web watch 2006 - there's one on every block
You know the type.
He's out there in October stringing enough electrical cable to wire an amusement park. In November he's installing 5,000 lightbulbs and by December the local brownouts start as he tests his work.
He's the guy with the really big Christmas lights display.
Now if some of you get a sense of deja vu, it's because we've dealt with Alek and his lights before – way back in 2004 (it seems there was this little problem of whether your remote control over his display was for real or not).
Alek has since written us and, "Yes, was 100% simulation in 2004 ... but 100% real in 2005 and this year."
He's down a couple thousand in his bulb count (from 17,000 to 15,000) but this year he's got a giant inflatable Elmo, Frosty, Santa, and Homer Simpson powered by industry-grade X10 technology.
So give Alek and his lights another visit and throw a few switches (you can even instant message via his three webcams).
Also, he'd appreciate it if you threw a few dollars his way (he's collecting funds for the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research).
But not everyone is in the Christmas spirit.
Either that or the folks who run this site live in the wrong neighbourhood. Displays ranging from the tasteful to the tasteless get the terse treatment.
For instance, the Christmas decorations pictured here seem to be serving time at the crowbar hotel.
You may want to check if your display made their list.