docs: def _import(self, record_key, record_data, overwrite=True, last_modified=0.0, **kwargs):
          
          '''
              a helper method for other storage clients to import into appdata
              
          :param record_key: string with key for record
          :param record_data: byte data for body of record
          :param overwrite: [optional] boolean to overwrite existing records
          :param last_modified: [optional] float to record last modified date
          :param kwargs: [optional] keyword arguments from other import methods 
          :return: boolean indicating whether record was imported
          '''
          
          title = '%s._import' % self.__class__.__name__
      
      # verify permissions
          if not self.permissions_write:
              raise Exception('%s requires an access_token with write permissions.' % title)
      
      # retrieve file id
          file_id, parent_id = self._get_id(record_key)
          
      # check overwrite condition
          if file_id:
              if overwrite:
                  try:
                      self.drive.delete(fileId=file_id).execute()
                  except:
                      raise DriveConnectionError(title)
              else:
                  return False
      
      # # check size of file
      #     import sys
      #     record_optimal = self.fields.metadata['record_optimal_bytes']
      #     record_size = sys.getsizeof(record_data)
      #     error_prefix = '%s(record_key="%s", record_data=b"...")' % (title, record_key)
      #     if record_size > record_optimal:
      #         print('[WARNING] %s exceeds optimal record data size of %s bytes.' % (error_prefix, record_optimal))
              
      # prepare file body
          from googleapiclient.http import MediaInMemoryUpload
          media_body = MediaInMemoryUpload(body=record_data, resumable=True)
          
      # determine path segments
          path_segments = record_key.split(os.sep)
          
      # construct upload kwargs
          create_kwargs = {
              'body': {
                  'name': path_segments.pop()
              },
              'media_body': media_body,
              'fields': 'id'
          }
      
      # walk through parent directories
          parent_id = ''
          if path_segments:
          
          # construct query and creation arguments
              walk_folders = True
              folder_kwargs = {
                  'body': {
                      'name': '',
                      'mimeType' : 'application/vnd.google-apps.folder'
                  },
                  'fields': 'id'
              }
              query_kwargs = {
                  'spaces': self.drive_space,
                  'fields': 'files(id, parents)'
              }
              while path_segments:
                  folder_name = path_segments.pop(0)
                  folder_kwargs['body']['name'] = folder_name
          
          # search for folder id in existing hierarchy
                  if walk_folders:
                      walk_query = "name = '%s'" % folder_name
                      if parent_id:
                          walk_query += "and '%s' in parents" % parent_id
                      query_kwargs['q'] = walk_query
                      try:
                          response = self.drive.list(**query_kwargs).execute()
                      except:
                          raise DriveConnectionError(title)
                      file_list = response.get('files', [])
                  else:
                      file_list = []
                  if file_list:
                      parent_id = file_list[0].get('id')
          
          # or create folder
          # https://developers.google.com/drive/v3/web/folder
                  else:
                      try:
                          if not parent_id:
                              if self.drive_space == 'appDataFolder':
                                  folder_kwargs['body']['parents'] = [ self.drive_space ]
                              else:
                                  del folder_kwargs['body']['parents']
                          else:
                              folder_kwargs['body']['parents'] = [parent_id]
                          response = self.drive.create(**folder_kwargs).execute()
                          parent_id = response.get('id')
                          walk_folders = False
                      except:
                          raise DriveConnectionError(title)
      
      # add parent id to file creation kwargs
          if parent_id:
              create_kwargs['body']['parents'] = [parent_id]
          elif self.drive_space == 'appDataFolder':
              create_kwargs['body']['parents'] = [self.drive_space] 
      
      # modify file time
          import re
          if re.search('\\.drep$', create_kwargs['body']['name']):
              from labpack.records.time import labDT
              drep_time = labDT.fromEpoch(1).isoformat()
              create_kwargs['body']['modifiedTime'] = drep_time
          elif last_modified:
              from labpack.records.time import labDT
              mod_time = labDT.fromEpoch(last_modified).isoformat()
              create_kwargs['body']['modifiedTime'] = mod_time
              
      # send create request
          try:
              self.drive.create(**create_kwargs).execute()
          except:
              raise DriveConnectionError(title)
          
          return True