Hey beautiful people.  It’s been a busy few days.  We had a great time at the Oscars.  Thanks to the folks at the Academy for inviting me to fill in for Peter Gabriel.  It’s always a little strange performing someone’s song as they sit in the audience, but I hope I did it justice.  Regardless, we had a blast, and I’m glad I had the opportunity.  And, pardon the Kanye moment, but I think Chrissy and I may have been the best dressed couple of the night!  :)

Now my international journey begins.  I won’t be home for about 50 days!  This will be my longest stretch of not sleeping in my own bed.  I’m writing from Dubai.  We play here for the first time in my career tomorrow at the Dubai Jazz Festival.  I’m excited to play here and see the city.  I’ve heard so much about it.  From here, we go to Europe then to East Asia.  We’ll visit some familiar cities and some we’ve never been to before (like Manila, Seoul, Shanghai, Macau and Beijing).  I’m excited to meet some of my Asian fans who’ve never been to a JL show before.  It should be a fun trip.

Thanks for all of your responses to my letter to the New York Post. I realize we don’t all agree on these issues, and I know it is somewhat risky for me to state my political opinions, but I felt like I needed to say what I said.  I hope the nation can come together to face our problems without language and images whose intent is to divide us.  This recession is affecting people of all ethnicities, and our nation will be much stronger if we realize that we are all brothers and sisters, united in the pursuit of peace and prosperity.

Sincerely,
John