Friday, March 31, 2006

Today I found 56 cents . . . 2 nickels, 1 dime, 1 quarter, and 11 pennies (the thrilling change cycle).

Baseball is officially back in Houston! This evening the Astros played the Kansas City Royals in what was the first of two Spring Training games held at Minute Maid Park. The game was dull, it was meaningless, I spent more time talking to friends than I did watching baseball, and I would be hard pressed to tell you the final score. Still, none of this matters . . . baseball is back!

On my way home from the game I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 44 cents (one nickel, one dime, one quarter, and four pennies). Further down the road I stopped at JR’s Car Wash and found 12 cents (one nickel & seven pennies). It was a good day.

Totals for the day: 56 cents
Race Totals: $288.76

___________________________________

March Monthly Report:

This month I found 481 pennies, 20 nickels, 57 dimes, and 37 quarters. I also found a 1901 Morgan Silver Dollar. Change was found in five states; Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

Monthly Total: $21.76
Change Cycle Days: 5
Dollar Days: 7
Monthly High: $1.66 (March 15th)
Monthly Low: 13 cents (March 18th)
Daily Average: 70.19 ish cents
Favorite Post: March 9th—A Beaver and a Midget. What could be better?

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Today I found 80 cents . . . 3 dimes, 1 quarter, and 25 pennies.

It was a day of frustrations, despite the change finds. Several days ago the Houston Chronicle ran an add from the 99 Cent Only store that stated the first nine people in line on Friday morning would have the opportunity to purchase an Apple iPod 2GB for only, well, 99 cents. I decided that come hell or high water I would have myself an iPod by the end of the day. Sadly, I showed up at the nearest store at 10pm and there was already a long line. Bailey was kind enough to get on the Internet and help me find other store locations. Sadly, the lines there were equally as long. No iPod for Chris.

I’m too spent right now to give exact locations for all change finds but they came at the usual places: car washes, gas stations, grocery store, post office, and a convenience store where I stopped for a drink on the way home.

Totals for the day: 80 cents
Race Totals: $288.20

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Today I found 29 cents . . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, and 4 pennies.

It was another rainy day in Houston. As I walked to a local convenience store for a drink this afternoon I found a penny on the sidewalk. At the store I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies). The dime was on the floor by the cash register, the first penny was by a bank of soda machines, and the last penny was in the parking lot. After a trip to the post office I checked in at the car wash next door and found 16 cents (one nickel, one dime, and one penny). All were by a bank of vacuum cleaners.

Totals for the day: 29 cents
Race Totals: $287.40

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Today I found 34 cents . . . 2 dimes & 14 pennies.

It was a dark and stormy morning as I drove to work but that didn’t stop me from paying a wet visit to the Kwick Kar Wash to collect six cents (all pennies) that were scattered about on the ground. On the way home this afternoon I stopped at Wal-Mart to purchase some mailing envelopes and I found four cents, one of which was on the ground at a checkout line and the other three by a bank of soda machines.

I had to run to the post office this afternoon and there I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) in the parking lot. I found another 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) under a change counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store. I was there with my friend Robert, who was looking for some strange part of a cow to cook.

Totals for the day: 34 cents
Race Totals: $287.11

Monday, March 27, 2006

Today I found 46 cents . . . 1 nickel, 1 quarter, and 16 pennies.

All the change, save the lone nickel, was found at various car washes around town. The nickel was picked up in the coin return slot of a stamp machine at the post office where I mailed out two packages. One package was an eBay related item and the other was a computer CD that I was returning to my dad. Pops, if you are reading this you will have your CD back in 2-4 days.

Totals for the day: 46 cents
Race Totals: $286.77

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Today I found $1.29 . . . 1 quarter, 4 pennies, and a 1901 Silver Morgan Dollar. I also found a quarter from the Cayman Islands, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

This afternoon my friend Robert and I went off to the grocery store to pick up a few items for a brisket that he had on the grill. On the way back I stopped at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex, and found two cents. At the grocery store I found the Cayman Island quarter in the coin return slot of a coin counting machine. It has since been deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of such things.

Returning home I found a quarter on the sidewalk in my apartment complex. While taking some trash to the dumpster I spotted another penny on the ground. Once at the dumpster I made my big find of the day. As I threw in my trash I spotted a small wooden box at the base of the dumpster. I opened it and found several broken watches, a few belt buckles, a penny, and a 1901 Morgan Silver Dollar:


The Morgan Silver Dollar is by far the oldest coin I have found during the change race. They sell between $15 – 20 on eBay, but alas someone drilled a hole in the top (perhaps so it could be used as a necklace) and that negates the value. However, after a quick check on the Internet I found that the Morgan Silver Dollar is still legal tender, and will indeed count toward the daily totals.

Editor's Note: Special thanks to Bailey for the technical assistance in talking me through PhotoShop and helping me to create the above picture.

Totals for the day: $1.29
Race Totals: $286.31

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Today I found 68 cents . . . 4 dimes and 28 pennies.

This morning I found a penny in the laundry room at my apartment complex. I also found two pennies at a red light as I was driving from one garage sale to another one.

This evening I had to run to the post office and on the way I stopped at the car wash next door. While talking to Tara on my cell phone I managed to find 11 cents (all pennies). She was not amazingly impressed.

After the post office I stopped at Sonic, which was on the way home, and found 14 cents (one dime & four pennies). The final stop of the evening was Kroger, a local grocery store, where I found 40 cents (three dimes & 10 pennies). Of the Kroger change 20 cents (one dime & 10 pennies) were found on top of, in, and under, a change counting machine. One dime was found at the base of a self-checkout line and the last dime was found at the base of a normal checkout line (which was closed at the time).

Totals for the day: 68 cents
Race Totals: $285.02

Friday, March 24, 2006

Today I found 30 cents . . . 2 dimes and 10 pennies.

The first 13 cents of the day came at Kroger, a local grocery store. There I found one dime and three pennies in the coin return slot of a change counting machine. At JR’s car wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex, I found 10 cents (one dime) sitting on top of a manhole cover. The final seven cents were found in and around the post office, where I went to mail out some eBay items.

Totals for the day: 30 cents
Race Totals: $284.34

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Today I found 21 cents . . . all pennies.

On my way home from work this afternoon I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 16 cents. At the Sonic next door, where I grabbed a burger and tatter tots I found five cents. For the second day in a row I went dimeless.

Totals for the day: 21 cents
Race Totals: $284.04

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Today I found $1.28 . . . 5 quarters & 3 pennies.

On my way to the post office this evening I spotted and retrieved a penny from the side of the road. I was stopped at a red light, so the retrieval of said penny was made easy. At the car wash next to the post office I found $1.27 (five quarters & two pennies).

As I ominously predicted yesterday my dime streak ended today. Nevertheless, I won’t hang my head in shame after going 37 straight days with finding a dime.

Totals for the day: $1.28
Race Totals: $283.83

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Today I found 39 cents . . . 1 dime & 29 pennies.

On my way to and on my way home from work I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and I found a total of 19 cents (all pennies). In the evening I had to go to the post office and I found a penny there in the coin return slot of a stamp machine. The final 19 cents (one dime & nine pennies) were found at another local car wash. The pennies were on the ground and the dime was near a trashcan, along with a pile of broken windshield glass.

Today sets a personal record for me: I have found dimes for 37 consecutive days. My old record was 36 straight days of finding dimes (May 26 – June 30), which in and of itself was fairly impressive. I’m sure that mentioning this will promptly end my streak, but those are the breaks.

Totals for the day: 39 cents
Race Totals: $282.55

Monday, March 20, 2006

Today I found $1.28 . . . 4 nickels, 2 dimes, 2 quarters, and 38 pennies (the copacetic change cycle).

Doing some laundry this evening I found 10 cents (two nickels) by the apartment complex laundry room. One was on the floor by a washing machine and the other was outside on the ground amidst some dirt and leaves.

Later in the evening, searching for the elusive dime, I went to Ale Gator’s Car Wash. I promptly found 51 cents (two quarters & one penny). All were in a car wash station. I waked around looking for more change but none was found in the usual spots (ground, car wash stations, parking area) but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something. Oh, how right I was. On the second pass I found a pile of money, 58 cents to be exact (two nickels, one dime, and 37 pennies). All were sitting atop a vacuum cleaner stand. I can only guess that someone took the change out of their car when they went to use the vacuum and forgot to put it back.

My final stop on the way home was the post office, where I found 10 cents (one dime) in the coin return slot of a stamp machine.

Waiting for me when I got home in the afternoon was a package, a very unique and very cool package. It was a gift that I received from my sister at Christmas and I was beginning to wonder if I was ever really going to receive it (she has purchased “gifts” for me in the past that have mysteriously never arrived, so I had cause for concern). What was in this package, you ask? Cheese! At Christmas she gave me a subscription to a Cheese of the Month Club. There were two kinds of cheese in the box. The first was Gouda from Holland and the second was Mimolette, a French cheddar cheese. I have sampled both already and they are both delicious.

NOTE TO LIZA: Sorry for the delay in answering Saturday's question. It is now posted.

Totals for the day: $1.28
Race Totals: $282.16

Sunday, March 19, 2005

Today I found 77 cents . . . 1 dime, 2 quarters, and 17 pennies.

I’m really tired so the change report will be a bit lacking this evening. All the change was found at Kroger, a local grocery store; JR’s car wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex, Citgo, a local gas station; and another no name car wash. Good night now.

Totals for the day: 77 cents
Race Totals: $280.88

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Today I found 13 cents . . . 1 dime & 3 pennies. I also found a Canadian quarter, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

Today was a very productive day. For starters, I woke up by 8am, which is rare for me on the weekends. By noon I had been to several yard sales, purchased plants at a local plant sale, purchased two kinds of cheese, and visited some downtown shops. While downtown at a stoplight I spotted and retrieved a penny from the middle of the road. Despite the fact that I was back in my car and ready to go before the light changed the driver behind me still felt the need to blow their horn THE INSTANCE the light turned green. I get it, green means go. Just because I was pulling a penny from the middle of the road does not mean I need a reminder honk to start driving again once the light turns.

Also on the way home I stopped at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex, and found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). This is also where I found the Canadian quarter, which has already been deposited into my “Not Change Cup.” My final find of the day was one penny at Kroger, a local grocery store. It was near an automatic change return cup when I spotted it, just as I was leaving after paying for my ground beef (which was made into sauce for the spaghetti that I cooked this evening).

Totals for the day: 13 cents
Race Totals: $280.11

Friday, March 17, 2005

Today I found $1.14 . . . 1 nickel, 3 dimes, 2 quarters, and 29 pennies (the cool change cycle). I also found a fake quarter and a butterfly that might have once been a piece of jewelry. Sadly, the fake quarter and butterfly do not count toward the daily totals.

I didn’t do any change searching today until after 8:00pm. However, once I got started I had some success. I checked nearly every car wash in the area, as well as a gas station where I got some gas for my car (prices seem to be shooting up so I filled up even though I had half a tank) and the library, where I returned some books at the book drop. All the change was found at the above places.

The fake quarter and the butterfly that looks like it was once a piece of jewelry were each found at different car washes. They are pictured below so you, the valued reader, can feel like you were right there with me:


Although neither the fake quarter nor the butterfly will count toward the daily totals they will be deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” receptacle for such found items.

Totals for the day: $1.14
Race Totals: $279.98

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Today I found $1.43 . . . 1 dime, 5 quarters, and 8 pennies.

On my way home from work I stopped at Chevron for a drink and I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) near the base of the front counter. After a run at the park I found $1.25 (five quarters), at a nearby car wash (the second $1.25 find in two days) and on the way home I stopped in at Randalls, a local grocery store, and found six cents (all pennies) in the coin return slot of a change counting machine.

My co-worker Jennifer reported to me today that while in Laredo, TX for work she was at a car wash (oddly enough to wash a car) and she found a 50 centavos Mexican coin. Well done Jennifer!

Bailey, who is in Las Vegas, placed a bet for me on the Texas A&M v. Syracuse game. Suficed to say, I lost. Jennifer, a graduate of A&M would probably chastise me for betting against her school.

Totals for the day: $1.43
Race Totals: $278.84

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Today I found $1.66 . . . 3 dimes, 5 quarters, and 11 pennies.

I was downtown this afternoon for lunch and on my way back to my car I checked the base of parking meters and found 27 cents (two dimes & seven pennies). On the way home from work I found a dime in the road at a stoplight and I stopped by the Kwick Kar Wash and found three cents. Later in the day I stopped at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex, and found $1.26 (five quarters & one penny). The penny was on the ground and the five quarters were on a ledge in a car wash station.

Totals for the day: $1.66
Race Totals: $277.41

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Today I found 68 cents . . . 2 dimes, 1 quarter, and 23 pennies.

After picking up a drink at Chevron this morning I was pulling out of the parking lot when I spotted a quarter by the edge of the road and the parking lot. I parked and was able to retrieve the quarter with little fanfare. On the way home I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 15 cents (all pennies).

In the evening I swung by my JR’s Car Wash and found 25 cents (two dimes & five pennies). Almost all the change was in the dirt. This was one of the first times I had ever really inspected the dirt area, so sadly I think that change might have been sitting there for quite a while. Later in the evening I joined Bailey at Sonic and I found two pennies there and another penny at a Burger King next door.

Totals for the day: 68 cents
Race Totals: $275.75

Monday, March 13, 2006

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

On my way home from work this afternoon I stopped at a Chevron gas station for a drink and I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny). Both were in the parking lot. Further down the road I pulled into the Kwick Kar Wash and found seven cents (all pennies).

I recently finished reading a great book, Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman. Taking a page from Bailey I have compiled a quick review of this excellent book.

First, this book is less about Viagra than it is about a Gen X'er and his quest to avoid work. Jamie Reidy, the author, is to the pharmaceutical business what Jerry Maguire was to professional sports and Frank Abagnale was to bank fraud. It's the ultimate, been there, done that, this is how you beat the system type book.

In fact, this book reminds me a lot of Catch Me If You Can with the extent that Reidy goes to to avoid work and beat the system(fake phone calls to his boss, having friends drive his company car while he is out of town to create toll road expenses and usage, vacation in Europe without taking vacation, etc).

Of course there are actual stories of the time he spends as a drug rep for Pfizer, stories about training, what doctors wanted, and his unique life. The book is well written and interjected with a lot of humor. Well worth a read.

Totals for the day: 18 cents
Race Totals: $275.07

Sunday, March 12, 2006

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

In the drive-thru lane of a McDonalds I found 25 cents (one quarter) and in the drive-thru lane of Jack in the Box I found 35 cents (one dime & one quarter). Picking up some groceries this afternoon I found a penny in the parking lot of HEB, a local grocery store.

Totals for the day: 61 cents
Race Totals: $274.89

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Today I found 79 cents . . . 3 dimes, 1 quarter, and 24 pennies.

On my way to Home Depot to pick up some plants for a garden I stopped by a taco stand for lunch and while waiting for my food I found eight cents (all pennies) scattered about. Out by the dumpster at my apartment complex I found another four pennies on the ground. Dinner was a second trip to another taco stand, and this time I found 10 cents (one dime) by the base of a table.

On the way home from grocery shopping I stopped by two car washes. At the first (the JR’s car wash next to my apartment complex) I found five cents (all pennies). At the second, Ale Gator’s Car Wash, I found 52 cents (two dimes, one quarter, and seven pennies). The quarter was in the change return slot of a soda machine while the remaining change was strewed about on the ground.

Totals for the day: 79 cents
Race Totals: $274.28

Friday, March 10, 2006--The Beaver & Cito

Today I found 78 cents . . . 4 dimes, 1 quarter, and 13 pennies.

On my way to work this morning I stopped by the Kwick Kar Wash and found eight cents (all pennies). I ate lunch at the building next door and under one of their vending machines I found 37 cents (one dime, one quarter, and two pennies). On the way home I stopped at the car wash next to my apartment complex and found 11 cents (one dime & one penny) and while doing laundry this evening I found two very dirty pennies on the ground outside the laundry room. My final find of the evening was 20 cents (two dimes) which were recovered from under a stamp vending machine at a local post office.

Today I present the second of two pictures of The Beaver, The Official Mascot of The Race of the Century. While I was visiting the camp of the Toronto Blue Jays I noticed that former Manager Cito Gaston was an instructor in camp. He graciously agreed to pose with The Beaver, only after stating, “I sure as hell hope this picture doesn’t show up somewhere and make me look stupid.” Heavens no.


Cito Gaston was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays when they won the World Series in 1992 and 1993. He was the manager of the 1993 All-Star Game which was held in Baltimore, MD and became infamous when he did not pitch Mike Mussina, only one of two Orioles who made the team. Chants of “Cito Sucks! Cito Sucks!” were heard every time he returned to town, and the slogan became so popular that t-shirts and bumper stickers were printed (I must confess that at one time I owned one of the t-shirts, and wore it proudly).

Cito seemed to be a nice guy in person. When I told him I was from Baltimore his response was, “I know, I know. I suck. You are still ticked that I didn’t pitch Mussina in the 1993 All-Star Game.” He did explain that he had told Mussina before the game that he would not pitch unless the game went into extra innings. Mussina, not pleased with the decision, got up in the 9th inning and started to warm up, perhaps hoping to force his way in. When the game ended and Mussina was not called in the stadium went nuts. Apparently to this day he can’t show his face in Baltimore.

Totals for the day: 78 cents
Race Totals: $273.49

Thursday, March 9, 2006--Beaver & The Mick

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

The dime came to me in the parking lot of The Woodlands House, a Chinese buffet where I dined for lunch. As I was getting into my car to leave I noticed the dime, which was several parking spaces away. Later in the day I found four cents at Kroger, a local grocery store. Two of the pennies were inside the store (one by the door when I came in and the other on the ground by a self-checkout line) and two were in the parking lot.

Today I bring you the first of two pictures of The Beaver, the Official Mascot of the Race of the Century, and the adventures that he had with me in Florida where I was for Spring Training. For your enjoyment I present The Beaver and The Mick. No, not Mickey Mantle but Mickey Carroll:


For those who do not know Mr. Carroll was a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz (1939). He had one line in the movie, but it might be one of the most famous lines ever: he advised Dorothy to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.” He was also credited with writing the lyrics to "The Lollypop Guild," the song the munchkins sing during the movie.

Mr. Carroll, now 86, was visiting Astros camp to watch the workout and I asked him for a picture with The Beaver. Carroll, who probably stands less than 3.5 feet tall, has lead a very interesting life. The son of a police officer Mr. Carroll stopped growing at age nine, one year after his father died.

Following his father’s death he was cared for by his godfather, none other than mobster Al Capon (who had been arrested, and later befriended, by his father). Mr. Capone offered him employment at several mob run nightclubs and encouraged Carroll who was already interested in acting and dancing. By age 17 Mr. Carroll had befriended Judy Garland, who personally asked him to appear in The Wizard of Oz. He only accepted the roll when she agreed to let him stay with her during the filming of the movie (the movie pay was a step down from the income he earned through his nightclub employment).

Throughout life Mr. Carroll has befriended stars such as Mohammed Ali, worked for FDR and Harry Truman, roomed with Ronald Reagan, and known countess heads of state. The Wizard of Oz was his only movie.

Totals for the day: 14 cents
Race Totals: $272.71

Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Today I found 71 cents (for the second day in a row) . . . 4 nickels, 2 dimes, and 31 pennies (also for the second day in a row). I also found a plastic nickel, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

All my finds were recorded in Texas today. On the way home from Spring Training I stopped at a Starbucks, a Burger King, and the Kwick Kar Wash before I went home. This afternoon I found change in my apartment complex parking lot and at a few other local car washes.

The plastic nickel was found at my JR’s car wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex. Although it has no race value it will be deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of such things.

If anyone is interested in the autographs I received during Spring Training you should go back and read the blogs from February 26 – March 7th. I tried to mention the key autographs each day, including quite a few Phillies.

Coming tomorrow will be two pictures of The Beaver (the new official mascot of the Race of the Century). The Beaver made it down to Spring Training with me and had his picture taken with two people. One is a former World Series Champion manager and the other is a famous actor. Tune in tomorrow to see The Beaver in all his glory!

Totals for the day: 71 cents
Race Totals: $272.57

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Today I found 71 cents . . . 2 nickels, 3 dimes, and 31 pennies. Change finds were recorded in four states today; Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.

I decided to head back home a bit early since I had had a successful Spring Training. In the morning I watched the Astros practice and then I hit the road. Leaving Florida I found 26 cents (one nickel, one dime, and 11 pennies). In Alabama and Mississippi I found a total of four cents (two in each state), and in Louisiana I found 41 cents (one nickel, two dimes, & 16 pennies). Had I driven just a bit faster I could have been back in Texas before midnight and recorded change finds in five states (something I have never done before). As it was I was 11 minutes too late.

Totals for the day: 71 cents
Race Totals: $271.86

Monday, March 6, 2006

Today I found 80 cents . . . 5 dimes, 1 quarter, and 5 pennies. I also found a 10 Pence piece. Sadly, the pence will not count toward the daily totals.

It might have been my best day ever at Spring Training, and I owe it all to Team Venezuela. I went to get autographs in the parking lot this morning, watched their practice, and tried getting a few more on the way out. I got single signed baseballs from Maglio Ordonez, Juan Rincon, Johan Santana, Freddy Garcia, Victor Martinez, Victor Zambrano, Carlos Zambrano, and Jimmy Rollins.

Jimmy Rollins does not play for Team Venezuela of course, but the Phillies were finishing up practice as the Venezueleans were coming in. I managed to get him on a single ball. I also added a few more Phillies to my team ball, including David Bell & Mike Lieberthal.

All the change was found in the Clearwater, FL and on the drive back to Kissimmee, FL.

Totals for the day: 80 cents
Race Totals: $271.15

Sunday, March 5, 2006

Today I found 72 cents . . . 1 dime, 2 quarters, and 12 pennies. I also found a car wash token, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

I decided to take a break from my normal Spring Training routine and sleep in a bit today. In the afternoon I went to watch the Astros play the Phillies at Clearwater and in the evening I went to the practice for Team Venezuela, who is playing in the upcoming World Baseball Whatever.

Practice for Team Venezuela paid off. I got Bobby Abreau, Luis Sojo, Tony Armas Jr, and Dave Concepción (former member of the Big Red Machine and current Team Venezuela coach).

All the change was found in the Clearwater, FL and the surrounding areas.

Totals for the day: 72 cents
Race Totals: $270.35

Saturday, March 4, 2006

Today I found $1.40 . . . 3 nickels, 4 dimes, 2 quarters, and 35 pennies.

It was an excellent day for autographs and for change finding. In the morning I went to the Phillies camp and got autographs by the parking lot when the players came in for practice. In the afternoon I went to the Toronto Blue Jays stadium (just down the road) and watched the Blue Jays play the Phillies.

On the autograph front for the Phillies I got Dallas Green (1980 World Series Manager), Ryan Howard (NL Rookie of the Year), and pitcher Ricardo Rodrigues (this was an accident. . . he REALLY looks like Jimmy Rollins). For the Blue Jays I got Roy Haladay (former Cy Young Award winner), and Cito Gaston (former Blue Jays manager).

All the change was found in Clearwater, FL and the surrounding areas.

Totals for the day: $1.40
Race Totals: $269.63

Friday, March 3, 2006

Today I found 68 cents . . . 1 nickel, 1 dime, 2 quarters, and 3 pennies.

It was another slow day at Astros camp. The Astros were away for a game but I hoped to pick off a few guys on my team ball. The excitement of the day was standing near the back parking lot and seeing Roger Clemens drive by without stopping to sign any autographs for the four people that were waiting (good to see he is in mid season form so early in the year).

The change that I found for the day came in the Kissimmee area, on the drive to Clearwater, and in the Clearwater area.

Totals for the day: 68 cents
Race Totals: $268.23

Thursday, March 2, 2006

Today I found 15 cents . . . 1 dime & 5 pennies. I also found two five cent Euro, one five cent Frank, one car wash token, and one bracelet. Sadly, the miscellaneous items do not count toward the daily totals.

After a successful day in Vero Beach yesterday I drove back to Kissimmee to watch the Astros play the Cleveland Indians in their Spring Training opener. Sadly, I did as well with autographs as the Astros did against the Indians (they lost and I didn’t get much). The change front was quiet as well, with the only money finds coming at a coin counting machine down the road from the ballpark.

The foreign coinage and car wash token were found in the same coin counting machine where I made my 15-cent find and the bracelet was on the ground in a parking lot.

Totals for the day: 15 cents
Race Totals: $267.55

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

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

I spent the day in Vero Beach, FL, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training Camp. I got about 20 Dodgers on my team ball, including most of the big name players. I also saw former MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent at the practice and had him sign a single ball for me.

The 40 cents that I found for the day was in the Vero Beach area and Titusville, FL where I spent the night.

Totals for the day: 40 cents
Race Totals: $267.40