'Persister': Finding the New Blog Flume Writer

So we're calling it "Persister" -- the online reality show where several contestants vie to become the next author of the BLOG FLUME on Theme Park Insider. Invitations have been extended, and we're awaiting a few last-minute confirmations before announcing who will be competing on these Web pages for your allegiance and support.

What's the game? Twice each week, you'll see a new Blog Flume appear on ThemeParkInsider.com. Our guest writers will rotate at the helm, penning one Flume article each. Once everyone's had a shot, I'll throw the names in a hat, scramble the order and have each writer write once more. That way, each writer gets two shots to find his/her voice and a second chance should their first article reflect some slooooooow news days. (Hey, it happens.)

Then, it's decision time. Theme Park Insider readers will be welcomed to comment on this thread about the job the various writers are doing. Tell us who's your favorite as the "game" goes on. But do keep it kind and civil. After all, no one here is playing for anything close to a million bucks. And, God willing, none of these contestants will be getting naked for chocolate and peanut butter.

To win, the writer will have to "persist" through this convoluted process, charming and informing Theme Park Insider readers with their wit, knowledge and Yahoo! News searching capabilities along the way.

Ultimately, I'll pick the "winner" and offer them the Blog Flume-endowed Professorship of Snarkiness here at Theme Park Insider. And all the glory and financial compensation (not much) that goes with that honor. But I will rely upon the feedback from Theme Park Insider readers to help me make that choice. After all, I want to tap someone who will make you want to keep coming back to Theme Park Insider to read what he or she has to say. So I'm relying on you -- the reader -- to tell me which writer will do that.

So keep checking back on ThemeParkInsider.com throughout the next few weeks for new Blog Flume columns and writers, then post back here what you think. (You can continue to comment on the individual Flumes about the news stories linked within them.) And unlike on a certain reality show, you can eat all you want, change your clothes daily and even bathe regularly while deciding whom to vote for and vote off here.

Let the audience speak!