I've switched to my hardwood mix (pallet wood 4x4s, about 80% oak) I've been getting 35-40 hour burns with 8-12 18" pieces (not packed very tight)... The stove is on low of course. Keeps it a comfortable 72-74 in here.
I found a dealer trying to get rid of softwood for free, only catch is you have to haul it yourself. He has at least 30+ cords stacked up. Everyone around here is a firm believer in softwood causes creosote.... So that means one heck of a great deal for me

The chinook burns a full stove of softwood for a good 25-30 hours before temps drop off.
and to answer the question of does it get boring... yes... it does. I'll stare at the stove and say... Oh goodie I get to reload soon!! I'll wait a half an hour then reload.... Half an hour later I go to reload... and see it's still got a good bit... That half hour turns in to a few hours... Sometimes I turn the stove up just so I can reload sooner.