February 5th, 2012 SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!
The RUN is 49 out of 50 Weeks. Waist high or better, at least
once a week.
The Surf was Waist high on Friday the 3rd. |
OK I can't stand it. The anticipation is killing me. I admit. The waiting. The not knowing. The millions of opinions and talk shows. The dissecting of coaches, players, owners, and fans. They have covered every square inch of this game. And then some. It is so hard for us mere mortal fans to wait around.
But then again. It's not that hard. Lords knows we should all be used to this by now. Our 6th overall trip to the big show. One would think we would of grown hardened by the 6 trips to the SUPERBOWL. That we would all seem to take this in stride. Not be affected by it one way or another. But who are we kidding?
We are New England Sports Fans. And we all know that anything can happen.
And we also know that we have no control of the game. Zero. Nada. Gulp.
It's like when we all board the Jet planes that whisk us off to far away destinations. We have no control of these large metal birds. We are helpless. We say silent prayers and peek into the cockpit to give the pilots that thumbs up sort of gesture. But we all know. We are at the hands of someone else. We put our very fate into the hands of modern technology, and the skills and talents of human beings who have been trained to fly us around the globe. Sheesh.
And God. We pray to God. And yes, we pray to God during sporting events.
Like God has picked our team to win? Or the other team? Like God has any team he favors over another? I mean, do I even bring up Tim Tebow again? Clearly God would be on Tim's side. He would have had the Broncos in the Superbowl instead of us. Yet we still all secretly pray. And we do more than pray during these gut wrenching games. We do all sorts of crazy antics to get our team to win. Wear certain clothes. Sit in certain chairs. Watch the game at weird angles. Let's face it, we get crazy.
And yet, we all know that what we wear, what we say, where we watch the game has NO bearing on the outcome of the game. Zero. Nada. But we do it. The wacky superstitious antics..."just in case."
And what's that supposed to mean? You know, 'Just In Case' it does have some kind of cosmic affect on the outcome of the game. Maybe we are all just not aware of our roles. But they work?
Wouldn't we all be surprised if that were true? That when we all pass from this earth we find out that everything we did during these games DID in fact have some merit as to the outcome? Why I'll be a monkey's uncle if that's true.
Well I don't know about you, but I would have my little mind blown if that were true.
But let's be real for a minute. Come tomorrow, we will all know one way or another, We either won or we lost. And if we won, we did it because of the New England Patriots players and coaches. And if we lost, we lost because the NY Giants played better and had better coaching. It's that simple. Or is it...? Gulp.
So what is my gut feeling? Well, I think we win. And I'm not basing it on any one reason. I think that overall, we will be better prepared than the last Superbowl, and better prepared then the last game we played against the Ravens.
It's a gut feeling. That's all I have. I have no "X's" and "O's" to share with you. I only have that gut feeling. And sometimes, that 's all I need to hang onto.
Regardless of the final score. It was a fun ride getting here. I enjoyed it. I'm sure you all have as well.
Heck, it's always a treat to have your team play in any Championship. We've been lucky here in New England. The Sox, the Celtics, the Bruins and the Patriots have all won Championships. It's been pretty exciting being a fan from these parts.
Speaking of fans. Chris, a friend of mine, is a surfer from Winthrop MA. He called me this week to say he had some posters he wanted to give to me. They were all posters of the Championship teams we've had in the last 10 years. Thank you so much Chris. You made my day. Here's the framed 3 Superbowl Championships we won...2001, 2003, and 2004 .
You'll note the Boston Globe framed of the very first Superbowl on the wall.
That was 10 years ago Friday...that's hard to believe. I remember that game like it was yesterday. We were the underdogs all the way. We went on to win 2 more Superbowls. That's amazing. Here's to another ring tonight.
So wear your lucky clothes. Sit in your lucky chairs. Do whatever you have to do to help us win this game. Because my friends, we ALL play a role in this cosmic game of NFL football. All of us. Do your part.
GO PATRIOTS!
"Surfing Heals ALL Wounds..."
Now
for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
74 people die in a soccer match in Egypt? What? Can you imagine if that ever happened here? I mean Good Lord. They even tried to kill some of the players? Soccer games are nuts in certain parts of the world. But for the fans to go and create that kind of mayhem over a game? That's wrong. So damn wrong. Pray for the souls who lost their lives at that game. (But sharpen your knives if the Giants win today).
Speaking of games. The Volcom Pipe Pro that I watched on my computer this week was INSANE! That Final? Oh my God. That was drama. Heavy surf drama. With Jamie O'Brien in the lead and Jon Jon Florence in 3rd and needing a miracle, the final seconds ticked away. Suddenly there's a big set on the horizon.
JOB shadowed Florence as he paddled over to pick one off. Jon Jon went deep on a backdoor beast forcing JOB to back off and Jon Jon made this insane drop and held on by his toenails as he pulled off this whacked bottom turn and then pulled up and under this huge pitching lip. Well you know what happened next. That thing spit and out came Jon Jon with a perfect 10 from the judges, and the ultimate win at the buzzer.
So
Heavy. So unreal to watch live on the PC as well. If you missed it? You missed an amazing FINAL at Pipe. I wonder if Jon Jon is a Patriots fan?
Mitt Romney must still be smiling today after taking Florida...Nevada is next.
OK we lost two ICONS this week. First up. Don Cornelius from Soul Train passed away by his own hand earlier this week. That man had a voice to end all voices. Deep soulful and so Soul Train...he was a classic. Lots of artists played Soul Train. Lots. And they can all thank Don Cornelius for helping to launch their careers.
REST IN PEACE don
Next up is Angelo Dundee. The consummate corner man for Mohammed Ali. Dundee was there for all of Ali's Greatest fights. He was in his 90's and he passed by natural causes. The two of them were inseparable. Ali and Dundee. Rest In Peace Angelo.
OK I've gotten back into American Idol after a two year hiatus. We wanted to see what all the noise was all about with Stephen Tyler. Well we know now. He is cooked. That man is hornier than Bill Clinton. Damn. It's almost embarrassing. I will say this however, his version of the National Anthem at the AFC Championship game two weeks ago was clearly embarrassing. Can I go on the record here, and say this once and for all? That song must be sung straight. In other words, DO NOT BASTARDIZE the National Anthem. SING IT STRAIGHT. Tyler your version was awful.
Good luck to Madonna today...and once again...
GO PATRIOTS...a Nation of fans are behind you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mary Ellen Torrisi February 5th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bryon Rivers February 6th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Andrew Jacob February 7th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jeremiah Read February 7th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Patrick Johnson February 8th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Susie Forsberg February 8th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christian Del Rosario February 9th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Craig Scanlon February 10th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Seth Reynolds February 11th, 2012!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Matt Colby February 12th, 2012!
REST IN PEACE Grandma Parker...my wife's grandmother who passed away on Saturday January 28th, 2012. Mildred Parker was 93 years young from Morris Illinois. She was a wonderful woman, and a loving mother to Judith and her siblings, and an absolute sweetheart of a Grandmother to Cory and I...and she was so thoughtful to her great grandchildren. I will miss her cookies that she sent every Christmas and Easter. And her long hand written letters. She was a beautiful and loving person. And she is finally home with her husband John and in the Kingdom of God...
Rest In Peace Grandma Parker, we all loved you dearly.
GET WELL SOON John Carden (right knee injury)*3rd local surf photographer to have injured the right leg/knee. All you other photogs better run for cover.
GET WELL Soon Brian Nevins!
GET WELL Soon Brent Reinheimer!
GET WELL Soon Steve "Surfer Crow" Watson!
Congratulations to Phil Carey and Alison on the birth of their daughter Reece
born on January 19th, 2012. Mom and baby are doing fine.
COMING SOON This SUMMER 2012 the Return of EMPTY Clothing.
Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner 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.
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. I will have March,and April up soon (I promise).
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic
Of The Week
every week for the last 8 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 |
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| (Above) The NEW Movie is coming along...we're trying to get it out as soon as possible. It's all original music (QWILL, Todo Bien and more), and local footage:Joe Carter's GITV, my own, Granite Stoke, and a few others. Plus the many stills from Ed O'Connell, Brian Nevins, my family, and more. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to The MOLLY Fund. |
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Yesterday- Ed O'Connell Rest and Relaxation at Bondi Beach Australia September 1969.
(Below) During the war in Vietnam the men and women who fought there got a two week R&R. You could basically pick any destination in the world (Except the US) and spend a two week vacation from the war. They called it R&R. Rest and Relaxation. Most of the surfers picked Surf destinations. Ed picked Australia. He got to use a a board for free all week. Look for that pic in the upcoming yesterday pics. September 1969.
Photo by Ed O'Connell. |
Click on the photo above to see the larger version. |
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Today- The CLEAN GREEN North Beach Session.
Friday February 3rd, 2012 Photos By RALPH |
(Above) Casey Lockwood was one of three guys out. He was basically by himself. I mean not to take anything away from his fellow surfers, but he was in a league of his own out there. Casey Lockwood February 3, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
(Above) This is what Casey basically had to himself. February 3, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Worth missing school and work for? Maybe. February 3, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Casey Lockwood. February 3, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) This is one of those non surf photos that says surfing to me. February 3, 2012. Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today-Friday February 3rd, 2012 Photos by Ed O'Connell |
(Above) This look familiar? Look at my photo of Casey from my gallery and compare.
Friday February 3, 2012 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) How glassy is this? Casey Lockwood.
Friday February 3, 2012
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery. |
(Above) Unknown taking advantage of the day. Friday February 3, 2012
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Casey Lockwood playing around North Beach on Friday February 3, 2012
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery. |
Today- MORE PHANTOM. Jan.-Feb. 2012 Photos by The Phantom
(Above) Sam George master of all surf riding vehicles. Winter 2012
Photo By The Phantom * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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(Above) You just have to open your eyes. Winter 2012
Photo By The Phantom * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) There's the special kelp in the face look that this spot is famous for.
Winter 2012 Photo By The Phantom
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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(Above) That's a nice looking wave.
Winter 2012 Photo By The Phantom
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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Today- Patagonia Slide Show Newbury Street Boston, MA
with Brian Nevins Jan 30-2012 Photos by RALPH & Ed O'Connell
(Above) Brian has a broken right leg, and I have torn tendons, and a torn meniscus.
Monday January 30, 2012 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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(Above) Johnny Grasso and Mike Moran.
Monday January 30, 2012 Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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Today- BUCKING BUCK ROWLEE January 2012
Photos courtesy of Buck Rowlee
(Above) How many of you can say you've ever done this? Not many. Buck Rowlee can. Check out the photo gallery of Buck's Wild Bucking Adventure. January-2012!
Photo courtesy of Buck Rowlee
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
(Above) Oh yea...he's a Cowboy. Buck Rowlee's Wild Bucking Adventure. January-2012!
Photo courtesy of Buck Rowlee * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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Yesterday- FOR THOSE WHO MISSED THIS LAST WEEK. You NEED to Look at these CLASSIC Old BOSTON BRUINS Pics
from 1970-
1972 Photos by Ed O'Connell
(Above) The GREAT Bobby Orr! January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
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(Above) Derek Sanderson. A flamboyant and hard charging forward for the B's.
January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Ken Hodge. Is it me or are his shoulder pads a little light? Old School Bruins
at the Garden. January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery. |
(Above) Phil Esposito was a garbage man. Always hanging in front of the net waiting for that loose puck. He scored a lot of goals that way. Old School Bruins at the Garden. January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.
(Above) Cheevers. The art work says it all. Old School Bruins at the Garden.
January 1972 Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery. |
Today- Bernie Baker's Hawaii Winter-2012 Photos by Bernie Baker
(Above) That's a nice looking empty wave. Winter 2012 Photo By Bernie Baker
* Click on the photo above to see a larger version.
(Above) That's a WILD looking wave. Winter 2012 Photo By Bernie Baker
* Click on the photo above to see a larger version.
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(Above) My buddy Rocky sent this in from Northern Cal...classic and very funny. The OB crew, and their sponsors.
Photo courtesy of Rocky Vanucci * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) That's a very late and steep drop. The KNEELO Championships in Cal last week. Winter 2012 Photo By JC
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Michael Mallen at Wild Wally's Saturday February 4th, 2012.
Photo by Ed Mallen* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Check out the insane waves at Huntington Beach last week for the Kneeboard Championships. Winter 2012 Photo By JC
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos
Rob Gronkowski Spikes to the 1812 Overture
New England Patriots Tight End Rob Gronkowski has become known for his signature spike of the football after scoring a touchdown, thus the term Gronking was born.
The video ends with Gronkowski's 14th receiving touchdown in 2011, giving him the record for most touchdown receptions by a tight end in a single NFL season.
BELOW- This is the second 5 minute trailer to the NEW Surf Free Or Die -Memory Lane Movies documentary called SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.
"SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS Trailer II"
This is the insane surf footage from December 2010. Oh yea, there was good surf last December, and this clip will prove that. The soundtrack was recorded in 1983 and it's the classic "LIL DRUMMER BOY" that I sang, played guitar and arranged and well, you should just sit back and watch and listen. The music will speak for itself.
Music is by RALPH
COMING SOON
This is the NEW 5 minute trailer to the NEW Surf Free Or Die -Memory Lane Movies documentary called
"SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS"
It's the true story of the man who surfed 365 consecutive Days in memory of a 5 year old girl (Molly Rowlee) who lost her battle to cancer in 2009.
He called it "Catch a Wave For Molly".
Music is by QWILL
COMING SOON
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Crackie opens up and admits he plays the Positive voodoo card when it comes to the New England Patriots and the Superbowl. He is very superstitious...and he wants you all to do whatever it takes to help the team win. So sit back and enjoy his Crackie Superbowl Special clip..and oh yea...GIT OUT MY FACE!!!!
crackie@adlantic.com
Crackie now has his own Facebook Page. You should Friend Him...though there are no guarantees that he'll be nice to you.
Hope you all learn something from this informative Q&A.
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(Above) All
Rise: 10th
Street District Court of Surf Justice
is now in session, the
Honorable Judge
RALPH presiding. CASE
147 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Shot last week in Hampton. CLICK and SEE this Surf crime and the verdict.
Photo by The HAY BROs |
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Click above graphic for The Daily BLOG I wrote from July 26-2010 to July 26-2011
Yes you can STILL DONATE to the Fundraiser.
THE "CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY" video by JOE CARTER and
GET IN THE VAN is NOW on the SURFER'S JOURNAL Website and
now
the ESPN website too! Wow!
To see it on this site go to the Molly Page.
http://www.surfersjournal.com/journal_entry/molly-motivation |
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Above) Vince in Tortola during the 1979 SUPERBOWL January- 1979.
Photo Video frame grab of Super8mm Movie by JT COMING NEXT WEEK!
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(Above) SUPERBOWL SUNDAY Jeff Chamberlain
January - 1979. Photo by RALPH
COMING NEXT WEEK! |
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(Above) Jeff Obst 1977 Hawaiian Islands Photo by Mindy Bocko
COMING NEXT WEEK! |
*Click masthead above to read the original
ISM story.
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(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 HAY BROS |
Today 2012 "The Kick is Up and the Kick is Good! ..."
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(Above) Unintentional kick. Friday Feb 3rd, 2012. Photo By RALPH. |
Click
on Wave to return to top of page
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