Magic trick to make Cinema Display see a closed Macbook?

Question

Setup:
Macbook (computer)
23" Cinema Display (monitor)
USB Apple KB / Mouse (kb/mouse)
I've never been able to make sense of when the display can "see" the Macbook and vice versa. Sometimes I plug the video cable in for the display and it turns on, I see my desktop and start working. Other times it doesn't. Sometimes I can 'trick' it by opening and closing the Macbook lid. Sometimes the display lights up and acts as a secondary monitor, but then shuts down after I close the lid. Sometimes I power up the Macbook with the cable plugged in and right after it boots, I shut the lid and it all goes to sleep. Sometimes, it just works. Random.
So, what's the magic trick when I plug the Mini Display Port into the Macbook (whether it's on or not) to get the Cinema Display to realize what I'm trying to do.
I tried the power button on the Cinema Display but it doesn't seem to "wake" the Macbook and let me start working.
Any suggestions? Key commands? Black magic witchery? Rain dancing?

Answer 1

Here's two scenarios that might help explain:
Scenario 1: You have been using your MB away from your desk and arrive at your desk and want to set things up to use the Mac in closed clamshell mode with external keyboard and mouse. Do the following:
WIth the MB asleep and lid closed, connect it to its AC adapter. Connect the external monitor and power it on. Plug in the USB peripherals. The act of hot plugging a peripheral will automatically wake the MB. No need to hit a key or mouse button. The external screen should now be active as the primary and only screen.
Scenario 2: Everything is already all hooked up as above but the MB is sleeping. Do the following:
Hit the space bar on the external keyboard. Don't give it too quick of a blip. Give it a nice, 1-second press. This should wake the MB with only the external screen active.
Basically, USB activity is the secret sauce, whether it is a hot plug event or a data event. But the order matters. It has to be the last thing to occur after everything else is hooked up and powered.