Steel Kaleidoscopes

Friends

Strawberry shortcake. Chablis and Viognier. And '80s trivia.

Medium-rare filet mignon. Tortellini. Shiraz.

John Waite's hairdo. Waiting for the Hulk to turn into the Hulk.

A splash in the pool. Free-style Frisbee. Horseshoes.

Schilling on his game. Bullpen woes. McCarty's green light on 3-0.

Strawberry shortcake. Chablis and Viognier. And '80s trivia.

Happy Birthday to Me

When I was 10, the Cubs had a good ball club but couldn't meet expectations after their disastrous late-season collapse to the Miracle Mets. Maybe today, just for me, they can find a way to beat the Pirates.

Imposing Cloud

A threat of rain settles over the early Friday evening May sky, an ominous start to Memorial Day weekend. But no rain would fall, and Saturday has a fresh, blue start.

Tobacco Road

Remember the crazy comic Sam Kinison? Imagine taking that powerful voice he used for screaming and fine-tuning it into a singing voice. That's what you'll find when listening to Edgar Winter's version of "Tobacco Road."

The singer is Jerry Lacroix, the front man for Winter's White Trash. Winter, as you may recall, is best known for the instrumental "Frankenstein." But dig deep into the classic rock archives and you'll find an album called "Roadwork," which also features Edgar's brother Johnny, Rick Derringer and the amazing Lacroix on vocals.

The beauty of these classic rock tracks is their purity. The talent was ahead of the technology in 1972, so nothing is doctored or heavily mixed. This is rock 'n' roll, unabashed in delivering epic length tracks with each musician taking an unapologetic solo.

"Tobacco Road" is a perfect example of an album rock track, more than 17 minutes long and a must-listen to fully appreciate the music from this era.

John D. Loudermilk, a legendary Nashville songwriter, wrote "Tobacco Road" in 1960. The testament of a great song is how many times it's covered. After Loudermilk's initial release, "Tobacco Road" has been recorded by nearly 200 musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Eric Burdon, Lou Rawls, Jefferson Airplane, Blues Magoos, David Lee Roth and, of course, Edgar Winter's White Trash.

Check out the Edgar Winter version. Now that's some singing.

Shoes

Sometimes they're well-heeled. They can kick. They scuffle along. They come in all different colors. They are diverse. Carrie loves them. Fantasia breaks them. Imelda Marcos hoards them.

Even horses wear them.

When shoes get older, do they become boots?

American Idol: Finale

Notice how old friends John Stevens, Jennifer Hudson and JPL were in the audience, seated in the order of how long they lasted in the competition? It's all about placement. The only two from the final 12 who weren't there were LaToya and Leah. LaToya's absence was understandable. She was probably with her agent, determining whether she wants to open for Madonna or Norah Jones.

So this is it. Fantasia vs. Diana in the cavernous Kodak Theatre, in the shadows of Hollywood Boulevard and Mann's Chinese Theatre. Big night. Lots of people. Seacrest in. Kind of bittersweet, heading into summer TV programming without Idol.

Fantasia is the star. She's da bomb. The real deal. At 19, she has a remarkable career ahead of her. Her talent became more evident once LaToya left the competition. Fantasia was the show, the reason to tune in. And she'll be America's third American Idol tonight, joining Kelly and Ruben as the singers who went all the way.

Diana, the smiling, giggly girl with the monster pipes from Snellville, Ga., will head back home, happy with her second-place finish. She has a lot for which to be proud. Most 16-year-olds are just worried about how they're going to handle geometry and biology finals in the same day. She must have blown the candles clear off her Sweet 16 birthday cake. She packs some power. Now she'll pack her bags.

While Diana easily was the most improved, Fantasia improved in a different way. At the beginning, her personality was annoying. She was arrogant and seemingly abrasive, pulling the presidential tactic carting her baby on stage and sniping at the judges (in a playful way). Had she stayed on that path, she wouldn't have made the finals. Fantasia gradually became likable, showing emotion and humbleness in her performances. Indeed, her tears last night after soaring through Tamyra Gray's "I Believe" were genuine. She pours her soul into her singing. And she's convinced America to embrace her.

Here's the order of how the final 2 performed last night, with odds of winning it all tonight:

1. Fantasia Barrino
Thought "The Greatest Love" was a gutsy move to open with. It was daring, different and she brought an original approach to the song. It may have been the most different song anyone from the competition has sung this season (or any season). "Summertime" is the season's bar, and she reached it again. It wasn't as powerful as the first time she sang it, because that was such a surprise it had the "wow" factor. Brilliant again, but this is the third time we've seen it. Like how she saved the Tamyra Gray song for last, because she was perfect. The dancing, grunting, growling and soulful singing is just so damn original. She nailed it. That was one of her better performances all season, and she ended with it. Bravo.
Odds of winning: 2-1

2. Diana DeGarmo
Nothing new here. Thought she did OK on "I Believe" and "Think." Unlike the judges, I thought "Don't Cry Out Loud" was her best performance of the three. She hits those high notes wonderfully and has the strength to carry through. Well done. But you know what? All three songs kind of sounded the same. You definitely can't say that about Fantasia. Another thing about Diana. She kind of reminds me of Bugs Bunny, the way she talks. It's easy to picture her with a carrot out the side of her mouth saying, "th th th th that's all folks!" Congrats on the bridesmaid status, Diana, but you're no Fantasia. Not even close.
Odds of winning: 10-1

Forever Fenway

Two friends, bonded for life, meet in the crowded street, amid taverns, turnstiles and tattoos. The carousel playground of Lansdowne Street shakes and rumbles under vaunted footsteps, moving in unison toward the cathedral of green.

"Anyone got tickets? Need tickets."

Mike stands in the usual spot, in the northern shadow of Boston Beer Works, racing and baseball on his mind. The vice president of operations at Rounder Records is in the first few minutes of his vacation, precariously timing Dan to see if he indeed will arrive within three minutes.

Dan, notebook in hand with sweat on his brow, arrives in a rambunctious mood, the three-day Westin-Copley Monster client conference in his emotional rearview mirror. Dan walks through. Security checks Mike's bag. Dan looks for the premium beer stand. Mike looks for Dan.

Section 17. Box 123. Row AA. Seats 3-4.

Karen from the Herald stops to say hello to Dan. It's been a long time. Karen is a cancer survivor. Dan finds inspiration talking with Karen. They go back, industry peers covering the travails of Cam Neely and Vladimir Ruzicka's scoring prowess but lack of defense. They exchange e-mail addresses and Karen heads off to work.

Wonderful version of national anthem from North Shore girl. Prompts "American Idol" discussion. But on this evening, a sultry summer-like May pocket in time, nothing needs to prompt a Mike-Dan discussion.

It's an annual ritual (and sometimes more), two college roommates, close friends for 23 years, catching up in the house that Ted and Yaz built. Communications at work. Dealing with union issues. Good employees. Bad employees. Motivational techniques. Engaging your audience.

"Those are cool glasses."

"Thanks."

Awkward moment when girl with the cool glasses, stalled in foot traffic in the aisle between boxes, slides into Section 17, Box 123, Row AA, Seat 2.

Another Harpoon IPA for Dan. A hotdog and bottled water for Mike.

Halladay has a two-run cushion. "It's a been a long time since we've seen the Sox lose," says Dan.

"Who says they're going to lose?" asks Mike.

Varitek scores. Daubach scores. Damon, his beard shaved for charity, grounds into a double play but Millar scores. Youkilis scores. Mike looks correct.

The girl with the cool glasses asks Dan who's playing right field.

"Millar."

Rush is doing a cover album. Alzheimer's. Acupuncture. Short-term disability. Sexual harassment. Mix CDs. Hell Toupee, Mindgrinder, The Weeds. Abe and Knutson together in a room, two guitar heroes with inflated egos. "Lunch with Ed." "Heart of the Sunrise."

The daughter of Busty Heart seems to know someone in the upper grandstand, shielding her eyes form the late-spring setting sun, bouncing in place, a distraction from runners in scoring position with first base open.

Party on July 3. Worlds collide. Christine's friends and colleagues. Dan's friends and colleagues. Core group sipping dark, rich Shiraz on the porch listening to Led Zeppelin long after the sun disappears through the trees.

"Haht dawgs. Sodah here."

Manny launches a moon shot onto Lansdowne Street, just a hundred feet or so from where Mike stood in his usual spot, in the northern shadow of Boston Beer Works, racing and baseball on his mind.

The bottom of the eighth has a long life. Youkilis swings and pops a foul straight back, directly over Section 17, Box 123, Row AA, Seats 3-4. Dan, a fresh Harpoon IPA in his right hand, makes a weak attempt to make the catch with his left hand, the ball slapping his palm for a brief second before deflecting off the side of the full plastic cup, soaking his hands, forearms and notebook, splashing the girl with the cool glasses.

Mike, though, is charged with the error. He shows Dan the growing welt on his right hand, another missed opportunity for a souvenir. Indeed, it was several years ago in these same seats that Mike kicked away a foul ball.

"I'm 0 for 2," says Mike, who has found a new friend to his left, discussing the merits of Grand Prix racing.

Game ends. "Dirty Water" blares from the speakers.

"9 to 5," says Dan. "Who would have thought?"

"11 to 5," corrects Mike.

Back in the carousel playground of Lansdowne Street, the energy level lower, the tired masses mispronounce their "R's." And Jeter sucks.

Mike's vacation continues. Dan's weekend is just getting started. Two friends, bonded for life, depart into the crowded street, amid taverns, turnstiles and tattoos.

10 Retention Tips

The war for talent, a buzz phrase from the late '90s, is back. With companies adding new jobs, especially in sales, there's a demand for good workers. Companies are sourcing, screening and hiring again, but what are they doing for retention?

It's a huge cost savings to keep a star employee engaged. The costs associated with recruitment, training and mentoring are high, especially if the star decides there's something better out there. More than ever, companies, large and small, need to make sure retention is part of the management strategy.

Sharon Jordan-Evans, president of the Jordan Evans Group and co-author of "Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay," recently spoke to a group of Monster employees and their clients at the Westin Hotel in Boston.

The crux of her message was that the new corporate rainmaker will be the person who can find and keep talent. Here were the 10 key points she made to ensure your star players are engaged:

1) Make sure the job fits.
This starts with the job ad and job description. You know what you're looking for. Ask good questions on the interview. Do a good job communicating the value proposition. Not all salespeople make great sales managers. Irrigation specialists aren't necessarily good plumbers. A bad fit is a waste of time and money. Then you get to do it again.

2) Be a mentor.
Be sure there's someone on your staff (maybe it's you) who works with the star employee, engaging her with savvy knowledge and real-life experience. Share advice on how to work with different people in the company. Don't be late for so-and-so's meeting. Don't go over this person's head. Push, challenge and inspire.

3) Explore opportunities.
Star players want to learn. They want to grow. That's why they're stars. Make sure you're offering a clear upward career path. If that path falls outside your group, be open to allowing him to switch departments. It's the right thing to do for your company if divisional movement keeps him employed by you. It helps your bottom line, and that's why you're in business.

4) Share information.
Two-way symmetrical communication is key, but make sure you're revealing what you know. Obviously not everything is open to full disclosure, but share what you can. If you're a public company, financial results are already out there. Be willing to talk about what the numbers mean and where the company needs to improve. Who's new? Who's who? How does this affect us? Be open and inclusive.

5) Give space.
Allow your stars to think big. When giving assignments, don't plan every last detail up front. Allow collaboration and be open to new ideas on how to approach a new project. Be open to requests. Bend the rules from time to time. Treat your stars with respect.

6) Show concern for family.
Show support. Get to know your star's situation. Is she married? Does she have kids? What are their names? How old are they? Be family-friendly. One example Jordan-Evans used was a manager knew that his star's daughter sang in an a cappella group. He also knew she videotaped it. So he called together a bunch of people at the company to watch the tape. Think the star felt good about her job that day?

7) Customize your approach.
A company cannot have an overarching retention strategy that serves as a template. Retention must be customized to each individual star. You need to take the time to build and nurture one-on-one relationships. This is not automation. This is taking the time to be personable.

8) Pay competitively.
Money isn't everything, but it's key. Make sure you understand the going industry rate for your star's position. Base it on skills and years of experience, but also consider this: How good is he at this job? If he's really, really good, finding an extra $5-$10K is worth getting if it keeps him around. If you can't get it, at least show a visible effort.

9) Have fun.
Have some kicks. This isn't planned fun, like a company outing. This is bringing humor to the workplace, spontaneous cheerfulness that can be sprinkled throughout the day. Show a pulse. Make the work environment a breezy place to spend time. Smile. A positive culture with a few surprises will do wonders for retention.

10. Write a letter.
Your star deserves thanks. It's easy to do this verbally and in an e-mail. Instead, write her a letter. Date it and sign it. This is something she won't expect. It shows you truly do appreciate her effort. And she'll save that letter because it's more tangible than an e-mail.

Millerwood Communications

Internal communications. Client communications. Branding. Something snazzy, different and cutting edge.

Millerwood Communications delivers on all fronts.

This business works because it spends the necessary time up front talking to the client, understanding their needs and wants. Then, to optimize the clients' spend, Millerwood taps only into the creative recources it needs to deliver the project.

With the world changing so fast, communications is more important than ever. Whether a company is looking to explain the changes in healthcare benefits or retooling their branding strategy to mirror evolving business, Millerwood is the answer to tackle these challenges.

Need a communications strategy? Millerwood engages its communications consultant and writer/editor. Need something more robust, like a Web commercial? Millerwood's Web developer, designer and content specialist step forward to deliver on the promise. Millerwood employs only the resources it needs per project, saving the client the embedded overhead costs it would incur with larger communications vendors.

Millerwood Communications is world class because it employs the best and brightest. Millerwood's writers, designers and developers have worked on hundreds of projects and bring that experience to the Millerwood team.

The fact that Millerwood's effort for Ceridian won the 2004 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Award for excellence in business communication is testament to the quality of Millerwood Communications' services.

It comes down to good business sense. And wicked creativity. Millerwood Communications has both.

Nice to see a new business take a giant leap.

American Idol: Final 3

Fox is nervous. The judges were clearly instructed to stop the nonsense and set America straight: Fantasia is the star, a polished diva among giggly schoolgirls. Of the 12 critiques offered to Fantasia, 11 were glowing. Not just excellent. Glowing. She's Aretha. She's Diana (Ross, not DeGarmo). Simon even alluded to Billie Holiday, a throwback to the classic recording era where creaky turntables and scratchy vinyl set the mood.

The one critique that wasn't glowing was a joke -- Simon telling Fantasia her second song was the worst thing he ever heard and telling her to cry -- to capture the sympathy vote. This was a direct dig at Jasmine, whose tears kept her in the competition and sent the super talented LaToya London packing last week.

Fox is nervous because it's about money and ratings. Record mogul Clive Davis, on hand last night as a guest judge, will support the winner with a $1 million recording contract. If it's Jasmine or Diana, he has to spend another million (at least) to sign Fantasia. If Fantasia wins, he only spends $1 million. Think he's going to offer a recording contract to Diana or Jasmine? Maybe Diana. But definitely not Jasmine. This happened last season with Ruben and Clay. No way was Davis going to let Clay get away. So he signed both.

The ratings? A Diana-Jasmine final? Ugh. Without Fantasia, it's just not legitimate. Fox needs Fantasia in the final. They're nervous. Obviously, Jasmine has the whole state of Hawaii on speed dial. Fox execs see the vote totals. They recognize she's a force. Which is why the judges stopped the nonsense and told it straight: Fantasia is the real deal. Vote for the best singer.

Here's the order of how the final 3 performed last night, with odds of winning it all next week:

1. Fantasia Barrino
Without LaToya in the house, she seemed much more relaxed than in recent weeks. All three performances were superb. Love the movements and facial expressions. She's got one helluva unique voice. Did you see her almost trip in those heels coming out for the first song? If she surrounds herself with the right people, she'll be around for a long time.
Odds of winning: 2-1

2. Diana DeGarmo
Powerful, powerful pipes. Clearly has improved and deserves a shot in the final, but she's no match for Fantasia. Her forte is those long notes that she hits consistently. She's really, really good, but Fantasia is simply more polished. With further training, she'll be a force.
Odds of winning: 10-1

3. Jasmine Trias (bye, bye)
ZZZZZZZ. Good, sweet, ho-hum. If there were 12 singers competing, she'd stand out as one of the better ones. But down to these three, she just doesn't belong. She was determined not to cry under a barrage of criticism. She really, really needs to go.
Odds of winning: 20-1