diff --git a/dr.botzo.py b/dr.botzo.py
index 0f2c196..967eb0c 100755
--- a/dr.botzo.py
+++ b/dr.botzo.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import os
 import re
 import sys
 
+from dateutil.parser import *
 from dateutil.relativedelta import *
 from dateutil.tz import *
 import irclib
@@ -129,6 +130,22 @@ def sub_change_nick(connection, event, nick, userhost, replypath, what, admin_un
         config.set('IRC', 'nick', newnick)
         connection.privmsg(replypath, 'changed nickname')
 
+#####
+# sub_add_countdown
+# add a countdown item to the bot
+#####
+
+def sub_add_countdown(connection, event, nick, userhost, replypath, what, admin_unlocked):
+    whats = what.split(' ')
+    if whats[0] == 'countdown' and len(whats) >= 4:
+        if whats[1] == 'add':
+            item = whats[2]
+            target = parse(' '.join(whats[3:]))
+            if not config.has_section('countdown'):
+                config.add_section('countdown')
+
+            config.set('countdown', item, target.astimezone(tzutc()).isoformat())
+
 #####
 # on_connect
 # handler for when the bot has connected to IRC
@@ -177,6 +194,7 @@ def on_privmsg(connection, event):
 
     # standard commands
     sub_report_seen(connection, event, nick, userhost, replypath, what, admin_unlocked)
+    sub_add_countdown(connection, event, nick, userhost, replypath, what, admin_unlocked)
 
 #####
 # on_pubmsg
@@ -217,6 +235,7 @@ def on_pubmsg(connection, event):
 
     # standard commands
     sub_report_seen(connection, event, nick, userhost, replypath, what, admin_unlocked)
+    sub_add_countdown(connection, event, nick, userhost, replypath, what, admin_unlocked)
 
 #####
 # init