def METHOD_NAME(self,*args):
    ''' an uh, creative way to pass a string argument: use a trailing comment
    usage example:  o<set_named_pin> call [2.345]  (component.pinname)
    '''
    try:
        if (len(args) != 1):
            self.set_errormsg("set_named_pin takes a single argument and a comment")
            return -1
        if len(self.blocks[0].comment) == 0:
            self.set_errormsg("set_named_pin takes  a comment, which is the HAL pin name")
            return -1
        task.pytask.enqueue.METHOD_NAME(args[0], self.blocks[0].comment)
        if debug(): print("enqueuing set_named_pin()",args)
    except Exception as e:
        if debug(): print("set_named_pin:",e,"pid=",os.getpid())
        pass