The "Drive For Five" for the New England Patriots. The use of Video Frame Grabs. The boys score in RI, and Trump is still President.

This hangs in my home office. Been there since February 4th, 2002. The day after we won our first Superbowl. I hung it up knowing that we may never ever see another Superbowl Championship in New England. I don't think any of us could have predicted what was to follow in the next 15 years. Four Superbowl Championships, and a very good potential, to get a fifth. I love it.



These are my four SuperBowl hats. I do have room for one more. And honestly, if we get another one? I'm good. I mean it. I'm good. We don't need anymore than five. Or do we? Nah...we don't. Although, all those young kids who never got to experience a SuperBowl team would be deprived of that wonderful, most joyous, of all feelings. Am I right people?

I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but this DRIVE FOR FIVE is a very strong possibility. So, I'll keep my mouth shut here for a bit, and pick up on this subject in the right hand side of this blog where I typically cover the sports.

I know the only way I can keep my mind off of this game is to work.

So I spent the better part of the last 3 days capturing frame grabs from the last two videos I posted. The 20th of January when what's his face got sworn in, and the 24th and 25th where we had an ass kicking Nor'easter. In the past I have written about the quality of the video frame grabs. It's a night and day difference to what my NIKON can rip off. But it does have that unique quality or rather, it invokes your imagination to want to see the actual video, because if the frame grab looks that good, the video itself must be good.



Like this frame grab for instance. That's Stevie O'Hara at the bottom of a very hollow right. And if you saw the video, you will remember that he pulled up and into a heaving dark barrel. Stevie is in his early 50's but still surfs like he's in his early 20's. He's been dealing with an injury that kept him out of the water for a while. It's good to see him back. He's one of my favorite surfers to shoot.



And this guy? Kai Nichols is on fire. That kid surfs so damn fast it's hard to keep up with him. I have watched Kai develop from a young flailing grom, to a fine toothed stylish ripper, who can surf circles around most of his peers, and even some of of the older guys who can really surf. Kai can hold his own in any condition, in any size, and can go up against any competitor in the ESA. He's been named to the current ESA ALL STAR TEAM in their 50th year.



I remember the birth of the ESA in 1967. And, I'm not sure, but I may have been a member back then. I don't know why I would have joined because I have never entered a contest in my life. But in my honest opinion, the ESA has been great for the kids and for the kid that lives in all of us.



Like this kid. 60 year old Kevin "Doc" Grondin who just placed 1st in both
in the Shortboard division and the longboard division at the Puerto Rico Legends Contest this last month. Kevin still has the fire in his belly.

And anyone who knows him and has surfed with him knows that he's not slowing down. He's the epitome of the EverReady battery. He just keeps going.



This Run in this BLOG states that the surf has to have reached the height of waist high in order for the continuous run to be documented. It has to be waist high or better in New England, for the Run to keep going. On February 1st the surf here in NH was dismal at best. There were some signs of life, but nothing worth shooting. And certainly nothing worth recording as proof of waist high.

However, Rhode Island is part of New England. And as you can see by the photo above and below, it was clearly waist high (and better). My son Max volunteered to shoot the boys to bring back the evidence. Matt Colby and Perry Reynolds are featured in a lengthy gallery this week, that you will not want to miss.



Speaking of waist high or better. The POTUS signed this executive order this week, that should make a lot of you very happy. Just show this to your boss the next time you come to work late, with water dripping out of your sinus.



"Surfing and SuperBowl Trophies Heals All Wounds"

This week's pic from Ed's corner was shot on February 14th, 2014 during winter storm PAX. It was also Valentines Day. I like how none of these guys are looking at this wave pitching in front of them. Clearly they are scanning the horizon for sets. I remember this day. The color at the end of the day was amazing. Just absolutely stunning colors across the skies. It truly was breathtakingly beautiful.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
This is it folks. The Big Day. The SUPER BOWL LI.
The New England Patriots will play the Atlanta Falcons for the 51st Superbowl championship. Two very high powered offenses will face off tonight at 6:00PM.



This might not mean anything, but this trophy seems to be touching
the Pats logo. Not saying that's a sign. Wait, yes I am saying that.



Brady vs Ryan. Who will win? The best QB of all time Tom Brady or the Best QB of this year Matt Ryan? Experience matter? Hell yes!



Tom Brady is THE MAN! How lucky are we (New Englanders) that we have this man as our QB? Here let me help you. Pretty Damn Lucky!



Will Hogan be the target of TB number 12? Lord knows he can catch and run. With a number of receivers at his disposal Brady can pick and choose who to throw to. And there's no one better and more reliable than this guy.



Edleman has to be the toughest guy on the team. He's a bad ass.
He can take it and he can give it. For someone who's under 6' he takes no shit from anyone.



And when they catch a pass from Brady and score, there's no one happier than Brady himself. But look, we all know it's a team effort. From the coaches, to the offense, the defense, and special teams. And of course the fans. The 12th man on the field. We supply the energy and the motivation to propel them to victory. So wherever you sit in your house. Whatever lucky clothes you wear. Whatever food you eat. DO NOT Stray from that course. DO YOUR JOB and the team will do theirs. Here's to the GREATEST Team the NFL has ever seen.



My Prediction: Patriots 34 Falcons 24

GO PATRIOTS! Bring home the 5th Lombardi Trophy!

Here's an IMPORTANT MESSAGE from the Rowlee Family.



Dear Molly Fund supporters,

I can't believe we are coming up on the end of our 6th year of The Molly Fund! Your generosity over the years has been overwhelming. Together we have donated close to $350,000 to Dana Farber for families with children battling cancer! Your donations have helped people right in our own little community. 

But, we can do more.  We have decided that it is time to move all administration of The Fund to Dana Farber. IT WILL STAY THE SAME AS IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, but now we won't have to pay for any expenses associated with running a non-profit (accounting services, board insurance and office supplies). 100% OF YOUR DONATIONS WILL NOW GO DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES. Dana Farber is a non-profit and your donation will still be tax deductible. They will send me notifications of donations so I can personally thank you, and send a sticker.

**Effective immediately, checks will now be made out to:
Dana Farber Cancer Institute with Molly Rowlee fund in the Memo line.
Mail to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Attn: Hannah Casill
Division of Development
10 Brookline Place West, FL 6
Brookline, MA 02245

With all our love, Meg and Buck Rowlee, Skip Brunette, Chuck White, and MP Broderick, the Molly Fund Board.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
This was bound to happen. Roger Goodell hiring the loser of all losers Khalid "Sheik" Mohammed. Goodell wants to make sure those balls are deflated and what better person to do such a dastardly deal?
No surprise here. Goodell could be heard saying to the Refs. "I want to see a lot of yellow flags thrown in the direction of New England. They must not win today fellas. "



So my friends, please take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of hard cover books on the Dynasty That Is New England!

Prayers and positive thoughts to Erica Nardone's recovery.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kelly Ciarmataro January 28th, 2017!
RIP Gus Fatello February 7th, 2000

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) You know what? I think this is Colby too. February 1st, 2017
Photos by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Perry Reynolds still getting his legs back from his South
American trip. February 1st, 2017
Photos by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Feeling right at home Perry Reynolds settles into a nice little pocket. February 1st, 2017 Photos by MAX
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Same rider different wave. Perry Reynolds February 1st, 2017
Photos by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I love this wave. Man these guys scored. Matt Colby right where
he wants to be. February 1st, 2017 Photos by MAX
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This looks hollow to me. February 1st, 2017
Photos by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Looks like Mackey handed off the camera to one of his homies. February 1st, 2017 Photos c/o MAX
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Video Frame Grabs from January 20th, 2017.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Turns out you can grab a better frame if the clip was in slow motion. Max Fatello January 20th, 2017 Video Frame Grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Watch the clip to see how this ended up. January 20th, 2017
Video Frame Grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) He's got every reason in the world to smile. Mikey Evans.
January 20th, 2017 Video Frame Grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Matt Colby gets a couple of nice lefts in this clip.
January 20th, 2017 Video Frame Grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- More from the Best Day so far in 2017.
January 25th, 2017. Photos by John Adams



(Above) I know this spot. It's where the Sea Ferns grow. January 25th, 2017
Photos by John Adams *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I believe that when the surf is good, there are so many beautiful
places to both surf and shoot. case in point. January 25th, 2017
Photos by John Adams *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Another Perspective of January 25th, 2017.
Photos by Ross McLane



(Above) I think this time of the day is the best. January 25th, 2017
Photos by Ross McLane *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I'm not sure who this is. Could be Andy. Could be Todd. I don't know.
January 25th, 2017 Photos by Ross McLane
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Meanwhile across the street. January 25th, 2017
Photos by Ross McLane *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I think this is Max. January 25th, 2017 Photos by Ross McLane
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Shayne Forsley chasing down a tropical dream. January, 2017
Photos by Kim Grondin *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Becca Speak riding the coping on this fun looking PR right.
January, 2017 Photos by Kim Grondin
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

THE LEGENDS CONTEST all photos by Kim Grondin



(Above) He is a legend, and he is a great surfer. First place in both shortboard and longboard. Kevin "Doc" Grondin. January, 2017 Photos by Kim Grondin
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery