updates per issue 24 and associated bug fixes

Hi @whimboo 
I've re-packaged most of my earlier updates and more for issue 24 in this branch, in what I hope to be an easier to review package. It still includes a lot, but the only part that's not really issue 24 is fixing the existing stats, which otherwise crash the bot.
This version of the bot is currently running on #testdaybotTest, /msg _TestDayBot :adminhelp for admin commands. 
It should be fine to close my earlier pull request unmerged.
Thanks for your patience!

Why have you moved this check into each individual `if` condition below? It's a bit of duplication together with each of the `else` lines, and is not necessary. Please revert that.