clearer check_paths()
simpler methods in Storage
fix doctest (python -m doctest __init__.py was failing)
simpler Config.load()
remove unused (and confusing) global
clearer logic by eliminating checking_first_packet and bringing assignments to the same variable closer together
remove duplicate import
note missing import
a more-direct test
move write() out of the scope of an IOError catch clause not meant for it
tighter try/except/with blocks
tighter try/except/with blocks
remove overbroad try/except
try/except is not needed here
remove mutable class-level variable that's always overridden by a fresh instance variable with the same name (at least within this code, and I'm going to assume that's how it's meant to be used)