Ralph's Pic Of The Week BLOG

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January 19th, 2014 The RUN is 11 out of 12 Weeks Waist high or better, at least once a week. There was GOOD surf on January 12th, and 17th, 2014	All materials contained in this blog are protected by copyright laws, and may not be reproduced, republished, distributed, transmitted, displayed, broadcast or otherwise exploited in any manner without the express prior written permission of the owner, the author, authors or sources of said materials.

Another Snow Storm, and another Snowy Owl Pic.

I'm writing this blog on Saturday night. It has been snowing all day. For some reason I missed the weather last night and today, and quite frankly, this little storm caught up to me. It looks like it is starting to pile up. And I'm really not in the mood for more snow blowing. I mean I just got used to the THAW.

This is not right. Yes it is Ralph. It's January. It snows in January.

OK raise your hand if you have not seen a Snowy Owl yet? Really that many huh? I find it hard to believe, seeing how there are a million photos of the multiple Snowys seen all over the seacoast. They seem to be everywhere.

The photos are popping up all over the social media scene. And most of them are really good. But I must say, this particular photo (below) is the best of the bunch.

Ed O'Connell shot this photo somewhere in Rye, NH.

It is in my honest opinion, the best one I've seen so far. It's really a magnificent bird to see in person. And if you have not seen one yet, it's only a matter of time. Seriously. Open your eyes and look.

I think once the whole Snowy Owl craze dies down, we should have
a gallery of all the Snowy owl pics from the seacoast and call it
"The Best Of Snowy." Why not. There are so many pics of the white bird, we might as well share them with the world. But right now, this is the best pic. Thank Ed O'Connell.

OK, so later Sunday afternoon, early evening, we should all know, if our New England Patriots are headed for the Superbowl. I am not for one predicting scores. I'll leave that to the Vegas guys, I of course want the Patriots to win. But I won't be surprised if they don't.

They have lost so many key players this year ,it's a miracle that they made it this far. But I'm not counting them out.

I'm hoping that this photo above is a repeat after Sunday's game.

The Brady vs Manning hype is in fifth gear. The bookies are having
a field day, as well as all the talking heads on sports TV and radio. Not to mention all the arm chair, Monday morning quarter backs.

In fact, I think they are the worse of all. It seems that everyone has an opinion on who is going to win and why. But me? I'll hold my thoughts and predictions for now.

Though I do tend to call plays throughout the games, and more times than not, I am right. Not saying I'm some sports genius .

Hardly. I'm an idiot when it comes to "X" and "O"s. But I do seem to have a knack for calling the right play at the right time. Just ask my texting buddies. Barbara, Joe, Tony, and my brother Johnny.

Call it a gut feeling. Or call it something else.

Remembering Martin Luther King. Monday January 20th, 2014.

"Peace and Freedom heals all wounds!"

Are you like me? Do you find yourself counting the items in shopping carts from other shoppers that are in the 10 items or less line? I can't help myself. If they are one or two over, I turn a blind eye. But if they are clearly abusing the easy out lane? I'm sorry. I'm saying something.

I won't cause a scene, but I will count "out loud" the number of items in their cart while motioning towards the sign. I mean come on. I bought only a few items to get in and out quick enough. I don't need to get hung up because someone is trying to slip under the radar. Come on. Be truthful.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances
The BIG news coming out of out the movie theaters this last week is, LONE SURVIVOR is raking in the big bucks. I'm sure the Hollywood elite are not happy about that. To bad too. This movie is a must see for everyone of the appropriate age.

Seriously. Go and see it. You might have second thoughts about what a "bad day" is really all about. Based on the True Story of Marcus Luttrell and the SEAL Team that fought and died during Operation Red Wing June 28th, 2005. One of the SEALS CPO Dan Healy is from Exeter, NH. Danny is on the monument in front of the American Legion (next to Flatbread)
in Hampton, NH . Some of the SEALS that died were Surfers.

LONE SURVIVOR is playing at a theater near you. SEE IT.

And now for my weekly humiliation of Khalid Sheik Muhummed (KSM) the mastermind behind 9-11. This week KSM is seen with A-Rod as the once rich and famous baseball player for the Yankees falls from grace. I guess it's true. Misery does love company.

So once again, let's all take a minute, and enjoy the weekly humiliation of the mastermind terrorist who killed 3,000 innocent civilians on September 11th, 2001.

* Note to self. Must pick up a case of Steroid cream at Home Depot this week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Betsy Rowlee Brewer January 18th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Debra White January 18th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Erik Zak January 18th, 2014!
HAPPY MLK Day January 20th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jonathan Wong January 22, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Meighan Rowlee January 22, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Skip Brunette January 22, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ron Freeman January 23, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kody Grondin January 25, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rikki Radkay January 25, 2014!

GET WELL Dr Brent Reinheimer. Thoughts and prayers for Dr Brent please. He was involved in a terrible car accident on Tuesday.
Send cards and well wishes to Exeter Hospital.
Get Well soon to Patrick Meehan !
Rest In Peace Bruce Jones !

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 9 years. **Think about BUYING 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

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. Just click on the banner ads on this page.

Yesterday- DANGER. The Range in Nova Scotia. May 1971.
(Below) For the longest time I thought that I was part of the original crew of Americans to ever surf in Nova Scotia. I went to Nova Scotia the Summer of 1971. But it turns out that Ed O'Connell was there two months before me. Damn Ed. I feel like I've been following Ed for years. He went to Vietnam in 1968. And I went the following year. Any ways, this is the sign that we had to drive past to surf the infamous range. I made a video clip about the Range that you can see on my YouTube Page. Everything on this sign is true. It was that dangerous! Photo by Ed O'Connell.

Click on the photo above to see the larger version.

To contact the advertisers below, simply click on the Ad itself. Anyone wishing to find out info about advertising here can do so by emailing me directly by clicking here. Ralph's Email I'll send you a template and other info on how you can become a paid sponsor

We highly recommend the various businesses and artists listed below. Why? Well simply put, each and every one of them is a Surfer, who lives the Surfing Lifestyle, and their business is a reflection of that lifestyle that we all love.

All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK *Unless otherwise noted.

Today- The Friday Surprise Swell. January 17th, 2014.
Photos by RALPH

(Above) Yep, I thought the same thing. Damn where did this come from?
Friday January 17th, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Unknown pulling in under the sunlit lip. Friday January 17th, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above)*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS
from Lansdale JEEP the last 23 years, and have not had
a single regret. They are the BEST!!
*Click on the Ad above to see more!

(Above) It was so fun looking out there. Friday January 17th, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) It was sunny and glassy. But still cold. Friday January 17th, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- Here Comes The Sun! Monday January 13th, 2014.
Photos by RALPH

(Above) A beautiful four shot sequence of the sun rising on Monday January 13th, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- Super Sunday January 12th, 2014. Photos by RALPH

(Above) The Wall was firing. Sunday January 12, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Backsider's delight. Sunday January 12, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) The inside was working quite nicely. Sunday January 12, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Kevin Grondin barreled again. Sunday January 12, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- Sunday SEQUENCES. January 12th, 2014.
Photos by RALPH

(Above) Check out the dirty brown sequences from Super Sunday. January 12, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- EMPTY Sunday Waves. January 12th, 2014.
Photos by RALPH

(Above) We all LOVE the empty waves. This gallery has a bunch to drool over.
January 12th 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! January 12th, 2014.
Photos by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Jon Kiskinis funky hand jive or dribbling down court. January 12th, 2014.
Photo by Ed O'Connell *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) Ed's favorite angle. It's one of mine too! January 12th, 2014.
Photo by Ed O'Connell*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) I'm sure I know this guy. But I can't be 100% certain. So he shall too become one of the many "Unknowns". And there's no shame in that. We are all unknowns somewhere on this vast planet. January 12th, 2014.
Photo by Ed O'Connell*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- Sunday Funday. January 12th, 2014.
Photos by Brian Nevins

(Above) Nevins was back on the prowl during this brisk, windy, and cold swell.
Sunday January 12th, 2014. Photo by Brian Nevins
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) The great wall of North Beach. She never loses her charm.
Sunday January 12th, 2014. Photo by Brian Nevins
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) How many of you have dreamed about being the size of a GI Joe doll or
Barbie and paddling out here? The bend in all it's tiny glory.
Sunday January 12th, 2014. Photo by Brian Nevins
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- M M M M. Maureen McNamara's Magnificent Maine.
Sunday January 12th, 2014. Photos by Maureen McNamara

(Above) There's something about the Pine State that has it's own unique allure.
Stunningly beautiful Maureen. January 12th, 2014. Photo by Maureen McNamara
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) As far as the eye can see. Big blustery peaks unfold. January 12th, 2014.
Photo by Maureen McNamara*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) When all the elements come together. Waves, surfer, light, and action.
We call it the "Money Shot". January 12th, 2014. Photo by Maureen McNamara
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) There is some serious contemporary surfing going on up there.
January 12th, 2014. Photo by Maureen McNamara
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- Random Pics from The Phantom January 12, 2014.
Photos by The PHANTOM

(Above) This is the dream scene. California surfing- Phantom style.
January 2014. Photo By The PHANTOM
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) By land or by sea. The Phantom always scores.
January 2014. Photo By The PHANTOM
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

We welcome all Surf Related pics from our Readers. Just make sure they are at least 900 pixels wide. If you have any OLD photos of local New England surfers and or of local New England surfing, we would love to see them and share them with our readers. We can scan them for you. And we get them back to you undamaged. Trust me. We can do this...people love the older stuff. So if you have any, please send 'em along. If you have prints/slides we can scan them for you. And we don't care if you shoot pics with with your cellphones. I mean it. Most of the images you see on the news and on the Internet were shot with them Smart Ass Phones. Shoot and ask questions later.

(Above) From last Sunday. January 12th, 2014 . Photo by Arianna Photopoulos.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole photo gallery.

(Above) This might be Jesse Gould with MVF out the back. January 12th, 2014 .
Photo by Arianna Photopoulos.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole photo gallery.

(Above) All Rise: 10th Street District Court of Surf Justice is now in session, the
Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. CASE 249 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Click the photo to see the outcome of this Surf crime and the verdict.
Photo by RALPH

* Click on the photo above to see the OUTCOME.

Click banner below to follow the entire CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY Year Long Blog. From start to finish. In chronological order as it happened. And trust me, a lot happened. Some of it almost too hard
to believe. But it's all there. Every single day.

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

HERCULES UNLOADS ON NEW HAMPSHIRE

This is the clip of the infamous Nor'easter named HERCULES. For two days January 3rd and 4th, 2014 HERCULES unleashed his fury on the seacoast of New Hampshire. Hercules gave us snow, ice, and wind, but there was also some really good surf. This video will show you some of what Hercules brought. The surfers are all local New England riders. Too many to name all of them here. Some you know. Some you don't. But there's the usual crew, Jesse Gould, Max Fatello, Weston Rogers, Ryan McGill, Joel Feid, Perry Reynolds, Johnny Meehan, Mark Jowett, Ryan Reed, Mike Stanek, Lenny Nichols, and Kai Nichols. Plus many more. Like I said, I can't name them all.

www.ralphspic.com www.surffreeordie.com

The music however is by Ty Tabor. His music is the BEST. He produced and performed on this CD and I highly recommend that you purchase his CD along with his other CD's from his main band KING'S X. I'm a huge fan of King's X and Ty. Love their music. www.tytabor.com www.molkenmusic.com

THAW January 12th, 13th, and 17th, 2014

I shot this on Sunday January 12th, 13th, and 17th 2014. Having fun with this NEW Canon G30 HD cam corder. The footage is all hand held. And it's not as shaky as one would think. The surfers are for the most part unknowns.

The music however is by the talented Ty Tabor. You can find Ty on www.tytabor.com and on www.molkenmusic.com

In This Place 1974-1979 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

OK so I'm on a "Yesterday" kick. I can't help it. I admit, I have a soft spot in my heart for all that is related to our Surfing lifestyle, and our community. It is amazing to see how the scene at 10th street has evolved over the decades. The "local" surfers still hang there.

*And in light of Bruce Jones passing a way this week, it seemed only fitting that I post this clip. It features two boards shaped by Bruce Jones that our buddy Robin Rowell brought with him from California.

Some are gone. Like Joe and Moira. And my old dog Calley. Some have quit surfing all together. And some, like Kevin, are STILL ripping after all these years.

Though the surf and the sandbars are the same, that famous stretch of cement, is just now getting a face lift, some 30 plus years later.

The music is once again by my friend Robin Trower, and the song is called "IN THIS PLACE". We used to love that album, Bridge Of Sighs and this song, was my personal favorite.

Enjoy this little nugget from the past. I'm glad I had enough sense to shoot this stuff back then, because if I hadn't, it would of just been faded memories today.

Remember, Surfing Heals All Wounds.

Ralph

"In The Heart Of North Conway!"

"Ride All Day And Into The Night!"

"Where Snow Is Just Around The Corner!"

"Near And Neighborly!"

CLICK CRACKIE BELOW TO SEE All the CRACKIE VIDS!

CLICK ON THE CRACKIE IMAGE TO SEE ALL THE CRACKIE VIDEOS. Crackie's still on an unpaid administrative leave. However if you need a Crackie Fix just click on his face and go to his YouTube page and watch all his absurd videos. And if you have a question for Crackie, no matter how stupid, or absurd, please send it here...crackie@adlantic.com

You can also check Crackie out on Facebook. You should Friend Him...though there are no guarantees that he'll be nice to you.

COMING NEXT WEEK- Jon Kiskinis in a perfect barrel.

Recorded in 1978. Click on VINNY CD art to see a larger
version and how to order this CD and others for sale at
GAF Music. www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic

COMING NEXT WEEK- More Pics from 1-12-14. Photo by Chris Gelinas

Recorded in 1983. Click on VINNY CD art to see a larger
version and how to order this CD and others for sale at
GAF Music. www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic

(Above) Put the cursor over the images above to see happens when you DROP in
on someone. You become Invisible. Simply put the mouse over the photo to see the
original photo and then marvel at the results of what happens when the criminal
becomes invisible.*Put the cursor over the photo to see the Real image.
Photo by RALPH

Today January 19th, 2014
"For two days we all thought it was Spring..."

(Above) This is a rare sight in January in New Hampshire. Photo by RALPH

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