diff --git a/activity.go b/activity.go
index bb5c49e..e274ad4 100644
--- a/activity.go
+++ b/activity.go
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ func savedonk(url string, name, media string) *Donk {
 }
 
 func needxonk(user *WhatAbout, x *Honk) bool {
-	if strings.HasPrefix(x.XID, user.URL + "/h/") {
+	if strings.HasPrefix(x.XID, user.URL+"/h/") {
 		return false
 	}
 	if x.What == "eradicate" {
@@ -584,19 +584,6 @@ func jonkjonk(user *WhatAbout, h *Honk) (map[string]interface{}, map[string]inte
 	return j, jo
 }
 
-func deliverate(username string, rcpt string, msg []byte) {
-	keyname, key := ziggy(username)
-	inbox, _, err := getboxes(rcpt)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Printf("error getting inbox %s: %s", rcpt, err)
-		return
-	}
-	err = PostMsg(keyname, key, inbox, msg)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Printf("failed to post json to %s: %s", inbox, err)
-	}
-}
-
 func honkworldwide(user *WhatAbout, honk *Honk) {
 	rcpts := make(map[string]bool)
 	for _, a := range honk.Audience {
@@ -610,12 +597,12 @@ func honkworldwide(user *WhatAbout, honk *Honk) {
 	WriteJunk(&buf, jonk)
 	msg := buf.Bytes()
 	for _, f := range getdubs(user.ID) {
-		deliverate(user.Name, f.XID, msg)
+		deliverate(0, user.Name, f.XID, msg)
 		delete(rcpts, f.XID)
 	}
 	for a := range rcpts {
 		if !strings.HasSuffix(a, "/followers") {
-			deliverate(user.Name, a, msg)
+			deliverate(0, user.Name, a, msg)
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/deliverator.go b/deliverator.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8edee9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deliverator.go
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+//
+// Copyright (c) 2019 Ted Unangst <tedu@tedunangst.com>
+//
+// Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any
+// purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
+// copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+//
+// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
+// WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+// MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR
+// ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
+// WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
+// ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF
+// OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"log"
+	"math/rand"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func sayitagain(goarounds int, username string, rcpt string, msg []byte) {
+	var drift time.Duration
+	switch goarounds {
+	case 1:
+		drift = 5 * time.Minute
+	case 2:
+		drift = 1 * time.Hour
+	case 3:
+		drift = 12 * time.Hour
+	case 4:
+		drift = 24 * time.Hour
+	default:
+		log.Printf("he's dead jim: %s", rcpt)
+		return
+	}
+	drift += time.Duration(rand.Int63n(int64(drift / 16)))
+	when := time.Now().UTC().Add(drift)
+	log.Print(when.Format(dbtimeformat), goarounds, username, rcpt, msg)
+}
+
+func deliverate(goarounds int, username string, rcpt string, msg []byte) {
+	keyname, key := ziggy(username)
+	inbox, _, err := getboxes(rcpt)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("error getting inbox %s: %s", rcpt, err)
+		sayitagain(goarounds+1, username, rcpt, msg)
+		return
+	}
+	err = PostMsg(keyname, key, inbox, msg)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("failed to post json to %s: %s", inbox, err)
+		sayitagain(goarounds+1, username, rcpt, msg)
+	}
+}