| Our 2006 House: | |
| Our Previous Displays: | |
| Useful (External) Links: |
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Innovation:
Each year we try to make innovative changes to our display that have not been seen before in Ballarat. Past efforts have included:
Our Plans for 2006:
Preparations for 2006 started well before the 2005 lights came down. Dave had been tinkering with DMX control of the lights, for the last few years, however was inspired by the range of computer / lighting control products available from Light-O-Rama. These were the controllers used in the Carson Williams video of the Wizards in Winter, performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra that circulated like wildfire across the internet and email. After a lot of research and not too much pestering of Katie, a lighting plan was developed and a notional budget was approved. Like all budgets (developed by husbands to convince their wife that everything is under control) it has been blown big time and Katie has resigned herself to this fact... Besides, we didn't really want a big screen TV this year or to take an overseas holiday... A complete list of What's New for 2006 can be found here.
The high level table below depicts a summary of the tasks that still need to be completed leading up to Switch On and their status. Progressive updates can also be found on our Blog at http://vk3ur.blogspot.com
| Action Item: | Status: |
|---|---|
| Prepare equipment for 2006 Christmas season. | Completed |
| Select music and prepare sequences for 2006 Christmas season. | Completed |
| Commence 2006 lighting installation works. | Completed |
| Commence testing the lighting sequence - 18 November 2006. | Completed |
| Video tape the lighting sequences. | Completed |
| Lights On... 9:00pm @ 1 December 2006. | Ready for Action |
Donations and SMS Voting Competitions:
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During December 2006 The Courier Christmas Lights Competition will be coordinating an SMS voting competition for the most popular entry in Ballarat. Please Don't Vote For Us Using SMS!!! Instead please consider leaving a donation, in the Donation Box located at the front of our garage, for the Salvation Army. The Salvo's support our collection of donations on their behalf. Our gift to you is our Christmas Light's display. Your gift will hopefully be a donation to those less fortunate who need assistance at this time of year. Thanks in advance. |
Why Do We Do This?
Simple Answer... We Are Mad!!!
Longer Answer... The joy we receive in seeing the smile on someones face, whether they are 5 or 50 years of age, the questions such as "How did they do that?" and the innocent plea of a child to their parents asking if they can stay for one more burst of snow and see Frosty dance again...
Since June, our daughter, Juliette has been humming the tune to Sleigh Ride every day and banging on the door to the garage, shouting "LIGHTS!" and wanting to see the assortment of lights and rope light motifs of Santa dancing to the music. The pure joy of seeing Juliette's eyes light up and the smile on her face when she enters Dave's computer room, sits on Dad's knee, and sees the system in action while he is programming up the various musical sequences makes it all worth while.
Want to Know More About Christmas Lighting?
If you are new to, or interested in Christmas lighting, and would like to know more, we recommend the Planet Christmas web site and Forum.
Through these forums you will find answers to all of your questions, meet people with similar interests to you and maybe even discover the answer to the meaning of life...
Letter from Santa:
Katie, Juliette and Dave were lucky enough to receive a special letter from Santa Claus recently. You can read the letter here:
We hope you've enjoyed looking at our Christmas House and have a Merry Christmas...
Katie, Juliette, Dave and Yo Yo