I dont have time to put together a working example, but what i had in mind was using while, \G and also the /gc modifier in scalar context. Maybe from that you can come up with a working example, or prove me wrong, before I get the time to do anything useful with it.

Using the underused /gc modifier was the key point I was thinking of tho.

Oh and to be clear I wasnt trying to say my way would be better, just different. :-)