The Daily Valet. - 12/2/21, Thursday

✔️ The Sound of 2021

December 02, 2021

Thursday, December 2nd Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

I wish I could give you a count of how many times you’ve opened this newsletter in 2021.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

The Sound of 2021

Everyone is looking back at what they listened to all year

December may have just begun, but according to Spotify, 2021 is already over. Done. Because The Wrapped lists are here to take over your social media. You’ve no doubt noticed the posts or received your own customized infographics of the top songs, artists and podcast that you’ve listened to over the last year, chock-full of data, mood boards (and just a sprinkling of judgment).

This year, Spotify’s adding even more social media-friendly features that help you share your favorite music with a customized movie, aura, or playing cards. Naturally, you can share Spotify’s auto-created images on your timeline and, for the first time, directly to TikTok, reports The Verge.

For the second year in a row, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny was the most streamed artist on Spotify. With more than 9.1 billion streams this year, he beat out Taylor Swift, who came in at No. 2, followed by BTS, Drake and Justin Bieber, respectively.

And while it seems like everyone is posting their musical year in review, Newsweek reports that users have reported that they can’t access their list yet. Others simply aren’t Spotify users.

I, unfortunately, do not use Spotify. Instead, I pay Apple $10 a month for Apple Music. Don’t get me wrong, I like the service and how it ties into my phone, my computer and home sound system. But I always regret it when this time of year rolls around. Especially when the Spotify recap is, in a word, lavish.

I wasn’t even aware that Apple Music offered a recap until I was informed this morning. Apparently, the bare-bones Replay feature debuted in 2019 and hasn’t been meaningfully updated since. But at least I know how many times I let BTS lift my spirits this year.

↦ Get Yours: Even if you don't use Spotify, CNET shows you how to explore your music listening history on other streaming services, from Tidal to YouTube Music.

Supreme Court Poised to Uphold Abortion Law

Abortion rights advocates in Mississippi strategize for a post-Roe world

The Supreme Court seemed poised on Wednesday to uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, in what would be a momentous and polarizing decision to roll back the abortion rights the court has defined over the last half century.

The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, heard about two hours of oral arguments in the southern state's bid to revive its ban on abortion starting at 15 weeks of pregnancy, a law blocked by lower courts. The liberal justices warned against ditching important and longstanding legal precedents like Roe and abandoning a right American women have come to rely upon.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor used her questions during the hearing to urge her conservative colleagues to follow precedent and not politics in deciding the case. She noted that the sponsors of the 2018 Mississippi abortion law, which would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, had said they were pushing ahead with the legislation and a court challenge “because we have new justices” on the Supreme Court.

Jackson Women's Health Organization, the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, challenged the law and has the support of Democratic President Joe Biden's administration. However, the outcome likely won't be known until next June.

Partner

Would you like to be better in bed? This is a simple solution to a common problem.

Smoke Signals

Men who vape have a higher risk of erectile dysfunction

Remember a couple years ago, back before we had bigger things to worry about like a viral pandemic, when everyone was really worried about teen vaping? Well, a new report is causing concern again ... but for a more intimate victim.

According to a study published Wednesday in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, men who use e-cigarettes are more than twice as likely to experience erectile dysfunction than their non-vaping counterparts.

The study's large sample included 45,971 men aged 20-65, differentiated by those who have cardiovascular issues and those who don't. This latter data point is important, as recent research suggests that ED can be an indicator of heart disease, reports Neoscope.

Ultimately, none of this is terribly surprising says InsideHook. Smoking the old-fashioned way has long been linked to sexual dysfunction in both men and women, and is thought to be related to nicotine's adverse affects on blood vessel function, which you need in order to do the sex. As it turns out, many newer e-cigarettes have particularly high levels of nicotine, which means—contrary to popular belief—they're probably pretty much just as bad for you as conventional cigarettes, or at least just as bad for your junk.

The ‘Home Alone’ House Is on Airbnb

They’ll provide the tarantula. You bring the aftershave.

It's starting to become somewhat predictable. Airbnb has secured the Scream house and Carrie Bradshaw's apartment for these kind of publicity stunts. But that's not to say, these opportunities aren't cool or appealing.

Case in point: I'd love to relive my youth eating junk and watching rubbish inside the McCallister mansion from Home Alone. And now you actually can because the film's house is available on Airbnb's rental platform.

The only catch? It's available for one night only (Sunday, December 12), but the Chicago-area residence will only cost you $25. Bookings start at 1 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 7.

But they've gone to the trouble of redecorating the place to match the film, complete with a few harmless booby traps for you to set and all the junk food you can eat. Oh, and Buzz will be there to host you and he's bringing along the tarantula. Merry Christmas ya filthy animal.

↦ Fight Me: The original is a classic, but Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is the superior film and this is a hill I'm willing to die on.

In Other News

↦ MLB Owners Lock Out Players, 1st Work Stoppage Since 1995

↦ This 32-Year-Old Has Spent Over $125,000 on NFTs to Display in the Metaverse

↦ Here’s Why Movie Dialogue Has Gotten More Difficult to Understand

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

The year’s top dog names

A new floating city

This blanket-lined jacket

Partner

Don’t Leave the Party Early

Promescent’s discreet delay wipes are the key to a good, long time

It's cold outside, so you're no doubt looking to turn up the heat in the bedroom. But one of the most common problems men have in the bedroom often means the fun stops short. According to the Cleveland Clinic, premature ejaculation affects nearly 40% of men (though some doctors believe those estimates to be underreported). There are, of course, plenty of causes—from physical sensitivity and chemical imbalances to more psychological factors. But modern wellness brand Promescent is here to help.

Their best-selling Delay Spray is recommended by more than 2,000 healthcare professionals because it's so effective and reliable. Now, they offer convenient Delay Wipes that utilize all of the same technology but in a simple-to-apply wipe. Individually wrapped, they're quick, convenient and, most of all, discreet. Which means you can stash them in a bag or pocket and apply it quickly without spoiling any of the fun.

Especially if you're curious—and not ready to pay your doctor a visit—these wipes can keep you from shooting early. And the science is on your side. Studies have confirmed the efficacy of benzocaine, which is absorbed into nerve cells just below the skin to temporarily slow down a man's trigger response. Of course, a benefit of the wipes over a spray is that you can apply it only where you need it (so you won't feel overly desensitized). Which means you can stop worrying and focus on having (and giving) a good time.

↦ Get It: $19.95 / $16.95 (with Valet. discount) by Promescent

Duke & Dexter Scott off-white suede loafer

Special Promotion

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One of the attributes of a good gift is something that the recipient would buy themselves (but won't). This is why a well-made pair of shoes fits nicely into that category. DUKE + DEXTER is a London-based label that makes quality shoes, mixing old school craftsmanship with modern, new designs. Each pair is handmade in England the old fashioned way from sustainably sourced materials. From rugged, waterproof boots and handsome loafers to easygoing sneakers and the coziest slippers you'll ever slip into, there's something for everyone on your list—including yourself. What's more, now through December 3rd you can score 30% off all sneakers and driving loafers, plus take an additonal 10% off w/code CYBER10 with free shipping and returns.