2009 January : M&M Holzmann

Archive for January, 2009

AquaPonics, My New Thing

Filed Under : Technology, Videos by MixMasterMatt

Jan.31,2009

So…I’m totally hooked on aquaponics – the combination of aquaculture & hydroponics. I first learned about the concept a few weeks ago, in the business section of the local rag. Some folks in Escondido sell turnkey kits for $1200 USD. Well, with the new baby and the economy – and my generally cheap nature – I decided to make my own system. Several weeks of vigorous Internet research on YouTube.com, Instructables.Com, and a bevy of aquaponics sites (Aquaponics.Com, BackYardAquaponics – esp. their forums, and S&S Farms…to name a few), led me along my way.

In the video below, you can see the progress I’ve made so far. We planted our first veggies today, and I hope to add fish early next week. And, the whole operation should be solar powered by Sunday night or Monday afternoon. We should be able to raise up to 40 lbs of tilapia, along with MANY pounds of fresh veggies. In the mighty words of Zach De la Roacha, “We gonna take the power back!”

Tags : aquaponics

Fatherhood

Filed Under : Child, Family, USMC by MixMasterMatt

Jan.24,2009

In the words of Joey Russo, from Blossom, “Whoa!”

Every day, I fall more in love. Every day, she develops. Every day, I wonder if she can wrap me any further around her finger. And, every day, she does.

Today, we received a letter from my commanding officer. While I’m sure it’s the same letter every other father in our unit receives, it was still special. As I read the letter aloud to Maira, I was brought to tears by the weight of the message. The letter was addressed to our daughter, and it expressed a sense of import regarding our mission as Marines, the role I play in our unit, and feeling of loss every deploying parent feels during our times away from home and family.

Reading that letter was sobering. The thought of Sequoia reading that dispatch some 18 years from now, when she goes off to college, was profound. It made my role in the Marine Corps feel substantial, my role as a servicemember feel essential, and my role as father feel incredibly weighty. All of which, I feel duty-bound to meet and exceed expectations.

Birth Story

Filed Under : Family, Friendly Visits, People & Places, Photos by MixMasterMatt

Jan.17,2009

MMommy is healthy after giving birth to our daughter, Sequoia Rae. She is also healthy. She weighs in at 6 lbs 10.5 ozs & is 19.5″ long. Pictured below:

UPDATE: Had a great message from “Aunt Jackie”, “MATT AND MMommy, YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A GIFT, A BEAUTIFUL BALL OF CLAY FELL TO EARTH TODAY AND YOU TWO ARE THE SCULPTORS.”

Tags : baby

Civilized Living

Filed Under : Photos, Travel, USMC by MixMasterMatt

Jan.10,2009

Currently, I’m in the field training for forward technology solutions. But, one needs to take time out for the finer things in life, like a good shave. A while back, I was turned on to ClassicShaving.com, by Brandon Harper’s review blog. Since, they have been my go to source for most things shaving. For Christmas, my mother hooked me up with a wonderful travel shaving bowl, which affords me the opportunity for a great shave, with quality soap, at a great price, with low Eco impact, and a terrific feel. Below, is a picture of my refined field shaving.

Thanks to my lovely wife for ordering some wonderful soaps, which arrived “next day”, despite ground status, from ClassicShaving.com. Maira is a week away from popping and being in the field sucks. I wish I could be home to support her, instead. Anyhow, it’s time fir bed after a very long night.

UPDATE: Normally, I’d reply in my comments section of a post; however, this calls for a post update to highlight some incredible insight by Mantic59. For any ‘old-school’ shavers out there, or anyone considering a switch, his blog is a fantastic guide on the subject. Please, check out http://mantic59.blogspot.com/.

Tags : shaving