Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Today I found 54 cents . . . 2 nickels, 3 dimes, and 14 pennies.

All change, save two cents, was found at the car wash next to the post office. The remaining two cents were found in the coin return slot of a stamp machine at the post office.

__________________________

July Monthly Report:

This month I found 230 pennies, 10 nickels, 44 dimes, and 20 quarters. I also found a $1 bill. Change was found in three states; Texas, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Monthly Total: $13.20
Change Cycle Days: 5
Dollar Days: 3
Monthly High: $3.53 (July 7th)
Monthly Low: 2 cents (July 17th)
Daily Average: 42.580 ish cents

Totals for the day: 54 cents
Race Totals: $586.70

Monday, July 30, 2007

Monday, July 30, 2007

Today I found 12 cents . . . 1 dime & 2 pennies.

All change was found at a no-name car wash. I stopped there on the way home from dropping off some newspapers and plastics for recycling.

When I checked my mail this afternoon I had two wonderful items, both from Bailey. Bailey is my change race partner who moved to St. Louis last year. As part of his work he travels often to Minnesota, and often has down time when he is there.

For a long time now I have been encouraging him to visit the Spam Museum in Austin, MN. Yes, that’s right, Spam. The food, not the annoying thing that you receive in you inbox.

Anyhow, Bailey finally came through, and as proof he sent me this post card:


And this plush, lovable, stuffed Spam Mascot:


The museum was apparently worth the trip, and he even had a Spambasador call me when he was there. For more on Bailey’s trip check out his blog. He assures me he will be posting about the visit in the near future!

Also, I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to wish a happy birthday to loyal blog reader Becca. Happy birthday!

Totals for the day: 12 cents
Race Totals: $586.16

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Today I found 85 cents . . . 1 nickel, 5 dimes, 1 quarter, and 5 pennies (The Ultimate Change Cycle).

Change finds were record at the ballpark in the form of 26 cents (one quarter & one penny) and at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex in the form of 22 cents (two dimes & two pennies). The remaining change was found at the car wash next to the post office, where I stopped to mail some eBay items after the Astros Sunday afternoon baseball game.

Totals for the day: 85 cents
Race Totals: $586.04

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Today I found 11 cents . . . 1 dime & 1 penny.

The dime was found in a crosswalk outside of Minute Maid Ballpark in downtown Houston. The penny was found inside the ballpark, sitting next to a trash can.

Totals for the day: 11 cents
Race Totals: $585.19

Friday, July 27, 2007

Friday, July 27, 2007

Today I found 3 cents . . . all pennies.

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

Totals for the day: 3 cents
Race Totals: $585.08

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Thursday, July 26, 2007

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

The first six cents were found by a convenience store near my apartment complex. The penny was on the sidewalk and the nickel was in the parking lot. The final penny was found by the visitor’s dugout at Minute Maid Park before the game.

The San Diego Padres came to town this evening and it was a good day for the Astros and for me. The Astros won the game and I got autographs from two of my favorite players, but they came in an unusual way.

After the game a friend and I headed out for a drink. We walked into an almost empty bar, and who should be sitting there but Greg Maddux and David Wells. Neither of us are the type to bother players away from the ballpark, but I am a big Wells fan and my friend is a big Maddux fan. We ended up chatting with the pitchers for a few hours, even buying them a few drinks, and at the end of the evening they asked if we wanted autographs. Well, I’m not one to turn an offer like that down, so this is what I ended up with:


The ball on the left is the one signed by Greg Maddux (over 300 wins and a future Hall of Famer) and the ball on the right is signed by David Wells (one of only a handful of pitchers to throw a perfect game in the Majors)..

Totals for the day: 7 cents
Race Totals: $585.05

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

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

All change was found at Sonic, where I stopped for lunch. The majority of the change was found in the parking lot area, but a few pennies were found in the patio area.

Totals for the day: 16 cents
Race Totals: $584.98

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Today I found 36 cents . . . 1 quarter & 11 pennies.

All change was found at the Kwick Kar Wash, where I stopped after the Astros game. The quarter was in the coin return slot of a soda machine and the pennies were scattered about on the ground.

Totals for the day: 36 cents
Race Totals: $584.82

Monday, July 23, 2007

Monday, July 23, 2007

Today I found 30 cents . . . 2 dimes & 10 pennies. Change was found in two states; Maryland and Texas.

Early this morning I caught a flight from Baltimore, MD to Houston, TX. At the airport in Baltimore I found a penny by a very busy coffee stand. Back in Houston I stopped at a Sonic for lunch and found 29 cents (two dimes & nine pennies) scattered about in the parking lot and patio areas.

This evening I had the chance to chat with one of my favorite baseball players of all time, Jeff Kent. Jeff has a bad rap from a lot of people, but I have always gotten along well with him. He walked out of the stadium this evening and someone went up to him and asked him for an autograph, to which he said no. I walked over to say hi and asked him to sign my team ball. He smiled, took the ball and signed it, and then turned to everyone and said, “This is your lucky day. I don’t want to look bad in front of this guy so I’m going to sign for all of you. You guys had better buy him a beer for this.” Jeff Kent. I love the guy!

Totals for the day: 30 cents
Race Totals: $584.46

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Today I found 6 cents . . . all pennies. Change was found in two states; Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Penny number one was found on the ground at a gas station in Pittsburgh. Becca and I stopped there after breakfast and before we headed to the ballpark.

Penny number two, a 1920 Wheat Penny, was found as I crossed the Roberto Clemente Bridge on my way to PNC Park. It really is amazing how many wheat pennies show up on the East Coast.

Penny number three was found by a Starbucks stand at a rest stop outside of Summerset, PA. We made a brief stop there on the way back to Maryland.

Pennies four, five, and six were all found in Maryland, at Freddies Restaurant, a sub shop in Hagerstown, MD (Moto: Best Sub Shop in Town). I’m guessing it was the ONLY sub shop in town, but that is besides the point. One of the pennies was on the ground by the cash register and the other two were on the ground by the drink machine.

Totals for the day: 6 cents
Race Totals: $584.16

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Today I found 47 cents . . . 2 dimes, 1 quarter, and 2 pennies.

It was well past midnight when I settled into my hotel in Breezwood, PA. I took a quick walk around the area and found 26 cents (one quarter & one penny) in the drive-thru lane of a Taco Bell.

In the morning I had breakfast at the hotel buffet. Selection wasn’t that great, but it was a free breakfast so I didn’t complain too much. Walking out I found a penny on the ground near the buffet line.

After breakfast I drove to Pittsburgh, where I caught an Astros game vs. the Pirates. However, before heading to the game my friend Becca and I stopped by the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. After parking I found 20 cents (two dimes) at the base of a parking meter.

Totals for the day: 47 cents
Race Totals: $584.10

Friday, July 20, 2007

Friday, July 20, 2007

Today I found 25 cents . . . 1 nickel, 1 dime, and 10 pennies. Change was found in three states; Texas, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

I had to drop my car off to be repaired this afternoon (the repair place was right by my apartment complex) and I walked home after words. On the way home I found 11 cents (one dime & one penny) while walking.

Later in the day I headed over to the airport to catch a flight to Baltimore, MD. After clearing the security checkpoint I found 10 cents (one nickel & five pennies) on the ground as I waited for my baggage to be sent through the x-ray machine.

Upon landing in Baltimore I found a penny under a vending machine at the airport. I found another three cents after crossing over into Pennsylvania. The first two pennies were under a vending machine at a rest stop and the final penny was by the front desk at the hotel where I spent the evening.

Totals for the day: 25 cents
Race Totals: $583.63

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Today I found exactly $1 . . . 1 nickel, 4 dimes, 1 quarter, and 30 pennies (The Grand Change Cycle). I also found tokens from Chuck E. Cheese and Celebration Station. Sadly, the tokens will not count toward the daily totals.

I had lunch this afternoon at Sonic, and I’m glad I did. After eating I walked around the parking lot and patio area and found 30 cents (one dime & 20 pennies).

This evening I headed to the post office and the grocery store. Along the way I stopped at the always-reliable Al Gator’s Car Wash and found 36 cents (one nickel, one quarter, and six pennies). All the change was scattered about on the ground.

After stopping at the post office (sadly, not change there) I headed to HEB, a local grocery store. In the coin return slot of a change counting machine I found 24 cents (two dimes & four pennies) and under a self-checkout line stand I found a dime.

The two tokens were found at Al Gator’s Car Wash. Although neither will count toward the daily totals both have been deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of such items.

Today I finally finished this:


It is a complete collection of Kennedy Half Dollars (1964-2003). I didn’t keep records of how many half-dollars that I searched to find them all, but I’m guessing that I went through at least $12,000 in fifty-cent pieces before I found them all!

Note: I will be on vacation over the weekend and may not have access to the Internet. Daily postings will resume no later than Monday.

Totals for the day: $1
Race Totals: $583.38

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Today I found 14 cents . . . both pennies.

The first two pennies were found on the patio at Sonic. My friend Tara and I went there this evening for some ice cream. As I ate Tara told me about her recent trip to Australia.

The remaining 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) were found in the coin return slot of a change counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store. I stopped there on the way home after the aforementioned ice cream.

Totals for the day: 14 cents
Race Totals: $582.38

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Today I found 2 cents . . . both pennies.

Both pennies were found at the car wash next to my apartment complex.

Totals for the day: 2 cents
Race Totals: $582.24

Monday, July 16, 2007

Monday, July 16, 2007

Today I found 16 cents . . . 1 dime & 6 pennies. I also found a Mexican peso, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

One penny was found at a Shell gas station in the parking lot. The next four cents were found on the ground by the dumpster at my apartment complex. The final 11 cents (one dime & one penny) were found in the coin return slot of a change counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store.

The Mexican peso, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals, was found in the coin return slot of the aforementioned change counting machine. Although it’s value is zero in the change race the peso has already been deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of such items.

Totals for the day: 16 cents
Race Totals: $582.22

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Today I found 23 cents . . . 2 dimes & 3 pennies.

This afternoon I had to pick up a friend at Hobby Airport south of Houston, TX. While waiting I spotted and retrieved 11 cents (one dime & one penny) under a vending machine and another 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) under another vending machine.

Totals for the day: 23 cents
Race Totals: $582.06

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Today I found $1.67 . . . 1 nickel, 5 dimes, 4 quarters, and 12 pennies (The Swell Change Cycle).

All change was found at the always-reliable Al Gator’s Car Wash. It was pouring rain in the evening, but thankfully most of the day had been sunny and people had been washing their cars.

Totals for the day: $1.67
Race Totals: $581.83

Friday, July 13, 2007

Friday, July 13, 2007

Today I found 37 cents . . . 2 dimes & 17 pennies. I also found a Chuck E. Cheese token, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

All change, and the Chuck E. Cheese token, were found at the car wash next to the post office.

Although the Chuck E. Cheese token will not count toward the daily totals it has already been deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of such items that are found along with change.

Totals for the day: 37 cents
Race Totals: $580.16

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Today I found 3 cents . . . all pennies.

Penny number one was in the parking lot of Hooters, where I met my co-worker Jennifer for lunch. My penultimate penny was found under a stamp machine at a post office on FM 1960. My final penny was found at another post office, also on the ground, but this time at the base of a stamp machine.

Totals for the day: 3 cents
Race Totals: $579.79

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Today I found 62 cents . . . 1 dime, 2 quarters, and 2 pennies.

My first 35 cents (one dime & one quarter) were found on the ground by a toll road pay station. I didn’t even mean to get on the toll road, so at least I got something for my misguided sense of direction.

Later in the day I found two pennies at Cabbos, a restaurant downtown where I met a friend for lunch. The first penny was on the ground and I picked it up while standing in line to place my order. The second penny was by the area of the restaurant where they had the soda machines.

In the evening I attended dinner with Roger Clemens. Well, it was actually a dinner that he hosted to honor the nominees for College Pitcher of the Year. While walking to the hotel where the dinner and reception was held I found a quarter on the sidewalk. Sadly, Roger was not in the signing mood after dinner, but I did manage to pick up a cruse and a Sammy Sosa autographed baseball in the silent auction, which was held prior to dining.

Totals for the day: 62 cents
Race Totals: $579.76

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Today I found 64 cents . . . 4 dimes and 24 pennies.

All change was found at various car washes in the Houston, TX region. I use the term loosely, however, as some of the change was found at least 45 minutes outside of Houston, but still at a no-name car wash.

Too bad Aaron Rowan single handedly lost the All-Star Game for the National League. Of course if the manager had pinch hit Albert Pujols there probably wouldn’t be anything to talk about. However, since that didn’t happen I put the full blame on the Phillies.

Totals for the day: 64 cents
Race Totals: $579.14

Monday, July 09, 2007

Monday, July 9, 2007

Today I found 8 cents . . . all pennies.

All change was found at the car wash station in the apartment complex that is next to mine. I go over there every once in a while because they have a vacuum that costs only 50 cents and stays on long enough for me to vacuum my entire car without rushing.

Totals for the day: 8 cents
Race Totals: $578.50

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Today I found 35 cents . . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, and 10 pennies. I also found a token with no cash value and a Canadian 50 cent piece. Sadly, the final two items do not count toward the daily totals.

The first 25 cents (one nickel, one dime, and 10 pennies) were found at a no-name car wash, scattered about on the ground. The remaining dime was found on the ground at a convenience store across the street from my apartment complex.

The token with no cash value and the Canadian 50 cent piece (the first one of those that I have ever found) were retrieved from the coin return slot of a change counting machine at HEB, a local grocery store. Although neither will count toward the daily totals both have already been deposited into my "Not Change Cup," keeper of such items.

Totals for the day: 35 cents
Race Totals: $578.42

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Saturday, June 7, 2007

Today I found $3.53 . . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, 9 quarters, 1 Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, and 3 pennies (The Ricky Wedding Change Cycle).

This morning I found a penny in the parking lot of my bank and as I was pulling from the parking lot to the street I spotted a quarter. As no one was behind me I was able to stop and retrieve the quarter, which was still technically in the parking lot, but perilously close to the street.

After my stop at the bank I was off to San Antonio, TX for a friend’s wedding. Along the way I had to take the toll road, but I was able to retrieve some change along the way. All told I ended up with $2.11 (one Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, one dime, four quarters, and one penny).

At a restaurant in San Antonio I found a penny at the base of the hostess stand and on the way home from the wedding I stopped at a no-name car wash and found $1.11 (one dime, four quarters, and one penny). The quarters were stacked in a car wash station and the remaining change was scattered about on the ground.

Totals for the day: $3.53
Race Totals: $578.07

Friday, July 06, 2007

Friday, July 6, 2007

Today I found 19 cents . . . 1 dime & 9 pennies.

The first seven cents (all pennies) were found at JR’s Car Wash, the car wash next to my apartment complex. I was off today and I stopped there on the way down to the ballpark. The lone dime of the day was found on the ground by a cash register at a Chevron gas station and the remaining two pennies were found at the Kwick Kar Wash, where I stopped on the way home from the ballpark.

Two good baseball stories that I share this evening, both themed around respect. The first one involves Julio Franco of the NY Mets. Mr. Franco was signing some autographs along the third base line this evening and everyone was calling him to sign. Franco signed about 20 autographs and stopped after signing for one child. He went back over to the kid and told him that of all the autographs that he had signed the kid was the only person to address him as “Mr. Franco” and he appreciated that. The kid was smiling from ear to ear, as were his parents. I was impressed that Mr. Franco took the time to point that out. It’s good information to have, and I look forward to having a kid one day, taking him to see Julio Franco play in about 20 years, and making sure that he asks for the autograph the right way!

The next story involves Mets closer Billy Wagner, who pitched for many years for the Astros. Billy came out this evening and I went over to chat with him, having gotten to know him a bit from his time in Houston. As he was leaving I asked him to sign a picture, which he graciously did. I told him that several years back I had gone to see a Phillies game in Philadelphia (where he was playing at the time) and all the autograph junkies there kept telling me how hard he was to get. This surprised me since Billy was always a great signer. I asked him about it and he told me, and I’m paraphrasing but not by much, that the fans were right. . . . he was hard to get in Philadelphia because the fans were a bunch of jerks and he didn’t like to sign for them.

Totals for the day: 19 cents
Race Totals: $574.54

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Today I found 3 cents . . . all pennies.

All change was found in the 11th hour in downtown Houston in the Galaria area. One penny was found in the gutter by a street and the other two pennies were found nearby on a sidewalk.

Totals for the day: 3 cents
Race Totals: $574.35

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Today I found 60 cents . . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, 1 quarter, and 10 pennies (The I Got It And Chase Utley Didn’t Change Cycle).

All the change for the day, save one penny, was found at the Kwick Kar Wash, where I stopped on the way home from the Astros game. The final penny of the day was found in the laundry room of my apartment complex. It was sitting atop an empty washing machine.

Sadly, the Astros lost to the Phillies this afternoon, making my prediction of a sweep fall one game short. Chase Utley fell a homerun short of the cycle and four Phillies connected for the long ball (which chicks dig). On a happy note, Ryan Howard hit is 20th long ball of the season and I have the ticket stub listed on eBay. Hopefully something good will come out of the loss.

On the autograph front I managed to get a total of 18 of the 25 players on the Phillies roster. It’s a respectable team ball as I have all of the major stars with the exception of Cole Hamels and Pat Burrell (who I don’t personally consider a star, but some might). Next up, the NY Mets.

Totals for the day: 60 cents
Race Totals: $574.32

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Today I found 8 cents . . . all pennies.

The first seven cents were found at a Chevron gas station, that I stopped at on the way to the Astros game this evening. The first penny, perhaps one of the best finds that I have ever made, was found on a shelf in a refrigerator that I opened to get a drink. The remaining six cents were scattered about the ground and in a candy display by the front register. The final penny of the evening was found on the ground at the Astros game.

Game Two of the Astros v. Phillies in the book, and my prediction of an Astros sweep remains on track. One of the two decisive plays of the evening came in the 9th inning when the Astros batter was called safe at first. Judging by the reaction of mild-mannered Ryan Howard the runner was probably out. Instead Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel was out when he argued the play, and the game was all but over as the Phillies lost concentration. They hung around till the 13th inning when Joe Table tossed a batting practice ball to Hunter Pence, that was promptly deposited 406 feet from homeplate, well into the stands.

Autographs were a bit slow today, but I did manage to add four more Phillies, including Jimmy Rollins. Thus, the total on my ball now sits at 15 players, including all the position players, save notoriously bad signing Pat Burrell.

Totals for the day: 8 cents
Race Totals: $573.72

Monday, July 02, 2007

Monday, July 2, 2007

Today I found 11 cents . . . 1 dime and 1 penny.

Both coins were found under a vending machine in a building adjacent to my office. I went over to there at lunch because they have a small store that sells lunch and it was raining and I didn’t feel like driving anywhere. Apparently everyone in both buildings had the same idea because the lines were quite long.

Game One of Astros v. Phillies is in the books and my prediction is on pace to be correct. The Phillies tried to rally and Shane Victorino made an amazingly boneheaded attempt on a ball, which I admired but was not so smart. Nevertheless, the Astros held on for the win.

On the autograph front I picked off 11 of the Phillies players, including Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Aaron Rowan. The ball is starting to take shape quite nicely and I’m hopeful that my luck will continue tomorrow.

Totals for the day: 11 cents
Race Totals: $573.64

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Today I found 3 cents . . . all pennies.

This morning I found two pennies behind a change counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store. At first I tried to reach in and grab the change, but it was too far back. Luckily, I was able to squeeze between the machine and a lottery machine that was to the side and retrieve the pennies. On the way home from the Astros game this afternoon I spotted and retrieved a penny while stopped at a red light.

Tomorrow the Philadelphia Phillies visit Minute Maid Park. The Astros are a terrible team this year, but historically they have done well against the Phillies. I’m certainly no homer, but I’ll make the safe prediction and say that the Astros sweep the Phillies, but miss shutting them out for three games in a row.

Totals for the day: 3 cents
Race Totals: $573.53