Run a lightning node? It looks like a fun project but I don't fancy all the channel management etc. To be honest, zaps are the first way iv been able to actually use ln. When retailers start accepting it I will spin up a node, but till then I just see cost and no utility.
Discussion
It’s not as hard as you think if you don’t want to rely on managing channels.
A single private channel to a well connected peer will suffice for those sweet #zaps to/from your own node.