A Backup Plan for Christmas: Because the Local AI Guy’s Emotional Stability Depends on Electricity

The Local AI Guy’s Christmas Wish List — Episode 5: A Backup Plan for Christmas

By Thomas Seest | Dunlap.Today | Saturday, November 14, 2026

There are few sounds in the world more terrifying than the sudden silence of a computer that was working perfectly well only a moment earlier.

It is a dreadful silence.

A silence that reaches into the very soul of a man who has spent the better part of the day developing software, organizing complicated information, and supervising a small army of artificial intelligence agents that have finally begun doing what he asked them to do eight hours ago.

One moment, everything is proceeding beautifully.

The computers are humming.

The monitors are glowing.

Progress bars are advancing.

Seventeen separate tasks are running, another two are being prepared, and a complicated software experiment appears to be approaching a successful conclusion.

Then, without warning…

Click.

Darkness.

The room becomes silent.

The monitors go black.

The computers stop humming.

Somewhere in the kitchen, the microwave clock begins reconsidering what time it is.

Two seconds later, the electricity returns.

The refrigerator resumes running. The lights come back on. The television restarts.

To the rest of the family, this was a minor inconvenience.

To the local AI guy, it was the technological equivalent of watching a year’s worth of garden vegetables disappear beneath a herd of hungry goats.

And now, dear readers, I believe we have arrived at another essential item for the Christmas shopping list.

An uninterruptible power supply.

Or, as I prefer to call it, a device for preserving family harmony during electrical emergencies.

The Christmas List Has Become a Matter of National Importance

Readers who have followed this series may have noticed a pattern.

We began with the touching story of a groom who received a magnificent graphics card from his bride.

That led naturally to a discussion of why a man might require a server rack.

Then we addressed cooling and dedicated electrical circuits, because a powerful computer should not be expected to operate under conditions that would distress an ordinary refrigerator.

Last week, we examined the dreadful limitations imposed upon modern workers by insufficient computer monitors.

I proposed six as a reasonable starting point.

My family has not yet endorsed that recommendation.

Now, having assembled our theoretical collection of sophisticated computing equipment, we must confront a problem that could render the entire investment useless.

Electricity has an unfortunate habit of disappearing.

Sometimes it vanishes during storms.

Sometimes a tree falls across a power line.

Sometimes utility equipment develops a problem.

And sometimes, for reasons known only to the electrical gods, the lights blink briefly before returning as though nothing happened.

Most families take these interruptions in stride.

They reset a clock, check the refrigerator, and return to their ordinary activities.

This is because most families have not developed a personal relationship with nineteen artificial intelligence agents.

Nineteen AI Agents, One Electrical Disaster

For readers unfamiliar with the concept, an artificial intelligence agent is a software system designed to work toward a particular objective using AI, instructions, and whatever tools it has been permitted to use.

Instead of merely answering a question, some agents can carry out sequences of tasks.

One might analyze a document.

Another could examine a collection of business records.

Another might help write computer software, run tests, or identify problems that need attention.

Depending on how the systems are designed, several agents may work independently or cooperate on a larger project.

This can be useful.

It can also be complicated.

Imagine hiring nineteen assistants to help reorganize an enormous warehouse.

You give them instructions.

You assign responsibilities.

You explain which equipment they may operate and which areas they must avoid.

After several hours, everyone is finally doing useful work.

Then someone turns off all the lights, closes the warehouse, and sends everybody home without warning.

When the lights come back on, you must determine what was completed, what was interrupted, and whether anything needs to be done again.

That is roughly what an unexpected computer shutdown can resemble.

Of course, well-designed software can save progress, maintain records of completed work, and recover from interruptions. Not every power outage results in lost work.

But systems that have not been designed for recovery may lose unsaved information or require significant effort to restart safely.

And even when nothing is permanently lost, there remains the unpleasant task of determining precisely what happened.

This is where the local AI guy begins speaking to himself.

Sometimes in complete sentences.

Sometimes in language that would not be suitable for a church bulletin.

What Is an Uninterruptible Power Supply?

An uninterruptible power supply, commonly called a UPS, is a device that provides temporary electrical power when the normal supply fails.

It generally contains a battery, electronics to manage power, and outlets for connecting suitable equipment.

When the electricity fails, the UPS supplies power from its battery to supported devices.

The purpose is not necessarily to keep everything running for hours.

Often, the goal is to provide enough time to save work, complete a controlled shutdown, or ride through a brief interruption without losing power.

Some UPS systems can also help protect connected equipment from certain voltage problems.

Think of a UPS as a small emergency reservoir of electricity.

Suppose your farm has a water supply that occasionally stops flowing for a few moments.

A properly designed storage tank might provide enough water to keep an important process running until normal service returns.

The tank does not create unlimited water.

It simply provides a reserve.

A UPS performs a similar function with electricity.

It is not a miracle.

It is not a substitute for properly installed wiring.

And it cannot power an unlimited collection of computers indefinitely.

But for protecting sensitive equipment from short interruptions, it can be extremely valuable.

It can also prevent the local AI guy from walking into the living room with an expression that causes everyone to wonder whether something terrible has happened.

Five Minutes Can Be More Valuable Than Five Hours

Someone unfamiliar with battery backup systems might wonder why a person would purchase equipment that could keep a computer running for only a few minutes.

After all, five minutes does not sound particularly impressive.

You cannot watch an entire television program in five minutes.

You cannot prepare a Thanksgiving dinner.

You cannot repair a tractor, mow the yard, or persuade a reluctant family member that the spare bedroom should become a server room.

I have discovered that the last task may require considerably longer.

But five minutes can be extremely useful to a computer.

When the electricity fails, a properly configured UPS can give connected equipment time to finish or save important operations and shut down in an orderly manner.

Some systems can communicate with computers using a USB connection, a network interface, or management software.

When the battery reaches a specified level or the power interruption lasts beyond a chosen threshold, the system can initiate a controlled shutdown.

This can help protect information and reduce the risk of abrupt interruptions.

For certain workloads, a few minutes may be sufficient.

For others, longer battery runtime may be desirable.

The required size depends on the connected equipment’s power consumption and how long the system needs to operate.

And that brings us to a concept my family has become disturbingly interested in.

Mathematics.

The Unfortunate Relationship Between Watts and Dollars

Not all UPS systems are equally powerful.

A small unit designed for a home router or ordinary desktop computer may be unsuitable for a powerful workstation containing several demanding components.

UPS models are commonly rated in volt-amperes, or VA, and watts.

Watts describe real electrical power consumption.

Volt-amperes describe apparent power, which matters when selecting electrical equipment.

Both ratings must be considered because a UPS has limits on how much connected equipment it can support.

Battery runtime also depends on the actual load.

A UPS might keep a modest computer running substantially longer than a high-powered workstation.

And adding more devices reduces the available runtime.

For example, consider a hypothetical UPS with a 900-watt output limit.

That does not mean it can operate a 900-watt load for an hour.

Its battery capacity determines how long the load can run, and the advertised runtime may be much shorter at higher loads.

A sensible buyer checks the manufacturer’s load and runtime information rather than assuming the numbers on the box guarantee a particular operating time.

This is useful information for anyone shopping for backup power.

It is also the point where my family may ask why the computer requires so much electricity in the first place.

I would prefer to postpone that discussion until after Thanksgiving.

The Difference Between a UPS and a Generator

Some readers may be wondering why the local AI guy doesn’t simply purchase a generator.

Generators are useful devices.

They can provide power during longer outages when properly installed and operated.

But a generator and a UPS serve somewhat different purposes.

A conventional standby generator generally needs time to detect a power outage, start, and begin supplying electricity.

Even automatic systems may allow a brief interruption while transferring power.

A suitably designed UPS can bridge that gap, keeping sensitive equipment supplied during the transition.

For certain installations, a UPS and generator can work together.

The UPS handles the immediate interruption, while the generator supplies power during a longer outage.

This is a familiar approach in facilities where continuous operation matters.

It may also be useful in specialized home or small-business environments, depending on the requirements and cost.

Now, I do not wish to appear unreasonable.

I am not asking my family to purchase an industrial generator for Christmas.

At least not in this installment.

I am merely explaining that the subject deserves careful consideration.

A properly sized battery backup would be a splendid beginning.

And a beginning, as they say, is half the battle.

The Family’s Greatest Fear: Another Electrical Device

My family has occasionally expressed concerns about the number of electronic devices operating around the house.

These concerns generally involve the electric bill, the amount of available space, and the mysterious collection of cables that seems to reproduce beneath my desk.

I have explained that the cables do not reproduce.

They merely accumulate through natural technological development.

Nevertheless, I anticipate that the proposal to purchase additional battery backup equipment may lead to questions.

“Don’t you already have batteries?”

“How many computers really need backup power?”

“What happens when the batteries wear out?”

“How much room will this equipment require?”

“And why does the UPS in the corner keep beeping?”

These are legitimate questions.

UPS batteries eventually age and need replacement.

The equipment should be installed with adequate ventilation, protected from unsuitable environments, and maintained according to its manufacturer’s instructions.

Some units sound alarms when the power fails, the battery becomes weak, or a fault occurs.

Different models also vary in efficiency, noise, monitoring features, and replacement costs.

All of these factors matter.

But I would ask the family to remember the alternative.

Without a UPS, an unexpected power interruption may cause a computer to shut down immediately.

Without a controlled shutdown, unsaved work may be lost.

Without reliable recovery, the local AI guy may need to spend much of the evening investigating what went wrong.

And when the local AI guy spends the evening investigating computer problems, he becomes less available for normal family activities.

Therefore, I believe a UPS should be regarded not as a personal luxury, but as an investment in domestic stability.

I am surprised no one has proposed making them standard wedding gifts.

The Day Someone Unplugged the Wrong Cord

There is another sort of power interruption that deserves recognition.

It does not involve thunderstorms.

It does not involve utility failures.

It does not involve fallen trees or damaged power lines.

It involves someone looking for an available electrical outlet.

Imagine an ordinary afternoon.

The local AI guy is working quietly at his computer.

Several important programs are operating.

A complicated software process is approaching completion.

Then someone enters the room carrying a vacuum cleaner.

The person notices a power cord connected to an outlet.

Without realizing the consequences, the person unplugs it.

Suddenly, the entire computing operation stops.

The vacuum cleaner begins operating beautifully.

The computers do not.

There may be a moment of silence.

Then a voice is heard from the other side of the room.

“WHO UNPLUGGED THAT?”

The vacuum cleaner stops.

Everyone looks toward the computer desk.

The local AI guy has risen from his chair with the expression of a man who has just watched his favorite tractor roll backward into a pond.

Now, I want to emphasize that no household member should be blamed for an accident involving improperly labeled equipment.

Electrical systems should be arranged sensibly, and critical devices should not depend on mysterious cords whose purpose nobody understands.

But a properly configured UPS can provide an additional layer of protection against accidental loss of supply power.

It is not a substitute for safe wiring, and the UPS itself must remain connected and properly maintained.

Still, the improvement could be considerable.

The family could vacuum.

The computers could continue working.

And the local AI guy could remain seated, which everyone agrees is preferable.

The Thanksgiving Connection: Being Grateful for Electricity

As November progresses, families across the Sequatchie Valley are preparing for Thanksgiving.

There will be meals, family gatherings, and conversations about the many things for which we should be grateful.

Health.

Family.

Friends.

Good neighbors.

And all the ordinary blessings that make life worthwhile.

I would like to suggest adding one more item to the list.

Reliable electrical service.

We depend upon electricity for so many daily activities that we often forget how remarkable it is.

Electricity powers our lights, refrigerators, heating and cooling equipment, medical devices, communications systems, and countless other conveniences.

It keeps businesses operating and connects communities with information and services.

And, in certain households, it supports a growing collection of computers whose purpose family members continue to describe as mysterious.

When the electricity works, we rarely think about it.

When it disappears, even for a brief period, we discover just how much we rely upon it.

That is why I believe a little preparation is sensible.

For ordinary households, preparation might include flashlights, charged phones, and backup supplies appropriate to the family’s needs.

For businesses, it may include protecting critical equipment and maintaining reliable backups.

And for the local AI guy, preparation may include a properly sized UPS system and perhaps a second one for equipment that should not share the first.

These are not unreasonable ambitions.

They are simply different expressions of preparedness.

The Christmas Shopping Guide for the Power-Conscious

Families considering practical technology gifts may find several options worth investigating.

• A small UPS for networking equipment: Keeping a modem, router, or network switch operating through a short power interruption can help maintain local connectivity, provided the other equipment and outside connection remain available.
• A desktop UPS: A properly sized unit can protect a computer and important accessories long enough to ride through short interruptions or shut down safely.
• A UPS with monitoring and shutdown software: Useful when a computer should respond automatically to a prolonged power outage.
• A larger backup system for a workstation or server: Appropriate when the connected equipment’s power requirements and the desired battery runtime justify the additional cost.
• Replacement batteries for an existing UPS: Sometimes the most practical gift is restoring equipment already owned to dependable operating condition.
• A sensible power and backup review: Identifying which devices truly need backup power can prevent unnecessary spending and improve reliability.

As always, the equipment must be matched to the intended load and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

And because electrical safety matters, high-draw appliances, space heaters, and inappropriate equipment should not be connected to ordinary computer UPS outlets.

For readers who have no interest in computers, these suggestions may seem rather dull.

But I assure you that a properly chosen UPS can produce genuine excitement in the heart of a person who has experienced an unexpected shutdown at precisely the wrong moment.

I suspect it could even produce tears.

Although I would prefer that nobody test this theory by interrupting my electricity.

A Personal Message to My Family

Dear Family:

As Christmas approaches, I hope you will recognize the sincerity of this week’s educational appeal.

I have asked for very little.

A powerful graphics card.

A modest server rack.

A suitable cooling system.

An adequate number of monitors.

And now, merely a practical means of protecting this equipment from unexpected electrical interruptions.

These requests are not unrelated extravagances.

They are components of one carefully considered plan.

A plan to improve productivity, protect valuable work, and ensure that I can continue developing useful software without being interrupted every time the electricity decides to take a short vacation.

I am not asking for unlimited battery power.

I am not demanding a generator large enough to supply the neighborhood.

I am not suggesting that the family abandon its ordinary Christmas traditions in favor of an industrial power distribution system.

I merely believe that a thoughtful gift should reflect the recipient’s actual needs.

Some men would appreciate a new fishing rod.

Others would enjoy a set of tools.

Some might be delighted by tickets to a sporting event.

I would be deeply touched by an intelligently sized battery backup system with reliable automatic shutdown capabilities.

It is a simple preference.

One that requires no expensive wrapping paper.

Indeed, I would be perfectly happy if the UPS arrived in its original shipping carton.

I would even carry it into the house myself.

Depending on the model, I might require a hand truck.

But that would simply provide another opportunity for family cooperation.

With love,

Your Local AI Guy

Wisdom From the Front Porch

There is an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

It is a sensible principle.

We change the oil in our vehicles because replacing an engine is expensive.

We maintain our roofs because rainwater does not improve the condition of a living room.

We preserve important documents because discovering that the only copy has disappeared can be distressing.

And those of us who operate computers learn that protecting our work is usually easier than reconstructing it after something goes wrong.

A UPS is only one part of that protection.

Good backups matter.

Software designed to recover from interruptions matters.

Safe electrical arrangements matter.

And perhaps most important, understanding what needs to keep running and what can safely shut down matters.

These are useful lessons for households and businesses alike.

So as the holiday season approaches, I encourage families to consider gifts that make everyday life a little more dependable.

A flashlight can be useful.

A backup battery for a phone can be useful.

A power protection system for essential equipment can be useful.

And for the fellow who has spent the entire afternoon coordinating nineteen artificial intelligence agents, a well-chosen UPS may be the difference between a peaceful evening and several hours of technological grief.

Personally, I prefer peaceful evenings.

My family does too.

Which is why I consider this year’s Christmas request an investment in everyone’s happiness.

Now, should the family decide that a single UPS is insufficient, I would not object to a redundant arrangement.

Redundancy, after all, is an important engineering principle.

And if one thoughtful gift expresses love, it seems reasonable that two might express an even greater degree of preparedness.

I shall leave that decision to the family’s generosity.

For now, I am grateful for the electricity we have, the computers that continue working, and the extraordinary technological opportunities available to ordinary people.

It is a wonderful age in which to live.

Provided the lights stay on.

Merry Christmas, and remember: your local AI guy doesn’t need the world. He simply needs the electricity to remain available while he’s trying to improve it.

And perhaps one spare battery.

Just in case.

Editor’s note: This is Episode 5 of “The Local AI Guy’s Christmas Wish List,” Dunlap.Today’s continuing holiday examination of the technological gifts that reasonable families somehow keep describing as unnecessary. Previous installments have addressed graphics cards, server racks, cooling systems, and computer monitors. The author maintains that the series is educational, though his family has begun wondering whether the Christmas budget now requires a capital expenditures committee. Next week, we will explore the importance of computer storage and backups, including the disturbing possibility that several terabytes of additional capacity may not be enough.