---
id: 2026-01-19T18:13:00-05:00
aliases: []
title: 2026-01-19 18:13:??
tags:
  - type/timestamped
dg-publish: true
---
# 2026-01-19 18:13:??

### Smart Home

One of the most exciting aspects of home ownership to me
is that I'll finally be able to go full smart home.

A programmable thermostat is at the top of my todo list,
for energy efficiency, but mostly habit enforcement.
I can not sleep without blankets, and I can not sleep hot.
Turning on the lights as an alarm is usually effective,
but when it's cold I find it hard not to cover my face and go back to sleep.

In general, the ability to make one's house unfit for relaxation
at certain hours of the week is very powerful.

Google's Nest is the stereotypical smart thermostat,
but devices using a local, non-Wi-Fi protocol
like [Zigbee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zigbee)
or [Z-Wave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-Wave)
ought to be preferred.

### Ulysses Pacts

The most challenging part of implementing Ulysses pacts with yourself
is that sometimes you really _do_ need to jump in after the sirens, %% that's a stretch %%
but if you allow yourself an out for emergencies
you will almost certainly use it inappropriately in a moment of weakness.
I know I will, anyway.
Rarely can my fear of disappointing myself
overwhelm the immediate appeal of whatever I'm keeping from myself.
