Quigs’ Corner

Here in North Dallas, most restaurants that are above the ‘Chili’s’ variety offer valet service. In most cases, it’s complimentary, requiring only a tip to the driver.

I used to never use valet. It seemed like something that I didn’t need, or wasn’t worthy of. Lately, however, I’ve learned to allow the Red-Bull chugging Gen-Y’ers working these areas to take my car for me and return it upon my request to help save time and my sanity. Not to mention reduce the risk of dings on my car.

Here in the land of the SUV, the parking spaces are painted only large enough for an AMC Gremlin…which hasn’t been made in decades, but even the newest parking lots seem to use this as standard template nonetheless. In my efforts to limit the dings, and do my part to contribute to the economy of North Dallas, I valet. Not always, but definitely at busy locations and places that have hard to find parking spaces. I’m finding that I’m so much more relaxed when I get to my destination!

And, I’ve learned first hand that there is a hierarchy of valet…Last week, Mr. Q and I went to a very nice restaurant to celebrate the passing of another year in our marriage, and we were pleasantly surprised to see our (new) car right up front…unlike the old car, that they would have to get a taxi to go retrieve from the 7-11 down the road!

Last week, I was lucky enough to experience a Segway ride around Austin.  This is the product that Dean Kamen developed several years ago with all the hype about ‘It’.

At first, it was a little uncomfortable, but the longer I was on it, the more I loved it!  Lean forward to go ahead, lean backward to reverse (or slowdown).  Zero radius turns were a piece of cake too.  It was nearly impossible to stand still once you’re on one of these.  In fact, I saw people ‘rocking’ on them as we stood and talked while waiting for others to be trained.

I don’t think that it changed the world, as Kamen had predicted, but I can see how it could make life easier for people.   And, we did get a few odd stares as we drove by.  Oh well…