I am like most humans. I find comfort in my routine. It makes those surprises easier to deal with.

But with the comfy-ness of the comfort zone, there is the fear of stagnation. So, I force myself to move into the discomfort zone. Of course, it helps if what you’re about to do is interesting.

And so it was that decided to take a class to learn a skill that I need for my day job.

I could have taken my truck, driven to downtown Phoenix, and shelled out my $15 for parking.

Instead I decided to park at the terminal and ride our light rail downtown. The light rail had crept 3 miles into North Phoenix and I hadn’t ridden it in a while, so here’s a win for me. As a bonus as I sat in traffic on the freeway creeping along toward the city, I decided how brilliant I was when I exited to park at the station.

I arrived at the station, bought my ticket, and boarded with no problem. As we rolled closer to town, more and more people boarded. The good news: there were people. The bad news: there were people.

Still, I watched as most folks studied their phones, a few tapped their feet while their ear buds twitched, and one guy even danced and sang a little.

I arrived at my station and got a little lost finding the building. Thankfully google maps helped me and I went into my class.

The trip home provided a bit more excitement. I was able to sit next to a guy who was so exhausted he kept falling asleep. Instead of doing the sensible thing and wedging himself against the side, he rested his elbows on his legs. He swayed and pitched forward so often, the vet in the wheelchair nearby was counting until he landed on his head. I watched as his hat and glassed slipped off and onto his backpack.

The students who boarded watched in fascination, some probably videoed it to catch the inevitable moment he landed on the floor. Instead, he leaned against me for half a mile. He did wake up and assume his favorite position. On one stop, I got luck and eased him against the side and he slept there for a couple miles. I tried to wake him up as we pulled into the last station.

In the end, he slept on and I left with everyone else.

Until next time.