Its Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009. We are drilling away at our second site, but the researchers are preparing and analyzing data from the first site. The first preliminary data are in and the different groups are presenting their findings to the other scientists from other groups. The importance of having the all the laboratories and equipment onboard the JR cannot be overemphasized. To be able to pull up samples and process them and analyze them on the spot is extremely important and adds a great deal to ensuring the success of the ocean drilling operations. For me its a steep learning curve, but the more I get into it, the more I understand, and the more interest I am developing in this research. Well, I have to run, Yuko wants me to talk to the visitors at the National Museum in Tokyo, Japan in about half an hour.