January 29th, 2012- The RUN is 48 out of 49 Weeks.
Waist high or better, at least once a week.
The Surf was Waist high
on Sunday the 22nd and Head High and bigger on Tuesday the 24th. |
If you are a TRUE hard core New England Patriots football fan, you must be pinching yourself this week. Lord knows I've had to stop a few times during the week and think..."Wait are we really in the Super Bowl? And more importantly, are we really playing the New York Giants again? Really?" Well we all know the answer to that. The answer is Yes. Yes we are.
It all seems like a blur to me. But here's what I do recall one week ago today.
I can distinctly remember standing in front of Tony Berardini's large plasma TV...I know that my son Max was standing to my left. Tony had left the room in disgust , Johnny Sav was to my right and behind me. Max and I were both standing facing the screen. Gino and Gil were blasting out over the speaker system. We watch the game in HD, but listen to Gino and Gil. Tony has it all synced up. If you are a real hardcore Pats fan, you know that Gino and Gil are the true broadcasters for the team. They know the team better than all the other talking boneheads out there put together.
Gino and Gil are the voices of the Patriots.
The Ravens had just blown a go ahead TD (that honestly could of gone either way). But a no name defender named Sterling Moore broke up the play that Lee Evans should of caught. Should of, could of, would of. The Ravens were looking at a chip shot field goal that would tie the game and send it into Over Time and who the hell knows. The field goal attempt was a gimme. A kick that most kickers make 99 out of 100 times. It was basically a PAT (point after attempt).
You and I could kick the thing through the uprights, it's that easy.
We were all
surrendered to this simple and basic fact. The game will go into OT, and the momentum, will once again shift to the Black and Blue Ravens. I looked over at Max as the kicker Billy Cundiff quickly marked off his pace. "You don't think for a moment that he's going to miss this do you?" Max looked over at me and said "Dad stranger things have happened..." and no sooner did his words leave his mouth when Cundiff's foot hit the ball and we all watched as the ball went up and then arced to the left. By the time it went past the outer post he was at least 10 yards off the mark. He hooked it. That's when all hell broke out.
Things were fuzzy and blurry from that point on. There were lots of high fives. Hugs. Cell phones ringing. You know, the disbelief and relief had all come pouring out. We were all physically drained. I do not know how that is possible but it's true. It's as if we had somehow played in the game. Or part of it. But we were all emotionally empty. Damn that was a close one.
I thought about two friends of mine who I sometimes envy. They both hate sports.
One is a surfer, the other is a veteran buddy of mine who owns his own business. They both could care less about any organized sport. They despise all sports. I mean, not even a fake fair weather interest. Their lives are devoid of all sporting events. The surfer is always reminding me of how he scores perfect empty surf when the big games are on TV. He has some serious disparaging remarks about those of us who enjoy sports. He claims we are wasting away on the couch watching hours of mindless games. Especially football. Claiming they are all rich overpaid athletes, who could care less about the game.
And while he may have a point or two, I am just as quick to point out to him what he's missing by not participating in the watching.
"You are depriving yourself the absolute euphoria, and pure unrivaled joy, when your team wins, and you are watching the game with other like minded sports fans. The friendships and camaraderie that we all share is missing from your life. And,
you also are missing the utter despair and disgust you feel when your team loses. That depression, and sick to your stomach feeling you have for days on end when your team loses..."
Wait, did I just write that? You see, this is why I envy him.
I guess he may have a valid point. After all, those of you who know me well enough, know that I still carry that 2007 Patriots 18-1 season bone lodged in my throat. And I'm afraid it is stuck there for an eternity. You know what I'm talking about. You Patriots fans. The perfect season. Spoiled by the same New York Giants we are facing this next Sunday. Oh the horror of that day still lives in my subconscious. Like some bad dream that we can never dislodge.
It is as I said. A bone lodged in our collective throats. Not to be removed for the rest of time. Unless...dare I say it my friends? Unless, we get that monkey off our backs by beating the New York Giants
on Superbowl Sunday. If that were to happen? A Heimlich will be performed on all the Patriots fans all over the world.It will be the undisputed biggest and loudest Heimlich ever performed on the planet. We will all have that 2007 bone dislodged from our throats.
The bad dream will be over. The dark clouds will part and our sun will shine again.
We will be able to breathe freely once again. If they win. And I believe they will. I do not believe we will witness the same insanity we saw back in 2007.
Like this bullshit. The helmet catch. I mean you have got to be kidding me?
That won't happen again. Believe me. That kind of bizarre wacky football juju is not going to happen this time around. It will not happen twice. Eli Manning might be lucky, but he's not that lucky enough to pull this kind of BS off again. Besides, he's already had this year's miracle catch when they played Green Bay, and he tossed that Hail mary pass up into the end zone right before the half and they came down with the ball. That's all the luck they have this year. That's it.
No sir, I think we can all expect a very exciting Superbowl. And I know that 90% of the people I know will be into this game. Regardless of who's playing. I know my two buddies who are anti sports won't be watching. That's OK. There will be no highs or lows with them come next Sunday. No, it will just be another day to them. My Veteran buddy will be watching the History channel, and my surfing buddy will be scoring waves out on the West Coast. And good for them.
And all you Patriots fans...well, this could be Ring number 4...and won't that be great? Getting that 2007 bone out of our throats once and for all. And look I know some of you are secretly asking..."But Ralph
what if they lose?" Well I thought about that...and well...there will be another bone stuck in there. 2007 and 2011.
Seven eleven. But I'm not going there. I'm going positive. But just in case...
... that's what the mantra is all about...you know,
"Surfing Heals ALL Wounds..."
GO PATRIOTS!
Now
for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
I don't want to sound like a holier than thou KNOW-IT-ALL. But Tim Thomas you blow off a chance to visit the White House and meet the president because of your political views? Dude You have got to be kidding me? This is for your team Tim. Not you. Your team. The BOSTON BRUINS. Suck it up Tim. Man you caused more problems and directed more negative feelings than anything else this year. That was stupid Tim. STUPID and childish. I did not vote for Obama but he's the president. RESPECT The Office. Respect the President of the United States of America. You fool.
Speaking of politics, I heard that Newt Gingrich during the last debate say if he were president he would have a colony on the Moon with some 13,000 people living on it. WTF??? Our economy is in the tank, people NEED jobs and Newt is talking about spending BILLIONS to start a colony on the freaking moon?? WTF???? Somebody put that chimpanzee in a space capsule and shoot his ass off to the moon so he can look for some real estate up there to start his colony. Newt's World.
Mitt Romney must be smiling today.
Speaking of losers, and I'm sorry if this offends anyone (not really) but this needs to be addressed. Joe Paterno's fans and followers last week? WTF??? That man knowingly let his assistant rape and molest young boys for 9 years! NINE YEARS! Hey Joe Pa you have got to be kidding us right? See this is why he should of retired back when he was sane enough and smart enough. You could of had the legacy you "would have" had. Instead you ENABLED a sick pedophile to commit these awful crimes. Joe face it, the last 9 years you were a stupid old man, who made some stupid decisions. Now you are facing the one thing you can't hide from. An opponent you can't beat. GOD. Good luck Joe, better dress light, though, I think it's going to be warm where your headed.
Finally, how AWESOME are our NAVY SEALS? Are you kidding me?
The Hostage rescue last week was something right out of the movies.
Jumping 11,000 feet out of an airplane, at night, and humping a few miles on foot, and then systematically dispatching 9 scrawny ass somali pirates without losing a single man, and MOST importantly, not losing a single hostage. SEAL Team Six. Glad they are on our side. They are the same SEALS that took out Osama Bin Laden last May. This is the future warfare. Special OPS and Drones. If I were a terrorist or a Pirate, I'd sleep with one eye open...and I'd be looking at the Help Wanted Ads .
GO PATRIOTS...a Nation of fans are behind you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jose Perez January 28th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kelly Ciarmataro January 28th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ziv Gidron January 29th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Teresa Paugh Quinn January 29th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Courtney Hayes Febuary 1st, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jean Dombrowski Febuary 3rd, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mary Ellen Torrisi Febuary 5th, 2012!
REST IN PEACE Grandma Parker...my wife's grandmother who passed away on Saturday January 28th, 2012. Mildred Parker was 93 years young from Morris Illinois. She was a wonderful woman, and a loving mother to Judith and her siblings, and an absolute sweetheart of a Grandmother to Cory and I...and she was so thoughtful to her great grandchildren. I will miss her cookies that she sent every Christmas and Easter. And her long hand written letters. She was a beautiful and loving person. And she is finally home with her husband and in the Kingdom of God...
Rest In Peace Grandma Parker, we all loved you dearly.
GET WELL SOON John Carden (right knee injury)*3rd local surf photographer to have injured the right leg/knee. All you other photogs better run for cover.
GET WELL Soon Brian Nevins!
GET WELL Soon Brent Reinheimer!
GET WELL Soon Steve "Surfer Crow" Watson!
Congratulations to Phil Carey and Alison on the birth of their daughter Reece
born on January 19th, 2012. Mom and baby are doing fine.
COMING SOON This SUMMER 2012 the Return of EMPTY Clothing.
Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDED 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. I will have March,and April up soon (I promise).
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic
Of The Week
every week for the last 8 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 |
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| (Above) The NEW Movie is coming along...we're trying to get it out as soon as possible. It's all original music (QWILL, Todo Bien and more), and local footage:Joe Carter's GITV, my own, Granite Stoke, and a few others. Plus the many stills from Ed O'Connell, Brian Nevins, my family, and more. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to The MOLLY Fund. |
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Yesterday- Kevin "Doc" Grondin. Winter Wall 1989.
(Below) This photo got more mileage than Duffy McCarthy's Squirrel running across the highway shot a few years back. This is the photo that would pop up time after time, when the mags, newspapers, and whatever else, needed a winter photo of Surfing at the Wall. It is as you can see, a dramatic image. And look, let's be honest here. Kevin was, and still is today, a Barrel Hound. He can sniff out a barrel as good as anyone. He may not be blasting airs, but that man can fit his ass into a barrel with the best of them. So here it is again. Kevin Grondin at the Wall. January 1989.
Photo by Michael Baytoff. |
Click on the photo above to see the larger version. |
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Today- The Back In the Cold Water Session.
Tuesday January 24th, 2012 Photos By RALPH |
(Above) Jared Velstos shown here on a 5 shot sequence. Jared's surfing has greatly improved over the last 5 years. So much in fact, that I find myself doing double takes every time he paddles out. Clearly one of the BEST Goofy Foot surfers around.
January 24th, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
(Above) Max Vincent Fatello back in the cold water after just returning from the tropics. That's always a wake up call. But there's no better feeling than surfing your home break after surfing the tropics. January 24th, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) It's amazing to me that sandbars can move around enough to form perfect peaks like this. January 24th, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) From PR to North Beach. Jesse Gould carving a long track. He and Max have been surfing together since they were little kids. Best friends for life. January 24th, 2012. Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Unknown actor proving that once again, that YES the surf was BIGGER than waist high on January 24th, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) This image to me says one thing..."Surfing". Something about this guy sitting on his board, a fun looking set approaching, and his casual attitude. I love it.
January 24th, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) This says surfing too. Only a surfer can appreciate the mechanics of an empty barrel. January 24th, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- Sunday January 22nd, 2012 Photos by Ed O'Connell |
(Above) One of the few surfers that I can pick out a mile away and KNOW exactly
who it is. He is in a league of his own on a Longboard. Mike Moran. Jenness Beach.
Sunday January 22, 2012 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Unknown or Steve Baily. I'm guessing Steve. January 22, 2012
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery. |
(Above) Bryan Taber. Always pushing the limits. Sunday morning. January 22, 2012
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Steve Baily for sure. Sunday morning. January 22, 2012
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Mike Moran step up and stepping back. This is how you longboard. Jenness Beach. Sunday January 22, 2012 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) And this is how you shortboard. Jenness Beach. January 22, 2012
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery. |
Today- Island Path Panama The "Stokes" Boys Adventure. January 2012 Photos by Stan Chew
(Above) The stylish son of Peter Stokes, Emlyn Stokes scoring INSANE waves in Panama last week. January 21, 2012 Photo By Stan Chew
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Perfect waves in Panama last week. January 21, 2012 Photo By Stan Chew
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) The surfing of Peter Stokes seems to get better each year. Consider the fact that Peter is at least 62 years old. Panama last week. January 21, 2012
Photo By Stan Chew* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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(Above) Emlyn in the Bocas Barrel (again). January 20, 2012 Photo By Stan Chew
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) What are you waiting for? Book your trip with Stan today! NO CROWDS. Panama last week. January 21, 2012 Photo By Stan Chew
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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Today- The HAY Bros meet up with other Local Hampton Surfers in PR. January 2012 ALL Photos courtesy of the Hay Bros
(Above) Matt Colby having a blast in the warm PR waters.
Photo courtesy of the Hay Bros* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Jared Hay on a warm green face in Puerto Rico.
Photo courtesy of the Hay Bros* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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(Above) Jesse Gould digging the trunks only sessions.
Photo courtesy of the Hay Bros
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Thomas Hay's ultra smooth cutback...nice Tommy. Puerto Rico.
Photo courtesy of the Hay Bros* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Riffe on a Big White Bomb.
Photo courtesy of the Hay Bros
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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(Above) Mackey V blasting the lip with is "local Hampton Surfers Only" session.
Photo courtesy of the Hay Bros* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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Today- The Granite Stoke Pics. January 2012 Photos by Granite Stoke
(Above) This is another breath taking (literally) shot of our unique Sea Smoke days. January-2012! Photo By Granite Stoke
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
(Above) This is the opposite of sea smoke. This was a day like Spring or early Fall. Air temps in the 60's... January 24, 2012! Photo By Granite Stoke
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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Today- Hampton boy Steve Dillon lives, surfs, and shoots on the West Coast these days. Here's a few from the last swell. January 2012 Photos by Steve Dillon
(Above) This is the view from Steve's apartment...perfect. January 20, 2012!
Photo By Steve Dillon * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) This is glassy California longboarding. January 20, 2012!
Photo By Steve Dillon * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) I ONLY see one guy out...perfect. January 20, 2012!
Photo By Steve Dillon * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Look what God painted for Steve. January 20, 2012!
Photo By Steve Dillon * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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Yesterday- OLD BOSTON BRUINS 1972 Photos by Ed O'Connell
(Above) Derek Sanderson. A flamboyant and hard charging forward for the B's. January 1972
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Ken Hodge. Is it me or are his shoulder pads a little light? Old School Bruins
at the Garden. January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery. |
(Above) Phil Esposito was a garbage man. Always hanging in front of the net waiting for that loose puck. He scored a lot of goals that way. Old School Bruins at the Garden. January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Cheevers. The art work says it all. Old School Bruins at the Garden.
January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery. |
(Above) This has always been part of the game. When I played I spent a great deal of the game in the penalty box. Like I said, it's part of the game. Old School Bruins at the Garden. January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Bobby Clarke. Smile Bobby. Old School Bruins at the Garden. January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery. |
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(Above) Sean O'Connor surfed here last week. He wouldn't say where though.
Photo by Sean O'Connor* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Hannah Vokey Saturday January 21st, 2012 at Jenness. Photo By Tom Peck
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Wild waves at the pier in California last week. January , 2012 at Jenness.
Photo courtesy of the Internet
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) I was supposed to be RIGHT there right now...but my knee injury has kept me home. January 27, 2012
Photo By ManOFree* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos
Sea Smoke from the Granite Stoke on Vimeo. http://thegranitestoke.blogspot.com
Local boys Ryan Scura and Dylan Ladd sent this cool little local clip of some of our own magical sea smoke. I want to keep the video clips local this week due to the New England Patriots playing in the superbowl. It's a New England Video week here on RPOTW.
BELOW- This is the second 5 minute trailer to the NEW Surf Free Or Die -Memory Lane Movies documentary called SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.
"SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS Trailer II"
This is the insane surf footage from December 2010. Oh yea, there was good surf last December, and this clip will prove that. The soundtrack was recorded in 1983 and it's the classic "LIL DRUMMER BOY" that I sang, played guitar and arranged and well, you should just sit back and watch and listen. The music will speak for itself.
Music is by RALPH
COMING SOON
This is the NEW 5 minute trailer to the NEW Surf Free Or Die -Memory Lane Movies documentary called
"SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS"
It's the true story of the man who surfed 365 consecutive Days in memory of a 5 year old girl (Molly Rowlee) who lost her battle to cancer in 2009.
He called it "Catch a Wave For Molly".
Music is by QWILL
COMING SOON
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This week Crackie answers queries about the SUPERBOWL. Now ordinarily Crackie stays clear of two subjects, Politics and Sports. But because he's actually a Patriots fan in his own words "Since the Revolutionary War" he could not help but comment. But you all know Crackie, he is a bit abrasive with his answers. But you Pats fans should enjoy this. GO PATRIOTS! Enjoy.
crackie@adlantic.com
Crackie now has his own Facebook Page. You should Friend Him...though there are no guarantees that he'll be nice to you.
Hope you all learn something from this informative Q&A.
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(Above) All
Rise: 10th
Street District Court of Surf Justice
is now in session, the
Honorable Judge
RALPH presiding. CASE
46 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Shot last week in Hampton. CLICK and SEE this Surf crime and the verdict.
Photo by RALPH |
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Click above graphic for The Daily BLOG I wrote from July 26-2010 to July 26-2011
Yes you can STILL DONATE to the Fundraiser.
THE "CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY" video by JOE CARTER and
GET IN THE VAN is NOW on the SURFER'S JOURNAL Website and
now
the ESPN website too! Wow!
To see it on this site go to the Molly Page.
http://www.surfersjournal.com/journal_entry/molly-motivation |
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Above) The Phantom STRIKES yet again...while the world sleeps the Phantom Strikes.
January- 2012. Photo by The Phantom
COMING NEXT WEEK!
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(Above) California
January - 2012. Photo by The Phantom
COMING NEXT WEEK! |
(Above) BIG California
January - 2012. Photo by The Phantom
COMING NEXT WEEK! |
(Above) Phantom craft
January - 2012. Photo by The Phantom
COMING NEXT WEEK! |
*Click masthead above to read the original
ISM story.
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(Above) Put the cursor over the images above to
see happens when you DROP in on someone. You
become Invisible. Simply put the mouse over the photo to see the
original photo and then marvel at
the results of what happens when the criminal
becomes invisible.*Put the cursor over the photo to see the Real
image.
Photo by RALPH |
Today 2011 "Man's BEST Friend..."
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(Above) AWESOME NAVY SEAL and Canine somewhere over Afghanistan. |
Click
on Wave to return to top of page
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