Thursday, June 30, 2005

Today I found 48 cents. . . 1 nickel, 3 dimes, and 13 pennies. I also found a token from Celebration Station, a local miniature golf facility. Sadly, the token does not count towards the daily totals.

After a very early start to the day and some hard work in the morning I was returning to the office when my co-worker Jennifer, who was with me, wanted to stop for ice cream. We pulled into a Shell gas station where Jennifer purchased two ice cream bars and I found a penny by the cash register. Driving to lunch I spotted a penny in the road, but the light had just turned green. I parked in a nearby parking lot and retrieved the penny when the light turned red. Jennifer was less than impressed with my superhuman efforts to coral this lost penny.

Driving back from lunch Jennifer was not feeling very good. We stopped at a Chevron and after she used the facilities and returned to the car I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny) as I was driving away. I actually though I had seen a quarter, so I stopped. Sadly, it was a false start, nothing more than a flattened bottle cap. However, Jennifer was supportive when I returned with the real money.

Returning home from my day of work I stopped at a local McDonalds and checked the drive-thru. There I found 27 cents (one nickel, two dimes, and two pennies). This is where I found the token for Celebration Station. Although the token has “no cash value” it has value to me and my “Not Change Cup,” holder of all items deemed to have “no cash value.”

In the evening I completed some chores with my friend Robert. It was during these errands that I found three cents at Randall’s, a local grocery store, and five cents (all pennies) at Sonic. All of the Sonic pennies were on the ground in the parking lot. Of the three Randalls pennies two were in the coin return slot of a change sorting machine and one was on the floor nearby. One of the Randalls pennies was a 1942 Wheat Penny.
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June Monthly Report:

This month I found 686 pennies, 47 nickels, 87 dimes, and 50 quarters. I found change in seven states (Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas), as well as the nation's capital. I also broke the $100 mark.

Monthly Total: $30.41
Change Cycle Days: 12
Dollar Days: 13
Monthly High: $3.59 (June 24th)
Monthly Low: 13 cents (June 29th)
Daily Average: $1.0136

Totals for the day: 48 cents
Race Totals: $100.95

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Today I found 13 cents. . . 1 dime and 3 pennies. It made for a nice relaxing day after yesterday’s excitement.

On my way to work this morning I spotted a dime at a store where I had stopped for a breakfast taco. It was on the ground, near a display of impulse buy items intended to increase the profit of the shopkeeper.

Driving home from work I stopped at Shell for a drink and found three pennies. The first penny was on the ground by an ATM machine, the second was on the ground by the counter, and the third was in the parking area.

As I stated a few days ago I plan on trying to shoot for more natural finds and less forced finds. However, I want to discuss my ideas with Bailey, so until such time as he gets back I plan on doing some serious searching. Today just happened to be a busy day.

Totals for the day: 13 cents
Race Totals: $100.47

VICTORY! , Tuesday, June 28, 2005

VICTORY!!! Today I found 85 cents. . . 4 dimes, 1 quarter, and 20 pennies. A dime that I found at a Shell gas station (a natural find) put me over the $100 mark, 136 days into the race.

I had several appointments this morning, and a lot of paperwork to complete, so I wasn’t sure how the day was going to end up. I stopped at a local car wash and found four cents (all pennies). At lunch I went to McDonalds and used the drive-thru. I found 1o cents (one dime). I never feel bad about taking drive-thru change, and felt even better today when I saw they way overcharged me for what I had purchased.

At an appointment I found a penny in the parking lot of the building I was about to enter. On my way to another appointment I stopped at Cheveron for gas and found two pennies on the ground by an air pump. While picking up my license plates for my new car I found another single penny by the reception desk at the car dealership in Kingwood, TX. On my way home I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and the Hallmark Car Wash, finding five cents (all pennies) and six cents (all pennies), respectively.

For some reason I was thinking in my head that I was 12 cents away from $100 at this point. In actuality I was 22 cents away. Returning to my apartment in the evening I grabbed my friend Robert and told him he was coming with me to be part of my change history. Our first stop was Kroger, a local grocery store, where I found 20 cents (two dimes) under the self-checkout machine. I was a bit bummed that my final find was forced, but I was happy. Little did I realize I was still two cents away.

After words Robert and I decided to celebrate. First, however, he wanted to stop for a beer. We swung into Shell gas station and as he was purchasing a beer I spotted and retrieved a dime on the ground. As it turns out it was this dime, minted 2002 D, that put me over the top.

After getting his beer Robert and I went to Sonic for some dinner. I promptly found 26 cents (one quarter & one penny). The penny was in the parking lot and the quarter was under a table on the patio dining area.

Totals for the day: 85 cents
Race Totals: $100.34

Monday, June 27, 2005

Today I found 58 cents. . . 1 nickel, 4 dimes, and 13 pennies (almost all of the finds being natural). I also found a fake nickel. Sadly, the fake nickel will not count towards the daily totals.

I had some paperwork to do today, so there was not a lot of opportunity for change searching in the morning. I met Jennifer, my co-worker, for a Chinese buffet lunch this afternoon, and while waiting for her I found one penny in the parking lot of the restaurant. Lunch was enjoyable, but was sadly cut short as Jennifer had to get back to the office.

Before returning to work I went to the post office to mail two letters. One was a birthday card for my friend Patti who lives in New Jersey. The card is almost a month late, so I hope she forgives me. At the post office I found 16 cents (one nickel, one dime, & one penny) under a stamp machine. Leaving the post office I got stuck at a red light. Making the best of the opportunity I found a penny laying in the road.

Later in the afternoon I got called to work, for more paperwork that needed to be completed. I made a quick stop at the Kwick Kar Wash and found seven cents (all pennies). It was at the Kwick Kar Wash that I also found the fake nickel. It resembled a real nickel in terms of color and design, but was slightly smaller that the real Jefferson and had the word “copy” written across the front and back. Fake nickel will be deposited into real “Not Change Cup,” holder of all riches of the non-change variety that I have recently discovered.

Leaving the Kwick Kar Wash I hit another red light and waiting in the road on the ground was 22 cents (two dimes & two pennies). Both dimes were together and as I got out to retrieve them I spotted the two pennies, very nearby. All change had been there quite some time, which is sadly depressing since I drive that route every day on the way to work.

In the evening I had to go to Randalls, a local grocery store, to deposit some checks in a branch that my bank maintains there. Leaving Randalls I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). The penny was on the ground by a coin sorting machine and the dime was on the ground under a Coke machine.

51 cents to go until $100. It could be any day now. I’m excited, but saddened that Bailey will not be around to enjoy my success. However, since he is on his honeymoon I’m sure he will be having a good time, regardless of my change triumphs.

Totals for the day: 58 cents
Race Totals: $99.49

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Today I found $1.39. . . 1 nickel, 5 dimes, and 84 pennies. For the second time in this race I recorded finds in four states; Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Texas. However, today is a day about the wedding, not change.

Briefly, I did some change searching in Indiana after Bailey’s wedding and reception. I had to leave Indianapolis, IN this morning at 4:30 am so I could drive back to Chicago, IL to return my rental car. Once the rental car was returned I took a flight to Houston, TX, which had a layover in Michigan. Today, instead of breaking the finds down I will have to let the numbers speak for themselves. Instead, I’ll provide a summary of Bailey’s & Marti’s wedding.

The wedding was a beautiful ceremony, held in Indianapolis. The reception was held at the Hilton, which was nearby. I have known Bailey & Marti for several years, and obviously I’m good friends with both. This brief story will illustrate why these two are meant for each other:

During one of their first dances as a married couple (I was dancing in close proximity to them at the time) I hear Baily exclaim, “Ohh, ohhhh,” the noise he makes when he spots change. He bends down and picks up a single penny. Marti seems very impressed with his find. Later, as I’m dancing with Marti she leans in and tells me that because they will be on their honeymoon I need to make sure to blog about Bailey finding a penny during their dance. How cool is that? Even on their wedding night Marti is down with the change race! With love like that I predict nothing but happiness.

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Once I reach $100 I intend to keep up with the change race, although I’ll impose a few more rules upon myself to make things a little harder. I can’t promise nothing but natural finds, but I’m shooting for that goal. However, I’m still $1.09 away, so more on my plans after the big event.

Totals for the day: $1.39
Race Totals: $98.91

Saturday, June 25, 2005 (Bailey's Wedding Day!)

Today I found 65 cents. . . 2 nickels, 2 dimes, and 35 pennies.

At breakfast this morning I found five cents (all pennies) in the parking lot of Bob Evens. In the loby of my hotel I found an additional two pennies. At Myer, an Indiana local grocery store, I found 29 cents (two nicekls, one dime, and nine pennies) in the change return slot of a coin counting machine. One of the pennies was a 1940 Wheat penny.

Picking up my tux at the Men's Warehouse I found 10 cents (one dime) in the changing room where I tried on my tux (it fit fine). At two different car washes that I stopped at to look for change I found seven cents (all pennies) and five cents (all pennies). At a nearby Wendy's I found two cents in the parking lot.

At a Shell gas station I found two cents on the ground and at a British Petrolium next to my hotel I found three cents.

Daily Total's: 65 cents
Race Totals: $97.52

Friday, June 24, 2005

Today I found $3.59. . . 3 nickels, 6 dimes, 10 quarters, and 34 pennies (the four state change cycle). This set a new all time high for me and marks the first time that I have found change in four states in the same day.

Today I had to travel to Indiana for Bailey's wedding, which is tomorrow. I left Houston, TX in the morning, flew to Minnesota where I had a layover, flew to Chicago, Illinois where I got a rental car, and drove to Indi. Below are my finds, broken down by states:

Texas: Prior to leaving I found three cents at a car wash next to my apartment. I also found one penny at the airport by a food stand.

Minesota: Landing in Mineapolis I had a four hour layover. I found a total of 66 cents (two quarters, one nickel, 11 pennies) at the airport. All the pennies were found as I walked around to kill time. The two quarters were found under a vending machine, and the nickel was found in the coin return slot of a soda machine.

Illinois: I found five cents (all pennies) at the airport as I went to go pick up my rental car. I had to take a toll road out of Chicago and at the first stop I found 10 cents (one dime) on the ground. I also got change from the lady so I could pay the remaining tolls without having to wait in a line to pay a real person. At the second toll stop I quickly got out of my car and picked up change on the ground. I found 60 cents (two quarters & one dime). I hit the jackpot at the third toll, finding $1.45 (five quarters, one dime, & two nickels).

Indiana: After crossing into Indiana I stopped to get gas and I found 22 cents (two dimes & two pennies) at a Wendy's drive-thru. I also found three cents at a gas station where I stopped. There was a Taco Bell next to the gas station and I checked the parking lot and found 13 cetns (one dime & three pennies). At a nearby Arby's I found two cents. In the parking lot of my hotel I found three cents. Going out for dinner I found 25 cents (one quarter) in a USA Today newspaper box. Finally, I found one penny at a 7-11, where I stopped for some water.

Daily Total's: $3.59 (a new high)
Race Totals: 96.87

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Today I found 91 cents. . . 1 dime, 3 quarter, and 6 pennies. I also found a battered Mexican dime. Sadly, the Mexican dime does not count towards the daily totals.

My plane touched down in Houston, TX this morning slightly after 6:30 am. Not having slept much the night before, and not sleeping very well on the plane, I was very tired. A friend of mine picked me up at the airport and while driving me to our office he asked about the change hunting in Alaska. I began to tell him when I realized we were at a red light. I looked out the window and before he knew what was going on I had opened the door and was picking up change. All told I found 15 cents (one dime & five pennies) in the road.

It was this very spot where I also found the Mexican dime. Like the rest of the change it was badly worn. It will be deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” holder of all things not American change that are of interest.

I was more than willing to sit on my totals for the day. I was absolutely exhausted, but before I could go to sleep I had to do some laundry. When I went to the laundry room I found 75 cents (three quarters). They were sitting right next to the dryer that I was about to use. Apparently some one had taken them out but had forgotten about them. Very sad for them, a good break for me.

Tomorrow I fly to Chicago, IL where I have a car already rented. I’ll be driving from Chicago to Indiana for Bailey’s wedding on Saturday. I fly back to Houston on Sunday. Being out-of-state, and having a minor role in this wedding, I doubt I will be able to post again until Sunday.

Totals for the day: 91 cents
Race Totals: $93.28

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Today I found 73 cents. . . 4 dimes, 1 quarter, and 8 pennies.

The Midnight Sun Baseball Classic, which had started at 10:30 pm on June 21st ended at 1:14 am on June 22nd. I wanted to drive back to Anchorage that night because my plane departed Anchorage in the evening. However, I am what I am, so before leaving I looked for ticket stubs from the game (I found three) and I did some change searching.

Driving out of Fairbanks I stopped at the same KFC where I had found money just hours before. It again provided for me, giving up 10 cents (one dime). At a Subway drive-thru, also in Fairbanks, I found one penny. I was now on the road.

This time of year Alaska is light 24 hours a day. However, the sun does set, for about three hours a night. Still, you can drive with no headlights, as the darkest it gets is what it might look like in Houston, TX around 6 pm. I was determined to see the sun rise over the mountain ranges of Denali. So all night long the I chased the Midnight Sun across the sky, playing a game of cat and mouse. As I would ascend a hill I could see the sky turning orange. As I would descend I knew it wouldn’t be long before the sun would come up. Sadly, the sun won our little game, rising without permission while I was in a valley. I was disappointed, but I still got a good view of the sunrise at the next mountain top.

Now, back to the matter of change. When I rolled into some town about 60 miles outside of Anchorage it was not even 6:00 am. Taking advantage of the sunny conditions I checked the drive-thru of an Arby’s and found four cents. I hit the jackpot at Wendy’s, where I found 47 cents (one quarter, two dimes, & two pennies). I had intended to stop at this Wendy’s on the way up, and was actually pulling off when I saw a hitchhiker. I decided to give him a ride and I forgot about the Wendy’s. I’m glad I returned.

Driving to return my car in the evening I found one penny in the road by some dirt. My final find in Alaska was a shiny dime, which I spotted under an airport vending machine as I was walking to my gate.

Totals for the day: 73 cents
Race Totals: $92.37

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Today I found 90 cents. . . 6 dimes, 1 quarter, and 6 pennies (very unusual since I found more silver coins than copper ones). I also found a large marble. Sadly, the large marble will not count towards the daily totals.

My day started in Fairbanks, AK, where I was determined to explore the local surroundings more throughly than I had the night before. I had heard there was a natural hot spring about 60 miles from Fairbanks where people could go and relax in the hot water. Driving down a very scenic road I quickly found the Chena Hot Springs at the end of the road. For $10 you could sit in the hot springs all day. I could only stand a few hours of relaxation as the water was a natural 112 degrees. It was at the Chena Hot Springs that made my first find of the day, a single penny on the ground in the mens changing room.

After driving back to Fairbanks I decided to gas up again and I found another single penny at the gas station. I checked a local car wash that I had spotted the day before and was rewarded with 31 cents (three dimes & one penny). All the dimes were very mud covered, from a storm several days ago, so I was grateful that I was able to spot them. The penny on the other hand was so shiny that Ray Charles could have seen it.

Driving around looking for some lunch I saw a KFC. I certainly wasn’t going to eat there, but I did help myself to 21 cents (two dimes & one penny) that I found in the parking lot. Directly next to KFC was a Fred Myer, an Alaskan grocery store. I went inside and found 26 cents (one quarter & one penny) on the ground by the self-checkout line.

My main reason for going to Alaska was to watch the 100th annual Midnight Sun Baseball Classic. For the last 100 years the Fairbanks Gold Panners, an independent league baseball team, have played a baseball game under the Midnight Sun. The game starts at 10:30pm and goes through midnight. At no time in the previous 99 years have they ever had to turn on the stadium lights. Driving to the game I was at a stoplight when I saw a dime in the road. Retrieving it a woman, who was a passenger in a truck next to me, looked out the window and replied, “that’s a good find. It’s good luck.” I smiled an told her since it was a dime it was probably 10 times the luck of a penny. We were both happy.

For baseball purists you will be happy to know that the Fairbanks Gold Panners won the game. The game featured some very poor baseball, but that’s to be expected in the Independent League. One pitcher, reminding me of Wild Thing in the movie Major Leagues, actually threw the ball over the 30 foot high net behind home plate. Very entertaining stuff!

Totals for the day: 90 cents
Race Totals: $91.64

Monday, June 20, 2005

Today I found $1.41. . . 1 nickel, 3 dimes, 3 quarters, and 31 pennies (the Alaskan change cycle).

I thought today was going to be a hard day to find change, and for the first part I was right. Today I was driving from Anchorage, AK to Fairbanks, AK. The drive is approximately 400 miles and there is nothing in between, except for mountains and scenery. Prior to leaving Anchorage, I found five cents (all pennies) at a KFC drive-thru.

I arrived in Fairbanks late in the evening. My gas was on empty and the first order of business was fixing that. I stopped at a Cheveron, where I paid $2.30 a gallon for regular gas, and found two cents by the gas pump. It was already late, but this is the land of the Midnight Sun and Alaskans don’t seem to sleep this time of year. Joining the fun I took a walk around Fairbanks and found four more cents while exploring the city.

Located just south of Fairbanks is the North Pole, well not really the North Pole, but the city of North Pole, AK. I wanted to go there to send some postcards. While looking for a post office I saw a McDonalds and checked the drive-thru. As I reached down to pick up the change a young employee, still in braces, opened the window and saw me collecting the coinage. He told me he had been meaning to pick it up all day but hadn’t gotten around to it. He seemed happy that I returned a few pennies to him. Still, even after returning the pennies I was left with 31 cents (one quarter, one nickel, one penny).

Two Fairbanks car washes provided my next finds. I found 22 cents (one dime & 12 pennies) at one and three cents at the other. It was at the first car wash where I found the three Canadian quarters and the two Canadian pennies. I was very excited when I saw the quarters, as I thought they were American. Sadly, they were not. However, all Canadian change will be welcomed into my “Not Change Cup.”

I swung into Safeway, a local grocery store in Alaska, to pick up some provisions for the next day. I found a penny in the parking lot and 20 cents (two dimes) in a change counting machine. I thought I had three dimes, but sadly one was Canadian. However, it was ok as one of the dimes was a 1950's silver dime.

Driving to my hotel for the evening I stopped at a scenic overlook and after taking some pictures I found one penny on the ground. At an Asian restaurant where I had a late dinner I found another penny on the ground. My final find of the day was 51 cents at my hotel. I found two quarters in the change return slot of a soda machine and one penny in the hallway by my room.

Totals for the day: $1.41
Race Totals: $90.74

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Today I found 26 cents. . . 1 dime & 16 pennies. I also found a Canadian penny minted in 1966. Sadly, the Canadian penny does not count towards the daily totals.

I woke up this morning in Anchorage, AK, and as far as I can determine the sun never set. This is the land of the midnight sun for a reason. Before I started my day I had to go to Wal-Mart (there are two of them in Anchorage) to purchase some water and a charger for my cell phone (the one that I brought with me broke). While at Wal-Mart I found two cents.

Walking around Anchorage this afternoon I found 10 cents (all pennies) in various locations around the city. At a car wash that I stopped at for the express purpose of searching for change I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies). This is also where I found the Canadian penny, which will be deposited into the "Not Change Cup."

The remaining two cents that I found for the day were located at another car wash, that I found while taking an evening drive to see some areas of the city that were too far to reach by foot.

Tomorrow I drive to Fairbanks, AK to do some exploring. I'm thinking about driving an additional 200 miles from Fairbanks so I can reach a point that is north of the Artic Circle. I will report back on my progress, most likely when I get back to Houston on Thursday.

Totals for the Day: 26 cents
Race Totals: $89.33

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Today I found $1.12. . . 3 nickels, 3 dimes, 2 quarters, and 17 pennies (the mystical change cycle).

Preparing to leave for Alaska in the early morning I knew I had to do some Houston based change searching. My flight was very early, so under the cover of darkeness I decended upon the Houston landscape to see what could be found. At a Starbucks drive-thru, closed for the evening, I found 31 cents (one nickel, one quarter, one penny). At a Burger King drive-thru I found nine cents (one nickel & four pennies).

My next stop was Al Gator's Car Wash where I found 20 cents (two dimes) on the ground in the car wash area. At a nearby no-name car wash I found three cents. Two fast food drive-thrus provided my next finds, KFC and Shipley's Donuts. I found four and two cents, respectively.

Going to Randall's, a local grocery store, to use the ATM I found 30 cents (one quarter & one nickel) in the change return slot of a coke vending machine. On my way to the aiport I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash to wish it goodby. I also found three cents.

When my plane touched down in Anchorage, AK it was already 10:30pm local time. After picking up my rental car I took a quick drive around town and found 10 cents (one dime) at a KFC drive-thru. I was pleased to have my first Alaska find in the books so quickly.

Totals for the Day: $1.12
Race Totals: $89.07

Friday, June 17, 2005

Today I found $2.15. . . 6 nickels, 6 dimes, 3 quarters, and 50 pennies (the invaluable change cycle). I also found a shiny polished rock and foreign coins from Canada, Japan, and somewhere else. Sadly, the rock and foreign coinage does not count towards the daily totals.

On my way to work this morning I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash (a favorite place to stop on my way to work) and I found 10 cents (all pennies). For lunch I walked across the street to a building with a small eatery and after ordering my lasagna I found a single penny under a vending machine that was in the general vicinity. Later in the afternoon I ran across the street to a Shell gas station to pick up a soda. There I found 26 cents (one quarter & one penny). The quarter was by a drive-thru window of a Burger King which is attached to the Shell station and the penny was on the ground by the cash register.

I didn’t get out of work until 7:00pm, but I was not discouraged. On my way home I was at a light that had just turned red and I saw a penny in the street. I opened my door to retrieve the penny and I saw a crack in the road with multiple pennies in it. All told I earned five cents while waiting for my light to change. My final stop on the way home was at the Hallmark Car Wash where I found 30 cents (three nickels & 15 pennies). The three nickels and a penny were stuck together with some type of strong glue. The remaining pennies were on the ground in various locations.

In the evening I met Bailey for dinner (our last dinner before he becomes a married man next weekend). It is our last dinner because he is driving to Indiana tomorrow for the wedding and I am flying to Alaska for five days of vacation. We will meet up in Indiana on Friday for the wedding which will be Saturday. On my way home from dinner I stopped at Sonic and found six cents (all pennies) on the ground. After that I remembered that I needed money from an ATM so I went into Randalls, a local grocery store, to use the ATM machine. The ATM was broken, but the coin sorting machine was not. I found $1.37 (three nickels, six dimes, two quarters, and 12 pennies). This marks a rare occasion where I have had a natural find that is over a dollar and the coin cycle all in one place.

The foreign coins, a Canadian quarter and penny, a Japanese yen, and some type of foreign coin that is too destroyed to identify were all in the change counting machine coin return slot. Aforementioned polished rock was found at the Kwick Kar Wash this morning. All foreign coins and the shiny rock will be deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of plum items of the non-change variety that have been discovered during the search for change.

NOTE: I will be in Alaska from June 18-22 so there is the chance that I will not be able to update the blog until my return. I'm hopeful that I will find an Internet connection and will be able to post once or twice while I'm gone.

Totals for the day: $2.15
Race Totals: $87.95

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Today I found $1.02. . . 3 nickels, 4 dimes, 1 quarter, and 22 pennies (the dazzling change cycle).

This morning I had to wake up at 4:00am so I could catch a flight out of Washington National Airport. At the airport I found a penny at a bagel place where Tara purchased a glass of orange juice. I wanted a bagel but didn’t purchase it because they did not have a toaster. Prior to boarding the plane I found a quarter on the ground by some chairs by the Continental Airlines gate.

Back in Houston I had Tara stop at the Kwick Kar Wash on the way home, but I was only rewarded with one penny. In Tomball, TX this afternoon I found a nickel in the road by a stoplight. I also found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) at a car wash in Tomball.

In the evening I met Bailey for dinner and on the way home I checked in at a Starbucks drive-thru and found 13 cents (one dime & three pennies). Leaving Starbucks I was stopped at a light and found another nickel in the road by a stoplight. At the Halmark Car Wash between Hooters (our dining location) and my apartment I found three cents in various places on the ground.

The no name car wash next to my apartments gave me my largest find for the day, 28 cents (two dimes & eight pennies). I was a tad concerned that my radar wasn’t functioning properly because I found both dimes on the second pass. As a seasoned vet of the change search there is no excuse for this to happen. I attribute my lapse to lack of sleep, so I will try not to let it get me down. My final stop of the day was the apartment car wash station, where I found nine cents (one nickel & four pennies).

Totals for the day: $1.02
Race Totals: $85.80

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Today I found $1.28. . . 2 nickels, 1 dime, 4 quarters, and 8 pennies (the vacation induced change cycle).

This morning I stopped at a gas station in Silver Spring, MD to fill my car with gas. At a vacuume cleaner I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). After parking my car at the Silver Spring metro station I checked around the ticket machines and found six cents (all pennies) on the ground. Tara also found a penny, and after waiting some time to pick it up discovered that it was Canadian! She had a few choice for the penny, none of which were two kind. I fear the penny will not be deposited into her "Not Change Cup," if she even has such a fantastic thing.

In a pass machine at Metro Center (where the red and blue lines meet) I found 10 cents (two nickels). These were discovered as I waited for the appropriate metro car to arrive to take us to Washington, DC for a day of sight seeing.

Walking around Washington, DC this afternoon I found 25 cents (one quarter) in the change return slot of a Washington Post newspaper box. About two blocks down the road I found 75 cents (three quarters) in the coin return slot of the USA Today. My final find of the day was a single penny, located in the street in Washington.

Totals for the day: $1.28
Race Totals: $84.78

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Today I found $1.37. . . 4 dimes, 3 quarters, and 22 pennies.

Today I am in Baltimore again for vacation. My friend Tara is with me and today I promised to show her around Baltimore. Tomorrow we shall tour Washington, DC. Both evenings are dedicated to baseball (Houston vs. Baltimore).

In the morning after picking up a car we stopped at a car wash where I found 13 cents (one dime & three pennies). Tara decided to wait in the car while I searched. My next two finds were single pennies, one at Safeway and the other at Giant, both local grocery stores. I found a dime by a vending machine at a childrens museaum downtown and a single penny in the subway station.

My big find of the day was 68 cents at a Shell gas station car wash area. All the change was on the ground and most of it was stuck together with something. However, it unstuck and now has been added to my totals.

Walking around the streets of Baltimore, mostly in the harbor area, I found seven cents (all pennies). In the evening I found 25 cents (one quarter) on the ground by a hotdog condement stand at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

It shoud be noted that Tara had a productive day as well. Towards the end of the game she snuck away from our seats (in the Astros family section as they were left by a player) and into some seats behind home plate. After the game she shamelessly flirted with homeplate umpire Jim Wolf (brother of Phillies pitcher Randy Wolf) and got him to give her a game used baseball. While helping me look for tickets she found $1 (a dollar bill) in the stadium, found 25 cents (one quarter) while leaving the ballpark, and one penny in the road by a gutter. Retrieving the penny Tara was almost hit by a bus, but I admired her dedication. She even called Bailey on her cell phone to talk some smack. Very solid day indeed!

Totals for the day: $1.37
Race Totals: $83.50

Monday, June 13, 2005

Today I found 88 cents. . . 3 nickels, 1 dime, 2 quarters, and 13 pennies (the fun change cycle).

In the early hours of the AM, prior to catching a flight to Baltimore, MD, I checked three local drive-thrus. At Starbucks I found 27 cents (one quarter & two pennies), at Wendy's I found six cents (one nickel & one penny), and at Burger King I found 22 cents (one nickel, one dime, & six pennies).

Once I arrived in Baltimore Tara and I went and walked around downtown. In the evening we attended the Astros vs. Orioles game at Camden Yards. While downtown and at the game I found 34 cents (one quarter, one nickel, and four pennies) in various spots around the city.

Totals for the day: 88 cents
Race Totals: $82.13

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Today I found $1.13. . . 1 nickel, 1 dime, 3 quarters, and 23 pennies (the gutsy change cycle). I was also given a plastic goat by Bailey. Sadly, the plastic goat will not count towards the daily totals.

This morning I had some chores to do and one of them was to find a bit of change. I checked three local car washes and I found a total of six cents (all pennies). I ended up finding two cents at each one, which kept things nice and simple. My big find of the day was at a Shipley’s donuts drive-thru where I found 60 cents (two quarters & one dime). I had parked in a Taco Bell parking lot and as I walked back to my car I found 27 cents (one quarter & two pennies) in the ground a few parking spaces from where I was.

The drive-thru circuit provided my next three finds. I found five cents at KFC (one nickel), six cents (all pennies) at Starbucks, and two cents at Arby’s. I had to stop for gas while driving down to the ballpark and I found two cents at Cheveron.

At the ballpark this afternoon I watched the Houston Astros win their fifth game in a row. Roy Oswalt pitched a two hitter and the game was over in under two hours. At the ballpark I found two cents in the concourse while I was looking for a good place to sit. Driving home I stopped at Shell for a drink and found two cents by the cash register. My final find of the day was a penny in the middle of the road at a stoplight.

The aforementioned plastic goat was a gift from Bailey. He found it while change searching at a local car wash. Usually the only items deposited into my “Not Change Cup” are items that I find. However, the plastic goat is a solid gift so I will give it the honor of being deposited.

Tomorrow I fly to Baltimore for a bit of vacation and to watch the Astros play the Orioles. I'm hoping to have one of those days where I can make finds in two states in the same day. Tune in tomorrow for results.

Totals for the day: $1.13
Race Totals: $81.25

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Today I found $1.50. . . 2 nickels, 3 dimes, 3 quarters, and 35 pennies. I also found a new “Not Change Cup.” Sadly, the new “Not Change Cup” does not count toward the daily totals.

Doing some change searching this morning I found seven cents (all pennies) at the drive-thru window of Shipley’s donuts. At the drive-thru window of a Chinese restaurant next door I found another four pennies. There was a local car wash in the same general area and there I found seven cents (all pennies). My final morning find was 16 cents (one nickel, one dime, & one penny) at Kroger, a local grocery store. The nickel was in the coin return slot of a water vending machine, the penny was on the ground by a cash register, and the dime was on the floor by a coin sorting machine.

On my way to the ballpark I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found two cents. I was a bit disappointed, as the Kwick Kar Wash usually brings it with lost change. After the game I decided to check the Kwick Kar Wash one last time. This time I found $1.14 (one nickel, two dimes, three quarters, and 14 pennies). This marks a rare time where I have found over $1 and the change cycle at one location. The three quarters were in a neat pile by a coin slot where customers insert quarters to wash their vehicles. The rest of the change was on the ground in various locations around the car wash.

It was at the Kwick Kar Wash where I found a new “Not Change Cup.” My current “Not Change Cup” is a regular sized mug where I deposit all items that are “not change” that I have found. Examples of things in my “Not Change Cup” include tokens, a rubber bouncy ball, foreign coins, a large nut for a large bolt, and marbles. My new “Not Change Cup” is a large mug with a cartoon ladybug and a bumble bee on it. The new cup was found on the ground by a vacuum cleaner. I’m not sure how I will handle the transfer of items, as “not change” is usually deposited into the “Not Change Cup.” I can’t very well transfer my new “Not Change Cup” into my old “Not Change Cup.” Somehow I’m sure I will manage.

Totals for the day: $1.50
Race Totals: $80.12

Friday, June 10, 2005

Today I found 44 cents. . . 1 nickel, 1 dime, and 29 pennies. I also found a fake penny and a fake dime. Sadly, the fake change does not count toward the daily totals.

I didn’t have to work today, but I did have a lot of things I needed to get done. On Monday I’m flying to Baltimore where I will watch the Baltimore Orioles play the Houston Astros. I had a lot of little things that needed to be done before I left. While doing laundry I found a single penny in the laundry room. It was my only find of the morning.

On my way down to the ballpark this afternoon I stopped at a small car wash and found seven cents (all pennies). I also stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 15 cents (one nickel & 10 pennies). The Kwick Kar Wash is also where I found the fake penny and fake dime. They both resemble real coinage, except for the fact that they are plastic and are stamped “copy” across the front. The fakes will be deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” holder of all things not change. Nearby there was a McDonalds and a cursory check of the vacinety showed that four pennies had been abandoned. They were retrieved and added to the daily totals.

On my way home this evening I began to get a little nervus. I have a nice little string of 15 days in a row of finding a dime. I decided to make one last stop, and if a dime was there it was meant to be. I checked in at Ale Gator’s Car Wash, a car wash that was recently discovered, and I found 17 cents (one dime & seven pennies). The streak continues!

The Astros actually managed to win a game this evening, 4-2 against the Toronto Blue Jays. I sang along with the Canadian National Anthem, just because I could, which lead the girl with pink hair and a pierced lip who was sitting next to me to ask if I was Canadian. I assured her that I was not. I decided against doing a team ball for Toronto, but I did chat with Blue Jay’s catcher Gregg Zaun. I have known Gregg for several years and was glad to catch up with him again.

Totals for the day: 44 cents
Race Totals: $78.62

Thursday, June 9, 2005

Today I found 38 cents. . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, and 13 pennies.

After a late night at work I had to go in early, but first there was the small matter of finding some change. I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found nine cents (all pennies). At a stoplight I thought I saw a quarter in the road and I got out to retrieve it. As I picked it up traffic began to move and I just got back to my car in time to avoid a get moving honk. Sadly, the quarter was only a round piece of metal. I was so discouraged that this round piece of metal will not gain a resting place in my “Not Change Cup.”

I had lunch at Greenspoint mall and there I found 10 cents (one dime) in the food court. On my way to an appointment in the afternoon I stopped at Kroger, a local grocery store, and found 17 cents (one nickel, one dime, and two pennies). The dime was in the change return slot of a coin sorting machine and the remaining change was on the ground in the general vicinity.

Two single penny finds concluded my day today. One was made at Sonic and the other was in the middle of the road (this time not a false start) as I drove to visit Bailey.

Totals for the day: 38 cents
Race Totals: $78.18

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

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

Driving to work this morning I saw a penny in the road at a stoplight. I got out to retrieve it and I found a dime right next to it. After lunch I knew I was going to be at work late so I took a quick drive over to a Shell gas station across the street to pick up a drink. I also picked up 27 cents (one quarter & two penny). The quarter was in the drive-thru of a Burger King and the two pennies were on the ground by the cash register at Shell.

In the evening I went out with my friend Robert to drop off my old car with my mechanic, who is selling it to a car wholesaler. On the way back we made a few stops and I found single pennies at a Mexican restaurant by an outside bench, at Randalls, at another Shell gas station, and in the parking lot in my apartment. I also found three pennies on the ground at Sonic.

Totals for the day: 45 cents
Race Totals: $77.80

Tuesday, June 7, 2005

Today I found $1.09. . . 2 nickels, 2 dimes, 2 quarters, and 29 pennies. I also found a golf ball. Sadly, the golf ball will not count towards the daily totals.

I stayed up late last night doing some new car buying research and when I got done I decided that since I was soon going to be out some money I might as well go make some money. I hopped in the car and visited the Boston Market drive-thru where I found nine cents (one nickel & four pennies). I also checked the Starbucks drive-thru, that had no cars in it because it was early in the morning and was still closed, and I found 41 cents (one dime, one quarter, and six pennies).

I actually had to drop something at the post office and there I found seven cents (one nickel & two pennies). The nickel was in the coin return slot of a stamp machine and the two pennies were on the ground. My final stop of the morning was at a car wash, where I found eight cents (all pennies) on the ground. This was also where I found the golf ball, which due to it's nature (i.e. not change) it will be added to my "Not Change Cup."

In the afternoon I stopped at another car wash and I found 25 cents (one quarter). At Kroger, a local grocery store, I found 18 cents (one dime & eight pennies) in and around a coin sorting machine. The dime and two pennies were on the ground, and the remaining pennies were in the coin return slot. Finally, driving to Kingwood, TX this evening to pick up my new car I found a penny in the road. As I was at a red light I was able to retrieve it and add it to the collection.

As I just mentioned I purchased my new car today. The Transmonster, my old car, just didn’t have what it takes to make me happy (a working transmission). I’m actually a bit dissapointed with the negotiations. I ended up paying $400 below invoice and I didn’t have the opportunity to get angry and walk out on negotiations. The whole process took less than four hours but with all my research I was really hoping for more of a challange. Ah well, at least I have a new car.

An interesting aside to the car story is that when I purchased my car I had to leave my friend Tara's car at the dealership. She got back from Mexico this evening and we went to go pick it up. Driving to the dealership I saw a car wash and asked if it would be ok to stop. Tara, a tad grumpy from the long trip, stated, "only if you want me to key your eyes out." I took that as a no and kept driving.

Totals for the day: $1.09
Race Totals: $77.35

Monday, June 6, 2005

Today I found $1.06. . . 5 dimes and 56 pennies. I also found a British penny. Sadly, the British penny will not count towards the daily totals.

On my way back from lunch this afternoon I made a few quick stops before I went back to work. At Kroger, a local grocery store, I found 10 cents (one dime) on the floor by the self checkout line. At a small car wash in Tomball, TX I found 23 cents (two dimes & three pennies) on the ground. At a Sonic, also in Tomball, I found four cents when I searched the patio area and the places where cars park and drivers place their orders.

On my way home I stopped at another Kroger and checked around the self checkout lanes. Nothing. However, in the coin sorting machine I found 46 cents (ALL PENNIES). I have had good luck finding change in coin sorting machines, several times finding more than 46 cents. However, when the coin is rejected it makes a noise as it drops to the reject slot, and you would think that the person exchanging change for dollars would hear at least one of the 46 plunks. Actually, 47 if you count the British penny that I found there. The British penny had been designated for assignment to the "Not Change Cup" but was instead given to the son of a friend who was correctly able to locate England on a map of the world that he had made in school today.

My final two stops on the way home were at two other car washes. At the first I found 10 cents (one dime) and at the second I found 13 cents (one dime & three pennies). At the second car wash I also exchanged two dimes & one nickel for a quarter so a guy could use the vacuum cleaner. Since the quarter came from my pocket and the dimes and nickel were obviously not found this transaction has no bearing on the final results noted for the day.

Totals for the day: $1.06
Race Totals: $76.26

Sunday, June 5, 2005

Today I found $2.44. . . 13 nickels, 4 dimes, 4 quarters & 39 pennies (the amazing change cycle).

I woke up tired this morning, but I felt there was some change to be found so I got out of bed and decided to do some searching before the Astros game. I checked the Boston Market drive-thru and found five cents (one new buffalo nickel). A nearby Wendy’s drive-thru had three cents in it and they were all added to the daily totals. Across the street was a Starbucks and for some reason there were no cars in the drive-thru. Excited I went and checked and I was rewarded with 33 cents (one quarter, one nickel, and three pennies). Both the quarter and the nickel were bicentennial, minted in 1976.

A carwash on Louetta Road was my next stop and there I found eight cents (all pennies). Two more fast food drive-thru windows in the general area were checked, McDonalds and Arby’s. The McDonalds had 36 cents (one quarter, one nickel, & one dime) and the Arby’s had five cents (one nickel).

Driving back home I saw a new carwash, named Ale Gators. It appropriately had an alligator on the sign. It also had 26 cents (one quarter & one penny) on the ground. Near my apartment while I was stopped at a red light I saw and retrieved a single penny from the road.

Refusing to rest after my morning success I did some searching on the way home from the Astros game, a rare Roger Clemens win. At an Exxon I found 88 cents (one quarter, six nickels, three dimes, and two pennies) all on the ground by two vacuum cleaners. The majority of that change was in one pile, and how it got there I don’t know. It also marks a rare change cycle at one location. At a Sonic I found seven cents (one nickel & three pennies) and at the Kwick Kar Wash, which was right next door I found 13 cents (one nickel & eight pennies). At a Shell gas station, where I stopped for a drink, I found a single penny on the ground by the cash register. Finally, at a car wash next to my apartment I found 14 cents (one nickel & nine pennies).

As mentioned earlier the Astros got a rare win. Roger Clemens pitched his worst game of the year, giving up four runs in the first two innings. This was not good because he was facing Mark Mulder, an excellent pitcher. Don’t forget Mark Mulder was a stud with the Oakland Athletics last year. Today, Mark didn’t have his A game. I attribute this to the fact that he would not sign my team ball. On the autograph front I managed to get two signatures, Randy Flores and Chris Carpenter. Chris is a right handed pitcher, but signed my ball with his left hand. Strange.

Totals for the day: $2.44
Race Totals: $75.20

Saturday, June 4, 2005

Today I found 59 cents. . . 2 dimes & 39 pennies. I also found a token with no cash value. Sadly, the token with no cash value does not count towards the daily totals.

I had an appointment for work this morning, despite my lack of enthusiasm for work on the weekends. However, on my way home I stopped at a car wash by my apartment and found 19 cents (one dime & nine pennies). On my way to the ballpark I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash (I also stopped there on the way home, so my documented finds are for both trips) and I found 26 cents (one dime & 16 pennies). A homeless man, who I had seen there before, saw me picking up pennies and told me that the other day he had found 50 cents in pennies. I’m a bit sad that he is cutting into my profits, but I’m glad that he shares my love of finding change. I think we bonded.

At the ballpark I found one penny by a parking meter as I walked to the game. On my way home I stopped at Sonic and found two cents and the Halmark Car Wash were I found nine cents (all pennies). It was at the Hallmark Car Wash that I found the aforementioned token. It has the words “No Cash Value” on one side and the picture of a somewhat scary clown on the other. As loyal readers know by now the token will be deposited into my “Not Change Cup.” I also found two cents at the drive-thru window of a Taco Bell.

The slumping Astros offense managed nine runs today, but still managed to lose to the St. Louis Cardinals, 11-9. They also sent down one of my favorite players, our backup catcher Raul “Beef” Chavez. I nicknamed Beef because he is a rather large guy, but he was always friendly with me and even found me at Spring Training and asked to sign my team ball. I ate a large hamburger this afternoon in memory of Beef. On the autograph front I only managed two signatures, nothing very impressive.

Totals for the day: 59 cents
Race Totals: $72.76

Friday, June 3, 2005

Today I found 34 cents. . . 3 dimes & 4 pennies. I also found a bluish ring with animals on it. Sadly, the bluish ring with animals on it does not count towards the daily totals.

I was up at 4:00am this morning, but it had nothing to do with change searching. I had to drive my friend Tara downtown where she was meeting friends to leave on a vacation to Mexico. I have been granted use of Tara’s car for the next week, so it was worth the early alarm. Sadly, as I when I returned home I realized that Tara had accidently removed my backpack, containing my baseball necessities (tickets to upcoming games, baseballs, baseball glove, etc.) from the car and had it with her. I had to return to retrieve the backpack, all of this being completed before 6:30am.

On the way back from retrieving my backpack I stopped at a post office and found 11 cents (one dime & one penny) under a stamp machine. On my way back to the office from an appointment downtown (marking the third time I had been downtown today) I stopped at a Burger King drive-thru and found 11 cents (also one dime & one penny). Driving home from the Astros game (my fourth time downtown today) I checked in at the Hallmark Car Wash and found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies).

It was at the ballpark after the game that I found the ring. It is metal, but has been painted blue and there are various types of jungle animals on it. The ring will be deposited into my “Not Change Cup” keeper of all things not change. Also at the ballpark this evening I obtained 10 St. Louis Cardinal autographs. Many of the autographs were notable, among them Ray King, Julian Tavarez, David Eckstein, Roger Cedeno, and Albert Pujols.

Mr. Pujols exited the ballpark almost an hour after the game and seeing the autograph seekers commented, “come on guys, you know I only sign inside.” However, I am familiar with Mr. Pujols’ signing habits and knew that he does not sign inside, only outside. Many of the autograph seekers walked away, but I approached Mr. Pujols after about 50 feet and again asked him to sign. He smiled and signed my team ball, and then was deluged with other requests. Since he hit a home run this evening it was the least he could do.

Totals for the day: 34 cents
Race Totals: $72.17

Thursday, June 2, 2005

Today I found 55 cents. . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, 1 quarter, and 5 pennies (the fantabulous change cycle).

Today is a sad day in my world. My beloved car, nicknamed “The Transmonster,” which is short for Transmission Monster (it has already eaten five transmissions, all under warrantee) is on it’s last legs. My mechanic, an honest and reliable guy, told me that he could fix it but recommended that I just buy a new car instead. Thus, my new car search begins.

Because my car was at the mechanics all day I had to get a ride to work with some co-workers. Today was very busy and I didn’t have a chance to change search until after work. However, I made up for it in a jiff in the evening. I found three cents at a local car wash and at another car wash I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies).

I really didn’t want to have to drive my car too much, so I decided that I would allow myself only one more stop and that was at Kroger, a local grocery store. Walking in I found 15 cents (one dime & one nickel) in vending machines. The dime was in a coke machine and the nickel was in a bottled water machine. Leaving the store I spotted a quarter by a trash can. The quarter is the state quarter for North Carolina, state motto: “First in Flight.”

Totals for the day: 55 cents
Race Totals: $71.83

Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Today I found 74 cents. . . 2 dimes, 2 quarters, and 4 pennies.

On my way to an appointment this morning I checked in at Sonic and found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). I also went to Kroger, a local grocery store, in Tomball and found two quarters in a pay phone. I have previously found two quarters in the exact same phone, but the date escapes me at this moment.

My final morning find was a coin in the middle of the road at a traffic light in Tomball, TX. The coin was completely obliterated, with no trace of anything on it. It is by far the most battered coin I have found. Initially I thought it was a penny, because I saw some copper in it. However, upon closer examination I felt that it might be a dime and the copper I was seeing was the center. At lunch I had to go to the bank and I asked a team of bank tellers to examine it. The consensus among the four tellers was that the coin was a dime, so it will be duly recorded as such.

On my way to the ballpark this evening I found two pennies at a car wash. My final find of the day was a single penny at Minute Maid Ballpark after the game. The penny was found as I was searching for ticket stubs from the historic game that I had witnessed. It was in a section behind home plate. The game was historic because Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt ran his record against the Reds to 14-0 lifetime. No pitcher in Major League history has ever gone 14-0 against any team.

On the autograph front there is little to report. My ball is chalked full of autographs and there was just no room for anymore. However, I did get Shawn Casey to sign a single ball for a friend and I managed to get Reds pitcher Ricky Stone (former Astro) to find a spot on the ball to sign. Most of my batting practice was spent in the Crawford Boxes, which is home run ally at the ballpark. I caught one baseball, but it was thrown up by Ricky Stone and promptly given away to a little boy who looked like he needed a baseball.

Totals for the day: 74 cents
Race Totals: $71.28