Everything you wanted to know about Slightly-Mad Science

(click picture to view video on YouTube)
This video appeared on Canada’s G4 TV show Torrent in September of 2008. This video answers the questions, of who I am, what I do, and why I do it.
Oh, http://www.slightlymadscience.com has a new look (still in progress) and I opened a Slightly-Mad Store. Right now it just has a couple basic items, currently sold with no mark-up. Check it out at http://www.cafepress.com/slightlymadsci
Add comment December 3, 2008
Slightly-Mad Science to appear on the Science Channel
Well, a clip of it, anyhow.
There’s a new show on the Science Channel called “Brink”, it’s a show that combines news about cutting-edge science with videos submitted by passionate geeks such as myself. One of my videos was chosen to show up in their first episode – Friday, Nov 28th, at 10:00 PM EST. Check it out!
This is actually my first appearance on US TV, and hopefully not the last!
Want to support Slightly-Mad Science?
1. Go to http://www.slightlymadscience.com and donate!
2. Go to http://www.cafepress.com/slightlymadsci and buy stuff!
3. Get the word out! Share this blog your friends can find out about Slightly-Mad Science! Or send my profile out to others you know that might like the Science Madness!
4. Submit videos you like to Digg, Slashdot, or Reddit, and when you view them on YouTube or Revver or Metacafe, etc, give ‘em a good rating!
Thanks!
Add comment November 26, 2008
Idiots on and off the road
Brief rant about idiots on and off the road.
First, someone whose driving style shows their idiocy, even while they’re parked!

If you purchase a gigantor vehicle, that does not automatically entitle you to multiple parking spaces wherever you go. Certainly not in the second row of parking from a busy supermarket. True, the cart corral does poke somewhat into the third space. But guess what? When I left the market, they had left, and those spaces were indeed taken up by 3 other vehicles. One of which was ALSO a truck.
I’m showing them a kindness by blurring the license plate.
The driver of this truck isn’t necessarily an idiot, but their sign is idiotic.

You can’t quite read it, but the sign says something along the lines of “WARNING: Not responsible for damage due to falling debris. Stay 200 feet behind vehicle.” The reason why that’s stupid is two-fold.
Yes, you are responsible if stuff falls out of your truck, the same as I’d be responsible if my fender fell off on the freeway and hit the guy behind me.
Second, unless you drive wearing binoculars (which I wouldn’t recommend), you can’t even READ the sign unless you’re already much closer than 200 feet!
(picture taken from passenger seat, by the way)
Add comment October 28, 2008
HELP! I was on TV (in Canada) and I never got to see it!
Slightly-Mad Science was featured in an episode of Canada’s G4techTV show Torrent. Problem is, I’m not in Canada and they didn’t put that episode on their website – so I never saw the end result. Help?
Continue Reading Add comment October 9, 2008
Parents, Teens, and Cell Phones
“I bought my child a cell phone, and next month we had a $800 cell phone bill!” – True story.
“My son lent his cell phone to his friend, and the FRIEND ran the bill through the roof!” – True story.
Most parents want to be able to stay in contact with their kids. Cell phones are great for that. However, they can also become more trouble than they’re worth. However, there are a lot of options to consider. Just like with their first bike, there are varying levels of “training wheels” available.
1. Cell phone “Big-Wheel”: Restricted pre-pay phones. The phone is restricted in that the parents set what phone numbers can be called FROM the phone – and what phone numbers can call TO the phone. And since it’s pre-paid, you decide how much money to put on the phone. Which at least removes the possibility of a $500 bill.
The Firefly ( http://www.fireflymobile.com/) is probably the best example of this type of phone. It is fairly minimal on features, but admirably serves the purpose of allowing your child to keep in touch, as well as giving you the ability to add more people that they can call as they show they can handle the responsibility.
Drawback: It does seem to have a reputation as a “kiddie phone”, so once your child is out of elementary school, they might not be willing to be seen with it – depending on their peers.
2. Cell phone “Training Wheels”: An unrestricted pre-pay phone. You can select many with all sorts of features, texting, games, music, the works. The only restriction is that it has a set allowance of money. So they have a phone that doesn’t look any different from anyone else’s, but they know they have to manage their minutes so they don’t run out. Most carriers offer good rates, as well as package deals regarding texting and minutes – which can make them even cheaper.
Personally, I think Virgin Mobile ( http://www.virginmobileusa.com) has the best prices/plans, as well as a good network (they use the Sprint network). Their phones are good, but not exceptional. Our teen has the Switch Back, and each month we add $20 to the phone – $5 goes to a block of minutes, $5 to a block of internet use, and $5 goes to a block of texting. The remaining $5 kicks in if she goes over on any of the above.
3. Cell phone “Mountain Bike” – Standard Plans.
I would only consider this to be an option if your teen has shown themselves to be responsible when given no limits, your plan allows you to block overages, or your teen is capable of being able to pay you when they go over.
Overall, I’d say it’s best to go with the minimum to get the job done, and leave yourself the possibility of expanding to something better when they show they can handle the responsibility. That way you have room to grow and they feel they’ve accomplished something by getting something better. That’s always a better scenario than giving them an iPhone right out of the gate – and having to deal with a $800 phone bill. You can always get them an iPod touch, and a pre-paid phone.
Add comment August 18, 2008
New Video! Magnesium and the Attack of the Memes!
New video on both the ’splodey properties of magnesium, but also mixed up parodies of some internet memes of 2007!
Continue Reading Add comment May 30, 2008
My response to rising gas prices…Start pedaling!
I’ve been cycling on and off for the past 4 years, more for fun and exercise than for practicality. However, rising energy costs and such provides me with a great excuse to ride more often.
I no longer ride a bike, haven’t ridden one for over 2 years.
“What? You just said you’re riding more often, you lying bastard!”
I might be a bastard (sometimes), but I’m not lying. I’m a big guy, so riding on a bike saddle (no matter how much gel padding one uses) is not a comfortable experience. So a couple years ago, I bought a recumbent trike.
Unmodified Sun EZ3-USX
Recumbents don’t have little saddles. They have a SEAT. Heck, it’s an actual chair. I chose a trike instead of a recumbent bike because of the increased stability of three wheels. I chose the Sun EZ3-USX as it’s an “entry level” model. Still not cheap (about $1,000), but much less that other trikes. I paid more for under-seat steering, but I thought that’d be more comfortable. Is it ever. It’s more like pedaling an easy chair instead of a bike. Mind you, with all of the modifications I’ve made, it weighs over 100 lbs. So it’s a little slow on the hills, but once you get used to it, it’s not so bad. You just gotta get your “‘bent legs.” You can’t use your weight like you can on a bike, but you’re braced against the seat back, so you can use your leg muscles more effectively.
Speaking of modifications…
1. Primo Comet Kevlar-belt tires. Yes, I have bullet-proof material in my tires. I can’t recommend them enough if you’re riding on city streets. I had a lot of flats until I upgraded to these. I also use thorn-resistant tubes and tire liners as well, but nothing has yet to get through the belt.


2. Lights! Visibility is a good thing. You sit lower to the ground (about the same as a car) than on a bike, so you want people in cars to see you. So I have headlights on the front, and red blinky lights on the back. During the day, I’m hard to miss since I might be the only person in the city riding a ‘bent trike. It tends to get a lot of attention.

3. Bike computer. It’s nice to know how fast you’re going and to keep track of your distance rode.

4. Electric assist motor. There are days when you’re not feeling up to a 7-mile or more trek, or you’re really getting killed by a hill. That’s where the electric assist comes in. Note I said “assist.” I only use it occasionally, and I pedal when it’s in use. I can maintain 12-15 MPH on the trike by myself, but I can maintain 18-20 easily with the pedal/motor combo. When I get to my destination, I disconnect the battery pack and carry it elsewhere to recharge. It also comes in handy for an acceleration boost when traffic lights turn green, so motorists behind me don’t have to wait for me as long for me to get about 370 lbs (me and trike) moving. I picked Wilderness Energy because they’re inexpensive and reliable.
5. Rain gear (pants, jacket, helmet cover) stowed on the trike, just in case.

6. Toe clips. Allows you to “pull” as well as “push” on the pedals, and makes sure your feet don’t fly off when you hit bumps. Not quite as good as clipless pedals, but far cheaper, and don’t require special shoes.
7. Other than that, the typical bike equipment. Portable tire pump, tool kit, spare tubes, bike bag, pedals with toe clips, etc etc.
8. Modified a cargo carrier to carry my trike. I have a small 4-door sedan – it won’t fit inside or on top, so I added a trailer hitch and did some welding.
I am currently committed to triking to work (about 7 miles each way) at least every other day until weather gets below 40 degrees. With the right gear and attitude, it’s definitely a realistic goal, even in Ohio. There are people that ride in far WORSE weather (for FUN), so I can rely on their tips to advise me.
So, if you like riding, but get a bit saddle-sore… Recumbents (trikes/bikes) are a good way to go.

3 comments May 30, 2008
Benji even referenced Queen’s “Radio Ga Ga” during one of their songs. More points from me – even if most of the crowd probably didn’t get it.

After trying to speak up to get his attention, I just reach up and tap his elbow. “Excuse me, could you please watch your beer, you’re spilling it,” I said – trying to be diplomatic about the whole thing. Metal Concert = stupid drunk people. It’s normal. 
He then looks at me and my wife (who’s glaring at him, I just didn’t know it), and I can feel things getting a little tense. I’m used to this stuff at metal concerts, so I just keep an eye on both of them, not backing down, but not escalating either. If they’re gonna do something I’ll be ready, but I’m gonna give them the chance to back off, too. The idiot on the upper level says “Don’t make me come down there!” *sigh*
Suddenly I’m going from tense to trying to keep myself from busting out laughing. I manage to keep a straight face, and either they got tired of the situation or my wife surprised them with her bravado, because they look away quickly and wander/stumble off. I’m still chuckling that my wife said that. 


