June 30, 2008

Do you believe in "Jinx's"? Like last week when I said there was going to be surf on Monday...and there wasn't. Is that a Jinx? Did I potentially "Jinx" you all out of a swell? If I did, I apologize. I certainly was hoping there would be surf. And to be honest, I was going by second hand information from several sources. And they ranged in ages, from my age, to Grom-age.

I guess I should of known better. I Jinxed it!

I will say, that this morning, it occurred to me, that I have not been in the water in a couple of weeks. Again, I don't want to appear spoiled or anything like it but 2 weeks? Isn't that getting close to "dare I say?" Flat spell? Gulp I said it.

But you know what? How can I really complain? I mean honestly. With all the suffering in this world, I'm complaining about being out of the water for a few weeks? Poor Ralph.

I watch the news and reel in horror at what is happening in places like Zimbabwe. And I complain? I watch the news and see what's happening right here in our own nation. The flood in the Midwest. And I complain? The fires on the west coast. And I complain? Someone do me a favor, and bitch slap me please.

Not that you need to hear it from me but, there's more to this world than just surfing. Don't get me wrong, surfing will always be a major part of my life, but let's put things into perspective here. We really can't complain if we've not had a head high swell in a few weeks, when there's fellow human beings suffering unimaginable circumstances.

And if you're one of those who don't watch the news, and all you do is eat, drink, and sleep surfing. Then do yourself a favor, and go to Local surf photographer Brian Nevin's website at www.briannevins.com and check out his eye opening Nicaragua photos. That will wake your ass up.

Bottom line. Surfing is a fun lifestyle. That's it.

We're lucky we get to surf period. I'm just not gonna bitch about the lack of surf anymore when there's real life issues that matter. I just hate to sound like a clueless, selfish surfer.

Of course, this could all change if there's still no surf at the end of July. See? That's the REVERSE Jinx.

I am officially announcing my annual call for SURF ART.
The deadline for the annual Ralph's Pic of the Week SURF ART Column is July 26 at 6PM. Remember NO photos. It's ALL art. And that means any medium. From every kind of paintings (Oil, Acrylic, watercolor etc etc) , pencil drawings, pen and ink sketches, markers, carvings, sculptures, wood block...finger painting, spray painting...are you getting this? Every kind of medium, except photography.

I want to see what your hands, and eyes, and your imagination can produce.

And they need to be in a digital file (JPEG) and they need to be the same size as the photos. 700 pixels. NO BIGGER and NO SMALLER. Again, are we clear? 700 Pixels wide.
And please, if you've submitted stuff in the past, don't send me the same piece. Give us something fresh to look at.

Oh and it must be SURF RELATED. That's why it's called Surf ART...got it? I think you do. Start drawing, or finish up those paintings. Take advantage of the flat spell. Then snap a photo of your work, or get it scanned, then email it to me and on July 27 we'll show the rest of the world what you created.
| can't wait to see what's coming.

The good news and sad news department has much to report. First the good news. The local scene is celebrating several birthdays all on the same day. Today. June 30th. Today is Dave "Crop" Cropper's birthday. It's Cory Fatello's birthday. It's Kyle Linseman's birthday and it's also Mike Tyson's birthday...though I don't know if he's got anything to do with surfing...but you never know. Happy Birthday all you June 30th Babies!

On a sad note, local Surf Mom Arlene Nichol's mother passed away. Shirley Gong lost her long battle with Cancer. On behalf of the entire Seacoast community we send our most sincere condolences, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Nichols family during this time of sadness and loss. If you have faith and believe, than you know, that we will all be together again.

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

Ralph

Yesterday 1988 Birthday Boy Dave Cropper Keeping out of the midday sun.
(Below) I remember shooting this day. It was one of those days when everyone was surfing their butts off and
getting good waves. I also remember that I didn't get to surf this session, because I didn't want to leave my
camera unattended. And that no one would cover for me while I caught a few waves for myself. This my
friends, is the dilemma for all surf photographers. Do I shoot? Or Do I surf? Obviously, if you can do both it's
all good. Otherwise, you have sacrifice one for the other. This day, I chose to shoot (and surf later).
I did not regret my decision.
Video Frame grab from Super8mm movie footage by R.Fatello SFOD.

2008 Today-June 30, 2008

(Above) Happy Birthday Dave. Ahhh you need to adjust those shades my friend.
Photo by Mike Cropper

(Above) Happy Birthday Cory! Seen here at her 3rd or 4th Birthday party. Check out the six guns!
That's one of the reasons why we got married. We both believe in our Right to Bear Arms.
Photo courtesy of the Fatello family


(Above) Taken this week in weak surf. None the less, Dougie Fresh finds enough energy to snap this turn.
Photo by Bryan Nicholsen

(Above) Taken the same day. The other Birthday Boy- Kyle Linseman bouncing around the white stuff.
Photo by Bryan Nicholsen

(Above) And this could be Julia Nichols braving the cold before she hit the Islands. But I could be wrong.
However, Julia will be back. And we all send our love with the passing of her grandmother this week.
Photo by Bryan Nicholsen

(Above) Speed blur on a red longboard. Was the water really this warm? Don't ask me, I was working.
Photo by Bryan Nicholsen

(Above) Taken earlier this week in one of those downpours. I had forgotten about this graffiti. I came up
with that name in the late 70's. Still works for me.
Photo by Bryan Nicholsen

(Above) My mother used to yell at me for going surfing in the rain. I used to make her laugh by saying
"Why can't I surf in the rain? Are you worried I'll get wet?" Seriously, if it's cracking with thunder and
lightening, you have to leave the water. It's no joke.
Photo by Bryan Nicholsen


(Above) The Bitty Twin Groms have been enjoying the flat spell. Jack's sisters, Clara and Sofia 2yrs old,
charging at the Wall this Friday. Brother Jack was no doubt waxing up his board just out of frame.
Photo by Mom Erica Harris




(Above) A photo tribute to his late Mother-In-Law. I was supposed to post this last week. But things happen
for a reason. This seems like a beautiful photographic message to his Mother-in-law Shirley. Earth's Cry
Heaven's smile. And the mirror of both world's are present here.
Photo by Lenny Nichols

RALPH'S VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK.
CLICK ON THE PHOTO IMAGE BELOW FOR SHORT WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP.
VIDEO by SFOD R. Fatello

(Above) CLICK ON Video (photo) Frame Grab of Dave Cropper. Shot in the Summer of 2005...from
The SFOD movie SUMMER 05. This is a SHORT WINDOWS MEDIA FILE VIDEO CLIP from SFOD.
Video Frame grab by R. Fatello SFOD

2008 Today-More Surf and what not, from the West Coast and Beyond...

(Above) Local Eastcoaster turned Westcoaster sends this pic in, to no doubt, rub it in...
Somewhere where the sun sets on the water.
Photo by Manfree

(Above) Somewhere.
Photo by Sean Murphy

(Above) Somewhere else.
Photo by Sean Murphy

(Above) One more of birthday boy Dave Cropper. From WINTER 05
Photo by R. Fatello SFOD

Today 2008 Parting Shot..."May Day! May Day! Duck Dive Did Not Take.
Repeat-Duck Dive did not take. Request permission to bail."

Above) This guy got worked so bad. This day was absolutely freezing. He went over the falls and then got
dragged. I remember thanking him under my breath. From the movie 13POINT5.
Video Frame Grab by R. Fatello SFOD

Click On Wave to Go Back to The Top.