Template Toolkit implements a TRY/CATCH block that intrigues me a little. Especially when you begin to consider that from a dogmatic view, the point of TT2 is to remove the form from the function. Thank God they're pragmatic and realize that the user may not always do this.

I have yet to actually delve into this piece of the toolkit, but I'm also just trying to feel it out right now.

What's this got to do with selling kids for rice in China? I dunno. But I'm thinking that it might be useful for trapping the same errors you're worried about. I am not saying that you should rewrite to use the toolkit (unless it fits your needs and you can), but perhaps to glean some implementation details from it.

ALL HAIL BRAK!!!