If my records are to be trusted, and I am pretty meticulous in their upkeep, this is the fifteen-thousandth piece of writing in my magnum opus. A few more than two-thousand and five-hundred addenda extend all the pieces written to date (“Addenda, addenda,” March 13, 2014). This adds up to seventeen-thousand and five-hundred dated pieces of writing in one place. Early next year, my Residua will boast three-million words, too. And my life project will be in its fortieth year as witnessed by its forty yearbooks and as many wondrous Roman numerals embellishing them. Silly stuff, I know, but I still find it exhilarating. So many round numbers so close together make my head spin, I must admit with some chagrin. But all it actually takes is perseverance. And confidence. As well as audacity, not to mention a dash of lunacy. For who would ever start any project with such mindboggling numbers in mind? Step by tiny step, one amazes even one’s own humble self.

Addendum (May 9, 2014)

Tom Long sent me a wonderful electronic-mail message congratulating me on my endurance. He called me a true “marathon writer.” In a postscript he added that I have “schooled” Marina Abramović in endurance performance art, and appended an article about a performance of hers at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Which parenthetically reminds me that the buggers still do not have the mother of all blogs in their permanent collection. Anyhow, Tom delighted me with his way with words. A marathon writer I surely am.