diff --git a/prompts/general/evaluate_progress.txt b/prompts/general/evaluate_progress.txt
index 2af77c1..2e48097 100644
--- a/prompts/general/evaluate_progress.txt
+++ b/prompts/general/evaluate_progress.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+{% if primer %}
+prime your thoughts but dont mention: "{{primer}}". 
+{% endif %}
 About {{agent}}:
 {{agent.getSelfContext()}}
 
@@ -9,9 +12,6 @@ Rate your progress towards your goal with an integer from 1-5, 1 being bad, 5 be
 
 Write in the first person from the point of view of {{agent}}.
 Write in natural short response style.
-{% if random_prime %}
-Think about the word "{{random_prime}}". 
-{% endif %}
 Base your evaluation on your past memories only.
 Format your response like:
 Explanation: I didnt get my groceries today
diff --git a/prompts/general/talk.txt b/prompts/general/talk.txt
index b76bcc2..1386dcc 100644
--- a/prompts/general/talk.txt
+++ b/prompts/general/talk.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+{% if primer %}
+prime your thoughts but dont mention: "{{primer}}". 
+{% endif %}
 {{selfContext}}
 
 {{relevant_memories}}
diff --git a/src/agents.py b/src/agents.py
index 79bb137..cd34d57 100644
--- a/src/agents.py
+++ b/src/agents.py
@@ -97,10 +97,10 @@ def ask_meta_questions(self, timestamp):
     def evaluate_progress(self,opts={}):
         relevant_memories = self.getMemories(self.goal, unix_to_strftime(self.matrix.unix_time))
         relevant_memories_string = "\n".join(f"Memory {i + 1}:\n{memory}" for i, memory in enumerate(relevant_memories)) if relevant_memories else ""
-        random_prime = opts.get("random_prime",False)
+        primer = opts.get("random_prime",False)
         variables = {
             'agent': self,
-            'random_prime': random_common_word(),
+            'primer': random.randint(1, 1000000),
             'selfContext': self.getSelfContext()
         }
         #msg = llm.generate(prompt, f"How am I doing?")
@@ -355,6 +355,7 @@ def talk(self, opts={}):
             'agent': self,
             'connections': self.connections,
             'meta_questions': self.meta_questions or "",
+            'primer': random.randint(1, 1000000),
             'other_agent': other_agent,
             "previous_conversations": f"Current Conversation:\n{self.name}\n{previous_conversations}" if previous_conversations else f"Initiate a conversation with {other_agent.name}.",
         }
diff --git a/src/matrix.py b/src/matrix.py
index 4863d00..9e995ea 100644
--- a/src/matrix.py
+++ b/src/matrix.py
@@ -240,6 +240,15 @@ def add_to_logs(self,obj):
         queue = f"{obj['sim_id']}"
         wtf = json.loads(json.dumps(obj, default=str))
         #redis_connection.xadd(stream, wtf)
+        max_retries = 3
+        retry_delay = 1
+        for attempt in range(max_retries):
+            try:
+                redis_connection.lpush(queue, json.dumps(obj))
+                break  # Break the loop if successful
+            except redis.RedisError as e:
+                print(f"Error pushing to Redis queue. Retrying... ({attempt + 1}/{max_retries})")
+                time.sleep(retry_delay)
         redis_connection.lpush(queue,json.dumps(obj))
 
         self.current_substep += 1