function __construct()
	{
		$db = ezcDbFactory::create(CONNECTION_STRING);
		ezcDbInstance::set($db);

		try
		{
			connect_to_mail();
		}
		catch(ezcMailTransportException $e)
		{
			echo "Caught exception in mail function:\n".$e;
			connect_to_mail();
		}
	}

	function connect_to_mail()
	{
		static $retries = 0;
		do
		{