diff --git a/copycat/bond.py b/copycat/bond.py
index 8ebe899..8df6634 100644
--- a/copycat/bond.py
+++ b/copycat/bond.py
@@ -5,9 +5,8 @@ class Bond(WorkspaceStructure):
     # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
     def __init__(self, source, destination, bondCategory, bondFacet,
                  sourceDescriptor, destinationDescriptor):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
         WorkspaceStructure.__init__(self)
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         self.source = source
         self.string = self.source.string
         self.destination = destination
@@ -30,8 +29,7 @@ class Bond(WorkspaceStructure):
             self.directionCategory = None
 
     def flippedVersion(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         return Bond(
             self.destination, self.source,
             self.category.getRelatedNode(slipnet.opposite),
@@ -45,8 +43,7 @@ class Bond(WorkspaceStructure):
             self.category.name, self.leftObject, self.rightObject)
 
     def buildBond(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         workspace.structures += [self]
         self.string.bonds += [self]
         self.category.buffer = 100.0
@@ -61,8 +58,7 @@ class Bond(WorkspaceStructure):
         self.breakBond()
 
     def breakBond(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         if self in workspace.structures:
             workspace.structures.remove(self)
         if self in self.string.bonds:
@@ -77,8 +73,7 @@ class Bond(WorkspaceStructure):
     def getIncompatibleCorrespondences(self):
         # returns a list of correspondences that are incompatible with
         # self bond
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         incompatibles = []
         if self.leftObject.leftmost and self.leftObject.correspondence:
             correspondence = self.leftObject.correspondence
@@ -105,8 +100,7 @@ class Bond(WorkspaceStructure):
         return incompatibles
 
     def updateInternalStrength(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         # bonds between objects of same type(ie. letter or group) are
         # stronger than bonds between different types
         sourceGap = self.source.leftIndex != self.source.rightIndex
@@ -157,8 +151,7 @@ class Bond(WorkspaceStructure):
         # returns a rough measure of the density in the string
         # of the same bond-category and the direction-category of
         # the given bond
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         slotSum = 0.0
         supportSum = 0.0
         for object1 in workspace.objects:
@@ -189,10 +182,9 @@ class Bond(WorkspaceStructure):
 
 
 def possibleGroupBonds(bondCategory, directionCategory, bondFacet, bonds):
-    from context import context as ctx
-    slipnet = ctx.slipnet
     result = []
     for bond in bonds:
+        slipnet = bond.ctx.slipnet
         if  (bond.category == bondCategory and
              bond.directionCategory == directionCategory):
             result += [bond]
diff --git a/copycat/correspondence.py b/copycat/correspondence.py
index e4702b0..b525d6a 100644
--- a/copycat/correspondence.py
+++ b/copycat/correspondence.py
@@ -45,8 +45,7 @@ class Correspondence(WorkspaceStructure):
         return initialBond
 
     def getIncompatibleBond(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         initialBond = self.extract_initial_bond()
         if not initialBond:
             return None
@@ -68,8 +67,7 @@ class Correspondence(WorkspaceStructure):
         return None
 
     def getIncompatibleCorrespondences(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         return [o.correspondence for o in workspace.initial.objects
                 if o and self.incompatible(o.correspondence)]
 
@@ -102,8 +100,7 @@ class Correspondence(WorkspaceStructure):
         return False
 
     def support(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         if isinstance(self.objectFromInitial, Letter):
             if self.objectFromInitial.spansString():
                 return 100.0
@@ -166,8 +163,7 @@ class Correspondence(WorkspaceStructure):
         return False
 
     def buildCorrespondence(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         workspace.structures += [self]
         if self.objectFromInitial.correspondence:
             self.objectFromInitial.correspondence.breakCorrespondence()
@@ -202,8 +198,7 @@ class Correspondence(WorkspaceStructure):
         self.breakCorrespondence()
 
     def breakCorrespondence(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         workspace.structures.remove(self)
         self.objectFromInitial.correspondence = None
         self.objectFromTarget.correspondence = None
diff --git a/copycat/description.py b/copycat/description.py
index 65a2d2a..5f32521 100644
--- a/copycat/description.py
+++ b/copycat/description.py
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@ class Description(WorkspaceStructure):
 
     def __str__(self):
         s = 'description(%s) of %s' % (self.descriptor.get_name(), self.object)
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         if self.object.string == workspace.initial:
             s += ' in initial string'
         else:
@@ -31,8 +30,7 @@ class Description(WorkspaceStructure):
                                  self.descriptionType.activation) / 2
 
     def localSupport(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         described_like_self = 0
         for other in workspace.objects:
             if self.object == other:
@@ -55,8 +53,7 @@ class Description(WorkspaceStructure):
             self.object.descriptions += [self]
 
     def breakDescription(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         if self in workspace.structures:
             workspace.structures.remove(self)
         self.object.descriptions.remove(self)
diff --git a/copycat/group.py b/copycat/group.py
index 96371d2..ac02d37 100644
--- a/copycat/group.py
+++ b/copycat/group.py
@@ -9,10 +9,9 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
     # pylint: disable=too-many-instance-attributes
     def __init__(self, string, groupCategory, directionCategory, facet,
                  objectList, bondList):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
         # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
         WorkspaceObject.__init__(self, string)
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         self.groupCategory = groupCategory
         self.directionCategory = directionCategory
         self.facet = facet
@@ -42,7 +41,7 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
         self.clampSalience = False
         self.name = ''
 
-        from description import Description
+        from description import Description  # gross
         if self.bondList and len(self.bondList):
             firstFacet = self.bondList[0].facet
             self.addBondDescription(
@@ -74,8 +73,7 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
 
     def add_length_description_category(self):
         #check whether or not to add length description category
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         probability = self.lengthDescriptionProbability()
         if random.random() < probability:
             length = len(self.objectList)
@@ -101,8 +99,7 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
         self.bondDescriptions += [description]
 
     def singleLetterGroupProbability(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         numberOfSupporters = self.numberOfLocalSupportingGroups()
         if not numberOfSupporters:
             return 0.0
@@ -115,11 +112,10 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
         support = self.localSupport() / 100.0
         activation = slipnet.length.activation / 100.0
         supportedActivation = (support * activation) ** exp
-        return formulas.temperatureAdjustedProbability(ctx, supportedActivation)
+        return formulas.temperatureAdjustedProbability(self.ctx, supportedActivation)
 
     def flippedVersion(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         flippedBonds = [b.flippedversion() for b in self.bondList]
         flippedGroup = self.groupCategory.getRelatedNode(slipnet.flipped)
         flippedDirection = self.directionCategory.getRelatedNode(
@@ -128,8 +124,7 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
                      self.facet, self.objectList, flippedBonds)
 
     def buildGroup(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         workspace.objects += [self]
         workspace.structures += [self]
         self.string.objects += [self]
@@ -144,15 +139,14 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
             description.descriptor.buffer = 100.0
 
     def lengthDescriptionProbability(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         length = len(self.objectList)
         if length > 5:
             return 0.0
         cubedlength = length ** 3
         fred = cubedlength * (100.0 - slipnet.length.activation) / 100.0
         probability = 0.5 ** fred
-        value = formulas.temperatureAdjustedProbability(ctx, probability)
+        value = formulas.temperatureAdjustedProbability(self.ctx, probability)
         if value < 0.06:
             value = 0.0  # otherwise 1/20 chance always
         return value
@@ -161,8 +155,7 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
         self.breakGroup()
 
     def breakGroup(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         while len(self.descriptions):
             description = self.descriptions[-1]
             description.breakDescription()
@@ -184,8 +177,7 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
             self.rightBond.breakBond()
 
     def updateInternalStrength(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         relatedBondAssociation = self.groupCategory.getRelatedNode(
             slipnet.bondCategory).degreeOfAssociation()
         bondWeight = relatedBondAssociation ** 0.98
@@ -247,8 +239,7 @@ class Group(WorkspaceObject):
         return True
 
     def morePossibleDescriptions(self, node):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         result = []
         for i, number in enumerate(slipnet.numbers, 1):
             if node == number and len(self.objects) == i:
diff --git a/copycat/letter.py b/copycat/letter.py
index 7f4c2df..0b4fd48 100644
--- a/copycat/letter.py
+++ b/copycat/letter.py
@@ -3,9 +3,8 @@ from workspaceObject import WorkspaceObject
 
 class Letter(WorkspaceObject):
     def __init__(self, string, position, length):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
         WorkspaceObject.__init__(self, string)
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         workspace.objects += [self]
         string.objects += [self]
         self.leftIndex = position
@@ -14,8 +13,7 @@ class Letter(WorkspaceObject):
         self.rightmost = self.rightIndex == length
 
     def describe(self, position, length):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         if length == 1:
             self.addDescription(slipnet.stringPositionCategory,
                                 slipnet.single)
diff --git a/copycat/rule.py b/copycat/rule.py
index 4089039..90a72b9 100644
--- a/copycat/rule.py
+++ b/copycat/rule.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import logging
 
 
 from workspaceStructure import WorkspaceStructure
-from formulas import weightedAverage
+import formulas
 
 
 class Rule(WorkspaceStructure):
@@ -24,8 +24,7 @@ class Rule(WorkspaceStructure):
         self.externalStrength = self.internalStrength
 
     def updateInternalStrength(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         if not (self.descriptor and self.relation):
             self.internalStrength = 0.0
             return
@@ -53,7 +52,7 @@ class Rule(WorkspaceStructure):
         weights = ((depthDifference, 12),
                    (averageDepth, 18),
                    (sharedDescriptorTerm, sharedDescriptorWeight))
-        self.internalStrength = weightedAverage(weights)
+        self.internalStrength = formulas.weightedAverage(weights)
         if self.internalStrength > 100.0:
             self.internalStrength = 100.0
 
@@ -81,8 +80,7 @@ class Rule(WorkspaceStructure):
             self.descriptor.buffer = 100.0
 
     def incompatibleRuleCorrespondence(self, correspondence):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         if not correspondence:
             return False
         # find changed object
@@ -97,8 +95,7 @@ class Rule(WorkspaceStructure):
                    for m in correspondence.conceptMappings)
 
     def __changeString(self, string):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         # applies the changes to self string ie. successor
         if self.facet == slipnet.length:
             if self.relation == slipnet.predecessor:
@@ -119,8 +116,7 @@ class Rule(WorkspaceStructure):
             return self.relation.name.lower()
 
     def buildTranslatedRule(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         slippages = workspace.slippages()
         self.category = self.category.applySlippages(slippages)
         self.facet = self.facet.applySlippages(slippages)
diff --git a/copycat/workspaceObject.py b/copycat/workspaceObject.py
index 688a93e..c5512b9 100644
--- a/copycat/workspaceObject.py
+++ b/copycat/workspaceObject.py
@@ -49,8 +49,7 @@ class WorkspaceObject(WorkspaceStructure):
         self.descriptions += [description]
 
     def addDescriptions(self, descriptions):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        workspace = ctx.workspace
+        workspace = self.ctx.workspace
         copy = descriptions[:]  # in case we add to our own descriptions
         for description in copy:
             logging.info('might add: %s', description)
@@ -124,8 +123,7 @@ class WorkspaceObject(WorkspaceStructure):
 
     def getPossibleDescriptions(self, descriptionType):
         from group import Group  # gross, TODO FIXME
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         logging.info('getting possible descriptions for %s', self)
         descriptions = []
         for link in descriptionType.instanceLinks:
@@ -170,13 +168,11 @@ class WorkspaceObject(WorkspaceStructure):
         return objectOnMyRightIsRightmost and objectOnMyLeftIsLeftmost
 
     def distinguishingDescriptor(self, descriptor):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         return slipnet.isDistinguishingDescriptor(descriptor)
 
     def relevantDistinguishingDescriptors(self):
-        from context import context as ctx
-        slipnet = ctx.slipnet
+        slipnet = self.ctx.slipnet
         return [d.descriptor
                 for d in self.relevantDescriptions()
                 if slipnet.isDistinguishingDescriptor(d.descriptor)]
diff --git a/copycat/workspaceStructure.py b/copycat/workspaceStructure.py
index 2970407..3a2e76f 100644
--- a/copycat/workspaceStructure.py
+++ b/copycat/workspaceStructure.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ def abstract_call(objekt, name):
 
 class WorkspaceStructure(object):
     def __init__(self):
+        from context import context as ctx
+        self.ctx = ctx
         self.string = None
         self.internalStrength = 0.0
         self.externalStrength = 0.0