Madden Science started in 2012.  At the time I was living and teaching in Chicago and riding my bike to work everyday.  My route was nearly straight North-South then South-North.  I’d ride from Lakeview south down Halsted Street, turn west on Roosevelt, and arrive at school.  Most mornings were the same, after years of riding I knew the lights, the traffic, each and every pot hole, crack, and obstacle.  My mind would usually be focused on the day’s lesson plans.  And of course, the wind and weather.  On the way home from work I would either ride north up the lake path, or back up Halsted.  In the afternoon my mind would wander more; gazing at the skyline, thinking about things I could’ve done better that day, contemplating something I learned friend or a student during News and Joke, getting ready to play some beach volleyball, hoping that that texter doesn’t crash into me, you know. If I was heading home later than usual and with no place to be, I’d often stop at different points just to take it in.  After all, Chicago is the best city in the world, beautiful and energetic. One of those spots was on top of what we’d call “chocolate hill” – just south of the intersection of Grand, Milwaukee, and Halsted. We called it “Chocolate Hill” because when the weather was right, you could get a deep whiff of chocolate joy in the form of a delishly-scented cloud, straight from Blommer’s Chocolate Company.