure rounded up a bunch of empty glasses on the table.  Before the night was over, as a group, we witnessed one in our group somersault out of the booth three times.  We won’t name names, but it was funny to watch and gave everyone the laugh they may have needed at the halfway mark in the week.

Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the night with us.  If you are looking for some other great people to follow and connect with in Ames you might check out the following people.  Here is the list of those who attended last night’s #amestweetup.  @ashleymc, @MADINAMES, @soundzdj, @kienan, @trenttsd, @trishasanderson, @marajane01, @mrdallasjmoore, and new to twitter @NurseAlbert.  Hope you will join us for the next #amestweetup!

#amestweetup at DG’s Tap House-August 5, 2009

Back by the demand of the people, we will be doing another #amestweetup.  We are going to kick off August right.  Join us at DG’s Tap House (@DGsTapHouse) Wednesday August 5th at 6pm.  DG’s features 56 different beers on tap and over a hundred in bottles.  Take a look at the beer menu and plan ahead (also for those who have a hard time with decisions).  That’s a lot of beer to choose from.  If you are not familiar with Ames, you can check the map to get directions to the event.  As always, come to network, see friends, have some drinks and have fun.  You can also enjoy any of the TV’s and watch whatever game happens to be on Wednesday night.  DG’s also has a pool table, foosball, darts, pinball and other games.  Better bring some quarters!

For those of you who made it out to the last #amestweetup and did not have a tweetup badge.  You have time to get one ordered, you would like.  Get in touch with (@richdrake) and/or (@tweetupbadges) to order yours.  You can also order online.  If you’re unsure what they look like or even what we are talking about, check the picture.  Make sure to show some Ames love and when it asks for your Tweetup Group Name put #amestweetup.   Also, if you think you will head to Des Moines when they do a #dmtweetup, then you may have another one made for each group.

Wednesday Night’s Special

$1.00 Pints of Olde Main Beer

#amestweetup at Olde Main, Were You There?

Last night, Tuesday July 21st, we had an #amestweetup at Olde Main (@oldemain) in downtown Ames, IA.  We have done #amestweetups there before, but this time had a very large group.  It looks like we were at about twenty people plus a few friends of those there, not on Twitter.  If you have not been to an #amestweetup before, I would encourage you to look into it.  Just watch for the #amestweetup hash tag for the time and place of the event.  I took some pictures of the event, so those of you who have not been before can see what it all looks like first hand.

We started things off at 6pm and what started off as a small group turned into a large group by about 7pm.  There were a handful of Ames tweeps who had been before, but many last night were new to the #amestweetup.  That made it great for those who came to network, meet new people, create relationships, have some drinks and food and of course fun.  Many who came last night took advantage of the $4.00 pitchers from 6pm-2am.  Olde Main has a handful of wonderful beers they brew in-house.  Over all the #amestweetup was a huge success.  It’s great to get others involved who are in our community.

If you are looking for some quality people to follow in the Ames, IA area, check out these tweeps who were there last night #MustFollow

@ashleymc, @DrZWard, @MADINAMES, @grantschultz, @kienan, @danemaxwell, @johnaskew, @rladue, @paulhertz, @carriejessica, @edash, @SpenceAnderson, @imjustabrian, @hapjak, @dailycharlie, @tr3yh, @marajane01, @crebhuhn, @jakekerber, @soundzdj @chewbocka @mrdallasjmoore

#burritolunchup in Ames at Fighting Burrito-Tuesday July 21st

This past Tuesday a couple Des Moines tweeps made a road trip to Ames for one reason, burritos.  The #burritolunchup that brought them here and others tweeps of Ames, gathered for a good cry.  As we talked about who each of us where, what we did and how much we loved burritos several of the staff at Fighting Burrito (@FightingBurrito) were cutting onions.  We had a good laugh about it, once we all wiped the tears from our eyes.

The #burritolunchup came to be while Jenni Pullen (@jennipullen) and Justin Brady (@justbrady) were talking about Jenni’s love for Panchero’s (@pancheros) burritos.  As they talked, Justin pronounced his love for Bandit Burrtio (@BanditBurrito) in Johnston.  It was then decided that they would meet for the #burritolunchup and enjoy the company of friends, tweeps and fellow burrito enthusiasts.  The first #burritolunchup was held in April.  The first lunch up was a group of eight people, several thought it was a contest to see who could eat the most.  I don’t know any details on the eating contest, but I wish I could have seen them try.

This last Tuesday their quest to continue in search of tasty burritos landed them in Ames.  Jenni and Justin were also joined by five others: Megan and Barry of Young Processionals of Ames (@YPAmes), Barry is the President of Young Professionals and works with Community Bank of Ames, Nate who works with RE/Max, Emilee (@emileeann) and myself (@mrdallasjmoore).  As we ate, we learned how to eat the burrito so not to spill on ourselves.  From the top you peal it away around the burrito, that way it stays warm and the fillings won’t fall out in your lap.  As we ate we discussed design, marketing, and milk.  As the topics went on we also talked about Justin’s business Test of Time Design and Emilee’s trip to the Netherlands, who are also on Twitter (@visitholland).  As you can imagine after the tears from the onions, Megan and Jenni saying cheers with their burritos and Justin getting his burrito fix, we would be tired, but no.  Emilee and I braved the biggest rice crispy treat I’ve ever seen.  In reality, the rice crispy treat was more like a brick.  It was delicious and it took me three sittings to eat the whole thing.

The #burritolunchup was a great time for all.  I can only imagine that we will be seeing them at some point or another in Ames again.

#amestweetup at Olde Main – July 21, 2009

Come out to Olde Main (@oldemain) on Tuesday,  July 21st at 6pm. The group will be upstairs on the bar-side.  We try and do at least two tweetups per month to get people together and create opportunities to network, have drinks/food and fun.  I know we are adding people to the Des Moines metro and Ames area all the time.  We are so glad that the tweetup interest continues to climb.  The #dmtweetup/#amestweetups are opportunities to meet new people, network and create lasting relationships.  If this is your first tweetup you can contact Rich Drake (@richdrake) to put a face to your handle/user name by getting a tweetup badge.  You can also check out (@tweetupbadges) and order online.  Tonight we will have name badge labels if time has not allowed you to have your badge made.

If you are not from Ames and don’t know the area, Olde Main is downtown in Ames. You can check the map for directions if you need it. You can also check all the different and wonderful beers brewed at Olde Main.

Tonight’s Drink Specials:

$4.00 Pitches from 6pm-2am.

Hope you will join us tonight!