Okay, here's a mockup . It shouldn't be too hard to vary the time scale, though as you go further out in time, you lose readability of the events closest to the center. I really have no idea if this is a better way of presenting this type of data. It's just an excuse to try to learn how to use Applescript and program HyperCard. I have low expectations.
Failure is an option.
Somehow, all the things which seem so simple in conception turn out to be far harder in execution. But I'll butt my head against this for a while and see what happens.