May 17th, 2009 Lucky 13 Swell

Now I don't know about you guys, but I am getting giddy with this ridiculous run of weekly swells. Good Lord. It's 13 consecutive weeks as of Friday's swell. And if you really want to get technical...(and really why wouldn't you?), our calendar week typically starts on Sunday. Therefore, today's swell was a new swell. So in all honesty. Today would be Week 14. And in my humble opinion, I thought today's swell was better than Fridays. I mean, I didn't even have time to gloat and rant on Swell 13 when this latest swell hit. Dang people. I've got friends in California and Hawaii that I needed to let know about our consistent run of surf. You know, I was getting ready to rub it in a little when this new swell hit. Now I have to be even more hurtful to my Westies and Hawaiian friends.

This is un-freaking believable!

Just when I thought I had the weekly column all mapped out and basically written for this weekend, this new swell hit and it hit good. In fact, I think it's going to be as good tomorrow (Monday) as it was today. Only maybe a little better. How's that you ask? Well Monday is a week day and a very important work day,so I'm thinking the crowd factor should be light, or lighter. And...the Sun is supposed to shine bright. Or brighter than it did today. Oh hell, what am I saying? It's going just as much fun as today was. Sun or no sun.

In other words-waist to chest high surf. With the sun shining. But the real point of my Giddiness is, this non stop weekly swell activity. There was a time in my life, that I actually thought if I said something out loud, it might not happen. This was mostly during my New England Patriots Addiction I had for a few years. You know, if I said something out loud, Mackey and I would knock on wood. Knock on wood? Like that would prevent something from happening. So there was a part of me, that was almost afraid to speak of this weekly swell run. I didn't want to jinx it. Then I realized, like I did when I got the Patriots Monkey off my back, that we have NO control over Sports, swells, or anything else, for that matter.

Now, I'm not saying that I'm not fan, who gets excited during sporting events, because I do.

I just know that, whatever it is, that's causing New England to be blessed with weekly swells, has nothing to do, with what we're doing up here. Just like we have no control over the Sports teams we all love. Case in Point. The Patriots, The Bruins, The Celtics and even Big Papi's slump. We can't make any of it better. The Pats lost the SuperBowl in that perfect season. The Bruins lost this week after an amazing comeback. And the Celtics lost tonight. And everyone is concerned about the SOX and Big Papi. We can't help him or the Sox. We can only make ourselves better. What, you don't think the other fans aren't praying to God? Do you think that God is choosing sides? That God's a bigger GIANTS fan than he was a Patriots fan? Or God is a bigger Carolina fan than he is a B's fan? Or that tonight's lost to Orlando was God's doing? Because their fans prayed harder?

Look, we all know God is a New England sports fan. Let's move on.

All the positive energy, that we pour into sports and surf ,could be better suited if we redirected those prayers and thoughts into things that really matter. And lord knows, there are plenty of things we can funnel our positive energy towards that really do work. Our family and friends who are sick. They can benefit from positive energy. Because it is both physical and emotional, when we pray and send positive vibes. This has been proven to work. Over the many years, that people who have prayed for the sick and the needy, can and do benefit from the daily prayers and positive thoughts. So don't stop praying for loved ones.

And just to be safe. Don't stop praying for Surf and ...oh what the hell...The NE Sports Teams. You know, just in case God is a true New England Sports fan.

I suppose this is a good segway into the other side of positive thinking. The superstitious among us. There are those who feel that the number 13 is bad luck. Well, we just had 13 weeks of waves. Sounds pretty good to me. In fact, the latest swell came in on the heels of 13 so fast, it almost seems like they were related. Lots of Athletes have number 13. Hell our own Ken Linseman was number 13 when he played in the NHL. He won a Stanley Cup with that number, scoring the winning goal. I'd say that's a pretty lucky number for Kenny. He's been lucky ever since.

Dan Marino the QB for the Dolphins, wore number 13. OK, so he never won a Superbowl. Who cares? Marino went on to break all kinds of NFL records. Wilt Chamberlain wore number 13. We all know what he did. No, not the 10,000 women thing (although some of you would say, that was about as lucky as you could get), no I'm talking about the basket ball thing. He was an NBA Champion. So here we are, in our 13th week of waves. I'd say we're pretty lucky. As Larry David would say...."Perrrrity lucky."

I'd say we're a Lucky 13, and about to get luckier with 14. Can I hear a 15? Anyone?

I guess we'll wait and see what the next week brings us. But I won't be surprised if we get another swell. No sir, I will not be surprised in the least. In fact, if we do, I will smile and wink, and tip my hat to the heavens. Because, if there's one thing I do know. It's that none of us really know what's really going on out there in the universe and beyond. We can only speculate, hope and pray. So don't stop believing. Keep those fingers crossed (Just in case).

Now for some of my weekly Global observances:

In the world of Politics this week, I have just one name. Nancy Pelosi. Look I don't care where you sit in the political aisle. This woman has got to be rubbing you the wrong way. I'm sure the White House is shaking their collective heads this week. When Comedy Central's John Stewart gets on her case. You know she's in trouble. Besides, is it me, or does she look like Mary Tyler Moore on crack?

The Swine Flu Pandemic has claimed another life. That's at least 4 people in the US. I read the papers and watch the news, and I have to say. I'm a bit more concerned about a whole lot of other stuff than I am about the Swiney. Last week I mentioned that I wrote a song called "The Swine Flu Blues". I played it on Friday when my band Big Handsome Daddy played. By all accounts, it seems that the Swine Flu Blues went over well. I even had people dancing to it. Now I know we've all lost our minds. Seeing people dancing to the Swine Flu Blues was mind boggling.

Honestly, the show was fun. Both bands (Big Handsome Daddy and the Old Bastards) sounded good. The best part was we raised money for the local AMERICAN LEGION Post 35 in Hampton. They're trying to build a room for the returning Vets from Iraq and Afghanistan to have a place where they can all hang out. You know, a Big Screen TV, a Pool Table, a bar. The current Legion has no such lounge area for these Vets to sit and talk with other Vets. Hopefully that will change soon.

This was a sad and exciting week for New England Sportsfans. The Celtics, The Bruins, and The Sox were all on in the same night and they all won. The B's came back from a 3-1 deficit and came back to tie the series. The C's went ahead, then Orlando tied it up 3-3 forcing a game 7. And the B's forced a game 7 at home. The B's lost a heart breaker in OT. And The C's lost in Game 7 at home tonight.

And if things were not bad enough. Big Papi has not hit a HR this season. And poor Jon Lester is having a rough few weeks.

So all is not good in the land of Champions. The Bruins were the 1 seed going into these Play-Offs. They Beat the Canes during the entire regular season. They should be moving on. Instead they are done. Same with the Celtics. Stick a fork in both teams, they are done for the season. It's over. All we have is the SOX . But Big Papi is in a slump. Go ahead say a prayer. Can't hurt. There's no known way out of slump. You have to find your own way out. I'm thinking both Ortiz and Lester will do that in due time.

Thank You Bruins and Celtics for a another exciting season.

Check out local boys Jimmy Dunn and Drew Cropper in the Portsmouth Herald last week. They boys are nominated for an EMMY. The big show is the end of this month. We'll be sure to report the outcome. Click this link for the Jimmy and Drew Story

Click here for Lil Miss Molly "STASH FOR CASH" FUND RAISER Events: Dr. Brent Reinheimer, local surfer and Exeter Hospital physician, is leading the charge for the "Stash for Cash."

Don't forget All the shops are STILL collecting cards, gifts, and other provisions for the Rowlee family. PIONEERS , CINNAMON RAINBOWS, BRICKHOUSE, ZAPSTIX and many more shops are drop off points of interest for Miss Molly. Skip Brunette has opened a Little Miss Molly account at the SEACOAST CREDIT
UNION on 887 Lafayette Rd, Hampton NH. (see poster below for info). There are several more fund raisers in the making as well. There's still plenty of things going on for Lil Miss Molly and you can find out most of it on the Ralph's Community Page.
Little Miss Molly Fund Auction

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

Ralph

Yesterday- 1965 My late Red Keoki and my little sister.
(Below) This is a photo that my late father took of my younger sister Evamarie and me, and my all time favorite board. My RED KEOKI. I don't know what happened to that board. I can't for the life of me remember who I sold that board to. I know my friends all convinced me to sell that Red Keoki because (are you ready for this) they claimed it was "Too small for you Ralph!" It was an 8' 3" board and to this day I can still hear how she planed across those flat spots. It was my First "Magic Board". I sold it and bought a 9'6" Royal Hawaiian that I absolutely hated. It was a piece of junk. I never should of bought it, or traded this board for it. If any of you have any idea where that Red Keoki is today please let me know. I still have the Royal Hawaiian. I'd be happy to trade boards. Please...help me find my Old RED Keoki.
Photo by G.A.F.

Today 2009- Sunday, May 17, 2009
*Click on photos below for Galleries

Above) Jon Gozzo ducking under the crystal lip at the Land of Cement this afternoon.
To see more of Sunday May 17th, 2009 click on Gozzo. Photo by RALPH
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Above) Unknown bottom turns on the inside section. To see more of Sunday May 17th, 2009 click on MVF. Photo by RALPH
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Today-2009 Lucky 13 Swell on May 15, 2009

(Above) Melanie Velstos just back from California finds her welcome home wave. To see more of this Really fun day shot on Friday May 15, 2009 click on photo. Photo by RALPH Click on the image above to see more.

(Above) Mike Moran gets his five over before lunch. This photo was shot on Friday May 15, 2009. To see more images from this fun day click on photo. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) Emptiness is NOT a drag. Friday May 15, 2009. Too see more click on photo. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) Michael Sander up and under the Wall. Locked and loaded. This photo was shot on Friday May 15, 2009. To see more images from this really fun day, click on photo.
Photo by RALPH
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Today- This Week's Drop In Sequence May 15th 2009
*Click On The Image below for the Blatant Drop In on May 15th 2009, to take you to the NEW Photo Gallery That will Allow you to see either Thumbnails, or Larger images That you can forward or reverse. Click photo.

(Above) This is Tim O'Shea about to be dropped in on...or is he? Click to find out. Photo by RALPH Click on the image above to see more.

RALPH'S VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK BELOW.

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

(Above) Click on this image of MVF at Pirates Nest. VIDEO Clip from Greeting Seasons and Groovemasters by SFOD

Today 2009 - May 15, 2009-BIG Handsome Daddy and The Old Bastards play for the Veterans at POST 35.
*Click On These Images below for more of this week's POST 35 Fund Raiser Concert. NEW Photo Galleries That will Allow you to see either Thumbnails, or Larger images That you can forward or reverse. Click photos.

(Above) BIG Handsome Daddy- Friday May 15, 2009 . Bill "Stick" Trafidlo bass, Chris "Mojave" Beale drums and Ralph "Big handsome Daddy" guitar and vocals. Click on photo to see more of this blues rock show.
Photo by MVF Click on the image above.

(Above) If you like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray, you'll love these guys. BHD. From Friday May 15th, 2009. Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) BHD. From Friday May 15th, 2009. Photo by Ed O'Connell

(Above) Tom Woods (Hampton) and Ron Sizemore from Cali are life long friends. They served and surfed together in Vietnam in 1968. This was taken on May 14th, 2009.
Photo courtesy of Ron Sizemore

(Above) Tom Woods (Hampton) surfing at San O last week. This was taken on May 14th, 2009. Photo courtesy of Ron Sizemore

Today 2009 - From Last Weekend. Mother's Day May 10, 2009

(Above) Becky Murray above and below surfing on Mothers Day last Sunday with her son Mikey. Her husband sat on the beach and took these photos. Looks like Becky and mikey had a great day.
Photo by Mike Murray

(Above) Mikey Murray surfing on with his Mom on Mothers Day last Sunday. What a great day for the Murray family.
Photo by Mike Murray

(Above) Meet "Lola". Kevin Doherty's New Surf Pup. Is she cute or what?
Photo by Kevin Doherty

Today 2009 PARTING SHOT- Tow Truck Parade 5-17-09

(Above) Every year for about 15-20 years. The National Tow truck parade would shoot by our home blasting horns and sirens. My kids used to love it. Now it's just me out there. Waving and signaling the drivers to blow their horns. There must of been 250 of em this morning. It's so loud and colorful.
Photo by RALPH