+##############
+
+# include helpful functions. we do this every time rather than making it part
+# of variable initialization, because functions cannot be exported to
+# sub-shells in bash (much like aliases cannot, to our infinite chagrin after
+# having migrated from korn shell...).
+source "$FEISTY_MEOW_SCRIPTS/core/functions.sh"
+
+# load some helper methods for the terminal which we'll use below.
+source "$FEISTY_MEOW_SCRIPTS/tty/terminal_titler.sh"
+
+##############
+