Well, it's official. I'm a nut...for pennies!
For the second time since I began this little project, I have made the driver a vehicle stop in traffic so I could pick up a penny I saw on the street. Well, actually...only once was a penny. The second incident this weekend was for dime. SCORE!
Yes, it's true, I once made someone stop for a penny (it was a cab driver who probably charged me $4 for the extra stop, so I don't think he actually minded all that much). It was later at night in downtown DC, so the traffic wasn't THAT bad. I only heard one honking horn behind me. But how could I pass up a penny that was so clearly calling out to come home with me. Plus, it was a huge testament to my eagle-eye, penny finding skills. I saw this bad-boy at night, from a moving vehicle, on a brick sidewalk. Do you know how hard it is to spot pennies on brick...let alone at night? It was too sweet a find to pass up!
Which brings me to incident #2...the dime in Georgetown. I was on the way back from seeing a pre-release of the movie "Sex Drive" with my friend & her husband (you HAVE to see this movie if you need a good laugh. Seth Green as an Amish guy...totally worth the price of admission. Which was actually free for us because we both traded in coke reward points for free movie tickets. SCORE...again!). Anyhow, coming out of the theater I found a penny on the stairs. Then I found a dime on the sidewalk. I was pretty excited...having used the coupon and then finding 11 cents it felt like I MADE money going to the movies! Anyhow, we got in the car and began heading home to Columbia Heights when I sort of half screamed, half snorted, "Stop, stop, stop!" and banged on the door signaling that someone needed to hit the unlock button.
Now I don't know what's worse here...the fact that I demanded to stop the car (in my defense we were at a 4-way intersection already pretty much stopped anyway) or that my friends didn't seem all that phased by my odd request. Wow...I always wondered why I didn't have that one eccentric friend that makes life a little more fun & unpredictable. As I'm writing this I have just realized it is probably because that person is me...jumping out of moving cars to pick up loose change. Nice.
Anyhow...for all of you that use the excuse "but I drive to work" to explain why you don't find that much change, think about keeping your eyes peeled at intersections to up your total. It seems to be working for me!
Careful Where You Get Your Pennies!
Uh, just be careful out there. I love all my fellow penny picker-uppers. I'd A) hate to see you in jail and B) don't want to use our collected funds to bail you out. So don't do what this guy did (as reported on Foxnews.com--http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,389286,00.html). Just stick to the stuff you find in streets or metro stations!
Florida Man Arrested After Stealing 42 Cents From Fountain
NAPLES — Forty-two cents won't get you very far these days, but for a Southwest Florida man, it was enough to send him to jail.
Naples police say 43-year-old Laslo Mujzer swiped 42 cents from the Coastland Center Mall in Naples on Monday. Officers arrested Mujzer after a mall customer saw him fishing around in the fountain.
A sign attached to the fountain said that all coins thrown into the water are donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Mujzer was charged with petty theft under $100, a misdemeanor, then booked into the Collier County Jail. Sheriff's officials on Wednesday said a judge had released Mujzer on his own recognizance but said he was in jail on an immigration hold.
Florida Man Arrested After Stealing 42 Cents From Fountain
NAPLES — Forty-two cents won't get you very far these days, but for a Southwest Florida man, it was enough to send him to jail.
Naples police say 43-year-old Laslo Mujzer swiped 42 cents from the Coastland Center Mall in Naples on Monday. Officers arrested Mujzer after a mall customer saw him fishing around in the fountain.
A sign attached to the fountain said that all coins thrown into the water are donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Mujzer was charged with petty theft under $100, a misdemeanor, then booked into the Collier County Jail. Sheriff's officials on Wednesday said a judge had released Mujzer on his own recognizance but said he was in jail on an immigration hold.
A Penny & A Poem
After lunch (whilst in a bit of a calorie coma) I logged onto my Yahoo account to see if there were any messages to distract me from work just a few minutes longer. Lucky for me...I found the following about Dad's big find:
This morning, on my walk I went,
In my extra calories I put a dent,
and on the walk I found a cent!
Dad
Ah, penny inspired poetry. Gotta love it! :-)
This morning, on my walk I went,
In my extra calories I put a dent,
and on the walk I found a cent!
Dad
Ah, penny inspired poetry. Gotta love it! :-)
No Explanation Necessary...
It was a lovely Saturday afternoon and I was out to lunch with my sister and a few friends. We were sitting at our table, eating some very tasty sandwiches, when I spied not one...but TWO pennies under the table next to us. I thought I would just sit and wait out the two teenage couple eating their lunch then dive under the table to recover the pennies when they left.
Unfortunately, after they ate, the young man whipped out the City Paper and settled in for an afternoon of reading about local goings-on. I knew my time at the eatery was drawing to a close since my friends & I planned to hit some local shops to check out the latest summer shoes & accessories. I hoped the kids would take their paper and head out soon...but no such luck.
So, when my friends got up, I decided to explain myself (somewhat) to the couple as I abandoned my pride and ducked under the table to pick up the pennies. I started to say something along the lines of, "I'm just gonna grab these pennies...my friends & I collect them for charity..."
But the guy just looked at me and said, "We're in a recession, man. There's no need to explain yourself!"
Yeah, that's right! No need to explain. It's a recession, so I will pick up my pennies with pride!
Unfortunately, after they ate, the young man whipped out the City Paper and settled in for an afternoon of reading about local goings-on. I knew my time at the eatery was drawing to a close since my friends & I planned to hit some local shops to check out the latest summer shoes & accessories. I hoped the kids would take their paper and head out soon...but no such luck.
So, when my friends got up, I decided to explain myself (somewhat) to the couple as I abandoned my pride and ducked under the table to pick up the pennies. I started to say something along the lines of, "I'm just gonna grab these pennies...my friends & I collect them for charity..."
But the guy just looked at me and said, "We're in a recession, man. There's no need to explain yourself!"
Yeah, that's right! No need to explain. It's a recession, so I will pick up my pennies with pride!
Social Change
Wow, wow, wow! Who knew I could have fun AND collect a ton of pennies (along with a bunch of other change) at a work event?!
Last week I attended ASAE & The Center's Global Summit on Social Responsibility. It was a really neat event that used the Appreciative Inquiry model to generate ideas & action plans to leverage the power of associations to improve the planet through social responsibility initiatives. I won a "young professionals" scholarship to attend the ground-breaking event alongside association leaders and partners.
On day one when we kicked off the event, we paired up to interview someone at our table. We each talked about things in our lives we were proud of. So, of course...I told the story of The Penny Project! My interviewer loved it and shared it with the rest of our table. The next day, at another table, it came up again as part of a presentation we had to do. Suddenly, one of my team members pulled all of the change from her purse and gave it to me for the cause. Now that was exciting! But it was even more exciting when everyone else at the table did the same thing! Before I knew it, I was up on the stage sharing the story with the whole room! At the same time, my team members were passing around "penny bags" and I could hear jingling all around the ballroom.
I went back to the table to sit down and from out of nowhere 3 or 4 people came up to me with their change, throwing it in the bags and saying things like, "great idea" and "good luck with this!" I couldn't believe it...the whole thing put a huge smile on my face! And then...one very generous fellow gave me a $20 bill with a sticky note that said "Very Imaginative!" Talk about a pretty penny!
All in all, over the next two days the generosity and support of the people attending the summit continued to amaze me. By the end of the final day, I'd collected 98 quarters, 119 dimes, 98 nickels, 526 pennies, and a $1 coin (along with actual paper money, which made my heart skip a beat!) for a total of $76.56.
So, now I have renewed spirit and excitement about the project and am ready for the next phase. This month is all about connecting with Common Cents (an organization that teaches social responsibility & charitable giving to children) and hopefully combining what they do with my desire to teach kids about financial literacy.
So keep saving those pennies and stay tuned for future news...
Last week I attended ASAE & The Center's Global Summit on Social Responsibility. It was a really neat event that used the Appreciative Inquiry model to generate ideas & action plans to leverage the power of associations to improve the planet through social responsibility initiatives. I won a "young professionals" scholarship to attend the ground-breaking event alongside association leaders and partners.
On day one when we kicked off the event, we paired up to interview someone at our table. We each talked about things in our lives we were proud of. So, of course...I told the story of The Penny Project! My interviewer loved it and shared it with the rest of our table. The next day, at another table, it came up again as part of a presentation we had to do. Suddenly, one of my team members pulled all of the change from her purse and gave it to me for the cause. Now that was exciting! But it was even more exciting when everyone else at the table did the same thing! Before I knew it, I was up on the stage sharing the story with the whole room! At the same time, my team members were passing around "penny bags" and I could hear jingling all around the ballroom.
I went back to the table to sit down and from out of nowhere 3 or 4 people came up to me with their change, throwing it in the bags and saying things like, "great idea" and "good luck with this!" I couldn't believe it...the whole thing put a huge smile on my face! And then...one very generous fellow gave me a $20 bill with a sticky note that said "Very Imaginative!" Talk about a pretty penny!
All in all, over the next two days the generosity and support of the people attending the summit continued to amaze me. By the end of the final day, I'd collected 98 quarters, 119 dimes, 98 nickels, 526 pennies, and a $1 coin (along with actual paper money, which made my heart skip a beat!) for a total of $76.56.
So, now I have renewed spirit and excitement about the project and am ready for the next phase. This month is all about connecting with Common Cents (an organization that teaches social responsibility & charitable giving to children) and hopefully combining what they do with my desire to teach kids about financial literacy.
So keep saving those pennies and stay tuned for future news...
"Will Break for Pennies!"
Ok, I've either hit a new low or am so dedicated to the penny project that all pride has gone out the window. Actually...pride went out the window as soon as I started rooting in gutters for loose change. But now I've found new and improved ways to astound relative strangers with the dedication I have to giving stray pennies a home!
Part I--Plebes & Pennies
Ok, so they weren't plebes, they were firsties...but that lacks alliteration, so I took artistic license! I guess I could have called it cadets and coins. Whatever. Bygones.
Anyhow...I hosted some cadets a few weeks ago who were in town for the National Marathon. They were so much fun and made wonderful house guests! We did lots of chatting about life at West Point in the year 2008 and what they could look forward to after graduation! And of course, I told them about the Penny Project and made them swear their support by agreeing to pick up any change they saw on the race route. The may have thought I was crazy...but they were polite and hid it well.
The next day I took them to pick up their registration packets and peruse the expo (which was honestly a bit sad for a marathon!). All was well and good (and even normal) until we went to leave the expo. As I pulled out of my parking space and did a U-turn around the median dividing the road, a little copper sparkle caught my eye. Yes...it was a penny.
I know what you're thinking. "Too bad you were in a car and couldn't grab it." If you actually thought that I'm wondering...do you know me at all?! I promptly finished the U-turn, slammed the car to a screeching halt, put on the hazard lights (because what's more hazardous than running across a somewhat busy street to recover a penny?), and leapt out of the car to grab the little sucker!
The cadets looked up at me with puzzled expressions on their faces as I triumphantly held up a shiny cent. They sort of shook their heads in amazement (while still trying to be respectful of a former Captain and full grown woman playing in traffic for $.01). But then it got good. As I headed back to the car I stopped dead in my tracks and screamed, "Holy crap!"
There in the gutter (previously obscured from view as I haphazardly stopped by the median) was something that warmed the cockles of my heart (which was quite frankly necessary that day as it was FREEZING outside). Not one, not two, not even three...but TWELVE more pennies. I was ecstatic...although I think those who witnessed the event were a bit confused! But hey...12 more wayward pennies got to join the good fight and become part of something greater. That's worth confusing a few pedestrians, don't you think?!
I gathered up the dozen Lincolns as quickly as I could and got back in the car before there was too much of a scene (a little bit of a scene never hurt anyone...and it does keep life entertaining!). Off went the hazard lights and on we drove to the pre-race pasta dinner...laughing all the way at the thought of a former cadet playing in traffic to become 12 cents richer!
Stay tuned for "Will Break for Pennies" part II...the taxi cab edition!
Part I--Plebes & Pennies
Ok, so they weren't plebes, they were firsties...but that lacks alliteration, so I took artistic license! I guess I could have called it cadets and coins. Whatever. Bygones.
Anyhow...I hosted some cadets a few weeks ago who were in town for the National Marathon. They were so much fun and made wonderful house guests! We did lots of chatting about life at West Point in the year 2008 and what they could look forward to after graduation! And of course, I told them about the Penny Project and made them swear their support by agreeing to pick up any change they saw on the race route. The may have thought I was crazy...but they were polite and hid it well.
The next day I took them to pick up their registration packets and peruse the expo (which was honestly a bit sad for a marathon!). All was well and good (and even normal) until we went to leave the expo. As I pulled out of my parking space and did a U-turn around the median dividing the road, a little copper sparkle caught my eye. Yes...it was a penny.
I know what you're thinking. "Too bad you were in a car and couldn't grab it." If you actually thought that I'm wondering...do you know me at all?! I promptly finished the U-turn, slammed the car to a screeching halt, put on the hazard lights (because what's more hazardous than running across a somewhat busy street to recover a penny?), and leapt out of the car to grab the little sucker!
The cadets looked up at me with puzzled expressions on their faces as I triumphantly held up a shiny cent. They sort of shook their heads in amazement (while still trying to be respectful of a former Captain and full grown woman playing in traffic for $.01). But then it got good. As I headed back to the car I stopped dead in my tracks and screamed, "Holy crap!"
There in the gutter (previously obscured from view as I haphazardly stopped by the median) was something that warmed the cockles of my heart (which was quite frankly necessary that day as it was FREEZING outside). Not one, not two, not even three...but TWELVE more pennies. I was ecstatic...although I think those who witnessed the event were a bit confused! But hey...12 more wayward pennies got to join the good fight and become part of something greater. That's worth confusing a few pedestrians, don't you think?!
I gathered up the dozen Lincolns as quickly as I could and got back in the car before there was too much of a scene (a little bit of a scene never hurt anyone...and it does keep life entertaining!). Off went the hazard lights and on we drove to the pre-race pasta dinner...laughing all the way at the thought of a former cadet playing in traffic to become 12 cents richer!
Stay tuned for "Will Break for Pennies" part II...the taxi cab edition!
Coast to Coast Collectors
Nothing warms my heart like getting penny stories from my friends across the country! It just goes to show that pennies can pull people together from just about anywhere. And I do mean anywhere...I found two US pennies in Paris and I've had friends find them in the Dominican Republic & Aruba. You can run...but you can't hide! And really...why would you want to?! Join the fun!
Since we started this project people tell me they really have come to love the little jolt of happiness & excitement they feel when they find a penny. They can serve as happy little reminders of friendship, warm memories, or just give you a reason to smile. Of course...not all pennies come wrapped up in a warm fuzzy. My friend Glenda almost had a storm of pennies hit her front windshield, which was cause for a bit of momentary road-rage aimed at the not-so-considerate penny tossers before she remembered her penny happy place. I guess not all penny finds are created equal!
From Glenda:
Loved reading the blog, did vote (I'm personally a quarter girl) and agree with you about the little things in life, adding a smile to your day, and how a small cubicle can be cozy and quaint.
I actually HAVE found you several pennies. People out here in Portland Oregon literally toss their money, it seems. Especially the teenagers!! Although I didn't get in on one stash of cold hard cash I saw...I do have a funny story about it. Here goes...
I was leaving Borders Bookstore, and the car right in front of me had a passenger without a brain, who opened the window on this sunny Sunday afternoon, and TOSSED out on the roadway, a handful of pennies, and I mean a HANDFUL!! Useless money taking up useless space in his pocket, I guess? Or just a smart-*** thinking it was funny?
Either way, I didn't see the logic, and after glaring at them at the intersection & thinking "yeah, I agree your LUCKY you didn't hit my car with flying metal..." THEN it hit me -- LESLIE! Her penny thing! Why didn't I swerve off & grab it (I don't have too much class to do that!)? But I figure I would have caused a pile-up near the interstate, which surely would have caused one ON it. So I had to drive past the pennies.
But even without that stash, I've got plenty to give you...I have collected 47 cents! 1 dime, 2 nickels and the rest are all pennies, baby!
Ah, another 47 cents for the cause...and from the west coast, no less! So just remember where ever you are to keep an eye out for good old Abe. I swear it will make you smile! :-)
Since we started this project people tell me they really have come to love the little jolt of happiness & excitement they feel when they find a penny. They can serve as happy little reminders of friendship, warm memories, or just give you a reason to smile. Of course...not all pennies come wrapped up in a warm fuzzy. My friend Glenda almost had a storm of pennies hit her front windshield, which was cause for a bit of momentary road-rage aimed at the not-so-considerate penny tossers before she remembered her penny happy place. I guess not all penny finds are created equal!
From Glenda:
Loved reading the blog, did vote (I'm personally a quarter girl) and agree with you about the little things in life, adding a smile to your day, and how a small cubicle can be cozy and quaint.
I actually HAVE found you several pennies. People out here in Portland Oregon literally toss their money, it seems. Especially the teenagers!! Although I didn't get in on one stash of cold hard cash I saw...I do have a funny story about it. Here goes...
I was leaving Borders Bookstore, and the car right in front of me had a passenger without a brain, who opened the window on this sunny Sunday afternoon, and TOSSED out on the roadway, a handful of pennies, and I mean a HANDFUL!! Useless money taking up useless space in his pocket, I guess? Or just a smart-*** thinking it was funny?
But even without that stash, I've got plenty to give you...I have collected 47 cents! 1 dime, 2 nickels and the rest are all pennies, baby!
Ah, another 47 cents for the cause...and from the west coast, no less! So just remember where ever you are to keep an eye out for good old Abe. I swear it will make you smile! :-)
Why Pennies Are Better Than Men
Ok, so that's a bit of generalization, I suppose. I happen to be a big fan many men I know...in fact, several of you are reading this blog (hi, Dad!). But there are a few fellows out there who could use a sit down with Ms. Manners. But I have to say...Abe & his cute little copper self have never done me wrong. I really appreciate the fact that no penny has every whistled at me from a moving car or stood me up for a date. Honestly...I thank you for your manners, Abe!
And although I could do without obnoxious whistles and no-show dates...I'm not sure I would like to do without the story that follows (mostly because my girlfriends & I have had several laughs about it).
I know that my love of pennies makes me a bit quirky and entertaining to some, for which I am grateful (especially if these people bring me their pennies!)...but I am not quite sure how one 45-minute conversation with a guy I met by chance qualifies him to be able to tell me off in a 6-part text message. Yeah, 6 parts. Seriously...you have to read this to believe it.
Text 1--
I just wanted to write you and and tell you goodbye and it was nice meeting you. I called you several times and I feel as though you are blowing me off w
Text 2--
hich is fine but the real. I came out and told you how I felt about you and you had an excuse about you seeing someone and getting over that person, that's
Text 3--
fine and I respect that, but that does not mean you can treat someone who cares about you that way. what goes around comes around, in any event never treat
Text 4--
someone who cares about you jacked up. my self confidence is way to high to trip off of this but maybe you need to work on yours, because I am real and h
Text 5--
onest with my feelings and my life. Take care of yourself and goodluck. I will lose your number so I don't have to feel I am bothering you. I was calling
Text 6--
because I really liked you. I am totally disappointed because I never thought you would be like this.....Whatever man!!!!
After receiving this message, I felt a bit like Wayne Campbell in "Wayne's World" when Stacy is ranting on & on and finishes with "You know, Wayne...if you're not careful, you're gonna lose me."
To which Wayne replies, "I lost you two months ago. We broke up...get the net!"
Wayne, I know how you feel. Only my "Stacy" and I never dated. We were strangers in the night (or the middle of the afternoon to be more specific). Get the net!
And although I could do without obnoxious whistles and no-show dates...I'm not sure I would like to do without the story that follows (mostly because my girlfriends & I have had several laughs about it).
I know that my love of pennies makes me a bit quirky and entertaining to some, for which I am grateful (especially if these people bring me their pennies!)...but I am not quite sure how one 45-minute conversation with a guy I met by chance qualifies him to be able to tell me off in a 6-part text message. Yeah, 6 parts. Seriously...you have to read this to believe it.
Text 1--
I just wanted to write you and and tell you goodbye and it was nice meeting you. I called you several times and I feel as though you are blowing me off w
Text 2--
hich is fine but the real. I came out and told you how I felt about you and you had an excuse about you seeing someone and getting over that person, that's
Text 3--
fine and I respect that, but that does not mean you can treat someone who cares about you that way. what goes around comes around, in any event never treat
Text 4--
someone who cares about you jacked up. my self confidence is way to high to trip off of this but maybe you need to work on yours, because I am real and h
Text 5--
onest with my feelings and my life. Take care of yourself and goodluck. I will lose your number so I don't have to feel I am bothering you. I was calling
Text 6--
because I really liked you. I am totally disappointed because I never thought you would be like this.....Whatever man!!!!
After receiving this message, I felt a bit like Wayne Campbell in "Wayne's World" when Stacy is ranting on & on and finishes with "You know, Wayne...if you're not careful, you're gonna lose me."
To which Wayne replies, "I lost you two months ago. We broke up...get the net!"
Wayne, I know how you feel. Only my "Stacy" and I never dated. We were strangers in the night (or the middle of the afternoon to be more specific). Get the net!
The Streets of New York City...
. . . are full of spare change, which is a good thing for The Penny Project!
Below is an e-mail from a friend/penny convert. I came home from a 2-week international vacation to find this fantastic message waiting in my inbox. I absolutely love it when people who used to think, "Pennies...from the street? No way!" end up sending me stories like this. Ah, the power of the penny!
I’m happy to report that on a recent trip to the city I found 20 cents. Not bad for a few days! The breakdown is as follows – 5 pennies, one nickel, and one dime. I’m pretty sure that adds up to 20 cents but I may be wrong (I’m a little tired today).
I do have to tell you a funny little story about one of the pennies. First let me start off by saying that I never used to pick up change on the street, regardless of the size of the coin. I might not even pick up a dollar bill! But I’ve changed my ways for your project even though sometimes I’m a little embarrassed that I’ll stop in my tracks or go out of my way for spare change. I’m sure that must be some sort of psychological disorder, but talking to a shrink about it would cost me more pennies than I have so I’m comfortable with my embarrassment when it comes to picking up change on the sidewalk. So now onto my story (don’t worry, the information I just divulged is somewhat related) . . .
I’d already found a few pennies while I was in New York and then I got on the elevator and saw one right at the edge of the elevator door. This penny was in danger and I was afraid the door would cover it up and lose it when it closed. Now, if I’d been alone in the elevator I would have moved quickly to rescue it. But there were two other people who got in after me and I was too embarrassed to jump after a penny in front of other people, especially in a nice apartment building in NY (see, I told you the earlier information was relevant). So I watched the people to see what floors they selected and was glad to see that they were stopping on the 8th and 9th floors and I was going up to 12. That would give me some alone time in the elevator to grab the penny as long as the door didn’t sweep it away or someone else didn’t grab it on their way out. I had my strategy so now all I could do was wait. I held my breath a little each time one of them got off and was pleased when the door closed after stopping on the 9th floor – the penny was still there and I was alone to rescue it! Clearly I’m not the only one with this penny picking-up disorder, which has thankfully added an extra penny to your count for 2008!
Just had to share that. I hope you had a great vacation and maybe even found some spare change. Not sure what the conversion rates are like these days but whatever you find has to be worth something!
Below is an e-mail from a friend/penny convert. I came home from a 2-week international vacation to find this fantastic message waiting in my inbox. I absolutely love it when people who used to think, "Pennies...from the street? No way!" end up sending me stories like this. Ah, the power of the penny!
I’m happy to report that on a recent trip to the city I found 20 cents. Not bad for a few days! The breakdown is as follows – 5 pennies, one nickel, and one dime. I’m pretty sure that adds up to 20 cents but I may be wrong (I’m a little tired today).
I do have to tell you a funny little story about one of the pennies. First let me start off by saying that I never used to pick up change on the street, regardless of the size of the coin. I might not even pick up a dollar bill! But I’ve changed my ways for your project even though sometimes I’m a little embarrassed that I’ll stop in my tracks or go out of my way for spare change. I’m sure that must be some sort of psychological disorder, but talking to a shrink about it would cost me more pennies than I have so I’m comfortable with my embarrassment when it comes to picking up change on the sidewalk. So now onto my story (don’t worry, the information I just divulged is somewhat related) . . .
I’d already found a few pennies while I was in New York and then I got on the elevator and saw one right at the edge of the elevator door. This penny was in danger and I was afraid the door would cover it up and lose it when it closed. Now, if I’d been alone in the elevator I would have moved quickly to rescue it. But there were two other people who got in after me and I was too embarrassed to jump after a penny in front of other people, especially in a nice apartment building in NY (see, I told you the earlier information was relevant). So I watched the people to see what floors they selected and was glad to see that they were stopping on the 8th and 9th floors and I was going up to 12. That would give me some alone time in the elevator to grab the penny as long as the door didn’t sweep it away or someone else didn’t grab it on their way out. I had my strategy so now all I could do was wait. I held my breath a little each time one of them got off and was pleased when the door closed after stopping on the 9th floor – the penny was still there and I was alone to rescue it! Clearly I’m not the only one with this penny picking-up disorder, which has thankfully added an extra penny to your count for 2008!
Just had to share that. I hope you had a great vacation and maybe even found some spare change. Not sure what the conversion rates are like these days but whatever you find has to be worth something!
It's Not Just a Penny...It's a Little Bit of Joy!
Remember the last time you had a really crappy day and thought maybe God hated you for something you did (or didn't do...be nice to that cranky neighbor, will ya?!). Life didn't seem fair because the new guy at work got a better cubicle than you did in the office move. Or maybe you got on the metro train only to realize as you pulled into the next station, you were going the wrong way. Hmph. Life really sucks sometimes.
But the next time you are having one of those days, refer back to the note below. I actually teared up the first 3 or 4 times I read it because it made me happy to think that something as simple as a penny could bring joy to someone. Someone with REAL problems (not that a small cubicle isn't a real problem...but start thinking of it as cozy and quaint...maybe you'll like it a little more).
Leslie~
Thanks for the penny update. Things here have been a little rough. We finally got a diagnosis for our little girl. She has Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome (GLUT1 DS). It's super rare (only about 200 cases diagnosed world-wide) but thankfully she has the type that is less severe and there is a treatment. It involves a low carb/protein HIGH fat diet (ketogenic diet). Anyway to my point (finally) we had her in the hospital trying to start the diet but failed (which was a huge bummer but we'll try again soon... she's a stubborn 2 y/o with a bit of an eating disorder). BUT...I found 11¢! It made my otherwise horrible week a little bit happy. I love your penny project because it really does help me focus on the little joys in life.
So my total is now 22¢. 2 dimes and 2 pennies. I'm on the lookout all the time but obviously people in Milwaukee keep better track of their money than people in the DC area (especially Bethesda!) so I haven't been finding much. Let me know how I send it in or what to do with it. It's in a little cup by my monitor so I don't have it with the rest of my change (it's special :).
My point is this...there is lots of joy in the world. And whether you have the world's worst cubicle or the metro delivers you to a foreign/wrong stop...try to find the joy in it anyway. Maybe, just maybe...you'll find 11 cents and a smile too. And you'll realize that little moment and those 11 cents are more special than a corner office or getting on the right metro train on time.
But the next time you are having one of those days, refer back to the note below. I actually teared up the first 3 or 4 times I read it because it made me happy to think that something as simple as a penny could bring joy to someone. Someone with REAL problems (not that a small cubicle isn't a real problem...but start thinking of it as cozy and quaint...maybe you'll like it a little more).
Leslie~
Thanks for the penny update. Things here have been a little rough. We finally got a diagnosis for our little girl. She has Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome (GLUT1 DS). It's super rare (only about 200 cases diagnosed world-wide) but thankfully she has the type that is less severe and there is a treatment. It involves a low carb/protein HIGH fat diet (ketogenic diet). Anyway to my point (finally) we had her in the hospital trying to start the diet but failed (which was a huge bummer but we'll try again soon... she's a stubborn 2 y/o with a bit of an eating disorder). BUT...I found 11¢! It made my otherwise horrible week a little bit happy. I love your penny project because it really does help me focus on the little joys in life.
So my total is now 22¢. 2 dimes and 2 pennies. I'm on the lookout all the time but obviously people in Milwaukee keep better track of their money than people in the DC area (especially Bethesda!) so I haven't been finding much. Let me know how I send it in or what to do with it. It's in a little cup by my monitor so I don't have it with the rest of my change (it's special :).
My point is this...there is lots of joy in the world. And whether you have the world's worst cubicle or the metro delivers you to a foreign/wrong stop...try to find the joy in it anyway. Maybe, just maybe...you'll find 11 cents and a smile too. And you'll realize that little moment and those 11 cents are more special than a corner office or getting on the right metro train on time.
Ode to Track Change
I love it when I'm sitting at home and here the "beep-beep-beep" of my phone alerting me a new text message has arrived. Especially when the text message is as brilliant as this lovely little gem:
I'm stanring at change on the tracks. Dimes. Pennies. I think a quarter.
If only I could reach them. Just a little farther. Stretch arms, stretch!
Oh s**t. The train. :-)
And while this ode may have ended in some missed penny collecting opportunities...just a few days later, it's author found 79 cents on her morning run, which inspired a shout out to financial fitness!
Ah, the inspiration of a penny!
I'm stanring at change on the tracks. Dimes. Pennies. I think a quarter.
If only I could reach them. Just a little farther. Stretch arms, stretch!
Oh s**t. The train. :-)
And while this ode may have ended in some missed penny collecting opportunities...just a few days later, it's author found 79 cents on her morning run, which inspired a shout out to financial fitness!
Ah, the inspiration of a penny!
Crazy Squared
Most of you who are reading this have at one point or another found a penny on the sidewalk (and probably subsequently given it to me for entry on the spreadsheet). Therefore you know the little twinge of excitement such a find brings. And forget finding anything silver...that will probably be cause for a celebration dance in the street and a text message to at least four people. This is what makes us fans of the Penny Project...and it is also what makes people who don't know why we pick up dirt-encrusted coins from the gutter think we are crazy.
I sometimes wonder what outsiders think when they see me shuffling along, perched on the edge of the sidewalk, scanning with all my might for a cent or two that may have fallen from the pocket of the last person to feed the meter. And I really wonder what the people standing in the checkout lines at Whole Foods think when I ask if they mind me picking up the pennies they're standing on. Not that I care, mind you...but I do wonder. I should start giving them the Penny Project business cards so they don't think I'm a total loon. But then again, being a weird eccentric with a penny-obsession is sort of fun!
But the times I am the most concerned about not only being perceived as crazy but actually having the men in the white coats called to come take me away (actually take US away) is when I'm walking home from work with Illeny and we find a penny. And God help everyone on the sidewalk if we find something bigger! Sometimes the only reason I think I make it through my walks home during the long, cold winter months is that I have Illeny with me (and of course our regular stop at Whole Foods to sample the olive bar and troll for pennies in the checkout lines). The chat and friendly competition to find pennies makes the long walk pass quickly.
The other night we were walking home in the bitter cold, later than usual and not enjoying the brisk night wind at all. Then out of the corner of her eye, Illeny spied a shiny copper penny. The finger pointed and the shout followed. "Penny!" she cried! I jumped to the side a little to get it out of her way. When she finds a penny, she means business! There were two gentlemen on the sidewalk with us and the commotion caused a bit of a stir. But nothing like the stir caused a second later when I shouted, "Dime!" and jumped into the street to recover the sucker. Illeny had seen it too and was heading for it, but knew I called it (and picked it up first)...so she was a bit bummed.
The laughter and discussion that ensued must have been quite curious to anyone who didn't know what was going on...lots of talk about pennies rarely being alone, we knew there had to be others when she saw that first one, etc. It was certainly not something for an amateur to get involved in, for sure. But one of the guys couldn't help himself. He looked at me and asked, "Did you find a dime?"
Uh, yeah. What was your first clue...that I screamed the word "dime" at the top of my lungs before lunging into the street? Thanks for playing, Mr. Obvious.
But what came out of his mouth next was what really got me. He was clearly certifiable for trying to get between two screaming girls and their found money...but he had to let us know how important he was to this particular situation. So he piped up and said, "Well, that's my dime. I dropped it there this morning."
Excuse me...what? Are you trying to reclaim a dime you dropped 10 hours ago? No...I don't think so. I really wanted to say, "Well, it's not yours now, is it?" But instead I just looked at him like he was the crazy one. And clearly he was crazy if thought I was handing that dime over to him!
I sometimes wonder what outsiders think when they see me shuffling along, perched on the edge of the sidewalk, scanning with all my might for a cent or two that may have fallen from the pocket of the last person to feed the meter. And I really wonder what the people standing in the checkout lines at Whole Foods think when I ask if they mind me picking up the pennies they're standing on. Not that I care, mind you...but I do wonder. I should start giving them the Penny Project business cards so they don't think I'm a total loon. But then again, being a weird eccentric with a penny-obsession is sort of fun!
But the times I am the most concerned about not only being perceived as crazy but actually having the men in the white coats called to come take me away (actually take US away) is when I'm walking home from work with Illeny and we find a penny. And God help everyone on the sidewalk if we find something bigger! Sometimes the only reason I think I make it through my walks home during the long, cold winter months is that I have Illeny with me (and of course our regular stop at Whole Foods to sample the olive bar and troll for pennies in the checkout lines). The chat and friendly competition to find pennies makes the long walk pass quickly.
The other night we were walking home in the bitter cold, later than usual and not enjoying the brisk night wind at all. Then out of the corner of her eye, Illeny spied a shiny copper penny. The finger pointed and the shout followed. "Penny!" she cried! I jumped to the side a little to get it out of her way. When she finds a penny, she means business! There were two gentlemen on the sidewalk with us and the commotion caused a bit of a stir. But nothing like the stir caused a second later when I shouted, "Dime!" and jumped into the street to recover the sucker. Illeny had seen it too and was heading for it, but knew I called it (and picked it up first)...so she was a bit bummed.
The laughter and discussion that ensued must have been quite curious to anyone who didn't know what was going on...lots of talk about pennies rarely being alone, we knew there had to be others when she saw that first one, etc. It was certainly not something for an amateur to get involved in, for sure. But one of the guys couldn't help himself. He looked at me and asked, "Did you find a dime?"
Uh, yeah. What was your first clue...that I screamed the word "dime" at the top of my lungs before lunging into the street? Thanks for playing, Mr. Obvious.
But what came out of his mouth next was what really got me. He was clearly certifiable for trying to get between two screaming girls and their found money...but he had to let us know how important he was to this particular situation. So he piped up and said, "Well, that's my dime. I dropped it there this morning."
Excuse me...what? Are you trying to reclaim a dime you dropped 10 hours ago? No...I don't think so. I really wanted to say, "Well, it's not yours now, is it?" But instead I just looked at him like he was the crazy one. And clearly he was crazy if thought I was handing that dime over to him!
I'll Take the 7-Leg Flight from LAS to DCA
For the first time in recorded history, my mother is actually complaining that she doesn't have a layover on her next flight from Las Vegas to Washington, DC. My father thinks she's certifiable. I'm not sure I altogether disagree.
Now to be fair, Mom wasn't doing so well on the penny finding at her home in Las Vegas. She drives most everywhere she goes, so penny sightings are much tougher and infrequent. But then she came to DC for Christmas and found 7 cents in a matter of minutes as we walked to my department's holiday happy hour...and then she was hooked. She started looking for reasons to take walks in the cold December weather. And sure enough, she'd come back with 3, 4, even 5 cents at a time. DC was becoming her penny Mecca.
So when it was time to leave she was a little bummed about not being able to break $1 on the 2007 spreadsheet, even with all her DC penny finds. But then I reminded her not to be sad...she had an hour to kill at DCA and another hour when her flight connected throug Atlanta. And airports are certainly among the most profitable penny places. I'm not sure she believed me...but she was somewhat intrigued.
I guess she hit her stride while wandering Terminal A because I recieved 2 phone calls and 4 text messages about big finds (quarters, dimes, multi-penny sightings). She ended the day with 53 cents, almost doubling her total for the year. The funny thing was that not all of the calls were from my mom. My dad texted me once to say I had created a monster. I told him to be glad I got her hooked on pennies instead of crack cocaine or that show about Scott Baio. After all...it's for the kids!
In the end, I'm sure my mom will realize that finding pennies is a way to pass time if you are stuck with a layover. No sane human being would pick a flight with layovers just to find more pennies. Then again...who ever accused anyone scrounging pennies from gutters and airport security of being sane?!
Now to be fair, Mom wasn't doing so well on the penny finding at her home in Las Vegas. She drives most everywhere she goes, so penny sightings are much tougher and infrequent. But then she came to DC for Christmas and found 7 cents in a matter of minutes as we walked to my department's holiday happy hour...and then she was hooked. She started looking for reasons to take walks in the cold December weather. And sure enough, she'd come back with 3, 4, even 5 cents at a time. DC was becoming her penny Mecca.
So when it was time to leave she was a little bummed about not being able to break $1 on the 2007 spreadsheet, even with all her DC penny finds. But then I reminded her not to be sad...she had an hour to kill at DCA and another hour when her flight connected throug Atlanta. And airports are certainly among the most profitable penny places. I'm not sure she believed me...but she was somewhat intrigued.
I guess she hit her stride while wandering Terminal A because I recieved 2 phone calls and 4 text messages about big finds (quarters, dimes, multi-penny sightings). She ended the day with 53 cents, almost doubling her total for the year. The funny thing was that not all of the calls were from my mom. My dad texted me once to say I had created a monster. I told him to be glad I got her hooked on pennies instead of crack cocaine or that show about Scott Baio. After all...it's for the kids!
In the end, I'm sure my mom will realize that finding pennies is a way to pass time if you are stuck with a layover. No sane human being would pick a flight with layovers just to find more pennies. Then again...who ever accused anyone scrounging pennies from gutters and airport security of being sane?!
Happy New Year...Now Give Me Your Dimes!
Happy New Year! I hope you had as much fun saying 'good-bye' to 2007 and 'hello' to 2008 as I did. I don't want to brag...but my celebration involved the handing out of dimes. No...really.
It's a family tradition of one of my dear friends. She & her family make paper hats on NYE and then Dad hands out dimes to everyone as a token of prosperity for the new year. Nice, isn't it? Awaken your creative side with a craft project to kick off the evening before wrapping it all up with a dime as a wish for wealth, monetary and otherwise, in the new year. Well...I'm sure it could have been nicer if I didn't accost all of her guests demanding they hand over their dimes as a donation to the 2008 Penny Project. Although, most of them did so willingly...and then my friend ended up giving me the rest of the stack so I'd leave alone those who wanted to hold on to their dimes (sorry Amanda, I got excited at the prospect of getting a 10-penny donation from you all at once. I played your domino game...the least you could have done was give me your stinkin' dime). But I digress...it was a lovely tradition. And better yet, it worked! Prosperity abounded as I set off on my first walk to work on January 2nd.
In addition to starting off the 2008 penny spreadsheet with $1.10 in the donation column (thank you party goers), I found TWO dimes on my first walking commute of the year. And on top of that...I found 21 pennies. 21! I couldn't walk a block without seeing old Abe smiling up at me. It was an embarrassment of riches. Ok, that might be overstating...it came to a grand total of 41 cents...but that's a lot for a single walk to work! A great way to kick off the new year!
And of course, the thought of prosperity in the new year made me thankful for all that I already had over the past 365 days. 2007...what a lovely year. And even lovelier was the discovery that my friends could be so supportive of my quirks and obsessions. ("No, seriously guys...I want you to start picking up the pennies you see in the gutter." "Ok, so there's these codes on the bottom of the Coke lids...can you send them to me when you drink them. Or even when you see one on the street...can you pick it up?") Yes, the Penny Project has taught me many things...but the best lesson was that something as small as a penny can make people smile, bring together friends, and help us all remember that sometimes the best gifts do come in small packages! Every time I see a penny now, I think of all the people who have contributed and played along with my silly little social experiment. I think we've done the penny proud...now let's see what we can do in 2008!
It's a family tradition of one of my dear friends. She & her family make paper hats on NYE and then Dad hands out dimes to everyone as a token of prosperity for the new year. Nice, isn't it? Awaken your creative side with a craft project to kick off the evening before wrapping it all up with a dime as a wish for wealth, monetary and otherwise, in the new year. Well...I'm sure it could have been nicer if I didn't accost all of her guests demanding they hand over their dimes as a donation to the 2008 Penny Project. Although, most of them did so willingly...and then my friend ended up giving me the rest of the stack so I'd leave alone those who wanted to hold on to their dimes (sorry Amanda, I got excited at the prospect of getting a 10-penny donation from you all at once. I played your domino game...the least you could have done was give me your stinkin' dime). But I digress...it was a lovely tradition. And better yet, it worked! Prosperity abounded as I set off on my first walk to work on January 2nd.
In addition to starting off the 2008 penny spreadsheet with $1.10 in the donation column (thank you party goers), I found TWO dimes on my first walking commute of the year. And on top of that...I found 21 pennies. 21! I couldn't walk a block without seeing old Abe smiling up at me. It was an embarrassment of riches. Ok, that might be overstating...it came to a grand total of 41 cents...but that's a lot for a single walk to work! A great way to kick off the new year!
And of course, the thought of prosperity in the new year made me thankful for all that I already had over the past 365 days. 2007...what a lovely year. And even lovelier was the discovery that my friends could be so supportive of my quirks and obsessions. ("No, seriously guys...I want you to start picking up the pennies you see in the gutter." "Ok, so there's these codes on the bottom of the Coke lids...can you send them to me when you drink them. Or even when you see one on the street...can you pick it up?") Yes, the Penny Project has taught me many things...but the best lesson was that something as small as a penny can make people smile, bring together friends, and help us all remember that sometimes the best gifts do come in small packages! Every time I see a penny now, I think of all the people who have contributed and played along with my silly little social experiment. I think we've done the penny proud...now let's see what we can do in 2008!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
The Penny Wall
A place to honor pennies (large & small) and what they add up to be!
The Spreadsheet...Who just throws money in a jar?!
