def skipped_iter(data, skip_criteria):
    """Utility function that returns an iterator where data items are skipped
    according to some provided criteria.

    Parameters:
    -----------
        data - list of data items
        skip_criteria - lambda or function that takes an item and determines
            whether or not to skip.
    Returns:
    --------
        a data item iter starting at the first unskipped item.
    """
    iterator = iter(data)

    # Skip past any sensor data that was recorded prior to min time.
    # if min_time:
    item = next(iterator)
    i = 0
    while skip_criteria(item):
        item = next(iterator)
        i = i + 1
    return iter(data[i:])