Well, for once it doesn't seem to be the database! It's hardly being used. Slowdown seems to be on the Apache end; I'm not sure where, but it looks like non-php pages are coming through slow as well at times (or maybe that's just my modem).
I've tried reverting my bugfix from the other day -- didn't help. I tried reenabling the APC cache -- didn't help. Put miser mode on the german wiki, hasn't helped. I've tried blocking off some more spiders just to lighten up traffic -- hasn't helped. Restarted apache a few times for fun, hasn't helped.
CPU load average is floating in 4-6 range (*very* low for this time of day.) Memory usage looks typical.
I hafta go to work now...
-- brion vibber (brion @ pobox.com)