I guess I really wasn't paying that close attention to this alleged flat spell. After all, when you are doing what I'm doing (surfing everyday) you tend to not notice if there's real surf or not. In fact, if anything you become immune to it. Real Surf. Hell most days I'm looking at waves and measuring them in increments of inches. It's true. I'm not looking at waves that are significant. I'm looking to get on something that can actually push me along. And by pushing, I'm talking the prescribed 9 feet.

You know my own criteria. To catch at least one wave and go the length of my board.

But it wasn't until today that I realized that it had been 23 days since I last rode my short board. Damn. Twenty three days. That's a bona fide flat spell. For most people.

I'd like to say it felt strange getting on that board, but I can't. I mean 23 days of not surfing my shortboard is not that big of a deal. I've been surfing everyday since 7-26-10. Today was 216 consecutive days. I will however say, that the waves today put me into a better mood than I had been in earlier this week.

I don't care where you live and where you surf. A good day surfing can really change your attitude. And it does not matter how long you've been surfing. 20 years or 2 years. The feeling is the same. The stoke is equal. It brings out the best in all of us. Surfing.

This week had been full of heartache and more bad weather.

My friend Jacko lost his beloved pet cat "Red". Red was the brother to his other cat "Yellow". Red and Yellow had been part of Jack's life for years. To suddenly lose a pet is heartbreaking. And really, only a pet owner knows what that feels like. I lost my dog back in November. And today was his birthday. He would of been 14 today. I still miss him. Scout was a good dog. We did go out and get another dog, and while he will never replace Scout, Little Patch has worked his way into our hearts. We all love him.

Jack might one day get another kitty to keep Yellow company, but for the time being he's building his relationship a little bit closer with Yellow. They both need each other. That same day, I heard the news that a friend of mine had passed away and that I was summoned to do a service for him. He was a WWII Veteran. And he was a true sweetheart of a person. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. That's the truth.

I can't say that about most people I know. Myself included. But I can say it about Dave.

I had to do perform a service that our Veteran's Group does if the family of the deceased request it. I don't mind doing it. In fact, I feel very comfortable doing them. I know how much it means to the families of the fallen. WWII vets are fast becoming pages in history books or old movie clips on the History Channel. We used to have dozens in our Vets group. We now have just a handful. They are leaving us every single day.

My late father used to tell me that he had Civil War Veterans come to his school and visit them. I used to shake my head in disbelief. But it's true. When my dad was in elementary school they had old Civil War Veterans come to their school and talk with the kids. When I speak at the schools I always have the WWII Vets stand up. I tell the kids that story my father told me. And I try to create that parallel with the Civil War Vets my father met to the WWII Vets the kids meet today. My friend Dave was one of those proud WWII Vets who used to stand up when I called them to stand and say hello.

The kids loved Dave. Now I have to tell them that Dave is gone.

Like I said, it was a sad week. Then of course, the snow came again. What was this the 100th storm? I've lost track. I know some of you love the winter. I love it. I would love it more if I could enjoy the snow in the Mountains. Next year I plan on doing a lot of snowboarding. But I know that next year we will have a mild winter. Why? Because I'm not surfing everyday. I know it's hard for those of you who live in warmer climates to understand what kind of winter we are having back here in the Northeast. Hell it's hard for me and I've lived here my entire life. Suffice it to say, it's been a rough one.

But today? Oh man today was a welcome sight. A chest high green and clean wave can do that to you. It can just make your whole day. And in some cases, it can make your whole week. Watching those waves unfold this morning at the Wall and seeing my friends out there pulling into those barrels was just the best feeling. It felt good to shoot them and even better to surf them. And I know I was not the only one who felt this. There were smiles everywhere. 23 days is a long time in the dead of winter to go without a significant swell. But that all ended today. After the slush/sleet/snow storm passed over us the swell lines cleaned up with the brisk offshore winds and the results were perfect little chest high barrels.

I had every intention of digging up some old leftover pics that I had saved away for a rainy day. Much like what I did last week. But once I saw the waves, I was all over shooting them this morning. Ed was going to send me pics that he had stored on his hard drive too but this swell was worth shooting. I'd rather give you all some fresh candy as opposed to the older stuff. Even though, some or rather most of the images I was going to run have never been seen before. But I think you'll dig the fresh stuff.

And speaking of fresh our West Coast partner Ben Ginsberg sent in some sick pics from this last week as well. In fact, Ben sent me some wild Sequences that I'll be running next week. Ben's been so amped getting into the water with his new housing. His water pics are really getting exciting with each new batch he sends. He's got some really hot surfers that he works with on a pretty regular basis and it's always a stoke factor to open his files to see what he's got this time. I know you'll be stoked to see the pics this week and the sequences next week.

The Phantom is planning another covert operation. This one is really tight lipped and the word has it that they are going deep into some untapped wave fields. The locals consist of Big Black Bears who roam the beaches and points and haul off unsuspecting surfers and chew on their limbs. That's partly true. There are bears where they are going. But so far no one has been eaten. But hey there's always a first time. I would like to think that if a bear were to haul off one of the Phantom's crew, that someone would at the very least capture it on film. After all, it's all about the photos here on this weekly blog. Be neat to see a surfer fighting off some bear while the Phantom takes pics of the whole thing.

Same with you guys heading down to Central America. If you encounter any salt water crocs please get some pics. My readers are looking for something out of the ordinary. Or maybe it's just me. In any case, if you have a big Salt Water Croc in the water with you take some freaking photos. Everyone and their brother has a digital camera these days. Most of you have those new Flip Phones that shoot HD video. It's amazing to think what's out there. No not the cameras...the wildlife. Crocs, bears, snakes, sharks, and adverse weather conditions. All for the taping. Get it on film before you attempt to rescue one of your friends. Do it for the boys back home.

They are calling for more surf this week. So the NEW RUN has started. How long will this one go? The last drought lasted 23 days. Let's hope we are on track for more weekly surf that is waist high or better. I liked riding my shorter board again. And I liked shooting waves that were worth shooting. And who knows, maybe the next swell one of us will catch you pulling into that head high barrel. I've got a half a dozen or more UNKNOWNS in this week's pics alone. You could be next.

Remember, it's better to look good, than to feel good.

Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
All eyes are on Libya this week as the country has exploded in massive protests. The country has been divided by the protestors against Qaddafi Duck and his henchmen, and those who actually support that lunatic. Look, I know we are all supposed to be "God's Children" but I'm sorry. If we believe in God, we must believe in Satan. And if we believe that there is a Satan, then we have to think that if there are God's Children, then there must be Satan's children. Gaddafi is one of Satan's kids.

That guy is a freaking loser. Have you watched any of his INSANE speeches last week? Come on people. This guy is NOT playing with a full deck. This is something out of the comic books. His sons are just as bad. And what's up with the 40 women bodyguards? I mean Hugh Hefner does not have that. Kaddafi is CRAZY. Besides I have not forgotten the Pan Am Flight 103. And neither should any of you.

The protests are widespread. The Internet has become the tool of information that is fueling these huge anti government protests. Hundreds of people are dying as I write this. It's running amuck in the Middle East.

The Middle East is unraveling. How it all plays out is anyone's guess. I do know that the Gas at the cheapest gas station in my town was $3.21pr gallon. Gulp. Looks like I'll be riding my bike a lot this summer. This is serious shit my friends. And there's no end in sight. Talk about the domino affect. Holy crap Batman this Freedom stuff is catchy.

So by now you've all heard about the Four Americans who were killed by those scrawny assed Somalian Pirates last week. I mean Good Lord. They were off the coast of Somalia handing out Bibles? Are you Kidding me? I have nothing against those who read and live by the Bible. I have nothing against those who travel around the world to teach the writings of the Bible. But Somalia? Hello? That's stupid. Dumb asses.

No one deserved to die. But dammit people, our US Servicemen had to risk their lives to try and save them. Because these four idiots thought..." Why not? Let's head off to Somalia and maybe we can convert a few Pirates into stopping their Pirate ways and get on the Christian path to righteousness?" Pirates are not going to convert. Unless there's money involved. I feel sorry for the family members of those losers.

Rest in Peace you sea going fools.

Speaking of fools. Pro Surfer Sunny Garcia was videotaped beating up some skinny Aussie surfer last week after the guy gave some crap to Sunny's 16yr old son. It's all on YouTube. You can go and check it out for yourselves and come up with your own take on this absurd episode. But for me? It's another case of Sunny being a bully and getting away with this crap. He should be fined and kicked off any contest tour for at least a year. If this was Basketball or Football, he'd be suspended and forced to pay huge fines. But this is Surfing. Nothing will happen. The tour needs to do something about this. This is clearly sending the wrong message to our youth.

OK...Charlie Sheen has stepped off the deep end. The Two and half Men star has been fired. He went off on his bosses on a radio call in segment. Look, Charlie is sick, He's an addict and he's got some serious issues. Same with Lindsay Lohan. Still, they need to be held accountable for their actions. So I say we send them both to Afghanistan for one week. One week in the field with the grunts. Charlie should do OK, after all, he starred in "Platoon." He should fit right in. Lindsay may have trouble though. One thing's for certain, they both might actually wake up and realize just how good they have it if that did happen. But then again, they might not.

Finally, I'm still waiting for my wedding invitation to the Royal Wedding in April. Do you guys have yours? Should I hold my breath? Ha!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE RUN REDUX IS OUT! Pick one up in the shops or email me and order one directly or go to www.surffreeordie.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lenny Nichols February 22, 2011!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Justin Ambrosino February 28, 2011!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PT Sullivan March 1st, 2011!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Erin Keenan March 2nd, 2011!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jane McCarthy March 5th, 2011!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Erin Mace March 6th, 2011!
Rest In Peace RED, beloved Tuxedo cat of John Keefe.

Congrats to Mr and Mrs Wes Osswald on the birth of their Baby boy FINN.
Born on Wednesday February 16th, 2011. Finn and Mom are doing fine and are
at home safe and sound.

Don't forget to Check the DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click
On the Banner on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDS 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.
ALL of December and January will be up before the end of this month . The DROPPING IN ON RALPH section will be up to DATE as soon as I can find the time to do it. There's just so much a man can do in a single day. But I do want to update that as it is entertaining to say the least. Because there's some great letters from you guys from all over the world. (And a few hurtful ones too). But check it out.
*This is the blog section of this website where you can write in and comment. The only downside of this blog is, you actually have to use your REAL Name. No hiding behind some fake handle and name. If you want to comment, you have to man up, and be yourself. I will post all comments, both good and bad. You just have to be yourself.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week
every week for the last 7 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