Comments on: Wretched Excess?

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:39:39 +0000

We have had a minor version of that kind of thing locally with everyone along the length of one residential street vying to outdo each other for a neighborhood prize [a rather tacky yard sign, actually]. This year is only 10% of normal, and a lot of the individual houses that normally have really nice displays around town are also dark.

By: Steve Bates

Steve Bates — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:27:30 +0000

There’s a neighborhood in Houston, just outside of Loop 610 (specifically North Loop West), that must suck up a third of the electricity generated in the whole metro area when all the seasonal displays get started. Prospective owners in the neighborhood are informed in advance of buying a home that while one may legally NOT decorate, one will be shunned by all the neighbors, turned down on any requested deed restriction waivers, etc. … in other words, literally all but a handful of houses in an area approximately 6 blocks by 3 blocks have a yard-full and/or a roof-full of decorations. Thousands… perhaps tens of thousands… of cars full of spectators trickle through every night for two weeks, along with a few tour buses… the air along those streets is not always easy to breathe.

The individual displays may not match this one, but the overall effect is quite beyond description.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:12:37 +0000

Frankly, I would think the power company would be thrilled to offer some help with his project, considering that winter rates are usually higher.

By: Kryten42

Kryten42 — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:45:01 +0000

Well… I like it, and his previous Christmas efforts. 🙂 And seeing as it’s for a good cause, I wouldn’t mind if he was my neighbor. I’d even help. 🙂

I’d hate to imagine the power bill though. Ouch!

By: Bryan

Bryan — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:48:50 +0000

Of course, seeing it on a ‘Net video is not the same as living next door to it.

It’s not that it isn’t good, it’s that it could be better for the same effort. The guy knows what he’s doing, he just needs a musical director, and a sponsor, because that has to cost an arm and leg for the power bill, even if you ignore the hours of work.

By: Elayne Riggs

Elayne Riggs — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:27:10 +0000

I thought it was beautiful. I didn’t find the light show excessive at all, I thought it very artistic and a clever use of tech. I’m a big fan of public art.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 03:24:40 +0000

It may well have been both, as well as the department of transportation and highway patrol, as you know people will drive by something like this and stop in the middle of the road. There is someone else's light show with the "Bells" and whoever did it, was keyed on the wrong instruments. There are so many great and familiar carols, and the display would make a great back drop for a choir trying to raise money for a music program, that I just get a down feeling, based on what "could have been" from all this work, which I certainly appreciate.

By: Steve Bates

Steve Bates — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 02:24:20 +0000

"... his taste in music needs work." I dunno; I really enjoy that Hammond B-3 sound in "Frosty" myself. This is a tour de force, but more a technological than a musical tour de force. I wonder if he was asked to move the display by his neighbors, or the town.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 02:13:58 +0000

It would appear from this year’s video that the display is out in a field somewhere.

I one of the posts at his site he talks about getting a video at 5AM so there would be no cars. If he had that thing on at 5AM near me, the video would be featured in a court case.

By: Jack K., the Grumpy Forester

Jack K., the Grumpy Forester — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:56:52 +0000

…I believe he is today’s candidate for “The Neighbor From Hell”. His chances to claim the title look good…