Atlantic crossing - day 16

Back on track. I fell asleep after that philosophy session we had the other night and slept all those hours I missed in the last two weeks. Man, that was some good sleep. Although extremely rolly and bouncy (25 knots of wind here now for the last 15 hours). Alex woke me up today around lunch and said: "Baby, get up now, you're boring when you're sleeping - let's make some corned beef and pasta!" That must seriously have been the most hilarious thing I've ever heard in a similar kind of situation. Just woke up after dreaming of dinosaurs, this blog, christianity and all kinds of other strange stuff and when I wake up I see my man in front of me asking for corned beef. Ha!! It made my day and also it somehow made me realize, once again, how amusingly disturbed this world is with all its paradoxes. What to worry about when you have love and corned beef, eh? 

Now 1359 nm left to Barbados. If we keep up with this tempo we will be there in no time. 135 nm made today and finally finally we're inside of that much longed for tradewind belt.

/Taru

Now, Cellphones are work without towers

WASHINGTON:- The Scientists have developed new mobile technology which claim set to

transmission of signals are with-out cellphone near by towers.

And international technology team ,led by "Flinders University",they are created a new software
which can run on to "off-the-shelf" mobile phone & allow to relay calls for one phone to another phone
with out presence of mobile phone towers the vicinity before ultimately reconnecting with operating
mobile phone tower.

'Our new technology allows the signal for the workin towers tobe relayed in areas lackingsignal,
allowing calls in & out of affected areas, what's amazing that we have programmed fairly our ordinary
mobile phones to perform this functions, without any using specialised hardware',
Dr.Paul Gardner Stephen who led team,said.




He added 'My team & i'm excited about the potential of our new technolagy help when
crisis strikes. From the outset of project we have been committed to making our new technology
freely available.But Any telephone carrier or handset manufacturer that wishes to incorporate
our technology free to do so,& indeed we would be delighted to be assist them in process'.


NEW technology also potential to dramatically improve to be mobile phone coverage in
many rural & remote locations where a signal is available only limited locations in a community or
with a frustratingly weak signal, said that scientists.

'Mobile Phones running our software relay calls between themselves. If even just one of can see cell tower, then calls can be with any of the mobile phones, the sustaining communications in affected to be areas. A balloon isn't necessary a mobile phones running our software at any vantage point can suffice', He saids that.

Atlantic crossing - Day 14

If we weren’t confused before this trip we certainly may become. Our discussions in the dark, moonless nights consists of topics such as: was there human beings in the times of the dinosaurs and did they try fighting them? what exactly is the consistence of the lava inside of our world and is the lava really neccesary to keep the world in motion? Does all planets have this type of burning substance within them? Why do you think religions were founded, besides of making money and keeping people in order and under control? Why are some of the stars above us more lit than others? If love is the strongest of powers, why aren’t the world a better place and what would happen to the world and it’s citizens if, hypotetically, all the value of money and trade was gone? Would it even be possible to survive and what would be the strongest forces then in war, politics, international relations and over all in the world? Those things wouldn’t even had to exist?

We might think we have came to a whole lot of conclusions but I fear that it all just’ve made us even more puzzled. Dangerous topics to even begin with as one might as well realize that nothing really makes sense in the end. Who are we to question such fundamental things anyway: two people in love, sailing on a boat towards what they believe is right and easily avoiding everything which aren’t, utterly convinced that they found the right religion and faith already. Our contemplations would probably not make much difference in the end and that is more or less how our midnight discussions ends, most of the times. We always end up saying: ah, fuck it, we don’t get anywhere with this so what’s the point? Let’s focus on our own happiness instead. And so we do. Going to bed, feeling happy and content that we at least have a free will and the possibility to think, act, feel, reflect and question all by our selves without too much of influence by any God, norms made by the society, other peoples values and opinions and so on. That’s what must count the most in the end and that is, I believe, what makes us feel so endlessly much more for this beautiful thing called life.

Now: 1580 nm to Barbados. /Taru

Britney Spears' New Album to be Released on March 15,2011

Pop Singer Britney Spears' up-coming New Album be released on March 15,2011 & a rep confirmed

to M'TV on Friday.

CD will be include to serveral tracks by producers Max Martin & Dr.Luke .

There are two version of new album,and the deluxe edition featuring three or four bonus tracks.

Britney Spears plans to 'a major TV event to launceh the new album' as a television campain & Ads on everything from cabs to be Websites.

Britney Spears  Manager Adam Leber to talk Twitter  about Britney's latest photoshoot & to asked fans to be patient.

'New Album is incredible, video is fire, photo shoot is pure glam',Adam Leber wrote on Twitter.
'Patience is not just a great song by Guns N' Roses. All good things to those who wait'.





Listen to be Britney Spears' single track, "Hold It Against Me," :-

Barbados?

Since it shortens our landfall destination with around 100 nm, we've decided to make a first stop in Barbados when we arrive, whenever we arrive, to the Caribbean and we'll also be picking up two of our friends there. Have any of you guys been to Barbados and do you have any tips regarding that island? We are supposed to move on towards Martinique, St Lucia etc. directly, but might be there are something which we cannot miss in Barbados? Will land around 9-10 th of February. /T&A

Yesterday's lunch and some stats of day no. 12

It was a Mahi Mahi of course. I had it grilled with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Served it with basmati rice cooked in garlic and coriander. Delicious!

Some stats of today:

1899 nm to go to Martinique. 

Position: N 14°02. W 28°42.

Water temp: 30°. I'm soon in. 

Amount of fish caught so far: 1 only! Catastrophe.

Knots of wind in this very moment: 5-7. Engine on. We can see some stronger tradewinds on the grib a bit further West and we have around 200 nm to go to be able to pick them up. Hoping this will be the end of motoring for this journey. 

Amount of flying fish landed on deck: 1

Squalls encountered so far on this crossing: 5? 6? Luckily we got stuck in a big one last night which gave us some good speed forward for a couple of hours. And it also gave a good wash of the teak, thank you weather gods for that one.

And that would be all for now. Don't forget to check out our position and route on the Spotwalla website. /T

Atlantic crossing - Day 11 - Today's lunch

What is all that hacker thing that some of you've mentioned in the comments by the way? Can't keep an eye on the blog all the time from here so please inform me. /T

In Mindelo marina

Look what we found in Cabo Verde. A dismasted Imoca 60 which had to end the (Barcelona World) race because of it’s loss of the mast. What a big fucking thing, it is. Never seen these beasts IRL before. Must be such a tremendous, amazing adrenalin rush to fly over the ocean in one of these in 25-30 knots. Hoping to be able to try it out, one day. /T

SA

Sailing Anarchy = Always making sure to zoom in on the most important of news!

Quick stop in Cabo Verde

We made a landfall in Mindelo last night to fill up the fuel tanks and to get some fresh oranges and other fruits and veggies. These island(s) seem to be a very interesting community with it's eclectic atmosphere, the colors, the music, the colonial history... everything feels intriguing and it is certainly a pity that we couldn't stay and explore it all some more. Maybe on our next turn around the world. But now we're more than ready to move on West again! /Taru

Taylor Swift's "Back to December" Video Dissected in Online

Pop Singer Taylor Swift's new music video dissected in online for "Back to December" could be
subtitled "Chilly Scenes of Winter", & that's exactly what's the clip's director, Yoann Lemoine,
envisioned for the moody & melancholy video accompanying on the tune.

She saide "I wanted to work on the coldness of feelings in a very visual way, playing with the snow,
the distance and sadness," Lemoine tells M'TV news."{Taylor swift} really liked it's".adds to the director,
whose previous work includes in the clip for "Katy Perry's" Teenage
Dream.In the winter theme was very very interesting to me in the snow, the ice.Even i wanted the guy to go swim in frozen lakes at some point.

The 'guy' whom he's referring is actor Guntars Asmanis, who plays Taylor swift former love interest in the icy clip. Interestingly, Taylor's scene's were shot in Nashville while Guntars' part was filmed in upstate New York.

"Back to December "Taylor Swift Lyrics:

 I’m so glad you made time to see me.
How’s life, tell me how’s your family?
I haven’t seen them in a while.
You’ve been good, busier then ever.
We small talk, work and the weather
Your guard is up and I know why.

Cause the last time you saw me
Is still burned in the back of your mind.
You gave me roses and I left them there to die.

So this is me swallowing my pride,
Standing in front of you saying I’m sorry for that night,
And I go back to December all the time.
Turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you,
Wishing that I realized what I had when you were mine.
I’d go back to December, turn around and make it all right.
I go back to December all the time.

These days I haven’t been sleeping
Staying up playing back myself leaving,
When your birthday passed and I didn’t call.
And I think about summer, all the beautiful times
I watched you laughing from the passenger side
Realized that I loved you in the fall.
Then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind.
You gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye.

So this is me swallowing my pride,
Standing in front of you saying I’m sorry for that night.
And I go back to December all the time.
Turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you,
Wishing that I realized what I had when you were mine.
I’d go back to December turn around and change my own mind.
I go back to December all the time

I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile, so good to me, so right,
And how you held me in your arms that September night,
The first time you ever saw me cry.
Maybe this is wishful thinking,
Probably mindless dreaming
If we loved again I swear I’d love you right.

I’d go back in time and change it but I can’t
So if the chain is on your door, I understand.

But this is me swallowing my pride,
Standing in front of you saying I’m sorry for that night,
And I go back to December.
Turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you,
Wishing that I realized what I had when you were mine.
I’d go back to December turn around and make it alright.
I’d go back to December turn around and change my own mind.
I go back to December all the time.

All the time


"Back to December"Taylor Swift  Video:

 

Atlantic crossing - Day 8 - Ghosting around

I was speaking a bit too fast. Just when I had uploaded last post for you with the information of that we will not have to stop in Cape Verde, Alex came down to show me his new discovery from the new grib file. Now the trades seemed to have died out and the further down South we would get, the lighter winds would we encounter. And would we make a turn to the West now, the trades and some stronger winds would equally not appear for at least the next five-six days or so. 5 knots of wind where it was supposed to be established tradewinds for weeks ago? And how is it possible that the whole goddamn ocean is dead calm in every reachable direction of our route? The tradewinds are conspiring against us! Not much else to do than reroute, make that annoying turn back to the East and refuel in Cape Verde. We really had romanticized a picture of making this crossing in around 20 days and we were so happy to have waited until January for the trades to have the time to fully establish, but obviously they are still not at all in balance and once again we're getting hold back by higher forces. The elements does what they want in the end, and we are just a couple of people sailing on a small sailing vessel, desperately waiting for the right winds to arrive. 

So next stop Mindelo, Cape Verde tonight and we'll be leaving from there with full fuel tanks and perhaps some fresh vegetables in the early morning of tomorrow Tuesday. Seems like we'll then have to motor our way from there a bit further down SW for at least a day or two and then, yeah then we might be in the belt of some favorable trades for the last leg towards the West.

Alex is fishing now for the first time on this trip. Sushi for lunch would be nice. Wish him luck. /Taru

Pop singer Britney Spears' New Album Before It Goes On Sale

Pop Singer Britney Spears new album,& Lead single track "Hold it Against Me" surfaced in online this week. This song that is mostly rot Euro pop & rests on a gag last made by the Bellamy Brothers in 1979,

it sparked an unusual degree of excitement.

And pop fans don't care about Britney Spears simply out of loyalty to

unlikely survivor. It's real reason many of us rush for anything new from her is 2007's Blackout,

& album are close to a cult hit as anything that sold "3m copies" can be.

On the Blackout song released with minimum promotion in the middle of her shaven headed,

zombie eyed, walking tabloid period,Britney spears gave us the tightest,& most inventive dance-pop record of the last 10 years.

Everything happened in mainstream pop since such as the routine electronic treatment of vocals,& the turn to European club beats & synths happened on this new album,only in darker, braver & catchier fashion.

It's title in, Blackout didn't try to gloss over state it's star was in embraced it.In the particular, the vocal twisting, distorted, blurred & robotised Britney Spears, giving the hot impression of a record that had swallowed up-to its own singer.

Hold it Against Me Videos:

Atlantic crossing - Day 7 and 8 - 2130 nm to go

Rain is gone. Although it took around 15 hours to get rid of. Fantastic how different the world can appear in different lights. We are now definitely in the tropics, with a position of N 19.20° W 24.55°, and finally have those warm nights arrived, making the watches much easier to go through. I'm thinking by the way of having a swim in the deep blue sea very soon as the heat is quite unbearable at times. Alex tells me there might be sharks and tries to scare me but I don't intend letting either him or the movie "The Reef" stand in between me and my mid Atlantic dive, for there can't be sharks in the middle of the deep Atlantic ocean, can there? And if there is, how great would the risk be to have a hungry one just around our boat when I dive in? The Reef was by the way a good movie, thanks for the tips whoever that was of our dear readers suggesting us to see it. A bit frustrating though to watch people taking such stupid decisions like the ones taken in the movie.

No flying fishes here yet as far as I am concerned, only a very strange fish swimming along with us next to the hull of our boat, just like a dog or some other type of pet following it's owner. Please let me know if anyone can identify this weird animal. Is it eatable?

We have now been out here for seven days and only two ships have we met. Definitely thought there would be a bit more traffic around here, although we do not mind the loneliness at all. Feels good to have the ocean all to ourselves. Definitely better for the tan as well, as we're able to be naked as much as we want to without curious eyes watching. Speaking of tan, the tone of my skin is slowly turning into something reminiscent of raisins, I might look like an old, dry grapefruit when we're done with this passage although everything is better than the pale white winter look I was sporting earlier.

Although we were earlier convinced that we had found those tradewinds, they quickly died out on us after a few days. It's been some slow and frustrating last 24 hours here with ultra light winds and terribly uncomfortable rolling seas. I can't believe I once was dreaming of dead calm mid Atlantic days, they are the worst to ever have to encounter. Especially when we've decided to not make a stop in Cape Verde to refuel. Will the fuel last all the way to the West Indies is the question of the day. Or no, that is actually not a question any longer, it just has to last as we do not have other options any longer. We're now heading further down SW to catch up with the established trades which we've found on the grib-files and we're having some 300 nm to go before we can turn completely to the West.

I can by the way see that we have +200 new friend requests on Facebook, unfortunately we can't accept them from here so bare with us for two more weeks, will you. Also we're sorry that we can't answer much emails and comments from the sea, will take care of it all when we're back on normal Wifi connection again.

/Taru

Lady Gaga's manager said on her new album & up-coming detail's

 Pop Singer Lady Gaga's Manager says the multiplatinum pop star has “overachieved”

in the recording to her coming new album,it's to be released May 23,2011.

The Coalition Media Group CEO & founder Troy Carter, who manages Lady Gaga, Internet sensation

Greyson Chance,  pop and R&B boy band Mindless Behavior, stopped by the Wall Street Journal officesFriday & said artist has been in New York shooting a new video for the highly-anticipated new album release.

 "She 'overachieved' on this new album," Carter said. "You  know what to expect in terms of where an artist is going to go after they have had as much success as she’s had."

"It's a certain level of soulfulness to it," he said. "I am looking forward to seeing the public’s reaction to it."

And Carter has been involved with enough new projects in his career to be able to make  informed comparison. Before he & his partner, Vincent Herbert brought the then relatively unknown
Lady Gaga to Interscope Record's, Carter had worked for Will Smith’s Overbrook
Entertainment & Sean "Diddy" Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment.
Today, most of his time is spent overseeing business strategies for Lady Gaga & his company’s of other artist's.

Besides shooting her new video, Lady Gaga is preparing for the new album release & will launch a concert tour Feb. 18,2011. Carter said that sometime next week, Lady Gaga will announce details of a major television project she’s planning with a network.

Herbert, who owns the label Lady Gaga records on, started working feverishly with Carter on Lady Gaga’s brand development not long after she was dropped from an earlier record deal with Def Jam Records.

Carter said he felt Lady Gaga’s energy & determination in the initial meeting, where she had a clear vision for her musical future after being dropped. "She had a forest fire in her belly," he said. "With any artist that happens to, you never want to feel that feeling in your gut anymore. Everyday she wakes up with the eye of the tiger."we are wetting for new album release to Lady Gaga.

Atlantic crossing - day 6

Rain, rain, rain....

Atlantic crossing - Day 5

Our gennaker/cruising chute have graciously carried us over the ocean in lighter winds in a comfortable and non rolling fashion for the last few days. It is quite impressive thinking that this little piece of nylon of just a few kilos is able to carry our heavy (8,5 tons) ship in such a smooth and relatively fast ride.

We have by the way rediscovered how wonderful it is to actually have the time to just be and enjoy the moment without having millions of projects, schedules and appointments breathing down ones neck so we have decided to postpone our Panama Canal transit and the South Pacific tour until next season and instead we'll be staying around to discover the best of the Caribbean islands and Central American countries for at least the next 6-10 months. We're feeling much content with this decision for now and we are also looking much forward to reevaluate some of the interesting invitations and collaboration proposals we've received in the last couple of months concerning this mentioned area of the world.

Definitely on our must-visit-list besides all the beautiful Caribbean islands are: Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Honduras and more.

Consider the Caribbean Sea as our new home for 2011. 

Atlantic crossing - Day 4

Your prayers made a good impact, thank you very much. We've been sailing along with an average speed of 6 knots since the last 12 hours and we've done a good 129 miles progress on the route in the last 24 hours. The NE tradewinds are already encountered although they've been pretty light until midnight last night. Our best approach for this downwind condition have so far been mainsail out to leeward and jib poled out to windward. Getting a steady and good speed like this.

Some statistics of the first 72 hours of this Atlantic passage:

Total route to make: 2850 Gran Canaria-Martinique

Sailed of the actual route so far: 310 nm (total sailed: approx. 360 nm)

Engine used: 18 hours.

Average speed the last 24 hours: 5,3 knots over ground.

If we keep on with the speed of the last 24 hours, we will soon get up in an average distance on 130 nm/day. Hoping that the tradewind is fully established with stronger winds the more SW we get and that the conditions will stay at least like the one of today. We haven't really had the need of using the engine since Monday night thankfully but we'll need to get in on later tonight to top up the batteries and for using the watermaker for an hour or two.

The weather is excellent, it's very very hot in the days with a warm sun and no clouds as far as my eyes can see, the water is crystal clear with a beautiful indigo tone. Seen tons of dolphins. The nights are still terribly cold though and I need one sleeping bag and thick jacket in the night to keep myself warm during night watches. Routines are working good otherwise. We start our night watches at 10pm and switch every second hour until 10am the morning after. We both get 3x2 hours of sleep and equally 6 hours divided by three times of watch. This is what have worked best for us since we started to sail over-night passages together in the winter of 2009.

It feels like the sea is totally ours out here as we haven't encountered almost no other ships or yachts. Last night we saw one cargo ship and otherwise there hasn't been anything else in our close surroundings for the last two days and nights. We've seen a couple of more cargo ships on the AIS but none of them has been in closer distance for us to see them with bare eyes.

It is a strange feeling to be so many hours in total peace and quietness. In a positive way I mean. No phones, Internet, people or anything to disturb the tranquility and it gives us time to reflect and to talk about things and happenings we usually don't have the time or space for. Very interesting also what type of feelings, thoughts and memories this total peace brings with it. It has struck me how much there is inside of us to discover and/or rediscover and that can best be obtained when one cuts off the normal life in a way like this. I love the whole idea of being away from it all for a while and I'm looking forward to what more my brain will encounter during these next 19-20 days on the ocean. Also we're very happy to be just the two of us, far away from all the stress we had filled our lives with from the day one we met for 15 months ago until the very day we left for this crossing. /Taru

Laday Gaga set for the more Thierry Mulger Work

Pop Singer Lady Gaga  set to take on a bigger role at French Fashion House 'Thierry Mugler'.

Stylist & creative director of  Brand Nicola Formichetti has hinted more work could be in  pipeline between the two following her forthcoming musical-director role of his menswear show in Paris, France.

He said that, "I want people to think, 'Ok, there are something new happening.' I want people to get excited again, not only the fashion people.


Talking about a future collaboration, he added to WWD, "It's me & her just having fun & getting very inspired from the idea of the Thierry Mugler. She's very much involved, more in the early stages."

The new track which has been selected & remixed by Lady Gaga for the show is an unheard piece, which Nicola Formichetti - who was the designer responsible for the infamous meat dress worn by the 'Alejandro' pop singer - believes it is the perfect accompaniment to the clothes.

He said that "It's very, very hard, but pop at the same time. It's really amazing.

"When I heard it, I said, 'That's Mugler.' She's remixing it especially for the show."

Atlantic Crossing Day 3

Hi there!

I hope you all are fine. We are. We've started to get used to this rolling now which probably is a good sign. It's been terrible little wind until now and we haven't made as much progress as we wanted to but we do hope to catch some stronger winds when we get more to the SW. Hopefully tomorrow. Wind direction has changed at least, NE now although very light, between 5-10 knots most of the times. Added to that there is a mixed swell coming from both E and N so that in total makes for a rolly ride unfortunately. One good thing is that it gets hotter and hotter for each day and we are very close to approach the tropical latitudes of the earth and today the thermometer showed above 28°C degrees already, just what we've been waiting for. It was a delightful sound to hear that Bacardi Breezer bottle(s) popping up under the warm sun earlier today. Alex was complaining: "You're drinking like a man". "Well, someone has to do it", I replied and enjoyed getting a bit tipsy three o clock in the afternoon with the beautiful navy blue water sparkling around us from every direction I turned my head. No land in sight and it will so continue for the next three weeks. Aaah those simple yet beautiful things in life. This is freedom! Then the dolphins came, the first ones we encountered on this trip. Around 30 bottle-nosed creatures jumped around us for half an hour or so.

According to our chart plotter, we have now 2653 nm left before we arrive to Martinique. That divided by an average speed of 130 nm/day (which we hope to establish very soon) would make it approx. 20 more days to go and we still think we will be able to get over to le Caribe before the 7th of Feb but we might also be one or two days delayed if the wind keeps on blowing with such a light force as it does right now.

Just like I said earlier, we are ultimately happy to not had to have used the autopilot at all, as the Sailomat windvane works fantastically also in very light winds. We have started to produce some water as well with the Power survivor and that too works just as fine and it is such great news to be able to top up the water tank whenever its starting to dry out. Shower at least every second day=paradise on the sea. And tomorrow my sprouted beans should be ready to eat, good now when we start to run out on the most of the other fresh stuff. Still a lot of fruits left though. Fishing we haven't even got started with as yet, maybe tomorrow when the meat is gone from the fridge.

Is the Spotwalla tracker working by the way? I hope so that you all can follow our (slow) ride across the Atlantic. And pray for us to get some more winds, will you. Find our position on the link to the right.

FYI: we can't answer any comments as it is from the sea, we'll take care of it all when we get to faster connection. /Taru

Atlantic crossing day 2 - Calm seas

Not much news from here. Wind died out last night so we had to motor for a couple of hours, very frustrating. Early in the morning it picked up again and we have now been sailing with wind coming from the SE and a wind speed of 10-15 knots for the last 10 hours. We're cruising slowly towards Cape Verde and having some 650 nm left to go South before we can turn to the West and towards the Caribbean. We're not doing much at the moment. Eating, sleeping, reading and trying to get used to being on the sea again. We are btw so very happy with our Sailomat windvane, it works totally flawless. /Taru

Atlantic Crossing day 1. Goodbye now Europe (finally)

Finally back on the sea. We are very excited and happy but also very very tired due to having to wait for and search all over the island to get a hold on butane gas which were supposed to be awaiting us at the gas station yesterday afternoon. Anyway, today we got it solved and we're now underway. We are just rounding Gran Canarias most Southern point as we speak.

Too tired for any longer contemplations right now so let's speak again in the morning. /Taru

Not on a Friday

The document have finally arrived. Not a day too early. One thing very important to know about Spain is that you need a hell of a lot of patience when you're dealing with bureaucracies and administrative institutions. The fact that you will have to wait for things/deliveries/letters/emails/people much longer than scheduled, is something you just have to get used to and put into your calculations from day one otherwise it is very easy to go completely crazy over here. But Spain is, on the other hand, good in so many other ways so it might even out.

Anyways, the important boat document is now here and we are ready to go. Or at least I am but Alex refuses to leave today as it is a Friday and apparently it means bad luck to leave for a sailing passage on a Friday. Everyday you learn something new about the people around you. I never seen a superstitious side in my man before today. Very interesting. Or maybe just all sailors are living by this superstition. Who knows?

"In some cultures, Friday is considered unlucky. This is particularly so in maritime circles; perhaps the most enduring sailing superstition is that it is unlucky to begin a voyage on a Friday" - cut out from Wikipedia.

/Taru

Thoughts about the crossing

No we're not in the tropics yet, although these little friends looks like they are just from there. The document is still missing and we will have to wait here for it's arrival. Someone was asking about our feelings now when we're just about to begin the long crossing and I have barely thought of it from another perspective  than how interesting it will be and how great it will be to have it done. Am not worried or scared or anything like that as I cannot see any greater risks out there than in any other sea we sailed. I'm sure those nights in Golf of Leon with 5 meter seas and 35 knots of wind or that night of constant thunderstorm and 30-32 knots of wind while surfing on huge seas and praying for my life for us not to get struck by the massive lightnings which were all around us, were much more fearful than an Atlantic crossing can be in January. We will follow the established trade-winds anyway so there shouldn't be too much of surprises, at least not from the weather perspective. Some rain has no one died of and yes the waves can be a bit uncomfortable but that's something I've calculated to have to deal with anyhow. What we could be a bit worried for though and which Alex slightly is already, is the autopilots tiller arm and it's strength after that shock it had to experience in Morocco. The bracket is reinforced a bit but we would definitely have to get it replaced completely and that we haven't had the time for as yet. I am not too worried as I think we will be fine with it and also the Sailomat windpilot, and would both fail - well then it was our bad luck and there's not much else to do than hand-steer and even that is not a major concern from my side. If people have sailed around the world singlehanded without autopilots for almost thirty years now and someone sailed across the Atlantic with a 20-footer by himself for more than 150 years ago, well then we would easily be able to do it without self-steering if that would be our luck. 

I am sure everything will be fine and I'm confident knowing that we will always find a way to solve problems that might arrive. It is a new type of challenge after all and if we wouldn't love great challenges, we wouldn't live this life to begin with.

We feel well prepared and ready, just that goddamn document which has to arrive and then we're ready to go. Will call UPS now again and check what the hell's going on. /Taru

Celebrity News

Khloe Kardashian Works Out With Celebrity Friends

Keeping Up With The Kardashians star Khloe Kardashian has revealed that she likes to workout with her friends.

The socialite was spotted this week with celebrity friend Nicole Richie going to the gym.

"One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2011 was to get back into a serious exercise regimen," she explained.

"I've been doing pretty well so far if I may say so myself, LOL. Today I hit the gym with Nicole. It's always fun to work out with a friend so you can push each other!"

Celebrity News

Kourtney Kardashian: I Feel Guilty When I'm Away From My Son'

Kourtney Kardashian has revealed that she feels guilty whenever she is away from her son Mason.

The reality TV star, who has the 13-month-old with partner Scott Disick, admitted that it "doesn't feel good" when she travels without him.

She told Parenting: "Unless I'm working, I can't be away from him without feeling guilty. It doesn't feel good or natural to be, so it's a struggle."

"I don't want to judge, but I've also met women who think it's cool to be out or away from their baby, and I don't get that. Every time I'm not working, he's with me."

"Even on an airplane, he is with me even if the nanny is also on the plane. Any time I can have with him, I am lucky to have."

Kardashian also said that she and Disick have become so accustomed to always being with Mason that they've stopped enjoying evenings out together.

The 31-year-old explained: "My friends keep saying, 'You and Scott should go out and eat or do something'."

"Recently my sister Kim watched Mason so we could go to dinner. It took so long - actually, it probably didn't take so long, but to us it felt like it took long - we were like, 'Should we just get pizza and go home?'"

"Scott says he doesn't need to wine and dine me anymore. We would be just as happy having a slice of pizza sitting in bed with our son."

Kardashian insisted that when she does have time away from Mason, she is happiest leaving him with her stepfather Bruce Jenner.

She added: "Out of everyone, I call Bruce for help the most. He's a perfect role model for him. He takes Mason to the car wash for 'man time'."

Celebrity News

Kim Kardashian Denies Sister's Pregnancy Rumour

Socialite Kim Kardashian has denied speculation that her sister Khloe is pregnant.

The reality TV star said that the rumours about her sister expecting are untrue.

Kim told E! Online: "I feel like she gets this all the time. It's like every other week.

"I think I'd kill myself if I had to deal with that."

She added: "It doesn't feel good when you've just gained a little weight."

Tour News

Kylie Minogue Announces US Tour

Aussie singer Kylie Minogue has announced a 16-date tour of North America later this year.

The singer revealed the news of her latest leg of the 'Aphrodite' tour on her website on Tuesday.

"The reaction to Aphrodite has been absolutely incredible and has inspired me and my creative team to develop a new show that will take all of us on a euphoric journey of joy, excitement and glamour," she said in a statement.

"I can’t wait to get on the road and see all my fans in 2011."

The tour will begin in Montreal on April 28 and will include stops in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Washington DC, Orlando and Houston before concluding in Las Vegas on May 22.

Shows in Dallas, Ft Lauderdale, San Francisco and Los Angeles are also planned, along with stops in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterey.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on January 22.

Music News

Keisha Buchanan's Track Leaked

A song featuring Keisha Buchanan's vocals has been leaked online.

The track, called 'Under Control', appeared on the web this morning.

Lyrics to the song include: "I'm so cool without you here/ I don't need no stress get-cha out of here/ I'm burning up, burning up.../ Turn it up, Turn in up/ I g-got it under control."

The former Sugababe has been working on her solo debut since being booted out of the group in September 2009.

This marks the second track to be leaked from Buchanan's solo project, after the song 'Fearless' appeared on a producer's MySpace profile page last year.

Music News

Jeward Confirmed For Irish Eurovision Shortlist

X Factor twins John and Edward have been confirmed for the Irish Eurovision shortlist.

The brothers, who are managed by Louis Walsh, will compete with four other acts in Eurosong and the right to represent Ireland in Dusseldorf later this year.

ESC Daily reported Nikki Kavanagh, The Vard Sisters, Don Mescall and a new EMI quartet are rumoured to complete the shortlist.

All five acts will be trained by music industry professionals before performing on The Late Late Show. The winner will be selected by a combination of judges and televoting.

Music New Releases

Take That Announce New Single


UK boy band Take That have announced that their new single will be 'Kidz'.

The group confirmed the single will be released on February 28 on their official website.

TV News

TV Show - The Game Season 4 Scores Huge Rating

The much anticipated 4th season of the US sitcom 'The Game' premiere on US TV last night.

A whopping 7.7 million viewers tuned in to see the return of Melanie, Derwin, Tasha, Malik, Jason and Kelly in a nice biting comeback.

The show follows the lives and relationships of professional footballer players on a fictional pro-football team.

BET pick up the show after it was canceled by its former network The CW after three seasons.

What we're occupied with at the moment

So what do we have left before we can leave? This is one of those things. Alex have designed and mounted new teak seats in the cockpit and these gaps needs now to get filled with sika. Will show the final production once it's finished.

Rest of the list below. (and bear in mind that this is only what has to get done before we leave, there is another long list for not so super important tasks to fulfill when we have more time on some tropical island. ) So:

- Install a new cooler plate for the fridge. We'll be able to produce ice with this new one. Yes!

- One sail is on repair and needs to get back to the boat asap.

- Install the gps antenna for the MaxSea.

- Replace one of the navigation lights.

- Refill with more sika on some of the portholes.

- Fit the battery isolator.

- Install three new battery cables.

- Improve the earthing of the satellite unit.

- Install a larger engine starter battery.

- Clean out the boat and store everything properly.
- Await an important document that should have arrived today, better luck tomorrow I guess.

And.. that would be it for now. /T

Hallucinations

I know I know, all you sailors out there would wish to see a bit more of the boat projects and such but bear with me for a while as we are in a very messy (literally) situation right now when our to-do-list seems longer than that one we started on for one year ago and we are supposed to begin our ocean crossing in about ... 24 hours.

Le Pastis d'Amelie is a cake that Alex sisters friend Nico sent home with us from France and it is one of the most delicate piece of pastry that I have ever tasted. It is from a special bakery in Mazerolles outside of Pau which nowadays are so famous for this round, sweet cake that they only have these on their baking list. When you take a bite of this buttery, creamy dream of a vanilla cake, you instantly get transported to the cake heaven beyond any you've ever visited before. I swear, it feels like you're hallucinating when having the pleasure of having this mixture on your tongue. It is simply ridiculous how buttery one cake can be and I'm mourning in this very moment as we've just finished the grand cake of 700 g this morning. I will definitely have to try putting together something similar asap.

Some other food notes from Las Palmas: I never thought that living with a Frenchman would mean that I would eat this much of foie gras, I think that we two together have eaten around 1 kilo (2.2 US pounds) only since NYE and let me tell you that that is some serious amount of goose liver. My only problem now is to figure out how to get rid of these many extra pounds which these cakes and livers have meant to my body. And somehow that has to get done before I get over to the Caribbean. Will keep you posted. /Taru

Music News

50 Cent Signs X Factor's Gamu

US Hip Hop rapper 50 Cent has signed X Factor reject Gamu Nhengu to his record label.

The former X Factor contestant, who was eliminated from last year's competition at the Judges' Houses stage, is said to have penned a record deal with the rapper's label G-Note under the name Miss Gamuchirai.

Micro Blog Buzz reported that "Miss Gamuchirai has been singed to 50 Cent's new record label G-Note."

"G-Note will focus on 50's favourite acts that don't fit neatly into G-Unit's hip-hop categorisation and will favour pop and R&B artists."

The site also claims that Nhengu was forced to wait until her contract with The X Factor was over before she could agree the deal.

It said: "It is believed that many labels have been interested in signing Gamu but G-Note offered the best deal and are best connected to make her dreams reality."

Baby News!

Tia Mowry Pregnant

US Actress Tia Mowry has announced that she and husband Cory Hardrict are expecting their first child.

US Weekly reported that The Game star is "excited" about parenthood as the couple have been trying to get pregnant for a while.

"We are both so excited to be parents," the pair said in a statement.

"We have been wanting this a long time!"

Mowry's rep confirmed to the publication that the actress is due on July 3.

Tour News

Bruno Mars Announces Mini UK Tour

US singer Bruno Mars has announced details of a mini UK tour.

The singer will play four headline dates across the UK to promote his forthcoming album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, which is out January 17.

Mars starts his tour with his album launch party at London's Café de Paris on January 24, before playing shows in Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham.

The star releases his new single 'Grenade' this week.

Check out the his UK tour dates below:

• January 24 - London, Café de Paris


• March 10 - Manchester, Academy


• March 11 - Glasgow, Oran Mor


• March 15 - Birmingham, HMV Institute

Celebrity News

Cher Lloyd's Boyfriend in Cheat Claims

Boyfriend of Cher Lloyd's Karim Roundi has deleted his Twitter account following reports that he cheated on the 17-year-old.

The rumours spread just five days after the 20-year-old from Essex is believed to have met Lloyd.

Roundi, friend of fellow X Factor contestant Paije Richardson, allegedly met waitress Kate Cross at a club in Southend where Richardson was also appearing.

Cross told The Sun newspaper: "I went with them to their hotel for drinks. Me and Karim kissed. He asked me upstairs for a hot chocolate and one thing led to another."

"Before we went Paije said, 'What about Cher?' I thought it was a joke."

The 21-year-old added: "He seemed quite nice but now I know he's a dog who cheated on his girlfriend."

Celebrity News

Kim Kardashian Wants Twins

Kim Kardashian has admitted that she wants to be married with children someday with twins.

The reality TV star told E! Online that she is happy being single now, but hopes to start a family in the future.

"It's like I have no obligations. That's why I loved going to New York [for Kourtney And Kim Take New York!], because it's like, I'm not married, I don't have kids. I can get up and leave and do whatever I want," said the 30-year-old star.

She also explained that she would like to have four children, two boys and two girls.

"I want twins," she added.

Kardashian is reportedly dating basketball star Kris Humphries.