January 3rd, 2010 45 out of 46 weeks of surfable waves.

OK, so here we are. A brand new year. And a new start, to a whole new decade. Seems hard to believe for some of us. Every year we all make public and private New Year's Resolutions. And my friends, I am no different. I've made a few. Granted, they are some of the same ones I made last year. And, I guess the year before. Never the less, I am determined to see some of them through. Especially the surf ones. I believe I may have already stated, that I would try and get back into a better more pliable shape, that adheres me to surfing my shortboard more. I do want to ride a shortboard more
than I did last year. Not that there is anything wrong with me riding my longboards, or longboarding
in general. I just want to tap back into that sensation, of riding a shortboard more often.

After all, I never claimed to be a purist in the traditional Longboard style. I certainly can appreciate
what good Longboarders can do. And I can really appreciate what good shortboarders can do. I just want to be able to continue to do both. I am still on the fence about SUPS. Don't think I'll ever really warm up to them. It's just not for me. But, I don't hate em. Like I don't really hate Yakkers. I just don't want to do either. I will however, become more tolerable of SUPS. Don't know if I can really say the same for the Yakker. I guess all those years of being frustrated at Yakkers, at different breaks all over the globe, has made me feel this way. But on the other hand, since this whole Blatant Drop In of
the week has become a weekly favorite and, I've had a few Guilty Yakkers exposed here, I've been contacted by Yakkers who really do seem like good people. Yakkers are people too.

So, I guess I'll try and become more tolerable of Yakkers too. Wait, did I just write that?

Some of my close friends like to rib me with the Baby Jesus rap. Ever since I became a better person and have become closer to the Lord, some of my buddies kid me about Baby Jesus living inside of
me, and of course, they really get on my case, when I completely lose it, and act more like one of Satan's Little Helpers rather than a good calm Christian. Hey, I never said it was gonna be easy. In fact, I've said many times to these same friends, that although I'm trying to be a better person, I am
still going to have those days when I get upset. Look I'm Italian. I'm a Marine.
Sometimes I can't help myself.

I am going to yell and bark, and carry on, from time to time. But hopefully, not as much.

Some of the other New Years Resolutions are...I need to get a better lens for my NIKON D-90. Now that Carden has taken back his 300mm. And I know, my good friend and fellow photographer Ed O'Connell has offered me his 500mm I really need my own. Right now that 18-200mm is not cutting
it for any long distance shots. I'm limited at best. Get me a good lens, and I will be able to produce weekly pics, with the boys. Another thing I need to do more of this New Year is...to shoot more video.

Editing my new movie (The RUN) these last few months, it was evident that my video shooting time
has suffered because of my new Still camera. I just didn't shoot as much video. And I need to do
more of that. Just ask Mackey V or Doctor D.

Getting the semi weekly videos from Michael Sander the past year has really opened my eyes. I mean Michael has really got it down. This kid has got it. Like Joe Carter, I think Michael Sander is one the best videographers on the Coast. Hell, he's as good as anyone out there. I'm sure Joe would agree. And his two viddys that I'm posting this week, is evidence enough of his talent and keen eye.
He has a great sense of both the wave and the rider. I love his use of slow-motion too.

But what Michael has done this past year, has really opened my eyes to the amazing world of HD. There is no turning back. High Definition video is far more superior than all the 3ccc video cameras out there. No question. And there's also no question that they cost more. And I'm sure, the cost is all around. The cameras, the tape, the editing software, all of it. I bet it costs way more than what I have now. But seeing what Michael has produced this year, is all I need to know.

HD baby. It's here to stay. And I need to get me some.

Some of my more domestic New Years Resolutions are also facing me. I need to do some cleaning of the house. I mean literally. I need to clean up the garage, and the spare rooms, and the attic. The problem is, I have collected some stuff over the years. Lots of it. And some of it, is truly memorable. How does one get rid of possessions that are personal, and mean something to you? I wish I had a bigger house. If I did, then I could justify keeping all my stuff. I do not have a large house. So I will make a really good attempt, at cleaning out the spaces that I mentioned above.

There is something else. I want to try and travel a little more. You know, some place tropical.

Why? Ha...look I know we are on an incredible RUN of weekly swells, and as of today (Sunday, January 3rd 2010) it will be 46 out of 47 weeks. But there's nothing like paddling out in a tropical locale. Nothing. No wetsuits. No biting cold wind. No snow and ice. Just warm tropical air and water, and fun tropical surf. I want that. Again. I miss it. There was a time in my life (before my family) that I would travel every winter. Even if for a short time. I know the world we live in, is a different world today. The economy stinks. And Americans are targets all over the Globe. Though I don't know how much money one would get, if they kidnapped me. My guess is, a couple of hundred bucks. No more no less. But I'd still like to travel to some undisclosed Tropical Location. Or, some safe Surf Camp.

Like the one my friend Stan Chew has been working on the last few years.

The Island Path Panama Surf Camp. Now that sounds great. Waves of every level spread out in
a surf zone that has it all. IPPSC is settled in a nice tropical location that has easy access. That's where I'll be heading. Of course the problem with traveling to tropical surf destinations is, coming back here. I never want to leave. Especially if the weather and the surf is good. Traveling is great for the soul and for rejuvenating the creative work juices. I've always come back fresh and ready to tackle new projects and carry on with a smile on my face. I really think that those of us who live in the
Northeast, owe it to ourselves and our family to travel. And travel to the tropics. I need it bad.

You know it's been snowing the last few days, and it has been cold. Like real cold. And the wind's been howling. Oh the sounds and sights of Winter. I admit, it has a strange allure. It always has. And unless you lived and surfed our winters here in the Northeast, it's hard to describe. Suffice it to say, it has a special place in all Northern New Englander's hearts and minds. So while we all complain about our winters, we all find ourselves bragging about our Winters, when ever we do travel. And really, there's nothing like telling some troppo surfer about what our Winters are like. Admit it. You love the look on their faces when we talk about our extreme weather conditions and ocean temps. I know you do. We all do. It's a good feeling. Because they can't fathom it. But we know.

There's no place like home in Northern New England in the Winter.


Now for some of my weekly Global observances:

So this week, President Obama has admitted that the Flt 253 Terrorist attack on Christmas Day
by that 23 year old loser, Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab had clear ties to Al Qeada in Yemen. So can we finally call this what it is people? The GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM. Yemen is the next
Al Qeada stronghold. Get used to it. This is our reality. We will forever be attacked by Al Qeada from all parts of the World. This is a Global War. And does it really make a difference to you and I? No.
We need to unleash all of our resources to fight these cowards.

We ALL need to be on the same page.

That same Al Qeada killed 7 CIA officers and wounded several more, in yet another cowardly suicide attack in Afghanistan last week. For those who don't really know, the CIA does more for America on a daily basis to keep us safe from scumbag Terrorists than most of us will ever know. They are on our side. It was the biggest loss of life in the Agency's History. There are 7 American families mourning their loss this week in homes all across America. Let's keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

One thing the President did say this week is, that those responsible will pay for this. Let's hope so.

The Patriots lost to the Houston Texans today. But more importantly, they lost one of their best players. WR Wes Welker is gone for the season. In a freak mishap, he turned his knee and blew out his ACL. Wes Welker gone for the season is a devastating loss to the the team, and the fans. He was a players player. No one caught more passes, and gained more yards after each catch than Welker. He was so special. And it was absolutely heart breaking to see him crying on the sidelines. Knowing that his season, and quite possibly, his career is over.

So damn sad. But this is football my friends. You play to win the game.

And while there are those, who thought we should of sat out our starters, there are just as many of those, like Welker, who thought differently. The truth is, this injury could of happened on the practice field. But knowing the Patriots like I do...they will bounce back and dig deep into their depth chart and find a solid replacement for Welker. And you know what ? It looks like they did already with Julian Edleman. Number 11 is a clone of number 83. Seriously. Edleman looks like and plays like Welker. Still, one can't help but feel bad for Welker and his teammates. It's tough game Football. Lets hope that the team goes far in the Play-Offs.

Talking with ex-Boston Bruin Kenny Linseman today (he was going out for a surf) he said that he played an Alumni game at Fenway Park in Boston last night in front of 30,000 people. Wow! That must of been so cool (no pun intended). To play outdoor Hockey at Fenway. I never asked him how he did. But knowing Kenny I bet he did Great. That's so cool. But what's even cooler, was here
Kenny was, less than 24 hours later, going surfing in New Hampshire. Now that's cool!

A continued Speedy Recovery to Surf Mom Kim Grondin.
GET Healthy Robin Rowell...you can do this Robin!
Congrats to Duffy and Jen on their Engagement News.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

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Remember my friends...Surfing Heals All Wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph