January 18th, 2009

Last week I spoke about the darkness in this world. This week I want to mention that there is whiteness in this world as well my friends. And it is called snow. This latest snowfall marks the third weekend in a row that we've been hit with a significant snowstorm.

Am I complaining? Little bit. Just a little bit.

This winter season, has for the first time, in a very long time slowly worked it's way into my nerves. I mean, I have pushed that snowblower for so many hours, that I can still hear the droning of the engine. And each snowblowing session has taken me hours to complete. None of this "in and out" stuff. No sir, I'm out there for hours at a time. Pushing and pulling that beast. Unclogging the snow in the chute. Clearing the ends of both driveways, only to have the the town snow plow truck drive by and block me in.

The futile attempts to keep ahead of the falling snow.

It's all getting to me. Don't know why this year it bothers me and not others. But it is. I know there are those who welcome the snow, mostly due to the alternative pastime of snowboarding. And I admit, there was a time when I was really into it. Not that I still don't enjoy it, because I genuinely do. It's just this year, with the many sub zero cold days, coupled with the never-ending snow storms has, well... It got to me. I think it all started with the blackout back around Christmas.

With No power and the back to back storms. I'm afraid I'm at the breaking point.

I know, there are some of you out there reading this, who have no idea what life is like here in Northern New England during the Winter months. You can't possibly comprehend what our winters are like. It's one thing to look at photos and read about it. But to actually live through a bad one, well, it sometimes has life changing consequences.

I now know why some people say "The hell with this" and just bail on the winters. I get it now. Don't know why it has taken me this long to see the logic behind bailing on our winters. But it has.

Look before any of you think, whoa, Ralph is going to bail on his cherished New England winter scenes, guess again. I might be complaining, but I'm not quitting. I'm not going to give up. I never, ever give up. I'm just bitching for a change. Besides, those who know me well enough will testify, that I actually look forward to snowblowing the driveways. In fact, there are some who say, that I am slightly possessed when it comes to clearing the white stuff out of the driveways.

Truth be told. There's something rewarding about finishing snow blowing the driveways. It's some sort of macho achievement. Not unlike the feeling of mowing your lawn. When you finished a hard snow session and you look back at the perfect snowblown driveways. Snow all over your face and all over your clothes. And you 're frozen to the bones...well it's a good feeling.

Because you've once again, made room for your vehicles in the deep white stuff. Same with finishing up after doing the perfect cut lawn. Those my friends, are good rewarding feelings. I wouldn't want to change those feelings.

Except for maybe, a month or two in the tropics.

Is it me, or do you guys see the parallels to the way weathermen gauge snow falls, and the way we gauge wave size? I mean it's always 2-3" or 4-6" or 6-8" or 8-10" or 12-18" when it comes to snow accumulations. And when we call wave sizes it's usually the same. 2-3', 4-6', 6-8', 8-10' etc etc. There are never odd numbers in either case.

Speaking of wave size. My buddy Tony called me the other day when it was 50 below zero and said there were waist to chest high perfect waves in front of his house. And no one was out. Waist to chest high perfection with no one out. I really thought hard about it and almost went for it.

Then I let the dog out and felt how cold it really was. Then I thought better of it. Is this another sign of the times for me? Have I finally reached the point where fun sized, empty perfection is worth passing up due to the severe cold?

I guess it was true this week.

There was a time in my life, when I would go out in any condition the cold harsh New England winters would throw at me. But work, and other responsibilities dictated otherwise this week. And to think, just 9 years ago I surfed every single day for one year here in New Hampshire. 365 consecutive days. And if you check your journals, the 2000-2001 winter was not that easy.

There were some very cold days. But that was different. I was surfing for a cause. Not for the simple sake of getting wet, and catching a few waves. But I have to say, a big part of me, wanted to paddle out that day this past week, just so I could prove something to myself. And that is...I am still stoked to be able to surf here in the Winter.

For those of you keeping score. I have yet to surf in 2009.

I was looking through the new SURFER mag the other day and was once again horrified at the latest "Slab" spot. This one is off the coast of Northern Cal or Oregon. And like all the other 'slabs' before it, this one is equally sick. Have we really gotten to the point in this lifestyle or sport, where people will try and surf anything that looks potentially dangerous and makeable? I guess I answered my own question. Yes we have.

This Slab obsession that some surfers have is beyond my general scope of what I feel is "fun".

In other words, surfing these "slabs" looks anything but fun. And you really have to ask yourselves. Would they surf these things if there was no coverage in the surf media? My guess is no. Although, I'm sure there are those out there who would and more than likely will in the future. But dam it just looks crazy to me.

And by the way, if any of you ever get the hankering to surf some of our "slabs", and make no mistake about it, we have a few, please give me a call. I'd love to be able to document it. And if nothing else, we could at least play the footage of your last ride at your funeral.

There's an old saying, "If a heavy looking spot is empty, there's usually a good reason why."

Last week's column generated quite a few emails from the masses. I need to Thank all of you who sent me those uplifting, positive emails. It was very thoughtful of you to take the time to address those negative subject matters. I know it was difficult for a lot of you parents with kids who are entering their teenage years, and others who have lost loved ones to the darkness I wrote about. But I think we can all agree, that if we can save one life from that darkness it was well worth it.

I hope we never have to deal with either one.

The Nevins photos of the Children of the Dump in Nicaragua really brought a lot of response from the surf community. And after communicating with both Brian and a few others about the plight of the children of Centro America it turns out that there is in fact organizations that will accept donations. I will post the websites of two organizations that deal with the poor families directly.

The first website is lovelightandmelody.org This is the organization that Brian deals with directly and there is plenty of info there for anyone to donate and or get involved with. I've posted the remaining photos from Brian's amazing trip below. If last week wasn't enough of a reminder for us all that we should be thankful for what we have, then this week's Nevins photos will be.

I am posting this other website for those wishing to donate to those in need in Central America. This a great organization that helps poor farmers in Central America, including Nicaragua. www.sustainableharvest.org was founded by NH native and UNH grad, Florence Reed (read about Flo in UNH magazine: http://unhmagazine.unh.edu/sp05/plantinghope.html SHI provides tools, knowledge, and assistance in implementing sustainable farming methods that dramatically improve people's lives.

The main thing SHI provides is knowledge, and that the people then work hard to make these improvements themselves. Not only that, but these methods are somewhat self-perpetuating, as the techniques are often passed along from neighbor to neighbor.

If any of you readers of Ralph's Pic Of The Week would be willing to donate to SHI, an anonymous donor would match these donations up to a total of $5000. Again Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) provides farming families in Central America with the training and tools to overcome poverty while restoring our planet's tropical forests.

Readers can go to www.sustainableharvest.org for more information or to donate. PLEASE put a note in the comments section of their online donation page saying this donation generated from "www.ralphspic.com".

Thank you again for your support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact SHI by email rgsullivan@sustainableharvest.org or 207-669-8254.

In either case. You should check out these websites and see what they are doing to help out these families in Central America. Especially if any of you ever plan on surfing there someday.

Now for some of my weekly observances;

I don't suppose any of you heard about PETA's ridiculous statement about renaming the Fish in the world's oceans "Sea Kittens"? I swear to you all, PETA wants to rename Fish "Sea Kittens". Why? They figure that by naming the Fish 'Sea Kittens' people will not want to harm them.

They are right, I don't want to harm Fish, I just want to eat them. However, I do want to harm PETA. With a slap of common sense! What is wrong with this world?

Israel has stated that they are willing to adhere to a Ceasefire. That's great news for the many displaced civilians on both sides of this conflict.

The US Airways Plane that crash landed on the Hudson River and all 155 people walked away. Are you kidding me? Now that pilot should get a raise. That was one of those amazing stories that will undoubtedly make a great Made for TV movie.

Monday is Martin Luther King Day. You have to believe that Dr King is sitting in heaven and beaming with pride with the knowledge that the very next day, January 20th 2009 the United States of America will Inaugurate the first Black President in our Nation's History.
Barack H. Obama will become our nation's 44th President. Surely, Martin Luther King's Dream has become a reality. As a nation we have come a long way.

And I reiterate what I said after the November election.

That I will support President Obama 100%. Because he is our president, and the last thing he needs, is a hoard of embarrassing BUSH type haters bringing him down. Let's ALL Support President Obama and hope that there will be change coming.

OK it looks like The ARIZONA CARDINALS will face the PITTSBURGH STEELERS in Superbowl 43. Sorry Assante...looks like you'll be sitting home watching the Big Game like your ex teammates. McNabb grabbing the phone on the sidelines last week to mock the Giants was bad karma. That did come back and bit him in the ass.

I want the Cards over the Steelers. Why not? I love the underdogs. After all, we were underdogs when we won our first Superbowl. Boy that seems like a long time ago.

Don't forget "GREETING SEASONS" and "Groovemasters" are in the shops!

There's still time to score one of Brian Nevins's canvas print orders. Brian Nevins 949.295.9390
www.briannevins.com

Kevin Doherty and Chris Shipley both have 2009 Calendars in the Shops Check em out!


QWILL is available on myspace.com/qwillmusic

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week Especially: Ed O'Connell, John Carden, Brian Nevins, Bernie Baker, Jamie Wade, Kevin Doherty, Lenny Nichols, Chris Shipley, The Phantom, Ross Kunkel, Bob Consentino, and Chris Thompson and all the others.

Rest in Peace Ken Buell. Ken was a WWII Veteran who lived to be 94.

Happy Birthday Kim Grondin January 13th!
Good Luck Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels..we'll miss you guys...

Remember my friends...Surfing heals all wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph