gistfile1.clj

(let [take-c (chan 1)]
  (go
   (loop [pending []
          tout (timeout 1000)]
     (alt!  [take-c] ([v] (let [new-pending (conj pending v)]
                            (if (> max-pending (count new-pending))
                              (do (thread (process-stuff pending))
                                  (recur [] (timeout 1000)))
                              (recur new-pending tout))))
            [tout]  ([_]
                       (thread (process-stuff pending))
                       (recur [] (timeout 1000)))))))