Pin #162: 1997 Rose Bowl - Ohio State

By this point you know that I have a lot of Rose Bowl pins, and you know how I got them.  So there's not really much else to say about them from that standpoint.  This one is from the 1997 Rose Bowl featuring the Big 10 champion Ohio State Buckeyes.  There's nothing really special about this pin except that it's a Rose Bowl pin.  This particular Rose Bowl wasn't one that really stands out for me, though.

Pin #161: Le Francais

This is a cool looking pin featuring the Eiffel Tower.  It has a really classy design, nice striking colors, and one of the most recognizable monuments in the world.  I don't remember where I got this pin.  I assume it was a gift, but I'm not really sure.  Either way, I like it.

Pin #160: Firenze

This is a pin from Florence featuring the coat of arms for the city.  Unfortunately, I was not the one to actually purchase this pin.  My parents bought it for me during their trip to Italy.  I like this pin because it reminds me of a knight's shield from the Renaissance era.

Pin #159: Knott's Berry Farm

This is a pin I got from Knott's Berry Farm.  It features Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock.  And there's a random heart above Snoopy's head.  I'm not sure what that's all about.  Overall, it's kind of a boring pin, and I feel like I've had it for a long time because I don't remember buying it.  Also, I boycotted Knott's for many years after they took out the Soap Box Derby cars.  That was my favorite ride.  Plus, I have another Knott's pin that I like a lot more.  You'll have to keep reading my blog to see when that one shows up.

Pin #158: LA Marathon

I have no idea when or how I got this pin.  I have never run in the LA Marathon.  I have never watched the LA Marathon.  I don't even know when they hold the LA Marathon.  So I can assume somebody who either ran or was affiliated with the marathon got me this pin, but I have no recollection as to who that might be.  As far as the pin itself goes, it's kind of a mish mash of things.  You have the title up top in a bit of a childish font, and then a picture, a medal, and a sponsor.  It's a lot going on on a boring square background.  The picture is the best part about it, with the city skyline set as the backdrop for the runners.  If that was the whole pin it might be better aesthetically.

Pin #157: University of Washington 2001 Rose Bowl

This Rose Bowl pin is from the 2001 game and features the Pac-10 champion Washington Huskies.  It's a neat looking pin with the Washington logo set in the traditional purple and the husky brought into the forefront.  Then you have the Rose Bowl logo in the lower left which always brings a touch of class.  This pin was another gift from our family friend who was on the Rose Bowl committee, as are just about all of my Rose Bowl and Rose Parade pins.

Pin #156: Safeco Field

During my trip to Seattle in 2007 I went to a couple baseball games at Safeco Field.  I bought this pin while I was there.  Safeco Field is a beautiful ballpark and a great place to watch a game.  I'm glad I had the chance to go.  This pin isn't the best representation of the ballpark, but it's kind of cool with home plate as the background and the Mariners logo featured prominently.

Pin #155: Seaworld

This is a Seaworld pin.  I've been to multiple Seaworlds, multiple times, and I have no idea which one this is from, or during which trip I bought it.  But I do know that it shows the iconic image from the theme park, Shamu.  I know there's been a lot of controversy surrounding Seaworld recently, but as a kid it was a cool place to visit.  I loved seeing all the shows and exhibits.  And one time I even got to have lunch with Shamu, which was really just backstage of the show.  It was cool, though, and I always remember that when I look at this pin.

Pin #154: Atlanta Olympics Coca Cola Guitar

This is a limited edition pin from the Atlanta Olympics.  It's one of the coolest pins I have.  It's a double neck guitar with a Coca Cola design.  Supposedly there are only 5,000 of these pins, but who knows how true that is.  It really is just an awesome looking pin.  I remember being so excited when I got it.  I think a family friend gave it to me because he knew how into pin collecting I was.  I'm very grateful to have it.  This is by far my favorite of my Atlanta Olympics pins.

Pin #153: Dodger Stadium 25th Anniversary

Yet another Dodgers giveaway pin, this one celebrates the 25th anniversary of the park.  I believe the entire pin series that I have was in honor of the anniversary, but this pin in particular celebrated it directly.  I like the old school look of this pin.  It's very classic.

Pin #152: The Venetian

I bought this pin during my first trip to Las Vegas after turning 21.  My dad had a work retreat out there and I flew out to meet him and my mom for the weekend.  I had been to Vegas before, but only as a kid, and I hadn't seen any of the new casinos.  So aside from playing at the tables for the first time, we walked around and toured the strip.  I really liked The Venetian.  It's cool in there, which is why I decided to buy a pin.  I would love to stay there one day, but it's way out of my price range right now.  Until then I will just walk through in awe.

Pin #151: Humuhumunukunukuapuaa

Say that ten times fast!  I bought this pin during my trip to Hawaii.  It features the state fish of Hawaii, the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, or the reef triggerfish, but that isn't as much fun to say.  It is a beautiful looking fish and something that is fun and representative of Hawaii, so I just had to buy the pin.  And the pin really stands out with the vibrant colors of the fish.

Pin #150: London

My grandma brought me this pin from her trip to England.  It features the Tower Bridge and a ceremonial guard of the Tower of London, known as a Beefeater.  I'm not going to lie, I had to do some research on that.  It's a cool representation of London, though, and a classic looking pin.  I've never been to London, or anywhere in Europe, so it's nice when people bring me pins from their trips.

Pin #149: ESPN

This is a standard ESPN logo pin.  I believe I bought it during my first visit to the ESPNZone in Anaheim.  I remember thinking that was the coolest restaurant when it first opened.  Apparently most other people did not considering all but one of them across the country have closed.  Anyway, as a big fan of ESPN I felt compelled to buy the pin.

Pin #148: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

The story behind this pin is twofold.  My parents bought it for me when they went on an Alaskan cruise with my aunt and uncle and cousins.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go.  But there's a reason they bought this pin.  It's because there is a moose on it.  Moose are the source of an inside joke between me and my parents.  When I was a kid my mom took me to to some sort of collectibles shop.  I was really bored in there and she was taking forever deciding what to get.  There was a collection of moose figurines so I started picking them up and asking, "What about this?"  After about the fifth one she started getting really annoyed, but we both ended up laughing about it.  Since then, she buys me moose stuff every time she sees something.  So I have a lot of moose.  Mooses?  Moosi?  Whatever.  Anyway, I like all the moose I have.  This is just the first of a few Alaska moose pins that my parents bought me.

Pin #147: 100 Years of Disney

This pin was released as part of the Disney Store's 100 Years of Dreams series to commemorate Walt Disney's 100th birthday.  This was one of the final pins released in the series.  It shows Mickey at the drawing table drawing a picture of Walt.  I like the copper finish on the pin.  It makes it look classy.  I know I say all my Disney pins are one of my favorites, but this one really is.  I seriously have a lot of favorites.

Pin #146: World Series of Poker

I bought this pin when I played in the World Series of Poker in 2006.  I'm just kidding, I never played in the WSOP.  But I did go watch in 2006.  The event was held at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and I just happened to be in Vegas while it was taking place.  Of course, there are so many events that it runs from May to July so the chances of being there at the same time are pretty good.  I wasn't there for the Main Event, but I was there for one of the other big events so I got to see a lot of famous players sitting at the tables.  I even happened to meet Scotty Nguyen out in the convention area!  The poker players out there know who that is and are probably jealous.  It was a big thrill for me.  Anyway, it was fun to go down there and walk around and watch some poker.  I got a bunch of free shirts and stuff from the vendors in the convention area, and I bought this pin, too.  It's a cool reminder of a fun experience.

Pin #145: Disneyland Entrance Plaque

This is my favorite pin.  I absolutely love it!  It is a replica of the entrance plaque that guests pass under when entering Main Street in Disneyland.  I read it every time I go to Disneyland and it just ramps up my excitement.  I love the mood it sets as you get ready to enter the park, and the hints at the different lands you are about to enter.  It's classic and simple and perfect.  As soon as I saw this pin I knew I had to have it.  It was released during Disneyland's 45th anniversary, as evidenced by the dates hanging from the plaque.  Once I bought it I put it in pretty much the center of my board because I wanted it to be the centerpiece of my collection.  It may not be the most valuable or most rare pin I own, but it's my favorite and I love showcasing it.

Pin #144: Seattle

I bought this pin during my only trip to Seattle in 2007.  It features the Seattle skyline including the Space Needle.  While the Seattle skyline is nice, I'm not sure it warrants a photo pin.  Looking at this pin now, I don't know why I bought it.  I'm sure I was probably just itching to buy pins and saw one with the Space Needle on it, so I bought it.  But it's really kind of a bland pin.  I have much better pins from that trip.

Pin #143: University of Arizona

This is the first UA pin I ever bought.  If I remember correctly, I bought it during my first visit to campus.  I was touring the school as a high school junior as I started the process of figuring out where I would go to college.  It is really hard not to fall in love with the UA campus when you visit, especially when you go in April.  A little over a year later, I was starting my freshman year.  And I've acquired a few more pins from the school since then.  But this was my first.  I wanted a memento from my visit in case I didn't end up attending the school, although deep down I knew this was where I would end up.  I love this pin.  I love my school.  Bear Down!

Pin #142: Country Music Hall of Fame

This is a pin from the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.  I've never actually been there, nor have I been to Nashville, but my dad has.  And I think that's who gave me this pin.  If it wasn't my dad then it was my aunt.  I don't remember exactly.  Either way, it's a pin I would buy if I did visit.  It's simple, but would serve as a good reminder of the trip.  Even though I'm not a country fan, I would like to visit Nashville and the Hall of Fame, if nothing else to just get another pin.

Pin #141: Tommy Davis Batting Champ

This is probably my least favorite of my Dodgers giveaway pins.  It recognizes Tommy Davis as Batting Champ in 1962 and 1963.  First of all, Tommy Davis isn't exactly the most well known Dodger, and second, the pin is kind of boring.  It's almost like they ran out of ideas for pins and just put this together to fill a spot.  Either way, I'm not one to turn down a free pin.

Pin #140: Bella Notte

This is another pin from the Magical Musical Moments series released in 2002.  It features one of the most famous scenes from any Disney movie, Lady and the Tramp eating spaghetti while Tony serenades them.  In case you didn't know, Bella Notte is the name of the song from that scene.  I don't know anyone who doesn't love this scene, and I'm sure many of you have tried to recreate it.  It is so wonderful, and that is why I had to buy this pin when it came out.

Pin #139: Pearl Harbor

I bought this pin during my visit to Pearl Harbor in 1998.  I know it's hard to see the inscription around the edge, but it says, "USS Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941-1998".  Visiting Pearl Harbor is a very powerful experience.  If you've never been, you should.  It represents one of the most important moments in the history of our country.  When I was younger I was really fascinated by the history of this event and I read countless books about it.  So getting to actually go visit was a big deal for me.  And I love having this pin on my board.  It's not only a reminder of my visit, but a reminder of the event.