Steel Kaleidoscopes

American Idol: Neil Diamond

So Jason Castro sings once and Paula judges him for two songs. Better check that glass of Coca-Cola.  Here's the order of how the five finalists performed last night, with the odds of winning it all in three weeks:

1. David Cook
Grinds out mean guitar version of "I'm Alive" and settles into an '80s-style rock ballad with "All I Really Need." Looking more like the American Idol with each performance as he establishes an image of professional unpredictably. Front-runner.
Odds of winning: 3-1

2. Syesha Mercado
New hairstyle and softer personality. Would have had her first as she delivers best performance of the night with "Hello Again," but loses points for throw-away gospel brunch version of "Thank the Lord for the Night Time." Should get through but there are no givens.
Odds of winning: 15-1

3. David Archuleta
The problem here is that he has been terrific since Day One. Unlike the others, there's little, if any, room for improvement. Visible growth draws votes. Delivers campy version of "Sweet Caroline" and superb patriotic arrangement of "America." Gearing up for a David-David final.
Odds of winning: 3-1

4. Jason Castro
At this stage, singers need to deliver "wow" moments. Does not have the ability to do anything exceptional.  Sings cool, low-key versions of "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "September Morn." Teeny-bopper votes continue to roll in but he's no match for the front-runners.
Odds of winning: 25-1

5. Brooke White (bye, bye)
Night and day performances. Sings "I'm a Believer" karaoke-style but turns it around with passionate piano version of "I Am ... I Said." Admits to writing lyrics on her hand. Sweet voice but she must be pinching herself with the introspective question: "I'm actually still singing in this competition?"
Odds of winning: 35-1

Shaking Things Up

Instead of my usual bold Starbucks to start my day, I ordered a double Zen green tea.

Disclosure: I'm sick today.

But I still came into work.

Which is probably not a good thing for the people around me.

But I didn't have my laptop with me and there's a presentation I need to finish for tomorrow.

Among other things.

But I am going to leave early.

So I'm enjoying my double Zen green tea.

And blowing my nose.

Working in PowerPoint.

Love My Bose

One of the best Christmas gifts I've received over the last few years are my Bose QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones.

As a daily commuter, these put me in my own world, oblivious to the chatterboxes and snorers who squeeze into the seats around me on the train.

Plugged into my iPod, I can either listen to Alison Krauss or Uriah Heep, or I can just listen to nothing.

When you turn these on, a special noise-cancelling feature creates a woomp-like sound that makes distracting noises fade away. It's the feeling of being on a secluded beach at dawn.

I forgot my headphones one day last week and I realized how addicted to these I am. Noises on the train seemed louder and the journey seemed much longer than usual.

Thank-you, Bose. And thank-you, Francine.

This is Nuts

There's a new dining concept called Dinner in the Sky, which recently debuted in Orlando, Fla.

Twenty-two guests are hoisted by a crane 165 feet into the sky and served dinner by a chef and two helpers.

There's even a piano player (top photo) to set the mood.

Not sure how they handle bathroom requests.

Crazy.

Quote of the Day

"The beginning is the most important part of any work."

— Plato

Smokers

I have nothing against smokers.

It's their choice, their lifestyle, and being judgmental is an ugly characteristic.

But I don't miss the days when smoking was allowed inside the workplace and restaurants.

I was reminded about this while walking behind a woman smoking on Tremont Street yesterday. It was easy enough for me to walk to the other side of the street, to avoid her tobacco halo.

In the '80s, I worked in a newsroom where editors to my left and right puffed away (one guy smoked a damn pipe) as we drove toward tight deadlines (my vice was coffee). I'd come home from work and have to convince my girlfriend I wasn't out in a bar.

When covering the Boston Bruins as a sportswriter, I'd sit in the press box next to Russ from the Lawrence Eagle Tribune who would suck on cigarettes like they were lozenges.

And there were many times when we'd be sitting in a posh restaurant drinking a nice bottle of wine when our meal was ruined by the couple at the next table tugging on cigarettes.

If you smoke, that's OK.

But I'm glad there are laws to keep my laundry fresher and make my life more comfortable.

American Idol: Andrew Lloyd Webber

This is where it gets tough. America prunes the best of the best.  Here's the order of how the six finalists performed last night, with the odds of winning it all next month:

1. Syesha Mercado
Drop her onto the set of "Dreamgirls" and no one would question her presence. Seemingly down and out the last few weeks, the vocal powerhouse gives her regards to Broadway and takes top honors. Sexy, animated and back for another week.
Odds of winning: 20-1

2. Carly Smithson
Chooses the best song of the night with "Superstar," making Murray Head proud. Delivers rich, powerful vocal with a difficult arrangement. The background singers' timing adds to level of complexity. Loved the "Hair"-inspired dress. Still in the game.
Odds of winning: 20-1

3. David Cook
Delivers dark, brooding, heartfelt version of "The Music of the Night." Very weird to hear the resident rocker singing a classic Broadway staple. Always brings a unique approach to the stage, which is why he'll be singing well into May.
Odds of winning: 8-1

4. David Archuleta
Are we getting too used to perfection? This genre is in his wheelhouse, but he's raised the bar so high we expect goosebumps with every performance. The schoolgirl hugs at the beginning don't help his bubblegum image.
Odds of winning: 8-1

5. Jason Castro
Didn't quite get this one. After a few great weeks, this is kind of lame. Hits the high notes very well, but plods and mumbles with the lower notes. "Memory" is one of those songs that needs a big voice. It's not here. Quick thought: No more interviews.
Odds of winning: 25-1

6. Brooke White (bye, bye)
And the road ends here. Despite the start and stop (this was the second time she did this), the song was just OK. The misstep creates heavy tension for the audience ("will she forget the words again?") and herself. Great kid who had a terrific run.
Odds of winning: 35-1

Going the Distance

At 3:22 p.m., well after the elite runners have crossed the finish line and satisfied their interview obligations, the "Don Powells of the World" take those final strides down Boylston Street at yesterday's 112th Boston Marathon.

(Photo courtesy of Gold in Medford.)

Boston Marathon

They come from Seattle, Peoria, Des Moines and Dorchester to run 26 miles and 385 yards.

But ultimately at the Boston Marathon, the runners who make the first strides across the finish line are Kenyans.

It's a global race with an African face.

One of these years, that may change.

But today's Boston Marathon will belong to Africa.

In the men's division, the winner has come from Africa 16 of the last 17 tears.

In the women's division, the winner has come from Africa nine of the last 11 years.

Must be something in the water.

Or maybe the intense training.

Whatever it is, they sure can run.

Off they go.

Day's End

Nothing like dinner with fine wine watching the setting sun over the gulf.

Thanks, Joe.