gistfile1

exception_message_on_failure = ''
try:
    exception_message_on_failure = 'Could not access database.'
    neurons = database.query(Neurons, state='Firing')

    exception_message_on_failure = 'Failed doing some thing.'
    some.thing()

    exception_message_on_failure = 'Could not format data.'
    output = format(neurons)

except e:
    report_error(exception_message_on_failure)
    raise e