The Daily Valet. - 12/15/21, Wednesday

✔️ What's Your Game?

The Daily Valet.

Wednesday, December 15th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

I’m not one to brag, but I’m a Jenga master.

   Cory Ohlendorf  , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf 

Today’s edition is presented by

UrbanStems

Today’s Big Story

 

What’s Your Game?

Digital detoxes and post-pandemic catch-ups have fueled a boom in game nights

Games

Have you noticed all the games on offer lately? It may’ve been due to my job as an editor during gift guide season, but suddenly I couldn’t click onto a site or walk into a store without seeing games. 

And not your standard board games. But fancy ones—stylish options made from high-end materials meant to sit out in the open and invite conversations as if they were functional, fun-loving art pieces. Which, I guess in some ways, they are.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see this “Connect Four” game crafted from tortoiseshell acetate or this lucite backgammon set. How about Sunnylife’s see-through Jenga style game? And if you’re feeling really flush, why not a set of carved onyx dominoes, complete with inlaid brass pips? Or a limited-edition Scrabble board made entirely from leather and silk?

They all have a certain swank, 1970s feel to them. Like, “please, follow me to the conversation pit for some games and the illicit vice of your choice.” Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing. Those were simpler times. Which might be the point.

In the weeks after the pandemic took hold in March 2020, sales of board games, playing cards and puzzles soared as people stocked up on in-home entertainment to while away lockdown. According to The Guardian, the easing of pandemic restrictions has led to another sharp rise—but this time with people meeting in cafes, bars and in each other’s homes to share a rediscovered passion for traditional gaming with others. And, I guess, if you’re going to play, you want your games to be good looking.

“Playing these games used to be seen as a niche activity by a dedicated but small community,” said Eventbrite’s Sebastian Boppert. “Today, they’re being enjoyed by many more people than before the pandemic. I’d say the need for digital detoxing and a trend toward slower, more mindful activities all played a role here.”

  Game ON:  The Smithsonian magazine has rounded up the best new board games of 2021.

Crucial Antarctic Ice Shelf Is In Trouble

It’s holding back what’s known as the “doomsday glacier”

Scientists have discovered a series of worrying weaknesses in the ice shelf holding back one of Antarctica’s most dangerous glaciers, suggesting that this important defense against sea level rise could shatter within the next three to five years.

What does this mean exactly? The destruction of the ice shelf could accelerate the movement of inland ice into the sea, eventually causing sea levels to rise by several feet and endangering coastal communities worldwide, reports the Washington Post.

The Thwaites Glacier is known as the “doomsday glacier,” due to the possibility that it may already be past a tipping point into a virtually unstoppable, runaway melt. “Similar to a growing crack in the windshield of a car, a slowly growing crack means the windshield is weak and a small bump to the car might cause the windshield to suddenly break apart into hundreds of panes of glass,” reads a summary of the findings.

The Arctic and Antarctic have been heating up more rapidly than the rest of the world. Last year, the Siberian town of Verkhoyansk saw an Arctic temperature record when temperatures cracked 100°F. And this summer, Greenland's ice sheet saw rain for the first time in recorded history.

Partner

Don't forget to send a gift. When you're not sure what to give, this is a classy move that really delivers.

Online Sports Betting Is Big

And the United Nations says $1.7 trillion is wagered illegally

With sports betting seemingly being legalized in more places across the United States with each passing day, above-the-board wagering is turning into a huge moneymaker for states. Just ask New Jersey, which took in more than $1.3 billion in bets a few months ago.

But as massive as it is, that pile of cash pales in comparison to the amount of money being illegally wagered on sports worldwide, reports InsideHook.

Per a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [PDF] that was produced with assistance from nearly 200 experts spread across governments, sports organizations, the private sector and academia, nearly $1.7 trillion is estimated to be wagered on the illicit betting market every year. The legal sports wagering market, on the other hand, is about $40 billion.

After the pandemic postponed or canceled a lot of sports, the betting industry is on track to come back bigger and badder than ever. According to Yahoo! Finance, the increase in the number of sports and events across the world coupled with “surging digital infrastructure has created a surplus amount of opportunities in the global sports betting market.”

Meet Toyota’s Little Land Cruiser EV

This cute concept car is all electric and ready to take on the new Bronco

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Toyota showed off a bunch of ideas for upcoming electric vehicles. Many of them look absolutely incredible, but the stand-out was this boxy little blue SUV. It's called the Compact Cruiser EV.

The Land Cruiser may have departed the U.S. market, but it appears that Toyota is looking to bring back its ethos in the form of this small EV crossover.

And while we don't have any concrete information on the powertrain or platform, Car and Driver says the design speaks wonders. With four doors, a tall and boxy body, short front and rear overhangs, and big fender flares, the Compact Cruiser looks off-road-ready and adventurous. It reminds us of Toyota's boxy FT4X concept from several years ago, but with even more FJ Cruiser–esque retro charm thrown into the mix. (It also gives off Suzuki Jimny vibes.)

Jalopnik also commended Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, for the way he discusses electric cars. He doesn't refer to EVs as some sort of panacea—as the only solution to reducing carbon emissions. He simply says that battery electric cars “represent one of the most promising options” to achieving carbon neutrality and the more options, the better.

 FYI: Around 295,700 electric vehicles were sold in the Americas in 2020, according to data by EV-Volumes

In Other News

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

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Partner

About Those Last-Minute Gifts

What to get your hosts and other hard-to-buy for folks

As we wade deeper into the holiday season, there are plenty of parties to attend, families to visit and friends to catch up with. So if you're looking for ways to express your affection and gratitude, send something UrbanStems. Our go-to flower source is known for procuring on-trend blooms and creating stunning arrangements that fit a wide range of styles. They prioritize working directly with Rainforest Alliance Certified farms in order to cut out unnecessary middlemen and deliver the freshest bouquets.

And they happen to have a fully-stocked gifting section with host gifts, table centerpieces and luxe home goods. If you can't be there in person, you could send a lovely arrangement to liven up someone's table. If you want to send a last-minute surprise, they've got bouquets, candles and even dried flowers that are sure to impress. Or if you've received a gift and need a quickly-delivered thank you, they've got you covered. Plus, their popular floral subscriptions let you have freshly cut blooms delivered every month.

UrbanStems The Poinsettia
UrbanStems The Clarance
Georg Jensen watering globe
UrbanStems The Revelry

12 garden roses in a Kate Spade hand-drawn glass bowl. The Revelry, $130

UrbanStems The Austria

Blue and green jewel-toned dried bouquet. The Austria, $110

UrbanStems The Madras

 Browse all gifts at UrbanStems

Valet. Holiday Gift Guide
Ministry of Supply

Special Promotion

Modern Gifts for Active People

Looking to give clothes that are more than just garments? Ministry of Supply specializes in stylish pieces that not only look and feel good, but are backed by genuine science. Based out of Boston and born in the labs of MIT, the brand's clothes are engineered for motion, comfort, easy care and the planet. From bio-based fibers to natural odor and humidity control, they're clothes that are built to move and engineered to stay fresh and comfortable. Some of our favorites this season are the Composite merino boxer brief (a new product that actively controls heat and airflow) and the Joule active legging (the most popular women's product, now in new colors). But there's something here for everyone on your list ... and don't forget yourself.

Ministry of Supply Composite merino boxer brief

New! Heat, humidity and odor controlling Composite merino boxer brief, $38

Ministry of Supply Composite merino mock neck
Ministry of Supply Velocity flannel pant
Ministry of Supply Joule active legging

Most popular women’s product! NASA Phase Change temperature controlling Joule active legging, $118

Ministry of Supply Fusion straight leg pant
Ministry of Supply Composite merino mock neck

 Browse more gifts from Ministry of Supply

SeaVees

Special Promotion

The Foolproof Shoes for Anyone on Your List

What’s something you can get anyone on your list that’s all but guaranteed to please? A good pair of shoes. Think about it. Who wouldn't like another pair? Especially when they're from SeaVees. The California-based brand honors its mid-century heritage by drawing inspiration from the company's archive and using time-tested production methods. The end result is footwear that's timeless, stylish and consciously crafted. What's more, there are options to suit everyone's personal tastes—from the coziest house slides to some rugged weather-resistant boots. Just make sure you know the right size, and you can't go wrong. Here are a few of the favorites we're giving (or asking for) but there are also plenty of options for the ladies in your life.

SeaVees SeaChange recycled vegan fleece slide
Mariners venture duck canvas boot, $178
SeaVees Sun-Tans suede chukka
SeaVees Hermosa rugged oiled leather sneaker
SeaVees Legend SeaChange wool sneaker

 Browse more gifts from SeaVees

Morning Motto

A reminder from “Abloh-isms” to be kind to yourself.

Being too consistent is a sham.

 Follow: @danielarsham

That’s all for today...

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