def log_user_activity_begin(name)
      return do_nothing_on_null(:log_user_activity_begin) if null?
      id = next_user_activity_name
      @transaction.log_activity_begin(id, UnionStationHooks.now, name)
      id
    end
def log_user_activity_begin(name)
      return do_nothing_on_null(:log_user_activity_begin) if null?
      id = next_user_activity_name
      @transaction.log_activity_begin(id, UnionStationHooks.now, name)
      id
    end
Logs the begin of a user-defined activity, for display in the
 activity timeline.

 An activity is a block in the activity timeline in the Union Station
 user interace. It has a name, a begin time and an end time.

 This form logs only the name and the begin time. You *must* also
 call {#log_user_activity_end} later with the same name to log the end
 time.

 @param name The name that should show up in the activity timeline.
   It can be any arbitrary name but may not contain newlines.
 @return id An ID which you must pass to {#log_user_activity_end} later.