I Left My Heart in Des Moines

Sometimes you have a day that goes beyond “great”, and enters the realm of just plain unforgettable (and pretty darn fantastic). I had one of those days in Des Moines, Iowa yesterday.

Actually it started on Thursday night, when I had dinner with Timothy Johnson of Carpe Factum (see picture on right). Not only did I have a robust conversation that came so easily it was like we had known each other for years, I got a grand tour of Des Moines. This is a pretty town at night, and I was happy to see it in all of it’s glory.

The next morning I visited “Iowa Blogging Central”, otherwise known as the Panera on University Ave. From the moment I walked in I felt that I was among dear friends. Joining me there for a good latte (sorry Starbucks), many laughs and great conversation were;

Pictured (on the left), from left to right:

Drew McLellan (The Marketing Minute)

Sandra Renshaw (Purple Wren)

Tom Vander Well (QAQNA)

Timothy Johnson (Carpe Factum)

Mike Sansone (Converstations)

Mike Wagner (Own Your Brand)

Not Pictured:

Doug Mitchell (Moments of Clarity)

Mitch Matthews (DoyouQ)

Brooke (Life in Medical School), who just started blogging two days earlier!

To me, this is what the blogging experience is all about - making new connections and friends, sharing life experiences and learning many things about life and living it to the fullest (or should I say half-fullest).

I felt very much at “home” in Des Moines because of these outstanding individuals, and I very much look forward to the next time. As Mike Sansone so well expressed it, I am a blessed blogger, and it was great to spread another little piece of my heart over there.

Saturday Rewind will return next week with another edition of “Comments as Conversations”.

There Are 9 Responses So Far. »

Comment by Timothy Johnson on 11 November 2006:

Terry - I doubt many of us can foresee the power that the blogosphere will have on relationships, on business, or on the broader interconnectivity that the power of conversation brings to our lives. Thank you for coming out of your way to visit Des Moines. It was SUCH A PLEASURE to meet you and to spend time with you.
Comment by Phil on 11 November 2006:

Amazing guys, simply amazing! I never wanted to go to Des Moines until about 8 months ago. Now, I can’t WAIT to get there!
Comment by Michael Wagner on 11 November 2006:

It was a great time and a blessing to meet you.

I’m glad you got a taste of Des Moines and the blogging community that is emerging here.

What did we do before blogging?

Hope to have you back in town soon.

And Phil….see what you have waiting for you!
Comment by Mike Sansone on 11 November 2006:

Terry, thanks for making our morning special. The folks at Panera are still buzzin’ - asking who that guy was we were all making a fuss about. I told them you were “Starbucker” and they cheered!

Of course, so did we when you arrived. Stay contagious!

(Psst. Hey, Phil. What Mike W said)
Comment by Jodee on 12 November 2006:

Terry: What a great time that must have been! Was the Mitch Matthews you mentioned (not pictured) the same Mitch of A Kick In The Pants Coaching? I’m reminded of when I met that Mitch at the Thinkubator in Chicago! What are the chances that there are two very interesting Mitch Matthews’ in Iowa? I LOVE BLOGGING!! (When are we converging in FARGO???)
Comment by Drew McLellan on 12 November 2006:

Terry,

As we explored over coffee, one of the great things blogging does is holds us out there, so like-minded and spirited people can find us.

I know I speak for all of us in Des Moines when I tell you — we’re glad you found us!

Best,

Drew
Comment by starbucker on 12 November 2006:

Tim, Phil, Mike S, Mike W, Jodee, and Drew, thanks for all of your comments!

Tim, whenever I hear “dude” I’ll think of you and Phil, and all that positivity.

Phil, you are going to have a blast in Des Moines, I guarantee it!

Mike W, I really don’t know what we were doing before blogging - the world seems a lot more “opened up” now, doesn’t it?

Mike S, I just loved the way you worked the crowd at Panera - you truly are a very gifted conductor (quite befitting your blog name)!

Jodee, yes indeed, it was the same Mitch! I love that title - “kick in the pants”. I probably will be in your neck of the woods in April for my grandmothers’s 100th birthday (she lives in Red Lake Falls, MN), so hopefully I can buy you a Starbucks and have a chat then!

Drew, the feeling is certainly mutual! Yes, I do like the “out there” nature of the blogosphere.

All the best to all of you!
Comment by mitch matthews on 13 November 2006:

Terry - It was great to get to meet you and to get introduced to your blog.

It’s exciting to see how the world is getting connected AND to have a great (and freakish) mind like yours in DSM!

Lastly, thanks for reconnecting Jodee Bock and I. Wild. We worked together on some projects in 2004, but then lost touch. Then… since she regularly follows your blog, she heard about your trip to DSM and your mention of me. Wow… God bless the blog-o-sphere!

Keep up the good work and let us know how your “case study” works out!

Thanks!
Comment by starbucker on 14 November 2006:

Thanks Mitch for your comment - I kinda like being called “freakish”!

I will indeed keep you posted on my case study, and I’m glad you and Jodee have reconnected. Isn’t the blogosphere a great thing? All the best.