Saturday, June 30, 2007

Today I found 2 cents . . . both pennies.

Both pennies were found in downtown Houston, near Minute Maid Ballpark. The first was found by a parking meter and the second was found on the sidewalk outside the homeplate entrance.
__________________________

June Monthly Report:

This month I found 196 pennies, 8 nickels, 23 dimes, and 18 quarters. I also found a $1 bill.

Monthly Total: $10.13
Change Cycle Days: 2
Dollar Days: 3
Monthly High: $2.48 (June 1st)
Monthly Low: 1 cents (Multiple Times)
Daily Average: 33.766ish cents

Totals for the day: 2 cents
Race Totals: $573.50

Friday, June 29, 2007

Today I found 6 cents. . . all pennies.

All change was found at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex.

Totals for the day: 6 cents
Race Totals: $573.48

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Today I found 9 cents. . . all pennies.

It came down to the 11th hour, but on the way home from the Astros game I was able to swing into the Kwick Kar Wash and find two pennies. At the Sonic next door I found an additional seven cents.

It was a big day in the baseball world as Frank Thomas hit career homerun 500 and Craig Biggio recorded his 3,000th career hit. Living in Houston and attending lots of Astros games I was fortunate enough to see the second event in person.

The Biggio hit was great, a clean single to center that scored the tying run. Biggio, who is having far from a stellar season, went five for six at the plate (his third single of the night was career hit 3,000). To top it off Carlos Lee ended the game with a walk-off Grand Slam homerun.

Taking nothing away from Craig the evening was memorable, but it doesn’t crack my Top Five baseball memories. Of course to qualify I had to be there in person. In specific order I would say my greatest baseball memories are as follows:

1. The evening Cal Ripken tied Lou Gehrig for consecutive games played (2,131 games in a row).
2. The evening Cal Ripken passes Lou Gehrig for consecutive games played.
3. Astros clench the NL Pennant at the final game at Bush Stadium in 2005.
4. Astros win 18 inning post season game against Atlanta, sending them to the 2005 NLCS.
5. Astros sent MLB Record for six pitcher no-hitter against the NY Yankees at Yankee Stadium
6. First World Series home game for the Houston Astros.
7. Biggio 3,000th career hit.

Nevertheless, a memorable evening.

Totals for the day: 9 cents
Race Totals: $573.42

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Today I found 15 cents. . . 1 nickel & 10 pennies.

All the change was found at the always-reliable Al Gator’s Car Wash.

Totals for the day: 15 cents
Race Totals: $573.33

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Today I found 1 cent. . . a penny.

It was found in the parking lot of a bank near my office.

Totals for the day: 1 cent
Race Totals: $573.18

Monday, June 25, 2007

Today I found $1.53 . . . 5 dimes, 4 quarters, and 3 pennies.

My first two pennies came to me as I was leaving Shipley’s Donuts this morning. I was heading into the office early and I decided to stop and pick up a dozen donuts to share with the co-workers. The pennies were both sitting by the exit door.

In the afternoon I was driving along the toll road and prior to paying my toll I opened the door and picked up the loose change at the base of the basket. There I found $1.41 (four dimes, four quarters, and two pennies). There wasn’t a single car behind me so I had plenty of time to make sure I got everything that I could.

Before heading back to the office I swung into a Shell gas station to pick up a drink and I found 10 cents (one dime) by the door when I walked in.

Totals for the day: $1.53
Race Totals: $573.17

Sunday, June 24, 2007

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

The five pennies were found early this morning as I returned from a bachelor party. They were at Chevron, a local gas station. Two of the pennies were in the drawer where the clerk slides the purchased item once it is paid for. The other three pennies were found on the ground directly to the left of the sliding drawer.

The quarter was found in the drive-thru lane of Whataburger, a Texas based fast food restaurant. I stopped there on the way home in order to get some food.

This evening I turned on ESPN and saw that former relief pitcher/ closer Rod Beck had passed away. Beck played for the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and San Diego Padres. I don’t have any personal stories about Beck, but he always appeared to be a fun loving guy who enjoyed playing baseball. I leave you tonight with a picture of an autograph that he signed for me on my 2003 San Diego Padres team ball (interestingly enough he always signed the very top of the ball in every team ball that he signed for me):


Totals for the day: 30 cents
Race Totals: $571.64

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Today I found 2 cents . . . both pennies (for the second day in a row). I also found a car wash token, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

Both pennies, as well as the token, were found near a taco stand where I stopped for lunch.

The car wash token, which sadly has to value (as stated on the obverse) has already been deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of such found items.

Totals for the day: 2 cents
Race Totals: $571.34

Friday, June 22, 2007

Today I found 2 cents . . . both pennies.

Penny number one, which was actually about ¾ of a penny, was found at a stop light near FM 1960. I was stopped at a red light so I was able to retrieve said penny with little fanfare, well before the light changed from red to green. The second and final penny was found at a no-name car wash where I stopped on my way home from dinner.

Totals for the day: 2 cents
Race Totals: $571.32

Thursday, June 21, 2007

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

All change was found at the Kwick Kar Wash, where I stopped on my way home from work.

Totals for the day: 29 cents
Race Totals: $571.30

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Today I found 28 cents . . . 1 quarter & 3 pennies.

The quarter and first two pennies were found under a change counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store. The last penny was found under a soda machine, which was located outside of Kroger, still a local grocery store.

Totals for the day: 28 cents
Race Totals: $571.01

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Today I found 16 cents . . . 1 dime & 6 pennies.

All the change was found at Randalls, a local grocery store. One penny was sitting in front of a change counting machine when I spotted and retrieved it. The remaining change was to the side of the change counting machine. I tried to squeeze my hand in with little success before I moved the entire machine to the side to retrieve the rest of the change.

Today marks an interesting anniversary of sorts in the baseball world. It was on this date in 1972 that Curt Flood’s challenge to the Reserve Clause was decided by the Supreme Court. The Reserve Clause is what prevented players from becoming free agents. What many people forget is that Flood actually lost the case, but the decision caused Congress to address the antitrust status of Major League Baseball. Ultimately, for better or worse, players were granted the right to free agency.

Totals for the day: 16 cents
Race Totals: $570.73

Monday, June 18, 2007

Today I found 2 cents . . . both pennies.

The first was found when I opened the car door while stopped at a red light. My co-worker Jennifer and I were on our way back from lunch. Jennifer was not as understanding as Becca was the night before. The second penny was found in the parking lot of my apartment complex.

Totals for the day: 2 cents
Race Totals: $570.57

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Today I found 22 cents . . . 1 dime & 12 pennies.

My dime was found on the ground at Minute Maid Ballpark this afternoon following the Astros game (sadly, the first three game series sweep that the Astros were able to complete in the not so young 2007 season).

On the way home I spotted and retrieved two pennies from a red light near FM 1960. Later in the evening I was driving with Becca and I was able to spot and retrieve another two pennies from the street while we were stopped at a red light. The final eight pennies were found at the Kwick Kar Wash, where we stopped after a late dinner.

Totals for the day: 22 cents
Race Totals: $570.55

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Today I found 20 cents . . . all pennies.

This afternoon Becca and I headed off to the ballpark, with a brief stop at Chevron/McDonalds for gas and food. After filling up I found two cents in a candy display near the Chevron gas station. Later in the day I found another penny in the concourse at Minute Maid Ballpark and a fourth penny outside the stadium on the edge of the road. The final 16 cents of the day came at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex.

Totals for the day: 20 cents
Race Totals: $570.33

Friday, June 15, 2007

Today I found 8 cents . . . all pennies.

The first two cents of the day was found by a cash register at Chevron, a local gas station. In the evening I found a penny on the floor of the Home Plate Bar and Grill, a dining establishment by Minute Maid Ballpark. The remaining five cents (all pennies) were found at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex.

This evening I got to witness one of the most exciting plays in all of baseball, the inside the park homerun. In the mid to late innings of the game a Seattle player blasted a shot to deep center (center field measures 436 feet dead away) and the ball was over the head of the centerfielder. He kept going and was safe by a good amount. It was only the second time I have seen this happen, and it was none the less exciting this time.

Totals for the day: 8 cents
Race Totals: $570.13

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Today I found 67 cents . . . 2 nickels, 1 dime, 1 quarter, and 22 pennies (The Thunder Storm Change Cycle).

Sadly I lost track of the exact amounts of my finds, but finds were made at a Chevron gas station, a penny in a parking lot, JR’s Car Wash (the car wash next to my apartment complex), the car wash next to my post office, and the always-reliable Al Gator’s Car Wash.

Totals for the day: 67 cents
Race Totals: $570.05

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Today I found $1.18 . . . 1 $1 bill and 18 pennies.

The first $1.12 was found at the Kwick Kar Wash and the remaining six cents were found at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex.

Totals for the day: $1.18
Race Totals: $569.38

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Today I found 6 cents . . . 1 nickel & 1 penny.

The penny was in the parking lot of my apartment complex and the nickel was under some seats at the Astros game (I found said nickel after the game, a rare Astros win).

Totals for the day: 6 cents
Race Totals: $568.20

Monday, June 11, 2007

Today I found 2 cents . . . both pennies.

The first find of the day was a single penny by a cash register at a convenience store where I stopped for a drink. The second penny was found shortly thereafter. It was under a door in the stairwell of my office.

Totals for the day: 2 cents
Race Totals: $568.14

Monday, June 10, 2007

Today I found 1 cent . . . a penny.

It was found in the parking lot of Kroger, a local grocery store. I was at Kroger to deposit in the reclycling bin the many plastic coin wrappers that I went through today.

Totals for the day: 1 cent
Race Totals: $568.12

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Today I found 23 cents . . . 2 dimes and 3 pennies. Change was found in two states, Massachusets and Texas.

My first 13 cents of the day was found at Logan Airport in Boston, where I had two hours to kill thanks to a delayed flight. The dime was found on the carpet at an airline departure waiting area and the three pennies were found by various food stands.

Back in Texas I headed off to the post office to mail some eBay items. At the post office I found a dime on the ground when I walked through the main doors.

Totals for the day: 23 cents
Race Totals: $568.11

Friday, June 8, 2007

Today I found 57 cents . . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, 1 quarter, and 7 pennies (The Brooke Change Cycle--In Honor of Becca's Friend Brooke who I just found out is a fan of the blog).

Harvard Graduation is over and today was a day spent doing some random things that needed to be done. Walking from the bank in Arlington, MA to the house I found two cents. One penny was in a patch of dirt by the sidewalk and the other was sitting on the sidewalk.

In the afternoon Becca had to return some cable boxes and I was left to watch the car, which was somewhat legally parked. While keeping an eye on the car I found 53 cents (one nickel, two dimes, one quarter, and three pennies) around some bleachers and a bench by a baseball field.

In the evening we went to a graduation party. On the way there I spotted and retrieved a penny from the corner of the street while stopped at a red light and then found another penny while walking to the party.

Totals for the day: 57 cents
Race Totals: $567.88

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Today I found 28 cents . . . 1 quarter & 3 pennies.

It was thanks to the T that I found all my change today. This morning I was on my way to attend the graduation ceremonies at Harvard University and I found a penny in the T by a payphone and a quarter on the ground by a Dunkin Donut stand. In the afternoon I returned through the same station and found a penny by the Charlie Card Machine and another penny on the ground outside the station by the sidewalk.

I attempted to make this a good autograph day and met with limited success. Bill Gates delivered the Key Note speech to graduates and I tried to get him before the ceremony. I was able to get up to Mr. Gates but he was not willing sign anything. The same goes for Mr. Bill Russell, who received an honorary degree. I asked Mr. Russell to sign and he told me that he never signed autographs in public. I told him I was sorry for asking and he responded, "No, not at all. Thank you for asking." He then shook my hand and walked away.

My lone success was outgoing Harvard University President Derek Bok, who signed a baseball for me after the ceremonies. He told me that it was the first baseball he had ever signed. Perhaps when I get home I'll post a picture of said baseball.

Totals for the day: 28 cents
Race Totals: $567.31

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Today I found 19 cents . . . 1 nickel, 1 dime, and 4 pennies.

The first penny was found in a parking lot ouside of a TJ Maxx in the Fresh Pond Mall in Boston, MA. The nickel was found shortly thereafter. We were stopped at a red light, with me in the passanger seat, when I spotted and retrieved the nickel.

In the evening I found two cents in a car on the T, which is the subway in Boston. Another penny was found at the Harvard Coop, a bookstore in Harvard Square. The final dime was found on the walk back from the T to the house where I am staying.

Totals for the day: 19 cents
Race Totals: $567.03

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Today I found 2 cents . . . both pennies. I also found two car wash tokens. Sadly the tokens will not count toward the daily totals.

At the airport this afternoon I found two pennies. The first was on the ground near the security checkpoint (there were others, but none were within reach from where I was) and the second was near the food court.

Despite my best efforts I went without change in Boston on my first night. We made several stops on the way to the house, but all I came up with was two tokens, both of which will soon be deposited into my "Not Change Cup," keeper of such items.

Totals for the day: 2 cents
Race Totals: $566.84

Monday, June 4, 2007

Today I found 61 cents . . . 1 nickel, 3 dimes & 26 pennies.

All change was found at the car wash next to the post office.

I’ll be in Boston, MA tomorrow through Saturday. I should have access to a computer, so posts should not be interrupted.

Good night now.

Totals for the day: 61 cents
Race Totals: $566.82

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Today I found 31 cents . . . 3 dimes & 1 penny.

Walking from my car to Minute Maid Park this afternoon I spotted a penny at the base of a parking meter. On the drive home from the ballpark I was stopped at a red light and spotted and retrieved a dime from the street. The final 20 cents (two dimes) came at a KFC drive-thru, where I stopped for dinner.

At the ballpark this afternoon I came face to face with a police officer who had issued me a parking ticket several weeks prior. I had parked on a street with this sign:


My interpretation of the sign was that there was no parking Monday through Friday because it was a school loading and unloading zone. I assumed that parking was OK on Saturday and Sunday. When I appealed the ticket the judge agreed with me, and dismissed everything.

Anyhow, I went to park on the same street this afternoon and a police officer came over and told me that if I parked there I was going to be ticketed. The officer who wrote my ticket had an unusual last name, so I remembered it and saw that it was him. I told him what the judge had told me, but he insisted that the sign actually said no parking, BUT it was a loading and unloading zone Monday through Friday. He was nice, but told me that if I parked there I would get another ticket and would have to go and fight it again. It was safe to say that I found another parking spot.

If anyone wants to share their opinion on the sign I would be interested. I can see both sides of the argument, so sufficed to say it is a poorly designed sign.

Totals for the day: 31 cents
Race Totals: $566.21

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Today I found 5 cents . . . all pennies.

All change was found at the Kwick Kar Wash, where I stopped on the way home after the Astros game this afternoon.

Not much to report on the autograph front either. I did manage to add three St. Louis Cardinals to my team ball and I had Jacoby Jones, the Houston Texans 3rd Round Draft Pick sign a baseball for me (I spotted him in a crowd and he was gracious enough to sign).

Totals for the day: 5 cents
Race Totals: $565.90

Friday, June 1, 2007

Today I found $2.48 . . . 2 dimes, 9 quarters, and 3 pennies. I also obtained an autograph which now leads to a contest at the end of this post!

The day started great as I had to take a drive on the toll road. At two stops I opened my door and picked up the change that was on the ground for a total of $2.45 (two dimes & nine quarters). For those wondering I did speak with the Texas Department of Transportation several months ago and they informed me that while they did not recommend stopping to pick up change they had no policies preventing it and the change was not considered state property.

Later in the afternoon I found a penny in the parking lot of a book store (more on that in a second), a penny at a gas station, and a penny outside Minute Maid Ballpark.

Autographs for the Cardinals were great this evening. I managed to knock out about 12 players, including David Eckstein (who signed for me outside the stadium—he asked me to hold the ball because his arm was in a brace after being hit by a pitch during the game) and Scott Rolen. However, my best autograph of the day was this:


It is a baseball signed by none other than Senator John Kerry, who was in town for a quick lecture and book signing. I attended the event over lunch and after speaking Senator Kerry was kind enough to sign the baseball for me.

CONTEST: It should be stated that I often have celebrities and athletes not associated with baseball sign baseballs. However, Mr. Kerry has a direct connection to Major League Baseball. For several items from the “Not Change Cup,” what is the connection?

Totals for the day: $2.48
Race Totals: $565.85