If I were to try and draw a parallel between surfers and dogs, or more specifically,
Bird Dogs. I would have to say, that I consider myself one of the Versatile breeds. Never heard of the Versatile breed? Really? They are the canine that does it all. German Shorthairs, Vizslas, Weimaraners, Griffons, Pudlepointers, Wirehairs etc etc. They point. They flush. And they retrieve. So how does that figure into surfers? Easy.
If I were to compare myself to this breed and draw that comparison, I would point out (no pun intended) that I ride both a short board and a longboard. But wait now, it just occurred to me as I wrote this down. I do not ride a SUP. Nor do I ride a sponge. Therefore, I am not a good example of the Versatile breed.

In fact, I do not know anyone who rides all four. Short, Long, SUP, and Sponge.

The only people I know who come close are: Dave Cropper. But I've never seen him him ride a Bodyboard. Stevie O'Hara rides the same three that Crop rides. But I've never seen him on the sponge either. Kyle Linseman is another. He rides all three convincingly, but I've never seen him on that Boogie board. I know plenty of surfers who could ride all four, but simply choose to switch between a Longboard and Shortboard. Mike Paugh, Mike Stanek, Kevin Grondin, and the list goes on and on. Myself included. Though I certainly don't consider myself to be on the same skill
level as these guys. Hardly.

I do however, know plenty of surfers who stick with the one craft only.

Mostly Longboarders. And there are plenty of them around. There are the rare Longboader who does from time to time, switch to a shorter board. But it's very rare. Mike Moran is one. But he rides that longboard so beautifully, it's weird to see him on
a shortboard. So I guess there are NO real Versatile Breeds here in New England. We are what we are. Different breeds hunting for waves in the same wave fields.

Shortboarders are like Pointers. Longboaders are like Retrievers. Sponge riders are like Beagles. And SUP riders are like Newfies, or Saint Bernards. Woof woof.

Hey speaking of dogs. Or Versatile breeds. (See I knew I really had a point here).

On this day, Sunday November 21st 2010, I am driving 8 hours down south to pick up a...NEW Pup! I know it's only been two weeks since we lost our beloved pet. And
while we could never ever replace our dog Scout, we can however start a new relationship with a new dog and a new personality. His name is Cpl. Patch Patches). And he is so freaking cute! Patch just turned 8 weeks old.

Truth be told, my youngest daughter and I have been secretly dreaming about a new pup for months. We wanted to introduce the new puppy to our old dog. But that didn't happen. Scout passed away before we could make that transition and introduction. And after days of not having a dog in the house it became too much to bear for all of us. I am still heart broken over losing Scout. I will always have a special place in my heart for Scout. But I believe I am ready for the latest member of our family. And as most of you pet owners know.

Pets are members of our families.

But hold on you are saying. How are you going to catch your wave and still be able to pick up that Pup 8 hours from here and get back in time to catch your next wave. Easy. I'll surf first thing Sunday AM. Drive south. Spend the night. Pick up the pup at 6AM Monday morning and drive back and be home by 3 or 4PM. Plenty of time to catch my wave. And if it's dark when I get back? Guess what? I surf at night. I've already surfed
3 times this first 119 days. No problem. Well, not a big problem. If I had a choice I'd prefer surfing during daylight hours. But I can, and will surf at night.

By the way, when I get back on Monday November 22nd. That day will mark my 1/3 of the way through my year long fundraiser. It's hard to believe I'm a third of the way there. Of course, the next 100 days will be telling. Oh we all know that. Be nice if we had a mild winter here on the coast and a ton of snow in the Mountains. By mild, I do mean less white stuff (here on the coast only). But plenty of waves. You know, those
big Nor'easters that give us big surf and rain here, while an hour or two North it's all snow. That my friends, would be the perfect winter (for me).

I have to say, I was truly touched by all ANDY IRONS video clips I saw of his memorial paddle the last couple of weeks. The pain and sorrow was so deep. From his parents and brother Bruce, to his wife and unborn son. It was heart wrenching. What was also touching was the many other Memorial Paddles that sprung up in other parts of the country and the world. The mere fact that other Memorial Paddles were organized
and put forth in his memory speaks volumes about who we are as a tribe.

Surfers. We are truly unique. That we would honor a fellow surfer with a paddle.

I could only think of one other surfer who would command such an outpouring of grief and respect that would more than likely double, if not quadruple that kind of response. And I won't even utter his name. But you know who I am thinking of. God forbid if anything ever happened to him in our lifetime, or in his prime.

The outpouring of grief would be overwhelming. I pray that day never ever happens. But it sure was comforting to the Irons family to see that wide spread Global honor
and respect for AI.

Like I said. Surfers we are a unique tribe. Or breed.

And once again, the words I wrote back in 2005 ring true again today all across our ocean filled world...."Surfing Heals All Wounds"

Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
So did you happen to catch any of those NFL games last week? Like the Patriots kicking the snot of out Ben Rapistberger and company. Man that was an old fashioned ass whooping. And it felt good. I am not a Steelers fans. And I am certainly not a Ben Rothlisberger fan. That guy should of done some time. But he got away with it.

Speaking of doing time, the very next night, ex-con Michael Vick and his Philadelphia Eagles put a smack down on the Washington Redskins and their QB Donovan McNabb in a record breaking 59-28 score.

Look you all know I'm a dog lover. I love pets in general. But the truth is Vick was convicted and sentenced to prison. He lost his job, his reputation, and a lot of money. Plus he did time in prison. He paid for his crime. I believe him to be remorseful. I still have a hard time personally forgiving him for his crimes against those dogs. But he did do his time. Legally he has every right to do what he is doing. He has asked for your forgiveness. It's up to each and every one of us to decide whether or not we
forgive him. For Christians, I believe the saying is "When I forgive-I forget".

Rothlisberger on the other hand has denied any wrongdoings. He has never been convicted. Yet we all know there are plenty of guilty parties out there running a
muck in our society. I think Ben is one of them. Celebrities gone bad.

So are you as excited as I am about the Royal wedding? Look, I'd rather hear about little brother Harry's war stories than this fiasco. I know people care about this cinderella crap. I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong I'm happy for the Royal couple. As I would be for anyone else who is about to get married. But Good Lord...this is really World Wide News? Kings and Queens . Princes and Princesses. I'm just a pauper who never bought into the Royalty scene. I guess that's why I liked the Sex Pistols when they first came out.

It was really heart warming to see the Medal of Honor Recipient receive his medal from the President last week. That was quite an honor for SSGT Guinta. Meeting the President and getting the most prestigious medal on live TV. Really quite a moving ceremony. I got choked up a few times. I was proud of SSGT Guinta and the men
and women who serve our country. God Bless them all.

Finally, all this hoopla about the Airport Pat downs has been the number one story
on the news as of late. What is the big deal? People don't want to be frisked and put through X-ray machines? Really? Well then how about what my friend Tony suggests. He pointed out that the world safest AIRLINE is El-Air. Out of Israel. They
don't do Pat downs they do something else. They PROFILE. If you look like a potential Terrorist...guess what? You get searched. Not every single person boarding the plane. Just those who fit a certain description. I've said this in the past and I'll say it again.
If ALL Terrorists were Italian/Mediterranean types...guess what? I'd have no problem being searched. None. Search me. X-ray me. Whatever, just do it. I'd understand why.

But I thought of another less embarrassing way to do these Pat downs. What if we
were all issued a certain filtered pair of eyeglasses that we put on when being frisked. And what we would see instead of a large hairy male or female checking our bodies and our junk with their groping hands, we'd see attractive model types instead with these magic glasses. You know, for the ladies they could choose between Johnny
Depp and Brad Pitt while the men could pick Angelina Jolie or Meghan Fox. Now it does not seem like such a hassle huh guys? Come on, you know the boys in the lab could come up with these new filtered glasses. So when you hear the words..."Sir I'm sorry we're going to have to search your body"... just ask for the glasses of your
choice. Same with you ladies.

Let's call em "Celebrity Search Your Booty Glasses". You heard it here first kids.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Due to the last week of waves, the NEW SURF FREE OR DIE MOVIE The RUN Redux
will now be released on NOVEMBER 27, 2010. Trust me, I need to add this new additional footage I shot this week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
WELCOME Back Alex Deconstant. Back in the water after many months of Rehab. WELCOME Home Tony Szabo. Good to see you brother.
REST IN PEACE JFK. November 22nd 1963.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING To EVERYONE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
Don't forget to Check the DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click
On the Banner on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDS July 26, 2011. A Wave
a day for 365 consecutive days. Just click on the banner ads on this page.

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beyond Surf Pics! *NEW PICS added each week!

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is, you actually have to use your REAL Name. No hiding behind some fake handle and name. If you want to comment, you have to man up, and be yourself. I will post all comments, both good and bad. You just have to be yourself.

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

Ralph