diff --git a/src/fails/fails_controller.rb b/src/fails/fails_controller.rb
index bbb664e..6ec6e8d 100644
--- a/src/fails/fails_controller.rb
+++ b/src/fails/fails_controller.rb
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ def load
       while true
         sleep 5
         begin
+          puts "polling"
           model.poll_fails
           on_edt { update_view }
         rescue => e
diff --git a/src/fails/fails_model.rb b/src/fails/fails_model.rb
index a433bbb..eaf8e42 100644
--- a/src/fails/fails_model.rb
+++ b/src/fails/fails_model.rb
@@ -11,4 +11,15 @@ def poll_fails
     end
     @fails.flatten!
   end
+
+  # uncomment to test without a connection or see variations
+#  def poll_fails
+#    sleep(rand(10) + 1)
+#    if @empty
+#      @fails = []
+#    else
+#      @fails = %w{foo bar bazz}
+#    end
+#    @empty = !@empty
+#  end
 end
diff --git a/src/fails/fails_view.rb b/src/fails/fails_view.rb
index 747da69..fdd2f0a 100644
--- a/src/fails/fails_view.rb
+++ b/src/fails/fails_view.rb
@@ -37,5 +37,6 @@ def display_fails(model, transfer)
       end
     end
     @main_view_component.content_pane.revalidate
+    @main_view_component.content_pane.repaint
   end
 end