What Is a CARGPB?

For those of you who peruse the halls of rec.games.pinball the question of what a CARGPB comes up repeatedly.

So for those of you who are able use google to search the web, rather than ask on RGP, here is an attempt to deravel the mystery that is CARGPB

The origins of CARGPB are shrouded in mystery and speculation. Much like the Illuminati or Rockefellers their beginnings are the things of legends.

Mainly because google groups only goes back to this post.

This much is known about CARGPB. Founding members are Steve Charland(CARGPB #1) and Cliffy(CARGPB #2). From there they slowly inducted other members into this somewhat secretive and frankly cheap society. If you’d like to see the faces of other CARGPBs, check out Steve Kulpa’s RGP faces page. Those that have been identified as CARGPBs are in green.

Be warned, those photos aren’t for the faint of heart, or the weak of stomach.

In a recent RGP discussion Lloyd Olson states:

I’m sure there are a lot of deserving people out there. But as another posted stated, you have to be nominated by another member not including Steve Charland or Cliffy. So for what ever reason they may not have been
noticed or nominated yet. Or they may have turned down the offer. Maybe it was the blood initiation thing ?

Further on, Lloyd explains what a CARGPB is (alas, there have been many explinations for what CARGPB stands for, but this one is probably the closest)

Cheap A** Rec Games Pinball Bastard. You need a hundred dollar part for a pinball machine ? These guys will scavange one for free off an abandoned washing machine at the bottom of Lake Erie and make it work. There is no limit to the lengths these gentlemen will go to to save a buck when restoring a beloved pinball machine to working order.

And in time and with lots of study of old posts you’ll learn that these same fine gentlemen have often given of themselves unselfishly in many ways and many forms for the machine called pinball that we all love, and for their fellow pinhead. They are much more then a group of bastards, they are a fellowship – pledged to continue doing good and fighting evil. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap fat broads in a single bound. These are the men known as CARGPB. Long live the CARGPB !

Last off, he explains for those aspiring to be CARGPB, what you need to do.

Perform assorted acts of cheapness. Perform assorted acts of kindness and generosity. Do it often enough, and with all your heart. And if you get noticed by members of the CARGPB ( other than Steve Charland and Cliffy ) someday you may get nominated and after that approached for membership.

I personally think you have to let RGP know you do stuff like accidently setting a pin on fire or using solder to maim ones self and tell horrific tales of Disney World in order to join the order of the CARGPB as well.

Or at least that helps.

So those are the initial rules to becoming a CARGPB

Some go years trying to prove their CARGPB status, while others pick up a sharpie and go to town on a Indiana Jones Cabinet to earn their wings. There is no other way. If you still have questions feel free to ask the friendly folk on rec.games.pinball. If you are trolling in an attempt to get a number, good luck. Many have tried, all will fail.

So just get out there and prove your CARPGB status.

Me, I need to go to the laundrymat so I can tumble some dirty #44 bulbs in someones dryer.