Dear Diary,

This is not good. Today I, ermmm, well we, saw the impossible. Here. On the Island. Or I should really say the improbable. What happened was...

I'm sure most would agree that your reviews (especially for a finale) is well worth waiting a measly week.
As a fan of Lost I'm used to long periods if waiting.

If it's not a Big Mac entree, then it's just a buncha whoppers! :)

mac - Why don't you list your top-5 picks of who you think could wear your shoe(s) for a week? Not wanting to alienate anyone is a given. So, anyone not mentioned is... let's say... your sixth choice.

"Ninety percent of volunteerism isn't volunteering... it's just being ASKED to volunteer in the first place."

Name some names.

@ANON2 #6 - who else could wear mac's shoes for a week? I'm a size 10 wide. I hope that doesn't eliminate me.

I personally nominate ealgumby! He knows everything... and he has a lot of time on his hands =] (So it seems).

I like the idea of Mac telling us who his top 5 are... Now I'm curious.

I was thinking of volunteering because writing is my bread and butter, but I think we should all give *ilovebenjaminlinusxx* the shot to be the special guest star that week. Sure, Ealgumby, myself or anyone else could do it, but no one has more pep than ilovebenjaminlinusxx!

Maybe we'll all get our chance sometime to stand on our soapboxes, but for now, My vote is - ilovebenjaminlinusxx.

See, I'm not such a Naysayer afterall...

MR_NAYSAYER

I'd vote for ealgumby for his sensibility.

I'd vote for meg for her spunk. Make that a meg/ilovebenjaminlinus co-authorization. They're both spunky!

I'd vote for Alaïs_Longthought mostly because he's been here as long as I can recall so he'd have the perspective/history. Although smitty made a good point about Cecil Rose.

Ok, so now I've done gone confused the issue more than before I posted! ;P

****************************************

Attention, 'Lost' theorists
Here's your chance to have your hypothesis graded by the experts – Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, executive producers of the ABC drama (returning April 24, 10 p.m. ET/PT). In 200 words or less, give us your explanation of any or all of the myriad mysteries: the island, the survivors of Flight 815, The Others, Dharma and any of the other baffling questions that have made Lost TV's top brain-teaser.

USA TODAY will publish some of the best contributions, online and in print — and forward a handful to the Lost braintrust who will evaluate them for originality, completeness, logic, etc., without spoiling future episodes by indicating if your theory is right, wrong or really wrong.

***************************************

But here’s the kicker... you have to submit your entry by 5PM TODAY!

Instructions:
http://tinyurl*com/5n2p9w

Namaste and Good Luck!

>I'd vote for Alaïs_Longthought mostly because he's been here as long as I can recall so he'd have the perspective/history.

Alaïs is of the "she" persuasion. And, yes, of course, would be a good choice. As would any of the others mentioned.

>re:# 13. by Clementine
- - - -
>Someone should go back through all of the blogs and compile all of the most poignant Haiku's, then submit them to this review by the producers - from "The Film Fodder Family".

Unfortunately my haiku alone now number 74, which would be 1,258 syllables, which, assuming on average, two syllable words, would be 627 wordsm not counting titles. And I really don't have the time to edit down to a 'best of'.

Unfortunately, I just read that. Boo to school and doctor appointments.

Mr_Naysayer:
I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing that you've nominated me.

Do you believe I'll fail? I probably am the worst writer here.

Damaged lives on beach,
Damaged souls just out of reach,
‘Whispers’ try to preach.

Standing still in time?
Lists are made - select the prime!
Stealing kids… the crime.

Clans converge and fight,
All clans think that they are right,
Some stay out of sight.

Dying to be found,
Islands magic all around,
What is underground?

Some thought gone… return,
Many feel a suitors’ spurn,
Trip home tough to earn.

Flash or vision seen?
What will be or what has been?
Hard life in between.

Rescue we surmise?
Choose salvation if you’re wise.
Face final demise?

Fear new freighter folk!
Here to give the place a poke,
Gas attack! A joke?

Time and space unbraid,
Just before the pending raid,
Let us ‘make a trade’.

Attack teams collide,
Losties, Others on same side,
Cannot run or hide.

Most will give the slip.
Six are taken off by ship,
Soon to lose their grip.

Much global action.
Going back - not an option.
Show enhanced (caption).

New boss a ‘hold-over’?
“Island needs a make-over!”,
LOST ends… it’s over.

No, I think you'd make it funny and cute... who needs all this serious talk all the time?

Well thank you =]
I wouldn't mind doing it. But now I feel like I will fail... I mean, Mac is a huge thing to live up to.

So Mac -- Who are you considering as of now to pass the torch to for a week?

Thanks for all the responses -- both in the comments and through email. I really appreciate the offers!

I opted to take Vacc up on his offer because he has graciously managed the Lost photo captions for almost a year now. So, Vacc will be handling the finale duties on 5/29 and I *hope* I'll be able to crank out a separate review sometime thereafter (although that's not definite).

Also, the choice of Vacc shouldn't be interpreted as any sort of favoritism. I really don't look at it that way because there are many, MANY people who could easily fill in and -- if I'm being honest -- do a job that would put me to shame. That being said, I decided to base my decision solely on Vacc's previous experience as both a blog reader/commenter and as someone who has posted through the system regularly. I'm sure he'll do an awesome job!

Again, thanks to all who offered. Yet again I'm amazed and overwhelmed (positively!) by the folks who visit this space. You all make this a very special place. -- mac

I'll play "Tipsy" to his "Drinky-Winky".

@ #19 - MorBid0 : LOST summarized in HAIKU! Awesome! DocH already called shotgun. But if we both strike out with the bases loaded, I could easily picture you coming off the bench and hitting it out of the park - all in HAIKU! Hope you enjoy my tribute to you in my photo caption entries.

Mac, good choice on your Guest Host. I would have been equally happy with Cecil Rose or ealgumby, not to mention a whole bunch of others!

"No Mac" panic attack
Replaced by vacc; no flak
Back on track when Mac is back

***** SPOILERISH *****
http://www.docarzt.com/lost-news/lost-teleconference-417-summar.php
***** SPOILERISH *****

The article with the LOST theories will run tomorrow (4/23).

USA Today called to confirm the spelling of my name in case my Smoke Monster theory gets picked for the article. If it does, then vacc's true identity will finally be revealed. Either way, I hope that at least someone from this blog is chosen to represent us.

Theories selected for review by Damon and Carlton:
http://tinyurl*com/6yrcnb

Some other theories submitted:
http://tinyurl*com/6c3j62

Congrats to our very own Geoffrey on the good grades! Anybody else get published and want to claim your theory?

Dittos on congratulations to Vacc making the grade.

Anyway... SOMEONE SAID THAT THEY THINK VINCENT IS THE SMOKE MONSTER!!! I so called that.

>Congrats to our very own Geoffrey on the good grades! Anybody else get published and want to claim your theory?

Goodness, i wasn't even looking at the names, but when I read that one I was thinking 'This sounds awfully familiar'.

For that matter, I thought most of the theories re-hashed things we've kicked around here long ago.

Congrats indeed, Vacc!

Hey vacc—Congrats! And Clementine, thanks for the URLs. There were a lot of New Yorkers w/published theories...Mr. Naysayer? Crispy?

@30 I ♥ Benlinusxx : Hi neighbor! Although anywhere in this state would be considered 'near', if I had to guess, I'd put my money on you being a Viking.

I have a detailed file on you.

Here's a recent photo of you: tinyurl.com/3kqhom

I also have a spy in your school...

... and it's Michael!!

** Legal Disclaimer **
Filmfodder does NOT maintain files on any of our bloggers, nor do we send people to spy on them.
** End Disclaimer **

All kidding aside, privacy and anonymity are things we try hard to protect on mac's blog - at least until USA Today reveals your true identity to the entire planet!

So all I really know about you is what you've already shared on the site.
And here's how I figured out you were a Viking..

When you visit any website (or post to any blog), the IP address (the number that identifies your machine on the internet) is recorded. Since I run the Photo Captions, I see the IP address when captions are submitted. Those are pretty anonymous - just a bunch of numbers assigned by your internet provider which change frequently. But I knew you posted captions from school, which has a permanent IP address assigned to them - turns out it's the same as your school's homepage.

My daughter was almost a Viking.. We lived across from a little park on Beekman Rd for a few years, but moved just before she started HS.

But yes, obviously I am in fact a Viking.