Urban Beachcombing

[poliphilo]

 I've never been ashamed to pick up the loose change people drop or throw away. Sometimes I've idly thought there might be a living in it.  Back in the day, when I was a school crossing attendant- which involved lots of standing around doing nothing- I used to amuse myself by treasure hunting on and around my patch- and it was rare that I went home with nothing.  One memorable afternoon I found over £3.00.

My luck was so good I sometimes wondered whether I wasn't attracting the coins to myself by inadvertent mental magic.

Perhaps "a living" is pitching it too high, but here's an article (thanks to sunfell  for the link) that suggests you can substantially supplement your income by walking round with your head lowered and your mind in the gutter.   Maybe-  now that prices are rising and there's a recession looming-  it's time I started doing it again.

Comments

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

My luck was so good I sometimes wondered whether I wasn't attracting the coins to myself by inadvertent mental magic.

Reminds me of an exercise in Robert Anton Wilson's, Prometheus Rising. I remember believing in such things, once upon a time, but seem to have grown much too cynical these days. I suspect that's not a good thing.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say I exactly believe in this sort of thing- but then I don't exactly disbelieve either.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

Just for the "Helluvit" I have been walking with my eyes down on the pavement, but so far have not found even a penny. Yet at different times when I am NOT looking for anything I have stumbled upon the following:
A five-dollar bill.
Individual one-dollar bills (once there were three of them in the gutter)
A whole mess of what looked like it fell out of a hole in someone's pocket - pennies, nickels, dimes, and even a couple of quarters, all in one small area.
Myriad pennies or nickels and occasional dimes or quarters.
All of this was stumbled upon over my entire adult life - 45 years or more. I would estimate a total of less than $30.
I will continue pavement-watching for another week or so and post the results, if any.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The more you look, the more you find.

A lot of people- kids especially- can't be bothered with small change- and just throw it away.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

Sounds a much better position than cynicism. I'm sure wherever he is, RAW approves.