diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index fb27c3c..773adae 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -202,7 +202,9 @@ ELSE()
   IF(APPLE)
     SET(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -std=c++11 -stdlib=libc++ -Wall")
   ELSE()
-    target_compile_options(fc PUBLIC -std=c++11 -Wall -fnon-call-exceptions)
+    if( NOT "${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID}" STREQUAL "Clang" )
+      target_compile_options(fc PUBLIC -std=c++11 -Wall -fnon-call-exceptions)
+    endif()
     SET(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -std=c++11 -Wall -fnon-call-exceptions")
   ENDIF()
 ENDIF()
diff --git a/include/fc/signals.hpp b/include/fc/signals.hpp
index 632f4f4..9a7fc12 100644
--- a/include/fc/signals.hpp
+++ b/include/fc/signals.hpp
@@ -26,13 +26,13 @@ namespace fc {
 
    template<typename T>
    inline T wait( boost::signals2::signal<void(T)>& sig, const microseconds& timeout_us=microseconds::maximum() ) {
-     typename promise<T>::ptr p(new promise<T>());
+     typename promise<T>::ptr p(new promise<T>("fc::signal::wait"));
      boost::signals2::scoped_connection c( sig.connect( [=]( T t ) { p->set_value(t); } )); 
      return p->wait( timeout_us ); 
    }
 
    inline void wait( boost::signals2::signal<void()>& sig, const microseconds& timeout_us=microseconds::maximum() ) {
-     promise<void>::ptr p(new promise<void>());
+     promise<void>::ptr p(new promise<void>("fc::signal::wait"));
      boost::signals2::scoped_connection c( sig.connect( [=]() { p->set_value(); } )); 
      p->wait( timeout_us ); 
    }
diff --git a/include/fc/thread/future.hpp b/include/fc/thread/future.hpp
index 86e8a96..3e544ee 100644
--- a/include/fc/thread/future.hpp
+++ b/include/fc/thread/future.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,13 @@
 #include <fc/thread/spin_yield_lock.hpp>
 #include <fc/optional.hpp>
 
+//#define FC_TASK_NAMES_ARE_MANDATORY 1
+#ifdef FC_TASK_NAMES_ARE_MANDATORY
+# define FC_TASK_NAME_DEFAULT_ARG
+#else
+# define FC_TASK_NAME_DEFAULT_ARG = "?"
+#endif
+
 namespace fc {
   class abstract_thread;
   struct void_t{};
@@ -47,11 +54,11 @@ namespace fc {
   class promise_base : public virtual retainable{
     public:
       typedef fc::shared_ptr<promise_base> ptr;
-      promise_base(const char* desc="?");
+      promise_base(const char* desc FC_TASK_NAME_DEFAULT_ARG);
 
       const char* get_desc()const;
                    
-      void cancel();
+      virtual void cancel();
       bool canceled()const { return _canceled; }
       bool ready()const;
       bool error()const;
@@ -92,7 +99,7 @@ namespace fc {
   class promise : virtual public promise_base {
     public:
       typedef fc::shared_ptr< promise<T> > ptr;
-      promise( const char* desc = "?" ):promise_base(desc){}
+      promise( const char* desc FC_TASK_NAME_DEFAULT_ARG):promise_base(desc){}
       promise( const T& val ){ set_value(val); }
       promise( T&& val ){ set_value(fc::move(val) ); }
     
@@ -128,8 +135,8 @@ namespace fc {
   class promise<void> : virtual public promise_base {
     public:
       typedef fc::shared_ptr< promise<void> > ptr;
-      promise( const char* desc = "?" ):promise_base(desc){}
-      promise( const void_t& ){ set_value(); }
+      promise( const char* desc FC_TASK_NAME_DEFAULT_ARG):promise_base(desc){}
+      //promise( const void_t& ){ set_value(); }
     
       void wait(const microseconds& timeout = microseconds::maximum() ){
         this->_wait( timeout );
@@ -211,7 +218,13 @@ namespace fc {
          if( valid() )
          {
             cancel();
-            wait();
+            try
+            {
+              wait();
+            }
+            catch (const canceled_exception&)
+            {
+            }
          }
       }
 
@@ -265,8 +278,14 @@ namespace fc {
 
       void cancel_and_wait() 
       {
-         cancel();
-         wait();
+        cancel();
+        try
+        {
+          wait();
+        }
+        catch (const canceled_exception&)
+        {
+        }
       }
 
       /// @pre valid()
diff --git a/include/fc/thread/task.hpp b/include/fc/thread/task.hpp
index 5c1b30e..ac76cf8 100644
--- a/include/fc/thread/task.hpp
+++ b/include/fc/thread/task.hpp
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ namespace fc {
 
   class task_base : virtual public promise_base {
     public:
-      void        run(); 
+              void run(); 
+      virtual void cancel() override;
+
     protected:
       ~task_base();
       /// Task priority looks like unsupported feature.
@@ -61,7 +63,7 @@ namespace fc {
   class task : virtual public task_base, virtual public promise<R> {
     public:
       template<typename Functor>
-      task( Functor&& f ):task_base(&_functor) {
+      task( Functor&& f, const char* desc ):promise_base(desc), task_base(&_functor), promise<R>(desc) {
         typedef typename fc::deduce<Functor>::type FunctorType;
         static_assert( sizeof(f) <= sizeof(_functor), "sizeof(Functor) is larger than FunctorSize" );
         new ((char*)&_functor) FunctorType( fc::forward<Functor>(f) );
@@ -74,11 +76,12 @@ namespace fc {
     private:
       ~task(){}
   };
+
   template<uint64_t FunctorSize>
   class task<void,FunctorSize> : virtual public task_base, virtual public promise<void> {
     public:
       template<typename Functor>
-      task( Functor&& f ):task_base(&_functor) {
+      task( Functor&& f, const char* desc ):promise_base(desc), task_base(&_functor), promise<void>(desc) {
         typedef typename fc::deduce<Functor>::type FunctorType;
         static_assert( sizeof(f) <= sizeof(_functor), "sizeof(Functor) is larger than FunctorSize"  );
         new ((char*)&_functor) FunctorType( fc::forward<Functor>(f) );
@@ -93,4 +96,3 @@ namespace fc {
   };
 
 }
-
diff --git a/include/fc/thread/thread.hpp b/include/fc/thread/thread.hpp
index a133ba4..e6f01c8 100644
--- a/include/fc/thread/thread.hpp
+++ b/include/fc/thread/thread.hpp
@@ -52,13 +52,13 @@ namespace fc {
        *  @param prio the priority relative to other tasks
        */
       template<typename Functor>
-      auto async( Functor&& f, const char* desc ="", priority prio = priority()) -> fc::future<decltype(f())> {
+      auto async( Functor&& f, const char* desc FC_TASK_NAME_DEFAULT_ARG, priority prio = priority()) -> fc::future<decltype(f())> {
          typedef decltype(f()) Result;
          typedef typename fc::deduce<Functor>::type FunctorType;
          fc::task<Result,sizeof(FunctorType)>* tsk = 
-              new fc::task<Result,sizeof(FunctorType)>( fc::forward<Functor>(f) );
+              new fc::task<Result,sizeof(FunctorType)>( fc::forward<Functor>(f), desc );
          fc::future<Result> r(fc::shared_ptr< fc::promise<Result> >(tsk,true) );
-         async_task(tsk,prio,desc);
+         async_task(tsk,prio);
          return r;
       }
       void poke();
@@ -75,12 +75,12 @@ namespace fc {
        */
       template<typename Functor>
       auto schedule( Functor&& f, const fc::time_point& when, 
-                     const char* desc = "", priority prio = priority()) -> fc::future<decltype(f())> {
+                     const char* desc FC_TASK_NAME_DEFAULT_ARG, priority prio = priority()) -> fc::future<decltype(f())> {
          typedef decltype(f()) Result;
          fc::task<Result,sizeof(Functor)>* tsk = 
-              new fc::task<Result,sizeof(Functor)>( fc::forward<Functor>(f) );
+              new fc::task<Result,sizeof(Functor)>( fc::forward<Functor>(f), desc );
          fc::future<Result> r(fc::shared_ptr< fc::promise<Result> >(tsk,true) );
-         async_task(tsk,prio,when,desc);
+         async_task(tsk,prio,when);
          return r;
       }
      
@@ -133,8 +133,8 @@ namespace fc {
       void  exec();
       int  wait_any_until( std::vector<promise_base::ptr>&& v, const time_point& );
 
-      void async_task( task_base* t, const priority& p, const char* desc );
-      void async_task( task_base* t, const priority& p, const time_point& tp, const char* desc );
+      void async_task( task_base* t, const priority& p );
+      void async_task( task_base* t, const priority& p, const time_point& tp );
       class thread_d* my;
 
   };
@@ -172,11 +172,11 @@ namespace fc {
    int wait_any_until( std::vector<promise_base::ptr>&& v, const time_point& tp );
 
    template<typename Functor>
-   auto async( Functor&& f, const char* desc ="", priority prio = priority()) -> fc::future<decltype(f())> {
+   auto async( Functor&& f, const char* desc FC_TASK_NAME_DEFAULT_ARG, priority prio = priority()) -> fc::future<decltype(f())> {
       return fc::thread::current().async( fc::forward<Functor>(f), desc, prio );
    }
    template<typename Functor>
-   auto schedule( Functor&& f, const fc::time_point& t, const char* desc ="", priority prio = priority()) -> fc::future<decltype(f())> {
+   auto schedule( Functor&& f, const fc::time_point& t, const char* desc FC_TASK_NAME_DEFAULT_ARG, priority prio = priority()) -> fc::future<decltype(f())> {
       return fc::thread::current().schedule( fc::forward<Functor>(f), t, desc, prio );
    }
 
diff --git a/include/fc/time.hpp b/include/fc/time.hpp
index ae0d48d..22ace58 100644
--- a/include/fc/time.hpp
+++ b/include/fc/time.hpp
@@ -109,6 +109,9 @@ namespace fc {
         friend microseconds operator - ( const time_point_sec& t, const time_point_sec& m ) { return time_point(t) - time_point(m); }
         friend microseconds operator - ( const time_point& t, const time_point_sec& m ) { return time_point(t) - time_point(m); }
 
+        fc::string to_iso_string()const;
+        fc::string to_iso_extended_string()const;
+
     private:
         uint32_t utc_seconds;
   };
diff --git a/include/fc/variant.hpp b/include/fc/variant.hpp
index 848cb6a..973d762 100644
--- a/include/fc/variant.hpp
+++ b/include/fc/variant.hpp
@@ -31,14 +31,20 @@ namespace fc
    class time_point_sec;
    class microseconds;
 
-   void to_variant( const int16_t& var,  variant& vo );
-   void from_variant( const variant& var,  int16_t& vo );
-   void to_variant( const uint16_t& var,  variant& vo );
-   void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint16_t& vo );
-   void to_variant( const uint32_t& var,  variant& vo );
-   void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint32_t& vo );
    void to_variant( const uint8_t& var,  variant& vo );
    void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint8_t& vo );
+   void to_variant( const int8_t& var,  variant& vo );
+   void from_variant( const variant& var,  int8_t& vo );
+
+   void to_variant( const uint16_t& var,  variant& vo );
+   void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint16_t& vo );
+   void to_variant( const int16_t& var,  variant& vo );
+   void from_variant( const variant& var,  int16_t& vo );
+
+   void to_variant( const uint32_t& var,  variant& vo );
+   void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint32_t& vo );
+   void to_variant( const int32_t& var,  variant& vo );
+   void from_variant( const variant& var,  int32_t& vo );
 
    void to_variant( const variant_object& var,  variant& vo );
    void from_variant( const variant& var,  variant_object& vo );
@@ -94,7 +100,6 @@ namespace fc
    template<typename A, typename B>
    void from_variant( const variant& v, std::pair<A,B>& p );
 
-
    /**
     * @brief stores null, int64, uint64, double, bool, string, std::vector<variant>,
     *        and variant_object's.  
@@ -129,11 +134,15 @@ namespace fc
         variant( char* str );
         variant( wchar_t* str );
         variant( const wchar_t* str );
-        variant( int val );
         variant( float val );
+        variant( uint8_t val );
+        variant( int8_t val );
+        variant( uint16_t val );
+        variant( int16_t val );
         variant( uint32_t val );
-        variant( int64_t val );
+        variant( int32_t val );
         variant( uint64_t val );
+        variant( int64_t val );
         variant( double val );
         variant( bool val );
         variant( fc::string val );
diff --git a/src/asio.cpp b/src/asio.cpp
index e618c2d..befa2ed 100644
--- a/src/asio.cpp
+++ b/src/asio.cpp
@@ -118,22 +118,32 @@ namespace fc {
     }
 
     namespace tcp {
-        std::vector<boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint> resolve( const std::string& hostname, const std::string& port) {
-            resolver res( fc::asio::default_io_service() );
-            promise<std::vector<boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint> >::ptr p( new promise<std::vector<boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint> >() );
-            res.async_resolve( boost::asio::ip::tcp::resolver::query(hostname,port), 
-                             boost::bind( detail::resolve_handler<boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint,resolver_iterator>, p, _1, _2 ) );
-            return p->wait();;
+      std::vector<boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint> resolve( const std::string& hostname, const std::string& port) 
+      {
+        try 
+        {
+          resolver res( fc::asio::default_io_service() );
+          promise<std::vector<boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint> >::ptr p( new promise<std::vector<boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint> >("tcp::resolve completion") );
+          res.async_resolve( boost::asio::ip::tcp::resolver::query(hostname,port), 
+                            boost::bind( detail::resolve_handler<boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint,resolver_iterator>, p, _1, _2 ) );
+          return p->wait();;
         }
+        FC_RETHROW_EXCEPTIONS(warn, "")
+      }
     }
     namespace udp {
-                std::vector<udp::endpoint> resolve( resolver& r, const std::string& hostname, const std::string& port) {
-                resolver res( fc::asio::default_io_service() );
-                promise<std::vector<endpoint> >::ptr p( new promise<std::vector<endpoint> >() );
-                res.async_resolve( resolver::query(hostname,port), 
-                                    boost::bind( detail::resolve_handler<endpoint,resolver_iterator>, p, _1, _2 ) );
-                return p->wait();
+      std::vector<udp::endpoint> resolve( resolver& r, const std::string& hostname, const std::string& port) 
+      {
+        try 
+        {
+          resolver res( fc::asio::default_io_service() );
+          promise<std::vector<endpoint> >::ptr p( new promise<std::vector<endpoint> >("udp::resolve completion") );
+          res.async_resolve( resolver::query(hostname,port), 
+                              boost::bind( detail::resolve_handler<endpoint,resolver_iterator>, p, _1, _2 ) );
+          return p->wait();
         }
+        FC_RETHROW_EXCEPTIONS(warn, "")
+      }
     }
   
 } } // namespace fc::asio
diff --git a/src/crypto/openssl.cpp b/src/crypto/openssl.cpp
index 36a3889..e3044ac 100644
--- a/src/crypto/openssl.cpp
+++ b/src/crypto/openssl.cpp
@@ -49,12 +49,6 @@ namespace  fc
    
     int init_openssl()
     {
-      auto strAppDir = current_path();
-      fc::path appDir(strAppDir);
-      fc::path openSSLConf = appDir / "openssl.cnf";
-      if (fc::exists(openSSLConf))
-        fc::store_configuration_path(openSSLConf);
-
       static openssl_scope ossl;
       return 0;
     }
diff --git a/src/io/iostream.cpp b/src/io/iostream.cpp
index 5a01cc7..6eef009 100644
--- a/src/io/iostream.cpp
+++ b/src/io/iostream.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ namespace fc {
   struct cin_buffer {
     cin_buffer():eof(false),write_pos(0),read_pos(0),cinthread("cin"){
     
-      cinthread.async( [=](){read();} );
+      cinthread.async( [=](){read();}, "cin_buffer::read" );
     }
 
     void     read() {
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ namespace fc {
       std::cin.read(&c,1);
       while( !std::cin.eof() ) {
         while( write_pos - read_pos > 0xfffff ) {
-          fc::promise<void>::ptr wr( new fc::promise<void>() );
+          fc::promise<void>::ptr wr( new fc::promise<void>("cin_buffer::write_ready") );
           write_ready = wr;
           if( write_pos - read_pos <= 0xfffff ) {
             wr->wait();
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ namespace fc {
     do {
         while( !b.eof &&  (b.write_pos - b.read_pos)==0 ){ 
            // wait for more... 
-           fc::promise<void>::ptr rr( new fc::promise<void>() );
+           fc::promise<void>::ptr rr( new fc::promise<void>("cin_buffer::read_ready") );
            {  // copy read_ready because it is accessed from multiple threads
              fc::scoped_lock<boost::mutex> lock( b.read_ready_mutex ); 
              b.read_ready = rr;
diff --git a/src/log/file_appender.cpp b/src/log/file_appender.cpp
index 686ed65..014fd09 100644
--- a/src/log/file_appender.cpp
+++ b/src/log/file_appender.cpp
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@
 #include <fc/thread/scoped_lock.hpp>
 #include <fc/thread/thread.hpp>
 #include <fc/variant.hpp>
-#include <boost/date_time/posix_time/posix_time.hpp>
 #include <boost/thread/mutex.hpp>
 #include <iomanip>
 #include <queue>
@@ -29,15 +28,14 @@ namespace fc {
 
          time_point_sec get_file_start_time( const time_point_sec& timestamp, const microseconds& interval )
          {
-             const auto interval_seconds = interval.to_seconds();
-             const auto file_number = timestamp.sec_since_epoch() / interval_seconds;
-             return time_point_sec( file_number * interval_seconds );
+             int64_t interval_seconds = interval.to_seconds();
+             int64_t file_number = timestamp.sec_since_epoch() / interval_seconds;
+             return time_point_sec( (uint32_t)(file_number * interval_seconds) );
          }
 
          string timestamp_to_string( const time_point_sec& timestamp )
          {
-             auto ptime = boost::posix_time::from_time_t( time_t ( timestamp.sec_since_epoch() ) );
-             return boost::posix_time::to_iso_string( ptime );
+             return timestamp.to_iso_string();
          }
 
          time_point_sec string_to_timestamp( const string& str )
@@ -51,7 +49,7 @@ namespace fc {
              FC_ASSERT( _compression_thread );
              if( !_compression_thread->is_current() )
              {
-                 _compression_thread->async( [this, filename]() { compress_file( filename ); } ).wait();
+                 _compression_thread->async( [this, filename]() { compress_file( filename ); }, "compress_file" ).wait();
                  return;
              }
 
@@ -76,20 +74,28 @@ namespace fc {
                  if( cfg.rotation_compression )
                      _compression_thread.reset( new thread( "compression") );
 
-                 _rotation_task = async( [this]() { rotate_files( true ); } );
+                 _rotation_task = async( [this]() { rotate_files( true ); }, "rotate_files(1)" );
              }
          }
 
          ~impl()
          {
-             try
-             {
-                 _rotation_task.cancel_and_wait();
-                 if( _compression_thread ) _compression_thread->quit();
-             }
-             catch( ... )
-             {
-             }
+            try
+            {
+              _rotation_task.cancel_and_wait();
+            }
+            catch( ... )
+            {
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+              if( _compression_thread ) 
+                _compression_thread->quit();
+            }
+            catch( ... )
+            {
+            }
          }
 
          void rotate_files( bool initializing = false )
@@ -108,7 +114,7 @@ namespace fc {
                {
                    if( start_time <= _current_file_start_time )
                    {
-                       _rotation_task = schedule( [this]() { rotate_files(); }, _current_file_start_time + cfg.rotation_interval.to_seconds() );
+                       _rotation_task = schedule( [this]() { rotate_files(); }, _current_file_start_time + cfg.rotation_interval.to_seconds(), "rotate_files(2)" );
                        return;
                    }
 
@@ -154,7 +160,7 @@ namespace fc {
              }
 
              _current_file_start_time = start_time;
-             _rotation_task = schedule( [this]() { rotate_files(); }, _current_file_start_time + cfg.rotation_interval.to_seconds() );
+             _rotation_task = schedule( [this]() { rotate_files(); }, _current_file_start_time + cfg.rotation_interval.to_seconds(), "rotate_files(3)" );
          }
    };
    file_appender::config::config( const fc::path& p  )
diff --git a/src/network/http/http_server.cpp b/src/network/http/http_server.cpp
index b9c7302..6560cd4 100644
--- a/src/network/http/http_server.cpp
+++ b/src/network/http/http_server.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace http {
       impl(){}
       impl(const fc::ip::endpoint& p ) {
         tcp_serv.listen(p);
-        accept_complete = fc::async([this](){ this->accept_loop(); });
+        accept_complete = fc::async([this](){ this->accept_loop(); }, "http_server accept_loop");
       }
       fc::future<void> accept_complete;
       ~impl() {
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace http {
               http::connection_ptr con = std::make_shared<http::connection>();
               tcp_serv.accept( con->get_socket() );
               //ilog( "Accept Connection" );
-              fc::async( [=](){ handle_connection( con, on_req ); } );
+              fc::async( [=](){ handle_connection( con, on_req ); }, "http_server handle_connection" );
             }
       }
 
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace http {
       if( false || my->handle_next_req ) {
         ilog( "handle next request..." );
         //fc::async( std::function<void()>(my->handle_next_req) );
-        fc::async( my->handle_next_req );
+        fc::async( my->handle_next_req, "http_server handle_next_req" );
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/network/ntp.cpp b/src/network/ntp.cpp
index c938edf..3cf4757 100644
--- a/src/network/ntp.cpp
+++ b/src/network/ntp.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include "../byteswap.hpp"
 
+#include <atomic>
 #include <array>
 
 namespace fc
@@ -16,22 +17,32 @@ namespace fc
      class ntp_impl 
      {
         public:
-           ntp_impl():_request_interval_sec( 60*60 /* 1 hr */),_ntp_thread("ntp") 
-           { 
-              _ntp_hosts.push_back( std::make_pair( "pool.ntp.org",123 ) );
-           } 
-
            /** vector < host, port >  */
            std::vector< std::pair< std::string, uint16_t> > _ntp_hosts;
-           fc::future<void>                                 _read_loop;
+           fc::future<void>                                 _read_loop_done;
            udp_socket                                       _sock;
            uint32_t                                         _request_interval_sec;
            fc::time_point                                   _last_request_time;
-           optional<fc::microseconds>                       _last_ntp_delta;
+
+           std::atomic_bool                                 _last_ntp_delta_initialized;
+           std::atomic<int64_t>                             _last_ntp_delta_microseconds;
+
            fc::thread                                       _ntp_thread;
 
+           fc::future<void>                                 _request_time_task_done;
+
+           ntp_impl() :
+            _request_interval_sec( 60*60 /* 1 hr */),
+            _last_ntp_delta_microseconds(0),
+            _ntp_thread("ntp")
+           { 
+              _last_ntp_delta_initialized = false;
+              _ntp_hosts.push_back( std::make_pair( "pool.ntp.org",123 ) );
+           } 
+
            void request_now()
            {
+               assert(_ntp_thread.is_current());
                for( auto item : _ntp_hosts )
                {
                   try 
@@ -44,26 +55,33 @@ namespace fc
                         std::array<unsigned char, 48> send_buf { {010,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} };
                         _last_request_time = fc::time_point::now();
                         _sock.send_to( (const char*)send_buf.data(), send_buf.size(), ep );
+                        if (!_read_loop_done.valid() || _read_loop_done.ready())
+                          _read_loop_done = async( [this](){ read_loop(); }, "ntp_read_loop" );
                         break;
                      }
                   } 
                   // this could fail to resolve but we want to go on to other hosts..
                   catch ( const fc::exception& e )
                   {
-                      elog(  "${e}", ("e",e.to_detail_string() ) ); 
+                      elog( "${e}", ("e",e.to_detail_string() ) ); 
                   }
                }
            } // request_now
 
-           void request_time()
+           //started for first time in ntp() constructor, canceled in ~ntp() destructor
+           void request_time_task()
            {
+              assert(_ntp_thread.is_current());
               request_now();
-              _ntp_thread.schedule( [=](){ request_time(); }, fc::time_point::now() + fc::seconds(_request_interval_sec) );
+              _request_time_task_done = schedule( [=](){ request_time_task(); }, 
+                                                  fc::time_point::now() + fc::seconds(_request_interval_sec), 
+                                                  "request_time_task" );
            } // request_loop
 
            void read_loop()
            {
-              while( !_read_loop.canceled() )
+              assert(_ntp_thread.is_current());
+              while( !_read_loop_done.canceled() )
               {
                  fc::ip::endpoint from;
                  std::array<uint64_t, 1024> recv_buf;
@@ -87,7 +105,8 @@ namespace fc
                     if( ntp_time - fc::time_point::now() < fc::seconds(60*60*24) &&
                         fc::time_point::now() - ntp_time < fc::seconds(60*60*24) )
                     {
-                       _last_ntp_delta =  ntp_time - fc::time_point::now();
+                       _last_ntp_delta_microseconds = (ntp_time - fc::time_point::now()).count();
+                       _last_ntp_delta_initialized = true;
                     }
                     else
                        elog( "NTP time is way off ${time}", ("time",ntp_time)("local",fc::time_point::now()) );
@@ -105,29 +124,51 @@ namespace fc
   :my( new detail::ntp_impl() )
   {
      my->_sock.open();
-
-     my->_ntp_thread.async( [=](){ my->request_time(); } );
-     my->_read_loop =  my->_ntp_thread.async( [=](){ my->read_loop(); } );
+     // if you start the read loop here, the recieve_from call will throw "invalid argument" on win32,
+     // so instead we trigger the read loop after making our first request
+     my->_request_time_task_done = my->_ntp_thread.async( [=](){ my->request_time_task(); }, "request_time_task" );
   }
 
   ntp::~ntp()
   {
-    try {
-        my->_read_loop.cancel();
+    my->_ntp_thread.async([=](){
+      try
+      {
+        my->_request_time_task_done.cancel_and_wait();
+      }
+      catch ( const fc::exception& e )
+      {
+        wlog( "Exception thrown while shutting down NTP's request_time_task, ignoring: ${e}", ("e",e) );
+      }
+      catch (...)
+      {
+        wlog( "Exception thrown while shutting down NTP's request_time_task, ignoring" );
+      }
+      
+      try 
+      {
+        my->_read_loop_done.cancel();
         my->_sock.close();
-        my->_read_loop.wait();
-    } 
-    catch ( const fc::exception& )
-    {
-       // we expect canceled exceptions, but cannot throw
-       // from destructor
-    }
+        my->_read_loop_done.wait();
+      } 
+      catch ( const fc::canceled_exception& )
+      {
+      }
+      catch ( const fc::exception& e )
+      {
+        wlog( "Exception thrown while shutting down NTP's read_loop, ignoring: ${e}", ("e",e) );
+      }
+      catch (...)
+      {
+        wlog( "Exception thrown while shutting down NTP's read_loop, ignoring" );
+      }
+    }, "ntp_shutdown_task").wait();
   }
 
 
   void ntp::add_server( const std::string& hostname, uint16_t port)
   {
-     my->_ntp_hosts.push_back( std::make_pair(hostname,port) );
+     my->_ntp_thread.async( [=](){ my->_ntp_hosts.push_back( std::make_pair(hostname,port) ); }, "add_server" ).wait();
   }
 
   void ntp::set_request_interval( uint32_t interval_sec )
@@ -137,13 +178,13 @@ namespace fc
 
   void ntp::request_now()
   {
-     my->request_now();
+     my->_ntp_thread.async( [=](){ my->request_now(); }, "request_now" ).wait();
   }
 
   optional<time_point> ntp::get_time()const
   {
-     if( my->_last_ntp_delta )
-        return fc::time_point::now() + *my->_last_ntp_delta;
+     if( my->_last_ntp_delta_initialized )
+        return fc::time_point::now() + fc::microseconds(my->_last_ntp_delta_microseconds);
      return optional<time_point>();
   }
 
diff --git a/src/network/rate_limiting.cpp b/src/network/rate_limiting.cpp
index fe69277..aac30ae 100644
--- a/src/network/rate_limiting.cpp
+++ b/src/network/rate_limiting.cpp
@@ -207,13 +207,13 @@ namespace fc
       size_t bytes_read;
       if (_download_bytes_per_second)
       {
-        promise<size_t>::ptr completion_promise(new promise<size_t>());
+        promise<size_t>::ptr completion_promise(new promise<size_t>("rate_limiting_group_impl::readsome"));
         rate_limited_tcp_read_operation read_operation(socket, buffer, length, completion_promise);
         _read_operations_for_next_iteration.push_back(&read_operation);
 
         // launch the read processing loop it if isn't running, or signal it to resume if it's paused.
         if (!_process_pending_reads_loop_complete.valid() || _process_pending_reads_loop_complete.ready())
-          _process_pending_reads_loop_complete = async([=](){ process_pending_reads(); });
+          _process_pending_reads_loop_complete = async([=](){ process_pending_reads(); }, "process_pending_reads" );
         else if (_new_read_operation_available_promise)
           _new_read_operation_available_promise->set_value();
 
@@ -232,13 +232,13 @@ namespace fc
       size_t bytes_written;
       if (_upload_bytes_per_second)
       {
-        promise<size_t>::ptr completion_promise(new promise<size_t>());
+        promise<size_t>::ptr completion_promise(new promise<size_t>("rate_limiting_group_impl::writesome"));
         rate_limited_tcp_write_operation write_operation(socket, buffer, length, completion_promise);
         _write_operations_for_next_iteration.push_back(&write_operation);
 
         // launch the write processing loop it if isn't running, or signal it to resume if it's paused.
         if (!_process_pending_writes_loop_complete.valid() || _process_pending_writes_loop_complete.ready())
-          _process_pending_writes_loop_complete = async([=](){ process_pending_writes(); });
+          _process_pending_writes_loop_complete = async([=](){ process_pending_writes(); }, "process_pending_writes");
         else if (_new_write_operation_available_promise)
           _new_write_operation_available_promise->set_value();
 
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ namespace fc
         process_pending_operations(_last_read_iteration_time, _download_bytes_per_second,
                                    _read_operations_in_progress, _read_operations_for_next_iteration, _read_tokens, _unused_read_tokens);
 
-        _new_read_operation_available_promise = new promise<void>();
+        _new_read_operation_available_promise = new promise<void>("rate_limiting_group_impl::process_pending_reads");
         try
         {
           if (_read_operations_in_progress.empty())
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ namespace fc
         process_pending_operations(_last_write_iteration_time, _upload_bytes_per_second,
                                    _write_operations_in_progress, _write_operations_for_next_iteration, _write_tokens, _unused_write_tokens);
 
-        _new_write_operation_available_promise = new promise<void>();
+        _new_write_operation_available_promise = new promise<void>("rate_limiting_group_impl::process_pending_writes");
         try
         {
           if (_write_operations_in_progress.empty())
diff --git a/src/network/udt_socket.cpp b/src/network/udt_socket.cpp
index a065aac..0018238 100644
--- a/src/network/udt_socket.cpp
+++ b/src/network/udt_socket.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ namespace fc {
             UDT::startup();
             check_udt_errors();
             _epoll_id = UDT::epoll_create();
-            _epoll_loop = _epoll_thread.async( [=](){ poll_loop(); } );
+            _epoll_loop = _epoll_thread.async( [=](){ poll_loop(); }, "udt_poll_loop" );
          }
 
          ~udt_epoll_service()
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ namespace fc {
       connect_thread.async( [&](){
          if( UDT::ERROR == UDT::connect(_udt_socket_id, (sockaddr*)&serv_addr, sizeof(serv_addr)) )
             check_udt_errors();
-      }).wait();
+      }, "udt_socket::connect_to").wait();
 
       bool block = false;
       UDT::setsockopt(_udt_socket_id, 0, UDT_SNDSYN, &block, sizeof(bool));
diff --git a/src/rpc/json_connection.cpp b/src/rpc/json_connection.cpp
index fa01fd0..06d3fa4 100644
--- a/src/rpc/json_connection.cpp
+++ b/src/rpc/json_connection.cpp
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
                       variant v = json::from_stream(*_in);
                       ///ilog( "input: ${in}", ("in", v ) );
                       //wlog(  "recv: ${line}", ("line", line) );
-                      fc::async([=](){ handle_message(v.get_object()); });
+                      fc::async([=](){ handle_message(v.get_object()); }, "json_connection handle_message");
                   } 
                } 
                catch ( eof_exception& eof ) 
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
       {
          FC_THROW_EXCEPTION( assert_exception, "start should only be called once" );
       }
-      return my->_done = fc::async( [=](){ my->read_loop(); } );
+      return my->_done = fc::async( [=](){ my->read_loop(); }, "json_connection read_loop" );
    }
 
    void json_connection::add_method( const fc::string& name, method m )
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method, const variants& args )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
 
       {
          fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method, const variant& a1 )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
 
       {
          fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method, const variant& a1, const variant& a2 )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
 
       {
          fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method, const variant& a1, const variant& a2, const variant& a3 )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
 
       {
          fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method, const variant& a1, const variant& a2, const variant& a3, const variant& a4 )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
 
       {
          fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method, const variant& a1, const variant& a2, const variant& a3, const variant& a4, const variant& a5 )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
 
       {
          fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method, const variant& a1, const variant& a2, const variant& a3, const variant& a4, const variant& a5, const variant& a6 )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
 
       {
          fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method, const variant& a1, const variant& a2, const variant& a3, const variant& a4, const variant& a5, const variant& a6, const variant& a7 )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
 
       {
          fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
                                                 const variant& a4, const variant& a5, const variant& a6, const variant& a7, const variant& a8 )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
 
       {
          fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method, const variant_object& named_args )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
       fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
       {
          *my->_out << "{\"id\":";
@@ -579,7 +579,7 @@ namespace fc { namespace rpc {
    future<variant> json_connection::async_call( const fc::string& method )
    {
       auto id = my->_next_id++;
-      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>() );
+      my->_awaiting[id] = fc::promise<variant>::ptr( new fc::promise<variant>("json_connection::async_call") );
       fc::scoped_lock<fc::mutex> lock(my->_write_mutex);
       {
         *my->_out << "{\"id\":";
diff --git a/src/thread/context.hpp b/src/thread/context.hpp
index 35d83d7..4ab0dd4 100644
--- a/src/thread/context.hpp
+++ b/src/thread/context.hpp
@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@ namespace fc {
       cur_task(0)
     {
 #if BOOST_VERSION >= 105400
-     bco::stack_context   stack_ctx;
      size_t stack_size =  bco::stack_allocator::default_stacksize() * 4;
      alloc.allocate(stack_ctx, stack_size);
      my_context = bc::make_fcontext( stack_ctx.sp, stack_ctx.size, sf);
diff --git a/src/thread/task.cpp b/src/thread/task.cpp
index c3e1feb..3188145 100644
--- a/src/thread/task.cpp
+++ b/src/thread/task.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include <fc/thread/unique_lock.hpp>
 #include <fc/thread/spin_lock.hpp>
 #include <fc/fwd_impl.hpp>
+#include "context.hpp"
 
 #include <fc/log/logger.hpp>
 #include <boost/exception/all.hpp>
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@
 namespace fc {
   task_base::task_base(void* func)
   :
+  promise_base("task_base"),
   _posted_num(0),
   _active_context(nullptr),
   _next(nullptr),
@@ -33,6 +35,7 @@ namespace fc {
     }
 #endif
   }
+
   void task_base::run_impl() {
     try {
       if( !canceled() )
@@ -49,6 +52,16 @@ namespace fc {
        set_exception( std::make_shared<unhandled_exception>( FC_LOG_MESSAGE( warn, "unhandled exception: ${diagnostic}", ("diagnostic",boost::current_exception_diagnostic_information()) ) ) );
     }
   }
+
+  void task_base::cancel()
+  {
+    promise_base::cancel();
+    if (_active_context)
+    {
+      _active_context->canceled = true;
+    }
+  }
+
   task_base::~task_base() {
     _destroy_functor( _functor );
   }
diff --git a/src/thread/thread.cpp b/src/thread/thread.cpp
index 6968417..260907e 100644
--- a/src/thread/thread.cpp
+++ b/src/thread/thread.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ namespace fc {
    }
 
    thread::thread( const std::string& name  ) {
-      promise<void>::ptr p(new promise<void>());
+      promise<void>::ptr p(new promise<void>("thread start"));
       boost::thread* t = new boost::thread( [this,p,name]() {
           try {
 		    set_thread_name(name.c_str()); // set thread's name for the debugger to display
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ namespace fc {
      //if quitting from a different thread, start quit task on thread.
      //If we have and know our attached boost thread, wait for it to finish, then return.
       if( &current() != this ) {
-          async( [=](){quit();} );//.wait();
+          async( [=](){quit();}, "thread::quit" );//.wait();
           if( my->boost_thread ) {
             auto n = name();
             my->boost_thread->join();
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ namespace fc {
           return;
       }
 
-      wlog( "${s}", ("s",name()) );
+      //wlog( "${s}", ("s",name()) );
       // We are quiting from our own thread...
 
       // break all promises, thread quit!
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ namespace fc {
             cur = n;
         }
         if( my->blocked ) { 
-          wlog( "still blocking... whats up with that?");
+          //wlog( "still blocking... whats up with that?");
           debug( "on quit" ); 
         }
       }
@@ -277,8 +277,8 @@ namespace fc {
        return -1;
    }
 
-   void thread::async_task( task_base* t, const priority& p, const char* desc ) {
-      async_task( t, p, time_point::min(), desc );
+   void thread::async_task( task_base* t, const priority& p ) {
+      async_task( t, p, time_point::min() );
    }
 
    void thread::poke() {
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ namespace fc {
      my->task_ready.notify_one();
    }
 
-   void thread::async_task( task_base* t, const priority& p, const time_point& tp, const char* desc ) {
+   void thread::async_task( task_base* t, const priority& p, const time_point& tp ) {
       assert(my);
       t->_when = tp;
      // slog( "when %lld", t->_when.time_since_epoch().count() );
diff --git a/src/thread/thread_d.hpp b/src/thread/thread_d.hpp
index 314e0a4..f533dd7 100644
--- a/src/thread/thread_d.hpp
+++ b/src/thread/thread_d.hpp
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ namespace fc {
 
          void unblock( fc::context* c ) {
              if(  fc::thread::current().my != this ) {
-               self.async( [=](){ unblock(c); } );
+               self.async( [=](){ unblock(c); }, "thread_d::unblock" );
                return;
              }
                if( c != current ) ready_push_front(c); 
diff --git a/src/time.cpp b/src/time.cpp
index dc50544..06c4494 100644
--- a/src/time.cpp
+++ b/src/time.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,19 @@ namespace fc {
     }
     FC_RETHROW_EXCEPTIONS(warn, "unable to convert ISO-formatted string to fc::time_point")
   }
+
+  fc::string time_point_sec::to_iso_string()const
+  {
+    const auto ptime = boost::posix_time::from_time_t( time_t ( sec_since_epoch() ) );
+    return boost::posix_time::to_iso_string( ptime );
+  }
+
+  fc::string time_point_sec::to_iso_extended_string()const
+  {
+    const auto ptime = boost::posix_time::from_time_t( time_t ( sec_since_epoch() ) );
+    return boost::posix_time::to_iso_extended_string( ptime );
+  }
+
   void to_variant( const fc::time_point& t, variant& v ) {
     v = fc::string(t);
   }
diff --git a/src/variant.cpp b/src/variant.cpp
index 5ef005d..938c0c5 100644
--- a/src/variant.cpp
+++ b/src/variant.cpp
@@ -12,34 +12,6 @@
 
 namespace fc
 {
-
-   void to_variant( const uint16_t& var,  variant& vo )  { vo = uint64_t(var); }
-   // TODO: warn on overflow?
-   void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint16_t& vo ){ vo = static_cast<uint16_t>(var.as_uint64()); }
-
-   void to_variant( const int16_t& var,  variant& vo )  { vo = int64_t(var); }
-   // TODO: warn on overflow?
-   void from_variant( const variant& var,  int16_t& vo ){ vo = static_cast<int16_t>(var.as_int64()); }
-
-void to_variant( const std::vector<char>& var,  variant& vo )
-{
-  if( var.size() )
-      //vo = variant(base64_encode((unsigned char*)var.data(),var.size()));
-      vo = variant(to_hex(var.data(),var.size()));
-  else vo = "";
-}
-void from_variant( const variant& var,  std::vector<char>& vo )
-{
-     auto str = var.as_string();
-     vo.resize( str.size() / 2 );
-     if( vo.size() )
-     {
-        size_t r = from_hex( str, vo.data(), vo.size() );
-        FC_ASSERT( r = vo.size() );
-     }
-//   std::string b64 = base64_decode( var.as_string() );
-//   vo = std::vector<char>( b64.c_str(), b64.c_str() + b64.size() );
-}
 /**
  *  The TypeID is stored in the 'last byte' of the variant.
  */
@@ -59,35 +31,60 @@ variant::variant( fc::nullptr_t )
    set_variant_type( this, null_type );
 }
 
-variant::variant( uint32_t val )
+variant::variant( uint8_t val )
+{
+   *reinterpret_cast<uint64_t*>(this)  = val;
+   set_variant_type( this, uint64_type );
+}
+
+variant::variant( int8_t val )
 {
    *reinterpret_cast<int64_t*>(this)  = val;
    set_variant_type( this, int64_type );
 }
 
+variant::variant( uint16_t val )
+{
+   *reinterpret_cast<uint64_t*>(this)  = val;
+   set_variant_type( this, uint64_type );
+}
+
+variant::variant( int16_t val )
+{
+   *reinterpret_cast<int64_t*>(this)  = val;
+   set_variant_type( this, int64_type );
+}
+
+variant::variant( uint32_t val )
+{
+   *reinterpret_cast<uint64_t*>(this)  = val;
+   set_variant_type( this, uint64_type );
+}
+
+variant::variant( int32_t val )
+{
+   *reinterpret_cast<int64_t*>(this)  = val;
+   set_variant_type( this, int64_type );
+}
+
+variant::variant( uint64_t val )
+{
+   *reinterpret_cast<uint64_t*>(this)  = val;
+   set_variant_type( this, uint64_type );
+}
+
 variant::variant( int64_t val )
 {
    *reinterpret_cast<int64_t*>(this)  = val;
    set_variant_type( this, int64_type );
 }
 
-variant::variant( int val )
-{
-   *reinterpret_cast<int64_t*>(this)  = val;
-   set_variant_type( this, int64_type );
-}
 variant::variant( float val )
 {
    *reinterpret_cast<double*>(this)  = val;
    set_variant_type( this, double_type );
 }
 
-variant::variant( uint64_t val )
-{
-   *reinterpret_cast<uint64_t*>(this)  = val;
-   set_variant_type( this, uint64_type );
-}
-
 variant::variant( double val )
 {
    *reinterpret_cast<double*>(this)  = val;
@@ -496,7 +493,6 @@ const string&        variant::get_string()const
   FC_THROW_EXCEPTION( bad_cast_exception, "Invalid cast from type '${type}' to Object", ("type",get_type()) );
 }
 
-
 /// @throw if get_type() != object_type 
 const variant_object&  variant::get_object()const
 {
@@ -505,27 +501,45 @@ const variant_object&  variant::get_object()const
   FC_THROW_EXCEPTION( bad_cast_exception, "Invalid cast from type '${type}' to Object", ("type",get_type()) );
 }
 
-void to_variant( const std::string& s, variant& v )
+void from_variant( const variant& var,  variants& vo )
 {
-    v = variant( fc::string(s) );
+   vo = var.get_array();
 }
 
 //void from_variant( const variant& var,  variant_object& vo )
 //{
 //   vo  = var.get_object();
 //}
-void from_variant( const variant& var,  string& vo )
-{
-   vo = var.as_string();
-}
-
-void from_variant( const variant& var,  variants& vo )
-{
-   vo = var.get_array();
-}
 
 void from_variant( const variant& var,  variant& vo ) { vo = var; }
 
+void to_variant( const uint8_t& var,  variant& vo )  { vo = uint64_t(var); }
+// TODO: warn on overflow?
+void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint8_t& vo ){ vo = static_cast<uint8_t>(var.as_uint64()); }
+
+void to_variant( const int8_t& var,  variant& vo )  { vo = int64_t(var); }
+// TODO: warn on overflow?
+void from_variant( const variant& var,  int8_t& vo ){ vo = static_cast<int8_t>(var.as_int64()); }
+
+void to_variant( const uint16_t& var,  variant& vo )  { vo = uint64_t(var); }
+// TODO: warn on overflow?
+void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint16_t& vo ){ vo = static_cast<uint16_t>(var.as_uint64()); }
+
+void to_variant( const int16_t& var,  variant& vo )  { vo = int64_t(var); }
+// TODO: warn on overflow?
+void from_variant( const variant& var,  int16_t& vo ){ vo = static_cast<int16_t>(var.as_int64()); }
+
+void to_variant( const uint32_t& var,  variant& vo )  { vo = uint64_t(var); }
+void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint32_t& vo )
+{
+   vo = static_cast<uint32_t>(var.as_uint64());
+}
+
+void from_variant( const variant& var,  int32_t& vo )
+{
+   vo = static_cast<int32_t>(var.as_int64());
+}
+
 void from_variant( const variant& var,  int64_t& vo )
 {
    vo = var.as_int64();
@@ -551,20 +565,34 @@ void from_variant( const variant& var,  float& vo )
    vo = static_cast<float>(var.as_double());
 }
 
-void from_variant( const variant& var,  int32_t& vo )
+void to_variant( const std::string& s, variant& v )
 {
-   vo = static_cast<int32_t>(var.as_int64());
+    v = variant( fc::string(s) );
 }
 
-void to_variant( const uint32_t& var,  variant& vo )  { vo = uint64_t(var); }
-void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint32_t& vo )
+void from_variant( const variant& var,  string& vo )
 {
-   vo = static_cast<uint32_t>(var.as_uint64());
+   vo = var.as_string();
 }
-void to_variant( const uint8_t& var,  variant& vo )  { vo = uint64_t(var); }
-void from_variant( const variant& var,  uint8_t& vo )
+
+void to_variant( const std::vector<char>& var,  variant& vo )
 {
-   vo = static_cast<uint8_t>(var.as_uint64());
+  if( var.size() )
+      //vo = variant(base64_encode((unsigned char*)var.data(),var.size()));
+      vo = variant(to_hex(var.data(),var.size()));
+  else vo = "";
+}
+void from_variant( const variant& var,  std::vector<char>& vo )
+{
+     auto str = var.as_string();
+     vo.resize( str.size() / 2 );
+     if( vo.size() )
+     {
+        size_t r = from_hex( str, vo.data(), vo.size() );
+        FC_ASSERT( r = vo.size() );
+     }
+//   std::string b64 = base64_decode( var.as_string() );
+//   vo = std::vector<char>( b64.c_str(), b64.c_str() + b64.size() );
 }
 
 string      format_string( const string& format, const variant_object& args )
diff --git a/tests/task_cancel.cpp b/tests/task_cancel.cpp
index e63544c..c0c76f6 100644
--- a/tests/task_cancel.cpp
+++ b/tests/task_cancel.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE( cancel_an_active_task )
     {
       return sleep_aborted;
     }
-  });
+  }, "test_task");
 
   fc::time_point start_time = fc::time_point::now();
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE( cleanup_cancelled_task )
     {
       BOOST_TEST_MESSAGE("Caught exception in async task, leaving the task's functor");
     }
-  });
+  }, "test_task");
   std::weak_ptr<std::string> weak_string_ptr(some_string);
   some_string.reset();
   BOOST_CHECK_MESSAGE(!weak_string_ptr.expired(), "Weak pointer should still be valid because async task should be holding the strong pointer");
@@ -75,18 +75,30 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE( cleanup_cancelled_task )
   BOOST_CHECK_MESSAGE(weak_string_ptr.expired(), "Weak pointer should now be invalid because async task should have been destroyed");
 }
 
+int task_execute_count = 0;
+fc::future<void> simple_task_done;
+void simple_task()
+{
+  task_execute_count++;
+  simple_task_done = fc::schedule([](){ simple_task(); }, 
+                                  fc::time_point::now() + fc::seconds(3),
+                                  "simple_task");
+}
+
 BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE( cancel_scheduled_task )
 {
   bool task_executed = false;
   try 
   {
-    auto result = fc::schedule( [&]() { task_executed = true; }, fc::time_point::now() + fc::seconds(3) );
-    result.cancel();
-    result.wait();
+    simple_task();
+    simple_task();
+    fc::usleep(fc::seconds(4));
+    simple_task_done.cancel();
+    simple_task_done.wait();
   } 
   catch ( const fc::exception& e )
   {
     wlog( "${e}", ("e",e.to_detail_string() ) );
   }
-  BOOST_CHECK(!task_executed);
+  BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(task_execute_count, 2);
 }
\ No newline at end of file