" you can stop that detachment feeling to your surroundings (you know what I’m talking about) " WOW - What an excellent read Sheamus, and a wonderful topic that I find so relatable. Lately - to save on gas, I've been alternating between driving several miles, and riding the local bus, to visit my sister in a nursing facility. Instead of tuning the journey out when I'm on the bus, and listening to my cellphone's music, I've started tuning into the people, the sights, and sounds. It provides me an opportunity to smile, chit chat, and sometimes have discussions with folks I encounter along the way. I've begun choosing to take the bus, even though buying gas is no longer a major concern of mine. Thanks for your insightful story :-)