Send your SURF Pics to me directly. (See link below) Just make sure they're at least 800 pixels wide. Need photo before 12 noon on Saturdays.
SEND PICS by clicking here- Ralph's Pic Of The Week To check out Past ( RPOTW) Go to the Archives Page
October 13th, 2013 The RUN is 11 out of 12 Weeks
Waist high or better, at least once a week. There was waist
high plus SURF on Thursday 10th, 11th, 12th, and today!
All materials contained in this blog are protected by copyright laws, and may not be reproduced, republished, distributed, transmitted, displayed, broadcast
or otherwise exploited in any manner without the express prior written permission of the owner, the author, authors or sources of said materials.
Famous last words and Topsfield Fair...

I was never one for acknowledging "famous last words" until I read what Stonewall Jackson said on May 10th, 1863 on his deathbed. For those of you who are not tuned into who Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was, he was a Confederate General who was loved by his men during the Civil War. He was also General Robert E. Lee's right hand man before his death.

Jackson died as a result of an errant ambush by his own men at Chancellorsville in Virginia. His death sent shockwaves throughout the south. Some say, had he lived, he might of made a difference in the result of the war. Certainly, he would of at Gettysburg. But this is not about any of that. It is about his last words spoken before he passed away.

Laying on his bed dying, Jackson's last words were: "Let Us Cross The River, And Rest Under The Shade Of The Trees."

Pretty poignant words, at a very critical time, in our nation's history. I actually used those same words during my late Father-in-law's Jerry Bunton's eulogy, that I wrote and read after his untimely passing. Ironically, the anniversary of his passing is this coming October 17th.
It will be 8 years since he passed away. And there is not a day that goes by that all of us who knew and loved him, don't think about him.

I pray to him every day. And I know I am not alone. He's also buried in the same cemetery as Stonewall Jackson in Lexington VA.

And speaking of last words and passing's in my family. This last October 9th, 2013 was the 6th anniversary of my late mother's passing. It's hard to believe that she has been gone that long.

But my mother's last words were spoken to me only. I was alone with her when she spoke. She had been suffering for days and we all knew the end was near. It was hard to watch her slowly slip away. Before she passed, she opened her eyes and looked at me and said these words: "Lift Me Up, And Carry Me Home."

Such incredibly powerful words. I was both stunned and enlightened by those words at the same time. There are many hidden meanings in those words. She could of been talking about Jesus and heaven. Or, she could of been talking about her own childhood. Or...she could of been talking about our family home. She just wanted me to lift her up and carry her home.

I'm not going to lie to you. I cried. How could I not?

As a songwriter and musician, I wrote a song around that line. They were too powerful not to document. The song is basically about my life growing up, and the chorus is that exact line. I think we all want to go home in the end. No matter where your home is, we all want to go back. And I'm thinking, my mother did in fact, find her way home on that day. October 9th, 2007.



A few days ago, on October 11th, I had a dream that my mother was calling me on my cell, and I was having bad reception as I was deep in the woods. She was calling to tell me that my father was trying to get in touch with me. I simply told her to have my father call back later, or I would call him back when I got out of the woods. Not sure what to make of dreams like that. But I do know, there is a certain amount of comfort, that I get when I do connect with them.

I miss you guys. But it was nice to hear from you.



The oldest continuous Fair in all of America is winding down this weekend. The Topsfield Fair has been something that my family has gone to for many years. When I was a kid we went every year. And once I became a parent I continued that tradition.

You really have to acquire a certain taste for the Fair. I've had it since I was a toddler. I still have it. There were years when I would go more than once a year. It was that important to me. Of course these days, I am lucky if I attend the Fair at all. I used to take the kids every year and they loved it. That is, until they got too big.

My youngest Noelle, loved going to the Fair with me. And this is the first year she did not go. She's away at college and she is just too far to be able to fly back and go to the fair. We went to the Fair in her honor and had a blast. Besides, she'll be home in the future, and she will be able to start her own Topsfield Fair Traditions.

Surfing, The Fair, and LOVE heals all wounds.





A sign from the petting zoo at the Fair. What's to stop one of the animals from taking a bite of a toddler's hand if they are just petting them? Most of the animals in that penned up concentration camp are thinking one thing, and one thing only. Your little human hands are there to feed me.



My daughter Gabby will have to go through all the things we had to go through when raising our three children. That means getting street smart, ocean awareness, and Fair savvy.



The world is a dangerous place. It's also a beautiful place, but you must be ever vigilant as a young parent. All of your instincts will start to kick in once you become more acclimated to being a parent. And I suppose, that my wife and I will have to pay more attention as well. My guess is all that we have learned in the past will come to the surface with each passing day. I certainly hope so for the baby's sake.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances
I was not happy with last week's Patriots Bengals game. They will have their hands full today against the Saints. And even though I am a Fair Weather Baseball fan, I was not happy with last night's loss to Detroit. Not sure how the Bruins are doing just yet, but that season is way to early to start stressing over. No we must divvy up our stress between The Patriots and the Red Sox. So GO PATS! GO SOX!

OK so the Government is still out of business? Really? This is really starting to look pathetic. Regardless of how you feel about this, there is a way to change things. By VOTING! Disabled Veterans not getting their disability checks because of this? We must VOTE those responsible OUT OF OFFICE!I

OK because I'm on a melancholy Fair theme I thought why not have a little fun with our resident Terrorist Mastermind? Why not? So let's all 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 Carmel Apple making kit
at Home Depot this week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tina Levine October 13th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Joe McGovern October 13th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Alex Orestis October 14th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lauren Coates October 14th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jay Hammer October 14th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rob Jones October 15th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Melanie Veltsos October 16th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dennis Toomey October 16th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jack Danahy October 17th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Allie Paugh October 18th, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Evamarie Fatello October 19th, 2013!
*Thinking of our beloved Grampy "Jerry" this October 17th, 2013!

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
My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner below
on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDED July 26, 2011.
A Wave a day for 365 consecutive days. Just click on the banner ads on this page.
Yesterday- The Sunset That Changed My Life October 13th, 1987.
 (Below) Without coming across as a born again Christian (not that there's anything wrong with that), but I am not a Born Again. I believe in God. And I'll leave it at that. But back to this photo. 10 minutes before I took this photo I swear, I saw the face of Jesus in the sky. I had just walked up the hill after surfing with Joey Cabell in overcast conditions when the sun popped out. Our room filled up with this amazing light. I looked outside of our Honeymoon suite and saw as clear as day, the face of Jesus. Or someone who looked like Jesus. It blew my mind. Cory did not see it. And I'm not sure she believed me at the time. Regardless, I know what I saw that day. And you can either believe me or not. I don't really care. Photo by RALPH


Click on the photo above to see the larger version.


To contact the advertisers below, simply click on the Ad itself. Anyone wishing to find out info about advertising here can do so by emailing me directly by clicking here. Ralph's Email I'll send you a template and other info on how you can become a paid sponsor

We highly recommend the various businesses and artists listed below. Why? Well simply put, each and every one of them is a Surfer, who lives the Surfing Lifestyle, and their business is a reflection of that lifestyle that we all love.


All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK *Unless otherwise noted.

Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo
Today- Messy and Gray. Saturday October 12th, 2013.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Joel Feid boosting one in the misty mess. Saturday October 12th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) This looks better than it really was. Saturday October 12th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above)*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS
from Lansdale JEEP the last 23 years, and have not had
a single regret. They are the BEST!!
*Click on the Ad above to see more!





(Above) Thom Hay in some funky casual pose. Saturday October 12th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Kody Grondin ducking in the sloppy Joes mess. Saturday October 12th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



Today- The Friday Action October 11th, 2013.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) This guy was getting some speed in these weak conditions.
Friday October 11th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.









(Above) Same guy bouncing across the the snowbank.
Friday October 11th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Unknown on a chest high wave at the Wall.
Friday October 11th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- The 10th of October, 2013.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) It was a nice blueish gray night, and it seemed like things were only going to
get better as the days progressed. Thursday October 10th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




( Above) The beauty of this blog is this. Anyone can get their photo taken on any given day.
On this night this unknown (kook) get's his day in the sun, by simply getting one of the better
waves of the night. Thursday October 10th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



Today- Friday October 11th, 2013.
 Photos by Ed O'Connell




( Above) James backing into a better wave than the one he went looking for.
Friday October 11th, 2013. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




( Above) Mackey V slapping the slop. Friday October 11th, 2013. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.






( Above) Richard Donahue lime green slappy at the wall.
Friday October 11th, 2013. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


Today- Thursday October 10th, 2013.
 Photos by Ed O'Connell




(Above) This is how you start the day. Thursday, October 10th, 2013
Photo by Ed O'Connell *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Hannah Vokey finds a nugget on Thursday, October 10th, 2013
Photo by Ed O'Connell *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Tim O'Shea gliding into the early morning light. Thursday, October 10th, 2013
Photo by Ed O'Connell *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- More from last week's swell. Tuesday October 1st, 2013.
 Photos by Ryan Denning



(Above) Matt Colby speed blur. Tuesday, October 1st, 2013 Photo by Ryan Denning
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Backside glassy slot for Matt Colby. Tuesday, October 1st, 2013
Photo by Ryan Denning
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
 





(Above) Matt Colby finding another sweet section. Tuesday, October 1st, 2013
Photo by Ryan Denning
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


Today- Kyle Linseman INDO pics. October 1st, 2013.
 Photos courtesy of Kyle Linseman



(Above) Kyle Linseman's sick INDO pics. Tuesday, October 1st, 2013
Photo courtesy of Kyle Linseman
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

AVAILABLE IN THE SHOPS and Online. Click on image
above to see how to order.




(Above) Kyle Linseman's Rocks training pays off. Tuesday, October 1st, 2013
Photo courtesy of Kyle Linseman
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- Pics From Around The World. October 13th, 2013.
 Photos via the Internet



(Above) It's still out there. Go and find it. Photo Via the Internet
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) Look at this set! Photo Via the Internet
*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) New England in Autumn. Photo RGF
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) Empty California wave.
Photo by Jared Hay
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above) This is another Cali shot from Jared hay. This is Kyle Riffe.
Photo Jared Hay. *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 235 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Click the photo to see the outcome of this Surf crime and the verdict.
Photo by Maureen McNamara

* Click on the photo above to see the OUTCOME.
Click banner below to follow the entire CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY Year Long Blog. From start to finish. In chronological order as it happened. And trust me, a lot happened. Some of it almost too hard
to believe. But it's all there. Every single day.


CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

30 YEARS AGO...is that possible? Yes Ralph it is...dang.

The VINNY BAND "Waves" 1983 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

 

This was the only Video we ever made for the VINNY BAND back in 1983. We shot it on 3/4" video and Super 8mm movie film. I loved using my GAF movie camera back in those days. The band actually went through many changes and many members (17). We formed in 1976 and broke up in 1986. We did it all...Punk, New wave, and Latin Funk Punk.

We did this tour of South America and Central America. There's footage from that tour here. There's some wild looking images here. Concerts, kids, Guerillas, all kinds of stuff.
There's also more Surf footage... including footage of Rabbitt riding HUGE Pipeline...and of course, more footage of me surfing in Nova Scotia and Tortola.

The band lip sync-ing footage was shot in Boston at some studio. I forget where. The CARS drummer David Robinson produced our LP on the EAT Records label. We called the album "Olas De Sexo" ...it's kind of funny to see it all again. *Interesting note. This is the first ever known footage of the skull we used for the "Crackie" character.

Any ways hope you like this other Blast From The Past.

Ralph

 

"MARIA" by Semper Fi 1986 Shot and edited by RALPH & Cory Fatello

This was the first ever video on MTV that showed Surfing. I shot this with a Super 8mm GAF movie Camera. My then girlfriend Cory helped me every step of the way. We shot in Hawaii and Cape Ann. It's really grainy looking and real low budget. Still, the Surfing is real. It's me at Pupekea on the North Shore of Oahu.

I sing and play guitar. I wrote this song "Maria" about one of my old bandmates from another band "VINNY" who fell in love with this girl in Latin American in 1983, when our band toured throughout Latin America.

The woman in the video, playing the part of "Maria" was Miss Philippines in the early 80's. I forget her name. She had a boyfriend who was 6'5" and a Black Belt in Karate who wanted to kill me every time I had to get close to her. Even though it was my girlfriend Cory, who was shooting all those scenes. I was like "Dude it's all make believe. Lighten up. I'm not the least bit attracted to your girlfriend. I'm with my own girlfriend here!"

The bass player Rich, actually lives here on the Seacoast, and I still see him. The other two, Eric and Greg, have gone their separate ways. The tape was produced by the CARS drummer David Robinson, who also produced my album.

It's hokey, it's the 80's, but it's all 100% original.

Hope you like this blast from the past. 27 years ago.

Ralph


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.
 


Johnny Reynolds Sunday Oct 13, 2013. COMING NEXT WEEK!!!

Recorded in 1978. 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


Empty wave sneaks thru the pack Sunday Oct 13, 2013.
COMING NEXT WEEK !

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 Maureen McNamara
 
Today October 13th, 2013
"High Five Kody!!"



(Above) Kody Grondin waving hello or goodbye? 10-12-13.
Photo by RALPH


Click on Wave to return to top of page

 This site/blog designed and maintained
by Adlantic copyright 2013