"Crazy is the word that really describes everything that has happened best," wrote 16-year-old Abby Sunderland in a blog entry composed on a French keyboard aboard a fishing boat on choppy waters in the Indian Ocean. more ›

The 16-year-old Thousand Oaks teen trying to sail around the world alone was spotted and found to be in good condition. While in the rough seas of the Indian Ocean yesterday morning, Abby Sunderland set off her emergency beacons, prompting a search and rescue missions while the world awaited news of what happened. more ›

16-year-old Abby Sunderland apparently set off her emergency beacon this morning, prompting a search for the Thousand Oaks teen who is attempting to sail around the world solo. She was in the Indian Ocean -- the place she was warned to be the most difficult -- when she lost contact while talking to her parents over the satellite phone. An hour later, the Coast Guard called the family to say her beacon was set off. Sunderland's last blog entry from yesterday was titled A Rough Few Days. She departed from Marina del Rey in January. Her brother Zac completed the journey last year. more ›

In remembrance of the many lives lost in the 2004 South Asian tsunami, the public is invited to gather at a candlelight vigil with representatives of Sri Lankan organizations on Dec. 26, 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Monica Pier. Prayers will be offered by several religious denominations (Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim), followed by a moment of silence. Participants will release flowers into the ocean as the memorial service comes to an end. more ›

It’s been over two and a half years since the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami killed an estimated 200,000 people. Apart from updates commemorating the anniversary in the mainstream media, new stories of rebuilding and the long-term aftermath have been a challenge to find. This Sunday, a sample sale open to the public for Suba Ude, a cooperative of tsunami-affected seamstresses in Matara, Sri Lanka, will take place at a private residence in Venice. Hosted by Suba Ude co-founder Heather Goodwin, the sale will celebrate the rural livelihood program for 25 tsunami-affected women who have created an amazing collection of bags, pants, tops, dresses and gowns. These items are not made in factories, but individually handcrafted by each woman in her own home. A local seamstress will be at the sale to do minor alterations free of charge. Proceeds raised will go towards sustaining the cooperative back in Sri Lanka and supporting these women who continue to struggle with rebuilding their lives. more ›

In an alarmist post on Digg.com, someone is feeling like the big one is coming. "Third Earthquake Hits San Fran/Bay Area in Three Days! Exact same spot, and the Bay Area is due for the Big One any day now!" As commenter PunkRampant points out, there should be no worries. "We get weak earthquakes all the time, ~3 magnitude quakes aren't uncommon. This is a good thing, because if the weak quakes suddenly stopped... more ›

On this day in 1979, a two- to three-kiloton nuclear bomb explosion (or something) was detected in the Indian Ocean about halfway between South Africa and Antarctica. No country to date has claimed responsibility. more ›

Jackson is vacationing in Australia with Luc Longley and brought up a return in an e-mail, writing: "[I am] mulling that over in my mind. Luc and I are going for a swim this p.m. [in the] Indian Ocean." more ›