Saturday, September 30, 2006

Today I found 1 cent . . . . . .a penny.

I didn’t get out much today and when I did there wasn’t a lot of change in the places I was. Luckily I picked up a penny by a self-checkout lane at Kroger, a local grocery store. I purchased some bagels there this morning and the rest of the day was spent at home.

Totals for the day: 1 cent
Race Totals: $435.53

_________________________


September Monthly Report:

This month I found 295 pennies, 17 nickels, 24 dimes, and 20 quarters. I also $71 in paper money (1 $1 bill, 2 $5 bills, and 3 $20 bills). I set a new monthly high, obliterating my previous high (August 2005) by $39.67.

Monthly Total: $82.20
Change Cycle Days: 2
Dollar Days: 5
Monthly High: $66.48 (Sept. 20th)
Monthly Low: 1 cent (Sept 30th)
Daily Average: $2.74

Friday, September 29, 2006

Today I found 45 cents . . . . . .1 nickel, 1 quarter, and 15 pennies.

Driving home from work this afternoon I spotted and retrieved a penny from the middle of the road. I was at a red light, the same red light that got me yesterday, when I made the find. Before getting home I stopped at the local convenience store next to my apartment complex to pick up a drink and I found 28 cents (one quarter & three pennies). The quarter was in the coin return slot of a quarter game machine and the three pennies were sitting on top.

At the post office this evening I found seven cents (one nickel & three pennies) in the coin return slot of a stamp machine. I also found nine cents (all pennies) at the car wash next to the post office. It looked like it was going to rain so I headed home. It didn’t rain.

Totals for the day: 45 cents
Race Totals: $435.52

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Today I found 20 cents . . . . all pennies.

On the way home from work I checked in at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 15 cents. When I got to FM 1960 I had to stop at a red light and I spotted and retrieved a penny from a crack in the street. As I was getting back into my car I spotted and retrieved a second penny.

In the evening I found a penny on the floor of the post office. It was right by the front door. My final two cents of the day came shortly thereafter at HEB, a local grocery store. Both pennies were located on the ground by seperate cash registers.

Totals for the day: 20 cents
Race Totals: $435.07

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Today I found 41 cents . . . . . .1 quarter & 16 pennies. I also found a Mexican peso, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

This evening I found a penny sitting atop a coin counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store. I was there to purchase broccoli for dinner. Later I found three pennies sitting in the laundry room of the apartment complex.

Even later in the evening I went to the post office to mail some eBay items and stopped at the car wash next door. There I found 10 cents (all pennies). The final find of the day was 27 cents (one quarter & two pennies) that I got at the always reliable Al Gator’s Car Wash.

The Mexican peso found at the car wash next to the post office. At first I though it was a nickel. It was not. Therefore, it will be deposited in my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of such items.

Totals for the day: 41 cents
Race Totals: $434.87

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Today I found 35 cents . . . . . .1 quarter & 10 pennies.

On the way home from work I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found five cents (all pennies). In the evening I was at the post office and found one cent in the coin return slot of a stamp machine. The last find was 29 cents (one quarter & four pennies) that were picked up at the car wash next to the post office. The pennies were scattered about on the ground and the quarter was stick in some dirt in a car wash station.

Totals for the day: 35 cents
Race Totals: $434.46

Monday, September 25, 2006

Today I found 5 cents . . . . . .all pennies.

The first penny was found at Greenspoint Mall, where I dined with my former co-worker John. The remaining four cents were found at the Kwick Kar Wash, where I stopped on the way home from work.

Totals for the day: 5 cents
Race Totals: $434.11

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Today I found 3 cents . . . . . .all pennies.

A big day of sports. Becca and I took in the Redskins v. Texans game in the afternoon and I saw the Astros game in the evening. One penny was found at a Chevron gas station where we stopped for drinks on the way to the football game. The two remaining pennies were found in the street outside Minute Maid Ballpark, where the Astros swept the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the Astros last home game of the season, unless there is an amazing comeback.

Totals for the day: 3 cents
Race Totals: $434.06

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Today I found 44 cents . . . . . .3 dimes & 14 pennies.

It was an exciting day today. First, my friend Becca was in town to visit for the weekend. Second, I actually started to feel a bit better. All the change, save one penny, was found at the Sonic on FM 1960. The final penny was found at HEB, a local grocery store.

Totals for the day: 44 cents
Race Totals: $434.03

Friday, September 22, 2006

Today I found 65 cents . . . . . .1 nickel, 1 quarter, and 35 pennies. I also found a 20 cent piece from Singapore. Sadly the 20 cent piece from Singapore will not count toward the daily totals.

Leaving the Astros game I found a quarter lodged in the coin return slot of a Pepsi machine. On the way home I stopped at Sonic for a late dinner (still not feeling well and that was my first food all day) and I found 13 cents (all pennies). At the Kwick Kar Wash, which was next door, I found 16 cents (one nickel & 11 pennies). The final stop on the way home was JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex, where I found 11 cents (all pennies).

The 20 cent piece from Singapore was found at JR's Car Wash. I thought it was a nickel. It was not. Therefore, it has been placed into my "Not Change Cup," keeper of such finds.

Totals for the day: 65 cents
Race Totals: $433.59

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Today I found 61 cents . . . . . .1 dime, 2 quarters, and 1 penny.

Still feeling terrible today so I actually went to the doctor. Diagnosis: I’m sick. Walking into CVS, a local pharmacy, to get my prescription filled, I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny) on the ground by a cash register. As I waited for the prescription to be filled I drove over to Al Gator’s Car Wash and found 50 cents (two quarters) atop the ledge of a car wash station.

Totals for the day: 61 cents
Race Totals: $432.94

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Today I found $66.48 . . . . . .1 $1 bill, 1 $5 bill, 3 $20 bills, 2 dimes, 1 quarter, and 3 pennies. One of the pennies was a 1924 Wheat Penny.

If only I wasn’t feeling terrible today (still sick) I would have enjoyed my day a lot more. I decided to try to work in the afternoon baseball game today and it was enjoyable. Roger Clemens, who may or may not retire this year, pitched in his last home game of the year. He got the win and a nice ovation as he left the field.

Walking to the ballpark I spotted a crumpled up $1 bill on the sidewalk. As I got closer and picked it up I saw that it was not just a $1 bill, but also a $5 bill. At six dollars I was feeling good about my change finds.

After the game I was walking around the stadium looking for ticket stubs and I found a folded $20 bill. I was psyched as I picked it up, and even more psyched when I found that it was not one folded $20 bill, but three, for a total of $60!

As I was leaving the stadium a quarter under a seat caught my eye. As it turns out there was a grand total of 46 cents (two dimes, one quarter, one penny) sitting there.

Back at my apartment complex I opened the door to my car and spotted a penny on the ground. It was a well worn 1924 Wheat Penny, one of the oldest that I have found to date. The final penny came to me this evening. It was in the parking lot of the post office.

Totals for the day: $66.48
Race Totals: $432.33

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

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

Two cents were found on the ground at a Chevron gas station, where I stopped for a drink on the way to the ballpark this evening. I wasn’t feeling that great all day, so I figured some liquids could only help.

Outside the ballpark I found six cents (one nickel & one penny). Both were in dirt, in separate locations along the same street. The final dime was found inside the stadium under a seat after the game.

As promised here is a picture of the Grandpa token that I found yesterday:


It just seems strange to me, and the worst part was that I mistook it for a quarter, so I was really annoyed when I saw what it really was.

Totals for the day: 18 cents
Race Totals: $365.85

Monday, September 18, 2006

Today I found $1.18 . . .. 2 nickels, 4 quarters, and 8 pennies. I also found a “Grandpa, I Love You” token and another token with no cash value. Sadly, the two tokens will have no value towards the daily totals.

At Kroger, a local grocery store, I found seven cents (one nickel & two pennies). After the ballgame this evening I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found $1.11 (one nickel, four quarters, and six pennies). The quarters were sitting atop a ledge of a car wash station and the remaining change was scattered about on the ground.

The token with no cash value and the “Grandpa, I Love You” token were found at the Kwick Kar Wash. The grandpa token, which reads “Grandpa, I Love You” on one side, reads “You’re the Greatest Grandpa. . . Caring and fun, Honest, and wise . . I feel so glad we share strong family ties” on the other. Although neither token counts toward the daily totals they will both make excellent editions to my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of such items.

Totals for the day: $1.18
Race Totals: $365.67

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Today I found 17 cents . . .. 1 nickel and 12 pennies.

I found my first penny on the sidewalk, outside the Home Plate Bar & Grill, a restaurant/bar across the street from Minute Maid Ballpark. The second and third pennies were found in the stands after the game. I had plenty of time to walk around, as it was Kids Run the Bases day after the ballgame this afternoon.

Later in the evening I went to recycle some newspapers and I stopped at a nearby car wash and found three cents. The final stop of the day was the usually reliable Al Gator’s Car Wash, where I found 11 cents (one nickel & six cents).

Totals for the day: 17 cents
Race Totals: $364.49

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Today I found 13 cents . . .. 1 dime and 3 pennies.

The first penny was found at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex. The second penny was found at the post office in the parking lot. The third penny was found at a local gas station. The dime was found in the gutter of a street outside of Minute Maid Ballpark.

Speaking of gutters, the Astros lost again to the Phillies and movie star Cole Hammels almost had a no-no. That’s all I’ll say about baseball this evening since some people are getting a bit grumpy with my baseball reports.

Instead of more baseball analysis I’ll leave you this evening with a few pictures of my recent trip to Hawaii.

This was the vantagepoint that I had most of the week, me laying on the beach:


Here is another picture that I took on my back, this one of some palm trees:


Here was a view of the city of Honolulu from the mountaintop where my friend lives:


Finally, a picture of some lagoons where I did some swimming one afternoon:


Thus concludes the pictures from Hawaii. Hopefully they will be enjoyed.

Totals for the day: 13 cents
Race Totals: $364.32

Friday, September 15, 2006

Today I found 53 cents . . .. 1 dime, 1 quarter, 18 pennies (the exact same total and amounts from yesterday—strange!).

I found the first two cents at the Kwick Kar Wash and then another 14 cents (all pennies) at the Sonic that was right next door. At the ballpark I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) by various parking meters. On the way home I found a quarter at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex.

The Phillies were in town this evening for a three game series. As many will remember last month I predicted that the Phillies would win the Wild Card. San Diego is holding strong, but the Phillies remain in good position. Autographs were great before and after the game. Notable signers for the evening were David Dellucci, Ryan Howard, Mike Lieberthal, Randy Wolf, and Tom Gordon. Howard, who is one of the best signers as well as best players in baseball, did not disappoint. Not only did he sign my team ball but he also signed a single for me. I’m pulling for him to get 60 homeruns this season, which he should do as long as he stops swinging at everything within a mile of the strike zone.

Totals for the day: 53 cents
Race Totals: $364.19

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Today I found 53 cents . . .. 1 dime, 1 quarter, 18 pennies.

It was a Chamber of Commerce day in Houston today; low temperatures in the morning and a nice breeze in the afternoon. An absolutely wonderful day for change searching.

On the way home I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 25 cents (one dime & 15 pennies). At the post office I found 26 cents (one quarter & one penny). The quarter was in the change return slot of a stamp machine and the penny was on the ground nearby. The final two cents were found at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex.

Sit back now and brace yourself for my first even Survivor take. Let me start by saying that I have NEVER watched Survivor. Once a girl I was dating asked me to watch the show with her and I actually did sit there, but I promise you I was not paying attention. The girl is now gone but that is a totally different story.

Anyhow, reading the Houston Chronicle this morning, as well as listening to the radio, I noticed that there was a huge amount of chatter regarding the breaking up of tribes by race. Here is a quote from the Chronicle re. The race division: “It brought immediate negative reaction from such groups as New York City Council’s Black, Latino, and Asian Caucuses and the National Organization of Chinese-Americans.”

Now, let’s think about this for a second . . . groups that are comprised of one race, or group of people are actually criticizing a TV show for breaking down by race? They aren’t serious, are they? Maybe I’m missing something, but to me that seems a bit hypocritical.

Totals for the day: 53 cents
Race Totals: $363.66

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Today I found 29 cents . . .. 3 nickels, 1 dime, and 4 pennies.

My plane landed this morning at 6:45am and I was at work by 7:15am. I worked a full day and am still on Hawaii time so I figured that change finding would not be that great. I was only partially right.

It was my usual trip to the post office this evening where I recorded my first find; a single penny on the ground by a stamp machine. A short lady offered congratulations as I scooped it up and exited the crowded loby.

At Randalls, a local grocery store, I found 16 cents (one nickel, one dime, and one penny), all at the base of a change counting machine. At the car wash next to the post office I claimed another seven cents (one nickel & two pennies) and on the way home I stopped at another car wash and found a nickel.

I have several pictures from Hawaii that I plan on posting in the next few days, but somehow I managed (perhaps due to sleep deprovation) to leave my camera coard at my office. Ergo, I will have to wait until Friday (the next time I'll be in the office) to retrieve it and start to download some pictures. That is what we in the industry call a teaser. You, the loyal reader, are teased with a bit of something to keep you hanging on. Aloha.

Totals for the day: 29 cents
Race Totals: $363.13

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Today I found 28 cents . . .. 1 nickel, 2 dimes, and 3 pennies.

My last day in Hawaii and it was well spent, relaxing by the beach. I took the bus into town (from the mountain area where my friend lives) and while walking to the beach I found 27 cents (one nickel, two dimes, and two pennies) on the sidewalk and by the base of parking meters that I passed. The final penny was found on the street outside of Mooses, a bar/eating establishment that I sat outside of waiting for my friend to pick me up and take me to the airport.

Totals for the day: 28 cents
Race Totals: $362.84

Monday, September 11, 2006

Today I found 10 cents . . .. all pennies. I also found a Canadian dime and a two-cent Euro. Sadly the Canadian dime and two-cent Euro will not count toward the daily totals.

The first penny came to me on the sidewalk along Waikiki Beach where I was enjoying the afternoon sun. The second and third pennies were found along a road that I was waking (road had a very long and strange name that I won't even try to remember). They were both in some gravel. Penny number four was found at a 7-11 where I went to purchase some water. It was on the ground by the front cash regisers. The remaining change was found at Food Land, a local grocery store. Two pennies were by some cash registers on the ground and the remaining change was in and around a coin sorting machine.

The two-cent Euro and Canadian dime were found sitting atop the coin counting machine at Food Land. Although they will not count toward the daily totals they are welcome editions to my "Not Change Cup," keeper of such items.

Tomorrow is my last day in Hawaii. I have to get on a plane tomorrow afternoon shortly after 6pm (midnight Eastern) and return to Houston. The vacation was good even though the change finds were not up to my normal volume. Still, I will gladly trade less change for a week in Hawaii almost anytime. Hopefully by Wednesday I should have a few Hawaii pictures posted.

Totals for the day: 10 cents
Race Totals: $362.56

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Today I found 13 cents . . .. 1 dime and 3 pennies.

It was shortly after midnight when I recorded my first find, a single penny. It was located on the floor of an icecream store located across the street from Magoos, a college bar located on University Ave. in Honolulu.

Later in the day I was walking around the Alo Molana Mall in Honolulu and I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). The final find, another single penny, was picked up at a small Asain store where I had stopped to pick up a beverage for another day on the beach.

Totals for the day: 13 cents
Race Totals: $362.46

Saturday, September 9, 2006

Today I found 7 cents . . .. 1 nickel and 2 pennies.

The nickel was found at the Wailana Coffee Shop where my friend and I stopped for all you can eat blueberry pancakes this morning. The nickel was under a tabel and the pancakes were delicious.

Later in the day I found a penny on the ground in a pile of dirt and rocks. As we were driving back from Kiluha we were stopped at a red light and I spotted and retrieved a penny from the side of the road.

85 degrees and sunny. Another beautiful day in Hawaii.

Totals for the day: 7 cents
Race Totals: $362.33

Friday, September 8, 2006

Today I found 15 cents . . .. 1 dime and 5 pennies.

Penny number one came to me as I walked from the bus stop to Waikiki Beach. Along teh same walk I found a dime. It was located in the coin return slot of a payphone.

Walking around town later in the day I found an additional four pennies. They were in random places.

So, there will be no pictures of Hawaii until I get back. I took several yesterday but for some reason they won't download from my camera to the computer. Thus, no pictures till I get back to Houston.

Totals for the day: 15 cents
Race Totals: $362.26

Thursday, September 7, 2006

Today I found 14cents . . .. 1 dime and 4 pennies.

At the always reliable TSA checkpoint in Houston I found a penny. It was sitting on the ledge of the x-ray machine where bags come out. I also found another penny on the ground by a food stand.

In Hawaii I was walking to the beach and found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) on the ground by various parking meters and along the path to the beach.

85 degrees and sunny. That is the Hawaii weather update for the day.

Totals for the day: 14 cents
Race Totals: $362.11

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Today I found 34 cents . . .. 1 nickel, 1 quarter, and 4 pennies.

At Kroger, a local grocery store I found a penny by a change counting machine. When I got home I did some laundry and found five cents (one nickel) in the dryer. Odd place to find a nickel, but I was happy with it.

Heading out later in the evening I went to HEB, a local grocery store, and found two cent under a change counting machine. At the post office I found 25 cents (one quarter) in the coin return slot of a stamp machine. The final stop was a gas station for a drink where I found one penny by the counter.

Tomorrow morning I head off to Hawaii, birth place of Race of the Century, for a quick vacation. I’ll be there until next Wednesday. Internet should be good and hopefully change finding will be as well. Stay tuned for further updates.

Totals for the day: 34 cents
Race Totals: $361.97

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

Today I found 53 cents . . .. 3 nickels, 1 quarter, and 13 pennies. One of the pennies was a 1940 Wheat Penny.

It was a trifecta of car washes where I made my finds today. First stop was the Kwick Kar Wash where I found 30 cents (one quarter & five pennies). The second car wash was JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex, where I found 11 cents (two nickels & one penny). The third car wash was the car wash next to the post office, where I found 12 cents (one nickel & seven pennies).

It was at the Kwick Kar Wash where I found my wheat penny, a semi scratched 1940 version.

Totals for the day: 53 cents
Race Totals: $361.63

Monday, September 4, 2006

Today I found $1.45 . . .. 1 nickel, 5 dimes, 2 quarters, and 40 pennies (the Labor Day Change Cycle).

At Randalls, a local grocery store, I found four cents. The first three pennies were sitting atop a change counting machine and the final penny was on the ground by a checkout line. At the post office this evening I found another four cents, all of which was sitting in a pile on a ledge by the automated postal machine.

On the way home I stopped at the always reliable Al Gator’s Car Wash, and found $1.37 (one nickel, five dimes, two quarters, and 32 pennies). Amazingly, most all of the change was sitting in a cup that had been left by a vacuum cleaner. The remaining change was scattered about on the ground.

Congratulations to Brian and the Philadelphia Phillies (my pick several weeks ago to win the NL Wildcard). They beat the Astros this afternoon for the first time in 12 games.

Totals for the day: $1.45
Race Totals: $361.10

Sunday, September 3, 2006

Today I found 17 cents . . . 1 dime and 7 pennies.

The Astros managed to get one hit today, but still won the game 2-0. Talk about an odd season. I guess it helps when your pitcher is perfect through six innings and you only allow three hits.

Prior to the game today I drove to the airport post office, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I had to mail a letter to Canada and wanted to get it in the mail ASAP. As I opened my door I spotted and retrieved a penny from the parking lot.

A bit later in the day I walked up to an already crowded Minute Maid Ballpark (the crowd was there not for the game but for the Minute Maid Park replicas being handed out) and I found a dime on the sidewalk. After the game it was grandparents walk the bases day so I had plenty of time to walk around the stadium. Under one seat I found two pennies. On the way home I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found four cents.

Totals for the day: 17 cents
Race Totals: $359.65

Saturday, September 2, 2006

Today I found $1.04 . . . 1 nickel, 1 dime, 3 quarters, and 14 pennies (the mystifying Change Cycle).

Early this morning I was driving back from the ballpark and had to go by the post office. At the car wash next to the post office I found 80 cents (three quarters & five pennies). The three quarters were sitting atop a ledge in a car wash station. At the ice cream store drive-thru next door I found another 11 cents (one dime & one penny).

Later in the morning I headed down to the ballpark to take another shot at some NY Mets autographs. While sitting outside the ballpark I found a penny on the ground by a payphone. During the game I walked across the street to the Home Plate Bar & Grill and found another penny by the soda machines (as I helped myself to a refill). A final single penny was found at a gas station on the way home, where I stopped for a quick drink before hitting the road.

Much closer to home I stopped at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex, and found 10 cents (one nickel & five pennies). The nickel completed my change cycle for the day, at least one penny, nickel, dime, and quarter found in the same day.

Autographs were slower today but I still added a few that I needed. Highlights of the day were Manager Willy Randolph (not so nice of a guy), Julio Franco (so old I think he played with Babe Ruth) and Gueremo Mota (who is not Mark Mulder).

Totals for the day: $1.04
Race Totals: $359.48

Friday, September 1, 2006

Today I found $5.11 . . . 1 $5 bill, 1 dime, and 1 penny.

The NY Mets were in town today and I didn’t have to work so I spent most of my day in and around the ballpark hustling for Mets autographs. It wasn’t until after the game that I made my first find, a $5 bill under some seats after the ballpark had cleared out. Walking to my car I found a dime and at the Kwick Kar Wash I found a penny.

I was surprised with the success that I had with the Mets today. I got 13 autographs, including most of the big name players. Highlights of the night included David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, Shawn Green, and Orlando Hernandez. Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day as well.

Totals for the day: $5.11
Race Totals: $358.44