got to agree the strobe thing sounds like a great idea, and it seems to work too

Just a couple of points:
The waking up from storbe light - Maybe this could be a control issue as much as a light level issue? Reduce the light level too much and you may not notice it when you need to.
But practice some good control techniques for when you see the strobe and you may find you can make it work

When I saw this a couple of weeks back it got me thinking and I think I may have another set up that may work.
I will try getting a cheap small analog clock and wrap the minute hand in tin foil, then place two wire contacts on the face. When the minute hand sweeps round every hour it will complete the circut and run a flashing LED. The pulse rate will be fixed at around 2-1.5Hz, fairly slow I know but I gues I'll see what happens.
May use more than one but overbrightness seems to be the main comcern so one may do.
Porb use a 9V battery for power but a small 12v outlet transformer would also be quite easy.
A little experimentation with foil and wire contacts should give acceptable results repeated everty hour
It may be a while before I get around to putting this together but will post up if anyone is intrested.
Just don't leave one of these sitting on a bench at the bus station, could very easily be mistaken for something a little more unhealthy

For ppl in NZ or Auzzie needing parts -
$2shop clock and either one or more of these:

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/
Search for part numbers
ZD1785
And probably same thing with bezzel and wires attached
LA5082

Sorry - Fixed... I think? Maybe I can join a bunch of wires and LEDs to a cheap clock but I don't do
HTML'n'interweb'n'posting'n'stretching too well