Rumor has it my light display made the 6:00 news Tues. night on Channel 4.

I was in bed with another horrid migraine and Lady Rat was at a dinner with the bishop. I had the phone turned off. When she came home, she woke me and said someone called her on her cellular phone and told her they saw our place featured.

So, once again, I missed my moment of fame. Been on the news three times and missed it twice. The one I did get to see was because they interviewed me and knew it would be shown at ten.

Just wanted to gloat a bit since I'm feeling better today.

Congratulations, Rodent!  I'm sure you'll have future opportunities to have your Christmas light display noticed by the media.  Have you already begun to plan next year's extravaganza?

Glad to hear you're feeling better :-)

Congrats on making the news!  Sorry you missed your moment of fame.  Maybe next year!

Hope the holidays keep the headaches away for awhile.  :-*

Wow your place must be like National Lampoon's to make the news.  ;)

Good to hear that you're feeling better. Hopefully you'll be all ready to rock by Christmas.  :)

Sakina, next year's plan is to add an arch over the driveway and a few other things that my son and I didn't get finished this year. Some items need replacing or overhaul. The Ferris Wheel is at the end of it's life cycle and the plane propeller barely turns anymore.

THEN......
Bikerbraid sent me a file that got the creative gears turning. I may add to my ten year old 16 event light sequencer a new programable 32 or even a 64 event unit that kicks in at the top of the hour for maybe 5 min. (Would imagine lights blinking as she sent all the time would drive the neighbors nuts). As I write, I'm jotting down ideas to build this new sequencer.

This week has seen two stretch limo's, several photographers, a group of carolers, others with tripods and movie cameras and lots of car traffic. It's been a fun year on the nights I was able to be outside and greet all these visitors.

Angel Spun, this is the third time I made the news. The first time was in '95 when I first built the mechanical Ferris Wheel mounted on a little two story house, Santa's airplane, and the event sequencer that controled a traffic light and little lighted plastic soldiers. The second was in '97 and now in 05. The interview happened in '95 and was by phone. It was part of a '12 days of Christmas' segment where one home was shown each night at ten. I was #9.

Oooooo, I'm so glad that video clip is inspiring you!

Basicially it is a video of the light display at a house that is VERY computerized and really different.

If anyone else is interested in seeing the clip, I can email it to you -  but I warn you it is BIG - over 4MB.  Just PM me with your email address and I will send it out.  

Congrats Rodent :)

Is this your house?

I'm glad that nasty migraine is gone :P, i hope they don't come back any time soon.

No, that one isn't me. I am on that site, though. Click on the view holiday lights and I'm on the third page with the lights behind the white arbor and fence from Manchester. There is only the one pic, which is the center of the display and it's terrible.

Here is a better view

The display will shrink to just tree and window lights Tuesday or Wed. of next week and end completely on New Year's Eve.

To save Bikerbraid the trouble of mailing mega-bytes, I found a place (a little less quality of what she sent) but you all can see it.

here

Robin, the place is in Mason Ohio and was shut down by the police after running only a few days. I dug around and found out this was an 88 channel sequencer controlled by a computer from Light-o-Rama. These things are very expensive but look real fun to play with!

Here, most neighbors are tolarant of my display and the street being blocked for short periods while others gaze.
Actually my street isn't a main run and there is rarely more than two vehicles parked in front viewing. The police have been parked up the street on occaision but the threat of being shut down is minimal.

Here's a news article that tells a bit more:

Christmas Lights

Congratulations Rodent! Pretty cool 8).

That's really neat!  :D

Rodent, your house looks WONDERFUL!!  Great job!  

I think I know the clip you speak of.  Here's a page that might help you out on your next "project"

http://www.wonderlandchristmas.com/wizardsofwinter.php

Although, depending on your background in computers, electronics, and music equipment - there can be several solutions to creating the same thing.  Before I read that page, I theorized that it can be done using Cakewalk (music editing software), a synthesizer, and a MIDI controlled switch used in dance clubs.  It kind of reminded me of the timed fountains they have at the Belaggio (sp?) in Las Vegas.

Anyhoo, can't wait to see what you come up with next year!!!  

Cynde

Khrome and others, I've already downloaded the user manuals for the light-o-rama light controllers and plan to download the demo software after the lights come down. Of the light contollers I read about, this one fits the need best.

I've planned a theoretical layout that uses programmable 32 channels. This will replace my 10 yr. old hard wired 16 event controller and the big clunking relay that turns on the four 20 amp circuits simultaneuosly.

As far as music shows, the plan is maybe two an evening. Otherwise there will be a repeating pattern with revolving trees and such.

The problem: 32 channels (PC boards only) with the extended version software is $500. I then have to design a cabinet and a new power grid. Lady Rat wants me to gut and rebuild the master bathroom....... ???

hmmmmm..... Christmas light show...... remodel the house...... that is a tough decision. :-/  Good luck!   ;D

My hubby wants to buy a new HD plasma TV, but we have no where to put it - I told him he has to BUILD a new stand that also stores all the other electronic gear before a new TV comes into the house.   Funniest thing.... he's in the basement right now cutting wood!  I guess we'll have a new TV soon!

I look forward to seeing what you come up with, Sir Rat!

You're my neighbor, yayyyyyy ;D- well 10 minutes away anyway ::)


Good Luck on both of your projects :)

wrote on Dec 28^th, 2005 at 10:49pm:

You're my neighbor, yayyyyyy ;D- well 10 minutes away anyway ::) :)

Did you come by to see it, Beesan16?

Sadly no rodent :-/, my brothers were sick on Christmas Eve(that's when we usually go to look at decorations in the area) maybe on New Years Eve if they are still there ???

Happy New Year to you and your family :)

Beesan16, on Dec. 31st the display shrinks to only the two big trees and the lights on the windows. I started taking down 12/29 at 9pm, worked to 2am, went to bed for a while, (had an interesting dream), got up at 11am and just got done with this phase. (it's a little after 1am).

After Sat. night, (tonight as it's now after midnight), it goes dark all together. Maybe I'll see you next year!

Good news, no migraines for two whole days! But OH! my knees and back hurt from the hundreds of times climbing the stairs carrying stuff. :'(

So much work for such a beautiful display.  Many of the bigger displays around here go dark on New Year's Day as well.  I always feel like the nights get sooo much darker when everyone turns off their holiday lights.

I've been without a computer for the last week or so, and I wanted to say congratulations with your house!  That's very cool.

I hope you stay migrane-free.