If you don't know where an exception is. DON'T #!@$^%@#$&^@$%^@#$^ EAT IT!
Wrap it and throw it, after logging it. That way someone like me doesn't spend 40 hours trying to figure out something simple, LIKE A !#$^%@#$^%@$#%!@#$%#^@$% NPE! In a simple part of the @#^@#$^%#!$%@!#%^ equals method.
STOP TRYING TO BE HELPFUL!