[sdiy] my annual DIY holiday project

[john mahoney]

Since my father passed away in 1996, I have assumed possession of the
Christmas tree that he "built." (Actually he had it built, though I believe
he made the first 2 versions himself.) My siblings joke that I *have* to be
the tree's caretaker because I'm the only one who understands it. My wife
and I love having it, but it does require a lot of work to assemble.

The tree takes 30 hours, maybe 40, to construct and decorate every year.
It's hard to keep track because we don't work on it all in one shot! And no,
we don't want to leave it together all year, but thanks for being the 1000th
person to suggest it. ;-)

Keep in mind that it looks *way* better in person. Sorry, no video -- yet.
Anyway, here is the perennial time sink:
    http://www.bitshifted.com/xmastree/index.asp

And, the blinking light bulbs actually make sound! It's a very very very
soft metallic pinging, amazing when you can sit a listen to it late at night
(when it's quiet). John Cage would have loved it -- and wired it with
contact mics!
--
john