Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Today I found $1.32. . . 5 nickels, 8 dimes, 1 quarter, and 7 pennies (the glorious change cycle).

You could have knocked me over with a feather if you had told me about the success I would have today. I didn’t make my first find until about 5:00pm as I was driving (quite late) to the ballpark. I stopped at a car wash in Tomball, TX and found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies). At another car wash I found two cents. At the ballpark, where I had to pay for parking (only 10 cents, but it still bothered me) I found one penny by a meter. I felt better when I got to the door to wait for the gates to open and I overheard three people talking about what they paid for parking. One guy was bragging because he parked in a $5 lot. The other two had paid $15 and $25, but I was still irked, especially when I saw a free space open by the ballpark that I was sure would have a car parked in it by the late hour when I arrived.

On my way home I stopped at a McDonalds drive-thru and I found a penny. My final stop, and most profitable, was the Kwick Kar Wash. I found $1.21 in change (one quarter, five nickels, seven dimes, & one penny). One of the dimes and the penny were on the ground by a trash can. The rest of the change was sitting on top of a trash can by a vacuum cleaner. How or why someone left all this change I might never know, and at this late hour I will not speculate.

An interesting side note would be that I believe, although I have not confirmed, that today was the first time in the Race of the Century that I have found more of a silver coin (nickels, dimes, quarters) than pennies. Today also marks the eighth day in a row that I have found at least one nickel, the hardest coin to find.

On the autograph front I managed four Cincinnatti Reds autographs, the only one that was notable was Adam Dunn. I also got Astros pitcher John Franco to sign a single ball for me. Mr. Franco recognized me from Spring Training and came over to chat. I hit him with the autograph request as he was about to leave, but he graciously signed. After the game I saw Ken Griffey, Jr. walk out, wearing a VERY ugly shirt, but he did not choose to sign for me. This is not unusual for Mr. Griffey, who is not the most fan friendly player in the world.

_____________________________________________

May Monthly Report:

This month I found 567 pennies, 46 nickels, 68 dimes, 31 quarters, and 2 $20 bills (the $40 in paper money do not count towards the daily totals).

Total Found: $22.47
Change Cycle Days:13
Dollar Days: 9
Monthly Low: 16 cents (May 12th)
Monthly High: $2.02 (May 6th)
Daily Average: 72.5 cents

Totals for the day: $1.32
Race Totals: $70.54

Monday, May 30, 2005

Today I found 66 cents. . . 1 nickel, 4 dimes, and 21 pennies.

Today was my last day of walking my neighbor’s dog, and it was a profitable one. I walked him over to the car wash station located in the apartments next door and I found 34 cents (one nickel, two dimes, and nine pennies). It was clear that 12 of those cents were new deposits, as they were located on the cement and had not been there for a long time. However, the remaining change was found in the grass and it had been there for quite some time. I’m a bit disappointed in myself for missing it the last time I checked there, which was earlier in the week.

Later in the day Bailey, my friend Tara, and I attended the Astros game against the Cincinnati Reds. Roger Clemens was on the mound for the Astros and pitched well. However, after he left the Astros gave up seven runs in the 8th inning and lost the game 9-0. While searching for some season ticket stubs I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). The penny was in the club level and the dime was on the field level on the third base side.

Driving home with Tara I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 16 cents (one dime & six pennies). At the Sonic next door I found five cents (all pennies).

The Astros had little league day at the ballpark, which I always dread. It’s great for the kids who get to parade around the field so it is worthwhile, but it creates an environment were there are a lot of rookie fans saying and doing stupid things. Further, the more paying customers that attend mean less good seats for people like me. Finally, it means there is no batting practice, which is when I get my autographs. Notwithstanding the difficulties I still managed one Reds autograph, but the player was so unknowable that his name will go unmentioned.

Totals for the day: 66 cents
Race Totals: $69.22

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Today I found 34 cents. . . 3 nickels, 1 dime, and 9 pennies.

This morning I had to make yet another post office run, but I did some change searching along the way. At a car wash, where I have found change before but I don’t think it actually has a name, I found eight cents (one nickel & three pennies). The pennies were on the ground and the nickel was in the change return slot of a coke machine. At another car wash nearby, name also unknown, I found a single penny.

On the way back from the post office I went to a McDonalds and found six cents in the drive-thru (one penny & one nickel). The penny was embedded in some tar and I had to pry it out with a pocket knife, which I was fortunate to have on me at the time. Feeling the fast food calling I checked a Wendys, Bailey’s change girlfriend because she is always so good to him, and I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) in the drive-thru. A Burger King drive-thru contributed five cents, a dull looking nickel which I gladly accepted.

My final finds of the day were both single pennies, on in the morning at a Jack-in-the-Box drive-thru and the other at Cheveron. The Cheveron penny was on the ground were I stopped to let my friend Susan out of the car so she could go in and purchase various items that she needed.

Today the Astros beat the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee. This marks the first time this year that the Astros have won a road series. At this blistering pace that they are setting I’m sure they will be at or near .500 by mid August. Go ‘Stros!

Totals for the day: 34 cents
Race Totals: $68.56

Saturday, May 28, 2005

Today I found 75 cents. . . 1 nickel, 3 dimes, 1 quarter, and 15 pennies (the exalted change cycle).

I had a string of single penny finds to start the day. I found the copper Lincoln in my apartment parking lot, a McDonalds drive-thru, by a water fountain at Kroger, at a Jack-in-the-Box drive-thru, and in an Arby’s parking lot. Mailing out a package I found five cents (one nickel) in the stamp machine change return slot at the local post office. I also swung into a local car wash and found eight cents (eight pennies) scattered about on the ground. I keep forgetting to keep track of how many pennies I find heads up vs. heads down, but I’m sure I’ll remember at one point to do this and I will report the results.

In the afternoon I went downtown to meet with Bailey for lunch. While waiting for Bailey to arrive I found 10 cents (one dime) by a parking meter. After lunch I checked a few more parking meters and I found 25 cents (one very dirty quarter).

Driving home from lunch I stopped at a Sonic on FM 1960 and found 22 cents (two dimes & two pennies). Earlier today Bailey tried to talk his way into receiving a 99 cent ice cream sunday to Sonic without actually having the coupon required for this special. His request was denied, so felt good that I was able to take back a little something from Sonic. I mean come on, who would deny a man a 99 cent ice cream sunday on such a beautiful day?

Finally, Happy Birthday to my friend Patti in New Jersey! Patti and I once faked a marriage to get a discount on a cruise we took together. Any chick that can pull off a fake marriage with me for a week is very cool. I was just happy she didn't want a fake divorce and real alimony by the end of the week.

Totals for the day: 75 cents
Race Totals: $68.22

Friday, May 27, 2005

Today I found $20.72. . .2 nickels, 2 dimes, 1 quarter, 17 pennies, and a $20 bill (the stellar change cycle). Sadly, the $20 bill is not change and therefore does not count towards the daily totals. Thus, the daily totals for today will really reflect a find of 72 cents.

I did not begin my change searching until after work. Driving to lunch I had seen a Sonic that I had never checked before, but my two co-workers, already miffed with my choice of BBQ for lunch, would have none of it. After work I drove right back to the Sonic, but first I stopped at a Chick-Fil-A that was right next door. At the Chick-Fil-A I found three cents in the parking lot. Once at the Sonic I promptly spotted the $20 bill on the ground in an unattended parking space along the front of the store. There were no cars within three spaces of the bill, and I can only speculate that someone opened their car door to order their food on the patio and the bill dropped to the ground. Sad for them, but happy for me. I also found 11 cents at the Sonic (one nickel & six pennies).

Continuing home I stopped at the King Suds Car Wash in Tomball, TX and found three cents by a change machine. There were multiple signs pointing to the machine that simply read “Change,” so I thought it appropriate that I should find change at that location.

I went to Kroger, a local grocery store, and as I was walking in a woman was bending down to pick up some change. She looked at me, smiled, and said, “seven cents.” I was distraught, but my sadness would not last long as I found 10 cents (one dime) on the top of a change machine. I wanted to find the woman and apprise her of my find, but she was gone by the time I made it back to the door.

For kicks I decided to stop at another Kroger along the way home and I found 42 cents (one quarter, one nickel, one dime, and two pennies). The nickel was on the ground in the self-checkout line and the rest of the change, save one penny, had fallen on the ground by the change sorting machine. The aforementioned penny that was not on the ground was located in the change return slot of the same machine.

In the evening I went down the street to Cheveron to purchase a drink. It was a nice evening so I walked there. Exiting the store with my blue flavored Gatoraid I spotted and retrieved three pennies that were all resting against the side of the building.

I would like to note that had Bailey and I decided to count dollar bills this change race would officially be over today, as I have found two $20 bills in the past two weeks. However, as Bailey noted when I apprised him of this, “We don’t.” Obviously, this was the agreed upon terms so I only mention this as a point of interest.

Totals for the day: 72 cents
Race Totals: $67.47

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Today I found $1.51. . .1 nickel, 3 dimes, 4 quarters, and 16 pennies (the bonzer change cycle).

For the next few days I am dog sitting for my neighbor. This is only fair since he feeds my fish when I jaunt off for my multiple vacations. Anyhow, while walking the dog this morning I found a penny in my apartment complex along the fence line in some dirt. Continuing the walk I went to the car wash area of our neighboring apartment complex and found 37 cents (one quarter, one dime, & two pennies) on the ground by the car wash station.

Driving to lunch this afternoon I stopped at a Sonic and found four cents on the ground in parking spaces. I also went to Kroger, a local grocery store, to pick up a birthday card for a friend, and found eight cents (one nickel & three pennies). The nickel was in a pay phone coin return slot and the pennies were on the ground in the self checkout lane. On my way home this afternoon I stopped at another Sonic and found 23 cents (two dimes & three pennies) in various locations in the parking lot.

This evening I met Bailey at KFC were we sampled the new boneless buffalo chicken wings. They were delicious. Also delicious was the fact that while driving to meet Bailey I found two cents in the road at a stoplight and 26 cents (one quarter & one penny) at KFC. The penny was in the parking lot and the quarter was in the drive-thru lane. Driving home I ventured to Starbucks, where I have never once drank their coffee (by virtue of the fact that I don’t actually drink coffee). However, I am a fan of their drive-thrus, and today was no exception as I found 50 cents (two quarters) in the aforementioned drive-thru.

Totals for the day: $1.51
Race Totals: $66.75

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Today I found 29 cents. . .2 nickels and 19 pennies.

On my way to an appointment this morning I stopped at a car wash (car washes are becoming quite predictable in terms of change being found, and I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing) and I found eight cents (all pennies). A short time later a Sonic in Tomball, TX contributed three cents to my finds for the day. Prior to lunch I was driving down the road and was stopped at a red light and I found one penny in the road.

After work I had some stops to make and the first one was for gas, as my tank was on empty. I’m not sure if this is a good sign, but I found a Shell station with $1.91 gas (I fondly remember driving through Georgia in 1999 and becoming outraged when I saw that a certain gas station was charging 89 cents a gallon for gas. I promptly drove down the road and found it for 83 cents. My, how times have changed). Anyway, as I was leaving Shell I saw two pennies on the ground by the exit. I stopped the car, exited, retrieved the pennies, and then merged onto the road.

After going to the bank, which was open today, I had to go to the post office. On the way I checked a Taco Bell drive-thru and found four cents and a Sonic where I found six cents (all pennies). My final find of the day was a nickel in the change return of a stamp machine at the post office.

Today the Astros are playing the Cubs at Wrigley Field. If they lose (last I checked in on the game they were up 1-0, but I’m sure that won’t hold) they will tie the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the worst road start in modern day Major League history. I’m an Astros fan, but the way I see it if we are going to be bad we might as well be record bad. Tonight I shall be rooting for history.

Totals for the day: 29 cents
Race Totals: $65.24

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Today I found 69 cents. . .1 dime, 1 quarter, 3 nickels, and 19 pennies (the memorizing change cycle). I also found pennies from Great Britain and the Cayman Islands. Sadly, the foreign pennies do not count towards the daily totals.

Today was an office day, and to make matters worse it was a day where I had to attend a meeting. Government meetings basically all go the same; lots of people have nothing to say and they take a lot of time doing it. The fact that I survived with some semblance of sanity speaks highly of my coping skills. I didn’t have a lot of time in the morning to change search, but I did find single pennies in the road on the way to work (at a stoplight that was red) and at a drive-thru for McDonalds.

It was after 5:30pm when I left work and I was only sitting on two cents for the day. Was this the day that I would not break 10 cents? Not likely. Needing some change I went to reliable Sonic, where after an intensive search I found nine cents (one nickel & four pennies). Next door was the Kwick Kar Wash where I discovered seven cents (all pennies) scattered about the ground.

Later in the evening I had to go to the post office and on the way I checked a McDonalds drive-thru and found 38 cents (one quarter, one dime, and three pennies). I also went to Randalls, a local grocery store, to use the bank that is always open late. Sadly, the bank was not open. Happily, the change sorting machine had some goodies for me. In the return slot, and on the floor, I found 13 cents (two nickels & three pennies).

The change sorting machine is also where I found the pennies from Great Britain and the Cayman Islands. The British penny is slightly larger than a US penny, and the Cayman Island penny is slightly smaller. The foreign pennies will be added to my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of the plethora of things rated “not change” (the US kind) that have been found during the last 101 days.

Totals for the day: 69 cents
Race Totals: $64.95

Monday, May 23, 2005

Today I found $20.33. . .1 quarter, 8 pennies, and a $20 bill. Sadly, as the $20 bill is not change it will not count towards the daily totals. Thus, a more accurate statement would be, today I found 33 cents that will count towards the daily totals.

Two car washes this morning gave me two cents each (for a total of four cents). Driving down State Highway 6 I saw a car wash that I had never stopped at before. I had already driven past it, and as I was running on a tight schedule I considered just letting it go. However, driving by a car wash without stopping is somewhat akin to kicking a person who is choking, so around I turned to pay the newly discovered car wash a visit.

My decision was promptly rewarded as I found 28 cents (one quarter & three pennies). Checking the ground in the front of the carwash I spied the $20 bill in a pile of trash and junk that had blown into the corner. This was an unattended car wash, and there was not a sole in site. I thus decided that the $20 was fair game and added it to my empty wallet. This marks the first time during the change race that I have actually found paper money, but the rules of the contest are clear: only change counts towards the daily totals. It is disappointing, but we live in a society of rules so I must accept that.

At the post office this evening I found one penny in the change return slot of a stamp machine. It was minted in 1969 and I smiled, remembering Bailey’s fondness for all coins ending in 69. Perhaps I will offer to trade it to him for $20 in pennies that he promises to throw on the ground in my apartment complex.

Totals for the day: 33 cents
Race Totals: $64.26

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Today I found $1.18. . .1 nickel, 6 dimes, 1 quarter, and 28 pennies (the apocryphal change cycle). I also found a 9 pesos and a 10 cent piece from Singapore. Sadly, the foreign coinage will not count towards the daily totals.

Early this morning I set out for some chores and did some change finding. A Starbucks drive-thru gave me my first find of the day in the form of 16 cents (one dime & six pennies). Morning finds were also recorded at a Taco-Bell drive-thru where I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies), a Chinese restaurant drive-thru were I found a penny, a Boston Market drive-thru where I found 13 cents (one dime & three pennies), and a Kroger where I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies). The finds at Kroger were in three locations; the dime was found in a change sorting machine, the penultimate penny was on the ground by a self checkout line, and the final penny was on the ground by a regular check out line.

In the afternoon I had to go to the grocery store and I found a penny in the parking lot and another penny on the ground by a checkout line. Driving to meet Bailey for lunch I checked in at a Sonic and found five cents (all pennies) and a Starbucks drive-thru where I found 17 cents (one dime, one nickel, and two cents).

Today was oppressively hot in Houston (the thermometer on my porch, which is in the shad, read 105 degrees at 4:30 in the afternoon). I intended to go straight home after lunch, but change was calling. I stopped at another Kroger and found two cents, one penny in the parking lot and one in a change sorting machine. The penny in the change sorting machine was a 1941 Wheat Penny. I also checked a McDonalds drive-thru where I had my big find of the day, 38 cents (one quarter, one dime, and three pennies).

The coin sorting machine at Kroger where I found the Wheat Penny was also where I found my foreign coins. They came in the form of a five peso coin, a two peso coin (there were two of them), and a 10 cent coin from Singapore. At current exchange rates these coins are valued at 88 cents (82 cents for the Pesos & six cents for the Singapore coin), but sadly will not count towards my daily totals. Nevertheless, they have already been deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” where they will mingle with other windfalls that have been discovered during the Race of the Century.

Totals for the day: $1.18
Race Totals: $63.93

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Today I found 32 cents . . .3 nickel and 17 pennies. I also found a smushed pin that had the flags of Texas and Alberta, Canad on it and a smushed button to a pair of jeans. Sadly, the smushed items will not count towards the daily totals.

This afternoon my co-worker Stefany and I decided to attend a local gun show to look around and see all the things that make bang noises. On the way there I swung into Sonic and found six cents (one nickel & one penny). I should note at this point that Stefany is not the type of person that takes to new experiences well. She is embarrassed when people use coupons for lunch, so change searching took a toll on her, to say the least.

Notwithstanding Stefany’s objections I searched a local car wash and found three cents. I parked in a bank parking lot and when I opened my car I found one penny. Right next door was a Starbucks drive-thru, where I claimed 10 cents (one nickel & one penny). According to Stefany, who claims this is a true account, when I was stooped down by the window the clerk opened the window and gave her a strange look. He did not see me, but he did see her sitting in the parking lot. I’m not sure if I trust Stefany’s version of this story, but it is noted for the sake of presenting possible facts.

After parking for the gun show I found a penny in the road and another penny that had been flattened by the light rail track. The road penny gives Bailey a run for his money in terms of being quite destroyed. Heading home I stopped at a final car wash and found 10 cents (one nickel & five pennies). I had just found the five pennies and was driving away when the nickel caught my attention. I stopped the car and claimed it.

The smushed button from a pair of jeans and the smushed pin were both found in the parking lot of the Reliant Center in Houston, TX. Although they do not count towards the daily totals both will be added to my “Not Change Cup,” holding numerous artifacts and rarities that have been discovered in the search for change.

Totals for the day: 32 cents
Race Totals: $62.75

Friday, May 20, 2005

Today I found 27 cents . . .1 nickel and 22 pennies.

Sad to admit, but today was just a boring day of change searching. I found five cents (all pennies) at the Kwick Kar Wash and four cents at the Sonic next door. A little further down the road I found six cents (all pennies) at a McDonalds drive-thru. I was on the cell phone with my co-worker Jennifer when I found the six pennies. She was able to share my joy regarding the finds as I declared in the middle of our conversation, “Ooh, ooh, a penny.”

I stopped at the bank on the way to work and the gentleman in front of me dropped a nickel as he retrieved some checks from his pocket. I alerted him to the dropped nickel, but he did not seem concerned. As he left I bent down and retrieved it, adding it to my collection.

On the way home I stopped at Cheveron for a drink and found nothing. However, a Taco Bell parking lot next door afforded me seven cents (all pennies).

Totals for the day: 27 cents
Race Totals: $62.43

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Today I found 66 cents . . .2 quarters and 16 pennies.

It was another day of work in the office for me today so prior to arriving at work I decided to do some serious change searching. I checked the Kwick Kar Wash and found five cents (all pennies) and the Sonic next door where I found three cents. This was certainly not enough so I pulled into a Chevron gas station and found four cents on the ground by some gas pumps. At this particular Cheveron there is a McDonalds so I took a stroll through the drive-thru and found 28 cents (one quarter & three pennies).

At the ballpark this afternoon I found one penny by the visitor’s dugout. I’m not sure how it got there since I was one of the first people down to that section and it was already there. Perhaps it was dropped by an usher prior to the gates opening. After the game I searched for ticket stubs and found 25 cents (one quarter) in section 110, which is located down the third base line.

The Astros, following their normal routine, lost this evening. I won’t bother with the details of the game, but they had five errors and Roger Clemens gave up three runs in the first inning. I didn’t need many autographs so the selection of players to ask was small. I managed only three signatures; Kerry Lightenberg, Greg Aquino, and Arizona Diamondback’s coach Brett Butler. Mr. Butler signed a single ball for me and put a smiley face next to his signature. At least one person was happy at the ballpark this evening.

Totals for the day: 66 cents
Race Totals: $62.16

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Today I found 41 cents . . .1 dime, 1 quarter, and 6 pennies.

On my way to work I checked in at a car wash on FM 1960 and found one penny. I also found a dime at a Taco-Bell drive-thru. At lunch my co-worker Jennifer and I took a scenic drive for her to do some clandestine surveillance on a location. As we drove through an undisclosed area of Houston I spied another car wash. Jennifer was slightly on edge as we were not in the best of areas, but she graciously agreed to stop as I checked for change. I’m glad she did, because I found 29 cents (one quarter & four pennies). As we drove back to the office Jennifer stopped for gas and I checked the inside of the Shell station. I found one penny on the ground by the door.

The Astros lost this evening, per their usual 2005 routine. It was sad as this was Andy Pettitte’s 300th career start. He got hammered and the Astros managed to end the 9th inning with the bases loaded and the go ahead run on 2nd base. Typical. On the autograph front I acquired seven Arizona Diamondbacks. Notable autographs for the day include Luis Gonzalez, Jose Cruz Jr, and Javier Vazquez. I also got Astros pitcher John “AARP” Franco to sign my team picture. I had asked him yesterday but it was too close to the start of the game. He told me he would sign for me if I came over to the bullpen before the game. I did and he did. At his age I was slightly worried that he might forget, but he did not.

Totals for the day: 41 cents
Race Totals: $61.50

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Today I found 40 cents . . .1 nickel, 2 dimes, and 15 pennies.

This morning on my way to an appointment I hit a trifecta of car washes, but with limited results. I found a total of seven cents (all pennies). On my way home this afternoon I stopped at a Sonic and found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). I found single pennies at an Arby’s drive-thru, on the ground in a parking lot, and on the floor at Wal-Mart where I had to go to return some keys that had been made the day before. Apparently Wal-Mart used the wrong blank so the keys did not fit in my door.

I found two pennies on the ground in close proximity to a change counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store. My big find of the day was at Chic-Fila where I found 17 cents (one dime, one nickel, and two pennies) on the ground by a drive-thru window.

The Astros actually won again tonight, 3-0, their second shut-out in a row. I wish this was a sign of things to come, but sadly I can’t predict that it is. On the autograph front I added six autographs to the seven Arizona Diamondbacks autographs that I had acquired on April 15th in Washington, DC. Notable autographs for the day include Craig Counsell, Quinton McCracken, and Tony Clark.

Totals for the day: 40 cents
Race Totals: $61.09

Monday, May 16, 2005

Today I found 29 cents . . .2 dimes and 9 pennies.

Much excitement was had today, but first I shall discuss the daily finds. On my way home I stopped at a Taco-Ball drive-thru and found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). The Kwick Kar Wash provided me with two cents and another car wash provided me with 11 cents (one dime & one penny). I found four cents at Sonic where I stopped for dinner and one penny by a check out line at Wal-Mart.

Today I went to the Craig Biggio Sunshine Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament. I have never played golf so I was just there for autographs. This is a tricky place to get autographs as it is a private golf course, a private event, and lots of security. Dressed in my best I proudly walked passed security with a baseball in my pocket and the team picture hidden in my shirt. Right off the bat I got Roy Oswalt (on my team picture) and Andy Pettitte (on a t-shirt that I acquired for my co-worker Stefany). Then I saw Roger Clemens and approached him for an autograph. This is when things got dicey.

Mr. Clemens rebuffed my request, per his normal routine, and as I was walking away a security guard told me I had to leave. I explained that I was entered in the Tournament and was a golfer, a little white lie as I was not a golfer and certainly not in the tournament. He did not buy this explanation, but I managed to convince him that it was true. A friend of mine was playing in the tournament so I went over to him and asked if I could ride in his golf cart until we got onto the course, at which point I would position myself by a hole and wait for people to come by. All other autograph seekers had already been run off by security, so I was proud that I managed to stay this long.

Sadly, my friend already had someone in his golf cart, but right next to him was Mr. Calvin “Baton Twirling” Murphy, NBA Hall-of-Famer. Knowing that I needed to be in a golf cart immediately I asked Mr. Murphy if I could ride with him and watch his group play. Mr. Murphy didn’t miss a step and invited me to join his group. I ended up playing 18 holes of golf with Mr. Murphy and had a great time. Halfway through the course Mr. Murphy received a telephone call from his friend, Mr. Bill Cosby. They chatted and then we all had the chance to talk with Mr. Cosby via telephone. Sadly, I never did get Roger Clemens to sign for me, but I did get Mr. Murphy, who ended up giving me his cell phone number and the invitation to play golf with him in the future. Wonderful day.

Totals for the day: 29 cents
Race Totals: $60.69

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Today I found 28 cents . . .2 nickels, 1 dime, and 8 pennies.

On my way to the post office this morning I checked in at a local car wash and found three cents. At the Shipley’s donuts drive-thru, strategically located next door, I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). Of course I had to visit Sonic and for my efforts I was rewarded with two cents, not a stellar haul for Sonic, but I will gladly take it. At a nearby Taco Bell drive-thru I found a nickel on the ground in the parking lot. I also found a nickel in the coin return slot for the stamp machine at the post office. My final two cents of the day were on top of a coin counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store.

Success was also had on the autograph front. I only needed a few San Francisco Giants and I got two of them, pitchers Matt Hennessy & Jim Brower. However, my big graph of the day was Astros outfielder Lance “Twinkie” Berkman. Mr. Berkman is always one of the hardest autographs for me to get. He recognizes me and will always sign, but he makes me wait about 50 games into the season to accommodate my request. Today as he left the field after batting practice I yelled, “Twinkie, would you sign my team picture. If you do it now I won’t have to bug you for 50 games.” He went into the dugout but emerged with a smile on his face and said, “Ok, deal.” Others mobbed the scene, but he only signed my picture. Twinkie is a class act.

Totals for the day: 28 cents
Race Totals: $60.40

Saturday, May 14, 2005

Today I found 59 cents . . .2 nickels, 1 dime, 1 quarter, and 14 pennies (the stellar change cycle).

Several days ago I found out that Astros second baseman Craig Biggio would be signing at a local car dealership. I still need Mr. Biggio on my team picture and he is always very hard to get. I decided to pay him a visit at the dealership, but first some change had to be found. On the way down I checked a small car wash and found one penny. I would need to do better than that. Sonic gave me four cents and a nearby Shell gas station provided an additional six cents (all pennies). All of the Shell gas station pennies were found by a vacuum cleaner.

After getting Mr. Biggio to sign my picture, and a rare occasion it was because he smiled and actually talked to me, I went to the ballpark. While waiting for Bailey I checked the ground around some parking meters and found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies). After the game I checked the ground for some ticket stubs and found 25 cents (one quarter). It was on the ground by a torn up ticket in Section 118, directly behind home plate. My final find of the day was 11 cents (one penny & two nickels) at a Whataburger drive-thru where I stopped for a late dinner.

I have already gotten most of the San Francisco Giants to sign my ball, so there were not many left today. I did manage to obtain two signatures, Al Levine and Brent Tomko. Tomorrow should be a slow autograph day as there are so few that I need, but I always welcome a challenge.

Totals for the day: 59 cents
Race Totals: $60.12

Friday, May 13, 2005

Today I found 33 cents . . .2 dimes, and 13 pennies.

Driving home from the ballpark early this morning (it was after 12:45 am by the time I got home) I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found four cents. At the Boston Market drive-thru I found an additional three cents. My final stop of the early morning was Starbucks where I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny).

This morning I had an appointment in El Campo, TX and I hit a small car wash where I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies). I also ate lunch at a Sonic and while waiting for my order I added three cents to my daily total’s.

The Astros lost again, nothing new on that front. Autographs were much better today, so that was an added bonus. I acquired 13 San Francisco Giants signatures; notable among them were Omar Visquel, Jason Schmidt, and Kirk Rueter. I saw Jon Miller, legendary broadcaster and current Sunday Night Baseball analyst, leaving the ballpark and I asked him to pose for a picture with me. He graciously accommodated my request and as we were both from Baltimore he spent some time chatting with me. However, my best autograph of the day was current Astros pitcher Andy “The Knuckle” Pettitte, who signed my team picture prior to the game. My co-worker Stephanie, who is a rather big fan of Mr. Pettitte will surely be jealous.

Totals for the day: 33 cents
Race Totals: $59.53

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Today I found 16 cents . . .1 dime, and 6 pennies.

Driving down the road this morning I came to a stoplight by FM 1960 and I spied 11 cents in the road (one dime & one penny). As the light was red I retrieved the change with little fanfare. Driving through Pearland, TX this morning I spied another penny in the road, but this time there was no red light. I made a mental note and several hours I returned to the scene, parked at a gas station, and retrieved the penny that was still there. About two weeks ago I had seen a quarter in the same spot and returned later only to find it was gone. I was happy the results were more favorable this go around.

On my way to the ballpark I checked a small car wash and found two cents. After the baseball game I found two cents on the sidewalk by the Diamond Club parking lot. I stayed late at the game attempting to assist several co-workers in obtaining Jeff Bagwell’s autograph. While we waited Lesley, a friend of my co-worker Jennifer, regaled us with an amusing antidote regarding Mr. Bagwell. Apparently, several years back she ran into Mr. Bagwell in the parking lot of an Outback Steak House. She did not realize it was Mr. Bagwell and she asked him to take a picture (of her and her friends). Mr. Bagwell, assuming she wanted his picture, began to pose with her. She had to explain to him that she actually wanted him to take their picture. Later, when she realized who he was, a good chuckle was had by all.

I witnessed the Houston Astros lose in miserable style this evening. Right now they are truly a terrible baseball team. Things were not much better on the autograph front, as I managed only seven San Francisco Giant’s autographs. Notable autographs for the day included Moises Alou, Ray Durham and Lance Nikro. I also obtained the autograph of Julio Cesar Chavez, famed Mexican boxer (he threw out the first pitch before the game).

Totals for the day: 16 cents
Race Totals: $59.20

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Today I found $1.17 cents . . .3 nickels, 1 dime, 3 quarters and 17 pennies (the surreal coin cycle).

Unable to sleep for the second night in a row I headed up the road for some late night change searching. This time it was only slightly after 12:30am. The Starbucks by my gym, where I briefly considered going to work out instead of looking for change (which would have been silly, of course), yielded eight cents (one nickel & three pennies). However, next to my car in the parking lot where I had parked I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies).

Before heading home I checked the Burger King drive-thru. There was nothing by the window, but walking back to my car in total darkness I suddenly had a feeling. Not even able to see the ground because of darkness I bent down and found a single penny. Although not as lucrative as previous stops this was quite rewarding, as it illustrated to me that my change radar was kicking into ultra high gear. Suddenly I was tired so homeward I went.

After work I stopped at the Kwick Kar wash and found 54 cents (two quarters & four pennies). Two pennies were found at the Sonic next door. At this point I though I was done for the day, and had actually posted. How wrong I was. Bailey wanted me to meet up with him this evening to deliver some goods. I met with him and then decided to go to the post office to mail some packages. On the way I found seven cents (one nickel & two pennies) at McDonalds, two pennies at a car wash, 30 cents (one quarter & one nickel) at Taco Bell, and one penny at the post office.

Now, onto the important matters for the day. . . Social Security reform and nuclear weapons in North Korea. . . just kidding, let’s talk about Brian joining the $500 club. Yesterday our friend Brian stepped onto hollowed ground by finding a dime and putting himself over $500 since the beginning of his quest. It was only four months ago that I stumbled upon his blog while vacationing in Hawaii. Reading it inspired Bailey and I to start our own quests. For his tireless efforts and change searching abilities Brian has been rewarded. Congratulations, and I am confident in saying that he has achieved such lofty numbers without the aid of steroids, PCP, angel dust, and the other drugs commonly associated with the PCSA (Professional Change Searching Association).

Totals for the day: $1.17
Race Totals: $59.04

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Today I found $1.36 . . .2 nickels, 3 dimes, 3 quarters and 21 pennies (the delusory coin cycle).

I found myself tossing and turning all night so I finally decided that if I couldn’t sleep I might as well be productive. I took a little walk up the road and decided to do some drive-thru checks. It was 3:00am. My first stop was Boston Market where I found seven cents (one nickel & two pennies). That was quickly followed by KFC where I acquired 19 cents (one nickel, one dime, and four pennies), Burger King where I found a penny, and Starbucks where I found 44 cents (one dime, one quarter, and nine pennies).

In the evening my friend Robert and I decided to go to Ci-Ci’s, a very cheep pizza place. It’s $3.99 for the pizza buffet, but several hours from now I know I’ll be hurting. I know Bailey has some thoughts on Ci-Ci’s, and perhaps he will bless us by sharing them. Just as a warning, he likes the place, but the end results are not good. Anyhow, I digress.

I took a walk around the parking lot before I went in and found 50 cents in a payphone (two quarters). Single pennies were found in a drive-thru at Poppy’s, on a sidewalk by Ci-Ci’s, and in the parking lot. My final find of the day was 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) at Kroger, a local grocery store. I spied the first penny on the ground by the self-checkout line. An attractive woman was standing there so I waited for her to leave before retrieving the Lincoln. She was immediately replaced by an ugly guy, so inward I moved. Bending down to pick up the penny I spied a dime by his foot. I had to ask him to move, which he graciously did, so I could pick up the dime. The final penny was on top of a change counting machine.

Totals for the day: $1.36
Race Totals: $57.87

Monday, May 9, 2005

Today I found $1.39 . . .3 nickels, 1 dime, 3 quarters and 39 pennies (the legendary coin cycle).

Today I am going to throw a dilemma to the readership and elicit some feedback. First, my finds were as follows: 26 cents at the Kwick Kar Wash (one penny & one quarter), six cents (all pennies) at the Sonic next door, and $1.07 in a vacuum cleaner at Exxon.

For the past several days I have made large finds inside vacuum cleaners at area gas stations. Bailey has raised some questions regarding the validity of these finds, although I fail to see a reason why they should not count.

The rules of the Change Race are simple, the coins must be lost (i.e. they can’t be taken from a give a penny, take a penny jar on a counter) and their must be no clear ownership to the coins. Here is my take on the vacuum cleaner dilemma: The true owner of the coins is the person that lost them in the first place. For example, if I am using the vacuum cleaner to clean my car and I suck up a penny that penny belongs to me. At the point that I choose to drive away and leave the change I abandon ownership of the coin.

Bailey argues, and Brian might back him up on this, that the gas station has a right of ownership to the coins. I disagree. To me this is a slippery slope argument. Any property owner (gas station, fast food establishment, car wash, city) could argue that the coins on their property are theirs. I wouldn’t accept that argument. Just because a coin is dropped there doesn’t mean they own it. If that was the case than any coin that is ever found (unless it is on your property) belongs to someone else. Thus, the dilemma. One last fact, that can be considered if you would like, is that none of the vacuum cleaners were locked. All were open and accessible to anyone, including the original coin owner, to retrieve coins if desired. What does everyone else think?

Totals for the day: $1.39
Race Totals: $56.51

Sunday, May 8, 2005

Today I found $1.10 . . .1 nickel, 1 dime, 3 quarters and 20 pennies (the epic coin cycle).

Just as Bailey is fond of car washes on Sundays, I am fond of drive-thru windows. Bailey’s logic on car washes is that more people wash their cars on Saturday & Sunday so there are more people to drop coins. I feel the same way about drive-thrus. Lots of drunks go eat fast food after a night of drinking, making for a higher percentage of dropped coins. Likewise, the people that work at these establishments probably don’t want to clean up at the end of the night so the change is left.

Keeping this in mind I did a little walk around some Spring, TX parking lots and fast food restaurants this morning. In different parking lots I found a total of five cents (all pennies). I had to go to Randalls, a local grocery store, to use the ATM machine and I found 27 cents (one quarter & two pennies) in the change machine. A KFC drive-thru contributed 14 cents to my finds (one dime & four pennies).

My largest find of the day was at a Boston Market drive-thru where I found 61 cents (two quarters, one dime, & one penny). I like eating at Boston Market, even though their prices are a little high. Did you know that it is owned by the same corporation that owns McDonalds? I didn’t until recently.

Two different car washes contributed four cents (all pennies, obviously) to the finds for the day. At an Arby’s drive-thru I found seven cents (one nickel & two pennies). Many years back I was driving in Baltimore, MD and a homeless man came up to my car and asked for food. I had an extra Arby’s roast beef sandwich and a donut. I offered him both and he replied, “thanks for the donut, but I don’t eat Arby’s.” I can’t say I blame him much, it isn’t very good. My final find of the day was at Sonic, where I found two pennies in the parking lot.

Totals for the day: $1.10
Race Totals: $55.12

Saturday, May 7, 2005

Today I found $1.31 . . .3 nickels, 9 dimes, and 26 pennies.

I didn’t get out and about today until around 4:00pm, so I figured I would find a few cents and call it a day. I had some errands to complete, but my first stop was the drive-thru of a Shipley’s donuts where I found 10 cents (one dime). There was a Taco Bell next door where I managed to find 11 cents (one dime & one penny) in the parking lot. Two Sonics; one in Spring, TX and one in Tomball, TX contributed a total of 16 cents (one dime & six pennies). At the post office, where the stamp machine was again broken, I found two cents on the ground by a counter.

During the course of the day I wanted to go check out a baseball book from the library. However, the only copy was in Tomball, not my local library. No worries, I got in the car and drove there. The library was poorly marked and was closed by the time I got there. I was angry. My consolation prize, however, more than made up for it. I found 92 cents (three nickels, six dimes, & 17 pennies) at a carwash in town. Two pennies were on the ground and the remaining 90 cents was inside a vacuum cleaner. Like yesterday there were no locks on the vacuum cleaner and the change was quickly welcomed to my growing collection.

Totals for the day: $1.31
Race Totals: $54.02

Friday, May 6, 2005

Today I found $2.02 . . .3 nickels, 7 dimes, 2 quarters, and 67 pennies (the change cycle). I also found a 10 cent piece from Hong Kong. Sadly, Hong Kong coin does not count towards the daily total’s.

Two fast food establishments contributed to the daily finds thanks to the drive-thru lane of each. Taco Bell and KFC contributed one penny and five cents (one nickel), respectively. I had to drive to El Campo, TX this morning, approximately 100 miles from my residence. I stopped for gas at a Shell in Sugar Land, TX (home to current embattled Republican leader Tom DeLay) and I saw a vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner was partially open, so I decided to open it the rest of the way and I hit the jackpot. Inside were more coins than I had ever seen at one single location. As my car filled with overpriced gas I pulled the precious coinage from the insides of the vacuum. When the dust had settled I had $1.65 (two nickels, five dimes, two quarters, and 55 pennies). This marks my largest single location find and the first time I have ever found the change cycle (penny, nickel, dime, quarter) in a single location.

On the way home I stopped at two car washes, both in El Campo, and found 17 cents (one dime & seven pennies). My favorite Sonic, where briefly chatted with the manager, rewarded me with 14 cents (one dime & four pennies).

The Hong Kong 10 cent piece was found at the Shell station inside the vacuum cleaner. It is a very small coin and has a picture of Queen Elizabeth the Second on the front and the words “Hong Kong,” “Ten Cents,” and some various foreign words on the back. The coin was minted in 1988 and has a translated value of approximately 1.28 cents. Obviously, however, this will not count towards my Race of the Century total’s. The Hong Kong coin will be deposited into my Not Change Cup, holding various treasures that are not coins in nature, or more specifically, are not US minted coins.

Totals for the day: $2.02
Race Totals: $52.71

Thursday, May 5, 2005

Today I found 66 cents . . .1 nickel, 2 dime, 1 and 41 pennies. I also found some type of foreign coin, which I believe is an old Mexican 1 peso piece. Sadly, the possible old Mexican 1 peso piece does not count towards the daily totals.

Many, many finds were made today at various places around the Houston, TX metropolitan area. In the interests of time and space I will summarize these finds: 29 cents at various Sonics (one dime & 19 pennies), 13 cents at various car washes (one nickel & eight pennies), seven cents (all pennies) at a Starbucks drive-thru where an ex-girlfriend works (but I did not see her as I slipped in to pilfer loose change), and 17 cents (one dime & seven pennies) at a Burger King drive-thru.

The coin that I believe is Mexican in origin was found on top of a coin counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store. On the front is written “Estados Unidos De Mexicanos” and on the back there is a “N$1.” The coin has a copper center and a silverish outside perimeter. It was minted in 1982 and will be a proud edition to my Not Change Cup, which contains various items of the non-change variety that have been found in recent months.

Totals for the day: 66 cents
Race Totals: $50.69

Wednesday, May 4, 2005

Today I found 45 cents . . .1 dime, 1 quarter and 10 pennies.

This morning on my way to the office I went to the Sonic where several weeks back I had spoken to the manager in the parking lot. For those of you not familiar with this conversation the manager had come out and asked what I was doing. As a cover story I told him I was collecting pennies for my coin collection. Today I found six cents there (all pennies). As I was leaving the manager came out again and told me he had been looking for me. I hadn’t been there in about two weeks. He showed me a penny, a 1971 model, that appeared to be made of steel. He asked my “professional” opinion on the penny, as I was an avid collector. I believe the penny was just coated with zinc, but I told him I would research the issue and get back with him. It’s nice to be someone’s expert on something.

I also made single penny finds at a KFC, a car wash, a Taco Bell drive-thru, and another car wash. My big find of the day was outside Minute Maid ballpark, where the Astros lost in miserable style, to the Pittsburgh Pirates. I found a quarter on the sidewalk and a short distance later I found a dime. I was walking with Bailey so I was happy to find both before his change radar went off and he laid claim to the silver.

On the autograph front I managed to get only three today, but one was the real Daryle Ward. I say real because several nights ago a guy who was a dead ringer for Ward walked out of the ballpark. I asked him to sign my baseball but he told me he was not Ward. I thought he was just joking, as I know what Ward looks like and this was him. I told him to just go ahead and sign Daryle Ward, which he did. Long story short, it was not him. Today when I got Mr. Ward I told him the story, which gave him a chuckle. He accommodated my request and signed over the fake Daryle.

NOTE: Addition error had today as a palendrome. However, a system audit showed that I was off by two cents, so the error has been corrected.

Totals for the day: 45 cents
Race Totals: $50.03 (I, palindrome, I)

Tuesday, May 3, 2005

Today I found 42 cents . . .1 quarter and 17 pennies.

On my way to an appointment this morning I pulled into the Kwick Kar Wash just in time to see a homeless man finish scavenging for change. Not to be outdone I started looking right behind him, giving him first crack at the precious coinage. He wasn’t as good at change searching as I was because I found 27 cents (one quarter & two pennies). The Sonic next door, which I assume he did not check, gave me five cents (all pennies).

On the way to the ballpark this afternoon I stopped at two different car washes, both of which I had not ever checked before. Both were located in Pearland, TX and they both contributed to the Race of the Century totals. The first gave me two cents and the second gave me eight cents (all pennies). Five of the eight cents were located in the dirt behind the washing area, so it was my good vision and strategic knowledge of coin placement that allowed me to find them.

The Astros lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates this evening by a final of 7-4. On the bright side my autograph efforts were rewarded with nine signatures from Pirate players. Notable autographs for the day included Josh Fogg, David Ross, Craig Wilson, and Oliver Perez.

Totals for the day: 42 cents
Race Totals: $49.58

Monday, May 2, 2005

Today I found 31 cents . . .1 nickel, 2 dimes, and 6 pennies. I also got former President George Bush to sign a baseball for me. Sadly, the former president’s autograph does not count towards the daily totals.

This morning I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash on my way to an appointment and found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies). At the Sonic next door I acquired six cents (one nickel & one penny). A Sonic in Pearland, TX added 11 cents to the day’s finds (one dime & one penny). My final find of the day was at a no name car wash in Houston, TX where I found two cents.

The Astros played the Pittsburgh Pirates today and won large. I managed to acquire 12 of the 25 man roster on the first day. Notable autographs include Jack Wilson, Benito Santiago, Kip Wells, and Rob Makowiak.

Attending the game today was former President George Bush, and his lovely wife Barbara. President Bush left at the start of the 8th inning, and I had acquired seats near his. When he left I asked him to sign a baseball for me. He graciously accommodated my request and gave me a lovely autograph right on the sweet spot of the ball. It was a nice end to a good day.

Totals for the day: 31 cents
Race Totals: $49.16

Sunday, May 1, 2005

Today I found 78 cents . . .1 nickel, 3 dimes, 1 quarter, and 18 pennies (the vaunted change cycle).

On my way to the ballpark this morning I stopped at a car wash along Interstate 45 and found 17 cents (one nickel, one dime, & two pennies). After the Astros game, which they won 9-3 against Mark Prior and the Cursed Cubs, I found 25 cents (one quarter) in the club level where I was searching for ticket stubs (another fine hobby that I have). Leaving the ballpark I found 13 (one dime & three pennies) cents by various parking meters while I walked back to my car.

In the evening I went to Randalls, a local grocery store, to use the ATM and I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny) on the ground by a change counting machine. I had to go to the post office and along the way I went to two different car washes where I found eight cents and four cents, respectively (all pennies each time).

On the baseball autograph front I managed to get two more Cubs to sign my team ball. This raised my total to 18 of the 25 man team that I managed to get in a three day period. Not bad for the Chicago Cubs.

Totals for the day: 78 cents
Race Totals: $48.85