diff --git a/pyogp/lib/base/message_template.py b/pyogp/lib/base/message_template.py
index 9609fe6..6847d88 100644
--- a/pyogp/lib/base/message_template.py
+++ b/pyogp/lib/base/message_template.py
@@ -38,6 +38,71 @@ myreversedictionary = makereversepacketdict()
 """ can construct and deconstruct packet headers. Has nothing to
         do with the packet payload, yet. """
 
+#this probably needs to implement an interface so it can be serialized
+class MsgData():
+    """ Used as a Message that is being created that will be
+        serialized and sent. """
+    def __init__(self, name):
+        self.name = name
+        self.total_size = 0
+        self.blocks = {}
+
+    def add_block(self, block):
+        self.blocks[block.get_name()] = block
+
+    def get_blocks(self):
+        return self.blocks
+
+    def get_block(self, block_name):
+        return self.blocks[block_name]
+
+    def add_data(self, block_name, var_name, data, data_size):
+        get_block(block_name).add_data(var_name, data, data_size)
+
+#this probably needs to implement an interface so it can be serialized
+class MsgBlockData():
+    """ Used as a Message block that is being created that will be
+        serialized and sent. """
+    def __init__(self, name):
+        self.name = name
+        self.total_size = 0
+        self.vars = {}
+
+    def add_variable(self, var):
+        self.vars[var.get_name()] = var
+
+    def get_variables(self):
+        return self.vars
+
+    def get_variable(self, var_name):
+        return self.vars[var_name]
+
+    def add_data(self, var_name, data, data_size):
+        get_variable[var_name].add_data(data, data_size)
+
+class MsgVariableData():
+    """ Used as a Message Block variable that is being created that will be
+        serialized and sent """
+    def __init__(self, name, tp):
+        self.name = name
+        self.total_size = 0
+        self.lltype = tp
+        self.data = None
+
+    #how DO we add data? What format will it be in?
+    def add_data(self, data, data_size):
+        self.data = data
+    
+    def get_data(self):
+        return self.data
+
+    def get_total_size(self):
+        return self.total_size
+
+    def get_type(self):
+        return self.lltype
+        
+
 class MessageTemplateVariable():
     def __init__(self, name, tp):
         self.name = name
@@ -82,6 +147,9 @@ class MessageTemplate():
     def __init__(self, header):
         self.blocks = {}
 
+        #this is the function or object that will handle this type of message
+        self.handler = None
+
         self.name = header[0]
         self.frequency = header[1]
         
@@ -104,6 +172,13 @@ class MessageTemplate():
             self.msg_deprecation = header[5]
         else:
             self.msg_deprecation = ''
+
+    def get_handler(self):
+        return self.handler
+
+    #this probably needs more arguments to pass to the func or object
+    def set_handler(self, handler):
+        self.handler = handler
             
     def get_frequency(self):
         return self.frequency
diff --git a/pyogp/lib/base/message_template_builder.py b/pyogp/lib/base/message_template_builder.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5cc5624
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pyogp/lib/base/message_template_builder.py
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+
+
+class MessageTemplateBuilder():
+    """ This class builds messages at its high level, that is, keeping
+        that data in data structure form. A serializer should be used on
+        the message produced by this so that it can be sent over a network. """
+    def __init__(self, template_list):
+        self.template_list = template_list
+        #when a message is being built, uses this template
+        #to add blocks and variables
+        self.current_template = None
+        self.current_msg = None
+        self.current_block = None
+
+        self.cur_msg_name = ''
+        self.cur_block_name = ''
+        
+    def new_message(self, message_name):
+        """ Creates a new packet where data can be added to it. Note, the variables
+            are added when they are used, or data added to them, so to make sure
+            no bad data is sent over the network. """
+        self.current_template = self.template_list[message_name]
+        #error check
+
+        self.current_msg = MsgData(message_name)
+        self.cur_msg_name = message_name
+
+        for block in self.current_template.get_blocks():
+            block_data = MsgBlockData(block.get_name())
+            self.current_msg.add_block(block_data)
+
+    def next_block(self, block_name):
+        self.current_block = self.current_template.get_block(block_name)
+        #error check
+
+        self.cur_msg_name = block_name
+        
+        for variable in self.current_block.get_variables():
+            var_data = MsgVariableData(variable.get_name(), variable.get_type())
+            self.current_msg.add_variable(var_data)
+
+    def add_data(self, var_name, data, data_size):
+        self.current_block.add_data(var_name, data, data_size)
+            
+"""class IMessageSerializer():
+    implements ISerializer
+    adapts MessageData
+
+    #goes through MessageData and builds a byte string that can be sent over
+    #UDP or tcp
+    serialize (pack_message, build_message)
+
+    #goes through each block of the message data
+    pack_block
+
+    #goes through each block of the message variables, creating a byte-code
+    #string to return 
+    pack_variable"""
+
+