New LED Door Light Kit for the DeLorean

LED Door Light Kit by Tom Niemczewski

About a month ago, I got this cool LED Door Light Kit from Tom Niemczewski at deloreana.com.  I finally found time to install these lights.  Not that this took a lot of time.  But like all my DeLorean projects, I like to document the process whenever I can.  Here are my first impressions, quick review, and installation process.

Great packaging

The kit comes a custom foam box.  Just by looking at the box, you know these are going to be quality items.  I have to admit, I was hesitant at first to get these, but the box sold it.  Perfectly cut foam, with recessed pockets for the lights.  The cover has a (I would guess) laser gut logo.  Just beautiful...like a box of chocolates.

Close up of one of the LED assemblies

Remove the cover and you see all six lights laid out (see image at top of post).  Four surface mounted LED's make up each assembly, along with some techy-microchipy things.  In other words, these are really nicely made.  You can tell that Tom spent a lot of time and took at lot of care in making these.

LED bulbs from DMC

One of the reasons I hesitated in purchasing the kit was, I had already swapped out the original incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs from DMC.  This was one of the first modifications I did when I first got the car to make it 'more modern'.

DMC replacement LED rear (red) door light

Here we go, one of the easiest mods you can do to your car.  As easy as changing a light bulb.  For comparison, here is a shot of the rear DMC LED bulb in the light.  Notice the hot spot, not very good displacement of light.  Can you even 'displace' light?  You know what I mean.

Removing the lens

In order to get to the bulbs, you need to carefully remove the lens.  I used a flat head screwdriver to carefully pry out the lens.

New surface mounted LED bulb installed

The new LED's are directional, so make sure you have them in the right way.  There is only two ways, so it is just a matter of plugging it in and seeing if it lights up.  Oh, you will know when it lights up.

Nice grid pattern

With the lens placed back in, it creates a nice grid pattern.  I like this since it matches the grid like tail lights.  Tom sells the kit with a set of diffuser lenses to 'correct' the grid pattern.  I elected to keep the grid look.  I could always have some lenses cut if I ever decide to have a defused look.  This project should only take 10-15 minutes to do.

DMC replacement LED front (amber) lights

For comparison, photos of the rear lights show what they look like in bright daylight.  Above is photo of lights in semi light.  The hot spot is more apparent in these photos.

Sexy grid pattern is so eighties

I should note that I have my lenses in backwards.  The textured side faces in, smooth side out.  Not sure if it makes any difference, but I think the light gets dispersed better if the facets are closer to the light.  I could be totally wrong.

Bad photo of the new LED lights complete darkness

The LED's are very bright.  Above is a bad photo of the lights in complete darkness.  All photo here are taken with an iPod.  Not the best camera, but good enough.  You can still see the grid pattern at night, note the lens flare to the left of the main light.  The camera was not able to pick this up.

Comparing size and shape of the different LED bulbs

One of the design feature that I love about Tom's LED kit is the low profile design.  Having the light source further away from the lens give the light more time to spread.  The taller 'standard' LED bulb is right up against the lens, resulting in that hot spot.  Also, having four surface mounted LED's spread out in the corners help with better light distribution.  Even with the optional defusing lens, the standard LED bulbs would cause hot spots.

This is a great set.  Although a price a little high, I think it is well worth the price, even at $80.  They are really well made and they look great.  For an extra $20, you can get frosted lenses from Tom.  We must not forget about the packaging...just awesome.

If you have not upgraded to LED's, I highly recommend this set.  But you better hurry, there are only about 20 left.  The alternative is getting LED bulbs from your favourite DMC vendor or LED specialist. 

It is good to know that there are people like Tom out there...all the way out there in Poland.  He makes a great product.  Not only that, he makes sure that you get your item by providing tracking number and email updates.  I even got an email telling me that my package had arrived at the post office.  That is great customer service.  He is also working on a kit for the side marker lights.  Once he has those ready, you can bet that I will buy a set.

For technical information and specifications, and how to order, please visit Tom Niemczewski's site at deloreana.com.

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - November 2013

Wow, over a week between calls.  That time change must have messed up their internal clocks.  Which is the only 'benefit' to setting clocks back and forth - fucking up everyones' internal clocks.  That is a lame argument, since I get calls at various times during the day and from multiple time zones.

7 November 2013
   304-988-4693  WV, USA - Hey, first call from West Virginia.  Not that it matters, I still wish ill will on your sorry ass.  Why is there not an East Virgina?  There is a North and South for Carolina and Dakota.  I think Virgina should change its name to East Virgina.  Obviously, West Virgina was an afterthought.  Oh, better yet...change West Virgina to Next to Virgina.

   414-232-5011  WI, USA - Hello, Wisconsin...fuck off, Wisconsin!

11 November 2013
   617-273-8317  MA, USA - I looked up the nunber.  Could be a legit wrong number, or it could be a fucking telemarketer.  Either way...just to be safe...fuck you.

26 November 2013
   925-420-1433  East San Francisco Bay Area - I bet you are wondering why there was a big gap in between calls.  Well, I was out of town and I turned off my phone for the entire trip.  So, no calls received...but the automated telebot kept rambling while my outgoing message played and they sort of left a message.  I am on vacation, fuck you.

27 November 2013
   925-420-1432  East San Francisco Bay Area - Wow, such an innovative tactic.  Call me from another line that is just one number off.  Brilliant!  Too bad, I am still on vacation.  Even if I was not on vacation, I still would not pick up...and, fuck you.

30 November 2013
   325-423-0276  Llano, TX - One last call before the end of the month.  Saturday morning calls are the best.  A chance to sleep in and some fucker calls you, trying to sell you shit you do not need.  Fuck you. 

Mounting Bracket for MOLLE System

I happened to stumble up on this great design by Peak Design.  The Capture Camera Clip allows you to mount any camera on any strap.  The optional mount accessories, like the POV Kit,  also lets you adjust angles of the mounted camera.  I love this simple design

POV Kit by Peak Design

Only two things kept me from getting one.  One, it is on back order.  Two, I am cheap and I think I can make a cheaper one.  By cheaper, I mean both financially and quality.

I recently got this cool backpack that uses the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) System.  I may write more about my Triple Aught Design FAST Pack Litespeed backpack.  This is a military grade pack, there are a bunch of straps for you to mount addition pouches using the MOLLE System.  For now, here is a photo for your reference.

FAST Pack Litespeed by Triple Aught Design

The MOLLE System is also incorporated into the shoulder straps.  Here is a chance to design a simple mounting bracket that will work for both the vertical shoulder straps and horizontal straps throughout the rest of the pack.  So, I came up with this design.

Rough sketches of mounting bracket

My design is loosely based on Peak Design's bracket.  I just have two simple plates with a square footprint.  The slotted plate slides into the MOLLE straps.

Simple bracket for MOLLE Sytem

The upper plate just screws on to the slotted plate.  On the slotted plate, there is a 'bar' that keeps the plate from shifting when slid into the MOLLE straps.  A GoPro mount is stuck on using double sided tape.

Slotted plate slid between the verticals shoulder straps

Mounting the plates is simple.  Just slide the slotted plate in between the straps.  Place top plate, secure with four screws.  The plate were laser cut from a 0.100" styrene.  Not the strongest, but you get what you pay for...this cost me nothing.  The holes on the bottom plate (slotted) was tapped using a 10-32 tap.  Holes on the top plate are slightly larger so the plates can be 'pulled' together.

Plate screwed together

Once the four screws are in place, the bracket is secure.  I chose screws that I can hand tighten, no need for tools.

GoPro camera mounted on bracket

With the backpack on, and the curve of my manly chest, the plate points outward about 10 degrees.  Unfortunately, the angle of the camera is not adjustable for left and right, only up and down movement.  Again, you get what you pay for.

Bracket can me mounted on horizontal MOLLE straps

My design also allows the bracket to be mounted anywhere around the backpack.  The mounted object can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the direction one mounts the top plate.  While there is no need to mount the camera on back of the backpack, unless I happen to want a rear view camera, the bracket will work with any MOLLE system, such as a vest.  The bracket can be used for other purposes other than for a camera.  So, it just adds to the MOLLE system.  I may just have a few more sets cut out for future use.  Maybe I can mount lights or make an MP3 holder with my bracket.

There maybe something like this out there, right how.  I am too lazy to research that.  Perhaps someone will see this post, or me with the bracket, and steal improve upon my design and bring something like this to market.

NikeFuel Points Issue Resolved

I have been using my Nike FuelBand since the day I got it, about 81 days.  While I do not expect everything to be perfect, I did run into an issue that should not have happened.  Although I clearly achieved my FuelPoints for a certain day, I was not given credit for that day.  Minor issue, no big deal, I know.  But, I earned my points and should get credit for it.

Unable to sync to Nike due to maintenance

As I have mentioned, you can sync your data at the Nike+ site or via the Nike FuelBand App on your iOS device.  Nike does a great job of maintaining their Nike+ site, as they are constantly updating it...like every two days. 

Follow @NikeSupport for updates on the updates

Unfortunately, this means the site is down for a few hours and you are unable to do any updates.  I have since learned that you can still sync the data on your FuelBand to your iOS device, just not to your account until the site is back up.  I had syncing problems a few months back because of the maintenance and lost credit for that day.

A few nights ago, I went to sync and I was encountered by the warning bar of death.  Site was down.  I had not synced up for about two weeks.  I am doing some testing on battery life and memory capacity.  Good news, battery can last over a week as I have yet to see the 'low battery' display on the FuelBand.  Memory can last well over two weeks as I have yet to see the 'low memory' display.  Bad news, I might lose any unsynced data, like before.  That would be two weeks of FuelPoints, gone...puff, like Kaiser Soze.

In a panic, I did what everyone does, I went to Google.  I found that Nike had a great customer support team on Twitter, @NikeSupport.  They let you know when Nike+ is in its maintenance state...like how a bear will be in hibernation state.  If you have a Nike FuelBand and a Twitter account, I highly recommend following @NikeSupport.

Quick response from Nike Support via Twitter

I noticed that Nike Support was quick to responding to others with problems and answered a lot of concerned tweets.  I expressed concern of losing my data, and they wrote back within a few hours.  Given the amount of responses a major company would get, I was impressed.  Why not have them fix the problem with my account?

Excellent costumer support from Nike

I stated my problem, at first there was a little miscommunication, as I am sure they are busy.  They respond within minutes to questions and comments.  Within a few hours, they fixed my account.  I got the "We made an adjustment to your account", tweet at 7AM on a Saturday.  A Saturday...at 7AM!  I was barely up, just checking my social media...I know bad habit...and I get this tweet.  Seven AM, this means they were there working on my account before the sun was up...on a Saturday.  That is above and beyond customer service.

Thank you Nike for fixing my first world problem.

Update:  Just got this tweet as a follow up.

 

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - October 2013

New month and we are off to a great start.  I get excited when I get a call on the first day of the month.  There is always a chance that they can sweep the month and call every day.  Excluding weekends, of course.  But, there are those willing to put in the overtime and harass you on the weekends.  That is dedication to your work. 

1 October 2013
   407-722-3791  Orlando, FL - Oh, you tricky bastards.  Calling from a different extension does not fool me.  Well, maybe you guys get a new set of numbers each month.  If that is the case, that is a slick move.  So, now that I know what number you are calling from this month, I will be sure to ignore you.  Thanks, and fuck off.

   407-722-3791  Orlando, FL - I have to admit, I am running out of creative and funny things to say about this caller.  Usually, I make fun of the city...already done that.  Sometimes, I will comment on the number and its relations to other numbers.  Again, already done.  Recently, I have even bitched about receiving multiple calls from the same number.  These guys have done all that within a week...shit, they did it within 24 hours.  Now that is service and dedication.  Maybe they should leave a message...oh, I already cover that angle, too.  Fuck!

7 October 2013
   267-298-1514  PA, USA -  First call from Pennsylvania.  Oh, I hope it is the Amish calling me.  That would make my day.  What if the Amish honeymoon as telemarketers?  Could make a great Nicholas Cage movie, directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

11 October 2013
   407-733-7137  Orlando, FL - Orlando, where have you been? Looks like you got a make over.  Look at the numbers above, the ones you were using earlier in the month.  So you changed a few numbers, you still look like a big bag of douche.  I see through your shitty disguise, fuck you!

14 October 2013
   Unknown - Fucking 'Steve' from some injury scam center just called.  Normally, I do not pick up...but I am doing some exciting top secret stuff and someone maybe contacting me.  More on that later.  Anyway, I just let 'Steve' talk.  He has a great voice.  He should do radio or some voice over work.  Why waste your life harassing people as a telemarketer?  Fuck you, Steve.

17 October 2013
   540-898-8818  Fredericksburg, VA - A missed call, but definitely a telemarketer call.  Good thing they called back.

   540-898-8818  Fredericksburg, VA - Actually, I missed two calls from these guys.  Seems like they call right after the first call.  As if I am going to pick up.  If I missed your call the first thirty seconds ago, what makes you think I am going to pick up now?  Fuck you.

19 October 2013
   540-898-8818  Fredericksburg, VA - Not one

   540-898-8818  Fredericksburg, VA - Not two

   540-898-8818  Fredericksburg, VA - Yes, three calls in less than two minutes, on a Saturday.  The more you call, the more I ignore.  I bet that the only people who pick up unknown calls are people without caller ID on their phone. 

20 October 2013
   540-898-8818  Fredericksburg, VA - Wow, on a Sunday.  I did some research via Google.  This is apparently a research company.  The Do Not Call Registry does no apply to research and charity companies.  So, all this time I have been getting calls from research and charity companies?  Would be pretty funny if they were doing research on 'how people get annoyed at telemarketers'. 

   540-898-8818  Fredericksburg, VA - Second call of the day.  Why am I not surprised?
   
   540-898-8818  Fredericksburg, VA - Surprise, fuck you! 

22 October 2013
   540-898-8818  Fredericksburg, VA - Oh, look who called.  Oh, look who is getting ignored.  Oh, look who should fuck off.

28 October 2013
   706-805-1775  GA, USA - Pattern breaker.  One more and Fredericksburg would have had ten.  Alas, they only have nine...they are the Martina Navratilova of telemarketers. 

Custom DeLorean Clock Plate

Early DeLoreans came with a clock, located in the Front Plate (#108240) in the Center Console.  It seems that some of these clocks fail through...wait for it...time.  Later DeLoreans came with radios with a clock, so the original clock was omitted.  Those later cars have Front Plates with no hole. 

As clocks stopped working, some were replaced, most were left alone in non-working condition.  Once in a while, someone who is way smarter than me will make clocks for replacement.  These go for about $100.  Not a bad price, actually, a very good price.  I almost considered getting one.  Since I have a 'modern' radio with a clock in it, I do not really need another clock.

Another option for the 'clock hole' is a plate.  Aesthetically, it looks cleaner, as it does not look like a broken clock.  It just looks like something should be there...like a clock.  While that looks clean, it still looks like something is missing.  I have a clock plate in my car.

Clock plate in place of where a working clock used to be

I wanted to do something different with the plate and give it a 'reason for being'.  So, I took some measurements and made a new plate.

Measurments of original plate

 

Custom clock plates.  One with DMC logo, other with Hot Wheels logo

It is basically the plate that I already have with the sides extended for holes, so it can be mounted directly on to the Front Plate.  I made two versions with different logos, for fun.

Custom clock plate installed

The logo adds a little luxury to the center console.  It looks like it is almost the intended look of the center console...almost.

Close up of custom clock plate

Simple custom project that took very little time.  Reason being that this does not involve any moving parts or anything essential to the function of the vehicle.

It took about ten minutes to remove the Front Plate from the Center Console and measure the existing plate.  I spent maybe ten minutes modeling the part.  The longest time spent was waiting for the part to print.  Finishing the part only involved spraying a few coats of paint and waiting to dry.  Then, removing the Front Plate again and installing the new part.  Total time invested was about an hour, not including waiting for print and watching paint dry.

Check Valve Installation For DeLorean

Edit:  Please read update at the end of post

Apparently, there is an issue with the new fuel pump (#10700) for the DeLorean that can cause a hot start problem.  This happened to me a few times and I had no idea what was going on. Now that I know what it is, I can get it fixed. Lucky for me, it is an easy fix.  All I have to do is get the parts and fix it

The good folks at DMCTalk have discussed this in depth.  The problem is a potential fail of the check valve in the pump system.  This causes lost of pressure in the fuel line during start up.  No fuel, no start.  The solution, install an inline fuel pressure repair kit.  I got this one from Amazon:

SUR&R Fuel Pressure Repair Kit

You will also need two hose clamps, which you can easily find at your local hardware store.  This was a simple project.  How simple?  It only took me about ten minutes to do it.  So fast and easy, I totally forgot to take photos during the process.  It took more time for me to clear the trunk and get to the fuel line. 

Basically, you cut the line leading to the engine and install the unit with the supplied fittings.  Secure the fittings with hose clamps.  The check valve is directional, so make sure that the arrow points with the flow of fuel.  That is it.

Fuel pressure repair kit in stalled.  It was that easy.

Then I noticed that the screws that hold various access panels were rusted.  Some had worn out heads, a few were missing.  I decided to replace all the screw with shiny new ones.

Look at all those rusty and worn out screws

Bag of new screws

I replaced 24 screws.  This took way longer than installing the check valve.

Look at my new screws

Only eight of these screws can be seen when my hood is open.  The other sixteen are covered by the bonnet liner and everything else I keep in there.  Now to put everything back in.  This includes the spare tire, Shock Tower Brace, Luggage Rack, Car Cover, and various tools.

Those new screws really pop

Wow, you can totally see the new screws in the picture above.  Maybe I should have painted them black before I screwed them in .

Hopefully, the installation of the check valve will solve any start up issues I may have.  Speaking of fuel, I need to fill up sometime in the next few days or I will have another fuel/start-up problem.

UPDATE, 29 September 2013

I got a message from a fellow DeLorean owner, Jeff (aka jmpdmc), this morning.  He informed me that I am using  the wrong kind of clamps.  I will be the first to admit that I know very little about cars, especially the internal working parts.  I am pretty good at changing light bulbs and making custom non-moving parts.

Anyway, after reading Jeff''s message, I immediately walked down to the local auto shop to pick up some proper fuel injector hose clamps.  Clamps that are made for the pressures of the fuel pump.

Regular hose clamp versus fuel injector hose clamp

So the process of getting to the check valve began.  One thing I noticed, when I removed the hose from the check valve, a little fuel leaked out.  It did not do that last time, confirming that there was a lost of pressure with the new fuel pump and with its internal check valve.  Gasoline smells kinda good, probably bad for one to inhale.  But once in a while, I like the smell.

New clamps installed

Swapping out the clamps was an easy procedure.  Again, this took very little time and simple enough even for me to do.  Plus, I got black ones so they look all stealthy...not like anyone is going to see this.  Although, I am glad that someone like Jeff saw my previous attempt and corrected my error.  So, thanks Jeff for pointing out my mistake.

Thanks to the DMCTalk community and special thanks to jmpdmc

Update #2, 27 October 2013

This is to answer Adam's question in the comments. 

How does the valve piece together? I bought one and could not for the life of me figure out how to attach the metal cylinder with the screw on top?

This is very easy.  Your check valve comes with two brass collars.  You will not need the nylon ones for this project.  I realize that the 'product picture' at the top of this post is slightly different from what I have installed, it should be the same process.  This is the way I did it. 

First unscrew the top and place one brass collar in the chamber.  Replace the top, hand tighten it.  The smooth end of the metal tube should slide right, stopping at the first ridge at about half and inch. 

Take two wrenches and tighten the top with the metal tube sticking out.  Make sure that the tube does not fall out.  Tighten it good.  There should be a point where it will bottom out.  Repeat that on the other side.

Once you cut your fuel hose, you just shove the unit bridging the hose.  Make sure direction of arrow is facing the correct way.  It may take a little effort to get the rubber hose past that first rib of the metal tube. That rib also helps with the clamps.

Hope that answers your question, Adam.  Thanks for stopping by, good luck with your project.

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - September 2013

Not suppose to wear white after Labour Day?  I propose a new tradition, not fucking calling me after Labour Day...or any time, ever!  School is back in session, so the summer interns are gone.  Now, the 'professionals' are doing the calling.  Professional...pfft...fuck you and your so called profession. 

5 September 2013
   407-935-5621 Kissimmee, FL -  Kissimmee?  How about Kiss-a-my-ass?  Fuck you!

11 September 2013
   281-386-2880  Houston, TX - Really...on September 11?  Have you no respect?  Obviously, not.  Fuck you, you should be ashamed of yourselves.  By the way, I have received calls from same area code and prefix.

So, I got this comment from "Anonymous":

dude...why the anger. I received the call...didn't answer and done. Move on man...better things to concern yourself with than a telemarketer....don't pick up the phone if you don't know the number and move on...BREATHE....exhale... 

Not even making it up.  Go ahead, check it.  Obviously, from a fan of telemarketing.  Perhaps even a telemarketer him/herself.  Now, I could ignore the comment, but it is way more fun to call this person out.  I realize I am opening a can a worms here, oh well.

dude...why the anger.  So, you like to be harassed by telemarketers?   

I received the call...didn't answer and done.  That is the point, many people received the call...and many do not answer.  Yet, they keep on calling.   

Move on man...better things to concern yourself with than a telemarketer....   'Move on', you say?  'Better things to concern yourself with', you say.  Well then, how the fuck did you find this site?  Instead of 'moving on', you looked up one of the numbers I listed and it lead you here.  You were curious about 'concerned' about a number - a telemarketing number - and it bothered you.  Perhaps even angered you.  Angered enough to seek out more information on said number.  Further more, your emotions lead to write a snarky comment.  So, I urge you to take your own advice and 'move on'.  Or, you can do that thousands of others do, and enjoy my rants for what they are.  Entertainment.

don't pick up the phone if you don't know the number and move on...  For the record, I rarely answer calls from people I know.  What makes you think I pick up unknown numbers?

BREATHE....exhale...  Do not forget to inhale.

By the way, thanks for commenting.  Feel free to stop by the next time you get a telemarketer call and leave another comment...after you have moved on.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled telemarketing calls.

16 September 2013
   918-866-7810  Sparks, OK - Another call from Spaks, Oklahoma.  This is the fourth call from the same number.  Since July, I have gotten a call from Sparks, about every twenty days.  It could be random, or there could be a pattern.  We will check back in early October to see if there is a pattern.  Until then, they guys can just fuck off.

21 September 2013
   310-356-0420  El Segundo, CA -  Just before I got the call, I walked into the library and turned off my phone, as to no disturb anyone.  Then, my phone buzzes and these mother fuckers are calling.  Sorry, I am at a library...on a fucking Saturday.  I suspected that the number was from a terrorist group...uh, I mean telemarketer.  When I looked up the number, one of the results lead me back to my site.  Yes, a return caller.  So, fuck you for calling on a Saturday.  Fuck you for almost disrupting every in the library.  And, just fuck you, in general.   

23 September 2013
   616-980-2164 MI, USA - Return caller from three weeks ago.  We can deduct that my number is on a three week rotation in Michigan.  Fuck Michigan.

   310-356-0420  El Segundo, CA -  Call number four from this number.   Even better, this call came ten minutes after the call above.  Only tem minutes.  Some one asked, "What happened to the national do not call list?. .. Fucking crock of shit!"  Yes, the Do Not Call Registery is a crock of shit.  I have given up on them.  I no longer take the time to report these numbers.  I do all my 'reporting' here, in this blog.  Believe me, I get better results from bitching about telemarketers here, than I ever will from the Registery.  Oh, and fuck you!


Calls that are ten minutes apart, and return caller.

27 September 2013
   407-722-3991  Orlando, FL - Orlando, Florida!  Do you think Mickey, Donald, or Goofy would be calling me?  I have been to Orlando twice and both times, I did not go to any Disney Parks.  Maybe Micjey and gand are calling me to invite me over.  Alas, it is just a telemarketer.  No one wins in this scenario...espeically the telemarketers.  They are always losers.


   407-722-3991  Orlando, FL - What, twice in one day?  Perhaps it is Mickey trying to contact me.  If only he just simply left a message.  Oh yeah, spineless bitches, like telemarketers, do not leave messages.  They are not even real people.  Besides the fact that most are usually robot callers, they are still not real people.  So, feel free to treat them like shit.

   281-386-2880  Houston, TX - Oh, remember these fuck nuggets?  Return callers are fun.   Sometimes, I will recognize the number and it is a small victory for me.  I already know that an unrecognized number is most likely from some fucking telemarketer.  But, when it is a number I can confidently say, " this cock lick is a return caller", that is a victory.  Bam, I win and fuck you!

28 September 2013
   407-722-3991  Orlando, FL - Calling on a Saturday..and three times in two days.  Look smooth brain, I am not going to pick up.  No one is going to pick up.  Save yourself the effort and stop calling.  You are in Orlando, go to one of the theme parks.  Better yet, go fuck yourself.

30 Sepetember 2013
   407-722-3991  Orlando, FL - Do you think these guys are trying to get a hold f me?  I know this may sound like total witchcraft, but if the person you are trying to call does not pick up, you can leave a message.  Like one of those answering machines.  Maybe leave a message or something.  I stll will not call back, but it is worth a try.  So far, four calls in four days.  Too bad the month is coming to an end.  Perhaps, you can rack up calls for next month.  Until tomorrow, fuck off.


LEGO Back to the Future Time Machine (21103)

LEGO DeLorean Time Machine (21103)

This is the LEGO set that nerds like me have been waiting for.  Through their Cussoo program, LEGO has released the DeLorean Time Machine from Back to the Future.  The set was released at this year's Comic Con in San Diego.  To no surprise, the sets were sold out within minutes.  Luck for us who did not make it, or were too lazy to head down to San Diego, the set is available at 'select retailers' and at LEGO for $34.99.

Anticipating the rate that these are selling, I ordered mine through LEGO.  These are currently sold out everywhere, typical wait is about 30 days.  You can always pay more at an online auction site or just order and wait a few weeks for delivery.

The set is pretty much what you would expect from LEGO.  Although, the prototype and other fan made Time Machines are more 'accurate', this set is great at the price point and for the general consumer.  One of the highlights is the set comes with pieces to make three versions of the Time Machine as seen in the Back to the Future Trilogy.  Notice I said "three versions" and not "all three versions".  Why?  Because there are at five versions of the Time Machine from the movies.

The three versions of the Time Machine you can build from the set

Anyway, you can build three.  Version 1 - Original from 1985, with Plutonium Chamber.  Version 2 - Upgraded from 2015, with Mr. Fusion and Hover Conversion.  Version 3 - From 1955, with Hood Box and Red Wheels (but no white wall tires).*

The set is fairly easy to build with easy to follow directions.  It is graded for 10+, but you know and I know, that if you are giving this to a kid, you end up building it yourself.  Oh, kids these days and their video games.  The build should take about an hour.  It took me about two hours, but I like to line up the "LEGO" on the studs so they face the same direction when possible.  Yes, I really do this.  I also shot the process using my GoPro camera and iPod Touch, making a stop motion gif.

 

Building the LEGO Time Machine

For each step, I would snap a photo and rotate the base the width of one LEGO stud.  You can see the piece of tape with pencil mark at the at the bottom, where my finger pops in.  There are 62 steps in the build.  The first 55 frames of the gif above shows the build, I combined some smaller steps to save time.  I did not really know how much it would rotate in the build.   Since I finished before the full 360º, I showed the door open and close to finish the full rotation.  Total frame count is 97.

Marking the turntable, using a "LEGO T-Square"

Here is the interesting part.  You can see the iPod at the top of the frame.  I was just listening to it on shuffle, as I finished the build, the iPod was playing a track from the Back to the Future soundtrack.

I did not think ahead to document the process of  documenting the process.  I tore down the set before I had a change to snap a few photos.  Should have taken a before and after shot, but it is mostly there in the gif.

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - August 2013

I get pretty excited when I get a call on the first day of the month.  On one hand, I fucking hate these fuckers...nothing new there.  On the other hand, I want to see if they can call me everyday for an entire month.  I will let it slide if they do not call during the weekends.  But, you know how these fuckers love to call and a Saturday morning is not going to stop them.

1 August 2013
   407-673-0587   FL, USA -  This is interesting,  I looked this number up on Google and there are no 'reports' of this being a telemarketers' number from the usual places.  Well, I am pretty sure it is one.  So, this entry might be the first 'official' report of this number being a telemarketer.  Spread the word, let everyone know that these fuckers are terrorists.

Top searches in the last 24 hours that lead you here.

Update:  In the last 24 hours, there have been 92 views of this post.  Most, if not all, from searches of the telemarketers number.  I am happy to provide you with the entertainment and, in a way, information on telemarketer numbers.  I do this for free, since my Google AdSense has been disabled.

2 August 2013
   757-414-2323  VA, USA - This is exactly what I was hoping for, two days in a row.  August is off to a great start.  I hope they keep this up...just so I have something to write about.  If only my teachers can see me now.  Hey look, I am working on my creative writing skills.  Fuck you!

6 August 2013
   479-677-8520  AR, USA - Fucking slackers,  where were you yesterday?  I give you the weekend off and you take Monday off.  Did not even call in sick?  Wait...you know what I mean.  Arkansas...what if there was a pirate on Jeopardy! and the answer was "Topeka is the capital of this state".  Then the pirate buzzes in and says, "What is Arh-Kansas?"  Would the pirate be given credit for that?  And, why is it pronounced "Arh-Kan-Saw", when you have a "Kans-Ass" located just diagonally from you?  Fuck you in the saw!

12 August 2013
  925-420-1424  'East San Francisco Bay Area' - Oh what do we have here?  Looking back on last month, we have a number from same area code and prefix, but different 'extension'.  Obviously, the Walnut Creek area is a headquarters for telemarketers.  Are they on Willow Pass Road, Pleasant Hill Drive?  Perhaps the students from Diablo Valley College are working summer jobs at this place.  Speaking of summer jobs and DVC, do you know the movie Summer School?  There is a scene where Mark Harmon wears Diablo Valley College shirt.  No kidding.

Mark Harmon sporting a Diablo Valley College shirt.

Oh, here is an idea...maybe Mark Harmon and his team at NCIS can do an episode on tracking down telemarketers.  I have said many time that telemarketers are terrorists.  I would totally watch that episode.

   925-420-1415  'East San Francisco Bay Area' - Mother fucker!  Two calls within two hours, same area code and prefix.  How many numbers do you think they have?  Fuck you!

16 August 2013
   281-386-9440  Houston, TX - Someone in Houston should find were the telemarketing office is and have them drawn an quartered.  You know, because when I think of Texas, I think of cowboys and horses.  It makes no sense, but neither does randomly calling someone on the Do Not Call Registry in hopes of me picking up the call.  Fuck you!

19 August 2013
   925-420-1423  'East San Francisco Bay Area' - Now, there are at least least four numbers from this prefix.  So, I have been watching Battlestar Galactica, both the original and the recent remake.  I see these numbers as Cylons.  I know they are out there, but not what the actual numbers are.  So far, there are four...there could be twelve.  Frak you!

26 August 2013
   918-866-7810  Sparks, OK - Looks like this the third time I  got a call from this number.  I like return callers, it lets me ignore them faster without thinking if it is a real call.  Although, it is a fun surprise when you set your phone to vibrate.  Fuck you, Sparks...okay?

30 August 2013
   616-980-2164  MI, USA - Last minute rush before the long weekend, and the end of the month.  Also, Labour Day marks the end of summer, so I guess the summer interns at the telemarketing firms are getting in those last calls.  You internship was a total waste.  Go back to school and think about how you could have had a meaningful internship at a respectable place of employment.  No one is going to hire you when they see that you worked for a telemarketing firm.  Fuck you!