def start(project, logfile, time_format):
  "start tracking for <project>"

  records = read(logfile, time_format)
  if records and not records[-1][1][1]:
    print "error: there is a project already active"
    return

  write(server.start(project, records), logfile, time_format)

  print "starting work on %s" % colored(project, attrs=['bold'])
  print "  at %s" % colored(server.date_to_txt(now(), time_format), 'green')