GLH

I grew up in a little country store just a couple hours or so southwest of you in Southern Illinois so I know of what you speak. For us it was deer season every year and watching the city folk drive by with every kind of livestock imaginable tied to their vehicles thinking they'd bagged a trophy deer. And then there are the locals that were always good for their moments. Like the guy that had a high-speed come apart over my giving him 9¢ ($0.09, nine cents) too much change back as if he'd been truly and deeply offended. Those were the days.

You posted at 4:20... 😆

Most recently my home state of Illinois this past weekend... 🤟

<Charges Sawz-All battery and searches for the dullest blade available...>

I hope I didn't offend anyone with my comment, but I spent 29 years working in corrections. I have serious issues with disingenuous folks.

Sebastian should be gelded with a Sawz-all...

I believe I shall add Sebastian to the list of characters that I would love to see tied ankles to wrists and suspended from a tree by his scrotum. That is all.

I really need to quit reading such dark, hope-destroying... I've followed this series since its inception and enjoyed every minute of it. I get it that Dustin's life is shit and no matter how hard he tries to dig himself out it seems it's always 'one step forward, two steps back'. Here's hoping things turn around (or end) soon.

From the MOFW department: I'll just stick to my spreadsheets and post my emojis to the running commentary.

Well it would figure I'm away on holiday and can't update the spreadsheet. Great to see back Mark!

Heh... Posted at 4:20, huh?

Eighty-four days, thirteen hours and eighteen minutes since the last chapter posted...

Yeah, I know I've been a little slow on getting this out there, but I'm recuperating from my three day stint at DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton, MO. Anyway, since I'm sure you've all been sitting with bated breath in anticipation, here's the numbers: Shortest posting interval: Chapters 49-50 - 2 days, 13 hours, one minute. (2d, 13:01) Average posting interval: Five days, nineteen hours, 50 minutes, 43 seconds (5 d, 19:50:43) Weighted average posting interval: (highest and lowest posting intervals removed from averaging) Four days, nineteen hours, 51 minutes, 59 seconds (4d:19:51:59) Longest posting interval: Chapters 42-43 - 56 days, one hour, 41 minutes (56d:01:41). Length of Publication: 285 days, twelve hours, 25 minutes; or nine months, twelve days, 12 hours, 25 minutes (285d:12:25) Number of chapter posting intervals that fell within one hour of the average posting time: one (Chapters 40-41)

And upon further research, I found that since changing to the current format during "Millennium" the 32 day, six minute break between chapters 40 and 41 of "Poor Man's Son" was the previous record.

I've finally had time to sit down and read the latest installment and all I can say is "WELCOME BACK MARK!"

I'm guessing that is a record by some forty-odd days. Offhand I don't recall going more than two weeks between posts, at least since I've been keeping track. Edit: Actually I just checked and Mark more than quintupled the old record. It was 11 days, 33 minutes during 9/11 (Chapters 52-53). This 'hiatus' was 56 days, one hour and 41 minutes. Oh, and I've only been 'counting' since the beginning of 9/11 so any break before then can't be guaged due to the switchover to the current format...

So happy to see you are back in the saddle again, Mark. It's been a long 57 days, 20 hours and 19 minutes.

44 days, ten hours, thirty-eight minutes and counting... Sending best wishes for positive outcomes your way.

Take care of you a and yours, Mark, we'll all be here when you return.

At 11:20 a.m. U.S. CST this just became the longest interval between two installments of "Streak"... OH THE AGONY!!!

Hell hath no fury...

Heh... My 39th birthday has its learner's permit...

I see many, many more chapters ahead, not to mention the storylines for at least two more books. <starts popping popcorn>

Just the next chapter? It's gonna take at least the next chapter to resolve the immediate fallout, and a few more just to work out the rest...

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to each and every one of you and wishing y'all much health, happiness and prosperity to you and yours in the coming year!