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July 14th 30, 2013 THE RUN IS 25 out of 26 Weeks
Waist high or better, at least once a week. There was No surf
that was waist high this week.
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Rainy Days and Singing the Blues...

I am not at all surprised, that the RUN of surf we have been having the last 25 weeks, has finally come to an end. I mean good lord, that was quite the run. 25 weeks? That's almost half a year. I tried to call the waves on Friday night waist high, but I could not.

Even with my friend Jon Anderson standing next to me, saying that one wave was waist high, I could not bring myself to acknowledge that, yes there was ONE waist high wave on Friday. But not enough to call it. Therefore, the Run has ended.

This is what most summers are like around here. It goes flat.

Then to have the never ending rain on top of the flatness? Ugh. It has been a trying week for sure. My garden has been flourishing though. But then again, so have the mosquito's. And next to the dreaded Greenhead, I hate mosquito's with a passion.

In fact, when the kids were younger and we spotted a mosquito in the home at night. We would go into immediate lockdown. No one went to bed until the mosquito was captured, and dispatched. I even trained the family cat to hunt mosquito's. Think I'm kidding? Ask anyone who lives in my house. She would hunt them down, and eat them. And I praised her for her valiant efforts.

"Good Kitty. That's my girl Comet! Good job!"

So with all this rain we have all been extra vigilant about the mosquito. And so should you. With all the dreaded diseases those things carry with them, we should all be wary of those winged pests.

So this Thursday is the 150th anniversary of the famed battle in South Carolina by the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. The 54th was an all black unit led by a prominent white officer from a well to do family in Boston. Robert Gould Shaw.


There was a movie about the 54th called GLORY and it was very well done. As a history buff and more importantly, a military history buff, I was fascinated by the 54th story. In fact my whole family was.



There's a statue at the Boston Common, directly across from the State house, that is dedicated to the 54th and Shaw. I was there for the 100th anniversary of the unveiling. Colin Powell was the guest speaker. It was pretty impressive.



This is a B&W photo I shot during that time period. I'm sure there are 1,000's who walk by this statue and never bother to stop and look. I always stop when I am there, and acknowledge that heroic all black regiment, and their beloved white commander, who perished during that bloody assault on Battery Wagnor in South Carolina.

150 years ago this Thursday, July 18th, 2013.

I could not help but get a little melancholy this morning while observing and shooting the ESA-NNE contest at the Wall.

I can remember so many summers when our kids were young and how much fun we all had at the local surf contests. And this is coming from someone who has never ever entered a surf contest in my life. Yet, I fully supported the local ESA and the NNE district.

How could you not? The local contest scene is great for the groms. They make lifelong friends at these contests, and some actually go on and compete on a higher level. But for the most part, it's a great vehicle for promoting an event that involves surfing. Besides, the camaraderie that develops with other surfers, from all over the Northern New England area, is worth the contest fees alone.

A big thanks to the directors Lenny and Arlene Nichols, along with Bob McNeil, and judges Jon Anderson and Dennis, who spend hours every year putting these events together for the Groms of Northern New England. Well done guys.

I support the ESA-NNE here in Northern New England.



This has been a week of singing the blues for me.

I saw a few great blues acts on Thursday July 11th. One in particular was a local band called the BB GUNZ. I had never heard of them before. And I have to admit the young 19 yr old guitarist was really good. I mean this kid had chops like he was a 50 something bluesman playing his whole life.

Later we went and saw BB King at the Casino on the beach. I'm almost embarrassed to say, that I have never seen BB before this. I'm glad I did. Because he is not long for this world. At 87 years old, he was just a shell of what he used to be. But he still had that voice, and the classic BB guitar licks. But we all get old. And we all slow down.



And well, we all get the blues. Here's a younger BB in an undated photo. This is not the BB that I saw at the Casino. Hardly. Still, he is still today the undisputed KING OF THE BLUES and he's still gigging at 87.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

OK, so I'm about over the whole Zimmerman trial. It seems like there's always some big trial that everyone is tuned into and watching these days. From the OJ case to the Casey Anthony trial to this latest. And they all seem to be somewhat race related. And because of that, there is a clear division in where some folks stand. There shouldn't be. But there is.

And when the final verdict comes in, one side is going to be happy and the other not so happy. We'll see how this all plays out. Because it will be any hour now. Guilty? Or Not Guilty?

Speaking of Guilty and the Blues. Look who put together a blues trio this past weekend. Why Ole Khalid Sheik Mohummed has new trio down in Gitmo called KSM and the GITMO Bluesmen...so far they have only played the exercise yard. But they are looking for representation to possibly tour once KSM's trial is over. Ha!



You have to suffer to sing the blues. And KSM has been one suffering fool since his capture in 2003. So 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 guitar strings and picks
at Home Depot.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY John Rastl July 12th, 2013!
REMEMBERING Molly Rowlee July 12th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dougie Fresh July 13th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Heather O'Hara July 14th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY William Haffenreffer July 14th, 2013!
ESA-NNE Contest at the WALL 10th Street North Beach
Hampton, NH on Saturday July 13th, 2013 SIGN-UPS at 7AM!




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.

Keep in mind the photos you steal from this site are low RES. You can't blow them up. Order HIGH RES photos that are suitable for framing. It's a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer or Surf Break!
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
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Yesterday- Dan Carignan at the Wall circa 1980's.
(Below) There are people you meet in your life that leave a lasting impression on you. Dan was one of them for me. I don't remember when we met but I do know that we remained friends forever. He was a special person. With his long hair, and casual laid back style, it was easy to think, that he was just some surfer, who spent his entire life just hanging on the beach and surfing. But that was not the case. Dan had an interesting history. He was a NAVY Corpsman who served with the Marines in Vietnam. A Corpsman is the Marine's Medic. Dan saw a lot of combat in his time with the Marines. Ask any Grunt what they think of the "Doc's" (Corpsman) and they will tell you. "They were one of us." That was Dan. He was one of us. And he was one of us here in Hampton surfing the Wall. Every now and then I think of him. I miss him. He was taken too soon from this earth. "Saddle up Doc!" Photo unknown.


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Today- The ESA-NNE contest at the Wall. July 13th, 2013.
 Photos by RALPH



(Above) The tireless volunteers of the local ESA-NNE crew. Lenny, Dennis, Jon, and Bob. Saturday July 13th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) The Groms march down for their next heat. Saturday July 13th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) This kid is going to be a factor in the future. You can tell by the way he
surfed these gutless waves this morning. July 13th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Speaking of volunteers. My MAIN man Ed "BIG LENS" O'Connell is out for every swell and every event on the seacoast. Documenting it all. I could NOT run
this blog without his weekly contributions.
July 13th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- The ESA NNE Contest through the lens of Ed O'Connell. July 13th, 2013 Photos by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Though most of the groms won't admit it, they all like taking one of these home. I walk by a room full every day. And I smile when I see them.
July 13th, 2013. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Uncle Zappy giving some contest tips to his niece and her friend.
July 13th, 2013. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) Can't you feel his stoke? Knee high and stoked beyond belief.
July 13th, 2013. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.







(Above) Speaking of stoked. I was so stoked to see this pic. Lenny and I saying hello this morning on the beach. I've known Lenny for a long time. He's done a great job with the ESA and the families are lucky to have him and his crew. July 13th, 2013.
Photo by Ed O'Connell *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


Today- The Blues shows on July 11th, 2013 Photos by RALPH



(Above) The legendary undisputed KING of the blues. BB KING. At the Casino Thursday July 11th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) The BB GUNZ. At the Hampton Falls summer concert series. July 11, 2013
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- From the Summer of 2009 Hurricane BILL
 Photos by RALPH



(Above) Remember five years ago when BILL came to town? This guy must.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) That's Kevin Grondin hiding in that barrel. Hurricane Bill. August 2009.
 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- More Summer of 2009 Hurricane KILL BILL
 Photos by Ed O'Connell



(Above) This was the day after the big day. But obviously still fun
Photo by Ed O'Connell *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) The promise of Hurricane swells each summer keeps us tuned into the weather station and surf reports. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- Even More From the Summer of 2009
Hurricane KILL BILL
 Photos by John Carden



(Above) If you don't remember Hurricane Bill you must either be a beginner or you
don't live around here. BILL was a great swell. And Billy Ritchie can attest to that.
August 2009. Photo by John Carden
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) Kevin Grondin from 5 summers ago during the BIG Bill Swell.
August 2009. Photo by John Carden
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




Today- Empty Water Shots From the Summer of 2009 Hurricane BILL Photos by RALPH



(Above) This was the first time using this little camera. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) The see through the crystal lip pics are really special. Even though I have joined the masses by buying the GO PRO I still love this little Canon 10 Sure Shot. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



AVAILABLE IN THE SHOPS and Online. Click on image
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Today- The Mind Blowing INDO Photos from Brian Nevins. From the Summer of 2009. Photos by Brian Nevins



(Above ) I love the fact that the guy who shot these amazing photos is from Hampton, New Hampshire and...he's a friend of so many of us. Because these photos are as GOOD as any photo you have ever seen in the history of Surf Photography.
Photo by Brian Nevins
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) I can stare at this wave for hours on end. I suggest you all take your time and look at each of these photos in this amazing gallery and take it all in.
Photo by Brian Nevins
*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 ) This is from newcomer Nancy Rand. I love it when local photographers
send me new images. Photo by Nancy Rand
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above ) This is an interesting way to mount your photos. I like these. Very cool.
Photos by Alex Loer *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) I have played in front of 25,000 people at the Meadowlands in NY, I have headlined the RAT, The CHANNEL, and the PARADISE in Boston...but the one place I have ALWAYS dreamed of playing was right here at the Casino. My friends Todo Bien got to do that last Saturday night and I am so stoked for them.
Photo by Liz Papi *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Camp Pendleton Sunset. June 22, 2013.
Photo Patty Blaine
Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
boat


(Above) All Rise: 10th Street District Court of Surf Justice is now in session, the
Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. CASE 222 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.
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CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos


Every now and then someone will send me a clip of some guitar player that I have never
heard of. This was one of those times. This player JONATHAN BOOGIE LONG can not only play the guitar like Joe Bonnamassa and Stevie Ray but he can sing his ass off. I was so impressed that I wanted to post this live clip of him. So do yourselves a HUGE favor and Check out this sweet live performance from Jonathon Boogie Long...in Baton Rouge.
If you want to find out about his DVDs, go here:
http://www.boogiebluesmagic.com/main.php

- from vernacular observatory on Vimeo.

 This is a video clip that a buddy sent me. It looks like it might be from NY.
It's well done and deserves a peek from you all.
CLICK CRACKIE BELOW TO SEE 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. From the Phantom trip of the week.

Recorded in 1978. Click on VINNY CD art to see a larger
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COMING NEXT WEEK ! So it was flat here but not out there! From the Phantom.


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 July 14th, 2013 " Is this wetting the bed?"



(Above) OK I have seen it all now. From the wacky Internet.


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