Akil and Hong welcome Dr. Dean Nevins to the show! Dean is the Executive Director of IT at the college, and the trio break down how IT works to serve students and the college and keep things working as best they can. From there, Dean charts out his path to SBCC, with stops in Japan and work on various projects sprinkled throughout the conversation. What follows after is the most extensive list of "good eatin'" ever shared on the show, along with a deep dive on pinball and arcade culture in "higher learning."
Mentioned in this episode:
SBCC IT - https://www.sbcc.edu/it/
SBCC IT Organizational Chart - https://www.sbcc.edu/it/OrgChart_IT_V4.pdf
SBCC VDI (Virtual Desktop Interface) - https://www.sbcc.edu/it/vdi.php
Brazil (film) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_(1985_film)
Brazil Different Cuts - https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-story-of-the-three-cuts-of-terry-gilliams-brazil
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - https://www.calpoly.edu/
Armstrong Flight Research Center - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Flight_Research_Center
HiMAT - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_HiMAT
Ziatech purchased by Intel - https://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/2000/cn081400.htm
Excerpt on System G from Revolutionaries at Sony: The Making of the Sony Playstation and The Visionaries Who Conquered The World of Video Games by Reiji Asakura - https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/monkeyking1969/blog/revolutionaries-at-sony-the-making-of-the-sony-pla/71709/
Santa Barbara Research Center - https://sbrc-sbrs.com/2016/11/12/company-birth-and-growth/
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Rainfall_Measuring_Mission
Tea - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea
Bohea tea (Boston Tea Party) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuyi_tea
Moroccan Mint tea - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maghrebi_mint_tea
Sankofa bird - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankofa
Howlin’ Ray’s - https://howlinrays.com/
Chili John’s Burbank - https://www.yelp.com/biz/chili-johns-burbank-3
Langer’s Deli - https://www.langersdeli.com/
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar - https://kurasushi.com/
Ramen Champ San Jose - https://www.ramen-champ.com/
Dutch Garden - https://www.yelp.com/biz/dutch-garden-restaurant-santa-barbara
SB Biergarten - https://www.sbbiergarten.com/
The Lark - https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-lark-santa-barbara-3
Loquita - https://www.yelp.com/biz/loquita-santa-barbara-2
Full of Life Flatbread - https://www.yelp.com/biz/full-of-life-flatbread-los-alamos
Priedite Barbecue - https://www.yelp.com/biz/priedite-barbecue-los-alamos
Bell’s Los Alamos - https://www.yelp.com/biz/bells-los-alamos
Sushi Bar Montecito - https://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-by-scratch-restaurants-montecito-montecito
Yoichi’s - https://www.yelp.com/biz/yoichis-santa-barbara
Join the Sushi Explorers - dinevins@pipeline.sbcc.edu
Rori’s Artisanal Creamery - https://www.rorisartisanalcreamery.com/
Coolhaus (Dirty Mint Chip) - https://cool.haus/
McConnell’s Ice Cream - https://mcconnells.com/
Wanderlust Creamery - https://wanderlustcreamery.com/
Yuzu - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzu
Mister Softee Southern California - https://www.mistersofteesocal.com/
La Michoacana Premier - https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-michoacana-premier-santa-barbara-2
Sweetie’s Ice Cream Shop - https://www.yelp.com/biz/sweeties-ice-cream-shop-santa-barbara
Freebirds - https://www.freebirdsiv.com/
Habit - https://www.habitburger.com/
Original Tommy’s - https://originaltommys.com/
Avenue Q - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_Q
Pinball - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball
Black Knight - https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=310
Flash Gordon - https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=874
Simpsons - https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2158
It Never Drains in Southern California - https://www.indisc.com/
Pioneer - https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1802
That Time America Outlawed Pinball - https://www.history.com/news/that-time-america-outlawed-pinball
Arcades - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amusement_arcade
Golf N’ Stuff - https://golfnstuff.com/ventura/info.html
Duke’s Beach Grill - https://www.yelp.com/biz/dukes-beach-grill-ventura
Air Hockey - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_hockey
Dome Hockey - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Chexx
Jersey Jack Pinball - https://www.jerseyjackpinball.com/
Stern Pinball - https://sternpinball.com/
American Pinball - https://www.american-pinball.com/
Spooky Pinball - https://www.spookypinball.com/
Das Flipperhaus - https://dasflipperhaus.com/
Monster Bash - https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4441
Renegades of Funk performed by Rage Against the Machine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KXdU3cZbNQ
Captions provided by Zoom
1
00:00:02.290 --> 00:00:12.619
Hong Lieu: Hello and welcome to another episode of SBCC Vaquero Voices - a podcast highlighting the unique voices that comprise our campus culture, and how we're all working together to serve our students and the community at large.
2
00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:14.780
Hong Lieu: As usual, I'm joined by my co-host, Akil Hill.
3
00:00:15.010 --> 00:00:16.170
Akil Hill: What's good? Yeah.
4
00:00:16.410 --> 00:00:28.000
Hong Lieu: And today we are honored to welcome Dean Evans, the show. Welcome, Dean. Dr. Dean Evans. Yes, I got it. I got to remember to acknowledge the work. Respect the grind right, doctor.
5
00:00:28.100 --> 00:00:48.689
Hong Lieu: Thank you very much. It's great to be here with both of you. I I know both you and I. I respect it like both you very, very much so. This is a real pleasure, so that respect that I was about to go way down after this. I'm getting so you are the executive director of it here here at the college. And
6
00:00:48.750 --> 00:01:18.009
Hong Lieu: you know the name is funny to me. It information technology. Like, you know, I was thinking about today. I was like, you know what there used to be a time when it was like a part of an operation like there you only deal with the information, you know the information technology, you know, data handling this and that. But now it's all encompassing. There. There's no part of the college that you don't have. You don't. Your department doesn't touch or PC. Your department isn't like helping to maintain or administer, or so, if you can kind of break down kind of how Sbcc's it is broken up because I know
7
00:01:18.010 --> 00:01:31.700
Hong Lieu: it. You have. you know, student, support your user support admin systems. And you know the event support and all the the hardware, you know. It's it's you you really cover everything. So we just go into the a little bit, and how that breaks out for how the college is served.
8
00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:54.220
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Yeah. So the way look at it is it supports students both off campus and on campus. When students come to us remotely. They use canvas and tools like Gmail and Google chat and things like that. So we do support that for heavier computing tasks. What we do is we provide a virtual desktop infrastructure which is basically a computer they can attach to. And then they can use
9
00:01:54.250 --> 00:02:19.000
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and if that allows them to use more powerful computers that they own. And then also they get access to software that they don't have to pay for. So it's actually a really good deal for students. We're also kind of there when students come on campus like in since come on campus. They connect to it before they've realized it because their phones connect to our I Wi-fi network, right, which we run and support the entire Wi-fi network. Across these, our campus. Also, we go into the classroom. We're going to a lab
10
00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:30.010
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: keeping those equipment, keeping the equipment running and keeping it up to date as well as making sure that we have like relevant technology, what the structure is trying to do. all that stuff is also done by it.
11
00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:41.509
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: When faculty distribute tests. So they give up packets our duplicating department actually takes care of that. And it was funny because people thought, well, since we went remote during Covid.
12
00:02:41.510 --> 00:03:03.260
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: basically, duplicating was just gonna kind of go away as a thing absolutely did. Not. It didn't even go down that much honestly. And then. Now we're back partially it's kind of gone back to where was before. the most common use of duplicating actually, is to create the study packets that students pick up the bookstore. That's what we do a lot of. But we also support faculty throughout their instructional journey.
13
00:03:04.340 --> 00:03:17.590
Hong Lieu: And and I mean honestly, everyone on the college has a pipeline account, I mean. I I guess there was a time when that kind of record keeping wasn't handled at all digitally, and you could keep it out of it. But now I mean, really
14
00:03:17.630 --> 00:03:31.160
Hong Lieu: you, from the very first kind of steps into the college to physically in the buildings, you know, hardware or software behind the scenes. Yeah, there's there's really nothing that is not touch in some way. So how
15
00:03:31.180 --> 00:03:32.820
Hong Lieu: do you kind of
16
00:03:32.970 --> 00:03:40.450
Hong Lieu: keep track of it all and monitor all. Keep it up and running. What is that administration and support like for you, for you and your team on a daily basis
17
00:03:40.460 --> 00:03:56.039
Akil Hill: that includes working on the weekends on call all the time basically what it is. Yeah, there's some of that. I will, some of that. But fortunately, I have 3 really good directors
18
00:03:56.150 --> 00:04:01.960
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Jim Clark, Thomas Apple Bay and Jason Walker are E to making it work.
19
00:04:02.040 --> 00:04:04.160
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: because they
20
00:04:04.350 --> 00:04:21.690
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: basically do a lot of the direct interface with the classified staff, the classified staff, and the people that make it work. They do the actual work. And then, like, I tell people I have in the corner furiously shuffling papers. What we're doing is we work together as a team we meet almost every day multiple times a week
21
00:04:21.690 --> 00:04:39.699
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: to kind of figure out, or any problems that are coming up. How do we deal with those problems? And then try to resolve issues right away. We try to get in front of stuff that requires a lot of communication. Talking to each other is what we do, a lot of it, and that helps it go because it allows you to get in front of things, you know, to resolve things. And if
22
00:04:40.050 --> 00:05:06.149
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and since it's got changing constantly. The technology changes all the time. Everything's always changing. You always need to be talking to each other. And also we need to talk to our clients, and we consider students. we consider folks in classified staff. You consider the managers and also other administrators as our clients. We're a support organization. We do our best to reach out to people and support them. So we do spend a lot of time trying to figure out what people need and then help them kind of get the best thing that they can if they need to get their job done.
23
00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:08.640
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: So lots and lots of talking. It's how we do it.
24
00:05:09.320 --> 00:05:18.569
Hong Lieu: And you know you mentioned paper shuffling like it's a bad thing. I mean, it's only a bad thing if you're not moving the process along, because, you know, when you're if you're a quote unquote paper pusher, as they call it.
25
00:05:18.570 --> 00:05:47.030
Hong Lieu: The idea is, you keep the process moving, and there's a lot of folks who do a lot of paper shoveling in the process kind of stagnates, and that's where it becomes dangerous. But I feel like you specifically are very good at keeping process moving. I saw that first hand when we just went through that portal selection process where you're very good about. I mean you? You were not, you know, on the ground level, doing all this all this work, so to speak, but you were keeping everybody informed, keeping the process moving, setting up all the meetings and everything so things could get done.
26
00:05:47.030 --> 00:05:51.210
Hong Lieu: And that process was was snappy and efficient. And it, you know, without
27
00:05:51.210 --> 00:06:18.560
Hong Lieu: paper, paper pushes paper shuffles like you can actually keep in the process moving and keeping everyone informed. It would not have been as as clean and efficient as it was as I felt it was so. I I have to give you credit for that, because it it's a a a negative term for most folks, but when you do it right, I mean, the team feels it, too, and they appreciate it because a lot of they, they, the ones that actually do handle that work. They want to do that work. They want to get stuff off their plate. So without that green light.
28
00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:36.409
Hong Lieu: without directors that are giving them that ability, that autonomy to go do that work and get stuff off their place. So it's not hanging over their head all the time. I mean, nothing would get done. And and, as you can see at this college, a lot of stuff gets done by by all every day, and it's just like, yeah. Can can't give you all enough props, for
29
00:06:36.410 --> 00:06:58.160
Hong Lieu: we're keeping everything moving. You you talk about. Who's your client? Every little everybody steps on the campus is your client, and it wasn't always the case. So you've had to. What do you scale up and adapt, and just constantly stay on top of everything. So it's not an easy task at all. And the current challenge for us now is, we're basically 2 campuses, right? We're an online campus and a face to face campus, whereas before we were primarily a face to face campus.
30
00:06:58.200 --> 00:07:24.070
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and that had a large it a footprint, of course, because, like I said, we touch everybody. But when we now an online and an offline campus both that adds a whole, another section to its to support, which that's a significant increase in the workload it really has been, and we haven't. Really. We haven't really hired anybody in greater numbers. What we had before. We actually are a little bit less than what we had before going into Covid. So
31
00:07:24.110 --> 00:07:37.520
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: the it folks are working harder than ever. And yeah, and I I appreciate it. Kind words about my comment about shuffling papers. Seriously, I just say that because it's kind of a funny thing like this kind of toss off. But the reality is, you do spend a lot of time coordinating, communicating.
32
00:07:37.530 --> 00:07:54.840
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and the folks that are doing the work need to kind of know, you know, where to go, how to do it. They get resources, they can do the work. And so we do all that kind of stuff, and that is what the directors do. A lot of, and so I really can't say enough about my directors and about the folks who work with them. they're very, very good at what they do, and I'm very happy.
33
00:07:54.840 --> 00:08:23.410
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: it's one of the most functional teams we've ever worked at. And I've worked in a lot of places and a lot. And also across the college, a lot of areas. And the It team is really great to work with. They have been wonderful. it's basically set me to. I came to this particular job. I was a faculty member for a long time, and then I decided, you know something. I think I'd like to do a more administration. I thought you know some of it would be great because I love working with it in the past. I thought I I I can get in here and do some some interesting things. So that's why I ended up going to it.
34
00:08:23.760 --> 00:08:24.760
Akil Hill: Yeah.
35
00:08:25.540 --> 00:08:37.799
Akil Hill: I like the point for me that listening to you speak right now is, you know, there's this idea or conception that it people really don't talk or they don't really communicate. And I I just listening to you
36
00:08:38.090 --> 00:08:56.839
Akil Hill: explain everything kind of just really breaks that stereotype for me, because it's all what you guys do is like what you're saying. Communicate with each other, trying to get out in front of things. so that. May, that just maybe kind of think about that in a way that I just normally wouldn't have thought about that. But yeah.
37
00:08:56.960 --> 00:09:06.820
Akil Hill: because most people are on the work with in it, because I don't want to talk to people. Right? I mean, that's kind of the thing right? But in this case, yeah, I mean, that's all what you're doing.
38
00:09:08.230 --> 00:09:24.230
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Yeah, particularly at a at a college because colleges are very collaborative by nature. we all like to work together. We all like to talk to each other. And so I think if you get into it, and desiring not to talk to people. College, probably not the best place for you.
39
00:09:24.230 --> 00:09:44.610
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: because we do end up spending a lot of time talking to folks. And and honestly, I think that's one of the best parts of it, because you essentially get to learn what everyone's doing, which is kind of fun, because you get to see the broad spectrum of what's going on the college. And there's tons and tons of stuff like, you know something if you doing it this way. What about that? Let's try it that way. And then also you made the life better. And that's a really good feeling. So it's it's it's gratifying.
40
00:09:45.060 --> 00:10:08.909
Hong Lieu: And and there are still positions for those kind of folks. But at the same time, usually those are like back in infrastructure development. But the infrastructure S. Pcc. Is so developed and it has scaled to the point where, like you said, when we switch online, you expected, like our bandwidth to buckle, and it's held up well, our Wi-fi is still, you know, very snappy, and in general and and overall bandwidth and things like that. So the back end infrastructure is very solid. So once
41
00:10:08.910 --> 00:10:34.940
Hong Lieu: once those things are developed and set, it is about building relationships and about making sure everyone knows how to use the tools at disposal, because a lot of folks don't even know half the the services you'll offer like in terms of you talk about using Vdi virtual machines to get access to software. You can also put that software on your computers, you know, like, just with the licenses that you provide for folks for office and adobe suite and things that sort. So in terms of I mean not to be like an infomercial salesman, but like you talk about?
42
00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:40.669
Hong Lieu: Bang for your buck the value of being a student faculty member staff member Svc. Like.
43
00:10:40.670 --> 00:11:07.680
Hong Lieu: I work to the city, and I got reduced prices on, on, on, you know, software products. I did not just get licenses to install those things, and but it has made my work so much more efficient between the combination of of G suite with office with creative suite. Like I I I have want for nothing from a freshman standpoint here at Fcc. So so in terms of getting all the all the information out there, I mean, for folks who might not know or want to learn more about what you all provide for
44
00:11:07.680 --> 00:11:21.750
Hong Lieu: for folks? Is there kind of a a person to contact or a resource? Or because I know there's help desktop, or when they're having problems for support tickets. But just for general, it questions information. Is there someone they can reach out to? Or is there a kind of a, a, a a good way to get more information.
45
00:11:22.020 --> 00:11:40.119
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Yeah, I think the easiest way is to send me an email. I can redirect it to someone who would know that that area, because we do have separate areas in it. And so it's kind of nice to rather have an expect to people to know who exactly to send it to just send it to me, and I'm happy to redirect it or answer it myself. it just depends what it is.
46
00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:55.980
Hong Lieu: Look at that humble and always willing to serve. So that that's the the the paper shuffling was very humble, modest. I appreciate it. I always think of Brazil, you know a film about paperwork and the the the the perils of paperwork.
47
00:11:55.980 --> 00:12:19.359
Hong Lieu: And and it is definitely not a Brazil situation here. There's no ministry of information that Sb, you got to ask which version of Brazil, the TV? I I I am not a fan of the love conquers all ending. It's gotta be, you know, because the first bikes first exploded to the film was a criterion edition which I I always tell people it's like film school in a box, because the third disk making of is some of the best.
48
00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:42.990
Hong Lieu: I mean, I guess nowadays everyone has a great commentary track. Everyone has a great making of, because it's part of the production process. But for Brazil that was, you know, because it was such a trouble production. That was one of the best you know in terms of first behind the scene flicks, and how the sausage is made in terms of filmmaking. Yeah, I can't recommend it enough, and that's not my culture pick. But at the same time, I it is one of my favorite films ever. So yeah, it's an amazing film. And it's I agree, I mean.
49
00:12:43.050 --> 00:12:53.389
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: don't watch the TV version. The made for TV version ruins the movie. In my opinion, it's kind of like the blade runner anywhere just like it ends with a voice over. I mean, it's one of those like controversial kind of
50
00:12:53.400 --> 00:12:57.420
Hong Lieu: studios studios mess up otters vision. But yeah, that's
51
00:12:57.460 --> 00:13:20.550
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: you know, that's an example of the the management folks not actually contributed to the process. And and the ability. For, you know, like you talk about the paperwork stuff you can. You can hide in those kind of things. So you're the kind of you you strike me as a kind of person, and you know, from working with you, I can definitely V for that, that you don't hide behind any of the processes you work within. The process is you make things run as smoothly, as as efficiently as you can.
52
00:13:20.550 --> 00:13:28.590
Hong Lieu: and then and then you also try to improve the processes at the same time. So I always see first hand how busy you are, how how many, you know, you know
53
00:13:28.880 --> 00:13:40.299
Hong Lieu: cooks in the kitchen you were helping to kind of organize and run around, and you know you were in there yourself. especially when you were taking on various interim roles and things that throughout the past couple of years. And now you you'
54
00:13:40.330 --> 00:14:08.380
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: just doing it, I think, but at the same time even that we we've just established is monumental herculean tasks. So I'm also managing the tre, the institutionalization of our covid response that hasn't gone away. But we're almost done with it. So we're actually needs to fuilize what we're going to do, and I've been working on that quite a bit. That's another thing. But that will be my last. non it, Job, and what that's get that's done. Which, right? And actually, at the end of this month, I'll be working all on it.
55
00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:35.850
Hong Lieu: It was kind of funny, my directors were saying. Oh, I don't know if he's going to be able to handle it. Just having. I'm sure you'll I'm sure you'll manage. You'll find a way. Get to that part later. Excellent. So yes, if you have any It related questions. I guess the best route. Besides putting out this ticket. What the helpful step there is to email Dean directly. So just putting that out there.
56
00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:41.939
Hong Lieu: So say, Segue, where I launch our next section. Dean, what brought you to the Sbcc. You mentioned going from
57
00:14:41.990 --> 00:15:02.580
Hong Lieu: faculty to an administration role. But E. Even then, what brought you to become a faculty? Member S. We see what was your path to kind of get here. I know you worked in some other industries before that. So break it down for us.
58
00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:25.099
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: at a Dryden flight research facility which is now called the Armstrong Flight Research Facility. And when I was there I worked on. It's actually located out near Edwards Air Force base. It's in the Edwards surface base, and that's what I used to let land the space shuttle. So I used to work the spatial landings when they would land that which was super cool, and sometimes we would go out there with the shuttle on the, you know, on the tarmac
59
00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:42.489
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: which was really neat, and one of the things that's kind of funny is when you do work at NASA. They take you out on the lake bed. there's a tradition where you have to lick it. So you have to. It sounds disgusting. But it's actually not because the lake bed is actually an alkaline lake that's essentially dry.
60
00:15:42.490 --> 00:15:55.569
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and then, when the when it rains, it rains just a little bit and the wind blows the water back and forth, so it evaporates. And so the lake that is kind of flat. And that's why it's used for re research aircraft, because it's a huge runway. So it's not. It's miles long.
61
00:15:55.760 --> 00:16:14.490
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: And so it's covered in alkali. So it's not gross. It's it is kind of gross, but it's not as gross as you think. It would be. So I I was working out there and I worked on this project called the High Matt, which is the highly maneuverable Aircraft Technology project. And it was essentially a drone that they use to prototype
62
00:16:15.140 --> 00:16:42.179
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: basically new types of aircraft technology like wings that change their shape under load and all kinds of crisis that we have. So it's really fun project I work on out there and then. After that I went work to work at a company called Zia Tech, which was bought by Intel later by designing computers, basically small computers that were embedded into different systems. then, after that When I was getting a Master's Degree, I went to work at Sony in Japan.
63
00:16:42.710 --> 00:17:01.970
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: It was part of a research fellowship that I had with the American Electronics Association. So Sony actually picked me to work in their research lab for a couple of years, which was super interesting. And I worked on this project called the System G which turned into things. DM, 9,000 product. And it did real time deformation
64
00:17:01.970 --> 00:17:15.450
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: video. So you could have people talk, and you could make them say anything you wanted. This is back in the day. It's a long time ago, so now I is now where everyone can do it on your phone now. But back then it was unique. And it was for broadcast television.
65
00:17:16.230 --> 00:17:24.189
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: so I've worked on that. And it was super interesting. I lives in Japan for 2 years in that sugi which is halfway between Tokyo and and Mount Fuji
66
00:17:24.230 --> 00:17:40.409
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: in the town of a sugi. There's an air base called that city, but they're not close to each other. It's actually quite a ways away. so this like deep fake technology. But for like, it was a prototype. Yeah, a regular video. You could, you could manipulate it like that in real time. Yeah, wow, that's incredible.
67
00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:52.820
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Yeah, it was pretty cool. so I did some of the hardware design, some of the software design for the early, because as a research lab, and so we were researching that technology. And so I built this device to do that kind of stuff initially,
68
00:17:52.830 --> 00:18:20.630
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: And it was crazy because Sony is, it was an interesting place to work, because they wanted everything in-house it. The Nih they call it nih syndrome, not invented here. They had nix syndrome really bad there. And so anything you want to do, they want you to completely build it from the ground up, using so many parts And so I had to build my own video card and just crazy. You could buy off the shell, but build one, design it and build it using sony electronics, which was nuts.
69
00:18:20.800 --> 00:18:37.950
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: but it was a super interesting place to work, because they had all kinds of crazy projects going on. And what was funny is one of the founders of Sony Ibuka. He came to visit one time, and it was like being visited by the President or the Pope, or something. They had an area. We present your project.
70
00:18:37.950 --> 00:18:54.509
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and then they had people in the audience, and nobody would sit in the first 3 rows. He sat by himself in the center in the front. And it was it was crazy he was. He was an amazing guy. But it was really intimidating presenting what you were working on to him.
71
00:18:55.150 --> 00:19:17.159
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: He's a very insightful engineer. So it was. It was cool hearing from him, but it was super intimidating for everybody at the in the in the research lab. So that was pretty fun. I living in Japan for a couple of years. and then when I came back I worked for a a robotics center for a robotic systems of microelectronics. And I did a color vision research. And then I also instructed undergrad. I taught labs and stuff.
72
00:19:17.170 --> 00:19:44.800
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and was interesting. I worked on some of the early like peripherally not centered in my work, but I worked on some of the peripheral work with some of the work that ended up being used in some of the robotic surgery machines that are out you and way. I worked with him a little bit and he developed a company which turned into the company that made the Da Vinci, which actually ended up being used on me in February. So that was pretty interesting, that that connection was really interesting on what kind of came around.
73
00:19:46.020 --> 00:20:09.739
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: And then, after that I worked at several research center. I worked on the javelin missile system, a small part of it, just a tiny part of it. And it's actually being used right now in Ukraine against the Russians. and so it's an anti tank missile system, which, when you shoot it, it approaches the tank, and then pops up, and then comes into the top with your arms the thinnest So I I I worked on a little bit of that.
74
00:20:09.970 --> 00:20:18.650
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and I also worked on the tropical rainfall, measuring measurement missions, veers instrument, which was a camera which did
75
00:20:18.650 --> 00:20:48.239
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: It was a a satellite that was a Us. Japan joint project, and it was an insurance that floated around in space, and it would do scans of the tropics to determine how much water they could hold, so you could make more accurate atmospheric models. And then we had a camera on there which would ground true things like when you would get the radar reading. You could take a look at the picture of the area and see what it was. Was it like all trees, or was it dunes, or what was it? And allowed him to make a more accurate model? And I wrote the flight control software for that.
76
00:20:49.250 --> 00:21:18.370
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Now they're a part of ratio. And then, after that, I work to you. Telecom make working on wireless devices like network devices for industrial uses like train crossings. We did this device where you would actually the train when it when the gate comes down. Usually they used to be done on a switch, and if the trains going slow, they hit the switch slowly, and the thing the thing goes down, and it's a long time, for the train shows up. So people look at Antsy, and they rush around the sign which has a tendency to lead to accidents.
77
00:21:18.370 --> 00:21:44.190
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: And so what they were doing is they want us to do a wireless device where you could determine the speed of the train, and then you would drop the thing at a certain time period. So it was always a slot, a small gap, so people would not get antsy. And so we did that kind of device, and every time there was an accident. We had to send someone out to look at the active and make sure it was not a product that caused the problem. Fortunately that was the case. but that was a fascinating job. And then I was working at
78
00:21:45.050 --> 00:21:49.489
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: of our research center. And someone said to me, Hey, there is a
79
00:21:49.610 --> 00:22:08.129
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: we were looking for an adjunct faculty member to teach in computer science. And I said, Oh, really. And they said, Yeah, contact robbed up and all. And he and find out what it's all about. And so I called him, and he interviewed me over the phone. Very different rule than now. I I tell you, And he said, can you start Monday?
80
00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:19.669
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: It was Friday. I said, What am I teaching? He said, you're teaching Fortran. I said, okay. And that was it. I started as an adjunct. That was an adject for a few years, and a permanent job came up when I went for it, and all the rest is a history.
81
00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:28.039
Hong Lieu: So the through line between all those jobs. Yeah, that's incredible. By the way, unbelievable. the through line for all those jobs is kind of.
82
00:22:28.090 --> 00:22:41.369
Hong Lieu: And it's not just like programming. Because you, you, I mean, sometimes you're programming to software, sometimes it's hardware. Is there kind of a besides, that is there kind of a through line that led you each position that was appealing to you. I mean
83
00:22:41.650 --> 00:23:08.170
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: just to like making the world a better place, or is there something, you know? I have a lot of interests. I I like a lot of things, and so I just kind of do stuff. That is the feeling of the moment. So and so it's it's it was just luck as well, because, I mean again, the opportunity is also a lot of luck. But you know I've always had a real strong interest in Japan and and Japanese culture. And so when the research also came up. I jumped on that.
84
00:23:08.170 --> 00:23:33.190
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and that just happened to work out, and Sony happened to pick me. I didn't pick them. I would have picked them if I had the choice, but they picked me so I was lucky, and then I like robots, and so I. There was an opportunity to get involved with the Robotics center at Ucsb. It's not there anymore, but it it was. And I got involved in that. And then I went to the same Santa Barbara and I wanted to work on satellites. And so Summer Research Center was the only place doing that kind of work. And so I jumped on that, and
85
00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:37.359
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: ended up working on that javelin first and then worked on trim later. So
86
00:23:38.130 --> 00:23:42.749
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and then I worked a little bit on the Us. Mission as well. So, but that I didn't do very much of that.
87
00:23:43.560 --> 00:23:54.109
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Yeah, I just, I like, I like a lot of things. I like to look at things, and I find a lot of things to be interesting. I like to study a lot of things. And so anytime I can learn something new and do something new. I'm I'm very much interested in it
88
00:23:54.730 --> 00:23:59.030
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and not just in technology, in all kinds of areas so
89
00:23:59.050 --> 00:24:18.919
Hong Lieu: hard warming to hear. Because I think in today's world, we, we get a little kind of, we're a little over specialized. We, we really kind of like, try to find, you know, skills that we're good at, and then just really dial down and hold it on those skills. But it it kind of leads to kind of a less rounded kind of world view where you don't have as much exposure to a lot of things that maybe would
90
00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:46.750
Hong Lieu: would be it just as appealing so to hear someone who is not only unbelievably skilled at the things you do, and also count Polys with baseball right? Is that the Go Bseo Masters and Phd. At Ucsb, so so not only a cal poly alumnus, but also highly skilled. But then, to to use the the fact that you know your love of many things, you know the at least a call to Renaissance person, as it were, someone who's a little bit interested in everything but you. But those interests
91
00:24:46.800 --> 00:25:09.999
Hong Lieu: tied in with with, you know your skill set, and it really led you down this path that is so varied. And so, you know, it's it's awesome to hear, because I feel like those stories are getting lost now, because even parents are guilty of this. 2 findings like, you know your son, I mean, their their kids are skilled in something, so they really hone in on that, and then you lose the force for the trees where it feels like you have just never
92
00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:20.190
Hong Lieu: lost that holistic view of life and about, you know, just learning and continuing to learn, and that has kind of guided you on a path that is not only incredible to hear about.
93
00:25:20.190 --> 00:25:41.400
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: but probably very fun to live through. And and yeah, and there's a lot of things that come along with it like. When I was in Japan I got a chance to study. Sony had clubs like we have clubs here, and they had company sponsor clubs and one of the clubs they had was a T. Club.
94
00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:57.190
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and so they had a professional tea instructor come in and teach tea, and so I got a chance to kind of hang out with people, and I was lucky because part of the fellowship I was on I got to to learn some Japanese before I went there, so I didn't. I I got spoke Japanese when I got there
95
00:25:57.190 --> 00:26:17.039
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: And so I got to learn tea, and I kind of fired an interest in me. But yeah, I love tea very much as I fuck the keel, and I I got to know each other over tea. We're both. We've talked in one day, and we mentioned I think I forget to mention it. First we go so talking about tea, and then I realized, hey? Here's another guy who just loves team. So we sort of bonding over to. That's how we kind of got to know each other.
96
00:26:18.370 --> 00:26:37.819
Akil Hill: Yeah, that's exactly how we got to know each other, and then you, I would always look forward to you coming in submitting your grades, because, you know, I always knew that there's going to be a good conversation around tea, and then it kind of went from T to Japan. and we, Dean and I have a lot of similarities in a lot of places. And so.
97
00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:51.199
Akil Hill: you know, we're like, Wait, you lived in Japan. I was like, yeah, I was more in Japan. And then we started talking about that. And then I was like, Wait, we're in Japan. And then he's like, and then I'm like, Wait a minute, like he's like I worked at so many. I'm like.
98
00:26:51.240 --> 00:27:02.869
Akil Hill: you know, my, my, my daughter's mother is from. And I'm like this sony in. I'm like, yeah, that was like, right around the corner from, you know, where I used to stay when we go to Japan. And so it's just a lot of
99
00:27:03.090 --> 00:27:07.600
Akil Hill: similarities in a lot of ways. I also think, like
100
00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:13.910
Akil Hill: listening to you talk about your past experiences and in and jobs where you worked. I it really makes you think about
101
00:27:15.070 --> 00:27:19.259
our Sbcc is so enriched because you bring all that with you.
102
00:27:19.430 --> 00:27:32.999
Akil Hill: And so that's and that's that's pretty special. I mean, I think we've entered quite a bit of guess, but I mean like looking at, you know, when we always ask them what brought them to Sbcc. I always think, wow! Like
103
00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:42.750
Akil Hill: all that is here. Now, you know and just listening to you talk about the places you've worked, and and band of those experience all that is on Sbcc.
104
00:27:42.990 --> 00:27:46.169
Akil Hill: You know, it's it's and it's really special, you know.
105
00:27:47.720 --> 00:28:11.470
Hong Lieu: And people talk about networking and the ability to build forward relationships and things like that. Without those extra curricular. You know the things that people might not look as highly upon you. A love of tea, you know, and love a love of regional like Japanese culture, things like that for those are icebreakers to build networks, connections that you. You know that that you can always lean on it and come back to and and and like my sisters do. This is same way in entertainment where
106
00:28:11.470 --> 00:28:30.979
Hong Lieu: your next job is. Usually somebody you know your current job, who goes somewhere else and takes you with it. So you know, it's one of those things where? Where folks are always looking at like, how do I get? How do I get started? How do I forge a a path to things? And and there's no, it's not a a set path. It's one of those paths that you do have to carve out for yourself. But you have to use the skills that you have learned
107
00:28:31.090 --> 00:28:53.670
Hong Lieu: through the years to kind of forge that path. That's where a lot of folks are. That's why they're so unsure. Because, you know, maybe they there are other skills that they could have developed further and this and that. And maybe it's just, you know, you need more time to learn a few more things. And that's okay, too. So it's one of those things where people are. A lot of folks are impatient for things to happen when in reality, if you're just waiting for the right time. It's it's a patience and a timing issue.
108
00:28:53.670 --> 00:29:13.980
Hong Lieu: and it's just one of the things where you, you know, just just listening to your your journey, and then, and how it all leads here and now you're able to to spread that love both as a faculty member and now as an administrator guiding folks with like a call hand that is had that has a lot of experience behind it. I mean it just it. Just, you know. I'm very comforted, knowing that you hear. And it's one of those things where?
109
00:29:13.990 --> 00:29:27.279
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Yeah, now, I don't ever want you to leave so. And I will say Dean does have the fanciest on campus. So that out there I was in this office. And I'm like, what?
110
00:29:27.540 --> 00:29:28.999
Akil Hill: What is that thing?
111
00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:50.650
Hong Lieu: And yeah depending, depending on the T, because you have much as its own thing with the with the much brush and the brushing into that. And then there's like the Chinese gold food, tea, ceremony, and like that are like age, like wines. You have different different ages and stuff. So yeah, T is just a a huge, huge wormhole. You could just go down like we we could do hours just on T itself
112
00:29:50.700 --> 00:30:05.399
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: in the historical tea. And that's the thing I've been doing recently is and I found this tea. I I share with you a keel it's called. It's called bouquet tea, and what it is it actually was the T. They threw into the harbor in the Boston Tea Party.
113
00:30:05.710 --> 00:30:34.460
Akil Hill: someone. There's a company that specializes in historical Te, and they recreate the same T. And it was such a common tea back in the Colony days that it was the shorthand for T. by the colonists. So it's it's pretty interesting. It's definitely acquired taste. It's I wouldn't say it's it's it's interesting. But it's it's super smoky facing.
114
00:30:34.540 --> 00:30:35.699
Akil Hill: You know
115
00:30:35.750 --> 00:30:48.710
Akil Hill: you out. You're thinking, Lipton, because I mean you think about it like American tea? I mean, there's I think Lipton is a staple, right? So you but when you try, yeah, it's definitely smoky.
116
00:30:49.690 --> 00:30:51.860
Akil Hill: a lot of smoky notes
117
00:30:51.890 --> 00:31:01.129
Akil Hill: And I I mean, it's like, yeah, it was super cool. Like, I I I appreciate you for sharing that But yeah, I mean, yeah, historical tease.
118
00:31:01.150 --> 00:31:26.920
Hong Lieu: You know we can. I I was thinking about one of my favorite teams is is Rocky Mentee. And and but just yeah, it's just yeah. You can totally go down. The. So this is, this is a genetic recreation. This isn't like they pulled full T out of the harbor, dried it out and let the rip right now. They kind of knew, like we're in China, that T. They got it from in India, and they do a blended stuff like they. They kind of research
119
00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:32.139
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: how they got the cheap land made, and then they kind of recreate it, so that that is really cool.
120
00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:57.150
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Yeah, it's cool. I love that. And I like history stuff in general. I mean, I like historical stuff because it is the. It's a through line for humanity. You know. You get to get it to honor the stuff that people done before us. People done amazing stuff, I mean, traveled around the world on basically floating pieces of wood that are essentially falling apart. The meant they leave the harbor and they just kept it together, and it gives me a lot of comfort when I realize that
121
00:31:57.150 --> 00:32:22.220
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: what our ancestors have done is is amazing, and it gives me hope for the future that we can still persist as a species. So that's that's kind of why I like history a lot. And and that's another key piece that I feel like is missing in some folks, you know, worldview is an appreciation for the past, because a lot of folks are just always looking forward to, which is important. But there's so much to learn mining the history and mining. You know the the history of our past, of of just a global past
122
00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:27.540
Hong Lieu: and cultural shifts, and and just the nature of things. There's so much learning that way. And in terms of
123
00:32:27.540 --> 00:32:34.920
Hong Lieu: you know, we talk about modesty, humility in terms of creating humility in the self. There's nothing like realizing. You're just a bug on the windshield of life
124
00:32:34.920 --> 00:33:04.259
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: they're looking at not only what's going on now, but what what what has happened in the past, and and and all the things that have come before and all things that are to come. So yeah, absolutely. I I totally agree. And I think one of the things that encounters that really well is the the concept of some co-fou right? That's on Cova bird, you know, looks to the past to go to the future, and I think that is really critical for people to do. you can move forward. But you have to understand and appreciate your past in order to do so. So I think I I love that concept, and I love the San Kolfoberg.
125
00:33:04.260 --> 00:33:19.980
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: it's it's very strong in the Mojo. Right? So I I think it's such a great concept for people to get a latch on to, because it does allow you to move forward. When you do, go to your past and understand your past, and where it comes from, and look at it through clear eyes. You know our pass is not exactly
126
00:33:20.020 --> 00:33:26.619
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: a great. It's not exactly, you know. All rainbows and unicorns is some kind of northern parts, too, but that also helps make who we are.
127
00:33:26.820 --> 00:33:35.309
Hong Lieu: Yeah, you have to acknowledge the terrible parts and and and reflect on how those are a part of your life as well. Absolutely. Yeah.
128
00:33:35.820 --> 00:33:36.950
Akil Hill: Yeah, so
129
00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:52.089
Hong Lieu: great great discussion on on what brought you here, where we're happy here, like I said, I hope you never leave, although I know I bet you' to differ, but you still. You got plenty of years left, man. Plan to use that. So we but moving all along to our food section, good evening.
130
00:33:52.690 --> 00:33:56.010
Hong Lieu: this dishes, restaurants, anything.
131
00:33:56.020 --> 00:34:08.769
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: This was the one where I was just like. I don't know, man, it's just this. I love food so much. If you've ever seen me in real life. Not on zoom I occupy some volume. Shall we say?
132
00:34:08.770 --> 00:34:31.819
Hong Lieu: Oh, come on, you're talking to. You're talking to to big and and bigger. So well, who's the bigger I'm bigger? I'm actually, proportionally to what my bone density should be. I am bigger. Well, like I tell people I consider myself be cake, but I'm wad you I'm heavily marbled.
133
00:34:31.969 --> 00:34:54.529
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: which is the most premium, the most comfortable life. Right? That's right. Yeah, you're not. You're not penned up in some, you know, kennel, or whatever you you free range, you're roaming the fields for free rates in grass. I love food, and I don't. My boyfriend killed us, too, because I hear when I stood in line, and how, and raised for 8 h to get a
134
00:34:55.510 --> 00:35:20.970
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: so we did. We did, and I I I don't know if I do it again, but it was worth it. It was good, it was good. It's no longer 8 h. The line at the most now is like one to 2 h. So yeah, definitely, yeah. So I mean, there's a lot of place I love to eat food, of course, and and sometimes I get to combine my love of food with a lovely history. And so I like to eat at places that have some history if I can. and like, for example, a Chili Johns in Burbank.
135
00:35:20.970 --> 00:35:40.969
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: that is like an old school like it's really old school, and the rest of the like. The the recipe hasn't changed since the forties. I believe it. when you go there, it really reminds me of some of the places I used to eat out in the desert which are like these little holes in the wall in the middle of nowhere. And It's great. I mean, it's just
136
00:35:40.990 --> 00:35:54.619
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: you. Just it reeks of America, which I love. So that was, it's really fun to eat there. They still got the old menu up top. It's got a list of what they got, I mean. They got the diner with the Chili pots in the center of it.
137
00:35:54.620 --> 00:36:12.890
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and the the diner goes on the outside. It's really really interesting. it's a cool place to eat. And I also went to langers just recently in West Lake. And, boy, if you like, Pastromi, which I do, had you never been before, was that your first time? Not? And I was. I was never having been before. It was. It's spectacular.
138
00:36:13.210 --> 00:36:21.340
Hong Lieu: Langers is definitely an Ellie institution, and and to me is the best astronomy sandwich in the country, because cats is on the east coast.
139
00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:24.870
Hong Lieu: I think their pastromi is better a little bit.
140
00:36:25.060 --> 00:36:35.719
Hong Lieu: But languages to me is excellent, and the thing that since you've languished me is the bread that rye bread, that there's a crunch to it, and it's just oh, it's it's it's very special. It did you get the 19, or you get something else.
141
00:36:36.190 --> 00:36:58.940
Hong Lieu: Do you go to Langers? Of course I got the 19. Well, because now I would say I, for for some folks a a life hack. If you go with the big group, they have the strong, the Pistrami Platter. So you get the platter. It comes with like a stack of bread, a big thing of astronomy, and everything. And then you add for you. You ask for the side of Russian dressing. You build your own sandwiches, but
142
00:36:59.120 --> 00:37:14.379
Hong Lieu: the proportion of the 19 is really perfect. So you can't go wrong. It's ordering the 19 straight up. But for me I go with the platter, and I just start making my own sandwiches, and then I after, because I I go less meat but more bread. I just ask for more bread. I'm a I'm a carbaholic, though that's the personal failing of month. So
143
00:37:14.510 --> 00:37:41.219
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: the chocolate cake, the chocolate cake and langers is excellent to you. Got to shut out the chocolate cake, because I I really liked it a lot. Also, since talking about la food, seeing a little bit surprisingly good sushi at Kuda revolving sushi. It's surprisingly good. it's cheap, and it's, you know, a little small, a little small side, but it's really really good. And for for what it is. It's
144
00:37:41.220 --> 00:37:55.700
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: I was surprised at how good it was. and it's basically a chain they just picked up and dropped in la from Japan. And it shows it's it's real good. So I would recommend that place. And in San Jose one of my favorite places to eat is a place called Ramen Champ.
145
00:37:56.510 --> 00:38:00.410
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and the reason I like it is because the noodles they have there
146
00:38:00.490 --> 00:38:24.170
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: are made by this one Japanese guy who makes them in Hayward, and he only makes it for 3 restaurants. 2 of them are in San Francisco, which you can't get into, because there's they're all looked up and and RAM and champ in the San Jose, and it's really the mules are so good they're really really good. You can sell, I mean, they're a cut above. But most of those I've had really really good. I mean, I would they rival this stuff I've had to demand. So
147
00:38:24.750 --> 00:38:25.900
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: outstanding.
148
00:38:26.020 --> 00:38:48.190
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: I know we did this right before 12. So speaking of which, right after this, I'm actually to go. Have lunch at one of the place like to eat a Dutch garden. Are we going over there right after this? And which is, you know, Charlie Frederick from from Santa Barbara City College. He's he's he's he's he's he's he's running the show over there now. So
149
00:38:48.190 --> 00:39:06.529
Hong Lieu: oh, he is. He's part of the team that took it over. Did they pick? Took it over? Yeah, which was. And and they're doing. They're doing well. Have you been there before since they open? Yes, like 3 times. And it's yeah. I I I've been there quite a few times. My wife is actually about going today. But yeah, they're they're at the natural issues right now, because they're
150
00:39:06.660 --> 00:39:10.189
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: they got a summer break in with my son. So
151
00:39:10.350 --> 00:39:39.090
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: yeah. But Dutch garden is excellent. I hope they would bring the. They used to have this pork knuckle the you know the like a ice. Fine, they called it. It was like Crispy. It's crispy skin on the outside, but they they're so busy just serving what they got right now. They haven't had a time to look at the other specials, but they didn't get a lot of old recipes from the owners, and it's it's just a nice atmosphere there right now, really good food it is. And Sb. Beer garden is also pretty good if you like that kind of like the German thing. It's also a pretty good place, a little more.
152
00:39:39.570 --> 00:39:46.780
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: I I don't know. I've scale, I guess. So. It's in the fun. So it's kind of got that 5 to it. But it's really good. So you get to something. That function I love. The mark
153
00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:59.160
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: is one of my favorite restaurants. it's really good. And also it's hard to get a table. Now, yeah, it's hard to get it. It's hard to get a table now. But yeah don't. During the week
154
00:39:59.810 --> 00:40:04.769
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: during the week. It's not so bad we can't forget it. but you go during the weekend. It's not too bad
155
00:40:05.550 --> 00:40:19.519
Hong Lieu: pro tips from Dean as well. He's he's he's all filling this here Well, because I love the it. It just is so many good places, and also one of my favorite places as well is in full of life. Flatbread.
156
00:40:19.730 --> 00:40:23.140
Akil Hill: Yeah, this is that place is awesome.
157
00:40:23.200 --> 00:40:49.250
Hong Lieu: and there's a bunch of places in that area. Now, it's turning into like a food place Los Angeles has really turned into like, I don't know. Lax Ps really love it, and like they have a lot of good pop up like that predator Barbecue, and you know the bells. I feel like bells. The the folks at bells. Once they took over. They really put their stamp on like, Hey, you come up here. There's amazing producing amazing greedy. It's all around this area. And they really kind of put the bug in the year of La Chefs a lot of really she has been coming up
158
00:40:49.250 --> 00:41:03.130
Hong Lieu: in terms of Los Angeles San, and as solving there's really a lot of Lafs just to click around and be like. Oh, my God, there really is amazing, you know, ingredients out here, and and just the seasonality of things. Just just kind of meshes with with my world view. So
159
00:41:03.500 --> 00:41:20.869
Hong Lieu: yeah, it's it's it's it's a good. It's a great great scene up there right now, and full life has been holding it down for a long time, because it used to be American Flapper Company, different, different company. But they left full life came in and didn't miss a beat that the atmosphere there is probably some of the best, not just outdoor dining, but just like atmosphere.
160
00:41:20.870 --> 00:41:45.170
Hong Lieu: It's it's just a great vibe. Always lots of families, lots of you know that. You just. It's a cool place. So that oven is unbelievable. It is yeah, getting a feedback there and watching them work out of it. I mean, it's just a beautiful, beautiful piece, you know, just cookery that oven this way they built it. It's amazing, but it's watching people work and the amount of tables are. There's a lot of covers are turning out on that thing. It's like, it's pretty unbelievable. Yeah.
161
00:41:45.220 --> 00:41:50.600
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: it is. It is one of my favorite place to be my wife. And I go there all the time. it's yeah. It's great.
162
00:41:50.710 --> 00:42:17.489
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: yeah, it's it's just a places that I liked. we did it. We have this group of people at the college we call ourselves a sushi explorer, and we actually go out to different restaurants. And one of the places we went to was a sushi bar in Montecito. It was really really good. It's not a classical sushi experience. So if you're looking for like the Japanese sushi classical sushi experience, it's not that at all. It's a kind of a modern sushi
163
00:42:17.490 --> 00:42:30.809
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: but it's the flavor of profiles are fantastic. I mean, these chefs are very skilled, and it was really delicious. I mean, it's expensive. I don't lie. It's quite expensive, actually. And it and it's Kiki. So it's like the set set. Or can you order all the cart?
164
00:42:30.940 --> 00:42:49.400
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: yeah, it's almost mostly yeah. There's actually the Kai-saki place I like, is Yo each. That is the Kai-saki restaurant in Santa Barbara. Yeah. Because it's spectacular. But yeah, so she bar is as, and you sign up for the the chef just to to dictate that you
165
00:42:49.400 --> 00:43:02.610
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and and rightly so, and they do a great job, and they can also accommodate people. If you have like a special requirement, we can't certain things. They'll riff on their sushi to incorporate your requirements. It's pretty cool. No Riff in real time, which is what I need to watch.
166
00:43:04.170 --> 00:43:05.479
Hong Lieu: Oh, excellent!
167
00:43:05.570 --> 00:43:06.770
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: It's a good place.
168
00:43:08.150 --> 00:43:15.520
Hong Lieu: all right. That's that's that's plenty of fodder for the show notes right there. I got a lot of work. I got a lot of work to cover all that, but we'll get it all in
169
00:43:15.850 --> 00:43:18.879
Hong Lieu: excellent choices. Dean, you got anything else for us for
170
00:43:19.110 --> 00:43:47.259
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: dude I could. We could go on and on and on. I keep going. Keep going with that stuff to eat, happy to defer. Happy for you. You got some good ones. What I would encourage is, if people want to join us on our sushi explorer group. Send me an email. Say, it would be a sushi explorer, and what we'll do is we'll just send it out and we can wait time and get to the other group of people. We just go hit a restaurant together. It's it's not just sushi. You're not just going to.
171
00:43:47.400 --> 00:44:08.419
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: All right. We started. But yeah, we we're kind of branching out a little bit. And so I know we want to get back together and kind of get back in a group of things. I we we were out for a walk, us all, and all. Covid blew a big poll in it. But now that's a Covid is retreated. At least I would say it's over, but it's definitely retreated. we're ready to go out and spread it around again. So I'm looking forward to it.
172
00:44:08.630 --> 00:44:18.400
Akil Hill: Do you guys go local restaurants or you guys go outside of Santa Barbara almost in Charlie local. But I think people will be up. I think if we get a big enough root, we could do both
173
00:44:18.510 --> 00:44:42.370
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: because you always want to have a group of people, because that's kind of fun, right? Just go out together. And if we get a big enough group, I think people we down for a sojourn into la, which I would love to do, because I love going down there and just trying stuff. because the la scene is pretty good. really good. And it's it's nice, and it's so close it's nicely. You have a lot of great restaurants here when you don't feel like going on a big adventure. But it's also nice that when you do feel like going on a big adventure.
174
00:44:42.370 --> 00:44:52.770
Hong Lieu: it's not that. It's not that long of a trip. If you, if you're up for, because, yeah, if you're in that mood, then it la can definitely scratch. Today's in terms of the random nooks and cranes that you can encounter. So yeah.
175
00:44:52.860 --> 00:45:04.410
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: so email, there's no social media presence. There's no like Instagram I need to link to. It's I'll put you on the list. So it's just an it's an internal Sbcc thing, although it's kind of funny. I was at a
176
00:45:04.410 --> 00:45:27.340
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: at a a word ceremony some South coast technology and business awards. And we ran it to some people. We were just talking about it. We just we mentioned the fact we have this group. And now there's some folks from outside of Ccc. Who want to join us. So we're gonna roll them into this, too. So I think the more people we get the barrier. I mean, it's it's great. It's really fun. I've been doing it with a bunch of people just talking. And even it's great. It's
177
00:45:27.340 --> 00:45:31.760
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: I guess fellowship is what it's called right. Having fellowship with people is is fantastic.
178
00:45:32.010 --> 00:45:37.770
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: yeah, let's talk to desserts.
179
00:45:37.850 --> 00:46:04.830
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: All right. Rory's man, that is, I told my wife. If I ever meet Rory, I'm a little afraid of my run away with her. She's her. Her skill in making delicious ice cream is unparalleled. It's amazing. I've never met her, and I would love to some day. But I just she's just so great. Her ice cream is incredible. So Rory's ice cream is my go to whenever I get a chance to. It's just it's the best.
180
00:46:04.950 --> 00:46:14.650
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: There's other good ice cream in town. but for me Roy has just been a real spectacular ice cream to eat. I love it, he whatever I can.
181
00:46:15.270 --> 00:46:21.900
Akil Hill: that our last show that was one that was my pick. that that we record. It was
182
00:46:21.980 --> 00:46:30.770
Akil Hill: the flavor for May, the peach ice cream. It was pizza ice cream with with little sh shards of
183
00:46:31.330 --> 00:46:33.740
Hong Lieu: admit.
184
00:46:33.760 --> 00:46:39.819
Akil Hill: And so, but since they we moved on and it's June, you know, a brother has shown up.
185
00:46:39.980 --> 00:46:49.599
Akil Hill: or he's in June, and the flavor is I think it's it's lemon, boys and Berry, and that's really good, too, as well
186
00:46:50.230 --> 00:46:58.569
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: for me. Freshman Paddy, man freshman petty all day every day. It's
187
00:46:58.760 --> 00:47:17.950
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: when I had it. It was a revelation. I couldn't believe. I couldn't believe someone could make something so good cause I do like Mid chip. It's it's kind of pedestrian now, but it's I do like it. But, man, it's just a whole, another level. It's just it's like you're chewing on a mentally. If you're eating delicious ice cream, it's so good I love it so much.
188
00:47:18.040 --> 00:47:21.930
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: But yeah, the the 11 lemon voicemail. You say
189
00:47:22.430 --> 00:47:25.779
Akil Hill: it's pretty good. It's a nice light flavor. It's good.
190
00:47:26.680 --> 00:47:29.299
Hong Lieu: Yeah. I used to always be. Oh, go ahead, if you
191
00:47:29.640 --> 00:47:41.760
Akil Hill: I was. Gonna say, if you like, mitt and Chip, or the man. You should try cool Haas. They have a dirty, it's called like a dirty man, I think a dirty mid ice cream
192
00:47:42.530 --> 00:47:49.670
Akil Hill: and it is literally like the first time I try that. It's kind of like, probably how you felt. I was like, what is this?
193
00:47:49.720 --> 00:47:56.999
Akil Hill: It's almost like you. It reminded me of Moroccan mint tea, but just like in the ice cream. So give that a girl. I think you can find it like
194
00:47:57.050 --> 00:48:14.759
Akil Hill: at whole foods. Or.
195
00:48:15.650 --> 00:48:25.210
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: yeah? Well, another reason you have more of my money to whole foods. It's their cheese selection. And now the ice cream.
196
00:48:26.140 --> 00:48:27.340
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: So, yeah.
197
00:48:27.690 --> 00:48:51.910
Hong Lieu: yeah, Rory is is a great success story in town. Because, you know, they you talk about, we talk about the freshest and ingredients and the abundance of this area, and they really are leveraging all those agrees like, you know, the boys and Berry. They had wild, very crisp as it one of their flavors for a little while. I was always strawberry cheesecake. Guy or Scarborough cheese sake, or milk chocolate chunk, but I a keel converted me over those those seasonal, the monthly flavors, because that Peach Blini was unbelievable. I was like Whoa.
198
00:48:52.220 --> 00:49:08.560
Hong Lieu: and and yeah, but Rory's. And now they're they're even down in La. They? They've expanded so much that they're they've got enough production to go up and down, up and down the coast. So that's it's great success to over them happy for them, and yet delicious, delicious ice cream, that man Mcconnell. So both local local treasures and ice cream worlds.
199
00:49:08.560 --> 00:49:25.799
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Well, I do like wanderlust in la, oh, yeah, yeah, this is pretty awesome. And they've they've done a great job converting classically the classically Asian flavors like the black sesame ice cream is excellent there. And yeah, things of that sort. So that that's another excellent.
200
00:49:25.800 --> 00:49:45.989
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: excellent creamery in in the Southern California. I love it because I only I'm a user feed. I love you, zoom I, when I was in Japan, I got so lucky they in in on Chico Island they actually have people make their own use of ice cream there, and you can just buy it off. The side of the road is is fantastic.
201
00:49:46.410 --> 00:49:49.619
Akil Hill: Oh, yeah, easily. That's totally
202
00:49:49.760 --> 00:49:53.580
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: summer. Japanese, like, oh, yeah.
203
00:49:53.820 --> 00:49:55.580
Akil Hill: yeah, I feel like.
204
00:49:55.790 --> 00:50:12.200
Akil Hill: that's like, I feel like I've seen that more and more that flavor here in the States. as before, like. I remember just traveling to Japan and couldn't find it. But I feel like it's really starting to emerge. I even Trayer Joe's has like a usual hot sauce.
205
00:50:12.390 --> 00:50:15.089
Akil Hill: And so it's it's great to see that, you know.
206
00:50:16.320 --> 00:50:43.210
Hong Lieu: I think yeah. Citrus flavors in in Asian culture, just like a classic combination. I kind of a little bit. But see us especially. It's got little bit of sweet to go with that that that just tardness and like, Oh, yeah, it's it's really good. We're like, it's, it's not too much, though. It's just a little bit kind of take the take the rough edge off. Yeah, that's what I like about yeah, the the flavor profile is really great.
207
00:50:44.690 --> 00:51:03.319
Hong Lieu: keep them come and Dean, keep them coming. And also Mr. Softy, of Southern California man. I did not know about Mr. Softy truck for these events, and I gotta figure out what was going on, because I was like, I was like, oh, it's just ice cream.
208
00:51:03.680 --> 00:51:11.479
Hong Lieu: but there's just something about the presentation, and then they're topping choices, and then you have that little deep, deep fried one that has the crumbles on it. Yeah.
209
00:51:11.770 --> 00:51:25.500
Hong Lieu: it's it's it's really nice. I've been. I've been to both the Ventura and the Cambria once since then. Every time I drive through. I'll if I'm in Cambridge I'll go to Mr. Softy and then Ventura. we go to the beach on there sometimes, and I definitely got we definitely stop by
210
00:51:25.510 --> 00:51:45.390
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: because the Mr. Saud's and softie there is not that far from a habit. So we go to have it in you, Mr. Soft. So it's a good day. Yeah. Oh, definitely, surfers know. Got the got the waves that my son likes. So the butter Scott shake, man. That's Mr. Softie, that's my go to but Butter Scott. Shake! I'm like so good.
211
00:51:45.420 --> 00:51:46.690
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Oh, man.
212
00:51:47.990 --> 00:51:57.569
Hong Lieu: all right, all right, Dean, you you you're working on this list. What else you got. I mean that at this one. Yeah, you you're the one that came came, came, repaired you, did you? You did the assignment. So let's
213
00:51:57.620 --> 00:52:02.409
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: yeah. Well, what other place I like is like me, O'connor ice cream.
214
00:52:02.510 --> 00:52:09.250
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: It's really good. Yeah. And they have a you. The ones in La have a huge flavor selection. That's what makes it so good.
215
00:52:09.400 --> 00:52:25.289
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: My daughter actually showed me that when we were going to visit her last time she took us to took us there, and it was spectacular again. It's a good flavor profile, and what I like about is is lots more kind of like natural flavors like more fruit based flavors in ice cream.
216
00:52:25.340 --> 00:52:34.860
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and but then also they have stuff like What was it? A. It was a twinky flavor which was really interesting. It was good. So that was, that was a great place to go to.
217
00:52:34.960 --> 00:52:55.919
Hong Lieu: Mitchell. Kind of is nice, because not only they have the poletos and the ice cream, but then they got the mango navas, and like the and the they got like the toasty locals they they made their making stuff, too, like it's just that all encompassing. And it's not all sweet, because they got that, you know. They get the spice hits to with all the chamoi and all that tagine.
218
00:52:56.030 --> 00:53:05.979
Hong Lieu: Oh, yeah, I was fresco. So if I can, all all in one like dessert temple, it is. It's so good. Yeah.
219
00:53:06.000 --> 00:53:12.889
Akil Hill: what I love about going in those places is like, and in any ice cream place. Really, I just love seeing kids and how they
220
00:53:12.960 --> 00:53:21.240
Akil Hill: just light up. You know, there's something like it's so organic about a a child and ice cream. You know what I mean, like
221
00:53:21.250 --> 00:53:34.560
Akil Hill: such a special thing, and I always like, think about, yeah, those kids are going to be making memories. Because when they get a little bit older, they're going to be like, yeah, I remember going to like, you know, the Mitchell kind of, and ordering this, and just it's such. It's such a.
222
00:53:34.650 --> 00:53:43.939
Akil Hill: It's the beautiful thing to to to watch. I always like to just sit back and look at the kids and all the dirty faces. And yeah, definitely.
223
00:53:44.980 --> 00:53:49.799
Akil Hill: And it does stay with them. Because I know my kids are completely hooked on Rory's
224
00:53:49.830 --> 00:53:54.409
Akil Hill: all the time when they were younger. So it was good.
225
00:53:55.050 --> 00:54:03.129
Hong Lieu: And that's that's really yeah. The the the the crux of things is like the reason. Food is, it's not just essential for survival.
226
00:54:03.170 --> 00:54:18.390
Hong Lieu: but the little extra hints on top of that that the folks folks who put in that extra effort to make delicious food. It really sticks with you and it. It's one of those memories that kind of shapes sa your world view as well and leads, leads to a better life. You've you're even good. You're probably living good. So that's that's really.
227
00:54:18.530 --> 00:54:19.470
Hong Lieu: you know.
228
00:54:20.820 --> 00:54:27.220
Akil Hill: Hey, Dean, have you tried upon. You know that they open that new my scream shop up on the mesa.
229
00:54:27.360 --> 00:54:32.520
Akil Hill: I forget the exact name of it. But yeah, I think it's called sweeties.
230
00:54:32.580 --> 00:54:34.519
Akil Hill: but they have a Earl grey
231
00:54:34.900 --> 00:54:53.569
Akil Hill: ice cream. That's actually really good. I think it's made by Mcconnell's. But yeah, that's you may have had. I don't know if you've tried that. But that's yeah. Oh, you bet. Yeah, I love real break so or or great tea. I really anything, man. So yeah.
232
00:54:53.850 --> 00:54:56.760
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: okay, I'll say, you have the calls up there. Let's check it out.
233
00:54:57.100 --> 00:55:09.489
Akil Hill: Yeah, yeah, it's run by the folks that do. Mason barrier corner. Tap the yeah, he. He put the ice cream shop there right next door to a rose cafe. And that's that complex where we're itchy bonus.
234
00:55:09.820 --> 00:55:18.889
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Yeah, that sounds good. And I can, of course, talk about food without mentioning free birds in Iv. because I just, that's what I go to places and also have it.
235
00:55:18.960 --> 00:55:35.800
Hong Lieu: I'm sorry. You know I was just in and out versus have a thing going on. But I'm sorry, man, I have a guy. I'm with you. I'm absolutely with you. I'm a I'm a shredded latest guy I love in and out. Of course I can, you know, of course. Yeah, but I'm a trade to let this guy and have it has ready lettuce, slightly thicker paddies. I'm a have a guy to.
236
00:55:35.860 --> 00:55:37.479
Hong Lieu: but in terms of
237
00:55:37.570 --> 00:55:56.069
Hong Lieu: price to performance ratio, although in and out. Prices have gone up recently, because in. And I used to be like what $2 $3 for hamburger, so you couldn't beat it. But now I it's it's it's it's a tighter window. But yeah, I I still I still give it to the habit, although I do occasionally enjoy it. Tommy's good bomb. I'm in. La!
238
00:55:56.290 --> 00:56:13.439
Hong Lieu: Oh, the Tommy's breakfast! That'll set you off. That'll that'll mess you up good. I would never do such a thing.
239
00:56:13.700 --> 00:56:27.409
Hong Lieu: Great, great Pix Dean! I I got my work cut out for me again all these, and show notes, but I will make sure and get a link to all these locations in the show notes not to digest, much appreciated.
240
00:56:27.500 --> 00:56:43.219
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Move it right along. Okay. I did dig up some links for you on my work history stuff. So that work that way. You don't have to find this because they're kind of obscure. I'll find them. I can look for I was gonna look for as well. But I appreciate anything you can help me with. Absolutely so. But moving right along higher learning.
241
00:56:43.310 --> 00:56:47.620
Hong Lieu: So our culture Section Dean, book, music, movie, TV,
242
00:56:47.720 --> 00:57:11.739
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: anything. First of all, I I love a lot of stuff. And so it's really hard to kind of narrow down because I really like musical theatre a lot One of my favorite things to do is to go to Pcpa and solving, and also at the college here and watch the theater. I just absolutely adore it. And so that's all. I have a new queue I think college, which is great. it's a great play. but
243
00:57:11.750 --> 00:57:22.830
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: I love pinball. I've been a pinball fanatic my whole life. and I actually have some pillow machines in my house. a couple of my 3 right now. I'm trying to get another one.
244
00:57:23.270 --> 00:57:43.629
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: but I'm I can't decide which one I want to get But I have the black. I have black night, which is an old machine, and I got that through the most fortunate set of circumstances. The machines essentially brand new. it has very little where on it. And the guy who had it basically literally had it in a box for 15 years.
245
00:57:43.760 --> 00:58:00.269
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: So I got lucky. I just met him, and I basically swooned over the machine, and he recognized a fellow person who loved it. So he sold it to me. It was not not a lot of money. Actually, it was a few $1,000 which is worth it, that machines very well regarded by pinball fanatics.
246
00:58:00.800 --> 00:58:06.689
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: I also have a flash, Gordon, machine which even plays the the Queen song when you turn on.
247
00:58:07.210 --> 00:58:13.129
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and I also have a Simpsons to involve a Simpsons, a machine with the originals. the database version.
248
00:58:14.120 --> 00:58:23.039
Hong Lieu: I'm I'm grateful of the Dean, Dean shouted out Pinball, because you know, Jonathan, Abu was the first one to bring video games in a higher learning. But Dean Pinball is
249
00:58:23.230 --> 00:58:32.299
Hong Lieu: I I feel like it's it's a perfect perfect match for you, too, because not only do you like a lot of things. But pinball is like, you know, because video games are software played on hardware
250
00:58:32.420 --> 00:58:57.929
Hong Lieu: and pinball is is more of a a symbiotic relationship between hardware and software, because the hardware is is all over the table. And the software is not always software, because the earliest female machines. We're not. You know, we're we're electromagnetic. So even the score was not software. It was a rolling numerical score. It wasn't until a little later that the digital digital stuff got involved.
251
00:58:57.930 --> 00:59:16.940
Hong Lieu: So to me, pinball is like some of the earliest gaming, you know, in terms of gaming picks around. And it's just fitting for a guy like he with a engineering, you know, electrical engineering background to be just like, Yeah, I I've always lived in ball. I've never been good with the intricacies of how they work and everything. But I I've always looked at ball and
252
00:59:16.950 --> 00:59:20.970
Hong Lieu: excellent excellent choices, excellent choices right there. So
253
00:59:21.210 --> 00:59:24.340
Hong Lieu: don't have 2 more machines in their house.
254
00:59:24.490 --> 00:59:26.310
Hong Lieu: Where where would you go to play?
255
00:59:26.790 --> 00:59:32.989
Hong Lieu: in town? I know this. But is there anywhere in town that you go to.
256
00:59:34.420 --> 00:59:58.440
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: There isn't any like Barcade or anything in town. Unfortunately, that I I'm aware of. I wish I'd love to find one. I would. I would love to have one in town. I think you could actually make a Covid here. I thought about trying that. But I'm like, I don't need another project. So I don't really, you know, in town it's hard for me to find a place I used to go to La, or like. I'll like go different places. I'll stop by or I'll go to
257
00:59:58.520 --> 01:00:09.379
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: tournaments and play there And so I'll do that typically it never drains in Southern California as a tournament series. I'll I'll go to that sometimes and play in the old Band League and get spanked.
258
01:00:10.070 --> 01:00:15.690
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: They have a couple. They have a couple of more machines in Lara Kotter now, because what used to be Acapulco
259
01:00:15.740 --> 01:00:35.550
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and see, a veto is now like they put a little arcade room there. It's a couple of machines there they have one a taf fee. It's like single machines. Yeah, in terms of like a set of machines. There's not a lot. There's not some in the cafeteria area which was way back in the day that it used to have a couple of yeah, yeah, yeah.
260
01:00:36.330 --> 01:00:38.599
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: wow, which they bring it back.
261
01:00:38.910 --> 01:00:52.839
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: But but yeah, so I I mostly play at home, or I'll go go to go to a place specifically to play pinball. I'll go to the like a big tournament. They have some in Sacramento. They used to have a gigantic pim on Museum. Where was that? Is that the middle of nowhere?
262
01:00:53.810 --> 01:01:08.210
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: anyway. but it was a and I've also go to Vegas. There's a very large come on, museum there. So when I go to Vegas, it's basically the you don't play pinball. Didn't Pinball Hall of Fame in Vegas. And there's the one in Alamita. The Pinball Museum
263
01:01:08.480 --> 01:01:35.850
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: in Alameda. They got they got a decent selection of machines there. So there's something that drew you to pinball on your team something, or just just those. Those were the like part of the Arcade scene then, or that's probably our case scene, and also a friend of mine worked at a a movie theater, and they appeal my machines in there, and so I go hang out with him. And so to waste time I would play pinball and What was nice to a pinball is you? Could you could win free games. And so I I got good next to the point where I could spend a quarter and basically play for 3 or 4 h.
264
01:01:35.850 --> 01:01:52.649
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: So that was pretty helpful. So it was. It was fun, and as a matter of fact, the machine I played was Black Night, which is the one I have now. It' be. I look for it for years and years and years and years to find one. And then I find phone. And I'm so happy because it kind of it's very nostalgic. I it to play it now. So it's kind of fun to play with them.
265
01:01:52.750 --> 01:01:54.860
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: And it's it's good.
266
01:01:55.110 --> 01:02:18.490
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: But I like it because it's dynamic. It's very physical and and also very just. It's dependent upon, you know, keeping being aware of what's going on all over the table, which I really enjoy. and I used to have an electromechanical machine. I was called Pioneer, and I eventually sold it because it was a nightmare to keep running, because I had to work on it all the time. I mean? It broke constantly, and it was kind of a pain to work on.
267
01:02:19.250 --> 01:02:20.070
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: though.
268
01:02:20.730 --> 01:02:26.679
Akil Hill: when you were when you were in Japan. Did you go ever go into any of the like. The arcades there
269
01:02:27.110 --> 01:02:31.150
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: I did, actually. But they're so hardcore.
270
01:02:31.210 --> 01:02:48.099
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: It's so hardcore any kind of versus machine. Instant death cause the people playing it, but that's what they do that's like their hobby, and they're so good. And you just, I don't know how you get good enough to actually play at that level. but every time I play a versus machine
271
01:02:48.100 --> 01:03:10.360
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: I would just get demolished instantly. And then, after why, you kind of learned that that's find out for you. So I I play once a while and that was okay. I can play that. Nothing like Pachenko to get the the the gambling, the gambling habit started in the early age. Yeah, those machines, man.
272
01:03:10.830 --> 01:03:39.189
Hong Lieu: and and that's I'm glad you mentioned our kids, you know, and and and playing outside of the house, because a lot of folks now equate gaming with gaming at home and and home gaming is absolutely the way of the future. There's no, there's no, you know, you know arcades are still a thing, but they're not the thing. But I grew up in came of age when our K's were the thing, and you know we had. We had just got Nintendo, I mean Atari just maybe hit a Nintendo was coming, but arcades were the way to play, and the Arcade scene
273
01:03:39.220 --> 01:03:54.989
Hong Lieu: I mean, people don't don't think about this now. But Arcade scene was pretty seedy back in the day, you know, like Pinball, had a negative reputation. I was actually banned for a period of time, you know, like like the sixties, or something like that, and and it coming out of that band
274
01:03:55.150 --> 01:04:00.610
Hong Lieu: and then coming into coming, coming out of that band. But before the dawn of home, gaming
275
01:04:00.610 --> 01:04:25.600
Hong Lieu: the Arcade scene was the way to play, and it was bustling, and it was a little dangerous, and I have mentioned with Punk Rock. The reason I got into Punk was because of that danger element. The reason I got in our case was not just because I love games. I did love games, but I also loved all the random stuff you'd see you would see fist fights break out over playing street fighter like those versus games you talk about. If people people were playing the right way. There would be fights. There were. There were. There was a gang element involved because gangsters would
276
01:04:25.600 --> 01:04:54.789
Hong Lieu: play these games, and you didn't know who was a gangster who wasn't until until someone pulled something out. You're like, Oh, man, I I' to get out of here, you know, because in our case we're open late back. Then. Our kids, you know, we're smoking was allowed to people from P play pinball. It was usually the smoke, the smokeiest part of the arcade, because someone was in there playing pit ball, smoking a cigarette with the ashtray next a little table, and though these were the things as a young kid that I really was gravitated towards. You know, it was like it was. Really it was really need cool. So
277
01:04:55.060 --> 01:05:18.489
Hong Lieu: that arcade element is an important part of gaming history, and I know it's it's it's easy to do like the whole 15 miles of the snow, like you kids don't know but it it is really it was really special. And it's it's it's worked out now. And that's why that's why. Not only is P model good pick in terms of a. A. A complementing the gaming selection, you know, a gaming as as high art and higher learning, you know, but also a nod to that arcade. And because
278
01:05:18.610 --> 01:05:40.789
Hong Lieu: pinball in the home. I mean you. You definitely. You've done it. But you could see it takes a lot of space to the house. It's not easy to have a primal collection now, so you still have to get out, and it's still a social kind of activity to play pinball. So you, if you folks are looking for that today. There's not a lot of places in talent. But there, you know, there's a lot of places in La, and there are a couple of places in town. So we'll definitely go down the show notes. And
279
01:05:40.790 --> 01:06:00.170
Hong Lieu: yeah, I think Ventura, too, venture, has has quite a few, because golf and stuff has a d a great selection, and Duke's griddle and grill off of seaward. They had a they have a twilight zone, and Adams family. I think it. Those are 2 2 to 2 of the like big time big. I don't know if I mean who knows what conditions are now? Because, as Dean alluded to
280
01:06:00.170 --> 01:06:12.019
Hong Lieu: people, machines can come in and out of repair, depending on how hard they're played and how often they are maintained. But but yeah, the Ventura does have actually a great selection of that's a that's a great point of queue.
281
01:06:12.210 --> 01:06:19.980
Akil Hill: I also was thinking it made me think a little bit about all the games that spun off of like in about. You know, I started thinking about like that physical
282
01:06:20.190 --> 01:06:46.999
Akil Hill: gaming. And I'm thinking, like I remember, in the days of air hockey playing air hockey was like such a thing, and then I don't even remember what the name of it, but it was a hockey game, and I got a little rubber puck I don't even remember but And then it was like, it's like it's like it's like a blend of football. And Iraqi, because you can move the polls and the guys would go on the
283
01:06:47.010 --> 01:06:55.999
Akil Hill: I was thinking, maybe think about that. Then that made me think about the crowded kid because there was a scene where they, you know, they're playing the game and be like, Yeah, it's just.
284
01:06:56.190 --> 01:07:08.460
Hong Lieu: And remember, Karate Kid has the scene at golf and stuff, the you know, like, there's a there's a resid yeah, whatever. So so yeah, that are that are, Kate, you know, seeing a situation like
285
01:07:08.750 --> 01:07:25.210
Hong Lieu: where kids congregate, you know, like I I it is shifted over the years, and it's just like it's nice to look back. But also it can. It's good context. We talk about learning about history to see where the future is going. Like when kids kids congregated back in the day, and there was trouble.
286
01:07:25.350 --> 01:07:48.859
Hong Lieu: But it wasn't necessarily capital trouble, and even if it was, it was kind of an important skill to learn how to get out of that trouble. If you were a kid that was not into that stuff, like to know when to scatter like, you know, the people with scatter like roaches like you literally would see that in in certain situations, right? Because you got I mean it. It's it's like it. It's like instincts reflex, but not all like those things are cultivated as well in terms of your response time. So
287
01:07:48.940 --> 01:07:55.709
Hong Lieu: those those kind of situations, I mean, I still happen today, and and people told their hands up, and they they exasperated rightfully so. But same time
288
01:07:55.730 --> 01:08:03.550
Hong Lieu: kids have been dealing with these things since time and memorial, and they have adapted and found ways in and out, and and we'll continue to do so. So
289
01:08:03.850 --> 01:08:11.380
Akil Hill: I'm just waiting for it to come back like you know how things are cyclical and things come back. I'm just, I'm waiting, you know, waiting for it to. Kinda
290
01:08:11.550 --> 01:08:15.830
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: I wonder it will be interesting to see if it
291
01:08:16.050 --> 01:08:19.730
Akil Hill: like you guys said like gave me that home. And
292
01:08:19.880 --> 01:08:43.269
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: you know, as a whole, it's that's like the direction it's going. But I wonder if you ever come back to well, actually, we're kind of entering another golden age of pinball in a lot of ways, because there are a lot more companies. Now that are starting out, they're all new, like Jersey. Jack is a great. They make group really good Pimol machines, and of course Stern is cranking him out. And there's also American pinball. There's a company in in
293
01:08:43.340 --> 01:08:50.060
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: in Denmark. I think it's all doing female machines as well. And there is.
294
01:08:50.430 --> 01:09:20.060
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: that's it. There's a spooky pinball machines. Spooky company makes them all machines. So there's all these new companies that are starting out. They are making fun of machines, and you know a lot of it is our aim at the home market. but it's also the rise of the barcade. And so like down in La. The most common place we pinball now is like on the barcade, and they have a good selection of machines, and I went to a place up the north. I called the Flipper House, which also had. It was a barcade way to see my folks. I was like to see my parents because I thought it spark
295
01:09:20.330 --> 01:09:24.109
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: one beer and 45 pm. On. She's later, you know, I.
296
01:09:25.170 --> 01:09:52.609
Hong Lieu: And and the nice thing about the barcades is they? Are it to be late, didn't you? I'm just gonna say it right now. The bar keys are usually open to all ages at for a certain time, and then, after a certain time, they go 21 and over. So it is still a nice family activity. And and you know, kids always light up when they see all the lights and sounds. And and in fact, it's game. So yeah, it's it's it's still a lot of cubes there. So yeah, there's a lot of families that participate is great.
297
01:09:52.750 --> 01:09:59.679
Akil Hill: So how much, how typically, how much does it like a pinball machine would run if you were trying to like buy a new one like right now.
298
01:09:59.840 --> 01:10:03.879
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: and a new one will run you between 5 and $10,000. They're very expensive.
299
01:10:04.080 --> 01:10:23.999
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: Yeah, it's it's not. That's why I only have 3 kind of 3 old ones. I go to auctions and buy them like my first one I got from an arcade that was closing. I just bought it for off the guy. And then I went to an auction and got the Simpsons. And then the black Don actually just found on ebay. Actually, I because I I'll go look. So. I'm looking for years for it. And so I found on ebay. And I bought it 3 B.
300
01:10:24.470 --> 01:10:39.449
Hong Lieu: Yeah, they use. They used to be folks that would build out our Kate rooms, then regret it and sell sell the machine top so you could, you know, keep an eye on Craig's list every now that a machine would come up. But yeah, for the most part you're buying them new. It's it's it's a tough hobby to get into.
301
01:10:39.450 --> 01:11:07.650
Hong Lieu: But, like you said, usually you're attached to a machine like for me. Monster Bash is a machine I was really attached to. It's got a lot of little toys, not a lot of little storylines to follow, like in terms of gameplay, you know you, so that that there's always there's always that one machine in game you just sink a ton of time into. For me. It was monster bash, I mean, you know, objectively, people are. It's like, it's a very well designed machine. But it the the truth is, everyone's everyone's favorite machine is going to be different.
302
01:11:07.670 --> 01:11:25.399
Hong Lieu: because it's you know, the the stallion plays a part in in in these affairs as well in terms of favorite of anything so, and your first exposure, like a lot of people, will listen to. You know whatever version of the song they heard first with this cover, or the original, whichever one they heard first is the one I prefer. Not always true. But you know the that's what people say. So
303
01:11:26.110 --> 01:11:36.770
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: yes, funny kind of talk to my kids about music, and they'll reference a song, and I'll be like, wait a second. That sounds familiar, and it'll be a cover. And to my wife and I that doesn't sound that great.
304
01:11:37.120 --> 01:11:50.379
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: because it's not the original but then sometimes it. But they like it, because that's what they've grown up on. So you're right. It that's the way it is. Now there are a few exceptions to that. I mean, I have to admit rent. A he's a funk done by raising the machine is actually.
305
01:11:50.390 --> 01:12:00.480
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: although I do. I like, I forgot about some of his music. so. But yeah, but that is a very good cover. but yeah, it's but usually it's what you what you get grow up in.
306
01:12:01.520 --> 01:12:09.109
Hong Lieu: Yeah, I'm trying to think. trying to think of like cause you know the class to the I fought the law, you know, versus the before.
307
01:12:09.620 --> 01:12:13.139
Hong Lieu: But I did share the classroom first. So I think, yeah.
308
01:12:14.570 --> 01:12:15.320
Hong Lieu: yeah.
309
01:12:15.530 --> 01:12:25.490
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: so yeah, we could all we have another hour on music alone. So I I don't feel you guys want to do. We wrap it up, or because it's almost 120'clock.
310
01:12:25.630 --> 01:12:40.399
Hong Lieu: Yeah, we we got planning, playing with just your offering deal, like usually we offer our picks to, but you've given us so much to riff on, and and so much so much knowledge that we can. We can leave it be and and leave it there. So thank you very much, Dean. It was an honor to have you on the show.
311
01:12:40.510 --> 01:12:44.590
Hong Lieu: before we say goodbye. Any final words, anything you like to say?
312
01:12:44.910 --> 01:13:10.210
Dean Nevins, Exec Dir, IT: well, I'm really happy to be the college. It's a wonderful place to work and it's getting better, which is even even better, which is wonderful. And it was a real pleasure to talk with it to you. It was literally sitting down with 2 friends and having a conversation which is wonderful. We should do more of this offline. So and and yeah, the suit the sushi explorers right? As well stand Dean and email. Since they're
313
01:13:10.210 --> 01:13:18.850
Hong Lieu: they, they stay relatively incognito online. So yes, send an email if you want to join the sushi explorers otherwise, until next time. Y'all, this was vaquero voices.
314
01:13:19.040 --> 01:13:20.970
Akil Hill: Take care.