This was no coincidence.
The posting of this pic above and the one over on the right at Ed's corner. There is a similar look and feel to both of them. They were both shot in November and they both had that same texture and they were almost identical in size. So no my friends it was all intentional. As most of you already know, I am a visual individual. I see the big picture on most days. I try not to overlook the obvious. Especially when it's right smack in front of my face like this scenario. I posted this pic (above) on social media and it garnered quite a few likes. I should post Ed's as well. Seeing Ed's pic is just another reminder of how much we all miss him. He would have loved this BLACK FRIDAY swell.
And I'll tell you another not so obvious coincidence.
All day yesterday I could NOT get the song BLACK FRIDAY out of my head. You know the one by STEELY DAN. I love that song even if it was stuck on a continuous loop in my brain. I shot a lot of video on BLACK FRIDAY. All 4K. I think (pray) I got some good stuff. I'll be editing that clip this coming week. For whatever reasons I didn't see this swell being as good as it turned out. Yeah, I knew there would be waves, I just didn't see the quality until I drove down the street and saw it with my own eyes. In hindsight I should have had my video camera with me on the first run. I only had the NIKON still camera with me.
It was video worthy straight out of the box. Like this scene.
This guy was coming out of the water when this dog attacked him. The dog was really trying to bite the poor kid. I don't know if the dog thought the surfer was some kind of wild walrus or seal but it was super aggressive. I had to yell at the owner (a young woman) to control her animal. The kid was clearly rattled, and she was just standing there watching it all go down. Idiot.
I swear, the things I witness down at the beach.
And on this BLACK FRIDAY I saw and witnessed a lot.
Starting with the bitter cold. Oh yeah, it was cold. And that biting NW wind didn't help matters either.
The rain the night before turned to ice along the sidewalk and road. People were slipping and sliding all morning long.
This is really just a tease of what's really coming. Those of us who live here in New England are well aware of what Mother nature has in store for us this winter. No secrets there. Being on the beach year round I see and hear it all.
As I was standing there shooting I didn't have my trademark cover (hat) on. So I must have looked like some old guy taking photos of the surfers. Most times people recognize me and say hello. But for this swell I was out of uniform as it were. But being undercover this morning I was able to eavesdrop on a few conversations. And this is one of what I heard verbatim.
Surfer A: "Dude How's it Goin?"
Surfer B: "Dude Good!"
Surfer A: "Dude it's great to see you!"
Surfer B: "Dude it's great to see you too!"
I guess they were both named Dude.
What are the chances?
I have to say, these guys above were NOT the ones having that conversation.
Though looking at their actions here in this photo, it sure speaks volumes of what's going on inside their heads. It was after all relentless out there.
There were virtually no lulls in the sets. It was a constant battle to paddle out.
And I can remember quite vividly being a young surfer and paddling out on a cold winter day with my friends.
None of us really voicing our concerns for fear of being labeled a "chicken shit." We all just sucked it up and paddled out.
They were watching the locals out there tearing it up. I remember that too.
One of the locals they were watching was Richie Appel.
I shot a bunch of pics of Richie this morning as he was making most of the waves out there. It's usually those who know this spot that do well. And if you live here? That makes for more water time and getting to know the breaks better than those who have to drive an hour or two and miss the right tides and conditions. Local knowledge is key. Any way, I was stoked to get so many pics of Richie. I know his family quite well and his dad and I go way back. Rock and Roll and being Outdoors-men.
I'm sure his dad will be stoked to see all the pics I shot of his son.
The wind picked up as the day wore on. Though the offshore winds are great for hollow conditions as well as for shooting. I shot a lot of 4K video yesterday. I can't wait to see what I got.
Anyway, further down the road this spot was starting to show it's teeth. And it was here that I shot all of the video clips. Again, I was under dressed, but I did have my cover with me. I really needed my hood though. My ears were cracking in the biting wind. But looking at these waves? To hell with me being cold. I need to get the shot! And I got a few. There's a bunch of silver barrels down in my Black Friday gallery. It's a photo feast my friends. A feast!
Uh oh...
here comes winter. Ugh.
Each year this happens to us. The first storm. The first snowfall. We all have to go from lawnmower mode to snowblower mode. I basically switch to auto pilot. I go through the motions. I mean it's not like I have much of a choice here. I suppose I could move and head south, but that's never gonna happen. So I roll with the punches, and this storm is looking like it's gonna punch us all right in the gut. Suck it up my fellow New Englanders, Winter Is Coming!
If you're looking for a cool Christmas Holiday store to shop on Cape Ann you need to check this cool little Home Decor shop called THE DOVE.
Our dear friend Nancy Martin runs this cool store. Stop by and tell her hello from me.
The DOVE is located in Rockport, MA on 4 Dock Square.
The DOVE is the Perfect Holiday Store.
"Surfing and The Holiday Spirit Heals Wounds."
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As I've already mentioned in the left column. I love this pic. And it so reminded me of the waves on BLACK FRIDAY. This was taken 11 years ago. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.
Now for Some Local, National and International News
YES this is a GREAT Movie. Cory and I watched it on NETFLIX on November 27th. It's a long one. Three and a half hours long. But worth every second. The list of stars is worth the price of admission alone. Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Ray Romano, Harvey Keital, and more. But those names alone should peak your interest. If you don't have NETFLIX you're stupid. It's 2019 my friends. Get with the program.
I'm not going to ruin the movie by writing any kind of review (not just yet anyway). Suffice it to say, it's about JIMMY HOFFA. If you don't know who Jimmy Hoffa is I suggest you Google him.
I will say that the special affects of aging in this movie is stunning. They go from making the main characters look old to looking young. And they do it seamlessly.
From left to right. Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, Martin Scorsese, Harvey Keital, and Robert DeNiro. That's a fistful of talent right there.
And this? (Below) Not so much. 45 made a surprise visit to AFGHANISTAN where he served the troops a Thanksgiving meal. OK I'll give him credit for that. Though I would not have worn that silly suit with the Big Red Tie flopping all over the place. He should have dressed down. But I'm sure he was adamant about wearing his Red Tie and suit.
Meanwhile he's facing a December 6th deadline as to whether or not he will testify himself or a have a lawyer present instead.
For someone who tweets a million times a day about how much this is a HOAX and a WITCH HUNT you would think he would want to personally want to clear his name. Here's your chance sir. Put up or shut up. Tell the American People your side of this story.
ESM (Eastern Surf Magazine) using a READY MAG format did the Best of Ralph's Pic. And while they couldn't possibly use everything thing I've ever done, they did manage to put up some 50 pics of mine, plus two videos. And I was truly humbled by their intro. Mez said some nice things about me. CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE THE WHOLE Spread.
COMING FATHER'S DAY 2020.
While I was making the GRANITE GIRLS video I came up with this project and concept. It's never been done before. As hard as that seems to be. I'm onto yet another never been done before Surf Movie concept. This will be an overview of Surfer dads and their sons. It's a work in progress and I'm hoping to get as many dads and their sons as possible in this movie.
The DVD's are available at all the local surf shops. Or by
sending me an email. ralph@adlantic.com or send a check for $20.00 made out to ADLANTIC and send it here:
ADLANTIC
c/o OC Studio Suites
703 Ocean Blvd Suite C-4
Hampton, NH 03842
Or RENT or BUY it Online. You have spoken and I have listened. You don't have a DVD player so I made it available Online. Watch it on your Smart TV, your computer, or your cellphone! I can't make this any easier my friends.
GRANITE GIRLS and The RIVER WOMEN from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.
NOW AVAILABLE on VIMEO ON DEMAND.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
This should be of no surprise to any of you. Though one would think that wardrobe would have had Ole Khaliddy in a damn suit. I wonder why Marty didn't give KSM any credits in the film? Maybe he was cut from the final draft? Regardless, it's a great movie.
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 Teamster Applications at Home Depot this week.
REST IN PEACE Jake Burton.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
HAPPY KWANZA!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
PLEASE Keep longtime NH Surfer Greg Smith in your Prayers.
Lenny Nichols & Colin Madden
Co-Directors, NNE District
Eastern Surfing Association
www.esa-nne.org
@esa.nne.surf
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 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. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
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(Above) Pic number two of the same sequence.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) And pic number three. See the whole sequence in this gallery.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Richie Appel in the sweet spot from a fun little sequence.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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(Above) I was happy to shoot Richie after months of not seeing him.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) The waves were clearly not for the faint of heart. You had to really
want them. No hesitations. BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) The strong offshore winds were good for AIRS. But you still had to come down at some point. Richie Appel looking for the soft cushion to land on.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) I swear that 90% of the waves were hollow.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Ian Dreher sizing up the oncoming wedge section.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Like I said, it was the empty waves that stole the show.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) I shot mostly video of the boys out there. Here's a rare still of Kainalu Nichols.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) I like the pulled back look.
BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2019.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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