Are You Too Busy for New Connections?

Still friends after all these years.

When my wife Susie and I returned from Mexico after the second year of our marriage, a friend suggested we visit Bethel Temple in St. Paul. He raved about the good people, solid pastoral care, and vibrant worship. It was a very special place, he said, in the heart of the Twin Cities. I believe he even repeated “good people” for emphasis, which stuck with me. 

After the service on the first Sunday we went, a friendly, blonde-haired man greeted us with a warmth that felt genuine. His name was Henry, and our conversation flowed effortlessly. He was on a wavelength I instantly connected with—thoughtful, engaging, and genuine.

I could tell Henry was someone I wanted to know better, but I also sensed he had a very busy life. The way he moved through the crowd, balancing greetings and tasks, I could tell this was a role he played here, making a conscious effort to welcome visitors and get them connected to the fellowship. 

As we were talking later I blurted out, in my somewhat direct way, “Is your life too busy to have another friend?” It was a bold ask, but after a pause in which he no dubt did a quick internal inventory of his commitments, Henry’s gracious smile said it all. Despite his packed schedule, he and his wife Lisa welcomed Susie and I into their lives. That openness changed us, and we remain deeply grateful for their friendship.

From tme to time I've reflected on that moment and have had to ask myself Are you too busy to allow another person or new experience into your life? It’s a question worth pondering. Life moves fast—work, family, errands, and endless to-do lists can fill every crevice of our days. It’s easy to say, “I don’t have time for new friends” or “I’ll try that new hobby later.” But what if “later” never comes? What if the cost of busyness is missing out on connections and experiences that could enrich us?

Henry could’ve brushed us off. He had every excuse—his plate was full. Yet, he chose to make space, and that choice sparked a meaningful, lifelong friendship. It’s a reminder that life’s best moments often come when we pause and say “yes” to something new. Whether it’s a conversation with a stranger, a spontaneous adventure, or signing up for that class you’ve been eyeing, opening the door to new possibilities takes courage. It means prioritizing connection over convenience and growth over routine.

So, here’s the challenge: take stock of your life. Are you too busy to let someone new in? Too swamped to try something different? If so, maybe it’s time to carve out a little space. Say hello to that coworker you’ve never really talked to. Book that weekend hike. Invite someone to coffee. Like Henry, you might find that making room for others—or for new experiences—brings unexpected joy. Life’s too short to let busyness block the beauty of what’s waiting. 

Related Link

Henry is a professional pianist and founder of Quiet Heart Music.

www.quietheartmusic.com

 

Crowds On Demand: How Money Can Be Used to Create Illusions

THROWBACK THURSDAY

My first trip to Las Vegas was in 1991. I'd gone to attend a trade show on trade shows at Bally's Convention Center. It was highly informative. For two days my boss and I attended workshops and walked the show floor, absorbing everything we could learn. 

One thing we observed was there seemed to be three pricing tiers in the booth business, just like McDonald's, except that instead of 1, 2 and 5 dollar prices, these structures were priced 5, 50 and 200.... thousands. If you had the money, there was no limit to how much you could spend once you had consultants and architects paid off.

In a similar vein, there was a wide variety of talent you could purchase for your show booth. There are national organizations with models who you can hire for the duration of your show. Kelly Girls is one such organization, but an internet search will unearth others. There are also magicians you can hire to draw crowds. Who doesn't enjoy a good magic show? This is where the "almost famous" end up, I suspect. 

There are also look-a-likes of famous people whom you can rent to work your booth. A smiling Michael J. Fox stepped over and shook my hand. A veritable twin. Same voice and mannerisms, too. Ever wonder what an actors' doubles do when the actor is not working? Yep. You can probably rent him to attract people to your booth. And for a price, you can even have the real person, if you have the bucks.

All these memories came to mind when I saw an email this week about a company called Crowds On Demand. Having been an extra in a Hollywood film, I'm aware that when movies need lots of people for crowd scenes they have systems in place to recruit them. Were you aware that there are systems in place for manufacturing crowds in real life? 

Here's their sales pitch:

"Are you looking to create a buzz anywhere in the United States? At Crowds on Demand, we provide our clients with protests, rallies, flash-mobs, paparazzi events and other inventive PR stunts. These services are available across the country in every major U.S city, every major U.S metro area and even most smaller cities as well. We provide everything including the people, the materials and even the ideas. You can come to us with a specific plan of action and we can make it happen. OR, you can approach us with a general idea and we can help you plan the strategy then execute it."
https://crowdsondemand.com/

Next I learned about another group called Demand Protest. Here's info gleaned from their site.

We are strategists mobilizing millennials across the globe with seeded audiences and desirable messages. With absolute discretion a top priority, our operatives create convincing scenes that become the building blocks of massive movements. When you need the appearance of outrage, we are able to deliver it at scale while keeping your reputation intact.

Demonstrations

We develop, recruit, manage, and execute on your high-level objectives. Our trained operatives can lead entire crowds or simply steer events in your favor.

Movements

We have the proven expertise required to expertly shape political, corporate, or public health perceptions.

Intelligence

Our operatives can embrace and steer existing organizations, providing you valuable insights about those involved and their future actions.

Training

Our strategists can train your organization in our methods of creating effective demonstrations and design the situations that will deliver your goals.

Website: www.demandprotest.com

https://www.demandprotest.com/?fbclid=IwAR0A6p6AmfcudnVvNIlJCdcziBZ3seSf_b1e2H1CoCC2-ROz9BIye3vXeOs

* * * *

When I was growing up I remember being told, "Don't believe everything you hear." When the Internet came along, we were told, "Don't believe everything you read on the Net." As time went on, online misinformation was given a name: Fake News.

The purpose of these two saying was to encourage a healthy skepticism and critical thinking. To these I'll add a third, attributed to Edgar Allen Poe. "Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see."

When we read about these two groups--Crowds On Demand, and Demand Protest--it ought to cause us to question the things we're seeing in real life. What is really happening? Who is manipulating whom? When you see protests, are they spontaneous or organized? If organized, what's the real agenda?

Both of these organizations claim to be skilled at influencing public opinion. That is how they set their prices. Purportedly they are able to deliver on their promises. 

When we take a closer look, over the last 80 years U.S. clandestine activities have included similar hocus pocus shenanigans. On this topic much has been written and more can be said. As we following stories in the news, let's make an effort to be a little more discerning regarding what we swallow. As George Harrison once noted, "You know that what you eat your are // but what is sweet now turns so sour." 

* * * *

Related Link

He Who Controls the Narrative Controls the People

Photo at top of page by Rob Curran on Unsplash

The original blog post here was published in November 2020. I republished with a new ending because I noticed some recent stories in the news about Crowds on Demand.

New Orleans Jazz Fest: Wyland Blues Planet with Taj Mahal and Friends

Last week on Earth Day, April 22, Wyland Records released the final installment of its Blues Planet environmental-themed blues albums featuring Taj Mahal and an all-star ensemble of blues musicians. Saturday night, Wyland, Taj and company gave a generous performance at the New Orleans Jazz Festival 2025.

Born in Harlem in May 1942, the multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal.

Taj with Wyland, pouring out the blues.

Mahal has played an influential role in shaping the blues
over the course of a 50+ year career.

All photos courtesy Gary Firstenberg except this one, courtesy Sunbonnet Sue.

Wyland the arttist is also a songwriter and producer.

L'il Freddie King

Kirk Joseph

Roger Lewis

Tour guide Gary Firstenberg

Let the good times roll.

80 Years Ago Today: Last Days of Mussolini and the Axis Powers

"War is delightful to those who have had no experience of it."--Erasmus

Liberation Day, April 25, 2023. Three men wearing
the uniforms of the Resistance fighters of the North.

Today is the 80th anniversary of the death of Mussolini. On 25 April he fled Milan, where he had been based, and headed towards the Swiss border. He and his mistress, Claretta Petcci, were captured on 27 April by local partisans near the village of Dong on Lake Como. Mussolini and Petacci were executed the following afternoon, two days before Adolf Hitler's suicide.  

The bodies of Mussolini and Petacci were taken to Milan and left in a suburban square, the Piazzale Loreto, where a large angry crowd insulted and physically abuse. They were then hung upside down from a metal girder above a service station on the square.  

These were epic times, the culmination of the war in Europe. My father-in-law, Wilmer "Bud" Wagner, as a front line company agent in the Red Bull Division, had the opportunity to go see the bodies of Mussolini and his mistress, but he declined. He'd seen enough gore, having been on the first convoy to cross the Atlantic for the European Theater, fighting the Germans across North Africa to the toe of Italy and all the way up the boot.

All throughout he'd kept a diary, which later became a book, And There Shall Be Wars. Here are diary entries from those fateful days, along with additional commentary for context.

* * * * * 

Friday, April 27, 1945

Had to make one trip to Division Artillery last night around 1:00 a.m.  Took less than an hour.  Raining this morning, rained quite a bit during the night.  

Moved again, raining most of the day.  Several more trips to Division Artillery.

Both 5th and 8th Army units have been pouring across the Po and into the valley for 3 days; there's little or nothing now the Germans can do.  I'm thinking now when I see hay being made, that with luck, I'll be home even this summer helping make some more of it.

On April 25, the U.S. 1st Army met up with the Soviet forces at Torgau on the Elbe.  The U.S. 3rd Army crossed the Danube near Regensburg, and was attacked there.  Berlin had been entered in the south and the east.

Saturday, April 28, 1945

We moved on to #9 again today, in kind of an assembly area. Nice place alongside the road.

Several trips to Division Artillery. A pretty girl came up to talk -- she could speak German. Always nice to talk a little to them.  

As far as I can tell, we came through Modena and Parma, maybe farther.

It was nice to go through Modena, a city of over 150,000.  There were no old, narrow streets here, and there was a really tall 290 foot Cathedral.  Parma was another city worth forfeiting a furlough in order to see.  It looked modern, with straight streets.  The people were wild for the Americans.  Both Modena and Parma were Roman colonies before Christ. 

Seeing these cities had to have been a part of the glory of war -- there wasn't much glory in the shooting, killing, seeing the wounded, the mud, or slowly advancing toward the front.  That's where the fear, and the sickly feeling, and the wondering of "Why are we doing this?" comes in instead of glory.  As Desiderius Erasmus said a few hundred years ago, "War is delightful to those who have had no experience of it."

I was also happy to be out of the mountains.  I'd seen enough of mountains to last me a lifetime, and I still prefer the valleys.  The hills in Duluth are all I want to climb nowadays.

An ersatz surrender ceremony affecting all troops fighting in Italy took place at 2:00 p.m. on April 28.  The ceremony was kept somewhat secret; the German officers were dressed in civilian clothes, and were acting on their own.  A German Major and Lieutenant Colonel appeared at the peace table grim-faced before General Morgan and many other high-ranking American and British officers.  Their muscles were taut, their hands were clenched fiercely together behind their backs, and they had an "I hate you" expression on their face, just opposite of most of the low- ranking prisoners I had hauled to the rear.  

The German Lieutenant Colonel said for the record that he had received only limited powers from his Commander in Chief, and that he was being forced to overstep those limits.  He assumed his Commander would approve his action, but said he could not be sure if this was the case.

General Morgan just told him casually, "We accept those conditions."

The Germans sat and signed 5 copies of the surrender documents, and General Morgan signed them last.  The Germans left swiftly, and the ceremony was over at 2:17.

Sunday, April 29, 1945

A day I won't forget for awhile.  Up at 7:00.  

Pulled out at 8:30.  Made 172 miles.  Cold and windy.  Really enjoyed it, though.  Thick groves of people lined the road all the way.  Many beautiful girls, and well-dressed adults and younger people, all waving and cheering.  Some close enough to you hold out their hands to touch yours.  

Saw thousands of German prisoners.  I counted 35 heavily loaded vehicles with Jerry prisoners, some high ranking officers, also nurses, all standing in their trucks, with Kraut drivers heading north.  

We just crossed the Po again today, as wide as the Missouri River. We're at the foot of the Alps; they tower high in the distance, capped with snow, sure glad we don't have to chase Jerry through the Brenner Pass.  We'd heard about that place.  

We parked in a court yard for the night.  Was a hard day, but nice driving on a good road, and made good time. Tom McGee rode with me.

Monday, April 30, 1945

Layed around most of the day, but went to Division Artillery several times.  They are in a large town.  It seems we were supposed to get to Bergamo, but I'm not sure.  I don't think the Krauts who we heard were waiting there to ambush us are going to -- after all, the Germans are heading homewards.

We are close to, or in the outskirts of Milan.  All the Italians are chanting "Finito, Benito!" and he is pretty well finished, all right.  He and his mistress Clare Petacci are hanging by their heels in the main square of Milan for all to see.  Dick and I were going to go, but we changed our minds.  Some of our fellows went to see Benito and his girl friend, and said it was a pretty gory sight.  It seems this couple was almost in Switzerland on vacation when they were intercepted.

Related Links

Bud Wagner's And There Shall Be Wars

Liberation Day: Italy Celebrates Victory Over Fascism, With Expressions of Gratitude to the U.S.

Veteran's Day: The Book "And There Shall Be Wars" Speaks Volumes

Is Britain on the Verge of Civil War?

This week, Unherd published a story by Alex Poots titled Is Civil War Coming for Britain? This came on the heels of recent news stories I'd seen on X about Birmingham being overrun with rats the size of cats. The initial accounts made me think it was simply a city problem. Birmingham's trash collectors were on strike. 

Poots' account showed that Birmingham's trials were symptoms of much more serious problems. He begins by citing a professor at Kings College London, David Betz, who believes a civil war is coming.

In recent decades there has been a decline in what is considered normalcy. Like the proverbial frog that sits comfortably in a pan of water slowly being brought to a boil, we accept the societal decay because it is occurring so incrementally. (Ultimately, it's a boiled frog.)

And what is it that is happening? According to Poots:

Betz works with larger themes. Falling living standards and a dearth of well-paid jobs create an “expectation gap”, seeding resentment and apathy through whole generations. The creeping normalization of identitarian factionalism across British life, both daily and political, weakens our ability to function as a coherent nation. Unprecedented levels of immigration produce growing anxiety in the majority population, an anxiety that may metastasize into something darker. Finally, and perhaps most damningly, Betz brings up a rising crisis of government legitimacy: “The primary thing to be tested is legitimacy. If you have legitimacy, you have no insurgent problem. If you don’t, you are very likely to have an insurgent problem. It’s as simple as that.”

* * * 

Predicting the future can be a lot like reading tea leaves. When it comes to old, used cars, we know that sooner or later it will likely happen, but you don't know when. Also, with a car, it usually boils down to a decision as to whether a needed repair is worth fixing. The car still runs but the hassle factor diminishes the reliability as well as the joy of owning it.

Nations are much different. There are so many variables at play. 

When we lived in Mexico in 1981, Mexico City was on pace to become the most populated city in the world. It was reported that 10,000 people were arriving every week and that by the end of the century the population would be 30 million. The was a limit, however, to how many people could be absorbed into this sprawling city, in part due to the desirability and in part due to the strain on resources.

What's happening in Britain is alarming, but is this island nation on the ropes? The signs of decay are evident, but what does this mean? Keep in mind that most of what we know is mediated to us. Often by people who have an agenda.

I do believe we need to be paying attention, though. It won't be a civil was like the one the divided the United States in the 1860s, with armories, armies, artillery and generals. There are some who envision an eruption of violence in urban centers, with riots, looting, and clashes between groups with opposing views (e.g., far-right groups versus minority communities or counter-protesters). Like the George Floyd protests, the real battles will take place after dark. It may be that unfolding events won't be recognized as a civil war at first.

Am I taking this all too seriously? I don't know. I'd planned to end with a joke here to lighten the mood, but it bombed. 

Our Personal Watersheds: Navigating the Paths to Our Destinies

All roads lead to... No, it's not that simple. The roads diverge and do not have identical ends. Think in terms of watersheds. Think in terms of destinies.

Is life a singular road leading to a predetermined destination? Or, as experience seems to suggest, is it a vast landscape of forking paths, each shaped by the choices we make?

Just as watersheds guide stream to rivers that pour into different seas, in the same way our decisions carve the courses of our destinies. Each choice, no matter how small, ripples outward, shaping who we become and where we end up. Yet, too often, we wander through life as if these paths are chosen for us. Carried by currents we drift along the easiest routes, avoiding the steep climbs and turbulent waters. The benefit of this aimless approach is we can avoid having to assume responsibility for what happens to us. 

But the truth is profound and empowering: we have the power to choose. Our destinies are not fixed; they are forged.

Fate versus free choice isn't just an issue that philosophers have wrestled with. I recently learned this was a theme in Tchaikovsky's fifth and sixth symphonies, and in Beethoven's work as well. It's something each os us must come to grips with.

The Illusion of Powerlessness

For many, life is lived under the illusion that we have no control. We fall into routines, follow societal expectations, or surrender to the momentum of circumstance, convincing ourselves that the path of least resistance is the only one available. It’s comfortable to believe we’re merely passengers on a railroad, carried along by forces beyond our control—family obligations, financial pressures, or the weight of habit. This mindset may absolve us of responsibility but it also robs us of agency. Deep down, we know the truth: choices abound, but they often come with a cost.

The things we want most—whether a fulfilling career, meaningful relationships, personal growth, or a legacy that outlives us—require effort, sacrifice, and sometimes pain. Most of us shy away from that reality. Who relishes the grind? Who eagerly embraces risk? Our natural inclination is to seek ease, to glide down the smoothest stream rather than paddle against the current. But ease rarely leads to greatness. The paths that demand the least from us often deliver the least in return.

The greatest achievements in life—those that stir our souls and leave a mark on the world—are born of risk and sacrifice. Consider the artist who pours years into mastering his or her craft, the entrepreneur who stakes everything on a vision, or the parent who sacrifices personal ambitions to launch their children on a successful trajectory. These pursuits are not easy, and that’s precisely why they matter. When we invest ourselves fully, when we pay a price for what we seek, the results carry weight. An achievement handed to us without effort feels hollow, like a trophy won by chance rather than merit. 

Sacrifice imbues our goals with meaning. It’s the late nights spent studying that make a degree feel earned. The achievements I'm most proud of feel gratifying because I know the work involved in pursuing them.

Without cost, there is little value; without struggle, there is no triumph. Yet, too often, we hesitate at the crossroads, unwilling to pay the toll. We let fear of failure, discomfort, or uncertainty steer us toward safer, less demanding paths. In doing so, we risk betraying the deeper longings of our hearts.

The Drift of Indecision

When we fail to choose deliberately, we don’t simply stand still—we drift. Life, like a river, keeps moving, and indecision is itself a choice, one that often leads to destinations we never intended. We ramble through the years chasing fleeting distractions or settling for what’s “good enough,” only to wake up one day wondering how we strayed so far from our dreams. Regret is not just about missed opportunities; it’s about the quiet betrayal of our own potential.

This drift is seductive because it feels safe. It asks little of us. It spares us the anxiety of risk or the sting of failure. But it also dulls our lives, leaving us with a vague sense of emptiness. The deepest longings of our hearts—those audacious dreams of creating, connecting, or achieving something extraordinary—require us to step out of the current and choose a different path. They demand that we embrace discomfort, confront uncertainty, and trust in our capacity to endure.

The Power to Choose

The beauty of life’s watershed moments is that we are not powerless. We have the power to choose, to shape our paths, to pursue destinies that align with our truest selves. This power is both a gift and a responsibility. It requires us to be intentional, to reflect on what we value most, and to summon the courage to act. Every choice, from the mundane to the monumental, is a brushstroke on the canvas of our lives.

To choose well, we must first know ourselves. What stirs your heart? What dream keeps you awake at night? What would you pursue if fear were not a factor? These questions are not mere musings; they are compasses for navigating life’s diverging paths. Once we identify our deepest desires, we must weigh the costs and decide what we’re willing to sacrifice. Time, comfort, security—these are the currencies of ambition. The question is not whether you can avoid paying but whether the goal is worth the price.

Dreaming Big

Young people should have dreams, the bolder the better. Envision a life that stretches beyond the ordinary, that reaches for the stars. But dreaming alone is not enough. A dream without action is just a wish, fleeting and insubstantial. To turn dreams into destinies, we must pair them with resolve. We must choose the harder path, the one that demands growth, grit, and perseverance. We must be willing to stumble, to fail, and to rise again.  

Think of life’s choices as watersheds, each one directing the flow of your story. Some paths lead to quiet, contented lives; others to bold, transformative ones. Neither is inherently better, but only you can decide which aligns with your soul’s calling. The tragedy is not in choosing a modest path but in never choosing at all, in letting the current carry you to a destination you didn’t intend.

I myself believed I that becoming a writer was a calling. When you feel something is a calling, you feel obligated to do it well, to excel. My first article generated feedback (letters) from three continents from people whose lives were touched. I recognized from this experience the power of the written word.  

Embracing the Journey

As you stand at the crossroads of your life, remember this: the roads diverge, and their ends are not the same. All roads don't lead to Rome. Each choice shapes your destiny, and while the journey may be daunting, it is yours to chart. Embrace the power you hold. Dare to dream big, to risk greatly, to sacrifice willingly. The deepest longings of your heart are not frivolous—they are the map to your truest self.

So, choose boldly. Pay the price. Paddle against the current if it leads to the sea you seek. The watersheds of life are yours to navigate, and the destinies you reach will reflect the paths you dared to take.