This daily podcast is like a study group for trivia players. So today we're going to give you some trivia about the word trivia! Plus: today in 2010, the opening of the Burj Khalifa, a building so tall that at the top you can see the sun even when it’s dark at the bottom.

trivia (n.) (Online Etymology Dictionary)

Where Does the Word 'Trivia' Come From? (Merriam-Webster)

Dubai Burj Khalifa: Ramadan fast 'lasts longer high up' (BBC)

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Around this time in 2003, the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond introduced a new attraction: a 29 ton globe that people can push around. Here's a look at the mechanics behind Kugel Balls. Plus: an automaker adds a QR with a classic meme to one of its new vehicles. 

Very Richmond #9: Grand Kugel at Science Museum of Virginia (Richmond on the James) 

Toyota Literally Rickrolled the World During Its Huge EV Concept Reveal (The Drive)

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This was a bonus episode of Cool Weird Awesome for the people who make the show possible! It was exclusive to them until January 1,  2023.  

One of the classic changes people try to make at this time of year,  for better or for worse, is trying to cut calories. But what are calories,  exactly, and where did the measurement come from? Plus: a new year’s  tradition that’s perfect for our show: Hustisford, Wisconsin’s New  Year’s toilet bowl parade.

A Brief History of the Calorie (JSTOR)

New Year’s tradition: Hustisford hosts annual ‘Toilet Bowl Parade and Winter Fest’  (FOX 6)

Photo by Kevin Simmons via Flickr/Creative Commons

Our last show of the year is about the Plock, a very unique clock that doesn’t so much tell the time as it writes the time out. Plus: outside of the Idaho statehouse in Boise, the annual Potato Drop is taking place to mark the end of the year. 

This clock writes the time (Insider via YouTube)

Potato Drop 'excited' to be back in person to ring in 2022 (KTVB)

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Polish designer Iga Węglińska has a new way to help us stay in touch with our emotions: she's created clothes that will respond when we get stressed out. Plus: in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the annual PeepsFest is underway.

Emotional Clothing responds to the wearer's changes in stress levels (Dezeen)

PeepsFest returning to SteelStacks (WFMZ)

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Today in 1912 was the birthday of John Milkovisch, who took tens of thousands of old beer cans and turned them into aluminum siding and decorations for his house in Houston, Texas. The Beer Can House is now a local landmark. Plus: an 8 year old in Glasgow wins an award for having the messiest room in the UK. 

A Man’s 6-Pack Can Serve as His Castle (The New York Times)

Beer Can House History (The Orange Show)

Eight-year-old girl's bedroom is named messiest in the country (Wales Online)

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Iowa became a state today in 1846. And in the 23rd Century, the community of Riverside, Iowa is supposed to see the birth of Captain James T. Kirk from "Star Trek." Here's how the town made itself part of future history. Plus: artist Faig Ahmed's colorful rugs have familiar forms, at least until you see the ends. 

Star Trek historians headline the 34th Trekfest in Riverside (Little Village Magazine)

Ornate Rugs by Artist Faig Ahmed Ooze Onto the Floor in Drippy Fabric Puddles (Colossal)

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"Rust: The Art Gallery" is in Manchester, England, and it showcases the artistic effects of rust and deterioration, as curated by artist and longtime rust connoisseur Stephen Raw. Plus: two French artists create a set of geometric shapes on special paper that can ignite into what look like mini fireworks shows. 

This Gallery Is Dedicated to the Aesthetic Joys of Rust (Hyperallergic)

Incendiary poster series creates its designs with special pyrotechnic powder (Creativeboom)

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Every Christmas Eve, at 6pm, the people of Abbadia San Salvatore in Italy light pyramids of wood called fiaccole they they've carefully collected and stacked for weeks. On what's one of the coldest and darkest nights of the year, the work together to celebrate with heat and light for everyone. Plus: the story of an annual gift comedian Steve Harvey gave to a teacher who had something to say about his career choice. 

The "Fiaccole" In Abbadia San Salvatore: A Ritual Of Fire To Light Up Christmas (ItalianWays.com)

Steve Harvey Gifted a TV Every Year to the Teacher Who Said He'd Never Be on Television (Oprah.com)

Happy Christmas Eve to everyone, especially our Patreon backers!

The history of Christmas cards has taken some strange turns over the years, but maybe none stranger than when Surrealist icon Salvador Dalí made Christmas cards for Hallmark. Plus: Australia tries to prevent highway hypnosis by offering drivers signs with trivia questions (and answers). 

These Salvador Dali Christmas cards outraged Hallmark shoppers in 1960 (Washington Post)

Australian road signs among world's weirdest (Perth Now)

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