def stdout_encode(u, default='utf-8'):
    """ Encodes a given string with the proper standard out encoding
        If sys.stdout.encoding isn't specified, it this defaults to @default

        @default: default encoding

        -> #str with standard out encoding
    """
    # from http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3627793/best-output-type-and-
    #   encoding-practices-for-repr-functions
    encoding = sys.stdout.encoding or default
    return u.encode(encoding, "replace").decode(encoding, "replace")
Encodes a given string with the proper standard out encoding
        If sys.stdout.encoding isn't specified, it this defaults to @default

        @default: default encoding

        -> #str with standard out encoding