Friday, September 30, 2005

Today I found 11 cents. . . all pennies.

I didn’t record my first find until this evening when I was at the Astros game. While I was waiting in line for my one retro t-shirt which was a stadium give away today I spotted a penny on the ground. On my way home from the game I stopped at a Chevron station for a drink and found a penny on the ground by the door. My final find was nine cents at the Kwick Kar Wash.

Pathetic. This is the only word I can come up with to describe the Astros efforts over the past two days. We took a 1-0 lead early in the game but the Cubs tied it up and went ahead later in the game. We went ahead again, and our usually reliable closer, Brad Lidge, who I had talked to earlier in the day for quite some time by the bullpen, blew it in the 9th inning.

On the positive side one player, who will remain nameless, is very positive about the Astros chances. On my way home my cell phone rang and it was the aforementioned player. He invited me to a party Saturday night at an upscale club in town. He told me that a bunch of the guys are so confident that they will win tomorrow and clench that they have already rented a room to celebrate. Clench or not, the party is tomorrow and I’ll be there. Let’s hope the celebration isn’t premature.

Totals for the day: 11 cents
Race Totals: $172.08

_____________________________________________

September Monthly Report:

This month I found 391 pennies, 15 nickels, 43 dimes, and 19 quarters. Oddly, I found 18 cents three times, 11 cents two times, and 38 cents two times.

Monthly Total: $13.71
Change Cycle Days: 7
Dollar Days: 2
Monthly High: $1.73 (September 19)
Monthly Low: 11 cents (September 25 & 30)
Daily Average: 45.7 cents

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Today I found 73 cents. . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, 1 quarter, and 23 pennies (the “Magic # remains at two” change cycle).

While dining on two for one burgers at Sonic this afternoon I took a stroll around the parking lot and found 26 cents (one dime & 16 pennies). Later in the day I washed my car at the car care station in the neighboring apartment complex (they have a nice area and a vacuum cleaner that only costs 50 cents) and I found seven cents (one nickel & two pennies).

In the evening I went to the Astros game and while walking from my car to the ballpark I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies). I also found 25 cents (one quarter) in a Pepsi machine that is across the street from the ballpark. My final finds of the day were three pennies at the post office. Two of the pennies were on a counter top and one was in the coin return slot of a stamp machine.

The Astros might make the playoffs, but that doesn’t make them a playoff team. Right now I kind of feel like a San Diego Padres fan must feel. Their team could make the playoffs with a sub 500 record. Neither the Astros (if they make it) or the Padres deserve post season play. Wouldn’t it be nice if both teams just declined the invitation and let the Braves and the Cardinals duke it out for the World Series?

Totals for the day: 73 cents
Race Totals: $171.97

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Today I found 24 cents. . . all pennies.

On my way to work this morning I was stopped at a traffic light and I spotted a penny in the road. The early morning penny is always a nice way to start the day. Figuring it was a sign of good things to come I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 14 cents (again, all pennies).

On my way to meet my friend Susan for dinner this evening I was at yet another red light (on the same road as in the morning) and I found another two pennies. The light turned green just as I had retrieved the coins and was getting back into my car. After dinner I went to the post office and found a penny on the ground between the automated postal machine and a trash can. On my way home I checked another two car washes and found a total of six cents (you guessed it, all pennies).

Just as a point of interest I must say that I never had any idea how expensive clothes are. Susan decided that I needed some new shirts and pants so she helped me pick out a few things today. After making the purchase I wish she had decided to pay. You know, I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

Totals for the day: 24 cents
Race Totals: $171.24

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Today I found 13 cents. . . all pennies.

After lunch this afternoon my co-workers and I took a quick trip to Wendy’s. They actually waited in the car while I went to the drive-thru (which is still closed because of lack of power at the restaurant) and found five cents (all pennies). It was nice to see that even though they were not open there was still some change for me.

On my way home from work I stopped at a car wash on FM 1960 and found two cents. At a nearby Sonic I picked up another three cents and at the car wash next to my apartments I found my final three cents of the day.

I also got a wheat penny (1950) in some change at a corner store this afternoon. Of course the change penny does not count towards the daily totals, but I mention it as a point of interest.

Totals for the day: 13 cents
Race Totals: $171.00

Monday, September 26, 2005

Today I found 54 cents. . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, 1 quarter, & 4 pennies (the Exxon Change Cycle).

Well, I’m officially a victim of Hurricane Rita. As the entire city of Houston didn’t have to work today I had to go into my office. I figure this victim status entitles me to a large FIMA check and 90 day temporary housing in Hawaii, so don’t feel too bad for me.

On the way home from work today I stopped at an Exxon (that didn’t have any gas) and checked the vacuum cleaner by the car care station. I hit the jackpot finding 54 cents (one nickel, two dimes, one quarter, and four pennies). It was a rare change cycle in one stop. As I’m a bit sunburned from a day at the pool yesterday I decided to call it a day and head home.

Totals for the day: 54 cents
Race Totals: $170.87

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Today I found 11 cents. . . 1 nickel & 6 pennies.

After all the excitement over the last few days I was just tired today. I did go to my friend Susan’s apartment to wish her a happy belated birthday and we went out to her pool to have a few beers. At the pool I found six cents (one nickel & one penny). Later in the day we were driving around and went into a tattoo place for a friend of hers to find out how much it would cost to get a belly button pierced. Outside the shop I found a penny. On the way home I found two cents at the Hallmark Car Wash and another two cents at the car wash next to my apartment complex.

Totals for the day: 11 cents
Race Totals: $170.33

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Today I found 67 cents. . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, 1 quarter & 17 pennies (the Hurricane Rita Change Cycle Special).

The hurricane is over and I survived. To be honest, I have been in thunder storms that packed more of a punch than Rita. I know some areas got hit hard, but where I was (which was supposed to take a decent pounding) we got 45 mile per hour winds and about 1.5 inches of rain. I was bummed.

Anyhow, last night just after midnight my neighbor Jim and I decided to take a break from the hurricane party and take a walk around the neighborhood to see what was going on. It was raining kind of hard and the wind was kicking, but we were board. We walked down the road (seeing absolutely nothing exciting) and I ended up at the car wash. There I found 19 cents (one nickel, one dime, and four pennies).

By the time morning had come the heavy part of the storm had passed. I had lost power in the morning, but Bailey had not. Both of us were a bit tired of being inside so we took a joint change searching drive together. The following finds were made by me: one penny at a Burger King drive-thru, four cents at a Jack-in-the-Box (in the parking lot), two cents at a closed Sonic, three cents at another car wash, and 10 cents (one dime) in the street at a red light.

On my way home from the change search I stopped at a drive-thru for Starbucks and found 28 cents (one quarter & three pennies). I am happy to report that when I finally got home I had power again.

Totals for the day: 67 cents
Race Totals: $170.22

Friday, September 23, 2005

Today I found 31 cents. . . 1 quarters & 6 pennies.

Well, it’s D-Day for Hurricane Rita so let the fun begin! This morning I made my last minute hurricane preparations. I took my plants off the balcony, brought in come charcoal from the car, and did some pre-hurricane change searching. It’s nice to report that there wasn’t a single car on the road this morning. I drove to a nearby car wash and found 31 cents (1 quarter & six pennies). I figured that this was good enough for the day, so I’m home now and getting ready to start the grill for the hurricane party. The winds are already whipping up and the rains are coming soon. I’ll post again when I can.

Totals for the day: 31 cents
Race Totals: $169.55

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Today I found 93 cents. . . 1 nickel, 3 quarters, & 13 pennies.

Thanks to the oncoming hurricane I have a four day weekend and I’m excited. What I’m not excited about is the traffic that Houston is facing right now. This morning my neighbor Robert went to the grocery store. It’s less than a mile away, but it’s north of here and it took him 45 minutes. So much fun. Lucky for me when I went driving today I took back roads and had no problems.

This morning I went to HEB, a local grocery store, and found a penny while waiting in line to go into the store. That’s right, I had to wait in line because the store had so few employees show up that they were only letting in one person at a time (luckily they had beer and chips, so I was able to complete my shopping with no additional problems). On my way home I went over to Klein High School and searched the parking lot for some change. I found two cents in the parking lot and 50 cents (two quarters) under a bleacher at the soccer field.

In the afternoon I went out to try to find a restaurant that was open. I figured that I shouldn’t use the food I have in the house until I really need to. Good logic, bad results. Nothing was open. However, I did find four cents at the drive-thru of a KFC, six cents (all pennies) at the drive-thru of a McDonalds, and 25 cents (one quarter) at the drive-thru of a Boston Market. My final find of the day was five cents (one nickel) in the coin return slot of a water machine at Randalls, a local grocery store where I finally went to go get lunch.

Totals for the day: 93 cents
Race Totals: $169.24

Wednesday, September 21, 2005 (Bring it on Rita)

Today I found 86 cents. . . 1 nickel, 5 dimes & 31 pennies. I also found a Canadian dime, a British penny, and a token from Chuck E. Cheese. Sadly, the last three do not count toward the daily totals.

This morning, as scores of vehicles exited Galveston Island I got in my car and drove SOUTH on Interstate 45 for an AM appointment. In Friendswood, TX I was stopped at a red light and saw a penny in the road. As the light was red the penny was retrieved with little fanfare. Driving back towards Houston (a drive that took me four hours because of all the people fleeing the hurricane) I stopped for lunch at the Home Plate Bar and Grill and found two cents on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. Closer to home I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 11 cents (all pennies).

At a car wash next to my apartment complex I found another nine cents (again, all pennies) on the ground. I finally decided, along with four million other Houstonians, to do some grocery shopping today. At HEB I found two cents in the self-checkout line (I purchased ground beef for hamburgers, charcoal, and some beer–the essentials for hurricane survival).

I also went to Randalls, another local grocery store, to use the ATM and to get some other provisions. Walking into Randalls I spotted a dime sitting vertical in the change return slot of a vending machine. The dime was added to my collection. Inside Randalls I hit the jackpot at the change counting machine. When I collected all the change in the return slot, as well as some change sitting on top of the machine, I had a total of 53 cents (one nickel, four dimes, and eight pennies). I also had the assorted foreign coins and Chuck E. Cheese token, which have been added to my “Not Change Cup.”

According to weather reports that I have seen Hurricane Rita, now a Category 5 storm, should hit the Houston area on Friday evening. I have already been given off work for the next few days and I have no plans on leaving the area, so I’m going to enjoy my time off and get ready for a big hurricane party that I’m going to throw on Friday night! Bailey is invited, assuming he does not punk out and leave Houston like a scared little girl!

Totals for the day: 86 cents
Race Totals: $168.31

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Today I found 18 cents. . . 1 dime & 8 pennies.

While heading to lunch this afternoon I stopped at a vending machine and found a dime on the ground. Outside I saw two lizards mating, but that did nothing for the daily totals so I only mention it as a point of interest.

In the evening my friend Robert and I went to go do a few errands. He drove so I was able to check the street for change at every red light. I was annoyed that I spotted a penny just as the light changed, which I was not able to retrieve. However, a few lights later I spotted another penny, which I was able to retrieve. My final stop of the evening was a car wash where I picked up seven cents (all pennies).

The big news of the day, besides the Astros win and the Phillies and Marlins loss, is hurricane Rita, which is supposed to hit Houston on Friday. As long as the power doesn’t conk out I will continue to post, and hopefully have a few hurricane finds to report..

Totals for the day: 18 cents
Race Totals: $167.45

Monday, September 19, 2005

Today I found $1.73. . . 1 nickel, 5 dimes, 4 quarters, & 18 pennies (the magical change cycle).

After an appointment in Clear Lake, TX this morning I checked a local car wash and found nine cents (all pennies). Most of the pennies were pushed up against the back of a fence, that separated the car wash from an apartment complex. To get to my next appointment I had to take the toll road, and at an automated toll booth (with no cars in site) I quickly got out of my car and found 39 cents (one quarter, one dime, & four pennies) that had been thrown in the direction of the coin acceptor but had missed.

In the afternoon as I returned home I was stopped at a red light and I spotted a dime in the road. This particular intersection continues to provided change, but it does make me wonder if I miss it or if it is continuously replenished. From the looks of the dime it had been there for a while.

At Randalls, a local grocery store, I found a quarter. It was situated on the ground between two soda machines. I also deposited some checks at my bank, which has a branch in the grocery store.

On the way to pick up some food for the evening I stopped at Ale Gator’s Car Wash and hit the jackpot by finding 89 cents (two quarters, three dimes, one nickel, and four pennies). It was the rare change cycle in the same place. All the change, save one penny, was on the ground in a car wash station. My final find of the day was a single penny at Barnes & Noble, where I went to go try to find a book to keep me entertained for the rest of the week. With no TV to watch and the Astros out of town I will need entertainment.

Totals for the day: $1.73
Race Totals: $167.27

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Today I found 20 cents. . . 1 dime, & 10 pennies.

This morning I checked a Burger King drive thru and found 11 cents (one dime & nine pennies). On my way home from the Astros game (a win and a sweep of the Brewers) I stopped at Sonic for dinner and found nine cents (all pennies).

Totals for the day: 20 cents
Race Totals: $165.54

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Today I found 33 cents. . . 3 nickels, 1 dime, & 8 pennies. I also found a token with “No Cash Value,” which obviously won’t count toward the daily totals.

Today was needlessly complicated and that never makes me happy. I had lots to do and got very little done and I wasn’t sure what kind of change I was going to find. On my way home from the Astros game I found two cents at the Kwick Kar Wash. Both pennies were by a vacuum cleaner. My only other stop of the evening was at the Hallmark Car Wash, where I found 31 cents (three nickels, one dime, & six pennies). I hardly ever stop at this car wash, but I might have to start frequenting it more. All of the change was scattered about. Two of the nickels and a dime were together, directly next to a pile of M&M’s that was covered with ants.

The token with “No Cash Value” (as is stated on the back of the token) has an eagle on the front. I can’t tell from looking at it where it was issued or what it was intended for. It was found at the Kwick Kar Wash, and has been deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of these types of things.

Astros win. Phillies roll. This is an exciting time for baseball.

Totals for the day: 33 cents
Race Totals: $165.34

Friday, September 16, 2005

Today I found $1.31. . . 1 nickel, 6 dimes, 1 quarter & 41 pennies (the non-organic change cycle).

After the Astros game last night I had to make another post office run. I really should think about investing in an office at the post office since I’m there so much. Anyhow, it was after midnight, so I made a few change searching trips. At a Burger King drive-thru I found 29 cents (one quarter, one nickel, and four pennies) and at a KFC drive-thru I found 14 cents (one dime & four pennies). Starbucks also contributed to the cause with an amazing 18 cents (all pennies).

Driving to work today (even though it was a day off I had to put in half a day to get some stuff done) I found two cents in the road at a stoplight. Down at the Astros game this evening I took a parking meter walk with my friend Kate and I found 25 cents (two dimes & five pennies). Kate is short, but she is nice.

On the way home I checked in at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 13 cents (one dime & three pennies) and at Sonic where I found 25 cents (two dimes & five pennies).

The Astros got over on the Brewers tonight, 2-1, with the winning run scored in the 9th inning. Very exciting baseball. On the autograph front I had all the Brewers I needed, but I still got two signatures on a special ball. Late this season I decided to get all the players named Chris to sign a ball for me. Today I added two additional names to my ball, Chris Capuano and Chris Magruder. Both seemed amused by the idea of a Chris ball, and both wished me luck in my endeavors.

Totals for the day: $1.31
Race Totals: $165.01

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Today I found 61 cents. . . 1 nickel, 2 quarters & 6 pennies.

What an awful day I had, not including the change searching. I overslept and was almost late for a meeting, I had to sit though a day of meetings, I had computer problems at work, I forgot clothes to change into for the baseball game, and I got a bad parking spot at the baseball game. Besides that it was a great day.

On my way to the ballpark I stopped at the North Freeway Car Wash along Interstate 45. There I found 29 cents (one quarter & four pennies). I got to the ballpark early, but there were still no good parking spots. To kill time I checked around the base of parking meters and found 32 cents (one nickel, one quarter, & two pennies). Each of the four coins were found at different meters.

At least my day at the ballpark was ok. I got a few good autographs and a person that I only sort of knew gave me a ticket so I could legally sit in the third row behind the visitors dugout today. To top it off the Astros won and now are once again the leaders in the National League Wild Card.

Totals for the day: 61 cents
Race Totals: $163.70

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Today I found 18 cents. . . 1 nickel, 1 dime & 3 pennies.

On my way to the ballpark this evening I stopped at the post office (for the second day in a row) to mail some packages and, for the second day in a row, found two cents by a stamp machine. I also stopped at an ATM to get some money and I found six cents (one nickel & one penny) on the ground. My final find of the day was 10 cents (one dime) by a cash register at Shell, where I had gone for a drink.

On the autograph front at the Astros game it continued to be a slow day. I only got five signatures, but at least one of them was Josh Beckett, pitcher for the Marlins. I feel justified about writing about baseball again, since the Astros did win tonight 10-1.

Totals for the day: 18 cents
Race Totals: $163.09

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Today I found 18 cents. . . 1 dime & 8 pennies.

I got an early start on the day today and before I went to work I swung into the post office to mail a letter. Under a stamp machine I found two cents. On my way into the office I stopped at a Taco Bell drive-thru (which was of course closed because it was still before 7am) and I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies). Along FM 1960 I was stopped at a red light and found a penny in a crack in the road.

Walking to the Astros game this evening I stopped to hide a tuna fish sandwich in my pocket (I’m getting tired of ballpark food so I have decided to bring my own) and I found a penny along the sidewalk. On my way home I stopped at the car wash next to my apartment complex and found two cents. There was likely more, but as I was checking around some vacuum cleaners I saw a racoon that hissed at me. Racoons, with the possibility of rabies, scare the crud out of me, so I decided to call it a night.

The past two nights at the ballpark haven’t been much to talk about, on the win front or the autograph front. However, I did have a good night with some non-baseball autographs. The crew of the space shuttle (the one that was just in space) was there to throw out the first pitch. I managed to get five of the seven to sign a baseball for me. It’s only my second baseball ever with astronauts, so I was pleased.

Totals for the day: 18 cents
Race Totals: $162.91

Monday, September 12, 2005

Today I found 36 cents. . . 2 dimes & 16 pennies. I also found a fake penny and a Children’s Miracle Network bracelet, neither of which will count toward the day’s totals.

On my way back from an appointment this afternoon I stopped at a Sonic for lunch. After eating I chatted with my boss on my cell phone while I looked for change. At the Sonic I found seven cents (all pennies) and at a Chick-fil-A next door I found two cents in the drive-thru. As I walked up to the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A I saw a person in the window and I saw the two cents. I knew I had to be smooth in picking up the two pennies since I was still on the phone with my boss, so with all my skill I waved at the fast food attendant and picked up the change. They didn’t seem to mind and my boss was none the wiser.

In the afternoon as I headed to the ballpark I stopped at a local car wash and found 27 cents (two dimes & seven pennies). This car wash usually doesn’t deliver that much, so I was pleased with my finds. It was here that I also found a fake penny, which resembled a real penny but was made of plastic and was stamped with the word “COPY.” I also found a red and yellow bracelet which is from the Children’s Miracle Network, a group who I have never heard of but who is obviously capitalizing on the Lance Armstrong “Live Strong” bracelets. Both the bracelet and the fake penny have been deposited into my “Not Change Cup.”

Speaking of bracelets I once dated a girl who had a red Ohio State bracelet that I always made fun of. I though it was kind of tacky that The Ohio State University would try to raise money for their booster club by capitalizing on a charitable cause (i.e. the Lance Armstrong bracelets). Sufficed to say, I am not a fan of Ohio State and this might have been part of the reason for the relationship ending. Then again, the fact that she was quite unpleasant might have also had something to do with it!

Totals for the day: 36 cents
Race Totals: $162.73

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Today I found 46 cents. . . 2 dimes, 1 quarter & 1 penny.

My week of feeling like crap continues. I probably made it worse by joining my friend Susan for lunch this afternoon. To add insult to injury she won a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant because she played and won an NFL squares game. At least I didn’t have to pay for lunch.

On the way home I knew that I wasn’t going to be good for a lot of change searching so I took a page from Bailey’s book and went to a Chic-Fil-A. I was not disappointed. I found one penny in the drive thru and 45 cents (one quarter & two dimes) in the parking lot. I promptly drove home and called it a day.

In late breaking news I just spoke with my friend Patti in New Jersey, who informed me that she found two cents today on the sidewalk outside of the school where she teaches. This is worthy change news so I figured I would pass it along.

Totals for the day: 46 cents
Race Totals: $162.37

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Today I found 90 cents. . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, 2 quarters & 15 pennies (the beloved change cycle).

After midnight this morning I took a trip to the post office to drop off some packages. After that I stopped at a nearby carwash and hit the jackpot, finding 61 cents (two quarters, one dime & one penny). The two quarters were on top of a vacuum cleaner and the dime and penny were on the ground. I also checked another carwash along the way home and found 22 cents (one nickel, one dime, and seven pennies). All the change was scattered about. Finally, on the way home I was stopped at a long stoplight and I spotted and retrieved a single penny from the roadway.

I continue to feel like garbage today (a rare summer cold, how ironic). There wasn’t much change searching during the day, but I did find six cents (all pennies) at a car wash next to my apartment.

I almost had an interesting change dilemma today, but it didn’t develop as I had anticipated. At Randalls, a local grocery store, I went to go purchase a 25 cent soda from a machine. After I put in my quarter and pushed the button I got my soda and a quarter was returned to me. I wasn’t sure if this would count as found change, but in the end it didn’t matter. I got greedy and decided to try it again. I put in the quarter and hit the button. I got another soda, but no returned quarter. Still, two sodas for 25 cents isn’t bad so I’m not complaining.

Totals for the day: 90 cents
Race Totals: $161.91

Friday, September 9, 2005

Today I found 12 cents. . . all pennies.

I was not feeling very well today (I have been feeling sick for the past few days) so when I got back into Houston I made a quick stop at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 11 cents (all pennies) and at the car wash next to my apartment complex where I found a single penny. That was it for the finds for the day.

It was nice to see (or hear on the radio thanks to the wonderful satelite system we have) that the Astros beat the Phillies for the 12th consecutive time a few days ago. Billy Wagner, who has always scared me as a pitcher because he only has one pitch blew the game. I was lucky enough to hear the call of the Phillies announcers when Craig Biggio hit the game winning homerun in the 9th inning. The call went something like this:

Biggio steps back in, the count is 1-1 (crack of the bat and SILENCE--FOR A LONG TIME). I don't believe it. I just don't believe it. Craig Biggio. Three run homerun. All the runs are unearned. Who cares!

It was beautiful. I just don't understand why Brian doesn't like the Phillies announcers.

Totals for the day: 38 cents
Race Totals: $161.01

Thursday, September 8, 2005

Today I found 38 cents. . . 2 dimes & 18 pennies. I also found a plastic lizard, which I though was real. The plastic value, being "not change" will not count toward the daily totals.

Again, most of my change was found in and about town today. I don't have exact locations as this was not Houston and I'm not as familiar with the city as I might be, but there were quite a few finds on sidewalks and gas stations. I did find a 1947 wheat penny on top of a telephone at one gas station, so that was a nice find. The lizard, which I though was real, was floating in a puddle of water. When I realized that it was plastic I decided that it would make a nice addition to my "Not Change Cup" keeper of things that are not change.

Totals for the day: 38 cents
Race Totals: $160.89

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

Today I found 27 cents. . . 1 dime & 17 pennies.

This is really just a catch up post, as I didn't have access to the Internet for the past few days. I found all the change in and around town, where I was for a week for work. I do have some thoughts on the Phillies and Astros, but I'll get to them on Friday.

Totals for the day: 38 cents
Race Totals: $160.51

Tuesday, September 6, 2005

Today I found 38 cents. . . 2 dimes & 18 pennies.

While heading out of town I stopped at the car wash next to my apartments and found 16 cents (one dime & six pennies). Later in the day I found another 22 cents (one dime & 12 pennies) at another car wash.

The Astros won again last night, topping the Phillies for the 11th time in a row. Some say that when Babe Ruth was traded the Red Sox suffered from the Curse of the Bambino. The Phillies have not won agains the Astros since they acquired Billy Wagner. Something to think about! I wonder what we could call the curse?

Totals for the day: 38 cents
Race Totals: $160.24

Monday, September 5, 2005

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

Shortly after midnight I decided to hit the streets in search of some change. There was not much to be found. At a Burger King drive-thru I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny) and at a Starbucks drive-thru I found seven cents (one nickel & two pennies). I also unearthed two cents at a Boston Market, but these pennies were in the parking lot, not the drive-thru.

Today was dedicated to doing nothing. However, in the afternoon I met Bailey for lunch and after that I went to the post office to drop off some packages. Under a stamp machine I found 35 cents (one dime & one quarter).

Several years ago I came up with a list of things to do before I die. Over the years I have added some and crossed some off. One of the things on my list is to go one month without watching TV. Well, I picked this month as the month to do it. So far it hasn’t been very tough, although before now I didn’t realize how many restaurants actually have TV’s in them. Sufficed to say, I can’t watch baseball on the tube, but I can listen to it on the radio. If our announcers were correct in calling the game I do believe the Astros beat the Phillies this evening. It sounded good.

NOTE: I’ll be out of town for the rest of the week, but I think I will have Internet access. If I don’t I will be back Friday, but I’m guessing I should be able to write every day.

Totals for the day: 55 cents
Race Totals: $159.86

Sunday, September 4, 2005

Today I found 30 cents. . . 1 quarter & 5 pennies.

On my way to the ballpark this morning I found a penny sitting in the street by a corner of FM 1960 & Kuykendahl Rd. The light was red and I got the penny with little fanfare. At the ballpark Bailey and I were walking around the concourse and I spotted a penny at the base of a food concession stand. According to Bailey he would have seen it in just a second, but it was a second too late. On the way home I spied another penny at the same intersection as earlier in the day, only on a different side of the road. My final penny find was at CVS, where I stopped to pick up some envelopes.

In the evening I joined my friend Susan for dinner. She was kind enough to pick up the tab for the meal with a gift certificate that her mother had given her as a gift. On the way home from dinner I stopped at a Burger King for some change searching. I found 25 cents (one quarter) in the drive-thru. It had a bit of red sticky wax on it, but a quarter is a quarter.

On the baseball front the Astros lost today. Over the last three days they have dropped two of three to the St. Luis Cardinals. Tomorrow is a big series for the Stros, as the go to the city of brotherly love to face the Philadelphia Philles. Philadelphia is known for many things; such as cheese steaks, booing Santa Clause, booing Mike Schmidt, booing almost everything else, and being the Astros whipping boys over the past few seasons. Last year the Astros swept the Phillies in Philadelphia and this year they swept them in Houston. It will be an important series, and I’m sure our change searching friend Brian will be at some of the games.

Totals for the day: 30 cents
Race Totals: $159.31

Saturday, September 3, 2005

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

As I drove home from the ballpark last night it turned midnight before I got home. I had to make a few stops along the way and I also did some change searching. At two car washes I found a total of six cents (all pennies). At an Arby’s which had closed for the evening I found a single penny in the drive-thru, and at the post office I found a single penny in the coin return slot of a stamp machine.

Today at the ballpark I was walking from my car to the stadium and I found 20 cents (two dimes) at two parking meters. They were right next to each other and I had a feeling about change, so I’m happy I found something. Nearby Bailey found a pair of what appeared to be lacy underwear, but I will let him tell you about that! Later in the evening I was walking back to my car and I found a single penny by another parking meter.

Totals for the day: 29 cents
Race Totals: $159.01

Friday, September 2, 2005

Today I found 19 cents. . . all pennies.

Despite the fact that today was supposed to be a day off for me I ended up having to work. I went to an appointment in Brenham, TX, home of Tara’s parents, and on the way back I stopped at a car wash to check for some change. I found two cents. I also stopped at Sonic for some lunch and found another eight cents (all pennies). My day was capped by finding nine cents (all pennies) at the reliable Kwick Kar Wash. I also found a woman there who asked me for a ride about five miles down the road. She told me she had missed her bus and had to walk. At first I told her no, but when I actually saw her walking down the road I decided to give her a lift. I am happy to report she did not try to mug or kill me.

On the Astros front the team managed to win their fourth game in a row, a come from behind win against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Astros tied the game in the 9th, 10th, and 13th innings, before winning in the bottom of the 13th on a walk-off single. No autographs were obtained today, but I did get a Nolan Ryan/Roger Clemens duel figurine that was being given away.

One of the Astros security people (and I use that term generously, since he is an idiot) tried to stop me from getting it because he though I had already gone through the line before. He made a big stink out of it, but I was permitted to keep my figurine. The sad thing is that it was in fact my first time through the line so I was miffed that I was being accused of something that I actually hadn’t done. Bailey was right there with me, but before I could even turn to have him explain my side he had vanished. Very solid move on his part actually. I would have done the same thing.

Totals for the day: 19 cents
Race Totals: $158.72

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Today I found 16 cents. . . 1 dime & 6 pennies. I also found a bouquet of roses. Sadly, the roses won’t count toward the daily totals.

This morning I had an appointment in Clear Lake, TX. I had to go make some photo copies of some documents and at a local copy store I found a single penny on the ground by a counter. On the way back to my office I stopped at a Sonic and found two cents.

On the way to the ballpark I stopped at a car wash on Interstate 45. There I found 13 cents (one dime & three pennies). I also found a bouquet of roses sitting in a car wash station. Some of the leaves were a tad wilted, but the roses themselves (one pink, one white, one red) were in excellent condition. I decided to keep the roses and perhaps hand the car wash flowers off to some lucky girl in the near future. Who will it be? Tara? Jennifer? Jennifer’s friend Lesley?, Susan? We shall see.

At the baseball game tonight I decided to try to catch a ball during batting practice instead of doing autographs. I only needed Ken Griffey, Jr., so I figured my chances at a ball were better than a chance at Mr. Hamstring. Sadly, I got neither.

Totals for the day: 16 cents
Race Totals: $158.53