public function initialize($data_array)
 {
     // special cases -- should be refactored to elsewhere?
     // in particular where should array k=>v params be parsed
     if (array_key_exists('feed_items', $data_array)) {
         $this->items = $data_array['feed_items'];
         unset($data_array['feed_items']);
     }
     return parent::initialize($data_array);
 }