evan.a Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Dear Curious and Smitten (with the thought of animated christmas lights):Okay, it seems everyone in the world has seen Carson's Vid. I have rec'd it 8 times in email form, and been referred to it more often than that. Before you go off and buy the "stuff" ... and I suggest you do, if you are at all "obsessed" with Christmas and Christmas Lights ... let me give you the warnings, in other words let me knock the bloom off the rose for you ... So that when you do it, you'll be ready! Because you WILL do it.Surgeon General's Warning:What you are about to do is more addictive than cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. It will eat your "lunch" and your "lunch money" too! It will only take ONE dose/exposure/encounter to find yourself permanently HOOKED! There are currently NO 12 step programs for LOR or Animated Lighting Enthusiasts, but some of you will need an "intervention"!!! And you will not listen to further warnings once you engage in this endeavor.Your spouse and friends will come to assume you have either died or are doing something on the computer that polite people don't talk about. The time you will invest will not simply be in the purchase and installation of said devices. From now until next Christmas, you will be thinking about it, everyday! You will doodle Christmas Designs. You will automatically calculate wattage and amperage in your head evertime you see or hear about Christmas Lights.You will think about songs that will best show off your display's abilities. You will play CDs of Christmas music all year long in your car, just so you can imagine how you might "animate" your lights to it. You will nearly hit several cars while day dreaming to the sounds of the "Overture from Mircale on 34th Street." You will search the internet for new and wondrous ideas. You will go to sleep and wake up thinking about lights, dancing, blinking, fading, twinkling LIGHTS. And you will find that whatever number of channels you initially purchase, IT WILL NOT BE ENOUGH!You are advised to turn-back, at least ye have a strong temperment, and can resist urges that will present themselves to you.HAVE YOU CHOSEN?I see you have. Take my hand. We are entering in to the most wonderful part of the most wonderful time of the year!Please step quickly on to the moving platform!(Phrases/thoughts to remember, and re-read often.)"The cost of the box/board ... is NOT the most expensive part.""Extensions Cords, you will need more than you think. A lot more!""Sequencing/programming takes practice. Think at least 1 to 3 hours per minute of music.""Multiply the number of lights you have now, times 3.""Every inch of your home will suddenly require lights to accent it's features.""Installation, will take longer than last year. I know, I know, I didn't believe it either.""Storage will become an issue, but don't bother me with that until January.""Just when you think you have everything lined up and ready to go ... be ready to order another LOR box.""Calculate your amperage needs long before the Fall. If you need more access to power, and you'll need time to get it installed.""Assume you will need more capacity than you calcuated, because there is always NEXT year. And you will want MORE.""Start buying supplies ASAP. Start looking for sales. NOW NOW NOW!""A little at a time will be easier on the family budget than all at once. Plus, almost everything is more expensive when you are in a hurry.""Plan like you are preparing to build the Empire State Building. Spreadsheets, Notes, Drawings, More Notes, pictures, save favorite web pages, find a buddy on Planet Christmas, MORE NOTES. Trust me, you won't be able to remember everthing.""Start helping your friends out with projects all through the year! You are going to want them to OWE you some help. Oh, and you should plan on them not being around for the 'take down'.""It's a cheap thrill to sit in front of your own house in your car watching the lights with all the people who love your work.""Watch for Light-o-Rama to have a big sale after the holidays. So don't spend all your money!""And finally, "Light-o-Rama" IS your best friend in this endeavor. Just ask, and an answer will come with a smile and a helping hand -- from someone who started just like you!"Enjoy the Ride!Having said all the above, and being in the middle of my fifth LOR year. After all the hard work, the hours and hours of time devoted to it, and the expense ... I would do it again ... WITHOUT QUESTION!All the best to you and good luck, and Merry Christmas!I hate seeing members sell their stuff, think of the joy they brought to their town and family's...no spell check was done. so click away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 perfectly said....except for:"Multiply the number of lights you have now, times 3."minimum, times 10!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan.a Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 jim, been a very long day standinging in the sun. but wanted to express my thoughts. hate seeing long time members givien this up, and selling their entire display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travis p Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 lolso true so true im a good example saw one video now i got 64 channels and 1800 leds ok guys don't laff and have not gotten to light the first one yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 LOL Evan. Well said.I hate seeing long-time members give it up... but sometimes, things change several years down the road.Good luck everyone and you better not give up. You're too close to me and I will have to pay a visit. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mitchell Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Heading towards my seventh year of animation, truer words have not been said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimCanfield Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 3 years under my belt and I agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caniac Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 jimswinder wrote: perfectly said....except for:"Multiply the number of lights you have now, times 3."minimum, times 10!! and "order zip ties by the case, one or two packs from Lowe's won't cut it". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Gillespie Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I don't think you could have explained this any better great job and yes it is sad to see fellow forum members sell their displays, hopefully it won't happen to any of us in the near future but the day will come when we will have to part ways with our passion and our toys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james campbell Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 maybe somefolks try to go too big to fast. I think some people don't have a choice to go big. I am going to have 32 channels with about 6 to 7000 lights and that way I get to look foward to adding more next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Blair Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 evan.a wrote: "It's a cheap thrill to sit in front of your own house in your car watching the lights with all the people who love your work."It's a great thrill - but not cheap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 This should be permenantly saved and PM'd to every new member with the above mentioned adjustments, don't forget to stock up on extension cords when on sale.The last phrase is so true, "And finally, "Light-o-Rama" IS your best friend in this endeavor. Just ask, and an answer will come with a smile and a helping hand -- from someone who started just like you!"Enjoy the Ride!This being my second year, you guys have been a tremendous help and support, thank-you again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Slade Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 WOW EVAN.A!!! Truer words have never been written!! As I sit here reading all of this, laughing hysterically, I can't help but think... (does this dude have a video camera on me, is he reading my mind!?!?!) TO a "T" it all fits.We started in Feb this year and it has been NON stop since!!! Even on vacation in BEAUTIFUL Colorado...(My wife asked me ....Do we have every thing?... My response ....YEP, I packed the laptop loaded with LOR and an extra monitor for animation!!! WE'RE READY!)This has been a crazy ride ... I haven't looked forward to Christmas coming this much since .... last year!!! :]As scubado said "you guys have been a tremendous help and support, thank-you"INDEED!!!! THANKS!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan.a Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 scubado wrote: "Light-o-Rama" IS your best friend in this endeavor. Just ask, and an answer will come with a smile and a helping hand -- from someone who started just like you!"Enjoy the Ride!!"Light-o-Rama Forum" read every post. forgot to add that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallleyes Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 One other thing you can add is LED lights versus incadecents.I have 60 amp service and will have 37,000 lights this year.I skipped the power box upgrade and went to 99% Led lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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