UPDATE: He did it — 500,000 down and 500,000 to go.

He’s halfway there — almost. About five weeks ago, Jeremy Harper began his count to one million, live on the Internet, refusing to leave his apartment, setting aside his job, his friends, his social life, all for Millioncount.com. Some thought he would go crazy. Others thought he already had.

Today he passes a milestone, the halfway point — 500,000. Harper is donating most of the proceeds to Push America, a charity for children with disabilities. Ten years ago, Harper participated in Push America’s Journey of Hope, a cross-country trip on bicycles. Another Journey of Hope team is cycling across the country this year, and today they will stop in Birmingham to visit Harper. They’re trip is almost done, but Harper’s … well, everything he’s done so far, he has to do it again.

Since the beginning, the Barking Kudu has been Harper’s biggest supporter, setting up a widescreen TV (one patron calls it “HarperTV”) and another camera in the bar so Harper can watch the action there. This evening, the bar will be celebrating with Harper as he passes the half-million mark, and they’re going to party like it’s 999,999.

RELATED STORY: Up for the Count, Jeremy Harper’s one to a million shot.