Thanks to loads of security measures, no one has ever robbed the Bank of England. But if you ask whether anyone’s broken into the bank's famous gold vaults, the answer is a little more complicated. Plus: the English town of Burslem is about to dedicate a statue of a local rocker made good, Motorhead frontman Lemmy.

Has any gold ever been stolen from the Bank of England? (Bank of England)

Lemmy Forever Stoke-on-Trent statue unveiling ceremony and festivities announced (RadioX)

Backing our show on Patreon is golden

Many people like to get together from time to time for adult beverages. New research finds chimpanzees apparently also gather to imbibe and share alcohol. Plus: trading card fans in Japan are enjoying cards that feature... middle aged guys doing their everyday jobs and hobbies?

New Study Suggests Chimpanzees May Enjoy “Social Drinking” Just Like Humans (My Modern Met)

Middle-aged men are the new Pokémon and we’re here for it (Collector Club)

Let’s gather together over at our Patreon page and toast the success of this show

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from July 2020, the story of Pheasant Island, which is administered by several sovereign powers but not simultaneously. Spain and France take turns with it. Plus: auto racing fans in Lublin, Poland found a way to root for their favorite drivers while still social distancing during COVID.

The island that switches countries every six months (BBC)

Fans Rent Cranes to Watch Car Race from Outside Arena During Pandemic (Oddity Central)

Start your weekend off right as a Cool Weird Awesome backer on Patreon

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from July 2020, the story of how Canada got its name, and a few of the country's most interesting alternates. Plus: several Canadian Tire stores in Ontario had to briefly shut down because a glitch made every item the workers scanned show up in the computer as a Mr. Potato Head toy.

What Canada was ALMOST named (CBC Kids)

Canadian Tire in Lindsay temporarily closed after every item scanned comes up as “Mr Potato Head” (Kawartha411)

Join us as a backer on Patreon for just $1 a month! Or, if you like, just C$1 a month!

Photo by Zombie Leah via Flickr/Creative Commons

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from August 2019, the app what3words breaks down all the spaces on earth into 3 meter by 3 meter squares and assigns each of those squares a unique set of three words, giving us a new way to pinpoint our locations. Plus: Athens, Wisconsin is home to the center point of the northern half of the western hemisphere.

This Smartphone App Can Save Your Life with Just 3 Words (Interesting Engineering)

45 X 90 Geographical Marker (Atlas Obscura)

Back Cool Weird Awesome on Patreon and you’ll never feel lost

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from June 2021, a look at when the geographic powers that be recognized the Southern Ocean as its own entity, and also where the word "ocean" comes from. Plus: a South Korean designer develops a wearable “third eye” that watches for and warns you about any obstacles in your way so you can keep looking at your phone while walking,

How many oceans are there? (NOAA)

Dividing the Ocean Sea by Martin W. Lewis (Geographical Review via JSTOR)

National Geographic recognizes new, 5th ocean (WFLA)

A Wearable Robotic Third Eye That Alerts People to Look Up From Their Phones to Avoid Obstacles (Laughing Squid)

We’d sail on any of the oceans with our Patreon backers

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from July 2019, a look at Sad Topographies, a site that collects the most bummed-out place names on the map. Plus: If places with depressing names aren’t your thing, we've got an upbeat event: the annual World Santa Claus Congress in Denmark.

21 Of The Saddest Places On Earth From Instagram’s sadtopographies (Brilliant Maps)

Shades of Death Road (Weird NJ)

Washington State’s bummer place names, mapped (Curbed Seattle)

World Santa Claus Congress

Feeling bummed out by sad place names? Backing Cool Weird Awesome on Patreon could help you feel better

Today in 1917, the birthday of Ella Fitzgerald, a towering figure in jazz, a legendary voice, a star among stars… especially when she became pals with movie icon Marilyn Monroe. Plus: starting today in Georgia, it’s the Thomasville Rose Show and Festival.

Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe: Inside Their Surprising Friendship (Biography)

THOMASVILLE ROSE SHOW & FESTIVAL

Be a star and back this podcast on Patreon