Less than eight months after tearing his Achilles, Kobe Bryant is officially back in the lineup for the Lakers.

Achilles injuries are awful, especially for aging NBA players.

But work ethic is a crucial factor in overcoming injuries, and no one has a stronger work ethic than Kobe.

Whether it's waking up at 4 a.m., using space-age science, or abusing teammates in post-practice games, Kobe has proven over and over again that he's the hardest worker in the NBA.

He ran on an anti-gravity treadmill all summer to stay in shape without hurting his Achilles.

Source: Yahoo!

He decided to lose 16 pounds for the Olympics in 2012.

Kobe has never been out of shape, but he decided to change himself as a precautionary measure. He told the Guardian:

"With summer basketball leading directly into the season — and I'm expecting to play until next June — I have to take some load off my knees. I've got to shave some of this weight."

Source: Guardian

Showed up at 5 a.m. and left practice at 7 p.m. ... in high school.

Source: SI

While studios brought us gems like "Gravity" and "The Way Way Back" this year, there were also a lot of duds.

From silly car chases to celebrity-filled mashups, we've compiled the worst-reviewed movies of the year on film critic site Rotten Tomatoes.

We've only included wide releases on the list so Ja Rule's movie "I'm in Love with a Church Girl" (6%) and "CBGB" (9%) with Alan Rickman aren't here.

"R.I.P.D." just missed making it on this list (13%).

That said, here are the films critics and audiences hated most. 

12. "After Earth"— 11%

Worldwide gross: $243.8 million

Will Smith's talent is wasted as a monotone drone as he steps out of the spotlight to convince you his son Jaden Smith can handle a lead role. Still, the movie managed to do really well overseas ($183 million) so as not to bomb.

Here's our breakdown of everything wrong with this film.

(Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

11. "A Haunted House"— 10%

Worldwide gross: $60 million

The film was a big success at theaters (made on a $2.5 million budget), but few critics liked Marion Wayan's attempt to rival the "Scary Movie" franchise.

Toronto Star:

"A movie that offends every moral sensibility but delivers few comedic rewards."

(Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

10. "Runner, Runner"— 9%

Worldwide gross: $62.7 million

A Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake movie sounded kind of promising: a down-on-his-luck college student turning to online gambling to pay his debts. Instead, it ended up being a big let down. Hopefully, not a sign of things to come from Batfleck.

Boston Globe:

"It's not that "Runner Runner" is predictable. It's that you don't care, either about the characters or what happens to them."

(Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

In 2010, a graphic designer based out of California noticed a trend of local companies crowd-sourcing their logo design to anyone who'd draw them something for free.

The designer, who goes by the online alias of "krs," sensed a business opportunity. Instead of giving his work away to companies for free, he would draw the first thing that came into his head, and then sell the design for $5. And thus was born Horrible Logos, a three-year-old business through which krs provides companies with guaranteed awful logos in exchange for beer money. 

"It spun out of all these companies crowd-sourcing, just getting cheap logos for pretty much nothing," krs said in an interview with Business Insider. "They would always wind up being sh---y logos. So I figured I’d just scrape the bottom of the barrel and charge $5 and give them an ultra sh---y logo."

Since then, the business has grown to the point where krs says he now receives several hundred orders a month from all over the world, all of which he draws in less than five minutes based mostly on how a company's name sounds to him when he hears it.

"It’s pretty crazy people actually pay for a sh---y logo," krs said. "I think it’s more people trying to see what I’m going to come up with for their company, so I try to keep it creative."

After seeing his work, we asked krs to draw us up a couple "horrible" versions of our readers' favorite companies, and krs was nice enough to comply.

JCPenney

Wal-Mart

Apple

Etihad has limo pickup and drop-off within a 50-mile radius for all business class travelers.

Haute Living is the apt magazine for a limo ride. It was a good read on the relationship between Tommy Hilfiger & Dee.

Because of traffic, it took nearly 25 minutes to reach JFK airport in Queens. But security was a breeze, since there were only five or six folks in my business class line.

The bow, the finely creased edges, the deftly wrapped box — a beautifully wrapped present can indicate that someone really took the time to find the perfect gift.

Meanwhile, your present to them looks like a toddler got tangled up in wrapping paper and then took a nap.

Well, don't turn to the old gift bag and tissue paper cop-out just yet. These nine gift wrapping tips and tricks will make you into a wrapping genius.

1. Get Creative With The Packaging

Even for the most savvy wrapper, trying to package a bizarrely-shaped gift is a challenge. It's hard to get the paper to look nice, and even when you do, the size and shape can take away the element of surprise.

For smaller gifts such as perfume bottles, socks, or nail polish, ball them up in bubble wrap or tissue paper and stick them into an empty paper towel roll. Wrap the roll in paper, twist the wrapping paper at the ends, and secure with some ribbon to make it look like a piece of candy.

For medium-sized gifts, repackage them in an empty coffee can or shoe box — basically any empty (clean) container you have lying around the house. Broken-down shipping boxes are perfect for larger gifts.

If you have softer items like scarves that didn't come in a box, use a square piece of cardboard (or cut apart a cereal box) and place your folded item on top. This will give you a hard surface to wrap around.

2. Hide The Price

It's bad manners to let your gift recipient know how much those mittens cost, or that they were on sale in the bargain bin.

Instead of cutting off the tag entirely (rendering the item nonreturnable) or leaving sticky residue on the gift, color over the price with a sharpie or slap on a festive holiday sticker.

3. No Wrapping Paper? No Problem

Everyone knows the tried and true newspaper or magazine cover method of wrapping presents. It's fine, and it works.

But a much more likely last-minute item you would have in your home is a potato chip bag. Dump those delicious chips in a Ziploc bag, and then cut the chip bag open to expose the bright, silver-y inside. Wash it with soap and water and then once it dries, wrap the presents with the silver side facing out.

4. Get The Right Tools For The Job

Scissors and tape are fine, but if you're serious about becoming a better gift wrapper, then buy the right tools.

A rotary cutter and pop up tape dispenser, both for under $15, will save time and energy. The pop up tape dispenser fits on your hand and cuts the tape for you, while the rotary cutter evenly slices through wrapping paper on flat surfaces — think of it like a pizza cutter for paper. No more jagged edges or wads of discarded tape.

5. Wrap Presents On A Hard Surface

To avoid tearing, wrap presents on a hard surface, like a table or a counter top. Working on the floor or carpet makes it harder to control the paper, which is when most people become frustrated, start to rush, and then tear through the paper with the gift's edges.

6. Keep Post-It Notes Handy

If you're like me, you wrap all your gifts first before putting on name tags or writing cards. The trouble with this method, of course, is when there are two gifts of equal size meant for two different people.

Write the names of your gift recipients on Post-It notes ahead of time, and place them on each gift as you finish wrapping. It will only take a second, and makes it easier when you go back to add name tags.

7. Wrap Gifts Upside Down

This is an obvious one, but it's easy to forget. Place the gift face down so that the wrapping paper overlap is on the underside of the gift.

It's a small thing, but we inherently assume when opening a present that the side with the bow or nametag is also the top of the gift. Children will just tear into the top of presents, and it's nice to be rewarded immediately with what the gift actually is instead of the bottom of a box.

8. To Get Perfect Ends, Fold The Sides First

After securing the paper around the gift, it's time to fold the ends. This is the trickiest part of wrapping, and can make the final product look fantastic or awful.

I personally prefer folding the sides first. Then fold the top flap and the bottom flap to meet each other in the middle (or slightly overlap, depending on your preference) and secure with tape. This genius infographic from the Container Store is a good visual guide to follow:

9. When In Doubt, Use Decorative Tape

For the truly hopeless gift wrappers out there, buy some decorative tape.  That way even if the ends look awful, there's tape everywhere, or there are a few tears you don't care to fix, you can just cover all your mistakes with some sparkly, festive tape.

It can even take the place of ribbon, and your gift will at the very least look presentable.

STILL LOOKING FOR GIFTS?: Get Inspired With Business Insider's Holiday Gift Guides

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A decade ago, Google had not yet gone public, the Affordable Care Act wasn't law, and no one saw big data coming. The job market was entirely different then, as it will be a decade from now. 

A new data release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals which industries are going to grow the fastest between 2012 and 2022. Health care and technology, already giants today, are expected to keep up their rapid growth over the next decade. At the same time, manufacturing is expected to continue its rapid decline. 

So if you're looking ahead to the future, here are the industries that are going to boom. 

Facilities support services

Number employed in 2012: 125,800

Number projected in 2022: 164,400

Percentage growth: 30.6%

Why: Companies will always need janitorial, security, and maintenance services, which can't be outsourced to other countries or replaced by technology (at least not yet).

Veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product manufacturing

Number employed in 2012: 63,800

Number projected in 2022: 83,500

Percentage growth: 30.9%

Why: This is one of the industries that will benefit from increased construction spending, as the effects of the housing bubble wane and people start to build again. 

Offices of health practitioners

Number employed in 2012: 3,968,000

Number projected in 2022: 5,193,800

Percentage growth: 30.9%

Why: One side effect of the Affordable Care Act is that previously uninsured people will be more likely to seek out health care. Add that to an aging population, and you get plenty of demand for health care services.  

The editors of the journal Science have chosen cancer immunotherapy — using the body's immune system to attack tumors instead of targeting the tumor itself — as the biggest breakthrough of 2013.

"Cancer immunotherapy clinched the #1 spot because it's causing such a paradigm shift among researchers in how they tackle cancer," the journal's editorial team wrote in a statement.

The technique involves training immune cells to recognize the characteristics of cancer cells, and then fight back. There's still a lot of work ahead since the treatment has only worked for a few patients and some types of cancers so far, but the results from clinical trials offer hope for a new weapon against cancer.

Nine other groundbreaking achievements that were chosen from this year are detailed below.

Scientists discover the first real reason we need sleep

By studying a newfound pathway in mice, scientists identified the first major mechanical reason we need to sleep: to clean the brain. When the brain is sleeping, channels between cells grow. This allows cerebrospinal fluid into the depths of the brain tissues to flush out toxic proteins that build up during the day, including the kind that are responsible for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

A gene-editing tool called CRISPR soars in popularity

CRISPR, which stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, was discovered in bacteria where it operates like an immune system against invading viruses. The structure is made up of a series of repeated stretches broken up by short "spacer" sequences. The short sequences come from viruses that infected the bacterial cell. Researchers use CRISPR as a gene-editing tool to "cut DNA at precise locations — and at several sites at once, if desired — so that they can test the effects of mutations inside a cell,"Patricia Fitzpatrick explains in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. This year, dozens of teams of researchers have used the revolutionary technique to "manipulate the genomes of various plant, animal and human cells," the editors of Science write.

Scientists Succeed In Growing A Variety Of Mini-Organs

Mini organs grown in the lab, called "organoids," provide scientists with new ways to test drugs and examine diseases in a human context. This year, Austrian researchers grew mini human brains, three-dimensional blobs of tissue about the size of an apple seed. The tiny brains have no blood supply, but still provide a better biological model than, say, mice for researchers to understand how the brain develops and study disorders.

Researchers recognize the importance of microbes for our health

Researchers are finally understanding that bacteria and other organisms that live in the human body can be good for us. The body hosts trillions of tiny organisms called microbes. Some microbes, or "germs," cause diseases, but the majority of them are harmless and others even benefit our immune and digestive systems, scientists have found. This year, gut microbes have been shown to influence anticancer therapies in humans and play a role in weight loss and protection again allergies and asthma in studies of mice.

Perovskite cells show promise for high-efficiency, inexpensive solar power

A new solar cell material called perovskite showed great promise this year as a low-cost, more efficient alternative to traditional silicon-based cells. Within four years of development, perovskite cells reached efficiency levels that took more than a decade for technologies used today to reach. Researchers still have to find a way to make perovskite as durable as silicon and prove that it doesn't contain toxic elements that would make it unsafe for use.

Researchers use structural biology to make a new vaccine

For the first time scientists developed a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common childhood virus, using a technique called structural biology. Efforts to create a vaccine against RSV had stalled using traditional methods — exposing the body to dead virus or a weak strain and letting it make a random assortment of antibodies against it.

Instead, researchers used a different tactic — they aimed to get the body to make a special antibody that makes some people resistant to the virus. They did so by analyzing the structure of the RSV protein when it is bound to the antibody. They then made a mutated version of a RSV protein that was a slightly different shape than normal, but the change in shape made the part that binds this killer antibody more visible. That means that body makes more of these killer antibodies to fight off the virus.

Scientists make human stem cells through cloning

Researchers were able to make embryonic stem cells by cloning human skin cells, a feat that has been in the works for more than a decade. Since stem cells can turn into any tissue in the body — and in this case are an exact genetic match to the cloned cell — the technique may one day be used to develop replacement tissues and organs to treat diseases. It also takes us one step closer to producing cloned babies. The cloning technique is essentially the same one used to clone animals, including Dolly the sheep 17 years ago. After years of failed attempts, scientists realized that adding a bit of caffeine enabled them to produce stems cells from cloned human embryos.

The CLARITY imaging technique makes it easier to see the brain

CLARITY allows scientists to see through the entire intact brain without slicing it up, which was problematic because it severed connections between cells."Studying intact systems with this sort of molecular resolution and global scope — to be able to see the fine detail and the big picture at the same time — has been a major unmet goal in biology, and a goal that CLARITY begins to address," study leader Karl Deisseroth, a bioengineer and psychiatrist at Stanford University, said in a statement.

Scientists found the source of cosmic rays

The origin of cosmic rays, high-energy particles that speed through space and smash into Earth's upper atmosphere, has eluded scientists since they were detected 100 years ago. But this year, scientists found evidence that at least some cosmic rays come from exploding stars, or supernovas. Supernova remnants act like an "expanding shell of matter,"explains ScienceNow. Protons that interact with gas surrounding the supernova get accelerated to almost the speed of light until they shoot off into space in all directions as cosmic rays.

SEE ALSO: The Most Amazing Satellite Images Of The Year

Join the conversation about this story »

Tourists and lifelong New Yorkers alike can appreciate the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue.

The museum houses one of the largest art collections in the world, including paintings by Europe’s great masters brought to New York by Gilded Age barons for the edification of the city.

But there’s plenty to see in the Met besides the Titians, Monets, and Renoirs. Some of the less-visited wings hold some amazing surprises—from a replica of a Ming Dynasty courtyard to the façade of a bank rescued from destruction.

Here are 15 things worth seeing besides the paintings.

See the unexpected side of the Met >

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The Temple of Dendur

Dating back to the time of Augustus Caesar, circa 15 BC, the Temple of Dendur was a gift from Egypt to the United States in 1965.

The most stunning work in the Met’s Egyptian collection, the temple occupies the bright and airy Sackler Wing, which has large skylights that illuminate the space and a pool of water meant to evoke the Nile.

Up close, you can see ancient carvings and hieroglyphics on the temple's surface.

The Medieval Court

The Medieval Court, which today is located in the center of the museum, was the original freestanding building when the Metropolitan Museum of Art was commissioned in the 1880s.

It was designed by one of the leading architects of the day, Calvert Vaux (who also designed Central Park) and his collaborator Jacob Wrey Mould. The cathedral-style wing is decorated by an 18th century Spanish choir screen.

Every winter, the Met decorates an enormous Christmas tree to display here.

The Petrie Sculpture Court

Majestic full-body sculptures greet visitors to this European sculpture area. When you enter you can still see a wall of the original brick building by Vaux and Mould.

The sculpture court features European masterpieces in marble and bronze, including works by Bernini, Canova and Rodin. Several of the statues were originally displayed in palace gardens around the world.

The clock is ticking on several industries that have long been staples of the American economy.

A new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the industries that are expected to decline the most over the next 10 years. In one of the fields, the BLS forecasts that the workforce will shrink by more than 50% between 2012 and 2022.

Manufacturers of all types will take the brunt of the hit. Industries that produce everything from computer equipment to leather products are expected to bleed positions in the coming years.

It seems that most "made in America"products will soon be relics of the past.

10. Miscellaneous manufacturing

Number employed in 2012: 268,400

Number projected in 2022: 211,100

Percent decline: 21.3%

Why: The recent recession put a ton of pressure on this industry, which manufactures products such as artificial flowers, mirrors, umbrellas, and fly swatters. These items mostly fall into consumer discretionary spending, which sank during the recession and remains low as the recovery inches along.

9. Textile mills and textile product mills

Number employed in 2012: 234,600

Number projected in 2022: 183,100

Percent decline: 21.8%

Why: U.S. textile mills began to close decades ago, and that trend hasn't reversed. It's much cheaper for companies to outsource textile production to other countries than to pay employees at home.

8. Hardware manufacturing

Number employed in 2012: 25,000

Number projected in 2022: 19,400

Percent decline: 22.4%

Why: Hardware products are typically used in the manufacturing of other items like cars and furniture. Demand for those products collapsed during the recession, and the hardware industry still hasn't recovered, especially with an influx of competitively priced imports.

In today's uncertain economy, a college education no longer guarantees you a high-paying job. But on the flip side, if you don't want to go to college, you don't have to — you can still get a high-paying job without a bachelor's degree.

According to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following are the 40 highest-paying jobs that don't require workers to have a four-year college degree. Each has an annual salary of at least $58,000.

The median annual wages listed are calculated to include hourly, weekly, and annual pay, as well as sales commissions and production bonuses. Overtime wages are not included in the data. We also provided the expected job openings through 2022 and the work experience or on-the-job training needed for a particular job.

Compared to last year's list, newcomer jobs include makeup artists, transportation inspectors, and funeral service managers. Out of all of the jobs, registered nurses have the most projected openings through 2022 with 1,052,600 estimated positions.

40. Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products

Median annual wage (2012): $58,760

Degree required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected job openings (through 2022): 61,600

Work experience: None

Description: Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment.

On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

39. Computer network support specialists

Median annual wage (2012): $59,090

Degree required: Associate's degree

Projected job openings (through 2022): 39,600

Work experience: None

Description: Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system.

On-the-job training: None

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

38. Engineering technicians, except drafters

Median annual wage (2012): $59,440

Degree required: Associate's degree

Projected job openings (through 2022): 14,600

Work experience: None

Description: Solve technical problems. Some help engineers and scientists do research and development.

On-the-job training: None

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Another home testing the digital currency bitcoin, just hit the housing market.

The four-bedroom ranch style home is located in Southampton, N.Y., and is for sale at $799,000 — or the equivalent bitcoin value. 

“There’s room for more than one currency,” said 42 year old Philipp Preuss, the home’s seller to the Wall Street Journal.

The unpredictable virtual currency has fluctuated this year from $13 in January to $1,200 in late November. 

The house is listed last with Amadeus Ehrhardt of Brown Harris Stevens.

The home is less than 4 miles from Southampton’s Main Street and 3 miles from the beach.

“I’m expanding my buyer base," said the home's seller. He works in international equity sales and made his first investment in bitcoin earlier this year.

The home has a bright living room layout featuring a vintage wood burning stove, vaulted ceilings, and skylights.

2013 was a huge year for LeBron James.

On the court, he won his second-straight NBA championship and fourth MVP.

Off the court, he piled up a bunch of endorsements that will help him reach his stated goal of becoming a billion-dollar athlete. 

He has amassed some awesome cars and houses as a result. And he still has time for his lovely, surprisingly normal family.

SEE ALSO: The 20 Most Impressive People of the Year

LeBron has made $129 million in career NBA salary, and he's only 28 years old.

Source: Basketball Reference

He makes ~$33 million per year (nearly twice his NBA salary) in endorsements.

Source: SI

He's in ad campaigns for huge companies like McDonald's and Samsung.

The mad scientists at iFixIt have given the Steam Machine the same treatment they give all the latest gadgets — and surgically dissected it for your viewing pleasure.

The Steam Machine is the highly anticipated console/PC system from the gaming masterminds at Valve, the software house responsibly for a number of hugely popular titles, perhaps most notably the Half-Life franchise. It runs SteamOS, an open-source Linux-based operating system, and will support loads of games in the Steam catalog. (And still more are, obviously, on the way.)

Given the open source nature of the OS and the ease with which users can get inside the box and re-jigger its components to their hearts' content, the Steam Machine looks to be a hacker's dream come true.

First of all, the packaging is awesome.

The Steam Machine is an understated yet elegant-looking device.

The controller follows the same aesthetic. Let's tear it open!

WhatsApp is an instant messaging service based in Santa Clara, Calif., that just reached 400 million monthly users. According to The Telegraph, WhatsApp sends 20 billion messages per day — double the size of Facebook's daily messaging traffic.

The app was created in 2009 by former Yahoo! employees Brian Acton and Jan Koum. WhatsApp allows you to send text messages, audio, and video to others — as long as you subscribe. But as long as you have a strong internet connection, the app will never add additional roaming charges to your phone.

Apps like WeChat and LINE pose a big threat to WhatsApp since they have the same features and are acquiring similarly massive userbases overseas.

WhatsApp is available for iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Nokia and Windows. Are you interested in WhatsApp?

After you download WhatsApp, it'll ask for you to enter your phone number.

The app will text you an SMS code to enter in order to verify your account.

You'll get a notification telling you that you'll have one year of free service. Afterwards, it will cost $0.99

Since the Wonder Woman casting news earlier this month, there have been a lot of names thrown around for "Batman/Superman" movie villain. 

The latest one is that Joaquin Phoenix is in talks to play Lex Luthor— one of the Man of Steel's main rivals. 

Luthor isn't confirmed as the main villain in the sequel yet — though hints in the first film make his entrance seemingly inevitable.

Though Phoenix looks like a frontrunner, he's not the only person rumored for the part. 

Luthor also isn't the only antagonist people are speculating about. 

We wouldn't be surprised if there was another villain also introduced in the sequel.

Joaquin Phoenix as Lex Luthor

Let's start with the obvious.  

Variety broke the news saying Warner Bros. is looking at the Academy Award winner after his performance in "Her." 

Not convinced he could play the head of LexCorp? We weren't at first either as this ubiquitous interview with David Letterman came to mind, but then we remembered him as treacherousCommodus in "Gladiator." 

We can get behind this.

Jason Mamoa as a villain (or a good guy?)

The former "Game of Thrones" star's name has been thrown around for an unspecified role.  

Rumors have him pegged for a few roles— Superman nemesis Doomsday (who has appeared as a villain for both the Bat and Man of Steel in the past, sometimestogether) — or a possible ally in the Martian Manhunter. 

However, with casting of Wonder Woman and rumors of the Flash making an appearance, it seems a little too soon to be throwing this many heroes into the mix. 

Our take: Doomsday seems more logical. And it appears from an extra found on the "Man of Steel" Blu-ray— a Kryptonian sequence translated to "Beware Bertron’s curse, for he is named Doomsday"— that Warner Bros. could introduce him in the future.

Callan Mulvey as an unnamed villain

Again Variety hinted the "Zero Dark Thirty" actor was being looked at to play a nemesis for the Batman / Superman duo.  

Whether or not that villain is Lex, Mulvey has the appeal of a younger, brash hot shot Luthor looks wise. If Warners is planning to give the character an older classic feel, than Phoenix makes much more sense.

A Reuters report on a Chinese soldier-turned-businessman depicts an emerging market of privately-owned security companies serving the country's elite.

Chen Yongqing, who runs China's first training academy of former soldiers and others as bodyguards, estimates that his company's annual revenues will reach 100 million yuan ($16.5 million) within the next five years. He charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each personal protector.

Training at Chen's company, Tianjiao, is no joke. The 28 days of training in reconnaissance, anti-terrorism training, martial arts, and business etiquette involve some extreme situations. (Afterwards, the best trainee is offered a chance to attend further study at the International Security Academy in Israel.)

These photos will give you an idea of the intensity: 

According to The New York Times, training academies like Chen's also provide security to "guard overseas facilities, manage locally hired security staff and deploy personnel to protect ships from pirates."

With over 20,000 Chinese companies operating overseas, many of them located in conflict-ridden areas (such as various parts of Africa), the demand for greater and more advanced security is skyrocketing.

Such private bodyguard training academies were illegal in China until 2010. Now that the ban has lifted, security companies are cropping up all over the place as entrepreneurs like Chen capitalize on the vast numbers of retired military personnel looking for higher wages.

The company currently employs about 250 full-time bodyguards in China.

Female bodyguards are in especially high demand — and get much higher salaries — because they are less visible than their male counterparts and can assume roles such as secretary or nanny, The Daily Mail reports.

Reuters notes that while Chinese citizens are not often targeted by kidnappers for ransom like Venezuela's elite are, the guards serve to bolster the safety and sense of importance among China's rich and famous.

Reuters reports that Zhang, a man whose friend was kidnapped and killed, now employs 18 bodyguards hired from Tianjiao.

SEE ALSO: A Chinese SWAT Officer Shows How To 'Control' A Rioter

Join the conversation about this story »

Back in July, shoe powerhouse Vince Camuto and his former beauty queen wife listed their historic Southampton estate for a staggering $48 million.

The 113-year-old property, known as Wooldon Manor, went into contract after only three months, The Real Deal reported in early October.

But now, The Wall Street Journal reports that the property actually sold for $75 million, $27 million more than the listing price.

The reason for the price spike? The final sale price included additional property, bringing the total amount of land to 14 acres, according to the WSJ. The 10,000-square-foot mansion has more than 500 feet of ocean frontage and views of Lake Agawam.

An unnamed New York couple reportedly bought the property

The estate — which has a gorgeous pool, pool house, formal gardens, a romantic green house, and tennis court — was previously owned by both the Woolworth family and Edmund Lynch, a founding partner of Merrill Lynch. Though it has been expanded and added upon by residents, the exterior and style of the home has remained constant for over a century.

Wooldon Manor sits on the iconic oceanfront drive, Gin Lane.

Source: Sotheby's International Realty

The home has plenty of room with 14 acres of land.

Source: Sotheby's International Realty

Inside, the vaulted ceilings have exposed beams and sky lights.

Source: Sotheby's International Realty

National Geographic has announced the winners of its 2013 Photography Contest. 

More than 7,000 photographers from 150 countries submitted stunning images for this year's edition of the annual contest. 

A panel of National Geographic photographers chose winners in three different categories: people, places, and nature. 

The winning photos in each category will be published in an upcoming issue of National Geographic, and each photographer will receive a prize of $2,500. The grand prize winner overall receives $10,000 and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

Contest rules required photos to be unaltered and in digital form. 

National Geographic shared the honorable mentions and first-place winners with Business Insider. 

HONORABLE MENTION, NATURE: "The crows that live in Tokyo use clothes hangers to make nests. In such a large city, there are few trees, so the natural materials that crows need to make their nests are scarce. As a result, the crows occasionally take hangers from the people who live in apartments nearby, and carefully assemble them into nests. The completed nests almost look like works of art based on the theme of recycling."– Yosuke Kashiwakura, "Crows Nest"

Source: 2013 National Geographic Photography Contest

HONORABLE MENTION, NATURE: "An Indian rhinoceros, far from home and stuck inside with late-winter blues at the Toronto zoo."– Stephen De Lisle, "Indian Rhino, Canadian Winter"

Source: 2013 National Geographic Photography Contest

HONORABLE MENTION, NATURE: "On a good day in the field, a birder might see flock of birds. Great Egrets; Tidal area of the Danube in Hungary."– Réka Zsirmon, "Flying Egrets"

Source: 2013 National Geographic Photography Contest

Health care and technology industries are booming in the United States, but which specific jobs are expected to grow over the next decade? 

Using projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on job growth from 2012 to 2022, we've identified the fastest-growing jobs in America. 

There's something for everyone, with at least 10 jobs that don't require any education beyond high school, several that require only an associate's degree, as well as jobs for those with master's and doctoral degrees.

We ranked the jobs on projected percentage growth from 2012 to 2022. We also included the number of jobs expected to be added during that period, typical education needed, and the average salary.

30. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

Percent growth: 30.4%

Jobs added through 2022: 15,700

Median salary: $52,070 

Typical education needed: Associate's degree

29. Helpers, construction trades

Percent growth: 30.6%

Jobs added through 2022: 65,300

Median salary: $26,570

Typical education needed: Not indicated

28. Marriage and family therapists

Percent growth: 30.6%

Jobs added through 2022: 11,600

Median salary: $46,670

Typical education needed: Master's degree

At this point you've been to 75,000 holiday parties and worn every last fresh outfit you can think of.

Unfortunately, however, the season is not over. Until January 1st, there's no letting up on the family gatherings, the work "parties", the cocktails, and the formal dinners.

Gentlemen, that means you need to step up your game.

Fortunately, there are people on the internet freely giving out ideas and inspiration. Consider it a public service. All you need to do is follow them on Instagram and let their creativity flow to you.

To pick out some of the lesser known creatives, Business Insider consulted some of our favorite fashion bloggers, like The Fine Young Gentleman, and fashion entrepreneurs Hugh and Crye. You'll see some well known names on this list too — like GQ magazine and Bergdorf Goodman.

Remember: Whether or not you want to spend an arm and a leg on your clothes, ideas can come from anywhere, so check these early and often. How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice.

TSBmen @TSBmen — A fashion blog that has exploded into something much bigger. Founder Dan Trepanier was elected Esquire's 'best dressed' man in 2009, and from then on it was all magic.

@tsbmen

Brian Sacawa @hespokestyle — "Brian is our neighbor to the north (Baltimore)," say the guys from Hugh and Crye, "and has a timeless, classic sense of style. We love the fresh looks he creates with a simple set of staples: well fitting shirts, slacks and blazers."

@hespokestyle

Bergdorf Goodman @bergdorfs — This store needs no introduction. Forget the price tags, just watch the cuts, the colors... you get the picture.

@bergdorfs