Growing up Abril

Wow...first blog since April. Well it seems like Im back for now mostly because I need a place to plan.

So first up is I want to move out. I dont qualify for food stamps because I make too much ($8.90/hr wtf) which puts me in a sticky situation. I made plans based on feeding two people just in

case Adam decides to stay or I decide to pig out. Either way lol.

So first off I set my rent no higher than $800/month. I typically make at least $500 per check (typically over...but will set me at $1000 a month). Apartments Im looking into...specifically one is only $750.

Cool

I turned to my local CSA (community supported agriculture) for help on food. I found some local farms that arent only organic but cost about $80 a month for a box of fresh veggies and fruits. Seeing as Im trying to follow the new food pyramid now, I will be having less meat. However since Im oot and aboot a lot, I will kick up the grain a little more.

Utilities are still being added up. Im mostly concerned about this seeing as most people give me very off prices for utilities.

The one thing Im most definitely not worried about is the little tid bits such as toilet paper, hygienic stuff, blah blah blah. I excel in saving for

this. Hell I know how to make my own deodorant. Im set in this department.

Then I have my dearest pets. Rats and fish Im totally not worried about. Together they will probably cost me $30/year to feed and probably like $50/year to maintain in general. Dogs are where things get tricky...or interesting.

My dogs are typically raw/holistically kibble fed. There are raw feeder co ops specifically for animals. The thing is, a lot of the farms supplying to these groups supply human grade meat.

looks like I get a yummy discount. Yum.

So by working my way around, I think I got this.

Looks like I will be healthier, with lots of omnoms, and saving some...just by

using my noggin....hopefully.

Read More..

AND SO THE POWER THAT IS AQUAPONICS JUST KEEPS GROWING

 
Remember on Monday I wrote about both children and the More Mature members of our societies. Well I left out the middles. and the earlies. Say from 25 through to 50 years young. So what do I have to say about them. Plenty Brother..

For a start most people in this group are busy. They are busy from where I sit because to me, they look busy . They have lots to do, places to be, NOW. Yeah NOW is the priority in their lives because they are full of busy.

So how does a busy person have time to slow down to garden. Well! Its easy. Aquaponics....

Once an aquaponics setup has cycled and settled in, you dont have to spend hardly any time with it. Apart from selecting what we want for dinner, the only time I spend on our personal A/P unit is about 10 minutes per day and all I do is act like some commander surveying his troops. I walk around checking water levels to see if a bit of extra water is needed then I give the fish a bit of a feed, have a stroll through the grow beds checking that all is OK give the tomato plants a flick if its a Monday, (Yes Monday for me is flick day for the Tommys. Thats to spread the pollen in the air so fertilisation takes place. Just like you flick your sons ear if he needs it) Then Ill have a look through the plants for any bugs that may have found a way through the greenhouse shadecloth. There it is. A bit over an hour per week.

The only variation to that is a few seconds to adjust water flows if needed and once a week really study the fish, looking for signs of illness or stress and dealing with it as needed.

So that leaves plenty of time to go do "Busy" Plus youve provided a significant proportion of yours or your families food needs and the rest of the street as well if you are inclined that way.

Meanwhile we need to look for some new information......

                                               ...oooOooo...

The Twin Killers in Aquaponics – Dr Wilson Lennard
Dr Wilson Lennard is an Australian scientist with a PhD in Applied Biology. He has studied and installed commercial aquaponics systems around the world. In this video clip, he turns his attention to the future of aquaponics and the threats that can set it back many years.
This was filmed at one of my Aquaponics workshops in Brisbane Australia.

                                               ...oooOooo...

Next we have a Hydroponics web site talking about...Of all things A/P
In this set-up we are using the waste from live fish to feed our veggies. In turn, the hydroton (clay balls) used as a plant medium and the plants roots filter the waste and add oxygen back into the water for the live fish to breath.

                                               ...oooOooo...

Havent been here before
Ive created a new page called Aquaponics Extras to hold a few Special Topics regarding Aquaponics and ill start off with the Duckweed topic. Duckweed is an easy, cheap and abundant food source for fish. Its very high in protein (~40%) and could clean off waste water as well.

                                               ...oooOooo...

Now from the SQUIDOO Website:

Grow plants on unfertile land with aquaponics

Many people of all ages share the passion of gardening and growing fruit and vegetables. These people have the passion to see a tiny seed they have planted to reach maturity passing different stages and finally would like to taste the fruit and veggies they have waited for weeks and months sometimes.

                                               ...oooOooo...

Next up one of the guys on FaceBook:

Austin Aquaponics

Owner-Operator at HannaLeigh Farm, all natural pesticide free Herbs, and TilapiaStudied at UVI Rakocy trained at Nelson & Pade AquaponicsLives in Austin, TexasFrom Austin, Texas

The FaceBook Site

small scale commercial auqaponics, austin aquaponics, hannaleigh farm, Rob Nash, gravel beds, S & S aqua farm design, Speraneo proof of concept.The Video

                                               ...oooOooo...

If youre in or near Sydney Australia, this could interest you...

Event Description:

Every Sat, Transition Bondi and friends meet up to Learn, Dig, Play, Grow and socialize. With workshops from worm farming, to aquaponics to growing food the permaculture way.
This garden is open to the public and we invite new and curious folks to try some of the yummiest fruit and vegetables grown in Bondi! We also want to share the joy of watching natures systems work, the good times! 

                                               ...oooOooo...

Chatham hopes to break ground on new campus
The university has garnered $20 million to date in public and private support toward construction and program development at Eden Hall. Officials say a fundraising campaign will further support development. The ultimate dollar goal is still being decided.

The planing commission and board of supervisors in Richland will review the plan. It spans 20 years and includes about two dozen projects, from academic buildings and residences to a greenhouse, aquaponics facility and constructed wetlands.

                                               ...oooOooo...

Learn Aquaponics with Kijiji Grows

Submitted by Meg Bertoni Tue, 11 Jan at 1:10pm

Come learn aquaponics. Explore nature and how it is harnessed through the components of a recirculating aquaponics system: aquaculture, filtration and hydroponics for numerous applications. 

                                               ...oooOooo...

Now heres a guy from Western Australia. Read and enjoy and remember IT WORKS for him: my vegie garden is kinda happening, its taking me a while to get used to the raised beds to be quite honest & the formal structure. our previous vegie garden was down the back of a chook pen on 5 acres that wasnt visible from the house, it sprawled, quite often became overgrown & i just chucked things in all over the place. being confined to the raised beds is challenging me & my meandering herb garden on the ground surrounding the beds is doing far better as i just chuck things in randomly.

                                               ...oooOooo...

What is Aquaponics? (Video)

by Chef Felisha on January 11, 2011

[Translate]

Aquaponics is a way of growing food that has a symbiotic relationship between the water, fish and vegetation. It is a wonderful alternative to other types of farming and when done well can add to the quality of our communities. 

                                               ...oooOooo...

OK I think everyone is going to enjoy this one...:
ITPWC is a phytoremediation device based on the Eco-Machine systems developed by Dr. John Todd* and research done by the ITPWC team on aquaponics systems. Built in the men’s bathroom on the ITP floor, our inspiration for this project was to create a system that made a positive impact on air quality while also improving the overall ambiance of the space.

                                               ...oooOooo...

Finally from E-Zine articles: 

Aquaponics media needs to be chemically inert, porous, stable and easily replenished. There are several aquaponic medias, like coconut husk, expanded clay, expanded slate, gravel, peat moss, perlite, rockwool, sand, and vermiculite. Each providing there own unique characteristics and benefits in different proportions.


I think you have some really good fodder to chew through here
Take Care
O Z Z I E

Read More..

The art of being human

Im sure when the slave ant looks to us, they look to us and ask the world why they cant be human?  Being human means making your own decisions and stepping on animals nowhere near as "great" and changing the world.

What the ant doesnt understand is that great power leads to great destruction, not only to the world but oneself.

Im not being pessimistic today...really.  I have been destroying myself lately.  Not physically...just mentally.

I think it is safe to say that most women pull themselves out of their own mental trouble eventually.  I can say that my mind is emotionally scrambled and deteriorating but I will get on a platform and fix it eventually.  That is who I am but until then....

Its the fact that, there was something I had very dear to me, a flower.  It wilted not because of any natural cause but because I, as a human, forced it to.  I didnt want to but the people around me convinced me that it was the best thing to do.  I didnt regret it till now really...now when everyone is getting flowers and all will get to see them bloom.  I feel like I should feel happy especially since one of those flowers belongs to a dear friend of mine.  Deep down inside, I am happy ecstatic for her!  But on top of all that happiness is jealousy.

I have been a sour person to her in some points of life.  I have always been jealous to be honest.  Im not as sincere, nice, pretty or smart which turned into me not being as laid back as I used to be...


...as laid back as her....


But dear world, I have never tried to be like her honestly.  It is a mere coincidence that we like a lot of the same things.  I can safely say that I love many things that she hates and were ok with that.  After all, were two different people!
Who am I to make the flowers of life wait for me when they have nothing to do with me?  It isnt really her.  In fact, I think that I can easily say this is jealousy overload.  EVERYONE around me is doing it...except me.  Heck I even get to watch as another best friend pair does it together.
I hate the fact that I can be so honest with myself about things like this.

Dearest loving friend you know who you are.  I cant say this to your face because...well youve known me long enough to know how that goes.  Im sorry for all those horrible things I have done and I truly am happy for you guys.  I hope all goes well.


and that is truly from the bottom of my heart?



Whew that feels better.  

Read More..

eff

Totally terrible day yesterday. Well didnt start out bad...it just went downhill really fast. Maybe Im over exaggerating...


*sigh* its carried over into today....

and has become one of those times when the only thing that keeps you going is the hope that tomorrow will be better...that time will fix it all.

But in reality I think Im tired of waiting...

Even the strongest man can only carry the extra weight around before they can get tired. They just cant keep doing it =

So in happy news...I got to eat nice food yesterday thanks to Adam. Not really used to fresh food but hey...not gonna complain about that. Also since I was so effing depressed last night I went to bed at 8 and probably passed out around 9. So yup all energized right now =]

Read More..

two songs stuck in my head

So Ive been singing Gotta feeling by Black Eye Peas...for like five days.

The other song? Its a little kids song called Senor Don Gato and is about a cat that gets a letter to get married but dances himself off a roof and dies LOL

lyrics (en inglès)

Oh Senor Don Gato was a cat

On a high red roof Don Gato sat

He went there to read a letter,

Meow, meow, meow

Where the reading light was better,2

Meow, meow, meow

Twas a love note for Don Gato

I adore you wrote the lady cat

Who was fluffy, white and nice and fat

There was not a sweeter kitty,

Meow, meow, meow

In the country or the city,

Meow, meow, meow

And she said shed wed Don Gato

Oh, Don Gato jumped so happily

He fell off the roof and broke his knee

Broke his ribs and all his whiskers,

Meow, meow, meow

And his little solar plexus,

Meow, meow, meow

Ay Caramba cried Don Gato

Then the doctors all came on the run

Just to see if something could be done

And they held a consultation,

Meow, meow, meow

About how to save their patient,

Meow, meow, meow

How to save Senor Don Gato

But in spite of everything they tried

Poor Senor Don Gato up and died

And it wasnt very merry,

Meow, meow, meow

Going to the cemetery,

Meow, meow, meow

For the ending of Don Gato

When the funeral passed the market square

Such a smell of fish was in the air

Though his burial was slated,

Meow, meow, meow

He became reanimated,

Meow, meow, meow

He came back to life, Don Gato

XD

Read More..

Keeping your Records up to Date

I think Im going to have to wait until the new year to turn over a new leaf about keeping records. I think I have set-up and started a record keeping system about seven times now and every time I have a problem the records go out the window until I can finally come to gripes with the cause of the problem. This mostly occurs when I have a fish kill. I hate losing even one of them and I struggle with myself and tend to blame myself until I or someone comes up with an acceptable answer.

The fact that fish kills can be expected at any time and with no apparent reason doesnt change the way I feel.

So if you happen to have one or two floaters, and you get to feel a bit guilty about it.... YOURE NOT ALONE.....

Anyhow back to fishin and planting...

Clarendons Rural Agricultural Development Authoritys (RADA) extension officer, Orlando Rowe, was on hand to demonstrate such a method to patrons inside the Clarendon parish showcase at the 58th annual Denbigh Agri-Industrial Show....

There is money available..... Programs that work to research the development of aquaponics and...

 Now about those floaters....

Now a Lady and her favorite pastime....

Now some BSF News
I learned that these larvae emit a chemical signal that keeps houseflies away. Sweet. And chickens love to eat them.

And heres more on BSFs

And Finally....

See you Soon

Ozzie

Read More..

Unboxing And Updating A Texas Instruments MSP430FR5969 Ultra Low Power FRAM MCU

[Tonights post is by Ed Smith, a member of the Humboldt Microcontrollers Group]

I just received a Texas Instruments (TI) MSP430FR5969 LaunchPad! This is my unboxing post, Ill also cover updating the onboard programmers firmware for use with Energia.

Well kick things off with a few specs, or at least a quick product description. This is an unboxing not a review, after all.

The MSP430FR5969 MCU is aimed at extreme low power consumption, to the point where when it is operating at full power it consumes ~100µA/MHz. Thats quite low; at 16MHz its consuming a measly 1.6mA. In the various sleep modes the power draw is measured in handfuls of micro-amps, and in deep-sleep it even gets down to nano-amps.

The FR5969 LaunchPad takes that MCU and gives it a home, as well as a built in programming interface, breakout headers (with very nice labels, as well see later), buttons, LEDs, lots of jumpers, and a 0.1F supercap. Thats not µF, thats not mF, thats a tenth of a Farad, something that would have cost a tremendous amount of money a decade ago.

For bonus points, Energia already supports this platform.

The box is a simple affair, nothing especially flashy other than the rocket logos. Even those arent flashy per se, not compared to modern marketing anyway. Its a sturdy box, I approve.

Inside the box we find, not surprisingly, an anti-static bag with a LaunchPad in it! There actually is a surprise in here, Ill focus on it later.

This is the bottom of the board, in case you hadnt guessed.

Here we have the top side, there are hints of greatness here too.

The last thing in the box is a beefy mini-USB cable, to connect the LaunchPad to your computer for programming and/or power. Its very nice of TI to include this, and I appreciate it.

Out of the bag we get more detail, we can see the two user buttons plus reset button, a wide array of jumpers for controlling how much of the MCU core is connected to the debug/USB/power side of the board, as well as the supercap and two user addressable LEDs. Note the amount of text near the headers!

On the bottom there are two things I really, really like. One is the amount of pin information printed near the headers, Ill zoom in on it in a bit. The other is the plastic standoffs. This is something lacking in the vast majority of dev boards out there.

The board sits nicely on the standoffs and bottom headers, no worries about short circuits to metal tables no MCU tipping over when you try to plug something in. Its a small thing, but I appreciate it.

The silkscreen on both sides of the board is very informative, it gives you plenty of options for charging or not charging the supercap, using or not using the supercap, current monitoring, voltage monitoring, USB power or external power, etc. It also has significantly more pin information next to the headers than one usually sees. Not only the port numbers, which is standard, but also designations as to which pins do what. Serial TX and RX are marked on most boards, MOSI/MISO/SCK(SCLK) for SPI and SCL+/SDA+ for i2c are not usually marked, and they are here. This cuts down on the amount of time needed looking at datasheets and pinout diagrams substantially. I dearly hope that other companies will follow TIs lead here; they seem to be thinking about the end user.

All is not roses with the FR5969 LaunchPad however. Maybe it is roses, and were getting to the thorns now. In any event, there are two revisions of this MCU. The first revision to come out, and the new Energy Trace revision. Energy Trace adds a solid set of features to check where the energy is going, but it also requires a newer firmware version for the on board programmer. Unfortunately for some reason or another it doesnt seem to have made it on to the first round of Energy Trace boards! On the plus side, updating the firmware is fairly easy.

Updating the MSP430FR5969 EZ-FET Firmware via Energia

This guide assumes youre going to be using Energia to do your programming, or at least your firmware updating. Code Composer Studio also ships with an updater I believe, and you can download a standalone command line updater as well.

The first step is to open Energia and find the Update programmer menu. Its under the Tools menu and is not hard to find.

You will need to run this a few times, as there is a bug in the update script somewhere that times out after updating one device, and there are three devices on this board that need updating.

For the moment, run it until you start getting errors. I was able to update two out of three devices without any further effort.

Once you start getting errors you will need to close Energia and download the TI MSP430 Flasher utility, the command line program I mentioned above, you can find it here:
 MSP430 Flasher Link


Once you have downloaded and installed it, you need to open two folders. One is the MSP430Flasher install directory (click the pictures to the right for a larger size), the other is the mspdebug directory inside the Energia install directory. The pictures to the right show the paths on my computer.


Once you find the two directories you want to copy HIL.dll and MSP430.dll from MSP430Flasher into Energias mspdebug directory. Backing up Energias copies of those two files isnt a bad idea, I created a directory called "OEM" and moved the originals into it, then copied the new HIL and MSP430 dlls.


Once you have copied those two files, re-open Energia (if you didnt close it before, close it and re-open it) and run Update Programmer again. Instead of throwing errors it should happily update the remaining piece of firmware. If you feel like being sure, run it again and make sure its happy that time too.

Presto! Your MSP430FR5969 LaunchPad is now ready to use, enjoy!

- Ed Smith

**********

Read More..