public int getTotalCount(String type, Placeable skipPlaceable) {
        int count = 0;

        HashMap<String, Placeable> tempHashMap = new HashMap<String, Placeable>(placeables);

        Placeable placeable = null;

        try {
            for (String key : tempHashMap.keySet()) {
                placeable = (Placeable) tempHashMap.get(key);
                if (placeable != null) {
                    String testString = placeable.getItemName();
                    if (type.equals(testString) && placeable != skipPlaceable) {
                        count++;
                    }
                }
            }
        } catch (ConcurrentModificationException concEx) {
            //another thread was trying to modify placeables while iterating
            //we'll continue and the new item can be grabbed on the next update
        }

        return count;
    }