By now we all have renewed faith in the underdog, as the Baltimore Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday with a final score of 34-31. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco earned the coveted Most Valuable Player award, hurling the pigskin to score three touchdowns before halftime.

Sandy Hook elementary school students kicked off the event with a powerful and poignant rendition of “America the Beautiful” featuring American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson, followed by Alicia Keys’ “Star Spangled Banner.” Beyoncé wowed during a high-energy halftime show, backed by a troop of dancers and her all-female band.

The much-anticipated Super Bowl commercials drew nearly as much pre-game buzz as the actual main event. Favorites quickly emerged, including the touching Budweiser ad, the cookie-versus-cream fight during the Oreos commercial and the demonic goat addicted to Doritos.

Super Bowl 2013 Highlights

A power outage rocked the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans shortly after the first half, leaving the stadium and viewing audience alike in a tizzy for over a half hour. The blackout was a not-so-subtle reminder that not even this monumental event is immune to hiccups.

Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl ran simultaneously, offering much-needed respite to a number of football-weary viewers. Sixty-three adorable pups took part in nine “games,” with individual performances drawing kudos for awards like first score of the game and MVP.

As a number of significant others secretly celebrate the passing of the Super Bowl as a much-needed break from the sport, others look excitedly towards the next year’s game, eagerly counting down the days until they can do it all again.

Photo used courtesy of Action Sports Photography/Shutterstock.com.

For coverage of the main event, the commercials and of course the puppy bowl, check in with Exec Digital tomorrow.  

His Holiness, at 89 years, has eight accounts linked to his name in different languages, and he is expected to begin tweeting on Dec. 12, answering “religious questions,” the Vatican said in a statement. @Pontifex, the English version of Benedict’s Twitter, had more than 486,300 followers at press time; second in followers was the Spanish version, @Pontifex_es, just having reached 112,000.

Although he hasn’t begun to tweet as of yet, the meme, or trending topic, #askpontifex, has already become one of the most popularized “hash tags” on Twitter. The Vatican said #askpontifex was the outlet for tweeting Roman Catholics and others to ask religious questions directly to this highest head of church.

@Pontifex has half a million followers, but is only following seven accounts – those foreign language versions of Benedict’s account, and the Vatican says it will stay that way. Currently, the Vatican will tweet in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Polish, Arabic and French, with more languages to be added later. One of his most notable followers, Israeli Pres. Shimon Peres, also 89, has tweeted the Pope a welcome to Twitter.

In addition to responding to questions addressed to #askpontifex, the Pope is expected to tweet homilies, blessings and the like, and respond to world events. Thus far, the meme has returned some serious questions along with a lot of jokes, judgments, frustration and sarcasm (@fjfonseca: #askpontifex A question about Faith: do you think George Michael could've done a better song if he'd brought Timbaland as the producer?).

Stay tuned for what is sure to be an inflammatory and interesting Twitter account, the existence of which is living, tweeting proof that social media and the digital age are here to stay.

Forbes populated its overpaid celeb list by calculating the return each actor brings versus what each is paid for their work on a film. Each actor's compensation was judged against the profits from the last three films they starred in within the past three years that opened in more than 2,000 theaters. Murphy''s last films (gems like Tower Heist, A Thousand Words and Meet Dave) have been garbage from a revenue standpoint (and depending on your sense of humor, a quality standpoint).

Katherine Heigl came in second on the Forbes list, as the actress demands approximately $12 million per film after box office breakouts Knocked-Up and 27 Dresses early in her career as a notable actress. Her latest flick, One For the Money, brought in only $37 million on a $40 million budget (an awful return considering a movie must make at least twice its budget to turn any profit).

The list calculated out each actor's return profit from each film for each $1 they were paid. Murphy returned $2.20 for each $1 he was paid, Heigl returned $3.40 for each $1, and third-place actor Reese Witherspoon returned $3.90 per $1. Witherspoon's How Do You Know  from 2010 returned just $49 million on its $120 million budget, a disaster from a studio's standpoint.

Sandra Bullock ($5 per $1 earned), Jack Black ($5.20 per $1), Nicolas Cage ($6 per $1), Adam Sandler and Denzel Washington (both at $6.30 per $1), Ben Stiller ($6.50 per $1), and Sarah Jessica Parker ($7 per $1) round off the list. From comedian to serious actor, it seems there is no rhyme or reason why these actors who once brought home the bacon now aren't, but choosing bad projects ("Drive Angry," Nic Cage?) seems to be a common theme. Quantity does not mean quality, and it would behoove these actors and their pocketbooks to consider which films they put their names with in the future.

Considering Bing Crosby’s version of “White Christmas” is the most memorable and probably receives the most air time this time of year, his home would be the perfect place to settle in at Christmastime.

Crosby's Rancho Mirage estate is located at 70375 Calico Rd, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, which ironically is a location that doesn’t receive a lot of snow directly, but has an unobstructed view of the snow capped mountains that surround it.

Crosby had the mid-century modern home built for him and his second wife, Kathryn Grant, shortly after they were married in 1957.

According to Zillow: “Crosby only lived at the Rancho Mirage home for a few years, before he had another home built in nearby Palm Desert. But the home still contains all the touches from the singer, including expansive indoor and outdoor living areas with sliding glass doors that completely recess into the walls, a theater room with projector, and a huge living room with a stone fireplace.”

The 6,700 square foot, six bedroom-six bathroom home is also available as a Rancho Mirage rental for $3,000 a night, which is another option being offered if the purchase of the home is too daunting.

According to Zillow's mortgage calculator, the home's monthly payment would be $12,075, assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year-mortgage.

Bing Crosby wasn’t the only crooner to call the Palm Springs area home in the 1950s and 60s. It was also a popular celeb destination for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe, who each had vacation homes in Palm Springs.

In the video, the 19-year-old actor, in a viral YouTube video, refers to the show as filth.

"It's bad news," Jones says in the video, which goes through a variety of twists and turns and focuses primarily on his joining his local church. "I don't know if it means any more coming from me, but you might not have heard it otherwise. Watch out."

Jones continues to talk about the show, referring to the "enemy," which presumptively is the Devil, and implies that the show is in cahoots with said enemy. Jones speaks about a variety of strange topics throughout the 14-minute video, discussing his desire to join an "all-black church," and talking about good and evil.

"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," Jones says, rambling during much of the video to someone who is presumptively a member of the same church as Jones. "You're either hot or your cold." The other man in the video quotes The Bible, saying Jones recognizes "he cannot be a friend to the world. He's either going to serve God or serve this world.

These ramblings may just grant Jones his wish, as defamation of his show is likely in breach of his "Two and a Half Men," contract. The show recently underwent a cast change, as Ashton Kutcher took over the spot of old star Charlie Sheen (who went on a very public breakdown himself last year), joining Jones and fellow start John Cryer.

Luxury venues were honored for achievements in the digital sphere, according to awards sponsor Prestigious Venues. In step with the technically advanced nature of the awards, the event was streamed live on Google+'s "Hangouts On-Air," feature so a global audience could take part.

10 Member Venues were awarded the Prestigious Star Award for a variety of innovations and digital connectivity, including:

Best Venue Website: qualia, Hamilton Island
Best Venue Blog: Royal Albert Hall, London
Best Venue Facebook Page: The Carlyle, New York
Best Venue SEO: The Langham, London
Best Venue YouTube Channel: Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Best Venue Twitter Channel: The Roof Gardens, London
Best Venue Google+ Page: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Best Venue Mobile Offering: The Cadogan, London
Best Venue Social Media Campaign: The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne
Overall Digital Star: The Langham, London

According to Prestigious Venues, the awards focused on digital achievements this year because of the "increasing role it plays in a venue brand's growth." As evidenced by the winners, venue types ranged from music venues to historical hotels to boutique vacation getaway spots. In addition to being hosted by Prestigious Venues, the Star Awards were hosted at venue award-winner The Cadogan, sponsored by Crystal Magic Studio Ltd. (an independent digital agency), and the after party was sponsored by Whisky Mist London.

"Search is increasingly dependent on a brand's social authority and social authority is built through social media engagement, blogging, SEO and so on," said Prestigious Venues founder Habib Amir in his opening awards speech. "This is what optimizes ROI in digital and what makes it even more important to highlight the value of excellence in digital communications by our member venues."

For more information and a full list of nominees, visit Prestigious Venues.

“What’s the hype about Montessori?” people are asking. It seems like lately Montessori schools are popping up more and more all over the world, in all cultures and languages. Rumor has it that it helps kids from infancy to older ages become self aware, self confident, social, independent and even develop basic reading and writing skills as young as a toddler. But those aren’t just rumors, according to research that has been done. In a study done in 2006 by Montessori Research, “children at a public inner-city Montessori school with children who attended traditional schools indicates that Montessori education leads to children with better social and academic skills.”

What is Montessori?

The Montessori method of teaching was designed by an Italian woman, Dr. Maria Montessori, who studied at the University of Rome to be a physician. In her time studying and in her early career, she studied children who were suffering from mental illnesses or disabilities. As time went on and she had own son – Mario Montessori- she continued her studies and went back to the University of Rome to study psychology. She studied Mario (as a “normal child without mental disabilities) and began to understand what children really needed in order to learn to their full capacity. She began teaching her strategy in a low-income district of Rome in 1907. She called this school Casa dei Bambini (Children’s House), which is still up and running today. Once other schools noticed the immense success she had with the kids, it began to grow rapidly in Rome and to Milan.

Dr. Maria Montessori wanted a child-centered approach to teaching that allows the children to learn in a natural way, on their own. Instead of “teachers” they have “guides” who they follow by example. There are no big, scary adults yelling, “No!” to them, rather a mature conversation and redirection. There are no pacifiers or bottles, only sophisticated youngsters carrying their own cups. There is no sitting on a couch to watch television, only purposeful activities that help activate the child’s brain to develop life skills (such as math or writing).

The method is based on scientific observations and has been tested consistently during its 100-plus years of existence. From Italy to Korea and from Mexico to the United States, Montessori is proving to be a huge success for children all over the world with all kinds of backgrounds and upbringings.

This teaching method is based on the four planes of development: infancy- aged 0-3, childhood- aged 3-6, adolescence- aged 6-12 and adulthood- aged 18-24. According to Karla Ballesteros, a Montessori teacher with 14 years of experience, childhood is the most important time for the child’s development. This is because at around age three, the child is consciously learning and absorbing information. “During the childhood stage, kids learn and develop more than they do in their whole life,” says Ballesteros, who studied Montessori in the Casa dei Bambini in Italy as well as in La Jolla, California. 

How does it work?

Besides the “guides” that lead the activities, Montessori also focuses on peer learning as well as self-construction, freedom and spontaneous activities. Basically, the children are able to feel free to make their own choices. There are uninterrupted, timed work periods. During these work periods, the kids are able to quietly engage in their choice of activity, watch others do an activity or enjoy the peace and quiet.

The environment, Ballesteros explains, is very important when teaching Montessori. “For us, preparing the environment is one of the three most fundamental parts of our method. Creating a place that the children can expand and be guided toward development without pressure or force. The other two fundamental parts are the materials for the activities and the ‘guides.’”

While the environment is calm and welcoming, the “guides” make sure that everything is within the child’s reach and each activity has a special purpose. For example, two jars next to each other, the left one full of beans and the right one empty. The child places beans from the left jar into the right jar. This prepares the child’s brain to learn basic concepts that they will need later, such as reading and writing from left to right.

“The kids begin their day here with us by cleaning their own stations,” says Ballesteros. This way they are learning life skills like taking care of themselves, maintaining a clean environment and respecting those around them. “Then for two hours, the children work in silence and focus on the different Montessori activities around the classroom. This is a time for the child to freely explore, try new things, learn new skills, all while being in a relaxed and natural state of mind.”

When it comes to babying and punishments, Ballesteros says that the Montessori method prefers to take a different approach. “Instead of blowing their nose for them or fixing something for them, we help them do it themselves. We show by example and let them follow us,” explains Ballesteros. “As for punishments, we always have ‘logical consequences.’ If you use a material, you have to clean up after. If you break something, you have to pick it up.”

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Although Ballesteros says that the childhood stage is the most important, the Montessori concept can be implemented with all ages. In the 1920’s, Dr. Maria Montessori began a program for adolescents where they were able to live in residential schools that provided a safe community in which they could practice real-life activities such as farming or selling their own handmade products. According to the American Montessori Society, Dr. Maria Montessori believed that by giving the adolescents independence, they would be able to develop the skills needed to work within society. And as Dr. Maria Montessori grew up in a time of world wars and sexism, she strongly believed in creating a peaceful environment.

Ballesteros emphasizes that one of the best parts of the Montessori concept is the mutual respect. “The children are respected physically, intellectually and emotionally. And I love the fact that the children learn in a natural way that is respectful of their own interest,” she says.

For more information about Montessori, visit: http://www.montessori-ami.org/

About the Author: As a prior writer and editor for The Daily Aztec and Business Review America Latina, Kristina de Novaes Soares has covered topics from politics and business to dating and traveling. Based in San Diego, California she currently teaches kids privately with Open Minds Education and freelance writes for multiple publications. You can visit her at itsmekrispy.comor follow her on Twitter @krispy386.

Kloss wore a leopard-print bikini with a red, white and black-feathered "headdress," and a plethora of turquoise and silver pieces of jewelry. Victoria's Secret described the over-the-top outfit as "inspired by Thanksgiving," at the fashion show, later making a public apology for the misuse of cultural clothing items and stereotypical American Indian ideas.

"After years of patronage and loyalty to the Victoria's Secret brand, I am repaid with the mean-spirited, disrespectful trivialization of my blood ancestry and the proud Native identity I work hard to instill in my children," wrote Ruth Hopkins, a columnist for Indian Country. "Well, I've got news for you, Victoria's Secret. Consider yourself boycotted."

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After several American Indian groups voiced disgust about the outfit, it was removed from the company's Website and will be removed from the fashion show broadcast. Kloss herself apologized via Twitter, saying "I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone. I support VS's decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast."

A geisha-inspired outfit was recently pulled from the VS.com site after receiving flack for its misappropriation of cultural stereotypes. The American Indian stint comes just one week after rockers No Doubt released a video with similar sexualized American Indian imagery. No Doubt has since pulled its video, "Looking Hot," saying on their website, "As a multi-racial band, our foundation is built upon both diversity and consideration for other cultures. Our intention with our new video was never to offend, hurt or trivialize Native American people, their culture or their history."

Written by: Michael Sullivan

Even the most casual conversation regarding the women of the James Bond film series can turn contentious in the time it takes to shake a martini. While the barstool arguments over who is the best “Bond girl”, as they’ve come to be known over the last 50 years, have little chance of being resolved any time soon, another debate still rages: the role of Bond girls in the films themselves. Each side has its standard bearers. Barbara Broccoli, who has been a producer for the franchise since 1987, stated that “The women were unique for their time….A lot of them were sexual predators who gave as good as they got. They had professional careers and did extraordinary things.” Feminist Fay Weldon responded that Bond girls are “male fantasy figures. These films were attempts by men to keep women in their place and ensure they still ironed their shirts.” Where does the truth lie in this spectrum of emancipated women and barefoot housewives? A look at some of the standout Bond girls provides some clear direction.

Honey Ryder: Her iconic introduction, rising from the waves and calling to mind The Birth of Venus, is one of the most famous moments in cinematic history. Unfortunately, that is the only highlight for the original Bond girl. Honey does serve as something of a nominal guide for Bond through Crab Key, but she rarely has more responsibility than standing around in her famous bikini.

Pussy Galore: In the film that put James Bond on the map as a cinematic phenomenon, moviegoers were treated to a radically new Bond girl. A trained pilot, Pussy is set apart by occupation alone and proves completely resistant to Bond’s charm in their initial meetings. Indeed, it takes a fight scene between the pair before Pussy is converted to Bond’s side and her work is essential to foiling Goldfinger’s nefarious scheme.

Teresa “Tracy” di Vincenzo: Notably, Tracy is the first Bond girl to drive a car and Bond is content to be her passenger as they are chased by SPECTRE. She is sexually forward, banters with Bond on his level, fights goons, keeps up with Bond on skis, and even tricks Blofeld. Is it any wonder that she became Mrs. James Bond? Cruelly, Tracy is gunned down by Blofeld mere minutes after their wedding, robbing Bond of bliss with a woman who could keep up with him.

Mary Goodnight: If anyone personified the incompetence of Bond girls that reigned for most of the 1970s, it was Mary Goodnight. Despite being an MI6 operative, she is so incompetent that she winds up trapped in the trunk of the assassin Scaramanga’s car when trying to plant a homing beacon, nearly kills Bond with a laser she activates with her bikini-clad bottom, and can’t even kill a henchman properly for in doing so she sets in motion the destruction of Scaramanga’s base.

Anya Amasova: From the very start Agent XXX of the KGB is set up as Bond’s equal when they are put on the same assignment for their countries. Major Amasova, who is only one rank below Commander Bond, beats 007 in the hunt for the microfilm at several points, including using her own gadgets to steal it from Bond. Anya is able to neatly rattle off Bond’s biography without any sign of being overwhelmed by his charm. Indeed, she is just as much a professional as Bond for though Anya intends to avenge Bond’s killing of her fellow spy and lover, she puts the mission, not revenge, first.

Melina Havelock: Rarely does someone kill a target before Bond can, but Melina does when she uses a crossbow to kill a Cuban hitman who murdered her parents. Unlike many of her predecessors, Melina is not tied at the hip to Bond. She begrudgingly returns to Greece while Bond pursues his mission. Similarly, Melina never has to be rescued by Bond. Bond and Melina find themselves in predicaments together, making the danger mutual and Melina less of a damsel in distress. Filmgoers are given the distinct impression that Bond and Havelock do not sleep with each other after sharing a hotel room early in the film, a first for Bond. It is only once the balance of power has been preserved that the pair definitively indulge their mutual attraction.

Kara Milovy: The classically trained cellist is in trouble the moment she leaves the orchestra. Her well-meaning efforts result in being the world’s most unconvincing fake sniper, betraying Bond to the villains, getting caught in the middle of a firefight in Afghanistan, and nearly flying a plane into a mountain. Without Bond’s constant supervision, Kara almost causes more trouble for Bond than KGB General Koskov and arms dealer Brad Whittaker.

Wai-Lin: Wai-Lin came as close to being an equal to Bond as any Bond girl ever and is emblematic of the modern Bond girl. As a Colonel she outranks Commander Bond. She anticipates Bond’s moves as they simultaneously investigate media mogul Elliot Carver, co-drives a motorcycle with Bond, dispatches an entire gang of goons with martial arts without any help from Bond, has an entire arsenal of her own gadgets, is only captured in the course of her joint mission with Bond, and then is willing to sacrifice herself to see Carver brought down. Few Bond girls can come close to matching such an impressive resume.

Vesper Lynd: In a film that rebooted the Bond franchise, Vesper Lynd also started a new chapter in Bond girls. Many women have matched Bond in banter, but none of them are able to cut through his charm like Vesper does within minutes of sitting down with him. Bond and Lynd develop a deep connection over the course of the film that results in Bond deciding to leave MI6 to pursue a life with her. Vesper becomes the first Bond girl to betray Bond when it is revealed she was a double agent from the start. Like Tracy, the only other Bond girl to touch him deeply, Vesper’s death—this time a suicide—leaves Bond shattered.

With 50 years of James Bond history behind us, the truth about Bond girls is clear. Prior to 1977, early films were predominantly filled with women who were more window dressing than an integral part of the film. Women who played an integral role to defeating the villain, like Pussy Galore and Tracy, were the exception, not the rule. With the arrival of Anya Amasova, Bond films flipped the formula drastically. The films made a conscious effort to give Bond girls occupations and expertise without which Bond could not save the day. Even if these parts were under-realized (such as Denise Richards’ turn as Christmas Jones and the world’s most unbelievable nuclear physicist), since 1989 James Bond films now regularly feature women who often hold their own without him. Today it is rare to find a pretty face with no substance at Bond’s side.

What direction Skyfall will take Bond girls remains to be seen. As Camille in Quantum of Solace proved when she and Bond share nothing more than an awkward kiss, becoming the first Bond girl to not sleep with 007, Bond girls can still surprise us in unexpected ways. One thing is for certain: as long as James Bond is saving the world, he will have a woman at his side. In fact, these days he just can’t do it without her.

Today, Trump's antics are splattered across the Internet, with every major news site writing about his Tweets - many of which have been removed since.  As poll numbers began rolling in just after 6 p.m. EST, Trump tweeted that the election was a "total sham and a travesty." After his win in Ohio and projected win in Virginia, CNN projected Obama's win, with 303 electoral votes to 206 for Mitt Romney. As supporters celebrated around the country, Trump tweeted "Well, back to the drawing board!", which would be the least aggressive of his tweets for the rest of the evening.

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Trump tweeted that "our nation is a once great nation divided," "the world is laughing at us," and "The Electoral College is a disaster for a democracy," when early projections looked like Gov. Mitt Romney may have won the popular vote (though further results would show he did not). Trump joined former Bush adviser and Fox News pundit Karl Rove in spewing misinformation, who refused to admit that Obama had won Ohio even after his Fox colleagues had announced it.

Although Trump removed tweets calling for a "revolution" and a "march on Washington" in addition to false information about Romney and the popular vote, Trump is continuing his tirade again, this time directed at NBC news anchor Brian Williams. Williams showed some of Trump's tweets during election coverage last night, saying Trump had "driven well past the last exit to relevance and veered into something closer to irresponsible."

Retorting today, Trump said Williams "knows that I think his newscast has become totally boring so he took a shot at me last night," and "Wouldn't you love to have my ratings?" (in reference to Trump's reality show The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice (which ironically received its lowest-rated finale episode this year to date).

At press time for this article, Trump still continued his inflammatory tweets at Williams via @NBCNightlyNews, saying "Thanks dummy--I picked up 70,000 twitter followers yesterday alone," "Brian, I hope @NBCNightlyNews isn't paying you too much--look at what's happening to nightly news." and "Brian Williams was never a smart guy but always passes himself off as such. People will learn the truth!"

It seems there are no lengths to which Donald Trump will not go to express his opinion on U.S. government, from failed candidacy nomination to hateful tweeting rant, but if it's Twitter followers he wants, this is certainly one way to get them.

According to New York Magazine, Jay-Z jovially apologized before performing the lyric, saying "I have to do it - I'm sorry," while smiling. "If you havin' world problems, I feel bad for you son / I got 99 problems, but Mitt ain't one," Jay-Z sang at the Columbus, Ohio, event, which also featured iconic rocker Bruce Springsteen.

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The performance spurned a flurry of politico backlash across various social media platforms. Constraining his distaste for the performance to fewer than 140 characters, Senior Communications Adviser for Romney, Ted Newton tweeted, "A new low for Obama presidency: Jay-Z replacing a misogynistic swear word with the word "Mitt" as he performs at an Obama event."

It is yet to be determined today as election results roll in whether Mitt truly will prove a problem for Barack in the hairsplittingly close race.

The item is being auctioned by Profiles in History, founded by Joe Maddalena and boasted as the “world's largest auctioneer and dealer of original Hollywood Memorabilia, historical autographs, letters, documents, vintage signed photographs and manuscripts.”

Beatles John Lennon Lyrics for Sale

The entire collection, titled The Property of a Distinguished American Private Collector, encompasses over 3,000 manuscripts, notes and letters detailing correspondence between well known musicians throughout the ages. Additional one-of-a-kind gems include Beethoven writing on his two greatest works, the 9th Symphony and Missa Soemnis, Louis Armstrong discussing Duke Ellington and George Gershwin’s thoughts on Rhapsody in Blue and more.

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Click here to read the latest edition of Exec Digital

The early December auction marks the first installment of a two-year period which will offer the entire collection for sale. Timed perfectly for the holidays, consider surprising the musical aficionado in your life – perhaps the one person on your list who seems to have everything – with a precious artifact that helped shape music’s history as we know it. These gifts are truly priceless.

Nearly three weeks ago, Exec Digital brought the news of an Austrian adrenaline junky’s weather-effected plans to jump from the edge of space. Over a week on from his now infamous, successful completion of the death defying feat and Felix Baumgartner is one of the most recognised and famous people on the planet he launched himself back into.

On October 14th, the long-time base-jumper finally got the chance to achieve his five-year ambition of not only free-falling from the edge of space, but also breaking the sound barrier in the process; travelling at a speed of 1,342kph.

Seemingly, he has launched straight out of the Red Bull pod, and straight into every magazine, TV programme and radio show on the circuit.

The charismatic European is dangerously close to replacing compatriot Arnold Schwarzenegger across numerous platforms; infamy in the US being one, as well as global notoriety and a super-hero persona to boot.

Hounded by members of the paparazzi both in America and upon his return to his native Austria, the 43-year-old can now find himself on the front covers of every lifestyle publication going, as journalists hang on his every word to try and understand feelings that only one man in the history of the world could possibly begin to explain.

Rumoured plans of Baumgartner’s to settle down and start a family – alongside becoming a helicopter pilot and carrying out mountain rescues, of course – may disappoint his newly found legion of armchair stuntmen fans, but having achieved what he has over the last month, it is unlikely that he will drop out of people’s consciousness as quickly as he fell out of the earth’s atmosphere.

Justin Timbelake released an official apology today for a video created by friends that featured the homeless of Los Angeles “congratulating” him and Jessica Biel on their nuptials.

The video, which has been since taken down, was approximately 20 seconds long and featured number of Los Angeles residents wishing the famous couple well in their marriage. Made for Timberlake and Biel by well meaning but potentially unfortunately humored friends, the video, Timberlake stated, was not shown at the wedding ceremony in Italy.

“I'd like to start off by saying that I don't live my life making fun of people (unless, of course, I'm making fun of myself on SNL)... Especially, those who are less fortunate or those in need. I grew up with a family and community that instilled ideals in me like hard work, honesty and empathy. As a matter of fact, growing up in Tennessee, I was always taught that we as people, no matter what your race, sex, or stature may be, are equal. We have a saying there that ‘Everyone puts their pants on the same way (maybe this saying doesn't apply to guys who wear kilts. Although, I'm sure they put theirs on the same way too...),’” said Timberlake in an open letter on his official website.

Timberlake also stated that he did not know about the video, did not contribute to it and that he thought it was produced not in an effort to make fun of people but “it was made as a joke on me not having that many friends attending my own wedding (which IS kind of funny if you think about it),” said Timberlake.

“Once again, in the world that we live in where everyone thinks that they know everything, I want to be very clear... I am NOT defending the video. I agree with the overall consensus… I want to say that, on behalf of my friends, family, and associative knuckleheads, I am deeply sorry to anyone who was offended by the video. Again, it was something that I was not made aware of. But, I do understand the reaction and, by association, I am holding myself accountable,” said Timberlake.

Timberlake also stated that he was having his friend complete 100 hours of community service in punishment for the video.

See the offending video below (be forewarned, the clip is approx. 20 seconds and repeats):

 As an extreme sports enthusiast, I have grown accustomed to certain locations due to their unique offerings. Whether it’s the culture, the pumping surf, the back-country slopes or the traditional cuisine, these places keep me coming back over and over again. I will share with you why they are so special and I’m sure once you have experienced them, you will also agree that they are an excellent, alternative way to spend your Christmas.

Morocco – Stuff the Turkey! It’s Time for Some Spice!
The North African country of Morocco is one of my favourite places in the entire world. “Why?” you may ask. Simply, because it offers rich culture, cheap living expenses, spicy food and endless right hand point breaks, that come to life in the winter months. Oh, and it receives over 300 days of glorious sunshine every year! Surely that’s better than the sloppy kisses and woolly socks you get every year, from your great aunt?

Surprisingly, Morocco is very affordable to reach from the UK. One can fly from most major airports for around £100 return, for 7-14 days. However, the additional costs for surfboards can often be as much as the flight, so consider rental boards when budgeting for your trip. Cheap flights can be found to both Agadir and Marrakech. I generally tend to head for Agadir due to the closer proximity to the absolutely world-class surf village of Taghazoute.

Taghazoute – Surf Your Heart Out, Santa!
Taghazoute is a picturesque fishing village that has been overrun by the surfing world - and rightly so! The village features a range of world-class surf breaks, mostly famed for the right-hand point breaks that offer endless rides all the way to the beach. Stick that in your stocking!

Anchor Point is one of my favourites. This break is best suited for the intermediate surfer as it breaks close to large boulders and can be plagued by rip-currents at size. The spot is also the perfect place to watch some excellent surfing under the midday sun. The high rocky point allows you to sit, literally, only metres away from the main take off area, so get your cameras at the ready!

Banana Point is a more of a mellow spot and is excellent for those surfers who want to try their hand at their first point-break. It offers some protection from the northerly winds and at size, the wave can break all the way from the point to the beach. There are a number of surf schools in the area with rentals available.

All you will need is a thin wetsuit and plenty of sunscreen, even in December the days can reach over 30 degrees centigrade. There are a number of great places to stay in Taghazoute with many companies offering fully equipped apartments, with meals, surf-rental and excursions to famed landmarks and other surfing locations. Check out www.surfberbere.comand www.surfmaroc.com.ukfor these offerings.

Andorra – Is Skiing on Your Christmas List, this Year?
The winter months are perfect for trading in the surfboard for a snowboard, or a set of skis! Europe gets excellent snowfall during the winter months and is easily accessible from the UK. Package holidays are sometimes the easiest, most convenient options, although you can still find excellent deals on flights and private chalets if you are prepared to shop around.

One of my favourite places to visit is Andorra. This is due to the beautiful scenery, consistent snowfall, affordable rates and the vast range of slopes that are on offer at many of the resorts.

Pas De La Casa – Have Your Self an Adventurous, Snowy Christmas!
I have visited the resort off Pas De La Casa on a number of occasions. This mountain pass boarders France and offers the perfect landscape for any snow sport enthusiast, and one of the highest skiable point lies at over 2500ft, in the rugged Pyrenees mountain range.

One of the greatest attributes to this particular resort is that it boasts record snowfall for any Andorran resort. There are a variety of runs that are perfect for any rider, whether you want gentle, smooth slopes for the entire family or the more challenging ‘off-piste’ sections for the more experienced rider, this resort has it all!

Be sure to check out the nightlife, which is vibrant to say the least. Discos endure the early hours of the morning and are generally frequented by travelling British, French and Spanish tourists. Fly to either Toulouse or Barcelona for cheaper flights, and maybe a spot of tapas!

Author Bio

When Ben isn’t snowboarding or surfing around Europe you’ll find him blogging for Nucleus adventure sports shop, who provide Skullcandy headphones. The festive period isn’t for everyone. If you’re anything like me, the holidays are the perfect time to escape drab work parties and tacky Christmas decorations. I prefer to jet off for either winter sun coupled with great waves, or fresh powder ridden slopes on the mountains. So why not get on the phone to your mates, and arrange a perfect little winter vacation escaping the mince pies and Christmas crackers - each and every year, me and my friends do exactly this.

 As an extreme sports enthusiast, I have grown accustomed to certain locations due to their unique offerings. Whether it’s the culture, the pumping surf, the back-country slopes or the traditional cuisine, these places keep me coming back over and over again. I will share with you why they are so special and I’m sure once you have experienced them, you will also agree that they are an excellent, alternative way to spend your Christmas.

Morocco – Stuff the Turkey! It’s Time for Some Spice!
The North African country of Morocco is one of my favourite places in the entire world. “Why?” you may ask. Simply, because it offers rich culture, cheap living expenses, spicy food and endless right hand point breaks, that come to life in the winter months. Oh, and it receives over 300 days of glorious sunshine every year! Surely that’s better than the sloppy kisses and woolly socks you get every year, from your great aunt?

Surprisingly, Morocco is very affordable to reach from the UK. One can fly from most major airports for around £100 return, for 7-14 days. However, the additional costs for surfboards can often be as much as the flight, so consider rental boards when budgeting for your trip. Cheap flights can be found to both Agadir and Marrakech. I generally tend to head for Agadir due to the closer proximity to the absolutely world-class surf village of Taghazoute.

Taghazoute – Surf Your Heart Out, Santa!
Taghazoute is a picturesque fishing village that has been overrun by the surfing world - and rightly so! The village features a range of world-class surf breaks, mostly famed for the right-hand point breaks that offer endless rides all the way to the beach. Stick that in your stocking!

Anchor Point is one of my favourites. This break is best suited for the intermediate surfer as it breaks close to large boulders and can be plagued by rip-currents at size. The spot is also the perfect place to watch some excellent surfing under the midday sun. The high rocky point allows you to sit, literally, only metres away from the main take off area, so get your cameras at the ready!

Banana Point is a more of a mellow spot and is excellent for those surfers who want to try their hand at their first point-break. It offers some protection from the northerly winds and at size, the wave can break all the way from the point to the beach. There are a number of surf schools in the area with rentals available.

All you will need is a thin wetsuit and plenty of sunscreen, even in December the days can reach over 30 degrees centigrade. There are a number of great places to stay in Taghazoute with many companies offering fully equipped apartments, with meals, surf-rental and excursions to famed landmarks and other surfing locations. Check out www.surfberbere.comand www.surfmaroc.com.ukfor these offerings.

Andorra – Is Skiing on Your Christmas List, this Year?
The winter months are perfect for trading in the surfboard for a snowboard, or a set of skis! Europe gets excellent snowfall during the winter months and is easily accessible from the UK. Package holidays are sometimes the easiest, most convenient options, although you can still find excellent deals on flights and private chalets if you are prepared to shop around.

One of my favourite places to visit is Andorra. This is due to the beautiful scenery, consistent snowfall, affordable rates and the vast range of slopes that are on offer at many of the resorts.

Pas De La Casa – Have Your Self an Adventurous, Snowy Christmas!
I have visited the resort off Pas De La Casa on a number of occasions. This mountain pass boarders France and offers the perfect landscape for any snow sport enthusiast, and one of the highest skiable point lies at over 2500ft, in the rugged Pyrenees mountain range.

One of the greatest attributes to this particular resort is that it boasts record snowfall for any Andorran resort. There are a variety of runs that are perfect for any rider, whether you want gentle, smooth slopes for the entire family or the more challenging ‘off-piste’ sections for the more experienced rider, this resort has it all!

Be sure to check out the nightlife, which is vibrant to say the least. Discos endure the early hours of the morning and are generally frequented by travelling British, French and Spanish tourists. Fly to either Toulouse or Barcelona for cheaper flights, and maybe a spot of tapas!

Author Bio

When Ben isn’t snowboarding or surfing around Europe you’ll find him blogging for Nucleus adventure sports shop, who provide Skullcandy headphones. 

Let’s get real. Hardly anyone is funny. Most people blather on in conversation with their dull opinions and ‘me-monster’ attitudes, and hey, it is boring us all to death. The rest of humanity, and I, don’t care about that Arkansas fishing trip you took twelve years ago, or your daft opinion on the benefits of flax seed oil on joint health.

If you are like me, and the rest of America, you probably have no idea who Iain Morris is. But Americans do not know a lot of things we should, like basic math. All that matters is that you know that Morris and his handsome creative partner Damon Beesley have created the cult-hit The Inbetweeners and that they have Ricky Gervais’ stamp of approval as some of the most talented people in comedy.

Why do I like Iain Morris? He is witty. He understands the majority of the population grew up thrilled, stunned with pleasure at the edge of their sofa, enraptured by the genius momentum of Law & Order, Battlestar Galactica and 90210. In conversation he tries to keep pace with the engaging beat of such legendary entertainment, and it makes you want to actually stay tuned-in to his channel.

Morris and I chatted a few weeks ago about his hit T.V. show the Inbetweeners which was recently made into a wickedly humorous movie for the U.S. masses that is hitting theaters like now. He was phoning in from a luxury cabana in Hollywood, and I was trapped behind a precariously high stack of manila folders.  

VIDEO: Ricky Gervais Talks About Iain Morris and Damon Beesley

Exec Digital: Firstly, I must say that The Inbetweeners was funny as sh*t. I watched the movie after watching a slew of terrible, horrible movies (ParaNorman and Future) and I questioned if I would ever see a movie again, and if I had the will to live in a world teething with such terrible cinema. The Inbetweeners restored my faith in popular art. Which is shocking, almost violating, given all the vagina/penis bang-bang jokes. How did you pull such a quality movie off?

Iain Morris: Genius.That is really the only word you can use to describe what we accomplished with this film. We really are quite rare and genius.

 Okay, no, but we are both unsophisticated film lovers. We hate going into a movie and saying, “My life is a bit worse after watching that.” We hope that The Inbetweeners will make the viewer say, “You know that was a great experience, I laughed amongst a crowd of other laughing people - that was an experience I don’t normally get to have.” Delivering that quality comes from being aware during the entire film’s production and trying not to overstep our welcome. We are conscious of keeping the story as grounded and realistic as we can.

ED: How do you make your characters so lovable when they have huge personality flaws, aren’t mind-blowingly good looking and they make terrible character judgments often? How did you give these four guys such heart?

IM: I think part of that is the actors. They really are four lovable idiots in real life as well. I give them a huge amount of credit for making us sympathize with these characters. You never feel like they are alpha males in charge, like Jay says the worst things to women, but there is no power behind those words. Since these characters have no ‘power’ the audience enjoys what they say, no matter how awful and vulgar it is.  

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ED:How did you maintain the vitality of the TV show when stretching it to film? Were there challenges in bringing the show to life on the big screen? Are there differences between ‘TV funny’ and ‘Film funny’?

IM: It is about scale. The cameras are bigger, and we used some helicopter shots. Also, it cost more money.

No, the emotional scale was bigger. For sitcoms we try and make quick jokes, quick comedic sequences, and for films the audience expects a bit more. They want to have an experience, and engage in a different way. When you go to a movie you are making an active decision. You have to pay for the babysitter, purchase tickets, and the filmmaker needs to return that investment if he doesn’t want to ruin their lives.

ED: Why is comedy more important than ever?

IM: Comedies are famously recession proof. In economic depressions they do really well. Audiences think if they have to go make that decision, and invest in a movie, do they want to go to something that will make them think, or one that will probably make them laugh for 90 minutes? Comedies are a less risky decision, because most people prefer laughter.

ED:You have worked with some comedy greats: Sasha Baron Cohen, Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Carr with two RRs. Has it changed your writing style to know you are in an elite class of funny people succeeding today?

IM: It makes me nervous, their success. I hate going outside, I have grown increasingly bitter by the success of my friends. I would love to say I support them whole-heartedly, but I die slightly inside every time I see them on the front of a magazine, or their name on a marquee. No, look, it has been wonderful to create and collaborate among such great talents. I am truly grateful.

ED:Closing question. If the movie goes fantastically, and it will, are there any outlandish purchases you will make? For example, an exotic menagerie, a gold gilded robot version of Burt Reynolds who does your laundry and makes your crumpets? A diamond encrusted mouth plate?

IM:You know I haven’t thought of a menagerie, but I would love a menagerie. That is the main thing I would like. As I am getting older it is getting harder for me to spot birds, and I would like the idea of having the whole animal kingdom at my intimate beck and call.

You know I haven’t got into cars for over fourteen years, and I just moved to Los Angeles – my wife is American - so I quite fancy the idea of buying a really middle-aged man, breakdown sports car, just for a couple of weeks. Just two weeks of driving around L.A. in a proper, ‘I’m having a breakdown’ sports car.

In conclusion, I would like to thank Iain Morris’ mum, wherever you are. Thank you for not bringing another painstakingly timid and tedious jerk into the world. You, like Mother Theresa, have made the world a more livable place.

VIDEO: The Inbetweeners Movie Trailer:

Outlandish, oh yes, but true –

"This is our first glimpse of a rocky world with a fundamentally different chemistry from Earth," lead researcher Nikku Madhusudhan of Yale University said in a statement. "The surface of this planet is likely covered in graphite and diamond rather than water and granite."

The experts predict approximately one third of the planet’s mass, the equivalent of about three earth masses, could be diamond. Bad news bears for De Beers. 

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The discovery is a breakthrough because it reveals new conclusions about the chemistry of other distant planets, “This is our first glimpse of a rocky world with a fundamentally different chemistry from Earth,” Madhusudhan said.

While this discovery is incredible, some experts say it is just the beginning of extraordinary discoveries. An astronomer at Princeton University said "Planets are much more complex. This 'diamond-rich super-Earth' is likely just one example of the rich sets of discoveries that await us as we begin to explore planets around nearby stars."

These findings come as great news for NBA stars who need to buy their wife’s forgiveness with a massive gem. Nothing says “I love you” like a massive planetary rock. 

Her current MDNA tour is set to beat out U2 who currently holds the number one spot with $736, 421, 586 for their 360º Tour. 

Madonna had previously held the number four position on the highest-grossing concert ticket charts at $407,713, 266 for her Sticky and Sweet tour which promoted her Hard Candy Album. However the MDNA tour earned a whopping $50 million in its first three shows, and with 70 shows overall the tour is approximated to top previous records entirely.

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This is great news for Madonna and her supporters, as the MDNA album did not receive the critical or business success many people had anticipated it would reach. Perhaps this hints at Madonna's genius as a multi-faceted artist whose success thrives off the grandeur and spectacle of her live shows. As a fan, I look to her concerts as a way to energize my outlook on life, and I feel they are truly incomparable in their ability to inspire, uplift and embolden the audience. 

I also think Madonna fans are notorious for paying outlandish amounts to scalpers for prime, front row seats and this should be reflected in her tour earning approximations. Madonna's fanhood is so viserally charged that many would shell out thousands for a single ticket after market if it guaranteed closer proximity to your highness.

Also, no estimates have yet been approximated for what her Los Angeles ticket sales will do to her overall numbers. Many of her most die-hard fans and big-ticket purchasers are in Los Angeles, and it will be amazing to see what transpires over the next coming week in terms of her overall bottom line. 

Here is a fiscal run-down from the first stretch of her tour:

May 31, Tel Aviv, Israel: 
$4,339,876


June 3-4, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: $8,053,500

June 7, 
Istanbul: 
$6,219,598

June 12, 
Rome: 
$2,835,542

June 14, 
Milan: 
$5,624,570


June 16, Florence, Italy: 
$4,252,680

June 20-21, Barcelona, Spain: 3,893,274

June 24, 
Coimbra, Portugal: 
$3,156,022


June 28-30, 
Berlin: 
$3,679,378

July 2, Copenhagen, Denmark: 
$2,980,465


July 4, Gothenburg, Sweden: $4,510,807

VIDEO: MADONNA MDNA TOUR 'CELEBRATION'

1. Oprah ($165 Million)

I really don't want have to explain what makes Oprah the richest woman in entertainment. That factoid is like explaining consciousness. It just is. It always has been, and it always will be. 

2. Britney Spears ($58 Million)

Holy cow, Britney Spears is the second richest women in glitz town next to Oprah? What a testament to true creativity, innovation, talent and genius insight. No, Britney is rich because America loves her regardless of her perceivable lack of uniqueness. Her Femme Fatal tour sales raked in the majority of the cash, supplemented by her $15 million X Factor salary. All of which she pulled off more or less unconscious at the wheel. 

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3. Taylor Swift ( $58 Million)

The country crooning superstar beat out hoards of women three times her age with her multi-million dollar earning spree in 2012. The majority of the change came from her Speak Now tour, several hit singles, a track on the Hunger Games album, and the fact that she is so generically blond that she appeals to the bored masses. 

4. Rhianna and Ellen DeGeneres ($53 Million)

These two are actually talented, and they laugh a lot, so compared to the top three on this list I'd say they earned their fortune. 

5. Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez ($52 Million)

Both of these ladies try too hard. The effort they put towards their outlandish get-ups, revolving love interests and public persona exhausts the lazy, coach-dwelling public, hence why they are behind Britney Spears in the  line-up. 

6. Gisele Bundchen, Katy Perry and Judge Judy ($45 Million)

The sixth spot is certainly made of a wacko round-up of oddities. How Gisele Bundchen made $45 million dollars this year just by biking around in cargo pants I'll never know. But that pales in comparison to Judge Judy making the list! WHAT A SENSATION! $45 million dollars off of syndicated judgment?  I think that says a great deal about society's consciousness. 

Katy Perry surprised me. I would think she would beat out Britney, as her singles are constantly bombarding the air waves.

All in all, bravo to these ladies for hacking the American consumerist code!