Singapore

So far Singapore has been great.  I'm writing from our hotel room whilst watching the Premiership.  A nice reminder of home!  Weird that it's free here and not at home.  It underlines what a global brand the premiership is.  It also accounts for any mistakes found in this blog entry - I always seem to write when I'm annoyed or tired!  

We have been put in touch with a great church thanks to our friends in Taiwan.  Sharon and Allen have looked after us really really well.  They picked us up from the airport in 2 cars, showed us around the city at 11pm and then took us to Crispin Hill's place (Pete Hill's brother).  He's a real dude.  We stayed in his place in a nice suburby type area of Singapore.  It's near the east coast.  Me and Julianne slept outside on the veranda in a hammock-like sofa.  

I went to pastor Kong He's church today.  We attended one of the 4 services that are held over the weekend with 5,000 passionate Singaporians.  Everyone was praying in tongues for 30 minutes before the meeting which was so powerful.  Then in the worship it was like everyone just gave everything.  Sharon and Allen then took me to see their singing dog!  So funny.   

Airport Blues

Airports have the potential to be fun places with a nice environment.  They could enhance the nice feeling of going to an exciting new place.  Sadly they so often fail to do this and do the opposite.  After a wonderful week's relaxation by the beach, it's often in the airport that any last warm holiday feelings are unceremoniously removed.  For instance, take the last couple of hours.  We checked in nice and easily thanks to some good packing and traveling light.  We got through the security and decided to have lunch.  The only cafe the other side of check in was a French style one.  So Julianne bought a sandwhich for 4 times the price of the centre of Taipei.  She bit into the sandwhich and tasted raw mushy chicken and soggy bread with watery tomato skins!  So then I had an argument about changing the sandwhich - the Taiwanese waitress tried to convince me that this was French style!  The cheek!  I was eventually given a new one!  GRRRRRRRRR!  Our flight is boarding, I better go.  GRRRRRRRRR...

Another Mad Weekend

 

It’s been a few days since we’ve had internet and since I’ve had any time to write anything.  We completed the 4 concerts in 2 days.  That was pretty crazy.  The first church was full of young people who were up for expending some serious energy.  After setting up our equipment (15 minutes to do this and then it was unplugged and the worship band came back on) I had a blood sugar crash.  I think I’ve worked out what this is now.  I feel really hot even if it’s cold and my head starts spinning a bit.  Adrenaline may play it’s part in sucking some blood sugars out of my system, but whatever it is - I went out to the café and took some dextrose and glucose tablets and some sushi.  This seemed to work, although slower than I wanted.  Sugar even if absorbed quickly doesn’t make me feel instantly better. 

 

We walked onstage and played the songs.  Everyone seemed excited and clapped and sang along.  Much to the consternation of some of the leaders, our friend Bobo who is training to be a dance teacher grabbed a mic from the stage and started shouting to everyone to go more crazy.  Ha ha ha ha ha.  Brilliant.  One of those things that you can’t stop and that I wouldn’t want to.  It all happened too fast.  So the temperature in the place rose higher and we had to respond.  By the end of the concert it was all a big melee around the front of the stage.  I was somewhere in the middle of it. 

 

Then we were bundled into a taxi and rushed off to another church to play another gig.  There was 30 minutes on our schedule to get to this gig, set up our equipment and start playing.  Needless to say we got lost.  In trying to find the right place we walked into a building with a big red cross on it that said there was a church on the second floor.  We ended up hauling our stuff there only to find that it was a residential building and the look on the face of the Taiwanese guy that walked out of his flat as we were walking up was definitely one for the cameras.  He ran back into his flat and slammed the door.  Then a mum and a girl came walking downstairs obviously on some errand.  Probably going to 7/11.  I smiled at the girl who was probably 5 or 6 years old and said “ni hao” as with all the kindness I could muster.  She promoptly burst into tears.  So we retreated and eventually found the church… ate dinner… played the concert…signed cds...ate more dinner that the church gave us…then went to another place with Bobo and Pei Chun and supper.  aaaaaa Taiwanese food.  It’s the best. 

 

The next day, we arrived at New Life at 1:15pm.  The church was so packed it was untrue.  2,000 people plus were there and the church had put in a huge order to the local McDonalds, Burger King and other fast food chains in order to feed everyone.  I was reading the story of feeding 5,000 and 4,000 the other day.  It’s a big enough mission with willing restaurants that you can pay to do the job!  We hung out with quite a few musicians, actors and producers from New Life before playing “good day” with Wing and then a new song that we had collaborated on.  The people seemed to love it.  So did I.  I felt very at home and relaxed as lots of the crowd know us by now.  I even sang a verse of “good day” in chinese.  Thanks Wing. 

 

Then we raced straight from there to the high speed rail.  Pretty much the same as France’s TVR.  It goes 300kmh.  We arrived in Kaoshung and found a very very different set up.  20 local churches had collaborated to create a kind of circus/market.  We featured alongside a friend of ours from the record company.  that was good.  It was an outside gig though - very sweaty as the temperature was in the 30s.  The crowd were pretty small and hardened Taiwanese.  They seemed to enjoy the show though.  I have to admit this one was pretty stressful.  Trying to win over a crowd can be tough sometimes.  You have to smile and engage even if you feel like leaving the stage and going to a quiet secluded place away from all the darn noise! 

 

The church bundled us all in a van afterwards and we were given an extremely nice meal and taken to a flat that we have been leant for 2 days. Then today (Monday) we had the day off.  Min Nian and Ben drove us to the beach in Kending (over 2 hours drive away).  Julianne and Hannnah were so excited abou that.  They’ve heard all the stories about Spring Scream and how beautiful Kenting is (the location for Spring Scream).  Lots of palm trees and beaches.  More nice food…racing karts…and a jeep ride.  One of the most fun and scary things I have done.  You stand up in the back of a 4 x 4 while it races up and down extremely steep sand dunes and along the beach.  The finale is a high speed dash through a river.  I was surprised at how much water was thrown into the air by this part.  We were soaking.  We might as well have swum in the sea! 

 

So now I’m sitting here in our room in Kaoshung (the south part of Taiwan) with the fan blowing hot air at me.  A bit like Celine Dion on Top of the Pops.  All I’m missing is dry ice.  Tomorrow we might go to a water park.  That would be great as the strain has been immense on Vanga (our friend/manager).  She loved going to the beach today.  She will love going to the water park as well.  Then it’s more concerts and off to Singapore on Friday for a headline slot at the biggest rock festival in Singapore.  I hope that is the business.  We’ve worked hard enough on our set by now it should be red hot! 

Taipei

Here's a little taste of Taipei city culture. 

They often use drink cartons to weigh down the roofs so that they don't fly off when a typhoon comes. 

Nantou and Village parties

 I've been enjoying the time here. It feels like we've been here a month already. It's nice to have a broader picture of Taiwan from Travelling around, there have been many contrasts as there always are... from City glamour to rural simplicity.  We have met lots of  different people in a short space of time  which has been exhausting, but it is fun if we just go with the flow.

Nantou was a highlight for me. It's such a beautiful place, mountainous,  and tropical, our hosts Yun and San San who are good friends of Evangeline, have been absolute stars! So

generous and friendly. 

It's been interesting to hear about the work they're doing with the youth in Nantou, and how the church is getting involved in the community.  I'd definately like to go back there again sometime.

 

We went for a short walk in the mountains. This was the view...

The best views were driving in the car, unfortunately the pictures didn't come out well, so you'll have to imagine loads of interesting shaped mountains and palm trees.

The two gigs we had here were probably the

 most energy filled ones. The youth conference crowd had glow sticks which were being waved around madly. It was great fun to have a colourful concert in the dark.

The gig in the evening was in a smaller Village, they made a huge effort with a massive stage backdrop with Transitions faces on it. The event was like a village street party, apparently Transition are the first western band ever to come to their village, so they went all out to make it a special event. It also gives you an idea of how rural it was.

It was probably my favourite gig so far despite it being outside in the heat and being eaten alive by mosquitos.  The crowd were hillarious, and so loud!  It was great fun, when the band were signing CD's at the end at the end some of the youths from the local church were fanning the boy's backs, whilst singing a funny song.  I will try to upload a video of it. So yes a fun trip.  We have a couple of days back home in Taipei now ( our flat feels like we're coming home) Then we're off to Kaochung again on Sunday for a couple of days.  It's all go!

Taiwan Adventures

Taiwanese fans Love to get CD's and posters signed. The signing can last as long as the gig! Occasionally Hannah and I get asked to sign things, but we tell them it might devalue it if Transition become famous one day. Ha ha. We almost always get roped into photos with fans. Its quite a weird feeling knowing there's lots of photos of you floating around.

Nantou

Yesterday I realised that I need to learn to read the Chinese characters.  Well, I need to at least learn the ones on menus!  It's a bit frustrating having to rely on restaurants that have pictures on the menu or the things that I can remember.  

2 days ago we travelled to the middle of Taiwan to play 2 concerts.  The first was a youth conference that was being held in a university campus.  The campus was on the top of a mountain so we had to drive through a massive sequence of valleys to get there (a little bit like Switzerland except the mountains were covered in jungle and not snow).  It's a relief to get out of the concrete jungle of Taipei and find some vegetation and nice clean air.  On arrival we felt very welcome, we were fed well and even given a sound check!  The 300 youths (people up to 25 are youths here so I'm still technically one!) were so mad.  The concert was one of the most crazy I have ever played.  There were some powerful moments of worship as everyone sang together and rocked out in the 'rock out' moments.   I felt as if it's the reason we've written some of these songs, they come alive when people engage with them.  

So post-gig we went to a night market and ate some junky food.  Mine was Japanese fried something or other.  All I could tell when I ate it was that whatever it was was fried!  The woman who cooked it also couldn't understand my Chinese so instead of adding just a small bit of sugar like I asked, I got wasabi sauce, soy sauce, pepper, and something that looked and tasted like wood chippings.  If there's one thing I've learned in Taiwan it's trust your instincts and never be too surprised!  

The next day I was pretty inspired.  We were given a tour of a friend's factory.   Her Dad is an inventor.  He loves triathlon so loads of the products are designed for athletes.  The company came up with the idea for Air cushions in shoes that Nike is famous for.  I got given an air pad for my guitar strap.  It makes having my guitar a lot more comfortable.  

Skipping a few episodes (I have to get up and shave, have breakfast and try to look presentable and my time is running out for writing this blog) - we had a street gig outside in another town the next night - it was outside and the whole town came out for the event.  It was set up by the church and the government was also involved.  The combination worked well and we played to 700 -800 people in a big street party.  I think we did well because we got 3 encores.  Either that or it's culturarl!  I haven't been so sweaty for a very long time!  Well, we have a radio interview this morning - our 7th or 8th followed by a tv show that involves 7 hours filming.  I hope I'm still alive after that!  As long as I eat enough I'll be ok!  

Julianne is doing so well.  I'm very proud of her.  She's' been engaging with all these new people all over Taiwan and lugging equipment around on trains, planes, taxis and buses all in the 35 degree heat.  We've had fun together and I'm sure there's some more shopping in store!  

Air Conditioning in 36 degrees heat

I have to write this before I forget...

I've spent all my youth growing up in England in the cold weather.  Mum and Dad's words resound in my head "don't leave the door open, we don't want to heat all of Bristol".  Here, I keep telling Julianne "keep the door closed, don't let all the cold air out!"

Our Flat in Muzha, Taipei, Taiwan

Here are some pictures of our flat in Taiwan... it's got a nice roof garden with a good view.  

New Life and Shuang Lian (Sat & Sunday)

I'm just writing in our flat - it's 8 pm but feels pretty late, because it gets dark here really quickly.  The last few days have been great but pretty hectic.  Today is Sunday.  We were up early this morning to go to Shuang Lian Presbytarian Church.  We were out of our flat by 8 with a host of music equipment including a goo jen leant to me by my friend Bobo.  Hannah and Julianne helped me carrying things which I still appreciated.  

After taking the tube we had to walk or take a taxi to the church.  Vanga pointed to a building that seemed pretty close so we decided to walk (in the 35 degree heat at 9 in the morning!).  It turned out that the church was much further away than it seemed, so we arrived pretty grumpy and hot and sweaty.  Taxi I concluded is always better before a concert if we have to arrive looking happy and ready to meet people and be friendly.  

Unfortunately my mood didn't improve once at the church.  No sound check.  Disorganised.  Too loud.  So we stand onstage trying to look professional while feedbacks howl like banshees in the poor ears of the fellowship.  Mornings don't rock.  Especially Sunday mornings.  The acoustic seemed to be good.  

Anyway, I tried to look happy and give God and the people everything I had.  It's hard to try and look happy when everything in me wants to be back at the flat - hmmmm - I hope not many people read this!  Josh shared really well in Chinese and communicated who we are and what we were about as much as possible.  And people seemed to connect.  That's the most important thing.  We sold 65 cds which was a real blessing - only 100 people were there.  That's one of the best ratios ever for us and nice to know people will enjoy listening to the tunes when they get home.  It sounds better than that performance at least!  I've probably crossed the line now.  At least I "ran through the line" so to speak.  

Then we played at New Life church.  It's host to some great friends of ours who are musicians in Taiwan.  They made 60,000 hope albums in april and gave them away for free to the Taiwanese public.  Maximum respect for that.  Back to today, the concert started at 2pm.  There was a Bruce Lee lookalike breakdance crew, a few Taiwanese singer-songwriters, a pop duet and a misplaced English rock band.  We've tried to dress up a bit since meeting these guys!  At least my hair is a different colour  now...  We played 4 songs and I have to say I enjoyed it very much.  The arena was full.  Performing to thousands of people is very fun.  I'm always trying to think of ways to connect more without going too crazy.  Playing to so many people fulfils a dream of mine, but more than that we can serve God, connect and create a powerful atmosphere.  I want people to feel and meet God in a real way.  The way that is most natural to me.  No religion or obligations.  It's great to work with a host of other artists who are joined together with a similar vision.  

I think we are making a real impact here.  Lots of people have heard us on the various radio-stations.  We've been playlisted on lots of the major radio stations. We're selling hundreds of cds.  Playing to thousands of people.  I have to keep pinching myself.  It raises a lot of questions.  Probably in the same way as being healed raises as many questions as not being healed...I was given tickets to a Benny Hinn concert yesterday - sorry way too many subject changes in one paragraph.  I probably need a paragraph a sentence.  

Me and Julianne should enjoy a quieter day tomorrow.  Maybe have an early Wedding Anniversary celebration.  We're so spoilt for choice with restaurants.  So many nice ones are round the corner from us.  Ok, until next time...

Last Few Days (Julianne)

It’s been a mad few days! 4 massive gigs in two days, between two different city’s!

On Saturday we took the high speed train for a concert in Kaohsiung. It normally takes 5 hours from Taipei, but took us 2 so that was fun, and a very comfortable journey.

The plan was to do a gig at a youth confernce at 11 am, then the guys would go back on the high speed train to Taipei for a gig at 7pm! It’s a tall order to for two gigs in one day in the same city, but it was a train journey with loads of luggage minus 3 people to help carry. (Hannah, Evangeline and me) We were worried all the travelling would be too much for Jes, so were ready to cancel gigs, or  make it the Niall and josh show if needed.

I was blown away with Jes’s energy, he obviously has a reserve somwhere when the adrenaline kicks in. He gave everything In the gig, and was still as lively as ever, no one would have believed he is as ill as he is.

We have been well looked after, with good regular meals and the best service for jes, taxi’s instead of walking, time to chill before and after concerts. The ballance of all that is really making the difference. He’s really happy to be here,

It has been mad, but ina  good way  He’s done SO well. Knowing his limits, and not overdoing things. I’m very proud.

After their gig in Taipei, the guys came back on the train again to Kaosiung, as we were doing another two gigs on Sunday.(today)

The church put us up in a  hotel which was very kind of them. They have been very hospitable. The gigs today were funny, becayuse of the context, we attended the 2 and a half hour anglican service this morning in taiwanese, so there was no hope of understanding anything. It was hard to stay awake, but the funny thingh was in the midst of this very traditional service, trandition had a 20 minute slot, they played  an accoustic set, as they were doinga  concert in the same place that evening. the songs went down very well, as did Josh’s introduction and encouragement in mandarin.Ｉthink evryone was surprised, because they all errupted into applause, and then at the end of the meeting  a hoge coud of the congregation, rushed up to buy cd’s and posters and get them signed, it was funny to see some of the older people queing to get a signature, and a chance to meet the band. quite surreal.

The gig this evening was in the same church, but open too the public and the local youth. It was another huge success with everyone singign along, jumoing around from the moment they start, and tons of signed cd’s and posters,

 

It’s amazing to see the crowd respond so well. It’s like they have known Transition forever, and they sing along the whole way through. It’s such good fun.

It really is just like they’re in the right place doing what they love and it is  connecting with  and touching people.

Kaoshung - Taipei - Kaoshung - Taipei

It’s 11:16pm and I’m writing this on the Taiwan High Speed Rail Train.  We’re going south to Kaoshung (for the second time today).  It’s 5 hours south of Taipei by bus, but it’s the second time from Taipei - Kaoshung today.  Carrying guitars on the public transport system along with FX, Cds, plugs, and now medication for me is killer.  Thank goodness the guys are looking after me well, carrying stuff.  

I only noticed how weak my arms were at Creationfest.  I was out of breath carrying my guitars around on stage.  They’ll get stronger as long as I exercise.  I’m sure I’ll jump subjects right now and give you a collage of impressions of today in Taiwan.  Either that or leave you thoroughly confused and in a lot of different places at once!  Julianne can make it make sense!  

I’ll take you back to this morning.  We arrived in Kaoshung after 3 and a half hours of travelling to a big youth convention.  We stepped outside the bus at 1:30pm ready to play at 3pm.  However, I heard those fateful Chinese words “shenme shihou kaishi?” (what time do we start) - and the reply “liang dian” (2 O clock).  So we piled inside and found that many dance teams were practising hard.  We got nowhere near the stage until 1:55pm when the host said to me “I’ll keep talking until you’re ready to start”.  Nothing was loaded onto stage or plugged in or anything!  In these moments I don’t think there’s any point in getting stressed out.  We’re a hard working band and we know how to improvise.  Cue loading onto stage (now inhabited by a sweating tech who looked like a rabbit caught between headlights) and plugging in while it seemd like the announcers introduced us and the crowd cheered in response about 10 times!  ha ha ha.  It’s a bit like being in the doctors being told you have diabetes, it feels strangely numb, like it’s happening to someone else.  

Anyway, we eventually got plugged in, no backing track, no sound check, no mic stands, only bass for Niall and a messed up video intro later I looked at Niall and we both realised.  It’s up to us to make something good happen.  We decide to start playing…

I play the first chords and… it goes like a dream.  It’s chaos, it’s hot and in a big church, I don’t know how the crowd scream and jump up and down and dance and shout with that enthusiasm in this heat, but it felt great.  They ran down to the front in the first song and propelled me along from there.  My eyes welled up a bit in Openhanded.  It’s so good to feel like all the hassles and difficulties are worth it.  I think people are genuinely touched and excited as we walk offstage.  My ears hurt from the crowd not from the over-eager foldback engineer, so that’s such a blessing.  I would much rather have that.  Julianne and Hannah are genuinely happy with the show.  THat’s another nice surprise as they’ve seen us so many times before.  I sometimes feel bad that they’ve seen so many shows - we’re putting them through a lot more this month!  

Then another bus ride, almost unbelievably, back to Taipei, for another show.  More high speed rail (I slept all the way which is important).  I was reliably informed that a backstage room with Shaolon Bao - my favourite food is waiting for me.  Another blessing… although I have a bit of a headache by now and am feeling a bit gumpy.  We soundchecked (well we had 5 minutes to check our things worked while the worship team played songs for the meeting) and we were ushered  into th Shaolon Bao room.  Unfortunately a cell group was waiting there and they got kicked out.  No problems they were kind to us.  The church has been praying for me, so that’s really good.  I think that the prayer has given me a confidence to continue.  I’m feeling my way, not trying to be too crazy, but it’s good.  

The last mouthful of dinner is just chewed and swallowed and then the dying chords of the worship echo in my ears.  We walk out and it’s straight into the set.  You just have to be ready for anything on tour.  Again the crowd (this time smaller) but packing out the basement venue were exceptional.  They were older and more ready to listen to the music, and they seemed to connect with us in a real way.  There were emotional moments as we sang Light of Day together - they get the meaning about holding on to hope through difficult times.  I feel like a walking example of that right now.  

It seems like I’ve walked from hospital to plane to stage without much in between.  It’s definitely hard to plan the perfect set when everything happens at such velocity!  I suppose that’s why we’ve put a lifetime’s work in. 

So - then more rushing before the event had finished, back on the metro and now onto the high speed rail and a hotel there tonight.  I’m sure Danny would appreciate this! 

Diagnosis Taiwan

Welcome to Jesse & Julianne on tour in Taiwan...  I thought that we'd write a blog for friends and family - it's a little bit more informal than that Transition podcasts/updates.  

The last couple of days have been crazy.  During June and July I (Jesse) have been on the road, doing concerts, working, demoing new songs, catching up on the cricket when I can (usually on my phone a bit more inconspicuous).   I’ve been gradually having a few more aches and pains than normal.  The most obvious being that I developed an insane thirst.  I gradually slipped into drinking almost a fruit juice carton at a time (1 litre). I also lost 16kg in a short space of time.

Julianne persuaded me to go and see the doctor, i eventually got there on Monday morning.  I thought that I would be there for 5 minutes or so, get some pills and go, but when the doctor looked at me he said you’ve got diabetes and you’re readings are off the scale.  He had a pretty serious face and was expecting me to be quite upset.  It all felt very surreal, like I was hearing him diagnosing someone else.  I wondered what training doctor’s have to tell people they were ill.  One of the immediate thoughts that sprang to mind was our trip to Taiwan.  I told him about leaving to go on tour on Wednesday and asked his advice.  He said “you’re not going anywhere for a week, I’m referring you to hospital now”.  hmmmmmmm…..

So I walked back home, packed my bag, got a couple of books and phoned Julianne.  Thankfully they let her leave work and come and be with me.  I hadn’t banked on spending the week in hospital.  Nor had she.  Once there, I had samples, blood tests, and a massive needle in my arm ready for a drip.  I didn’t realise, but normally blood sugars need to be between 4 - 7 mmol.  Mine were 37.  I’ve now found out that is because I had no inulin.  It’s job is to take the sugar from the blood and into the muscles and tissues.  It’s a bridge.  Similar to the title of our album.  I’m injecting myself with little bridges now, funny the ironies in life!  Anyway there are loads of people with diabetes in the UK and I have a lot more sympathy for them and it makes me more sympathetic for everyone with illnesses.  I suppose I just have to keep reminding myself that everyone is dealing with problems, physical, psychological etc, that we don’t know about and can’t understand. 

Anyway, I was seen by a really nice doctor, Liz, who referred me to a really nice nurse called Lis.  She taught me how to inject insulin and ordered me lots of needles and other medication. (6 weeks worth, which is a lot to travel with) I’m on 4 doses a day and am taking blood sugar readings.  It’s certainly quite a lot to learn and an art to get the right balance of insulin.  Lis helped us weigh up the risks - I felt is was only good to travel if I wasn’t taking a silly risk and I decided to trust her judgment.  I knew if there was a fair chance that I could go to Taiwan, it was important to.  We said we’d decide the next day (Tuesday)…   Then she let me go home! that evening, so there we were thinking I'd be in hospital for a week, but i was o.k to go home. Miracle number 1  Perfect! 

I got a better night’s sleep than I had for ages that night.  On a return to the hospital in the morning, we talked more with Lis ( The diabetes specialist) she seemed pleased that we had managed the injections, and weren't freaking out about it. Then a moment of weight and significance, as she agreed that as I could now inject myself, I could go to Taiwan!( miriacle no 2) provided i took it easy and kept in contact with her.  I was stunned, but really happy.  A big challenge ahead, but it felt like the right one. Throughout the day I had loads of calls from friends and family - so much encouragement.  I was reminded once again of how rich I am to have good relationships.  

Just over 24 hours after the diagnosis I was getting ready for the crazy journey to Taipei. It was certainly more roundabout than I could have anticipated, with flight cancellations (KLM), but for the hassle it ended up being a much smoother journey with a taxi to London, T5 very calm and sophisticated for your average english airport (and thankfully no lost baggage), London to HK (BA), HK to Taipei (CX)... and into a black merc straight to our apartment here.  I appreciated that one.  

Now I’m writing from our apartment in Taipei with the air conditioning buzzing away.  Our good friends  here are taking great care of us as usual.  They found us a great place to base ourselves while we're here.  It's a real blessing to have such an amazing place. The guys let me leave the meeting early this afternoon which is great, because I started feeling faint and dizzy again.  I want to build up some strength and be able to give out quality here in music and friendship.  All the important things... and deal with being a user!  Not a regular rock and roll style thing, but who would want that anyway!  

We are well, being very well taken care of.  We're excited to see what unfolds in the next weeks...