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Why do you do it?

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BigDPS View Drop Down
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  Quote BigDPS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Why do you do it?
    Posted: 26 Oct 2008 at 5:33pm
Somebody asked me a very good question last night. They know we don't have any kids and that the street we are on isn't really the most travelled on. They asked me why I do a big display, go through the troubles of sequencing, spending money in what seems like a total waste?
 
It took me a few moments tocome up with this answer: With all the troubles we are going through lately in this world, I think going back to my childhood memories of seeing huge christmas decorations with lots of lights, helps me cope with these times.
 
 I love computers and their infinite possibilities to control or do just about anything , having a D-Light controller, Aurora sequencer, a few extension cords and lights, makes what I think a crowd pleaser. If I can bring joy to my wife (she loves the lights) and to other people willing to spend a few minutes of their time to enjoy the show, then that alone for me is why I do it.
 
BigDPS
 

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  Quote LightChristmas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Oct 2008 at 5:56pm
Because I was dropped on my head as a baby.Wink

Just like to give something to the people - there's nothing that even comes close to this for about 80 miles or more.

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  Quote Comporder1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Oct 2008 at 8:27pm

Since I have had children, we would ride around and look at christmas lights. So I thought it only appropriate to put lights on my house. The first couple of years we just did static icicle lights. Two years ago we watched the "crazy christmas light house" special on tv. I then decided, "Hey! I'm an electronics instructor! Why am I not doing this?!"

So after Christmas we hit a few light sales and began planning for the next year. Throught the year, I picked up extension cords here and there, researched and bought an AC16 and spectrum, and started programming. So last year was my first year with a minimal setup..... 16 channels in our small yard. That year when we road around to look at lights, their comment was "Can we go home and watch our lights?" My children thought that I was the coolest dad EVER! 
 
That was all it took :) Again I hit the after Christmas light sales. But this time, I hit them HARD! I have 8 new AC16's and about 26,000 lights...... AND an new house on a corner double lot!! Needless to say, I am a little overwhelmed. But I am not worried at all. I know my kids will once again say "My Dad is the COOLEST" ;)


Edited by Comporder1 - 26 Oct 2008 at 8:30pm
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  Quote kedogn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Oct 2008 at 1:06am
We don't have kids.  We don't live on a street that gets a whole lot of traffic.. but I do it anyways.  I guess its a childhood thing.  I always loved the houses that had lots of lights.  I lost my father when I was 14 and the next few years it was a struggle for my brother and I to hang lights outside.  We would be happy to get a row of c9's up.  A few years after that I started doing more.  I don't really know how many lights I used to hangup, but while it wasn't many, it was bright and looked pretty cool... at least I was told.  When we moved to our new place in 2005, I added new stuff and did the same in 2006.  Last year I stumbled into a new world as if I had walked through a coat room door!  I was turned on to the world of computer animated lights and to me, it just made sense.  I love the feel of being able to sit at my laptop, click a couple buttons and get lights to do things that is just so wicked!  I am still new to this.. last year we had 32 channels and this year we will have 112... but we have really enjoyed it.  I think I do it because I know how I am and how much I love the lights and this time of the year and I know I am not alone. I was only out front of my house a few short times last year while the lights were on and each time someone told me how much they loved them.  At our yard sale earlier this year a few people from the neighborhood commented on how much they loved the lights and hoped we were doing it again.. maybe that's it!  Not the attention... but the happiness it brings, not only to myself and my family... but everyone.
BOOMER SOONER!

Lee Family Lights
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  Quote Pony_God Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Oct 2008 at 8:07am
Originally posted by Comporder1

AND an new house on a corner double lot!!
Can a new house be expensed as a Christmas decoration?
Fine. You're so smart you rig up the lights.
D-Light users Unite!
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  Quote ChrisL1976 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Oct 2008 at 8:16am
Originally posted by BigDPS

The street  we are on isn't really the most travelled on. They asked me why I do a big display, go through the troubles of sequencing, spending money in what seems like a total waste?
 

 


If you build it, they will come.........go the distance    Thumbs%20Up


Edited by ChrisL1976 - 27 Oct 2008 at 8:17am
Chris

www.lightsonsixth.com
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  Quote tonyjmartin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Oct 2008 at 9:25am
Because I can!

Oh, yeah...and the kids love it.  The real ones and the "kids at heart".



Edited by tonyjmartin - 27 Oct 2008 at 9:25am
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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  Quote Comporder1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Oct 2008 at 10:29am
Originally posted by Pony_God

Originally posted by Comporder1

AND an new house on a corner double lot!!
Can a new house be expensed as a Christmas decoration?
 
Why not!! I never really thought of it that way....
 
$168 - 28 boxes of LED icicle lights  
$1600 - 8 AC16's
$175,000 - new house
= PRICELESS!!!!!!!!! ShockedShocked
 
Maybe I need a less expensive hobby.
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  Quote BigDPS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Oct 2008 at 5:17pm
It is nice to see in your responses the joy you bring to others. I think the only ones that don't like the lights are probably Grinches at heart and not kids at heart!

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