"So what's with all the surf stuff? Do you surf?" The Cable guy from Comcast asked me. He's been here for an hour setting up our cable. Our home, like most surfer's homes, has quite a bit of surf art and surf photos adorning the walls in each room. "Yes. I'm a surfer." He looks at me funny. "But you don't surf around here." 'Here we go', I'm thinking to myself. Another sheltered individual who has somehow not heard that there's surf and more importantly, that there's Surfers here in New Hampshire.

"Yes around here. In fact, there's good surf right down the street. " I tell him. "Really?" he asks as if I'm pulling his leg. "Yes man. There's surf here in Hampton." I reply. "Well that's one thing I'll never try." He states. In hindsight, I should of let the topic drop and gotten back to the issue at hand. My cable. But I couldn't. So I bit on the statement. "And why is that?" I ask him.

"Sharks. I'm petrified of Sharks." He says with a serious look of concern on his face.

"Sharks? You got to be kidding me. You don't mean sharks around here do you?" I ask. He nods his head 'yes.' "Dude...you can't be serious. Sharks? " He's obviously embarrassed by his own silly admission. "I won't go near the water. Ever since I was a kid. I'm afraid of sharks." I look into his eyes to see if he's busting my balls. He's not. He's dead serious. "Where do you live again?" I ask. "Dover." I look around to make sure no one else is home, because I didn't want to embarrass this guy in front of my wife or kids.

"What's your name again?" I ask. "Chris." he says. "Look Chris, have you ever heard of anyone being attacked by a shark in Hampton? I mean ever?" He looks at me and says "They saw sharks last summer. It was on the news. " All of a sudden I'm into this crazy topic of discussion. "Look there are sharks out there. That ocean is full of them. It's their home. But dude, you can't be serious about this? I mean, I've been surfing around here for a very long time, and I have NEVER, EVER heard of anyone getting bit, bumped, or killed by a shark. Ever."

"I don't know, I'm just scared of them." He says.

"Do you know of anyone who's ever been killed in a car wreck? " I ask knowing the answer. "Yes." I look at him in the eye and say.."Well shouldn't you be more afraid to drive your car? People are getting killed out there everyday on the highways. Isn't it more dangerous to drive a motor vehicle than it is to go in the water at Hampton Beach- New Freaking Hampshire!? Chris?" He laughs nervously and says "You're right. Ralph, I must be crazy to think that. I don't know what's wrong with me."

Now I didn't want him to feel bad. Especially seeing how he was not done with the work he came to do. "Of course if you lived in California or Florida, your chances of getting killed by a shark might go up a little." He looked up at me. "But Chris, you are safe around here. Trust me on this. You are safe on these beaches in New Hampshire." I smiled at him and nodded my head in a reassuring manner.

"You know, maybe I will try surfing this summer!" He says. I almost spit my coffee out.

'Uh oh,' I think to myself. Did I just add another beginner into the Summer Crowds mix? "You should." I say. "You should. Why the hell not?" I shook his hand as I showed him to the door. He slowed down as he walked past all of our surfboards in the garage. His eyes lit up. He touched a few of the longboards in the rack. " I guess I'll be seeing you at the beach this summer." He said with a big smile on his face.

"Yea I guess you will, unless there's a shark sighting." We both laugh as he drove off.

I just mentioned accidents in my conversation with the cable guy. Little did I know that after writing that line that it would come to the forefront of this column. It is with a heavy heart, that I inform you that one of New Hampshire's oldest surfers lost their son in a motor vehicle accident last week. Chris Parks the son of Carol Grady and step son to John Grady, lost his life on December 3rd. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Grady family and to all who knew Chris. There are no words we can say that will bring back Chris, but our love and support will help the Gradys in their grief and sorrow. May God watch over them all.

And I have yet another Surfer Family loss. Mrs Dillon the mother of Steve Dillon lost her life to an extended illness last night. One of the original Surf Moms, Mrs Dillon was always hauling her three sons to the beach and videotaping her kids surfing. She was special. I just recently spoke with her over the phone and saw her briefly when Steve was home and she was checking the surf with him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Dillon family and their friends. Love and support is needed again my friends.

The Holidays can be most wonderful time of the year for most of us. And it can also be depressing time for some. If you know of someone who is feeling down or depressed, reach out to them. Lead them away from the darkness. Help them. Don't second guess yourself. Reach out and lend a soothing voice, or a warm hug.

This Holiday season is about Love and giving. And there can be no greater gift, than the gift of love and friendship. That's what family and friends do. And if you know a surfer who is suffering...well, take them surfing. Because it's true. "Surfing Heals All Wounds" Rest in Peace Chris and Mrs Dillon. Rest in Eternal Peace.

Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:

The sad news on the Global front is the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. Again cancer has claimed another life. I know it's the Holiday Season but I really really hate cancer. I hate you cancer. I hate what you do to families. One of these days cancer...one of these days, someone somewhere, is going to figure out how to kill you. And we will kill you every time you raise your ugly head. Rest In Peace Mrs Edwards.

The long enduring trial for Elizabeth Smart ended this week when that lunatic loser who kidnapped Smart when she was 14 years old was found guilty on all counts. He should spend the rest of his life in prison, where he should be subjected to the horrors of prison life, and may he suffer the same fate he put the poor young girl through. That is poetic justice. And then when he dies he will face the wrath of hell. Later loser.

Those of us who grew up with the Beatles had to relive the horror of 30 years ago when John Lennon was assassinated by that loony bird in New York. 30 years ago. The most senseless killing in the history of Rock and Roll. I still get mad thinking about it. Denying all of the world the beautiful music that John Lennon would of composed had he lived. Instead, it was the end of the greatest musical group in the history of modern day music. The Beatles. All you older music fans know what I'm talking about.

The Patriots kicked some serious ass on Monday night last week! Oh my God! 45 to 3??? The JETS got spanked and throttled. They were embarrassed on National TV as our New England Patriots looked like the team that we all want them to be. Is this too early to start making predictions? Oh hell yes it is. We need to get past the BEARS
first! That game is today in Chicago. And it's going to be in cold, windy, conditions. Come on Brady and Company...this is starting to get exciting!

Let's do this! BEAT THE BEARS!

Hey speaking of sports in New England. The SOX made some serious acquisitions this week. Gonzales and Crawford. That's some serious Yankee like money being spent round these parts. But I guess that's what you gotta do. Spend a little cash. The BRUINS are also on a WINNING Streak as are The Celtics. Times are good here in New England as far as sports go. That's GREAT NEWS for ALL New England Sports fans.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Due to the SWELL on DECEMBER 2nd and this Thanksgiving Holiday the NEW SURF FREE OR DIE MOVIE The RUN Redux will now be released on or about DECEMBER 15th, 2010. SORRY for the delay...but it will be worth the wait. Trust me. It will.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jeff Smith and Karin Backstrom December 13th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister Donna December 13th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Matt Pruett December 17th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Elliott Easton December 18th!
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.

CHECK OUT THE NEW/Old YESTERDAY PAGE! ALL OLD New England and
beyond Surf Pics! *NEW PICS added each week!

*Check out the NEW updated DROPPING IN ON RALPH blog Section.
ALL of September, October, and November is NOW UP. CHECK IT OUT. REPEAT The DROPPING IN ON RALPH section is UP to DATE! And there's some great letters from you guys from all over the world. (And a few hurtful ones too). But check it out.
*This is the blog section of this website where you can write in and comment. The
only downside of this blog 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.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week
every week for the last 7 years. **Think about BUYING a Photo from any of the weeks
on RPOTW as a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer!

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

Ralph