Re: trying to be modular

Typically, we worked around this sort of problem in the past by
immediately storing the global fields in a work variable . .

Buck is right on! This is what I also try to do, and I don't mind
creating work variables that I will use later for the action that I
really want to do. Once I decide what "action" I am going to do, I try
to direct the action in it's own module. Let the actors in the play do
what they need to do to deliver their lines.

Most of the time, I don't worry that I am inefficient doing several
chains to the same record.
Attempt to get away from "getters"
Believe in the "Tell, Don't Ask" pattern.

http://www.pragprog.com/articles/tell-dont-ask
http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?TellDontAsk

"You should endeavor to tell objects what you want them to do;
Do not ask them questions about their state.
Make a decision, and then tell them what to do."