Christmas 2011

[AUChase]

Re: Christmas 2011

Well I been hard at work on my lights outside. I'm not done yet but will be fully running by Thanksgiving night. Here is a quick video I shot with my iPhone tonight. It's no where near as elaborate as a bunch of the video's you see online but it's something I enjoy doing for my kids and the folks in the neighborhood. There is no music on the video but I have it working. This was just more of a test run to see how things look, I have some more things to add and a little more editing on the computer. But like I said this is my favorite time of year.

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZtcS2r2nXWU" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

Pretty cool.

We have the kits at work that allow you to set your lights to flash to different Christmas songs. Is this something similar ?

[Happy29]

Re: Christmas 2011

Pretty cool.

We have the kits at work that allow you to set your lights to flash to different Christmas songs. Is this something similar ?

yeah it's a control panel that has several different channels for the lights and it connects to your computer through usb, and a program that allows you to edit the timing of the lights for each channel and loading the music. Then I have a FM transmitter hooked to the computer to broadcast the music as the show is being played. Here is where I got my controls, and software. It come with a FM transmitter that really sucked, barely made it out of my house, then I bought one by the C Crane company that barely made it to my driveway, finally I bought a Hilly transmitting kit that I put together, now I'm broadcasting about a 3 or 4 mile radius.

It takes some work and at time can get very frustrating, but I get quite a few people stop by each year to watch it. So the fact that the people of the neighborhood enjoy it and people come from around town to see it makes it worth it.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: Christmas 2011

Those lights are wicked but I would NOT want your electric bill!

[8]

Re: Christmas 2011

I forgot to mention my music tradition. Like I said before I wont start listening to Christmas music until December 1st. While at work I put on internet radio and until 12noon it's sports talk after that it's all Christmas. I'll listen to a station from back home in MD because they play some local Christmas favorites like "I want crabs for Christmas". Good stuff!

[joshuar9476]

Re: Christmas 2011

I was in Wal-Mart yesterday, and they were playing Christmas music. I wanted to punch the nearest associate i saw. Bah-humbug, too early.

My wife was also at the mall Sunday, and the kids got to sit on Santa's lap. How long before we're doing Christmas things in August?

[AUChase]

Re: Christmas 2011

They always start the Christmas music, at work, after Thanksgiving.

It's cool at first, but I can only handle so many Elvis Christmas hits

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: Christmas 2011

How early are the Christmas Parade's in your guys' area? It's Sunday, November 20th here.

[Segagendude]

Re: Christmas 2011

Traditionally, we decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving, and clean up New Year's Day....

[Happy29]

Re: Christmas 2011

How early are the Christmas Parade's in your guys' area? It's Sunday, November 20th here.

Problem here is any kind of parade we have has Mardi Gras included in it even if it's July 4th. Guess when you're from a place that's only claim to fame is the birth place of Mardi Gras they will include it in everything.

[superjames1992]

Re: Christmas 2011

I hate seeing Christmas decorations up already.

It's not even close to Thanksgiving yet!

[slickdtc]

Re: Christmas 2011

Eh, once November hits is when the holidays start to creep up. It's 2 weeks from Thanksgiving now, I'd say that's pretty close.

[8]

Re: Christmas 2011

[Graphik]

Re: Christmas 2011

I grew up a Jehovahs Witness and never celebrated Christmas until I was like in my early 20s. Even though I'm not a witness anymore and can celebrate Christmas as I please, for some odd reason I get hella depressed and scrooge-like. Like all those envious years I had as a youth up into my teens just made me flat out bitter. And its not that I do it on purpose, it just happens. The initial disappointment I felt when I was young still haunts me on Christmas day. No matter if I recieved a gift or not, I just wanna cry on Christmas. Way to many bad memories of waking up with nothing.

Anyway, just thought I'd share that with yall. I dont really tell people this much. I wish it was some way for me to get over it but I cant defeat that feeling.

[ScoobySnax]

You have the power to change that perspective man. Rather than focusing bad memories of not receiving anything as a child, find someone to give to less fortunate this season. I'm sure it can have an impact on how you view the holidays. You're not alone in that feeling though.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

[Graphik]

Re: Christmas 2011

Thx man. Thats why I'm so humble now. I didn't have a upbringing like most so I dont value material things to hard. As far as giving, you can talk to the multiple homeless ppl in downtown chi I have relationships with. The bad memories just get to me though. You ever want something so bad but know you're not gonna get it? That was me every year during the holidays. I'm cool with it now but people ask me each year why I cant get into the christmas spirit like my demeanor seems nagative towards it. To this day, I cant watch certain christmas specials cause they depress me like a mother who had a miscarraige keeps seeing happy babies.