code: def make_msg_id():
      
      random_string = get_rand_string(12)
      timestamp = time.strftime("%Y%m%d%I%M%S")
      msg_id = timestamp + "-" + random_string
      return msg_id
docs: Create a semi random message id, by using 12 char random hex string and
      a timestamp.
      @return: string consisting of timestamp, -, random value