April 8th, 2012 Happy Easter- Happy Passover
The RUN is 2 out of 2 Weeks. Waist high or better, at least once a week.
There was waist high surf on Monday, April 2nd and Wednesday April 4th had Head High Surf. |
I sent a group of friends a very generic Easter greeting card today. I created it myself. It was devoid of anything religious. In fact, the design had three photos, one of a wave, one of a flower, and a photo of driftwood. With two lines. Happy Easter and Happy Passover. Just a simple greeting. I meant nothing political or religious by it. One of my friends immediately wrote back and thanked me for sending it, but made it clear, that he was not religious in the slightest.
I understood. In fact, I was not offended by it. To each his own. Whatever.
But it got me thinking. I know this surfer well. He has two children and two grandchildren. Being a parent changes you the day you have children. It does
for most parents I know. I'm sure there are plenty of dead beat parents who could care less about their kids. But most of the moms and dads I know are changed the day their child is born. It's like some alarm or inner timer goes off inside your soul and you know from that moment on, that everything has just changed forever. There is no turning back.
I know you moms and dads know what I'm talking about.
For me personally, it was an awakening for all kinds of thoughts and meaning. And yes, one of the most significant, was my belief in something else. God, Jesus, whatever...it opened my eyes to that world beyond our world. I mean having children means I need to protect them in any way shape or form. If God
is an option, I need to get right with him, and make sure I have all the bases covered.
We do what we have to do to protect our kids.
Last week I wrote the line, "There are No Atheists in Foxholes."
That's so true.
I thought of my friend who sent back that sharp "thanks but no thanks" to religion today, and could not help but think about what he would do to make sure his kids and grandchildren were safe from all the things out there that could possibly jump up and bite you.
And let's face it, there are many. Sickness, disease, accidents, and worse. It's part of being a parent to have to deal with all of that.
So we do, what we need to do, to keep our peace of mind, and live our lives.
And look, I am not saying you need to go to church every Sunday and get down on your knees and pray. But if that is something you do, that's Ok too. Whatever you need to do to keep all of your options open. I personally pray everyday. And I pray to not only God, but to all my Guardian Angels. And I pray for them to watch over all of the people in my life who I love and care about. I do not go to church every week. But I pray and I believe in something. And more importantly, I believe that the way to understand this complex world of life and death, is to simply be a good person, and believe in a faith of your choosing.
Honestly, whatever
that is. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or Surfing.
Whatever it is that makes you a better person. I know some of my Christian friends are shaking their heads reading this thinking "No Ralph you must go to church every week. You must put money in the collection box or you'll never get to heaven!" While I know some of my friends who have no religion or belief in their lives are equally shaking their heads thinking "That is such BS Ralph you are so full of it!" Look my point is simple. Just be a good person. And trust me, it's not easy. I know. I'm still working at it. But I try every day. I'm trying.
I don't believe God would reject any person who is a good person. The color of your skin. The sexual preference of your lifestyle. It matters not. It be like saying only Regular Foots get into Heaven. All Goofy foots have to go to hell. Crazy.
Just give a part of yourself to helping someone along the way. Put a smile on someone's face. Stop and lend a hand. And that my friends, is how you become a better person. It is how your children become better individuals. They see what you do and they will emulate your actions.
As far as God and heaven and life after death well...I don't have a definitive answer for you. My late mother used to always say..."Heaven must be a pretty good place." And when I asked why she would say that. She'd answer so matter of factly "Because no one has ever come back..." My Mother was too funny.
But this Easter and Passover Holy week is pretty serious stuff for millions of people all over the world. Pretty heavy worshipping going on. The single most important day in the Christian religion is Easter.
The Resurrection. Everything is based on this one moment in time. Jesus rising from the dead and ascending into heaven. If you believe, then it is truly the most blessed of days. Enjoy this day. Enjoy this Holy Week all of you. No matter what your belief. Enjoy it all.
Besides, the Mayans are pulling the plug on all of us this coming December.
Happy Easter. Happy Passover. Happy Surfing.
"Surfing Heals ALL Wounds..."
Now
for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
Jim Marshall passed away this week. I know...who the hell is Jim Marshall? Jim Marshall is the man behind Marshall Amps. Think of any Rock and roller in the last 40 plus years and chances are they have played through a Marshall amp. I'm a nobody and I have had several throughout my life. Hendrix is one of the most notable guitar players who used Marshall amps. That amp has a signature sound unlike any other amp on the planet. Rest in Peace Jim...
I watched the Bells Final this week with Slater vs Fanning and for my two cents I think the judges blew this big time. Fanning surfed great that Final Heat. But Slater? He surfed like that damn freak that he is. He was doing stuff that I honestly have NO idea what they were called. 360 backside airs? I mean it was crazy. Kelly should of won that contest. I don't know what they were thinking. They could not have possibly watched the same heat I did. This is the problem with judging surf contests. It's a matter of what some Judge thinks is the better maneuvers being performed. It comes down to an almost beauty pageant like mentality.
Good Lord Judges. Did you NOT see what Slater was doing out there?
Speaking of Judging...I'm losing faith in the ultimate voting scheme gone bad. The American Idol voting is so full of you know what that it defies logic. How is it that you can vote as many times as you want for a contestant and it counts? Huh? Shouldn't it be you vote once and that's it? This multiple voting for your fave Idol is BS.
We stopped watching the show a few years ago because of the Voting dysfunction. We watched it this year because my curiosity got the better of me because we all wanted to see what Stephen Tyler was all about on this show. Now I regret that I got sucked into this show again. Especially in light of the lesser talent hanging around while those who deserve to stay get booted off.
Is this not Voter Fraud?
Speaking of which, if you are still sending money to Newt and Ron Paul I have a used surfboard to sell you. It's right next to that bridge to no where.
Happy Easter
and Happy Passover.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CONGRATULATIONS to The Rowlee Family on the birth of baby TJ on 4-1-2012.
Mom, Dad, and Big Brother Kieran are all doing fine!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Casey Lockwood April 9th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Duffy McCarthy April 9th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Demetri Vlahouli April 9th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mike Keefe April 9th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jenny Preister April 10th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Joe Hurley April 10th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lisa McCarthy Sheehan April 10th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bob McNeil April 12th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Shannon Dooling April 15th!
REST IN PEACE Jim Marshall age 88 maker of Marshall Amplifiers.
GET WELL Soon Steve "Surfer Crow" Watson!
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- October 1979 "Surfer Girl" Moira Daly at the Wall.
(Below) Moira hated having her photo taken. It's true. She hated it. I'm sure it was because she wore braces for so long as a teenager. But she was beautiful on so many levels. Just a great friend, sister, daughter, and girlfriend to my late best friend Joe Somogyi. Moira passed away from this earth way too early. We like to think that she has joined Joe on some distant tropical beach in Heaven somewhere. Her sister Annie and brother Joe still miss her as do all of us who knew and loved her. Photo by RALPH |
Click on the photo above to see the larger version. |
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| Today- Head High Holy Week Surf-Wednesday April 4th, 2012
Photos By RALPH |
(Above) Terence Kirby on the Wave of the Day. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
(Above) Mackey V on a wave that could easily pass for New Zealand or that spot
on the West Coast. You where I'm talking. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
(Above) Toby Parke was back in the water in a much deserved surf session. I was
lucky enough to be there and document it all . Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) It was so pretty. Just lighting up the whole coast. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) John Wheatley was out first thing and got more than his share of these
green gems. Wednesday April 4th, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Toby Parke was cleansing his soul on every wave. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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Today- The Wall Session Wednesday April 4, 2012 Photos By RALPH
(Above) This was Mackey's 3rd session of the day. The Wall April 4th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Unknown yellow longboard. The Wall April 4th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
(Above) Still hollow at the end of the day. The Wall April 4th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) This was one of the last shot's of day. So pretty. The Wall April 4th, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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Today- The Good Swell-Wednesday April 4th, 2012
Photos By Ed O'Connell
(Above) This was a special day for sure. Unknown, Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Ryan Reed flying off the bottom at Muskrat Ledge. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) John Wheatley at the Ledge of Musky. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Unknown on the fast track on the southbound rail. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
Today- A Little Further North. April 4th, 2012 Photos By Ed O'Connell
(Above) This was a slightly North of the previous location. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Hannah Vokey styling in the blue green warmth. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Tim O'Shea getting his feet wet. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Hannah Vokey perfect trim. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
Today-A Little Further South. April 4th, 2012 Photos By Ed O'Connell
Above) Unknown Wall. Wednesday April 4th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Above) Unknown jamming bottom turn. Wednesday April 4th, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Above) Tom Hay loves the Wall. Wednesday April 4th, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- The Cell Phone Gallery-Wednesday April 4th, 2012
Photos By Brian Nevins
(Above) This is hard to believe that a cellphone took this. But then again, it's Nevins shooting. April 4th, 2012. Photo By Brian Nevins
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) You know where. April 4th, 2012. Photo By Brian Nevins
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
Today- MORE of the TWO DAYS ON THE HUNT March 29-30-2012
Photos by The Phantom
(Above) The Phantom covert strikes into the untamed zones are all about getting this.
Thursday and Friday March 29-30-2012.
Photo By The Phantom
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
(Above) Check the positioning and the curve of the lip.
Thursday and Friday March 29-30-2012. Photo By The Phantom
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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