Kathie Lee Gifford is jousting. And for some reason I'm watching her. Not my first choice, but it doesn't matter, because she's on a 65-inch flat-screen, and I'm in my favorite place - the car dealership's service department. A great place to pamper yourself in the process.

I pull up to the big, glass entrance doors - "Service Reception" - aahhh. Behind these doors, service and reception will be offered. OK, so there's not a champagne fountain, but this reception makes me feel just as good.

The doors magically rise, and I pull into an area where everyone seems to be waiting just for me. Someone opens my door, takes my car to the garage and asks if I have any problems. I try to stick to just the car, but these guys are such good listeners!

I'm escorted to the waiting lounge - a nice, big carpeted area, with lots of windows, plenty of seating and no children. And it's not because children are not allowed - no, it's because they are all in the playroom. Which I suspect makes every stressed-out, overcommitted mom in the city thrilled that it's time for her oil change.

I fix myself some coffee and catch the early morning shows. Then flip through USA Today and do the crossword.

Then I go over to my office - it's not really my office, but it's my cubicle for as long as I want it. I plug in a laptop and spread out my work and bills on my desk. And catch up on emails with their free Internet access.

No loudspeakers or ringing phones in this area. Just service folks, quietly asking if you'd like an update on your car. Which I never ask for, because I don't want anyone thinking I'm in any kind of hurry to get out of there. I still want to have lunch.

Which is why I love the catering truck. It's the only place I treat myself to a Philly Cheese Steak. One, because they're really good, and two, because nobody I know will be around to see me inhale it.

Then I sit in one of the plantation rocking chairs, gabbing on the phone with girlfriends and gazing out the windows over the used car lot. Wondering what I would upgrade to, and just how used it would have to be for me to afford it.

Then someone approaches to say my service is complete. And that my car is waiting up front. They apologetically hand me my bill. I smile, knowing I would have been glad to pay more. They hold the door open, and I go back to the hustle and bustle of the real world.

And Kathie Lee, on a much smaller screen.