I am not trying to get on Heaven's guest list. However, this last big snow storm, I single handedly pushed two vehicles out of a snowbank, and snow blowed a total stranger's driveway, and then two days later, I made a new friend with another total stranger
while out surfing a popular reef break. And the funny thing is, it all came natural to me. Hey, I was as surprised as some of my friends. Oh, and I delivered some medicine and food to a friend who was sick. I like the new and improved Ralph.

Though I know, that other Ralph is just under the surface at times.

Maybe all the snow is getting to me and the only way to really deal with it, is to go
out of your way to help others. Each time I did a good deed, I felt good about it. Even
though the woman who I helped clear her driveway of a large snow bank, never as
much as waved, or said thanks. But I didn't do it for the thanks. Though it does sound
like that now huh? Honestly? I did it because it was the right thing to do.

Doing something good for someone , because it's the right thing to do. What a novel concept.

The guy I met surfing this week was from Washington State, His name is Rob, And he said that he has to drive 3 hours just to get to the coast. Three hours? Wow that's hardcore. Like our friends from up north. Some of those guys will drive 5 hours. That is hard to believe. But like I said to Rob. Once you realize what surfing is and how it
makes you feel, driving 3 or 5 hours is worth every minute. And every gallon of gas.

I commented how once you have committed to surfing, you will spend the rest of your life trying to get to the ocean. No matter where you are. You will adjust your entire existence around the pulse of our oceans. Some of you make serious life changing moves, while others settle for less intrusive lifestyle changeovers. Those of us who
have settled in the colder Northern regions, know what it takes to get to our passion.

We all seek and want the ultimate surf job. And by "The ultimate surf job" I mean working a job that will simply allow you to go surfing. We all want to find a mate who will either share our love and passion for surfing, or at the very least, allow you to continue the relationship we have with the ocean. And then of course, those of us with kids, all secretly hope and pray that our children will find that same love and devotion we have for the ocean and surfing.

I have been blessed to have all of the above. But it did not come easy.

Every missed opportunity that I gave up on because of surfing, has at times weighed heavy on my conscious. I am not a rich man. I do not come from money. My wife and I get by and we are able to continue our lifestyle and still raise our three children and keep a roof over our heads. But it has not been easy. There have been hard times. Trying times. Sad and tragic times. But through it all, we have maintained our love for each other and our family and friends. Like I said, we are blessed.

And I know I have written this before, and I know I've said it many more times, but with each passing week, this blog seems to grow in numbers of those of you who read it and check out the photos. The last count as of today on my Google Analytics account is 17,000 unique visitors, from 70 different countries. That's a lot of Ralph's Pic fans.

With that many people tuning in each week, I will say it again. In the end of our time here on earth. We will not be judged by how much money we made. Or how successful we have become. Or how many trophies we won, and records we broke. We will all be judged by the simple things. Did you put a smile on someone's face? Did you stop to help someone along your journey? Did you sacrifice a part of yourself, to make
someone else's life better?

And this most basic of all. Were you a good and loving person, who loved your family and friends, and were you kind and helpful to your fellow man? Only you yourself can answer this now. You know who and what you are. The good news is, so do those who love you. Your loved ones know the kind of person you are. The kind of surfer you are.

Man this is beginning to sound like one of those damn email chains. You know, send this to at least 10 of your friends and something good will happen to you at 11PM tomorrow night. But if you don't...? Well. God I hate those chain emails.

I swear I am not wanting to come across like that. And honestly? I am far from being a man without fault. I still say and do things that I regret. Hell, I wrote some hurtful captions in this week's column. I regretted doing them, but I did them anyway. Why? Because I thought them to be funny. But clearly, they were hurtful. Besides, I know there's still that 10% of you out there, that still enjoy that side of me. So I throw you guys a bone every now and then. What the hell. Like I said, I am not perfect. But I am trying.

Just ask the three people I helped get out of the snow this week. And, ask Rob from Washington if he thinks I am a good person. I think I told him to drop in on me at one point. Ha! You know what? I did. I yelled over to him to "Don't worry about me, just take off on any wave you want!" Actually, I couldn't believe I said that. But you know what? Surfing everyday has really helped my paddling. I mean, I can paddle now. And the other day while surfing with Rob, I was a paddling machine. Hell, I could paddle to France and back.

My point is, I was paddling around out there and getting more than my share of waves. Besides, I think I've filled my quota that session. Another thing about surfing everyday is, you tend not to get to aggressive on the marginal days. And by aggressive, I do mean catching waves. Not being aggressive towards others. Unless it's in good nature.

Last week our good friend Al McCarthy left this world. Today I woke up remembering this day exactly 11 years ago. Ironically, it was a Saturday. I was coaching my son's hockey team when my wife called one of the parents to tell me to call home immediately. I knew something was wrong. My mother had called our home speaking
to my wife and said my father who was suffering from diabetes, had suffered a stroke.

He was in the ER down in Massachusetts. By the time I got there, he was gone.
Not gone from this earth yet. But gone in the sense that he never regained consciousness. He passed three days later, on February 7th, 2000. But on this day he
left us, and we never heard him speak and see again. That day and the two days that followed, are memories that are as vivid today as they were 11 years ago. It was the day that our lives had changed forever. That following summer, I embarked on my "Catch a Wave For Gus" Campaign.

Now 10 years later, I'm on the downside of my latest undertaking. "Catch a Wave For Molly". This time it's for cancer. My own mother passed away from cancer in 2007. My best friend Joe, my cousin Richie, aunts and uncles, and of course the cutest little sweetheart from Hampton, who stole all of our hearts and has single handedly made
this community's bond stronger.

I'm talking of course about , Lil Miss Molly Rowlee.

Today is Day 196 and I will be Surfing a Wave for Molly as I do everyday, however,
I will also surf a wave for the Special Olympics of New Hampshire. I will in short, be "Killing Two Fund raisers with one wave". The only catch is...I'm surfing without a wetsuit! Oh yea baby!
It's all here. Check it out! NO WETSUIT in February!

So there it is guys...the latest news as it happens here in New Hampshire. Wish me luck on Sunday. My heart is strong and full of love, because I truly believe in these words I penned in 2005..." Surfing Heals All Wounds."


Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:

All the World news is about EGYPT. President Mubarak has lost control of his country.
I'm not a political advisor by any stretch, but if I were one of his cronies, I'd be advising Mubarak that it's time to step aside. The world is watching. The world is reacting and well, it's time. It's over. The party is over. Like my favorite Journey song..."The Party's Over"

We lost another icon this week. Charlie Callas. I know some you younger guys are saying "Charlie who?" Well my friends Jacko and Johnny are in mourning over the passing of Charlie. We were always doing Charlie Callas jokes. Mostly because no one knew or cared about him except us. He was 83 and he was unique. At least he was to
us. Rest in Peace Charlie, we will still do impressions of you.

In other absurd news this past week. Orenthal (OJ) Simpson was denied a new trial again. He's serving a 9 to 33 year sentence for his robbery case. We all know he's serving a poetic justice sentence for the double murder he committed back in 1995. He got away with murder for about 13 years. He claims he's still searching for the killers of his wife Nicole and Ron Goldman. I hope he finds them one day. Won't he be surprised when he finds out it was himself who killed them? Man that will be something.

OK the Green Bay Packers are Playing the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight in the SUPERBOWL.
I still want the Packers to win. I have a problem with Big Ben and his reputation. And I really don't want to see Brady's record tied with that big buffoon. No I have not gotten over the last game, but the Patriots are still my team. Even if they drive me crazy.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE RUN REDUX IS OUT! Pick one up in the shops or email me
and order one directly.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Remembering my late father Gus this week. 11 years since he left us.
Rest in Peace Charlie Callas
Rest in Peace Rose Olivo January 23, 2011.
Happy Birthday Jill Dobsen and Mary Ellen Torrisi February 5th!
Happy Birthday Bryon Rivers February 6th!
GO PACKERS! BEAT THE STEELERS!

Don't forget to Check the DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click
On the Banner on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDS July 26, 2011. A Wave
a day for 365 consecutive days. Just click on the banner ads on this page.

CHECK OUT THE NEW/Old YESTERDAY PAGE! ALL OLD New England and
beyond Surf Pics! *NEW PICS added each week!

*Check out the NEW updated DROPPING IN ON RALPH blog Section.
ALL of December and January will be up before the end of this month . The DROPPING IN ON RALPH section will be up to DATE as soon as I can find the time to do it. There's just so much a man can do in a single day. But I do want to update that as it is entertaining to say the least. Because there's some great letters from you guys from all over the world. (And a few hurtful ones too). But check it out.
*This is the blog section of this website where you can write in and comment. The only downside of this blog is, you actually have to use your REAL Name. No hiding behind some fake handle and name. If you want to comment, you have to man up, and be yourself. I will post all comments, both good and bad. You just have to be yourself.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week
every week for the last 7 years. **Think about BUYING a Photo from any of the weeks
on RPOTW as a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer!

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

Ralph