August 6th, 2023 The RUN is 7 out of 7 Weeks.
Waist high or better at least once a week.
There were waist high plus waves on August 3-4-5th, 2023.
THE RECORD FOR THE MOST CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IN A ROW FOR WAIST HIGH OR BETTER. August 8th, 2021 was 53 WEEKS! TOPPING THE 43 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS SET IN 2009! |
Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously.
By 10AM. Make sure they are 1300 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me.
Thank you.
Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics. |
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SURFING WITH SMILES!
NUNO & EXTREME!
DJT INDICTED ONCE AGAIN! TWO DAYS AT THE BEACH! RIP PEE WEE HERMAN!
TAYLOR AND LINDSEY WERE ALL SMILES AT THE 14th ANNUAL SURFING WITH SMILES On Thursday August 3rd, 2023 at 12th Street on North Beach in Hampton, NH.
It was another huge success with dozens of participants and close to a 100 volunteers. If there's a guest list in Heaven, these two young ladies are surely on it. Along with Dave Cropper from Cinnamon Rainbows, and all the amazing volunteers who come each summer.
Like Preston Reusch here. Helping out each summer to put a smile on some young surfer's face. There's no better payoff than getting one of those smiles.
Tony Berardini and Grace have been friends for years, and it's obvious by this genuine hug that they love seeing one another each year.
Sometimes it takes many hands to make this happen. But nobody complains. It's always done with love and respect. I've been to every single one of these except the first one. So I have seen it build from just a handful of participants and volunteers
to what it is today. And make no mistake about it, it is every bit as impressive as I am letting on to you today. Watch for the video later today or tomorrow. And be sure to check out the photo gallery in the photo section.
NUNO AND EXTREME AT THE CASINO 8-3-23
I have seen some of the world’s best guitarists in my life. Beck, SRV, Clapton, Trower, Satriani, Bonamassa, Ty Tabor, Johnny A, Elliot Easton, Buckethead, Prince, DiMeola, Santana, and the list goes on and on. But this guy? He is one of the absolute best. His raw, intense energy, coupled with an incredible array of tone and bite, plus his blistering, searing solos are second to none. Oh, and his vocals? Powerful. And, he’s a great insightful songwriter. He is NUNO. And he is a monster. Last night at the Casino (Thursday August 3rd, 2023) I stood next to one of my old bandmates, and current bass player for a lot of my solo stuff, Rich Appel. We were both in complete awe of his playing. His band is Extreme, with Living Color opening the show. Both bands rocked the snot out of that room.
But I was really impressed with Extreme.
Their new material mixed with their old songs made for one hell of a rock show. Whoa. I mean there was NO dead weight in that band. None. Everyone could play and sing. I’ve gotten pretty lucky in my later years, as far as being blown away by players and musicians. I’ve seen more great players in the last 10 years than I have in the last 50 years. EXTREME is just that. Extreme. And while I admit I was never a big fan of MORE THAN WORDS I can certainly appreciate the song for what it is. It’s a hit. No question about it. It was/is a bona fide hit.
But if you were just some random fan hearing “More Than Words” and never heard anything else by this band? You would be in for a sudden and loud shock. They are so much More Than Just Words. Boy are they ever. They are in my honest opinion, the BEST Hard Rock band to ever come out of New England. Yes that means BETTER Than Aerosmith (Perry and Whitford could only dream about playing like Nuno). BETTER Than BOSTON. BETTER Than ANYBODY in the HARD ROCK Genre. That’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.
J Geils is more Blues/Pop than Hard Rock, and The CARS are clearly New Wave/Pop. I am talking strictly about HARD ROCK.
EXTREME is the BEST HARD ROCK Band to ever come out of New England. I mean it.
In fact they might be considered one of the BEST Hard Rock Bands in the Nation and dare I say it? The world! There, I said it. Because it’s true. Listen and watch their new video called REBEL. Google it on YouTube. Then buckle up and hold onto your seat. Because you are gonna be gut punched, and gut punched hard. Trust me, these guys rock. Don’t pass up any opportunity to see them live. Trust me.
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Ed O'Connell was one of the most loved surf photographers in New England. A US ARMY Vietnam Veteran who saved the lives of so many ARMY Grunts in Nam in 68-69 as a Medic on board those Dust Off Hueys.
He was a dear friend of mine.
When he passed on July 1st, 2014 I swore I'd keep his memory and legacy alive by giving him this weekly corner. He loved surfing and he loved taking photos of all the surfers. Not just those who could really stand out. He shot every one. As long as I shall live and breathe the salt air, there will be a corner dedicated to Ed.
ED'S CORNER August 6th, 2023
This pic was shot on August 10th, 2011. The surfer is Max Fatello kindly click on the pic above to see the larger version and a slightly later frame. Confused? Click on this pic to see what I'm talking about. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.
HOT OFF THE PRESSES (literally)
Jim Sullivan spent 26 years writing for the Boston Globe and two decades more writing for national publications. He has interviewed and reviewed countless musicians, many of them multiple times. Access to such A-list stars is hard to come by in the first place, but Sullivan got to know many of them well enough to engage on a far more intimate level than journalists usually can or do.
The first volume of his music-writing anthology focuses on artists who came to prominence in the 1950s and ’60s. Twenty-one of them are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Rather than simply collect up previously published articles as they originally appeared, Sullivan combed through his archive to find everything he wrote about each artist and worked the pieces together into a more expansive time-passages view that chronicles their changing situations, outlooks and experiences.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO PURCHASE A COPY.
AND SPEAKING OF NEW BOOKS. COMING THIS FALL. The long awaited book that I have been writing the last 10 years or so. Yes, there will be a book signing. And I will let you all know in advance, where and when. Meanwhile Click on the image below to see a larger version. The book will be available in both hard cover and soft cover on AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, INGRAM, and KOBO PUBLISHING. It's been a long time coming. I'm pretty stoked about this project. 72 years in the making. Stay tuned.
Most of my close friends have heard some of these stories first hand. But trust me, with over 100 stories, there's a handful that none of you have ever heard. It's true. Be patient my friends. It's all coming in the fall of 2023. Just in time for the holidays.
Check out the RETURN of the 2023 HAMPTON BEACH COMEDY FESTIVAL . Now there's 5 days in August you need to put down on your calendars.
The HIT THE BEACH DAY is on Friday August 25th, 2023.
Hard to believe it's been 15 years of HIT THE BEACH.
This is going to be a big day at the beach. We are currently working with the State to get the beach cleaned up the day or two prior to the HTB day. As most of you know, we have had huge amounts of seaweed on that beach every year. It would be nice to have it clean for once.
We're just trying to get permission to allow Anthony Curro to bring his backhoe down at 18th Street. Otherwise we have to remove it all by hand again. And that is NO fun.
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TWO DAYS AT THE BEACH. SATURDAY August 5th & SUNDAY August 6th, 2023. Cory and I along with our grandkids.
The day started with the kids boogie boarding, and then Avery started to get into a crouching position on her little boogie board. Long story short, Bill Morrissey walked by with his wife Ellen, and spotted her trying to stand up on the small softop boogie board. So he offered Avery his 6' soft top short board. Well, it wasn't long before she was getting to her feet, and surfing on the new soft top. She did pretty damn good.
She listened very closely to what Bill and I were saying to her and before you knew it she was getting to her feet and riding the little inside waves all the way to the beach.
When her mom Gabby saw the pic on the left of her oldest daughter, she dug up this old pic of her standing in the same stance. Pretty cool.
And old friend dropped by last week. MACCA from Australia. He brought his significant other Sophie with him. I missed them both the last time they came to America.
But this time though. We had a great visit and we all got caught up on our exciting lives.
And this trio. Macca, Ralph, and Mackey. We had some good laughs.
Macca is a special friend, and we all had a great time.
I hope he scored the waves from today. Lucky for you Macca, the water is warmer.
HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY SKYE ROSA! The most stoked individual in the Seacoast Surfing Community. See you on the beach Skye!
“SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.”
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ATTENTION ALL 45 FANS!
It's time to let him go. He's quickly circling the drain, and there's not much of a chance of him ever getting back into the White House. Three indictments in four months? That's insane. I mean think about it. He's all done. Stick a fork in him. He's not coming back. It's over.
The truth is, 46 is right there with him. Nobody wants either one of them. They both need to go. It's over. We someone new.
Today is the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima in Japan. August 6th, 1945. That's 78 years ago. Last week when the movie OPPENHEIMER opened it was eerily clear that they did it to coincide with the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The movie is about the mastermind who came up with the first Nuclear Bomb. And because the Sheik heard the word "mastermind" Ole Khaliddy did what Khaliddy does. He made himself appear in the most unusual of scenes. Like this one.
How does he do it every week? Come on man, you know how.
Adobe Photoshop and my wild and active imagination. That's how.
And 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 Fire Extinguishers at Home Depot this week.
REST IN PEE WEE HERMAN
REST IN PEACE PEE WEE HERMAN AKA Paul Reubens!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jacquie Wright July 29th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
SKYE ROSA August 6th, 2023!
REST IN PEACE Arthur Pappas father of Cliff Pappas.
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Please keep LOCAL LEGEND Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
Please keep Victor Capozzi in your prayers as he recovers from heart surgery on July 7th, 2023 Beth Israel.
Finally, I'm calling this a special request.
LOCAL SURFER/MUSICIAN PETE KOWALSKI NEEDS A KIDNEY. A TYPE A KIDNEY. PLEASE if you know anyone with a Type A Kidney please contact me at ralph@adlantic.com
SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS!
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 19 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. Surfing Is Supposed to be Fun.
Ralph
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Everybody loves seeing the old pics of surfing. Especially here in Northern New England. If you have any old pics please send them off to me via email or social media. My email is ralph@adlantic.com
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52 YEARS AGO. DOWN IN BAJA WITH TONY BERARDINI.
For those of us who have been around the block in the surf world, these old pics really resonate with the old school surfers. Tony Berardini sent this pic in last week. Just click on the image above to see a larger version.
Photo c/o Tony Berardini
*Click on the photo above to see a larger image
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I kept a daily Blog on my CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY surf campaign, when I surfed every single day for 365 consecutive days. Click on the Banner above to read entries of my daily journey. There's some really interesting and true experiences
that happened during that year. Some of which are to this day, unexplainable. Some are just mind blowing. But all true.
I started on July 26th, 2010 and ended on July 26th, 2011.
Some rainy Sunday, pour yourself a cup and go through the journal.
Pay close attention to the month of May in 2011. Read that month and let me know what you think of that. Be forewarned it will change you forever.
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All photos taken this week unless otherwise noted.
Today- THE 14th ANNUAL SURFING WITH SMILES 8-3-23
Photos by RALPH
(Above) This was a unique photo. The moment a wave his Harper's father.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Click on the ad above to see the Menu and other
important info on their Somerville restaurant and all the
other AMERICAN FLATBREAD locations.
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(Above) This was an even better photo. After that large rogue wave hit Harper and her daddy, she was smiling and wanting more.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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The Haffenreffer family have been helping seacoast families
with their holistic health and optimal wellness for decades. |
(Above) They call it "Surfing with Smiles" because everyone is smiling.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) They smile out in the water and on the beach. Courtney and Billy
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.
Click on the ad above to find out more about
more about local surf artist Stan Chew's art
Clark Little's new book
Click on the ad for more info.
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(Above) The participants smile and the volunteers smile.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Truth be told, it's more like laughing and hooting.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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The SURFER'S JOURNAL is in a league all of their own.
READ the Great piece on local photographer Brian Nevins
DIPG THE CURE STARTS NOW
To learn more about Evan and his journey click here https://thecurestartsnow.org/sup.../view-heroes/evan-austin/
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(Above) The good news about "Surfing with Smiles" is there is NO age limit when it comes to smiling and laughter. Everybody smiles and laughs.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
Click on the ad above to find out more about owner
and creator Ryan Jackson and
NH2o's cool selection
of surf related products. |
(Above) This is called STOKED! Thursday August 3rd, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) The volunteers are always smiling and always stoked.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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If you love the Beatles and you love the guitar
click on this ad above for an amazing instrumental
band playing all of your favorite Beatles songs with
the coolest
arrangements. Johnny A is one of the
best guitar players on the planet.
Peter Stokes is one of the BEST guitar techs in
all of North America. He's the BEST guitar tech
in New England.
Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page |
(Above) Three out of four of the GIRLS ON CURLS were there to help out.
Alyssa, Elena, and Christine.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This was a cool shot (even if I do say so myself). I love the sunglasses on Erica and the surfer.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page
Produced by Steve Sadler.
Visit our Facebook page
The VINNY Band was around from 1976 to 1984
July 30th, 1979 headlining the Paradise Club
In Boston, MA
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(Above) Stevie O'Hara was on the big board assisting the most stoked kid
of the night. Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
Joe Carter, Brian Nevins, and Nick Lavecchia |
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(Above) This kid got the longest ride of the night. No wetsuit and just stoked out of his mind.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) The waves were growing by the minute. And that only added to the stoke and laughter.
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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The art of Donna Baldassari
Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.
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(Above) This is Duffy with his daughter Maci on his shoulders with Stevie O'Hara "Surfing with Smiles"
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) That's Erica hooting this stoked woman on
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Visit Jimmy Dunn's website to find out where and
when he will be performing.
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(Above) This is SURFING WITH SMILES
Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) That's a wrap for the 2023 season. watch for the video in a day or two. Thursday August 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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I love Erica's whimsical Gull art. So cool and unique.
ONLY THE DURHAM STORE IS OPEN.
Due to the massive fire back in August the
Hampton store is closed. We will let you all
know when SECRET SPOT is back in
operation on the seacoast.
Thank you.
Jon Gozzo and family.
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Today- A DAY AT THE BEACH. Sunday August 6th, 2023.
Photos by RALPH
(Above) There were really pretty waves this morning at the Wall.
Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) They were also pretty glassy too. The Wall.
Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) They were also rather hollow as well. The Wall.
Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) They were fun to photograph too. The Wall.
Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) These are our first two grandchildren. Bry and Ave. They LOVE the beach. Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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THE 2023 RPOTW CALENDARS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!Featuring pics from every month from last year's Blog.
Email me directly at ralph@adlantic.com or pick one up
at CINNAMON RAINBOWS in North Hampton, NH
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(Above) Then we were standing in each other's shadow.
Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) She must have ridden 50 waves in two days. maybe more. Avery.
Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Then Bill Morrissey came along and offered to take Avery out
on his short soft top. Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Click on this image to visit Driftwood Photography
"GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A KICK IN THE ADS"
Since 1985.
Everybody has a story to tell |
(Above) The next thing you know, Avery is stand up surfing.
Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Thanks Bill. The seed has been planted. The Wall.
Sunday August 6th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
Today- THE DAY BEFORE AT THE BEACH.
Saturday August 5th, 2023. Photos by RALPH
(Above) She is not one for slowing down and posing. Malia.
Saturday August 5th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Brylee and Avery are not just sisters, they are best of friends.
Saturday August 5th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Avery and Gramps.
Saturday August 5th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) They both want to stand on their surf crafts.
Saturday August 5th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) I loved watching them interact as they sat on this big boulder as the waves splashed around them. Saturday August 5th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously.
By 10AM. Make sure they are 1300 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me.
Thank you.
Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics. |
My friend Rick McAvoy from Maine is the creator
behind this unique Surf Company
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(Above) Here's a pic of Tony and I trying to take it all in. Thursday 8-3-23. Photo by Matthew Dean
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Here's a sweet pic of the young volunteers with these smiling happy children. Thursday 8-3-23. Photo by Matthew Dean
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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He's more than just a good photographer
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(Above) All Rise: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session. The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. Case # 735 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK. Click the image above to see the outcome of this Surf Crime and the verdict that was rendered.
Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the outcome
This is what happens if you are found GUILTY. You become invisible.
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Click on this image above to buy this book
and more cool KING'S X merchandise and music
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I see waves today and Tuesday
I'm picking today August 6th, 2023 as the best of the week!
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August 6th, 2023
Not sure what made her think that this would work. But I was shooting her every move when she walked past me. You see it all at The Wall.
(ABOVE) Honestly? This might be the future..
Photo by RALPH
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