Pin #308: 2004 Rose Bowl

This is a pin from the 2004 Rose Bowl featuring Michigan and USC.  I actually went to this game and it was probably my favorite Rose Bowl.  The game itself was pretty good, but John Williams was the Grand Marshall of the Rose Parade and he conducted the bands in performing the Star Spangled Banner.  That was really cool.  Also, seeing Michigan's band perform was awesome.  They are really good, and I enjoyed seeing the floating M.  As for the pin itself, it's a pretty standard Rose Bowl pin.

Pin #307: USS Constitution Museum

I got this pin at the USS Constitution Museum during my trip to Boston in 2008.  I have to say this was one of the coolest stops on my trip.  I was thoroughly fascinated by the ship and the various exhibits in the museum.  And we found it almost by accident too, but I'm really glad we did.  Plus, I really like the thumbtack design of the pin.

Pin #306: Atlanta Olympics McDonald's

Anyone who has watched the Olympics over the past 20 years or so knows that McDonald's is an official sponsor.  I find that a little ironic because I don't know what Olympic athlete eats McDonald's regularly, but that's beside the point.  This pin shows various McDonald's foods around the Earth.  It's kind of a fun pin.

Pin #305: I Love Needlework

Clearly I got this pin in 1999 or sometime thereafter.  However, I did not get it because I love needlework.  I've never done needlework before in my life, but my mom has and I'm pretty sure she got this pin somewhere and passed it on to me.  While I have nothing against needlework, it would be a lie to say I love it.  That's why I think this pin is probably the strangest one I have.

Pin #304: Friend Like Me

This is yet another pin from the Magical Musical Moments series.  This one represents the song, "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin, and features the Genie and Aladdin.  I believe this was a gift because I don't remember buying this one and it isn't a song that is particularly high on my list of favorites.

Pin #303: Susana Knolls Little League

I know this pin is hard to see in the picture, but it is a pin from the Little League I played in when I was a kid.  It has the standard Little League logo in the middle with the words Susana Knolls Little League around the edge.  I assume it was given to families in the league one year, but I don't know which year.

Pin #302: University of Oregon

This is another pin that my aunt got me after her move to Oregon.  Apparently, I decided to put the UO and OSU pins near each other on my board.  I'm not sure why.  But at least this pin has a little bit of color.

Pin #301: Oregon State University

After my aunt moved to Oregon, she came across a bunch of Oregon pins that she sent to me.  This is one of them, from Oregon State University.  I'll be honest, it's kind of a boring pin, but maybe I would feel different if I was an alum of OSU.

Pin #300: Athens Olympics Columns

This is one of the most well designed Olympic pins I have because it actually showcases some of the history of the host city.  The pin evokes the image of the Parthenon, one of the most famous landmarks in Athens.  As far as Athens Olympics pins go, this one is probably my favorite.  Plus, it has the honor of being the 300th pin I've cataloged so far!

Pin #299: Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District

My first job was as a counselor for summer day camps and after school clubs for the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD).  This is where I met a lot of great friends, many of whom I am still friends with today.  I actually started as a camper before I got hired in high school.  I have many fond memories of my time there.  When I hit the five year mark of my employment they gave me this pin.  I believe that fifth year ended up being my last as well.  But this pin serves as a reminder of the wonderful times spent there, and I am grateful for that.

Pin #298: Beauty and the Beast

I got this pin as a perk for pre-ordering the Platinum Edition DVD.  I also got four lithographs and another pin, that was featured earlier in the blog.  This pin features the same picture that is on the cover of the DVD.  It was totally worth pre-ordering to get two pins and the lithographs, which are really cool.

Pin #297: Colorado Rockies

I got this pin shortly after the Rockies first season in 1993.  I remember being very excited to get it because this was a new team and a new pin.  The pin also features the mascot, Digger.  The Rockies mascot is a triceratops because they found a triceratops skeleton when digging up the site to build their ballpark.  I've always thought that was a neat fact.  Anyway, back to the pin, I don't remember who gave it to me, but I think it was my mom.  I'd love to go to Colorado and see a game and get a new pin as well.

Pin #296: Athens Olympics US Flag

This is a very nicely designed pin.  It has clean lines, bright colors, and a good layout.  You get the Athens Olympics logo in the top left, the USA logo underneath it, and the US flag on the right side.  It really is a nice looking pin.  And it came with all my other Athens Olympics pins.

Pin #295: First Dodgers Game in LA

Well, this is the last of my Dodgers pin, which is ironic because it commemorates the first game in LA.  Many people don't remember that the Dodgers first played at the Coliseum before Dodger Stadium was built.  This pin shows the facade of the Coliseum with the Dodgers logo.  It's a classy looking pin.

Pin #294: USA Olympic Team Flag

It clearly had been far too long since my last US Olympic pin, so here's another one.  This one is kind of neat because it looks like a flowing flag.  I like the star and stripes and then the Olympic rings.  Again, I don't remember exactly when or where I got this one, but it probably came with many of the other Olympics pins I have.

Pin #293: Star Wars Spectacular Rose Parade

In 2007, in honor of Star Wars 30th Anniversary, the Rose Parade had a section called the Star Wars Spectacular.  There were two floats designed as the moons of Endor and Naboo, and the 501st Stormtrooper Legion marched.  Plus, George Lucas was the Grand Marshall of the parade.  As a total Star Wars nerd, I was very excited, and I got this pin to commemorate it.  I like the pin because it is very understated. The simple black background allows the stormtrooper profile to really stand out.  And the rose logo is displayed beautifully as usual.  Definitely one of the cooler Rose Parade pins I have.

Pin #292: Indiana Jones Adventure

This is a pin from the Indiana Jones Adventure ride at Disneyland.  I didn't buy it immediately after the ride came out, but once I realized I didn't have a pin for this ride, I started looking for one.  I really liked this one when I saw it because of the snake and the jeep.

Pin #291: Orioles vs Red Sox

When I took my first, and as yet, only, trip to Camden Yards in 2008, I looked for a pin to commemorate my visit.  For some odd reason they didn't sell any pins that just advertised the ballpark.  The only pins they had were those related to the current series between the Orioles and Red Sox.  I thought that was very weird, but I didn't want to leave without a pin of some sort, so I bought this one because I liked the look of it.

Pin #290: Back to the Future The Ride

I totally remember buying this pin.  When Back to the Future The Ride opened at Universal Studios in the early 90s, it was a really big deal.  Not only was Back to the Future a popular movie, but the ride was advertised as an immersive experience that would take riders through time.  As a fan of the movie and rides, I couldn't wait to try it.  Soon after it opened I went and waited over an hour in line to ride it.  I absolutely loved it!  Over the years, I rode the ride countless times, memorizing the dialogue and learning which level was the best for viewing.  I was really sad when I found out the ride was closing.  I don't like the new Simpsons ride nearly as much.  Anyway, on my first visit after it opened, I found this pin and bought it.  It's a cool looking pin featuring the time traveling DeLorean.  It is a nice reminder of one of my favorite amusement park rides.

Pin #289: Texas Rangers

This is a funny pin from the Texas Rangers.  It's a star, representing a badge wearing a cowboy hat with the team logo and boots.  It's very representative of Texas and the team.  I don't recall exactly when or where I got this pin.  I think someone brought it back for me from a trip to Dallas.  I know I've never been to Dallas.  One day I will, though.

Pin #288: Tombstone

One day during my senior year of college or shortly thereafter, some friends and I decided to take an impromptu trip to Tombstone for the day.  It was the first time any of us had ever been there.  As an Old West buff I thought it was pretty cool.  We say the OK Corral, ate at Big Nose Kate's, and basically got sucked into any other tourist traps there were down there.  And naturally, I bought this pin, which I really like.  The cards and pistols are a very nice touch.

Pin #287: Minnesota's State Bird

Apparently the state bird of Minnesota is the mosquito.  I've been told that's an inside joke for those who live there.  My mom used to live in Minnesota and she says it's a pretty common saying.  And I think my mom got me this pin when she went there for a trip.  I know I didn't buy it during my trip to Minnesota.  It's kind of a funny and unique pin to have, though.

Pin #286: Little League 50th Anniversary

I'm assuming this pin was given to everyone who played in Susana Knolls Little League in 1989 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Little League Baseball.  It features the Little League mascot, Dugout, as well.  It's a nice pin to have for historic and personal reasons.

Pin #285: Simi High Academic Award

Yes, I won an academic award in high school.  And, yes, they gave out pins to recognize that accomplishment.  I was a smart kid.  I never tried to hide that, and I still don't.  And even though I didn't have the greatest high school experience, I still keep this pin as a reminder of the things I accomplished.

Pin #284: Remember 9-11

I don't think I have to explain why this pin is cool.  It's a powerful reminder and remembrance of a tragic event.  I don't remember exactly where I got this pin, but I'm proud to have it.

Pin #283: Mammoth

This is a pin from Mammoth Ski Resort in California featuring Snoopy skiing.  I've had this pin a long time.  I have vague memories of going to Mammoth when I was a young kid in the 80s, but I haven't been since.  I don't remember how I got this pin, and it was likely that my parents got it from something and just gave it to me, but I've had it forever.

Pin #282: UA Alumnus

I got this pin upon graduating from the University of Arizona's College of Education.  It's obviously one of my favorites because of the good memories it brings up.  Graduating from college is one of my proudest moments and this pin is a reminder of that, so it always makes me smile.  Bear Down!

Pin #281: 50th Anniversary Castle

The pin selection during Disneyland's 50th anniversary was amazing.  There were so many cool pins to choose from.  It was really hard to narrow it down.  I ended up gravitating toward castle pins, like this one.  I love images of the castle, and this one was really cool looking with the 50 in the middle and the blue on gold.  Plus, I liked the Happiest Homecoming dangle.