I think this is more readable than with macros, but it might be a preference.

It's also 50 bytes longer than the original. More LOC only because my Vim formats on save.

Whenever somebody comes up with some big brain idea with macros, ORMs, DSLs, 180 IQ templates, language extensions that even Haskell nerds would say are too much, there's a good chance that the grugbrained version is just as readable, just as concise without going against the language.

I'm this close to go completely nuts with this industry and commit to full butlerian jihad against anybody who goes higher in abstraction than ANSI C.