The Swearing In Of Donald Trump, The AFC Championship,
and the End of the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

This really happened. I know it did, because I forced myself to watch it.

I did not see this coming some 18 months ago. I guess, I'm still in shock. I still feel that we had better candidates to choose from than Trump and Hillary. I don't know how this is going to end up, but if the millions of women marching on the 21st is any indication, we are in for a very long haul.



Why is Pence not waving? Seriously. Why is he the only one not waving?



It was almost believable seeing these two couples together.

Though I think Melania has to learn how to smile more. She seems a bit stern. And I'm not quite sure why the Obama's are smiling, Trump is going to dismantle a lot of the accomplishments that Obama achieved. Right or wrong, Trump is going to do things that I'm pretty sure are not going to make them smile. Barack's legacy is at stake here.



Speaking of not smiling. It had to have been such an enormous strain on these two. Can you imagine having to sit through all that pomp and circumstance? How did they do it? Medication would certainly help. I just don't know how we are all going to come together. I really don't. It's going to take years. There is too much dissent and mistrust.

It's going to be a long time coming.



And I REALLY don't know how the hell Donald's hair stood up in the rain!

Did you see it raining on his head? The hair never moved. It was like some kind of shalack, or resin, because that thing did not move. Which makes sense, because it would take a team to get him ready in the morning. If I had to guess, I'd say it was a combo hair spray and resin.



And what's with this double fist pump? Are we some kind of a High School Football team now? Do any of you find this as juvenile as I do?

I am going to try and back off as the year progresses, as far as my making any political comments. Unless he says something stupid. Wait did I just write that? Ha! "Unless he says something stupid." What are the chances of that?
They ought to take away his tweet fetish. I swear, it's like watching a 16yr old school yard bully. C'mon 45th. You're the president now. Stay OFF Twitter.



Millions of women all over the country marched on the 21st to send a powerful message to the president. If I were one of his advisors, I would ADVISE him
to come out and make some kind of statement, and acknowledge what happened on Saturday January 21st, 2017. Say something Donald!



Or you will see more and more of days like this. Speak up Mr President!



And on the same day that millions of women were protesting, he stood in front of the Memorial wall at the CIA headquarters, and didn't mention a single word about those sacred stars behind him.

He spoke only about himself. Not a single word. It was all about him.

Each one of those stars represents one of their agents who were killed in the line of duty. The CIA are our country's unknown heroes. And this man, couldn't acknowledge that.

God help us all.

*It is important for you all to know, that I respect the office of the presidency. No matter who sits in the oval office.

The saving grace this week for all the local surfers was the never ending swell. There's still surf. And let's face it, surfing is our sanctuary. It saved me more times than I can count. Hopefully it will do the same for you.

"Surfing Heals All Wounds"

This week's pic from Ed's corner was shot in 2013. The surfer is
Kenny Black. I would hope that anyone who had their photo taken by Ed O'Connell at the opportunity to thank him. If you were one of the many surfers that Ed shot, I hope you thanked him. If you didn't,
maybe you can say a prayer for him. You at least owe him that.

Click on this image to see what I'm talking about. I know that if Ed were around today, he would of loved this. I miss you Big Man.

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
They are here again. The AFC Championship is at stake tonight. A trip to the Superbowl for the victor of tonight's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Only time will tell if we make the trip, or we all stay home and watch the game.



The leader of the Patriots Tom Brady will have his hands full. But we all know, that number 12 comes alive when the game is on the line. And I believe he will lead this team to another victory tonight. It will be a hard fought battle. But I think, and I believe in this team.



Next to Antonio Brown, this man BELL must be contained. Don't get fooled by his stutter step and brief pauses. Our D needs to get right up on him. He's evasive, but he's human. I think we get him. And I think we win. I'm saying Patriots 31 Steelers 27.



After 146 years, the Barnum & Bailey Circus is shutting down.
I heard that since they had to remove all the elephants from their shows that ticket prices dropped considerably.



They certainly knew how to promote a show. Hell, I'd want to see this beast if I were around. GARGANTUA The GREAT. Yikes, he sounds scary, bet a lot of people went and saw him. I'm betting that it was a fake. You know, some guy in a gorilla suit. It's sad to see this go.

I was lucky enough in my lifetime to see the circus.

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
This could not have helped the Circus. Having Khalid "Sheik" Mohammed be the Ringleader. I heard that he was frightening small children, and even a few clowns. Can you blame them?



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 Peanuts at Home Depot
this week.

Prayers and positive thoughts to Erica Nardone's recovery.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Meighan Rowlee January 22nd, 2017!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Skip Brunette January 22nd, 2017!

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

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) This is one clean looking wave. The wind finally became favorable after a bout with morning sickness. January 21st, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This was the last cutback on a wave that already had four cutbacks in it's face. Max Fatello. January 21st, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Elizabeth Ann seeing the possibility of a potential hollow section, makes a last minute decision. January 21st, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) She hung on for a bit, but the lip had too much substance and ultimately snuffed her. Elizabeth Ann January 21st, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) And there it was, the Patch Of Blue, for all the women who marched
on this historical day. January 21st, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Wonder where the guy riding this green fish went. Too bad, he
missed one hell of a turn by Jared Veltsos. January 21st, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Because they are both sporting mustaches, and they are both Goofy foots, I can't tell if this is Jared or Mackey. Can you? January 21st, 2017 Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The Shoals with all her beauty and gloom. January 20th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Tom Hay again, doing what he does on most waves.
January 20th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Let's Switch Cameramen. January 19th, 2017.
Photos by John Adams



(Above) This might be Andy Elliott. January 19th, 2017
Photos by John Adams *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Day Before The 20th. January 19th, 2017.
Photos by RALPH




(Above) This day had sun. And clean surf. January 19th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) MVF heading for the sun spots. January 19th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Colby has a distinct back hand attack. January 19th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is on the way inside. He stayed with this wave all the way and I thought "what the hell" I'll shoot this. MVF January 19th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Andy Elliott cranking off another bottom turn. January 19th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Unknown dropping into the abyss. January 19th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I manged to catch Colby on this snappy insider on my out.
January 19th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Slightly Off The Beaten Path. January- 2017.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) I finally stopped to smell the pine needles.
January, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I don't take my dog Patch for a walk. I take him for a run..
January, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery