So I am standing at the edge of the ocean like I have so many times in my life. I am holding my camera. Again, like I have a million times before. People are coming and going. In and out of the water. Like we all do. I say hello to most of them. I recognize faces and boards and wetsuits. But admittedly, I am terrible with names. It's not that I don't care to remember, it's just that I have always been that way.

"So Ralph am I going to be another UNKNOWN in this week's blog?" a surfer asks as he walks past me. I look at him and recognize his face, but his name escapes me. I make light of it, but I admit that I thought about it later. And the more I thought about it the more I realize that being labeled an UNKNOWN on this weekly blog is really not that bad. It's not like some slight of hand, or some discarded info on who you are that I take lightly.

If anything, it's more than what you would get anywhere else. Think about it.

You get your mug on this blog and although you may have missed having your name under the caption, you still get on. How many other sites do that? I'll save you the time of researching. Not many. This blog gets out to over 31,500 readers every week and is seen in 99 different countries. All the photographers who submit photos to the blog each week are not being told who to shoot and who not to shoot.

We have a pretty simple format. Shoot the best waves and who's ever riding them.

This is not a platform for the best surfers in the world. This is all about local surfers surfing local waves. And by local, I am talking about local everywhere.

If we get a shot of you surfing here on the blog, that same shot is available in a high res version that is suitable for framing at home or in the office. Lots of unknowns have purchased photos from us. You won't find that option on any other site or blog. So unless you all start wearing big ass name tags, you shall remain an UNKNOWN, But at least you get posted, and you still have the bragging rights to your buds. "Hey check it out! That's me on RPOTW! Dude...that's me!"

Yes it is my friend, yes it is...and that's the beauty of this blog. Anyone on any given day can get their photo taken and posted on this weekly.

OK I saw something yesterday while driving in Dudley Mass with my wife, that almost made me turn my vehicle around to follow the source of my perked interest. It was an older man about 55-60 who was getting into his vehicle at a gas station. He had a Mullet that went down to the middle of his back. He had the full on on mustache and long thick sideburns too. But that Mullet made Bill Ray Cyrus look like an average Hockey Player in the 70's. I mean this thing was magnificent! It was in a word...AWESOME. I had my camera with me. And for a moment or two, I thought about following him to get the shot. He was that special.

But we were going to see our son play Football and were on a tight schedule.

Is this wrong? Is this mean spirited? I guess the fact that I just experienced the many faces and unique individuals at Topsfield Fair this week was fresh on my mind.

My daughter has me pegged. "You love looking at the people Dad." It's true.

Back when the kids were all young we would go as a family. These days it's just Noelle and I. She knows that I am keen on checking out all the patrons. The Fair has every type of New Englander known to man. You name it, they come to the Fair. I have always been a fan of people watching at the Fair. It's part of the ambiance of the Fair. Well it is for me. If you've ever been to the Oldest, most Continuous Fair In America, you know what I'm talking about.

The Topsfield Fair. In Topsfield Massachusetts.

Back in Dudley where we saw the Magnificent Mullet, there was a huge sign near that gas station that said, DRIVE THRU REDEMPTION and next to that sign was an even larger sign that said CHEAP BOOZE. I swear on the souls of my parents, we saw this. In hindsight, I should of taken photos of all of that. The Mullet and the two signs. But I did not. Rats.

Speaking of Drive Thru Redemption. I was thinking as we drove past the signs and the Mullet, wouldn't it be cool to have a Drive Thru Confessional? You Catholics know what I'm talking about here. You know you pull up, roll down the window, confess your sins, and be on your way. No fuss no muss. I bet it would be popular. Drive Thru Confessionals. Maybe not.

Last week I complained about the Virus OPEN CLOUD SECURITY that crippled me. I may have been slightly unfair to the tech support people. In fact, I know I was. I apologize to anyone I may have offended. Because after it was all said and done, both DELL and McAFEE did a wonderful job getting all my machines back in working order.

There was one young woman whose' name escapes me, but I think it was Murmier. She was only 23 years old but she was an absolute angel. Seriously. She was an Angel who worked and lived in India. She stayed with me for many hours after her shift and made sure that I was good to go. If I could send a direct email to her boss or manager I would let them know. That this sweet young woman stayed and worked with me until that virus was dead and gone. She was the kind of person that gives you back the faith in humanity that many of us have lost along the way.

Murmier if you are reading this I want to say again. I hope you have a long and wonderful life and that all of your dreams come true.

The DELL Tech support with Marie and Sheri were equally good to me. In fact, the extended warranty that I ended up buying not only fixed my main machine but also the other 3 PC's in my studio. I went from being a cynical and uptight jerk to being a believer in the good that some people do every single day. So thank you ladies of DELL and McAFEE.

It's hard to believe that four years have passed since my mother slipped away from this world. She passed on October 9th 2007. I was the only person with her when she made that transition to the next world. It would be an understatement to say that we all miss her. I love the month of October, but this is one date that brings sadness to my late mother's family and friends. I love you Ma and still miss you.

Tomorrow is another day that means something to me. It is the day that Cory and I took our wedding vows. I know it's hard for me to believe that 24 years have passed and I imagine it's just as hard for her. Next year is that Silver Anniversary year. 25 Years. I remember when my parents made it to their 25th. I threw a big party for them (hint hint kids)...we had fun. They actually made it to 50 years.

I remember at my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary giving a speech about how truly incredible it was for any couple to celebrate 50 years. I looked at one of my sister's sitting their with husband number 3 or 4 (I forget) and pointed out to them..."There's no way, that you will ever see 50 Years. You need to be realistic and shoot for increments of 10 years." I can still hear the gasps..."RALPH???!!!?"

Hey, I call them like I see them. That's always been who I am. I will tell you the truth whether or not it's the right thing to do, you will hear it from me. My sister knows that 50 years is impossible. And we laugh about it now. It makes for good conversation at family gatherings.

But getting back to my late Mother and my wife. I love you Ma. And I love you Cory.

Like last week...I need to go surfing to cleanse my soul.
Surfing Heals ALL Wounds...