666 - Parking of THE BEAST

I maintain that there are three great Manly Arts remaining in our almost-completely-gender-equitable modern world:

1. Taking out the trash
2. Grilling over open flame
3. Parallel parking

Now, I know that Fraulein M can take out the trash herself when I'm up here "working," and there are probably women who like to BBQ or who can parallel park adequately. But it's not about ability-- it's about a particular brand of Manly Obsessiveness. It's about owning 3 different Weber grills (all charcoal) like Mr. Squishy. Or, in my case, it's about pursuing the paragon of street parking skill: the rare and difficult "three sixes" (or 3x6) parking job.

A 3x6 is a parallel park with no more than six inches between your bumpers and the cars in front and behind you, and no more than six inches from the curb. That's right--you have to be centered in a space no more than a foot longer than your car, and six or less inches from the curb. The first time I did it, I ran upstairs to get a camera so I could take a picture. I shouted my triumph to Fraulein M, who gave me a look of utter disinterest and went back to the phone. I insisted she tell her friend on the phone what I'd done--he was suitably impressed (being a guy) and asked me to save him the picture.

I've done it several times since then, since I park on the street every day. I admit I'm not always willing to work for it, but the satisfaction is intense whenever I pull it off. Not to brag (well, maybe a little), but after doing one last week on the first approach with less than five back-and-forths, I began to wonder if the challenge was fading. Then I realized what would take it to the next level: the mind-bending possibility of a left-handed 3x6! Dare a mere mortal attempt such a test of parking skill on a non-closed course without a professional driver? My much-abused bumpers will tell the tale...