A few pieces of writing short of one-thousand so far, I catch myself wondering about the rest of this year, which is most likely to be the best on record forever. I have a whole quarter of a year to go still. If I keep going at the current pace, I am looking forward to some three-hundred and thirty additional pieces by the end of the year. Although I despise such idle speculations, they mesmerize me nonetheless. Alas, a new record in sight! Something to remember till the end of my writing project. The only thing that crosses my mind in my defense, feeble as it is bound to be at this stage, is that I will end up by being sated with this record for all years to come. And that I will soon turn toward more meaningful pursuits. Time only will tell, it goes without saying. But the hope is with me against all odds. Writing pure and simple. All records safely behind me, I may well start writing for the sake of writing. And nothing else.

Addendum I (December 26, 2012)

A few pieces of writing short of fourteen-hundred, I am happy this year is coming to its end. It is the “best” on record, indeed. I have surpassed my own expectations by more than fifty pieces of writing so far. I can only hope that the game is finally over. All records safely behind me, I can dedicate myself to other pursuits. But writing for the sake of writing does not strike me as a pursuit worth the trouble at this stage. It already strikes me as yet another excuse for writing. And writing into oblivion.

Addendum II (December 13, 2014)

Reading this piece and the addendum is almost frightening, I must admit. Two years ago, I sounded very like I sound these days. Once again, I find myself hoping that yet another record year will save me from all records in the future. All records safely behind me, I will be free at long last. Sweet words, indeed. This is what I keep promising myself from year to year, but without any success. By and by, my magnum opus is getting the better of me. It is living my life. And it is bossing me around. As a matter of fact, I have become addicted to writing. Yes, that is the right word. Addicted! By the way, is there anything like Writers Anonymous around?

Addendum III (September 4, 2015)

Well, 2014 turned out to be the new record year with its one-thousand and four-hundred pieces, and I hope this is the end of the sorry story. Enough records, for crying out loud! Unfortunately, I am now obsessed with the number of addenda rather than pieces. This year promises to be the new record year, thus replacing 2000 with its two-hundred and twenty-four addenda. Given my current writing habits, I am likely to overshoot this record by at least twenty addenda by the end of the year. One more time, I hope that breaking this record will shift my attention to other things, such as writing pure and simple. But my record on sundry records is getting ever more worrisome, I must admit. New records pop up left and right, and I do not seem to be able to rid myself of my addiction. For this is what it surely is. Addiction! For better or worse, Writers Anonymous is nowhere to be found. And I did try.