Hard Rock Headache

Back in high school, my boyfriend at the time went to Washington DC on a school trip. He brought me back a beanie baby from the Hard Rock Cafe. I didn't really think too much about it and it ended up getting tossed aside. The following year, I went on a choir trip to Dallas, TX. On that trip, we stopped at the Hard Rock again. I was debating buying another beanie baby and one of my friends said that I should buy it and make it a goal to get one from every Hard Rock that there is. 

Fast forward to 2010. While studying abroad in the fall of 2009, I increased my collection of beanie babies. Prior to studying abroad, I collected Cozumel, Mexico; Myrtle Beach, SC; London, England; and Maui, HI (which was a gift). While studying in Europe, I also got Rome, Italy; Munich, Germany; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Prague, Czech Republic. Then when I got back, I also added Indianapolis, IN and San Antonio, TX. Needless to say, I have quite a few places to go before I collect all of them, right? WRONG! Because they stopped making them! They were so cute, too. 


Ok, to be honest, they aren't that cute, but they are a great collectors item. I found out about them no longer making it last February when I was in Chicago, IL. I met a friend of mine there for dinner and he was running late so I hit the gift shop. I looked and looked but couldn't find this dang bear. Finally, I broke down and asked the guy running the shop. He looked at me like I had three heads and asked if I meant this...

Now was my turn to look at him like he had three heads. I almost settled for it but I decided that they looked way too creepy. And now, as I look on the Hard Rock webpage, I see no stuffed creatures of any kind. No offense, Hard Rock, but pins are way too easy to lose and drinking glasses break way too easily. Speaking of those, never wash a Hard Rock glass in the dishwasher. The logo comes off. Now I guess I will just have to figure out what I'm going to use as my checklist for hitting all of the Hard Rock Cafes across the world.