Music Sounds Great

Well, I solved the distortion problem. I wasn't able to make any adjustments on the MP3 controller or the FM transmitter; however, I fixed the problem by remixing the music with lower gain. The show is awesome now!

Q11 Installed

I installed one of the new controllers, Q11 in the network today. I also finished running extension cords from the bells and the music tree to Q11. Now I need to finish the music synchronization now that this controller is online. I hope that won't take too long.

I also installed a few lights in the backyard where needed. The show is just shy of 60,000 lights.

Installation Almost Done

I installed another 3,270 lights all in the backyard on the deck and the landscape. I just have the four Austrian pines left to decorate. I may get to that tomorrow depending on if the controllers arrive tomorrow. Yes, they were not delivered yesterday. I will call Animated Lighting tomorrow morning to see what's wrong this time. Maybe I should travel to Kansas City and pick them up. I may get them faster!

I updated the website today with more information and full versions of the scene songs. Check it out.

Backyard Install Continues

The night was warm, but I only had time to install the deck column lights. At least that's another 1,650 lights. The weather is suppose to be cold the next few days so I plan to finish the backyard over the weekend. I prefer to install in daylight anyway. Next year, I want to install all of the backyard in early October so I'm not doing it in late November.

I called Animated Lighting several times today to check on the controllers, but I kept getting voicemail. I will try again before work tomorrow.

Backyard Install

After work, the evening was sort of warm so I installed the deck garland. Tomorrow is suppose to be warmer so I'll install the eleven sets of deck column lights (2x12 tree wrap) and possibly the lights in the Japanese garden.

The controllers didn't arrive today. This is getting quite frustrating!

"Classic" Show Is On

I finished the LED Message Display and installed it in the Ash tree. I also installed the luminaries and the wreaths as well as fixing characters in The Nativity and Santa Snoopy scenes.

After connecting the last of the CAT5 cable to the Monster Brain, I downloaded the "Classic" show (last year's show) and turned on the lights at 1730. It looks pretty cool! Some people stopped to watch the show throughout the evening.

I updated the website too so it is more current.

Another Great Day!

Today, I left work at Noon and worked on installing lights and electrical until 2200. The weather was so nice. The temperature at 2200 was still 52 degrees! I would have kept working if I wasn't so hungry. I installed most of the trees and deer for the Winter Wonderland scene and more controllers and electrical. I now have 52,762 lights installed.

I have some repairs to make. Peppermint Patty needs her hair glued on again and her ice skating rink is not lighting up. Jesus's manger needs to be repaired with glue too. One set of wise men need lighting repair too.

I had planned on using a large, 6,288 light LED message display in my show to inform viewers of the FM radio station for music synchronization and other messages, but last month, the sign stopped working. I haven't been able to make it work. It won't boot up. I found software for $300, but I'm worried it might not solve the problem. I requested information on the software from the vendor, but they haven't sent it yet. Maybe that is a sign (no pun intended). I may need to make a hand-painted sign instead.

Well, the weather is suppose to get cold the next few days, so I can do the needed repairs and figure out what to do about the message board.

Warm, Productive Weekend

Ah, the weather was perfect for installing Christmas lights! Warm, calm, and sunny. I was able to install a lot over the weekend. Even the evenings were warm. I stayed outside until 2100 this evening.

Most of the installation took place in the front yard where I set up many of the hand-made characters in the various scenes. Most of my time was spent installing the lighting controllers and the extension cords. I sure do have a lot of extension cords! Numbering everything makes the installation go smoothly.

I had some trouble setting up the eight "Music" trees in the front yard because the ground was so hard. We haven't had moisture for a month so the clay is like concrete. Next year, I'll soak the ground with water first.

As of now, I have installed 51,351 lights. Tomorrow is suppose to be 75 degrees so I am going to take the afternoon off work to get more done.

Away From the Project

Hi! I am currently sitting in Sky Harbor Airport (PDX) passing time until my flight back to Denver. I was on a business trip for a few days and haven't been able to update the blog or work on Lights In Motion.

However, I did make progress on installation of show features last weekend. The weather was beautiful! I was able to install most of the electrical on the roof. I also installed the new fireworks frames and the Light Stripes, as I call them, on the upper roof. They are strings of 100 mini-lights that will be synchronized to music. I also installed the 14' Light Tree with 5400 lights, many of the snowflakes, and the new string of strobes in the Ash tree.

I now have a total of 39,579 lights installed. I have much more to install this weekend.

I still have to write the music synchronization too. I hope that won't take too long. It should be interesting. I also hope to have the website updated in the next day or so as well. Lots to do! I better get on it!!

:)

Time Hog

Well, I spent all day Sunday installing lights on the Ash tree. 2,650 lights and I think it needs a couple more strings of 50. I think the tree grew wider because I only had 2,400 lights on it last year. Wrapping every branch takes a long time, but the tree looks spectacular when the lights are on.

I installed a few things Saturday, but I have so much more to do. The weather was very warm. I wish I was able to get more done.

Today a bought PVC pipe to build new stands for the fireworks on the roof. I keep trying to find a better and faster way to install them. My plan this time is to build four 4' square frames, one for each firework. The fireworks are used in the Peace scene. The are mini lights that simulate fireworks exploding in the sky. I also bought a set of snowflake lights at Target to hang from the cables between the house and the light tree. I may need to retire the snowflakes that have been hanging there. They are getting old.

Great Progress

I finally had a chance to write an update. I made great progress on installation of lights this past weekend. I have all perimeter roof line lights (clear and blue icicle, motion, and ribbon) and front widow lights installed. Total installed lights so far is 25,290.

I decided to purchase an MP3 controller and two 16 circuit light controllers. The light controllers will control new features: eight 3' trees, seven bells, and several roof top light strings. All are part of new scenes with music synchronization.

Oh, the fiber optic trees weren't on sale so I'm going to use net lighting which used to be install on the Austrian Pines in the backyard. They will simulate trees with a triangular shape.

This weekend is suppose to be warm so I hope to install much more.

Countdown to Lights In Motion 2007 Begins

Welcome to my first post about plans, notes, and preparation progress to my holiday light show for 2007. Check out the lightsinmotion.com website to see past shows and technical information. This year I plan to add music and a couple of new scenes. I haven't calculated the number of new lights yet, but I expect the number to be around 4000 to 5000 lights.

Today, the weather was great, sunny and 77 degrees, so I decided to start installing lights a week earlier this year. I started with the light strings for the backyard windows. I thought this would be less conspicuous than starting with the front yard. I posted photos of the "Blank canvas" and the progress I made today on the website. Photos

I will continue to make postings here as the installation progresses. I'll also provide tips, tricks, and other comments about holiday lighting.

Thanks and enjoy!