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| Bulletin Board (5868 Posts)
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jack macpheraon`s beer orgies
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On 12/1/2006
Brady
wrote in from
United States
(72.144.nnn.nnn)
Jack Macpherson, 69; La Jolla legend known for 'huge beer orgies'
A retired La Jolla mailman who worked as the morning bartender at a pub in Pacific Beach may seem an unlikely local legend.
But Jack Macpherson earned a permanent niche in the history of Southern California beach culture, thanks to the loosely organized group of surfers and other beach-area denizens that he co-founded in the early 1960s — a crew whose logo was an abstract rendering of a mushroom cloud and whose name became synonymous with "huge beer orgies."
Macpherson was the Mac in the Mac Meda Destruction Company, the party-loving "underground society" immortalized in "The Pump House Gang," Tom Wolfe's famous chronicle of the teenage surfers who hung out at Windansea Beach in La Jolla.
Macpherson, who when he wasn't tending bar at London's West End on La Jolla Boulevard made the rounds of other bars on his beach-cruiser bicycle, died of liver and kidney failure Nov. 16 in a La Jolla hospital, his son, John Macpherson, said. He was 69.
"He definitely killed a few beers in his time," John Macpherson said of his father. "He lived the old-school, '50s surfer life — the kegger parties that never really ended."
Macpherson was not mentioned by name in Wolfe's story for the New York World Journal Tribune's Sunday magazine in 1966; neither was his friend and roommate at the time, Bob "Meda" Rakestraw.
They were older than the young surfers who hung out at the sewage pump house at Windansea, but their Mac Meda Destruction Company was already a part of local lore when Wolfe showed up. His references to the group in "The Pump House Gang," a classic piece of New Journalism that became the title story in the writer's 1968 collection of stories, gave the Mac Meda Destruction Company widespread, enduring recognition.
Wrote Wolfe of the young surfers at Windansea in his inimitable style:
"Ooooo-eeee-Mee-dah! They chant this chant, Mee-dah, in a real fakey deep voice, and it really bugs people. They don't know what the hell it is. It is the cry of the Mac Meda Destruction Company. The Mac Meda Destruction Company is … an underground society that started in La Jolla three years ago. Nobody can remember exactly how; they have arguments about it. Anyhow, it is mainly something to bug people with and organize huge beer orgies with."
The genesis of the Mac Meda Destruction Company lies with the sometimes outrageous behavior of Macpherson and Rakestraw, whose nickname came from his habit of crying out "Mee-dah!" instead of swearing.
When the pair would go to a party, Macpherson recalled in a 2003 interview with the La Jolla Light newspaper, Rakestraw "wouldn't just walk into a house, he'd run through the door and jump out through a window. People would say, 'Here comes Mac and Meda. They're a walking destruction company.' "
Rakestraw, the unquestionably wilder half of the duo, reportedly was given to getting his thrills by breaking things — from doors to park benches. Both he and Macpherson, according to a 2004 story in Longboard magazine, stomped on the hood of Rakestraw's 1954 Mercury "until it bent over the carburetor," and they sawed out the window posts.
And, drunk on wine while parked outside tennis courts in La Jolla, they decided to light a quarter-stick of dynamite in the front seat. As the tennis players ran over to look at the smoking heap, Rakestraw and Macpherson lay down and played dead.
Over beers one night, the duo came up with the idea of forming a fake "destruction company."
"It was a goof, a joke, and it just got out of hand," Macpherson told The Times in 1990.
Macpherson soon began stenciling Mac Meda Destruction Company on T-shirts with red paint. And Mac Meda bumper stickers with the mushroom cloud logo began appearing on cars and windows all over town.
The phony destruction company even had a fake president. Rakestraw was obsessed with Albert, a gorilla at the San Diego Zoo, and would watch him for hours. So Albert became the group's president: Albert Mac Meda, whose name they put in the local phone book.
"The police always wanted to find Albert, not realizing it was a gorilla at the San Diego Zoo," said Doug Moranville, a longtime friend of Macpherson's.
Macpherson and Rakestraw's penchant for breaking things reached a climax of sorts when land in Sorrento Valley was being cleared for construction of Interstate 5 through San Diego. As Macpherson told former longtime girlfriend Jamie Nay for her unpublished history of the Mac Meda Destruction Company on the wall at London's West End, with old photos and other Mac Meda items:
"There'd be 10 or 20 of us who would go out with sledgehammers, axes, and football helmets and wreck an old house. Of course, we asked the original owners first. Once we did five houses in one day. Pat Shea, one of the original [San Diego] Chargers usually helped out. The guy weighed 280 pounds. He was huge. I saw him run through a wall once. After we finished with the walls, everyone would climb onto the roof and get the whole house swaying back and forth. I mean, the whole thing would be moving until it caved in with all of us on top of it."
The Mac Meda Destruction Company was also known for its "conventions," as they called the big parties they threw at Windansea and other locales.
One vintage photo of a major Mac Meda party at Windansea that included beer kegs and a rock band shows the presence of 10 police cars, two police motorcycles and two paddy wagons.
"Back then," Macpherson told Longboard, "the cops hated us so much that you could get arrested for walking down the street in a Mac Meda shirt."
Four decades after Macpherson and Rakestraw's heyday — the heavy-drinking Rakestraw died in 1996 — the mystique of the Mac Meda Destruction Company lives on.
Moranville's T-shirt shop, the Branding Iron, sells Mac Meda shirts with designs, including a mushroom cloud and an Albert Mac Meda gorilla head. He also sells Mac Meda stickers.
"In town, you see them on car windows everywhere," he said.
John Duncan Macpherson III was born in La Jolla on Oct. 20, 1937. His father was a Navy surgeon, and the family was living on base in Hawaii at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. Macpherson, his mother and sister returned to La Jolla in 1942.
Macpherson, who began surfing at age 11, became an all-around waterman, who "spent his whole time around the beach area," his son said.
Twice married and divorced, he retired from the post office in 1991 and then tended bar at London's West End. "Everybody knew him," Moranville said. "He was really the kind of guy, you go in there and meet him and he's your friend."
In addition to his son, Macpherson is survived by his sister, Jill Higgins, and two grandsons.
A Hawaiian-style "paddle out" in Macpherson's honor will be held at noon Dec. 10 at Windansea beach.
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System maintenance done -- Nov-12
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On 11/12/2006
Adam
wrote in from
United States
(67.142.nnn.nnn)
From the webmaster..
Database maintenance was completed around noon Sunday. Sorry for the brief downtime. Page load speeds should be back to normal.
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Did anyone record "SK8" on NBC?
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On 10/21/2006
David Lumpkins
wrote in from
United States
(216.236.nnn.nnn)
I am posting this thread for all of you just to find out if, by any chance, you or anyone else that you know may have been able to record the former Saturday morning NBC series "Skate" ("SK8") on a VHS tape when it aired five years ago. I am also in the process of looking for someone who was able to record all of the show's commercials, along with the ending credits at the end of every episode. "Skate" was a teen-oriented skateboarding series that was a part of NBC's "TNBC" lineup during the 2001-2002 television season. The show only lasted one season, with a total of 13 episodes filmed. The main cast included Christopher Jorgens, Adrienne Carter, Jorgito Vargas, Jr., and Blair Wingo.
If you did record this show, especially if you recorded all of the TV commercials and the ending credits, or if you know anyone else who did record this show (in particular anyone else who recorded the commercials and the ending credits), please send an e-mail back to me immediately. Be sure to include the total number of "Skate" episodes that you or your acquaintance recorded. My e-mail address is david_lumpkins@yahoo.com. My ultimate goal is to set up a tape-trade with anyone who recorded this show, regardless if the person recorded or did not record any of the show's commercials and/or ending credits. If you did not record any episodes of this show, please try to give me some additional online websites so I can continue to post this message for other people to see.
Thank you.
(Extremely important note: In 2004 and 2005, ten different people have e-mailed me saying that they did record NBC's "SK8" and yet all of them never stayed committed with me to work out the tape-trade exchange. One of those uncommitted tape-traders happened to be Adrienne Justine Carter - also known as A.J. Carter - who is one of the show's actual cast members! All ten people stopped e-mailing me halfway through my agreement for unknown reasons. Therefore, if you do reply back to me saying that you did record this show, I encourage everyone to be 100% dead-serious and totally committed in working out the tape exchange from start to finish. If you did record this show and you are not willing to seriously help me get episodes of this show, please do not e-mail back to me at all. I need a serious tape-trader; no joking around. Also, if you recorded the Nickelodeon TV show "SK8-TV" from 1990, please take note that it is not the show that I am looking for! I am only looking for the NBC television show titled "SK8", which was on the NBC television network between October of 2001 and September of 2002. Many people in the past have gotten those two shows confused with each other.)
--- David L. Lumpkins
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System trouble Oct-17
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On 10/17/2006
Adam
wrote in from
United States
(198.144.nnn.nnn)
From the webmaster..
Early morning say a DNS outage at our registrar, Network Solutions, that made our domain name inaccessible to most. Early afternoon saw a database driver glitch that took the site down for 2-hrs. I can't wait for the 3rd course.
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JACKASS 2
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On 9/22/2006 DT
wrote in from
United States
(68.96.nnn.nnn)
"THIS IS JOHNNY KNOXSVILLE, AND I'M GOING TO THE MOON!"
az nuts!!! full on mental!!!
i can't wait to see this
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Check This Out
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On 9/17/2006 DT
wrote in from
United States
(68.5.nnn.nnn)
Skateboarders unite, you could be next if this is allowed to happen.
PLEASE READ & REPOST THIS MESSAGE.
Skaterboarders charged under Riot, Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses section of Pennsylvania Crimes Code on Go Skateboarding Day!
If you've read about the skateboarders being arrested in Lebanon, PA. on Go Skateboarding Day you'll be interested to know that the charges that have been levied against them are not the city's "No Skateboarding" law but charges found in the Riot, Disorderly Conduct, and related Offenses section of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.
The official charge against them is section 5507(a) Obstructing highways and other public passages. This is and should be cause for concern. This is not the precedent anyone in the skateboard industry should want to see set.
These kids were skateboarding on a public street with a 25mph speed limit in the downtown area of the city not an interstate highway. The main point of contention seems to be that they were going against the flow of traffic. Although not advisable, how many joggers or bicyclists do this everyday? I have yet to see them charged with a riotous act.
The skateboarders did not set out to intentionally obstruct the road and there are conflicting accounts as to how much they actually influenced the flow of traffic if at all.
Please, now more than ever this issue needs to be kept alive. No matter where you are in the United States or elsewhere, if you have an opinion about this please take the time to write a quick e-mail to the City of Lebanon regarding this incident and let them know how you feel.
The e-mail address is cityadmin@lebanonpa.org
Please write Attn. Mayor Anspach & City Council in the subject line and Cc your message to paulbaker@LDNews.com
We must not let the criminalization of our sport continue!
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nosewheelie.com
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On 9/12/2006
Chris
wrote in from
United States
(68.8.nnn.nnn)
DT,
Well, never was in OB, but still in San Diego, just east of Downtown. Bummer I missed Paul, but I do have his new number. I called him a while back before he switched. I'll give you a shout anyway though. Everybody's fine.
Definitely planning to be at La Costa. Hope to see you there.
Chris
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dangerous
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On 9/12/2006 grindie
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(132.185.nnn.nnn)
adam - very dangerous ie probably illegal posting at top of pools/parks page!!!
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NOSEWHEELIE
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On 9/11/2006 DT
wrote in from
United States
(68.5.nnn.nnn)
You still in OB? Paul was just in town and asking about you. 949.370.2725. call me and i'll give you his number. Long time no see, everything going good???? howz the family?? come ride some time - La Costa is coming up!
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Update to Nose Wheelie
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On 9/11/2006
Chris Sturhann
wrote in from
United States
(68.8.nnn.nnn)
Hi all,
This weekend, I had a chance to go to the ASR show and see some new stuff and catch up with some people I hadn't seen for years.
One of the highlights was a book release party for the new Jay Adams book, Jay Boy, Classic Photographs by Jay Adams' Stepfather, Kent Sherwood. So, for the first time in over four years, I have updated nosewheelie.com, with a review of the new book. Check it out at
Click here for link
Thanks
Chris
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bounced
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On 9/5/2006
slim
wrote in from
(71.146.nnn.nnn)
yep. bounced to guest book and then deleted all together. apparently we aren't considered tough enough to deal with a few harsh words on a computer screen and need someone to look out for us. lame.
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an "atta-boy!!" to Adam
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On 9/4/2006
Brady
wrote in from
United States
(70.149.nnn.nnn)
Adam, not so much for the impeach thingy (which I missed) but for all the hard work you do running this site. I was on the wheel page just a few minutes ago and thought I had hit the older 25 button. I hit refresh and saw more posts disappear. Went to the Guest Book and saw where they were bounced to. Man, you got your hands full and again I applaud your hard work.
As for the IMPEACH day, that post where the guy gave you the thumbs up and then said he was republican, and respected your right to dissent, well, that sums it up.
Keep on, keeping on...
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a quick splash to wake up
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On 9/1/2006
Steve Collins
wrote in from
United States
(68.105.nnn.nnn)
Thanks Adam. No one has to agree. At worst a minor inconvenience. At best an affirming that we still live in a democracy and can do what is necessary to set our government back on the right track.
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Splash screen
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On 9/1/2006
Chris Miller
wrote in from
United States
(64.128.nnn.nnn)
Hey man,
While I hate the idiot son of an ass#@! as much or more than anyone, and I love the "Impeach" splash screen (although it should really read :Put a bullet in what passes for that fool's brain), is that what we really need? I mean, thinking about that moron and what he is doing in MY name pisses me off more than anything. Why do I want that here?
Skating, racing & everything that goes with them (including this site) are like the opposite of what pisses me off. I don't want to mix one with the other. I don't want my fun stuff to be ruined by having to think of some retarded rich brat that is doing his best to ruin this country that I love just so his buddies can get rich.
I think the screen should go. Well, maybe just leave it up for a day or so, then get rid of it. It is kinda funny after all...
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Help for Rhonda
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On 8/30/2006 Derik
wrote in from
Germany
(193.7.nnn.nnn)
Hi Rhonda,
check your yellow pages for skateshops, skateparks or even sportclubs and just call and ask if they know more. We have some skateparks here that offer skate schools and skate hollidays. I bet you have something like that in the US as well.
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Help for my 8 yr. old
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On 8/29/2006
Rohnda
wrote in from
United States
(162.119.nnn.nnn)
Where can I find lessons for my 8 yr. old son who is a beginner?
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Looking for Boarders in Central Oregon
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On 8/24/2006
Stevan Hemingway
wrote in from
United States
(72.0.nnn.nnn)
I am looking for riders and sliders in the Central Oregon area. Looking for a sponsor? This is a great place to get started and make your video. We have multipull cameras and camera men. Accepting Newby, normal, expert and master levels.
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BASA: BAY AREA SKATEBOARD ASSOCIATION
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On 8/17/2006
Mark Johnson
wrote in from
(75.7.nnn.nnn)
Hay Bay area skaters, did you know there is a forum just for Bay area skaters?
There is! It is under Orges: and it is BASA. That stands for Bay Area Skateboard Association. If you are near or in the bay area and are trying to get people together to skate then go there and put your post up. There are far to many scattered bay area riders always looking to go ride, so put your post up if you want to ride
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i need help
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On 8/14/2006
lp
wrote in from
United States
(24.173.nnn.nnn)
i need so much help on doing a 180 kick flip it is not even funny , and if this helps i have a zero deck with industriul trucks and spit fire wheels
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i am a begginer
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On 8/14/2006
logan
wrote in from
United States
(71.248.nnn.nnn)
can anyone help me with a 180 kick flip
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SPONSORSHIP
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On 7/28/2006
TONI
wrote in from
United States
(66.127.nnn.nnn)
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERNs,
My name is Toni Gemayel, I’m currently 16, and I am a downhill long-boarder. My cousin and I Daniel Fernandez ( 17 ) are planning a trans continental downhill skating trip from San Francisco, CA to Miami FL. We are arranging a downhill trip dedicated to finding the best and fastest hills in the United States. During this trip we will be photographing, filming, and podcasting this trip. In return for sponsoring us, you will receive naming rights on all the videos, pictures, podcasts, and our team van. This is a great advertisement opportunity for advertisers among the skating community. This trip will be a sure success due to the fact that we are the pioneers of this trans continental down hill adventure. If any type of media is needed to show case our talent, and ambition, please send these requests them to the following e-mail:
adventureskateteam@gmail.com.
Thank you,
Toni Gemayel
Daniel Fernández
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Downhill Duel
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On 7/18/2006 norcalfish
wrote in from
United States
(24.30.nnn.nnn)
The movie might be "Skaterdater"
greased back hair, surf shirts, nose riding, slaloming down the hill to win her eye.
Classic.
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Downhill Dueling Flick
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On 7/17/2006
Big E
wrote in from
United States
(24.211.nnn.nnn)
Around 1968-70 movie theaters showed a 5-10 minute flick before the main attraction, about two guys sidewalk surfing down a steep hill (San Francisco area?)to win the favor of a girl. There was no dialogue, only background surfing music. Anyone know the name of this flick?
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schwag too big
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On 7/17/2006
fluitt
wrote in from
United States
(192.18.nnn.nnn)
didn't work, too big I guess.
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schwag
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On 7/17/2006
fluitt
wrote in from
United States
(192.18.nnn.nnn)
Just a picture of Mariah Fluitt getting her schwag, a Fatboy bamboo slalom board, at Hood River, West Coast Slalom Championships.
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