Friday, September 20, 2013

Secret Agent

When I was a child, I wanted to be a secret agent.  My favorite TV show was "The Man From U.N.C.L.E."  Its star, Robert Vaughn, portrayed Napoleon Solo, a secret agent who was suave and debonair.  He had confidence, poise and strength.  I was seven years old when the show started, an impressionable age.  I styled my hair to look like him.

I've never outgrown my ambition to be a dashing spy, skilled in subterfuge and armed with neat espionage gear. 

Last month, I watched all five years of "Alias", a TV show that ran from 2001-2006 and starred Jennifer Garner as secret agent Sydney Bristow.  In every episode, Sydney broke into a secure location by picking door locks.  It is a neat skill to have.

I'm proof that you're never too old to live your dreams.  So...  I studied and learned how to pick a lock.  It's actually not hard.  Once you grasp the concept, it just requires a little practice to get the feel of it.

Locks are interesting mechanical devices whose design hasn't changed in over a century.  Once you understand how they work, it isn't difficult to defeat them.  You just need two tools, a tension wrench and a pick.

I just bought those tools in a set suitable for secret agents -- they come concealed in a credit card!  The credit card slides open to reveal the hidden tools.  See the pictures below and note the name on the card.

Did you have any dreams as a child?  Is it possible to achieve them now?  Can you borrow some ice skates and win a local figure-skating competition?!


 
 
 

 
 
 

32 comments:

  1. That is the coolest thing ever! Ally, you're a spy, a secret agent! Awesome! That could be a very handy skill for you at some point, hee hee.

    I have been wanting to try jewelry-making - I love jewelry, especially really elaborate designs. I think I would be good at it. I should look into a class. Thank you for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great ambition! Go for it, Sheila. You'll be surprised at how happy it makes you.

      Delete
  2. I love it- how secretive of you! Better be careful, I would be tempted to break into a candy store and steal some sweets with that skill :) I always wanted to be a ballerina so recently I took a barre fitness class and loved how elegant I felt with mirrors and bars all around!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How fun!! And you never know, you might save yourself from having to call a locksmith one day.

    I'm still working on my dreams - figuring out what they are anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are a dark horse, aren't you! I had a big crush on Ilya Kuryakin (if that's even close to the right spelling). Hmmm, picking locks is not something I ever thought I'd like to do, but it does sound interesting. I think I'd rather learn to play the drums.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perfect spelling. All the girls loved him 'cause he was blond and handsome.

      Delete
  5. Haha, that's so cool :D I'm gonna look if there are any on ebay :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got mine here:
      http://lockpicks.reachlocal.net/creditcardpickset-jbcc-5.aspx

      Delete
  6. That is absolutely cool how you learned to pick locks! I think learning how to hot-wire a car would be fun. EVERYONE knows how but me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. OMFG OMFG OMFG I want those!!!

    I have to say, I had two childhood dreams- to be an actress and to be a writer. I don't know if either are achievable now, but it doesn't stop me from trying (at least, at the writer one). (Although to be fair, I'm a damn good actor.)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Okay that is the coolest thing ever! I love that lock! My dream was to be a ballerina and I always wanted to write. I'm doing the second one now....
    xo
    styleontheside.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are so amazing!!!!!

    Two things I wanted to be was a Mom (thankfully I got to don that one) and I really wanted to be a teacher ... so I will have to teach scrapbooking!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I wanted to be the ring mistress of my own circus. I'm still working on that.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love it! You are like my favourite lock-picking PI, Kinsey Millhone (by Sue Grafton) x

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think I need one of those credit cards!! This post really made me smile. Making an effort to live out our dreams, or little bits of them, is what makes us smile - we should all do it more.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm more of a David McCallum fan (adore him as Ducky on NCIS)

    You go Secret Agent Ally!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I adore that tool set. I bought my bf some crazy usb cufflinks last year that I thought were amazing and very James Bond. *P.S. I totally watched Alias again after our tweet. Have a good one. x/Madison

    ReplyDelete
  15. Alias was my favourite show when it was on TV. Sunday nights I was glued to the TV. I dont want to be Sydney Bristow tho. Haha.

    ReplyDelete
  16. awesome.. I love how inquisitive you are.. hence you buying a kit for picking locks.. so fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. oh how fun! I loved locks when I was little, I've always liked the way the lock works, the mechanism.
    it's so cool you learn new things - that's way of best enjoying life.
    love the set very stylish and I love James Bond card idea

    ReplyDelete
  18. Uh-oh...you know where I live!!! That's okay. Just let yourself in, and pour yourself a drink.

    I used to love "Alias" but haven't watched it in forever. Might just have to get back into it. I like Melanie's idea of learning how to hotwire a car!

    ReplyDelete
  19. OMG how cool! I think that it is awesome that you were able to get a taste of your childhood dream, in such a neat way!

    ReplyDelete
  20. You are so adventurous ... I wish we were neighbours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too. That way I could break into your home, sneak into your closet, and steal some of your cute clothes!

      Delete
    2. And since you know how to pick locks now that's a real possibility. ;-)

      Delete
  21. Wow, how cool.
    I love doing things that i've had on a mental list for some time, it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Wether its something small or huge.
    For now I am focusing on my teaching degree :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. hehe that's cute. i always wanted to be a star. i would sit on my front steps and perform, and hope an agent would drive by. note: i lived in a tiny town in South GA. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  23. ok, you really did get those tools! i LOVE that they came in this credit card case!! how FUN!!

    ReplyDelete