diff --git a/leds.py b/leds.py
index 44593c1..ce5cbb6 100644
--- a/leds.py
+++ b/leds.py
@@ -244,8 +244,8 @@ class Adafruit_CharLCD:
             else:
                 self.write4bits(ord(char), True)
 
-def defaultPattern(n):
-    return (n % 255, n % 255, n % 255)
+def defaultPattern(n, t):
+    return ((n + t) % 255, (n + t) % 255, (n + t) % 255)
 
 class LightStrip:
   def __init__(self, data_pin = board.D18, string_length = 300, brightness = 1, pixel_order = neopixel.GRB):
@@ -254,17 +254,22 @@ class LightStrip:
 
         self.np = neopixel.NeoPixel(data_pin, string_length, brightness = brightness, auto_write=False, pixel_order = pixel_order)
         self.pattern = defaultPattern
+        self.tick = 0
 
+  def set_light_level(self, level):
+    self.np.brightness = level
   def pattern(self, pattern_callback):
     self.pattern = pattern_callback
   
   def tick(self):
     np = self.np
+    t = self.tick
     n = np.n
     for i in range(n):
-      col = self.pattern(i)
+      col = self.pattern(i, t)
       if np[i] != col:
         np[i] = col
+    self.tick = t + 1
 
 debug_statements = True
 
@@ -285,17 +290,12 @@ def querylightlevel():
     return 7
 
 
-def color(lcd, col):
+def color(lcd):
     lcd.clear()
-    lcd.message("new color:\n#{}".format(col))
+    lcd.message("new pattern loaded.")
     debug("NYI")
 
 
-def querycolor():
-    debug("NYI")
-    return "ffffff"
-
-
 def loop():
     lcd = Adafruit_CharLCD()
     lights = LightStrip()
@@ -303,22 +303,16 @@ def loop():
     level_max = 14
     idle = 0
     idle_max = 15
-    cur_color = "ffffff"
+    cur_color = (255, 255, 255)
     while True:
         debug("loop")
-        query_color = querycolor()
         query_level = querylightlevel()
         idle = idle + 1
         debug("idle value: {}".format(idle))
-
-        if query_color != cur_color:
-            if lcd.displaycontrol & lcd.LCD_DISPLAYON != lcd.displaycontrol:
-                lcd.display()
-            ccolor = query_color
-            idle = 0
-            color(lcd, cur_color)
-        elif query_level != level:
+        lights.tick()
+        if query_level != level:
             level = query_level
+            lights.set_light_level(level / level_max)
             idle = 0
             if lcd.displaycontrol & lcd.LCD_DISPLAYON != lcd.displaycontrol:
                 lcd.display()