A Week Of Surf, 29th Anniversary, and Trumpty Dumpty.

OK so Matthew didn't deliver the goods like we had all hoped he would. But, Nicole could be just what the doctor ordered. It's looking like as early as tomorrow we should start seeing something from her. Keep yer fingers crossed it could be really good.



This is a sample of what's in the galleries this week. And I have to tell you, pull up a comfortable chair and pour yourself a cup of coffee and dig in. This pic is from my son Max who hurt his ankle pretty bad 10 days ago. And look, I know he's my son and all, but damn he got some great pics. He can surf circles around me and now he's catching up with both the stills and the videos.



This pic is featured on the latest ESM gallery. This is Chris Stelman. He's a Jersey transplant. He can surf, and he's a good guy. There's a whole sequence of this ride. Max shot a bunch of sequences.

He has over 300 pics in the galleries. And PLEASE don't try and look at the galleries on those I-phones. Big daddy Apple won't let you see the galleries because they REFUSE to offer flash. Those freaking dimwits. You need to see them on a PC or a MAC. I-phones wont give you access to the galleries, and trust me, the galleries is where you want and NEED to be.



Everyone shot this week. Including my old pal John Carden. Ole Johnny took time away from his wife and kids and their cooking classes to shoot a batch of beauties from this Columbus Day swell. This looks like Kyle Linseman. I can tell by the facial hair and that deep gouge. Whoa Kyle. That's nice.



This is Becca Speak. I guess this is the wave that tweaked her back. Ouch. Not good. But hey, that's surfing. Sooner or later we all take a hit that keeps us out of the water for a spell. Lord knows I've had a few in the 52 years I've been surfing. Wait, did I just say 52 years surfing? Day-um, homey getting old.
The key to longevity in surfing is simple. Stay healthy. Eat good, don't abuse your body with crap you don't need. Go easy on the alcohol and weed. And most important STAY IN SHAPE. Work out. Be strong and limber.

And when you get hurt, don't rush back into the water too soon. That will only hurt you more. Be smart. Smart surfers surf longer than dumb ones.



This a cool pic from Andrew Rebeiro. Andrew got some beauties this swell. Be sure and check out his really cool gallery. Matt Colby you need to check Andrew's pics. He got a couple of good ones of you. Do check it out.



Ok not to bore you all to death, but last week I mentioned that the 10th of October is our wedding anniversary. In fact, it was our 29th. Next year on our 30th we are going to Rome. I have never been to Europe but Cory has many times. Personally, I can't wait. But I'm getting slightly ahead of myself here. This pic above? This selfie?

Well, I am going to let you in on our little secret tradition. Each year on the 10th of October, no matter what the weather, or what our plans were, we head down to the Union Chapel in North Hampton. This chapel is where we got married. It overlooks the ocean at Fox Hill.



It really is the coolest little Chapel around. You'd be surprised at how many times you drive by it and never notice it. It's hidden in these big beautiful trees surrounded by big sprawling mansions. It was built in 1877. We got married in 1987. That's 110 years later.

We thought the dates were special. And they are. To us anyway.



But the secret tradition I mentioned? Well, each October 10th we stand in front of those big old doors and I take a selfie of us. That's 29 years of taking selfies. And as the kids started to come along, we included them.

The selfies got tighter and tighter each year with the kids all leaning into the shot. Sometimes they worked perfectly and other times someone would get only a portion of their head in the shot. But each one we took, we are always laughing and smiling. The kids loved it when they were younger.

We should bring the grand kids next year. Keeping the tradition alive. Why not? Why the hell not? In fact, it's our 30th next year, I will want the whole Fatello clan in the shot.

Now you know where the saying "Selfies By Ralphie" came from.

"Surfing, Foliage, Photography, and Bird Dogs, Heals All Wounds"

This is Max (Mackey) Fatello. I know how much Mackey loved Ed.
And I know how much Ed loved Mackey. They were a good fit. This was taken in October of 2008. It's at the Wall. I remember this day well. I was shooting video on my old Canon GL 1. I'm sure the raw tape has Ed's voice talking with me. I need to go back and listen.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Be sure and pick up a copy of the COLD COAST and check out Ed's own gallery.
Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
This is really sad. Divorced Barbie (she divorced Ken 10 years ago) has now come forward, and claims that TRUMP put his hands all over her plastic breasts too. Barbie now 72, said to CNN and FOX news that she was having lunch with her ex (Ken) when TRUMP came up and sat down next to her.

He asked me if I wanted a drink. I said "No" but that didn't stop him from putting his hands all over me. He kept saying "Let me see if those things are real or not! They feel like plastic to me!"

He was referring to my breasts. I was so embarrassed, as was Ken.

Ken stood up and threatened The Donald, but that only infuriated him more. "Sit down you plastic pussy, before I knock that yuppie smile off your face. Fucking Ken! Oooh look everybody it's Barbie and Ken!"

Ken started to cry, as did I, and only then did he stop from mauling me. He got up and threw a hundred dollar bill on the table, and walked off yelling "Have fun you two plastic pieces of shit. Believe me Barbie, you just made the worst decision of your career. Believe me, you'll never work in this town again!"



Both news stations tried to get a statement from Ken, but were unable to reach him. "This is just the tip of the iceberg" sources close to the Clinton Campaign have said. Donald TRUMP is dropping in the polls
so much that Mike Pence has dropped out of the race. It's true. And now, BILL COSBY has replaced him. These are desperate times for the TRUMP campaign. And as the old saying goes. Desperate times call for desperate measures.



Time will tell if this bold and daring move will turn things around for the TRUMP campaign. Time will tell. But this is shaking things up.

The other big news is the CLOWN sightings. Have you all heard about this? The sudden appearance of clowns all over the nation. Talk about crazy and scary. Not to be out done by this new development, both the Clinton campaign and Trump campaign have both made promises to the voters, that if elected they will wipe out the clowns.

They both said they would go undercover and capture them single handedly. Wow. Wow, that's really something. Good Lord, can you imagine either one of these two doing something as brave as that?
Nah me neither. It's probably more political talk.




They both appear to be pretty serious about this promise though.
Maybe they can work together on this clown issue. That would be nice.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Boy wouldn't you know it. That damn KSM is behind this whole Clown thing. That sneaky little Al Qeada terrorist will try anything to scare us.
I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty perplexed as to how KSM manages to get out of GITMO each week to pull this shit off. Somebody is not doing their job down there.



As always... take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of seltzer bottles at Home Depot this week.

WELCOME BACK HOME TOM BRADY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my late sister EVAMARIE October 19th, 2016
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Arlene Nichols October 16th, 2016!

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

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

Ralph

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

Today- More Columbus Day Swell. October 10th, 2016.
Photos by Max Fatello



(Above) The 10th was firing. And so was this woman. Nobody has come forward yet to lay claim to this ride. Surely someone out there knows who this woman is. October 10th, 2016 Photo by Max Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is Chris Stelman. from a 5 shot sequence. Barreled.
How nice is this wave? October 10th, 2016 Photo by Max Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Tom Hay taking a break from launching a million airs finds refuge in the hollows. October 10th, 2016 Photo by Max Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Oops I spoke too soon. Tom Hay launching another air.
October 10th, 2016 Photo by Max Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Day After Columbus Day. October 11th, 2016.
Photos by Max Fatello



(Above) Glassy and still hollow. October 11th, 2016
Photo by Max Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) Kody Grondin in the pocket thinking about the promise he made
to me back in early September. Or maybe not. October 11th, 2016
Photo by Max Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Sloppy 15th of October, 2016.
Photos by Max Fatello



(Above) You make the best of it. Right Tom? October 15th, 2016
Photo by Max Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) She looks better than it was. October 15th, 2016
Photo by Max Fatello *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Perry Reynolds hand dragging rail grabber. October 8th, 2016
Photo by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Matt Colby up and over the lip. Lost gallery October 8th, 2016
Photo by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Today- The Columbus Day Pics From John Carden
October 10th, 2016. Photos by John Carden



(Above) Kody Grondin lacerating this lip. October 10th, 2016
Photo by John Carden *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- More Columbus Day Pics. October 10th, 2016.
Photos by Andrew Rebeiro



(Above) Matt Colby in a deep barrel. October 10th, 2016
Photo by Andrew Rebeiro *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Matt Colby boosting one over the cross bars. October 10th, 2016
Photo by Andrew Rebeiro *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Earlier Sesh of October 8th, 2016.
Photos by Max Fatello



(Above) Believe it or not Pev made this wave. October 8th, 2016
Photo by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Big cam and Little Kody in the house.
October 8th, 2016 Photo by MAX
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Fun at the Fair with Mr and Mrs Fatello
October 10th, 2016. Photos by RALPH


(Above) We always have fun at the Topsfield Fair. Always. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery