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[ron thigpen <ron AT fuzzsonic.com>]

Some of these old houses have outlets controlled by a wall switch.  I'll 
assume you don't have these, but you might want to test just to be sure. 
 Often folks don't realize they have them till they become vexed by a 
suddenly dead outlet.

You could change out the bulb screw socket in your fixtures, choosing a 
type with an integral switch.  These are cost about a buck at the 
hardware store and are easy to wire.  (Take care with the line voltage, 
natch.)  You'd end up with two switches on each lamp and some potential 
for future vexation, but that doesn't seem too bad.  And you'd still 
have to walk to each lamp to turn it on and off, but you wouldn't have 
to go spelunking behind the sofa.

Then again, maybe the Clapper or some good old X10 technology would be 
your best option after all.

--rt