December 25th, 2016 The RUN is 21 out of 21 Weeks.
Waist high or better at least once a week.
There were waist high waves on the 22nd |
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Merry Christmas, Happy Channukah, and Happy Holidays!
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My Christmas message to everyone. Not trying to preach or pontificate to you guys, but it's the time of year where we should all be giving. People talk about giving and helping out all the time, but how many of us actually do anything about it? Seriously. How many? We are bombarded with these sad TV commercials about abandoned pets, and starving children in war torn countries from all over the globe and we become numb to it.
We change the channel, not because we don't care, but more likely we change channels, because we don't want to know about the suffering out there. We want to feel good. It's Christmas. We don't want to see negative images on our TV. We want to see "It's A Wonderful Life" or "Christmas Story" on an endless loop for 24 hours straight.
We can watch little Ralphie with his Red Ryder BB gun over and over again and soak in the innocence of these Holiday movies. Why? Because it makes us all feel good. We can't face the truth of what's really happening to other people all over the globe. Look, I'm not trying to preach the good word, or pontificate about God vs evil here. I don't have to. It's already there.
These times that are coming are unsettling at best. I'm not sure how this new president is going to do. In fact, I'm worried. I'm not sure he's up to the task to lead this country. But I'm willing to give him time. We don't have any other choice. To those celebrities who keep saying they will move away if he becomes president. That's a cop out. Running away never solved anything. We need to stick it out and help make this country "well again", it's already Great. But there's a deep divide out there. And we need to somehow, someway, all get on the same page.
Some of his cabinet picks
have been head scratchers. Not this one.
I hope you're smiling reading this. I can't help myself. I thought this to be clever and funny. Though I don't believe I would be qualified for this position. I'm not qualified to be in any leadership position in the White House. If there was a wise ass secretary that could work. But Secretary of Surfing? I don't know, what do you guys think?
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I mean that. Christmas and Channukah are special times. We should all be happy. And we should all be looking to do something positive. Instead of stressing waiting for waves, do something positive. No matter how big or how small, give back, make someone happy.
Be that person. Who knows, it could spread to others. Do it.
My son with my old 1984 Camo board. He rides it in smaller surf along with my old Black Vinny board. I've got some good shots of him this week riding this old relic of dad's
quiver. I told him that "That board has never been in those positions before. This is all new to that old board."
This is me on that same board in 1984. I was never a radical surfer. Nor was I ever a big wave surfer. I have been out in big waves, but I certainly don't call myself a big wave surfer. I was just the average Joe out there. Still, it's pretty heart warming to see Max ride my old boards the way he does.
See Kevin, there's a reason I kept all my boards. They have been given a second chance by Max taking them out and surfing on them.
Somebody loves his
new dog bed. Patch is digging the new "conform" padding. Good pick Cory. I stand corrected. He does seem to like it.
"Surfing, Snoozing, Christmas, Channukah, and Giving Joy To Those Who Need it, Heals All Wounds"
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This week's pic from Ed's extensive gallery was shot on December 25th, 2010 Christmas Day. It was during my Molly campaign where I had to catch at least one wave a day for 365 consecutive days. So, one of those days would be Christmas. Ed and Kathy came down to shoot that morning. It was fun. Nobody out. Just me.
Merry Christmas Ed and Kathy.
To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.
Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
Holy mackerel! Did the Patriots really beat the Jets 41-3? Yup.
You know, I almost felt sorry for them, but they're the Jets. The New York Jets. And we don't like them. In fact, we don't like any of the New York teams.
So to beat them so bad on Christmas Eve, it was like a Christmas miracle. I just hope we can beat the Dolphins next week.
Number 12 was in the zone. He's incredible to watch. How lucky are we to have Tom Brady for our QB? Here he is throwing to Bennett for the first of his three TD passes of the day.
This is Bennett catching that pass for the TD .
And Malcolm Butler with his two INTs and one fumble recovery was
on fire. Our defense is solid. Good lord, we are looking very good here.
Could this be the year for number 5?
Here's an IMPORTANT MESSAGE from the Rowlee Family.
Dear Molly Fund supporters,
I can't believe we are coming up on the end of our 6th year of The Molly Fund! Your generosity over the years has been overwhelming. Together we have donated close to $350,000 to Dana Farber for families with children battling cancer! Your donations have helped people right in our own little community.
But, we can do more. We have decided that it is time to move all administration of The Fund to Dana Farber. IT WILL STAY THE SAME AS IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, but now we won't have to pay for any expenses associated with running a non-profit (accounting services, board insurance and office supplies). 100% OF YOUR DONATIONS WILL NOW GO DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES. Dana Farber is a non-profit and your donation will still be tax deductible. They will send me notifications of donations so I can personally thank you, and send a sticker.
**Effective immediately, checks will now be made out to:
Dana Farber Cancer Institute with Molly Rowlee fund in the Memo line.
Mail to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Attn: Hannah Casill
Division of Development
10 Brookline Place West, FL 6
Brookline, MA 02245
With all our love, Meg and Buck Rowlee, Skip Brunette, Chuck White, and MP Broderick, the Molly Fund Board.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
Nothing funny about this week's KSM. Why? He hates Christians and Jews. So "F" him. This murderous piece of human garbage is on display here. The photo on the left is the photo that was taken in 2003, when he was captured in Pakistan by two very brave Americans and the Pakistani police. I love the "Belushi" photo. He looks miserable. And he should. The gig was up that night. The party was over. The photo on the right is how he looks today in GITMO. Happier? Yes. But under that hair and beard, he is still one miserable, murderous bastard, who will one day rot in hell.
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 "Flea and lice powder"
at Home Depot this week.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tony Berardini December 24th, 2016!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jesus December 25th, 2016!
Prayers and positive
thoughts to Erica Nardone's recovery.
Please pray for the family of Larry "Longboard Larry" Trinceri. His mother Joan passed away on December 20th, 2016. Losing a parent is hard, but losing one so close to the holidays is exceptionally hard. I hope that Larry and his family will find peace and solace during this difficult time. Below are the service times for his mother Joan.
http://www.mitchellcofuneralhome.com/obits/obituary.php?id=629218 .
Looking for something to do on New Years Eve? How about this?
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 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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Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on
My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner below
on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDED July 26, 2011.
A Wave a day for 365 consecutive days. |
Yesterday- October 11th, 1988
(Below) This photo of this wave and this ride, will stay with me for a long time.
Why? Oh a number of reasons. One of which is I almost drowned that session. If you look closely, you will notice an object hanging around my neck. It was one of those aqua lid type head gear that was popular in the 80's. A few waves before this was taken I had gotten a decent wave and rode it all the way to the inside section. When I kicked out the hood came down and adhered to my face. I couldn't breathe. It was like I was being waterboarded. And then...that's right a set hit. A five wave set. That I had to duck dive with that hood over my face. At one point as I struggled to rip it off, I thought "this might be it". But as my continuous shit luck I've experienced my whole life kicked in, and I was able to rip it down off my fave. I couldn't get it off entirely, so it just hung there for the rest of the session. I still have the thing in my camera room. I like to pick it up and curse it every now and then..
Photo by Michael Baytoff
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*Click on the photo above to see a larger version
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All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK
*Unless otherwise noted. |
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Today-
The waves of December 22nd, 2016.
Photos by RALPH
(Above) The rite of passage. How many surfers have walked out and
into this arena over the years. December 22nd, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) My old camo board being put through some new places.
December 22nd, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS
from Lansdale JEEP the last 25 years, and have
not had a single regret. They are
the BEST!!
*Click on the Ad above to see more!
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(Above) I have never seen this move before. December 22nd, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) Clearly a long board day. December 22nd, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) These waves were perfect for Pev and Kyle. Pev in a backhand glide. December 22nd, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Between the two of them, it was a feast for the eyes.
Kyle on the nose. December 22nd, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Meanwhile, Mackey was pushing the envelope of the old green camo. December 22nd, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) Too late for this one. Kyle turns his head to avoid the cold slap. December 22nd, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) Unknown on a concave glide. December 22nd, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Pev spends a lot of time up there on the nose. December 22nd, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) No question about it. Kyle has style. December 22nd, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) And the same can be said for his goofy foot counterpart Pev. December 22nd, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) And the day ended with a foggy sunset over the marsh.
December 22nd, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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Today-
As promised the last two weeks. The video frame grabs from the last 1980's clip.
Video frame grabs by RALPH
(Above) Believe it or not, that's the board that Max is riding in the gallery above. This is me in 1984 and Cory shot this. From the 1980's clip.
Video frame grabs by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This is me 32 years ago pulling in under the lip. From the 1980's clip.
Video frame grabs by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) This was a big big day. Lots of broken boards and broken
dreams this day. From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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These guys make the BEST decals.
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(Above) Dave Cropper slipping under the warm fall lip at his fave spot.
From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Steve Magliano is a big man who can push a lot of water around.
From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Dave "CROP" Cropper again in familiar waters.
From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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North Conway's Family Mountain
Southern New Hampshire's Favorite Mountain
"New England's Most Accessible Resort Destination"
"Ski All Day And Into The Night"
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(Above) Not sure who this guy was, but I do know that he could surf.
From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) Watching this clip I noticed that young Duffy seemed to like riding in front of his friends. And eventually joining up with them at the end of his ride. Duffy and Mags bonding.
From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) Not that he hasn't heard this a million times before, but Kevin "Doc" Grondin was (is) one of the BEST regular foots to ever paddle out here.
From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) One of the other GREAT regular foots was the late John "JT" Taylor. He had the best cutbacks and kickouts. Nobody could surf like JT. Man we
all still miss him terribly. From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
(Above) Mags again. Just as wild backside as he is frontside..
From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) This makes two according to my count. Duffy getting ahead
of himself, or rather getting ahead of Kevin. From the 1980's clip.
Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) And this makes three. All I can think of is he must of been so desperate to get on film that he was going on any wave he paddled for.
Oh young Duffy was so full of energy it was hard to contain him.
From the 1980's clip. Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) Kevin "Doc" Grondin
From the 1980's clip.
Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) Mags in a dark hole. From the 1980's clip.
Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery
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(Above) From the dirty brown waters of New Jersey, Michael Baytoff snags one of our clean, green, pristine waves. From the 1980's clip.
Video frame grabs by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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(Above)
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