A Little Peak at the Fun that Christmas Crazy Can Be
Yesterday I came across a CNN iReport Post about a house in Pittsburgh that has 210,000 Christmas lights. Yeah, it's not our house, but I kind of wish it were because the electrical upgrade required to power that many lights? Totally a dream come true for me (our box is maxed out, meaning I couldn't add another outlet if I wanted to). The video from the house is pretty freakin' cool, so I shared a link on twitter.
And was promptly met by Scrooges.
There were the "Imagine the electric bill" tweets.
There were the "I would hate to live next door to that" tweets.
There were the "That's way too much work" tweets.
There were the "That is going to give me a seizure" tweets.
There were the "There has to be something wrong with those people to waste that kind of time" tweets.
It bummed me out. Seriously, after watching the video? I was grinning from ear-to-ear. Sure, there is a lot of work involved in getting that many lights strung, but it's so totally worth it. One of my favorite things to do in the depths of December is to stand in our kitchen and watch people drive by our lights. We will end up with less than half the lights of that house (stupid builder and their stupid electrical box and stupid wiring GRRRR), yet people will stop outside and just smile. And smile. And smile. Especially kids. Kids will stand and shout, "Look! It's a snowman!" or "Look! It's Santa!" as they point to various lawn thingy-a-majiggers. I'm not a big fan of light sculptures, but I do have a few, and they always brighten kids' days.
Never one to be deterred by SCROOGES, I picked up Alexis from daycare today and immediately asked if she wanted to go see some Christmas lights. She is her mother's daughter, so of course she said yes. We high-tailed our way over to Whitehall to see THAT house.
In person? It's incredible. The synchronization of the lights to the music kicks ass. It is, of course, more subdued in person since video tends to exaggerate lights. I smiled upon realizing that one of the neighbors is clearly in on the gig since the display extends well onto their property. Alexis and I sat in the car with our windows rolled down mesmerized by the lights and music for well over 30 minutes.
Then we heard it.
The whining.
Someone who had made the effort to drive to see the house was standing outside being a Scrooge. They went on and on about all the negatives to having a so many lights--the expense, the work, etc. It was a long laundry list of excuses adults use, and complaints adults think need aired.
Wanna know what Alexis said when she first saw the lights?
"Look, Momma! It's so pretty!"
I'm so glad I still have enough kid left in me to be able to just enjoy some of the funner aspects of the holiday season without getting bogged down by adult worries. There's plenty of time for that kind of stress after the holiday season.
Look! It's so pretty!
All the whiny commenters on the CNN site? You suck.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Reader Comments (55)
I totally enjoy looking at lights and I certainly enjoying showing them to my son. But I so so so don't have the desire to put them up myself. I'm not being a scrooge, just lazy.
I'd much rather be a spectator than a performer in that aspect.
That is so fantastic!!! I just got the biggest smile on my face, and a couple times my jaw dropped. I especially love the falling snowflakes.
A few years ago, I saw a news article about a guy with the music/lights set up. He was apparently either the first or one of the first people to be doing that. He was a lighting engineer for the music industry or something (I might be getting the story all screwed up, so don't quote me). Anyway, I think the houses that put the time, effort and money into doing that are really wonderful to spread the holiday cheer.
Oh, and my coworker watched the video with me and told me that they sell the machine to time lights to music at Costco! So I expect to see your lights set to music next year, BBM!
You should go to Florida and Disney World, more specifically, Hollywood Studios to see the Osbourne Family light spectacular. We're talking over a million lights! And they dance! if I can figure it all out, I will post the video I took. Way cool, and I know that you would approve. :)
Oh, and EPCOT's lights are pretty sweet as well, plus there is a fountain! :)
Ironically, if you use LED lights it won't hurt your electric bill.
Last year we pulled 53 amps...this year with LED lights we pull 13...we're still trying to be green as we possibly can.
The most money spent on these kinds of displays happens with the controller's. Electricity is the least of it...
I grew up near that house.. they have been doing it for years. Its always so amazing!