// the "singleton" octopus is used instead of our base class for restoring
// any data. note that "singleton" is not dealt with in the destructor;
// it is considered owned externally. however, the "preexisting" spocket
// the "singleton" octopus is used instead of our base class for restoring
// any data. note that "singleton" is not dealt with in the destructor;
// it is considered owned externally. however, the "preexisting" spocket