The Magic Castle

This place is really awesome.  Pretty much everything about it adds to the ambiance.  You have an old building with a lot of history, people dressed up, possible celebrity sightings....oh, and the magic.  If you are ever in the Los Angeles area and you can get tickets, spend an evening at the Magic Castle.  It is a little pricey, but it is worth it. 

Entrance to the World Famous Magic Castle

Once you valet your car, you are directed to the lobby.  The lobby and the outside are the only places that cameras are allowed.  Apologies for the lack of photos.  To enter the castle, you must say "Open sesame" (or is it "Open says-a-me"?), and the faux book shelf slides open to reveal a secret passageway.  Yeah, kinda like the library at Wayne Manor...to the Bat poles!

There are a number of shows that you can see throughout the night, ranging from close-up, parlor, and stage.  Usually, there will be a member willing to give you a tour of the castle.  This is highly recommended as you will get a brief history and wonderful stories.  You may even get a quick impromptu magic performance.

Award winning magicians perform these shows.  Live magic is more fun than televised performances.  Most of the rooms seat about 20-25 people, the large theater seats about 70-80.  So, it is an intimate setting and great audience/performer interaction that you cannot get with television.

Magic Castle Drive - Why do they not sell these in the gift shop?

In one of the shows, I was volunteered by the magician to help out with his performance.  Being a fan of magic and someone who know a little of how things worked, I tried to figure out how he would do the trick.  You want to see how the trick is done, yet not expose it, Magicians' Code.  Even with my knowledge, I was stumped (mostly).  I also felt I needed...okay, I wanted to provide some comedy for the audience and magician.

Here is the trick.  Magician picks me from the audience.  He asked me if I have ever played "hot hands", the slapping game we all played in grade school.  Some of us still play.  I fake with my right and slapped with my left.  This got a good reaction with the audience. 

I would freely chose a card from the deck. Yes, freely.  Show it to the audience, it was the two of hearts.  Then, he gave me a small stack of card, about 6-8 cards and had me shuffle my card into it.  That way no one knew where the card was in the mini stack.  Actually, I knew where it was, I purposely put it second to the top.  The mini stack was placed into the rest of the deck and he shuffled the deck.  Most likely a false shuffle.

Now, here is the game.  The hot hands set up a speed game.  He would flip over a card, call it out, then place it in my hand.  At this point, my left hand was face up, with my right hand face down hovering above my left.  I was to slap down as fast as I could while he tried to reach in and grab the car.

He called out about four cards and placed it in my hand.  Each time, he would fake grab the card.  When my card was called, I let him place the card in my hand.  He did a little fake, and was about to call the next card.  Bam, I slap down.  At this point, the audience, including myself, thought I had beaten the magician.  Everyone knew what card I had.

I turned over the card, and it was not my car. Awesome!  I did and did not expect this.  I checked all five cards in my hand and none of them was the two of hearts.  The audience was amazed, I was amazed.  Again, awesome!  I was played by the magician. 

He made a joke that the card was in my wallet.  Funny thing is, I do not carry a 'wallet', just a money clip card holder thing.  He hand me do one more thing.  Take my right hand and point to my watch.  A card was folded into quarters and shoved between my wrist and watch.  I took the card out and there it was, the two of hearts.  Awesome!

From the beginning, I knew he selected me for my watch. I was thinking that we was going to steal my watch and I was prepared for that. I tried to feel him steal my watch, but he was slipping the card underneath...I was not feeling for that.


He forced the card, and I have no idea how he did it. I was paying close attention to everything he was doing and he got me. Again, I must say...it was awesome!

The Magic Castle welcome mat.

Because of the no phone, no photo policy, it offer a sense of privacy for the magician and guests.  There is a chance that a celebrity or two will show up.  I did spot one celebrity, the Amazing Jonathan.  He was walking into the private library, a library for members only.

I also spotted 'teller' in the lobby. 
  

Teller at The Magic Castle.  Should have snagged a 'pen' and completed the picture.

We had a great time and plan on returning sometime in the future.  I highly recommend a visit, whether you are a fan on magic or not.  

Bob Gale with Time Machine Restoration Update

Hot Wheels Segment on CNN Money

CNN Crew equipment

On September 19th, the CNN Money crew stopped by the Mattel Design Center to shoot a segment on  Hot Wheels.

 

Alec Tam being interviewed by Peter Valdes-Dapena for CNN Money

The interview focused on Bad to the Blade, a custom Hot Wheels car that was made into a full-sized car.  CNN Auto Writer, Peter Valdes-Dapena and his crew, interviewed a few of the team members for the segement.  Luckily, I was not left on the cutting room floor.

Larry Wood happened to stop by that day.

The segment follows how a Hot Wheels car is 'born', form concept to design, to 3D modeling to rapid prototyping, to final product...to making a full-sized car.

Behind the scenes of a CNN interview

 You also get a rare look of inside the Mattel Design Center.

Depeche Mode Tour 2013

Depeche Mode Tour 2013

Depeche Mode opens tour in Tel Aviv on May 7th with 34 dates in Europe.  North American dates have yet to be annouced.  New album to be released in early 2013. 


MAY 7 - Tel Aviv - Hayarkon Park

MAY 10 - Athens - Terra Vibe

MAY 12 - Sofia Georgi - Asparuhov Stadium

MAY 15 - Bucharest - National Stadium

MAY 17 - Istanbul - Kucukciftlik Park

MAY 19 - Belgrade - USCE Park

MAY 21 - Budapest - Puskas Ferenc Stadium

MAY 23 - Zagreb - Hippodrome

MAY 25 - Bratislava - Inter Stadium

MAY 28 - London - O2 Arena

JUN 1 - Munich - Olympic Stadium

JUN 3 - Stuttgart - Mercedes-Benz Arena

JUN 5 - Frankfurt - Commerzbank Arena

JUN 7 - Berne - Stade de Suisse

JUN 9 - Berlin - Olympic Stadium

JUN 11 - Leipzig - Red Bull Arena

JUN 13 - Copenhagen - Parken

JUN 15 - Paris - Stade de France

JUN 17 - Hamburg - Imtech Arena

JUN 22 - Moscow - Locomotive Stadium

JUN 24 - St Petersburg - SKK Arena

JUN 27 - Stockholm - Borlange Peace & Love Festival

JUN 29 - Kiev - Olympic Stadium

JUL 3 - Dusseldorf - Esprit Arena

JUL 7 - Belgium - Rock Werchter Fest

JUL 11 - Bilbao - BBK Festival

JUL 13 - Lisbon - Optimus Alive Fest

JUL 16 - Nimes - Antic Arena

JUL 18 - Milan - San Siro Stadium

JUL 20 - Rome - Olympic Stadium

JUL 23 - Prague - Synot Tip Arena

JUL 25 - Warsaw - National Stadium

JUL 27 - Vilnius - Vingus Park

JUL 29 - Minsk - Arena

More information can be found at the band's website at DepecheMode.com 

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - October 2012

Can you believe that it has been over a month without a call?  Yeah, thrity two days since the last call.  I know, seems like a life time.  Is the Do Not Call Registry actually working?  This is election time and I will vote for the candidate that eleminates telemarketers.  This will help stimulate the economy and create jobs.  Face it, telemarketing is not a job.

Seriously, it has been so long, I think I forgot who to do this.  In all my excitement, I almost forgot to report this to the Do Not Call Registery. But this shit is like riding a bike.  On with the show...

22 October 2012
   253-246-8553   Kent, WA  These mother fuckers have called before...yeah, no shit.  But here is the kicker, they only called last year in October.  Of course, they had to call me six times. Go fuck yourself!

26 October 2012
   202-769-7192   DC, USA  Holy shit, a call from Washington, DC.  The president needs me, I must go on a sercret mission.  Oh wait, it is a fucking telemarketer call.  Shit, we were doing so well with just one call a month.  The flood gates have opened.  Fuck!

Two Years Ago I Did Something Awesome

Taken about a couple of minutes after the break

Funny how the picture above, I am holding up two fingers, in typical Asian photo pose.  On this day two years ago, just at the NHL Season was about to start, my hockey season ended in an awesome accident that resulted in a broken, fractured, and dislocated wrist.  You can read about it HERE.

Today, the anniversary of a "break up"...next week will the two year anniversary of a "marriage" of titanium to my wrist.

Oh yeah, I still play hockey.  I have a game today...on the anniversary.  I think I have been watching too many Twilight Zone episodes on NetFlix.

While we are on hockey...you could say that the game I played two years ago was probably my worst game.  You know, having an injury and all.  Last week, I had my best game.  I scored four goals.  Yeah, four.  I better write this down, so I can remember it in the future.  Not for you, for me...but you could read on to see how amazing I was.

First goal.  First period goal, standing in the slot to the right of the net.  I see a shot rebound off the goal tender as I skate toward the open side (left of net).  Rebound comes to me, I take the puck just a little further from the goalie's reach an wrist it in.  1-0

Second goal.  Still first period, hanging around the crease area. Another shot towards net, I skate around the back of the net to the front.  Rebound off someone in front, I take the puck as the goalie comes to block, and roof it backhand...as someone whacks my stick out of my hands.  The puck hits the inside crossbar corner as my stick drops to the ground.  Believe me, this would have may SportsCenter.  4-2

Third goal.  Second period, two on one, I am on the right wing.  Receive pass from team mate, one-timer into open net.  Hat trick!  Breaking the tie, 5-4

Fourth goal.  Second period, end of a long shift.  I was tired, wanted off.  Puck was in our zone for a while.  Finally got it out, went for a slap shot but realized I was too tired to muster up a shot.  Did sort of an unintentional fake slap, did a little move around a defender and wristed it deep in the zone.  Wrist shot was low and on net...in fact, it went in.  I guess scoring goals 1, 4, and 5 were not enough as a hat trick...I scored 4, 5, and 6 for the natural hat trick.  I am awesome!  6-4

We ended up winning the game 6-5.  There was a lot of luck and help from the rest of the team to get those goals.  I doubt I will ever repeat that performance.  I have a game later today.  Hopefully, the bionic wrist will help...and I will not need any more bionic parts.  Although I do like titanium.

DeLorean Control Knob Modification

I really like the blue lights on my window switches.  Time to do a simple modification on the control knobs.  I have already changed out the incandescent bulbs that light up the panel to LED's.

Stock control knobs and AC panel

The stock control knobs have a little indicator that I think is suppose to pipe light from behind the AC panel.  The plastic insert is semi-translucent.  Mine were painted white on the exposed areas, with what looks like White-Out.  Again, not sure if this is the way it was meant to be.  One would think that they could have just molded the inserts in a white, instead of painting them.  Having an early car, there might have been changes made.

Tangent:  Why is it "A/C" and not AC?  Is it "air/conditioning"? No, it is "air conditioning".  Then you have HVAC...and not HVA/C.   Because it is "Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning", no slash.  So, I am sticking with "AC".  My blog, my rules.

I removed the white from the inserts hoping to see some light illuminate the indicators.  This is when I got to idea to make blue ones so I could have blue illuminated indicators.

Control knob with insert removed

There are four of these knobs in a DeLorean. Three on the AC panel, these may or may not light up. One for the rheostat that controls the instrument lights.  The rheostat insert is molded in black, another reason why I think they could have just molded the others in white.  I used the black insert to make a mold, since this one was the most 'clean'.

Silicone mold of the insert

I consulted the mold shop on what shades of blue were available.  We have a variety of colours available and almost any colour can be matched by our Master Mold Maker, Mark Wyatt.  He even offered to make/pour the silicone mold for me.  The guy is a pro.

Finished cast inserts in clear blue

I need four parts cast from the mold.  Using one mold, Mark would cast four parts in exact matching shade of blue.  He had to mix the blue four times, and they are a perfect match.  I told you, the guy is a pro.

The rheostat insert stays black.  Now, just need to replace the other lenses.  The knob for the heat/cool gets one insert, main control gets two, and the fan control gets one.

Blue indicators on the AC panel

How does it look?  Well, it could be better.  Not much light gets through to illuminate the inserts.  Even when I had stock semi-translucent inserts in, there was not much light.  I think this is why they started painting them white.

There is a little blue showing through, so it is a partial success...not a complete failure.  I might just need brighter LED's back there...or a modified AC panel.

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - September 2012

Can you believe it has been twenty days since my last call? Almost a month without a call.  I was worried there for a while.  I know I cannot hide from these people.  I was in a meeting, in a conference room and we got a call from some dental place.  Yeah, a business phone...in a conference room.  To top that off, I am rarely in meetings.  It was like they were tracking me down.

20 September 2012
   773-321-2084  IL, USA  - Wow, been so long I forgot how to rant.  So, bare with me.  This call came in at 19:14...which means it was a quarter after ten in Illinois.  If memory serves me correctly, Illionis is notorious for calling at late hours.  Late for me on the West Coast, even later for them in Eastern Time Zone.  Anyway, fuck off!

My New Headphones, So I Can Ignore You Better

It is generally a good thing when the voices in your head go silent.  Generally, it is not a good thing when the music in your head goes silent.  What is worse is when only one side goes out.  Whether it be kicking music or satanic voices, it is best to have them in stereo.

I have had a good pair of earbuds (MDR-EX71) for a few years, they were Sony.  I like Sony stuff, because I like name branded stuff...and I am shallow like that.  So what?  Anyway, one ear when silent...much like when Alderaan was destroyed, "as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and suddenly silenced".  Working out without my awesome tunes sucks, because I have to listen to the noises of the gym.  You know, weights slamming, treadmills whizzing, meatheads grunting, and gym music.  It also means I have to acknowledge someone when they are speaking to me.

The hunt was on for another pair of headphones...earbuds...whatever.  You know how picky I am, so it comes to no surprise that I was looking for something specific.  These were the criteria:

• Made by Sony - Remember, I am a brand-whore.
• Needs to fit in the ear - Do not want the extra weight of 'headband-type' headphones.  Plus, earbud design will somewhat block ambient gym noises.
• Needs to have a short cable - To be used with an iPod Shuffle, clipped to my collar.  Having six feet of cable is just stupid.  Short cable headphones come with extensions, like my current non-working pair.

I found a pair that met my requirements.  The Sony MDR-AS40EX, retails for $40. So, here is my review.

Sony MDR-AS40EX

The first thing you will notice is that it has 'ear hangers'.  I was not excited about these at first, but the set did have a short cable.  The great thing about the design is, the ear hangers are removable.  If I find them uncomfortable, I could just remove them.  For those not in the know, I where glasses (usually Nike or Oakley frames...brand-whore), so I was not sure if the ear hangers would get in the way. 

In addition to being removable, it comes with three sets of hangers for different sized ears.  Which means that Spock could wear theses.  Well, they work great!  With my previous pair, I would have to constantly adjust my earbuds as they would shift and loosen as I did my awesome exercises.  With the ear hangers in place, there was never a problem with the earbuds falling out.  The different size hangers also allow a custom and comfortable fit.

Look at all the crap you get with this

Like my previous earbuds, and I guess all Sony earbuds, the MDR-AS40EX comes with three sizes of silicone 'plugs'.  These offer the user a custom and comfortable fit.  In combination with the ear hangers, these are not going to fall off.  I wore these for a week while working out and never had a problem with slippage or discomfort.

These also come with a small clip so you can clip the cable to your shirt to avoid tangling or snagging.  I took it off, since I used it with a clip on iPod Shuffle.

How is the sound, you ask?  There is a reason why I buy Sony.  Sure, there are other brands out there that have great sound and are really expensive.  No need for headphones when I am listening to MP3's with earbuds, while working out.  If I was relaxing in a soundproof room with high end audio equipment...an analog source...then yeah, I might consider some $500 cans...nah, I would probably still go with Sony.

What, those two round black things in the picture...what are they?

Over-sized caring case

The carrying case is good to protect the headphones from damage.  I think just throwing my other headphones in the bag may have caused them to malfunction.  Storing your headphones/earbuds in a case is a good idea.  Having the case be so ridiculously huge is not necessarily a good idea.  The case could be about half the size and still be effective in protecting the product.

The MDR-AS40EX was designed for "sport" and "active style".  After a few hours in the gym, these have met my requirement.  Basically, they are better than good enough.  I would recommend them for anyone seeking headphones for athletic and/or everyday use.

LED-ing My DeLorean Window Switches

Some might say I have an obsession with my window switches.  I have been struggling with these switches for the last two months.  Technically, this is the fourth part of the 'window switch' series.  But, there will never be a "Part IV" with anything involving a DeLorean...just ask Bob Gale.

Now that I have solved the problem of the switches, I have decided to have them light up.  The little jumper plates have been located and installed.  So now, they light up.  Everything is fine...or is it?  You know that I cannot just this go without more modification.  The lights are green, using an incandescent bulb and a green lens.  I like blue, and LED's...just like how I prefer Luke's blue lightsaber over the green on.  Wait, wrong trilogy.

Here are my two options for LED window switches.

1.  In addition to the incandescent ones (K101177) for $70 a pair, DMC sells an LED version (K101177A) of the light switches for $85.  I already have the incandescent ones and I am too cheap to pay another $85 for another set.  I am not even sure if the LED ones are green or blue.  Which leave me to the other option.

K101177(A) - DeLorean Window Switches

2.  Do the modification myself using my existing switches and some LED's....blue LED's  The good part of this option is I can get the LED's at work for free.  I like free.  Plus, it gives me a chance to play with my wire welding skills, some people call it soldering, and learn something about LED's.

Green lens with incandescent bulb

How am I going to do this?  As usual, I am just going to wing it...gull wing it.  When the lens is removed you can see that how the bulb gets power from the contacts.  I will use these contacts to power the LED's.  Well, what else am I going to use.  First, I have to build some sort of 'platform' for the LED's to rest on.  Then figure out how to route the wires to get power to the light emitting diodes.

Now, I know very little about electronics.  I know how to solder and to line up "+" and "-"...but that is about it.  So, I enlisted help from co-workers and staff from the Electronics Lab.  These guys in the Electronics Lab are crazy smart.  My though was, "just solder some LED bulbs onto the contacts and call it a day".  I was informed that I needed resistors for the LED's.  I told him there would be twelve volts running through this thing and he did the math on what resistor I need...right there, in his head.  It was like Rain Man.  I got my LED bulbs and resistors and ready to go.

Surface mount resistors are really small

Each switch will use two LED's for maximum light output.  Originally, I was going to use the bulb kind of LED's, but they were too big as I have limited space to work in.  So, the solution was surface mount LED's and resistors.  Surface mount resistors are really really small.  My first attempt at soldering resulted in two burnt lights and two burn resistors.   The problem was, other than the fact that I have no idea what I am really doing, was the wires I had were too small and the soldering iron I had did not have a temperature control.

L to R:  Original lens and bulb assembly, custom made platform, surface mount blue LED's, 560 ohm resistors

On the fly design, I had to find a solution to another problem.  Solution, keep the surface mount LED's and use the regular resistors as a 'wire' to connect all the elements.  Easier to solder the regular resistors.

Wire welding

Wire welding is fun when you do it right, frustrating when you burn bulbs and resistors.  I got the hang of it after a while.  I really admire the folks in the Electronics Lab who do this every day and on a smaller scale.  I guess it can me a form of meditation...like sculpting.

Soldered parts, LED with resistor

A resistor was soldered on to one side of the LED.  After clipping the extra wire from the resistor, I soldered it to the other side of the LED.  This was done twice for each switch.  Notice that the parts are mirrored to each other.  This is to allow for connection to the positive and negative (or is it live and ground?) contacts already in the switch.

LED assembly

The soldered parts go on the custom platform I made.  The wires go into the slot, pushing against the contacts to close the circuit.  This again, is my 'on the fly design'.  I should trade mark that.  My original plan was to solder directly to the contacts.  This new design will allow me to switch out the assembly and parts in case a bulb burns or if I want to chose another colour LED.  I also have the option of going back to original incandescent bulb with lens...highly unlikely.  One older idea was to recast the lens in a blue to get my desired blue light.

Incandescent bulb with lens vs. my LED assembly, no need for lens

These suckers are bright,  I guess I could have went with one LED.  But, if you are going to do it right, you might as well over do it.  After a lot of testing to see if my soldering was good, everything seems okay and we have light.

New blue LED's vs. incandescent bulb with green lens

The incandescent bulb gives off a softer glow.  I have not seen this since I first got the window switches.  While it matches the green in colour and intensity of the shifter plate, I still like the blue.  Pictures shows some ridiculous bleeding and glow from the LED's.  This is due to the camera I used and the ambient lighting.  There is a little bleeding of light.  Time to duplicate what I did for the other switch.

Completed LED modifications

The design is rough, but it works.

Cool blue lights in the center console

Project complete!  Final stats:  Three burnt surface mount LED's, two burn surface mount resistors, two burnt #11 (30A) fuses.  Hopefully, this is my last issue/modification with these window switches.  Now, I need to figure out how to make the shifter light blue.  Looks like I will need to make a blue shifter panel and replace bulb with a blue one.  Another day.