def METHOD_NAME(self, key, value):
    """
    Append an update to the current updates object.
    """
    if self.updates is None:
        self.updates = {}
    #  Handle any special keys aliases
    if key in self.key_aliases:
        key = self.key_aliases[key]
    #  If key doesn't start with attributes, resources, or tasks,
    #  assume 'attributes.system.' for convenience:
    if not key.startswith(("attributes.", "resources.", "tasks.")):
        key = f"attributes.system.{key}"
    try:
        #  Use any function update_attributes_system_blah() if
        #  registered to process the value:
        #
        function_signature = "update_" + key.replace(".", "_")
        value = getattr(self, function_signature)(value)
    except AttributeError:
        #  Otherwise, attempt to load value as JSON:
        #
        try:
            value = json.loads(value)
        except json.decoder.JSONDecodeError:
            #  Otherwise, load value as string:
            #
            value = str(value)
    self.updates[key] = value