I have an alarm clock / noise machine combo and I love it. I prefer a phone-free bedroom to reduce distraction opportunities. I also completely agree that phone wake-up sounds are just far too aggressive. All it takes for me to wake up is having it change from “brown noise” to “ocean waves” and I’m awake immediately.
I second the suggestion of befriending the dog: get some good dog treats and essentially train it. Imagine the look on the neighbor’s face if everyone is outside and the dog obeys your verbal commands. Delicious!
Good idea! Unfortunately this chip doesn’t have a 5G radio 😭
I mean all the components have a purpose, none are just there for decoration
There is an RGB led in the lower right, so yes if you program it to! I didn’t make provisions for battery power on this one though so it’s not meant to light up while worn. The unpopulated spot in the upper right is for the microcontroller. My wife preferred the look of the processor missing so I didn’t solder one down on hers.
Boards are fiberglass at their core so most cutting tools work just fine—hacksaw, jigsaw, dremel, bandsaw. It’s abrasive though so a note of caution that it will wear out cutters quicker
It’s kind of like a microprocessor development board—there are a few different circuits to play with that are connected to the processor. So ultimately it won’t do anything unless you stick some code inside
(Apologies for ChatGPT, I’m not a great writer, but I couldn’t help but imagine what this would be like haha)
INT. KLINGON QUARTERS - DAY
Gowron, the fierce Klingon leader, stands before an easel with a paintbrush in hand. Worf, the stoic Klingon warrior, reluctantly joins him.
GOWRON (roaring) Today, Worf! We paint the glory of battle, the splatter of blood on our blades!
Worf scowls but follows Gowron’s lead, dipping his brush into the vibrant red paint.
GOWRON (CONT’D) (roaring) Now, Worf, let the brush roar like a disruptor, leaving chaos in its wake!
Worf hesitates, then starts applying the paint with a fierce stroke.
GOWRON (CONT’D) (roaring) Excellent! Let the canvas be a battleground, where each stroke is a strike against our enemies!
Gowron continues with his Klingon interpretation of Bob Ross’s techniques, creating a chaotic masterpiece. Worf struggles to keep up.
WORF (grumbling) This is not the way of warriors, Gowron. We do not paint. We conquer!
GOWRON (roaring with laughter) But, Worf! Conquer your canvas, let the colors scream like a victorious war cry!
Worf grumbles, attempting to make his battlefield scene more ferocious.
GOWRON (CONT’D) (roaring) Remember, Worf! Each brushstroke is like the roar of a targ, wild and untamed!
Worf, frustrated, accidentally smears paint across his forehead while brushing his hair back. Gowron bursts into laughter.
GOWRON (CONT’D) (roaring with laughter) See, Worf? Even the mishaps become battle scars on the canvas!
Worf glares at Gowron, the painting resembling a chaotic battle scene mixed with unintentional comic elements.
WORF (displeased) This is not the Klingon way, Gowron.
GOWRON (grinning) (roaring) Ah, but Worf! Sometimes, the true warrior finds honor in unexpected places. Art knows no limits!
I really hope someone has the skills to make a super cut video of this!
You guys have projects that end??
Lots of great advice in this thread so let me offer a complementary approach: when you find yourself feeling reluctant to work on the project, sit with that feeling and ask yourself where the sensation is coming from (and it might not be obvious at first—a therapist would be able to help you untangle the feelings).
In my case I learned I have a fear of failure. Once all the “easy” parts are done, and I don’t know quite how to do the next step, I start feeling uncomfortable. Not continuing is safe, because I don’t have to find out whether I will be successful. Learning new things usually requires trying and failing, and failing is uncomfortable, and our body is doing its best to keep us feeling safe.
I’ve used most of the other suggestions in this thread and they do work to varying degrees. But my TLDR advice is that these strategies are often coping mechanisms for some underlying lizard brain emotion going on. If you can gain some self-awareness about that emotion then you will gain power over it, be able to soothe it, and thus be less reliant on an external strategy.