The day I transferred from Chicago to LA was a day which was defining for getting out of my comfort zone. I probably wouldn’t have done so, had it not been for Matt and JP from firehouse “Backdraft” telling me to go check out the Fire Academy. They are only open on weekdays till three in the afternoon, and since I was leaving that Monday, it was my only chance to check it out.

I always schedule my flight late, so I have the time to checkout without rushing and maybe doing something else as well. This gave me the opportunity to squeeze the Fire Academy into my schedule, that one day. It did mean I had to take my luggage (one suitcase and some backpacks) with me. I needed to walk pushing/pulling my suitcase and the other bags. I needed to walk with all this stuff for easily 10 minutes. Could I? Did I want to? I knew this would come with a price. The answer? Yes. 

Experiencing the consequences of being bold

Getting to the Fire Academy was one thing. Of course the bus was late, but well… what’s new. Getting that suitcase to move smoothly across the sidewalk and the crossings was… well… *&^%. I had to stop regularly, to get the suitcase and the stuff on top realigned so I could walk on with ease and that was actually a good thing. I can do things, but I need to take my time. Do it slow and with consideration. And so I did.

At the Fire Academy I could leave my stuff with the security lady. I was allowed to take pictures and videos and so I did. Some people came up to me, asked me if I was a firefighter (no). They wanted to know what the challenges were in the Netherlands, which made me wonder why I never talked with my Dutch firefighter friends about this. Well I do know. I see the wife regularly, but not the guy himself.

How things have a way of working out

I realized when I was there, that, had I not been to the Fire Museum and gotten this amazing tour from this long time fan, called Jeff (now to be found on YouTube), I would have missed so many things, so many little clues. And the thing was, I went there because of my conversation with Matt, from the firehouse which was used to record Backdraft. Besides the deep conversation we had about losing people and talking to one another, he also came up with all these suggestions, including the old firehouses which were still working and the other one firehouse related to Backdraft, in Chinatown.

Making the most of the last days

Getting back from both firehouses that Friday night, I checked out the old firehouses and found the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago, which was open one day a month, on Saturday, the 4th one of the month. Guess which Saturday I had left? Yes, that one. So I went there and despite all the setbacks, wondering if I would make it, I kept envisioning they were there and they would let me in, so I could check it out. It was way better though. When I asked if the one who invited me in, Jeff, if he could share something about this old firehouse and the museum, he said yes. When I asked Jeff if I could record it, he said yes. Wow. Jeff knew all the stories and he was a delight. Wow once more.

That Monday I went to the Fire Academy and I recognized all his stories. I realized that if he had not explained to me about the fire alarm boxes and how the old system worked, I would have missed so much in the stories and hence the history.

I also got to understand what the trumpets were about, which certain ranks have pinned on, which I kept wondering about watching Chicago Fire (the series). Some stories got explained better, reading them and seeing the pictures, some of which I’d also seen at the Fire Museum. It was awesome.

Continuing the challenge 

Afterwards, I had to continue my way to the airport, Chicago o’Hare and that meant another walking dragging the suitcase along until I was there at the blue line. Of course, no elevator, so here I was, one step at a time, pulling the suitcase up, pulling myself up with the help of the railing. I was not happy. But then I was at the platform and all was okay again. I got into the airport, found the medical assistance. There was a possibility to eat a little something I’d brought with me and then… there was only have an hour left to get me and the lady who was going on the same flight to the plane.

Now, this is something I’m beginning to get used to and I have to say this guy who pushed the both of us, was a-ma-zing. When he realized one line was taking over half an hour to get through security, he turned around, went to the furthest point and got us through in no time. Of course I caused some delay, because of my brace, which I do not take off and the fluids I want to take with me (because of, or because they are medication). Despite this we arrived minutes before boarding and we could immediately start boarding.

The next part of the Challenge in LA

That wasn’t the entire story though. The next part was when I arrived in LA and had to get to my hotel. I arrived late and well knowing I had to take a shuttle bus first to get to the Uber. But how about taking public transportation, like I did in Chicago? That seemed to make sense and all of a sudden I was on this touring car, taking me 20 kilometers further to Union Station. Never been there, but I can draw it out pretty well now.

Slapstick

At that moment, everything changed into a slapstick had it been recorded. I went up and down stairs, went left and right again and back. I had to go down an escalator with that suitcase and going up is something I am comfortable with but going down? I did my best to put the suitcase on the steps (whilst also holding on to the “railing” with all the other stuff, dealing with my own instability. Well it didn’t work out really well and I decided to let go and it rolled over and over down the escalator until it was down at the bottom of the escalator. Really, if you would have seen it you would be rolling all over the floor laughing out loud (ROTFLOL).

Total confusion this being a first

Of course afterwards, I had to get back up, found an elevator and next had to use stairs to go further up again. Then across the bridge and then I was told, the buses are no longer driving. Oh. Nice. So I walked back (got a better understanding of how to handle the suitcase by now) and decided to get the metro. Oh wait, I didn’t tell you why I chose the bus. First of all because it was supposed to be close and secondly there would be more time left for the connection with the next bus. I was right about that one, since I missed the connecting bus. But that’s a different story.

When preparing I had gotten this card, called tap. It was supposed to be used on public transportation. When I got on the Flyway bus to Union Station it was only by using credit card (which in my case always means, transferring money from the bank to the card, praying they are not doing maintenance in the Netherlands). No TAP. When I arrived at Union Station, again No TAP at the ticketing machine for the Metro. Complete confusion. Little did I know that Metro was the name for all public transportation in LA and that it was actually literally what you needed to do, to get through the gates.  

Safe according to different standards

I went through the gate (or whatever it’s called) and found the Metro. Phew. One of the security guys asked me where I needed to go, pointed me to the right (the left) side of the platform and told me to be safe. He wasn’t as comfortable with as I was. I only went one stop. 

Slapstick continued

But then… finding the way to the busstop. Again, total slapstick. Direction to 1st street. Check. Direction to exit 1st street. Check. The way to get to the metro. Wait, hang on, stop! Didn’t I just come from the metro? Ok. Let’s do it again. Exit to 1st street. Oh, there was actually a street. There was also someone hanging around at the exit. Hmmm. Let’s get up on the other side. Ok there’s a bus. Good. Different number. That’s good too. Now I need to find where to go for that other bus.

By the time I had figured it out (going back and forth all the time), the bus already came driving up, I was on the other side on the street, being held back by a suitcase and all the yelling and waving in the world, didn’t make the busstop. The driver didn’t see it and the passenger going off, didn’t hear me. Alas, it was the last bus. After all, I’d taken a late flight. 

Back to familiarity

Long story short. I took the Uber for the last part. They nearly drove past the hotel. The driver put the car in reverse, drove back and I was there. Wow, what a journey. Will I go back taking public transportation? Hell yeah. I’ve come this far, I know how it works and I will have all the time in the world.

I know this was a long blog post. If you finished it, kudos to you. It was to show you that uncomfortable things can be good experiences, despite running into challenges. I did it. I made it. I’m proud of myself. I discovered new possibilities, which I can do and today I do have some muscle aches, but I feel kinda good.  

Next up for you

What is it you want to do? What have you (not) done up till now and why? How true are those thoughts? Can you “reframe” them and get going.

P.S. This blog post is eventually written during training from Brendon Burchard and Ed Mylett, talking about taking yourself out of your comfort zone (safety) and reframing your thoughts (convictions).