So here we all are again...another New Year is upon us. Another 12 months of hopes and dreams for most of us, and unfortunately for some, it's more heartache and despair. 2011...Twenty eleven. No matter how you write it or say it. It always seems weird getting used to the first few weeks of any new year. I don't know about you guys, but the years seem to drift by me like the moons and the tides. It seems the older we get, the quicker the hands of time move. Why is that? I mean why does time accelerate the older we get? Doesn't seem fair does it? And then it's just the opposite for the youth. Time drags by for them. Watching the clock in class...waiting to get out of someplace to go and have fun seems to take forever. Of course, it's all just the perception that each and every one of us has of time.

Personally, I wouldn't mind it if things just slowed down a little.

I thought about writing a year in review column this week. You know, sort of a re-cap of all the things that have happened in this last year 2010, both here in New England and all over our Surf Globe. I mean locally here in New England we've had a truly amazing RUN of surf. I mean it has been non stop for weeks on end. Most of you will agree with me on that. And for those of you who don't...well I've documented the year here on this weekly blog and they are ALL archived here. Feel free to browse through the many pages I have stored here on this website. It's all there. The photos the comments. The pain and the glory.

Of course you could always go out and purchase my latest movie. It's all there on video. Each and every month. The RUN REDUX was finished on Christmas Eve and it is in most shops. If it's not in your fave shop, tell them to call me directly and I'll ship copies out to them. And for those of you who are thinking that you might not be in my movies, guess again. My camera has no filters. I shoot the best waves on any given day. If you happen to catch that wave, and you have any kind of a pleasing visual style...well, your ass is going in my movie.

Therein lies the simple truth of this weekly column and my movies. It's all about the truth. I am just documenting what is out in front of me. The good, the bad, the ugly. OK mostly the good. I'm not shooting crap. I'm shooting the better days. And if you happen to be out there...BAM! I'm shooting you. Just like that.

And it's not just me shooting. All the photographers who contribute to this weekly do the same. Those are my orders. Shoot the best waves. I don't care who's out there. Shoot the best waves. Unless of course, some clown has a board that can catch any wave before anyone else, and they really can't surf. That's when I'll reach in my vehicle and take out my high powered Tazer weapon, with my 3 x 9 scope and shoot your glutton wave catching butt out of the line-up. Breathe, relax, squeeze...surprise.

Look I'm kidding...I don't carry a weapon in my vehicle. I carry it on my person. I'm kidding again...sheesh. (Nope.)

I am going to continue to bring you the best photos every week from the best photographers around. We will document each and every swell and each and every event that pertains to our lifestyle and community. That's our promise to you from RALPH'S PIC OF THE WEEK.

Now on a more personal level, I have this to share.

Last night while I was at a New Years Eve Party, a close friend asked me if I have any New Year's Resolutions. Honestly? I'm going to continue to try and be a good person. I mean it. I am really going to try and avoid conflict in and out of the water. I've been doing great as of late. And those of you who I have recently met this year and we have shared a few waves together will back me up on this. I would rather make friends with someone than to go through the time wasting anguish of getting into a hassle over waves. But again, less any of you think that I am soft, and that I will not stand up for what is right, you will be sadly mistaken. I will take a stand against negative attitudes.
I will correct those who need correcting or guidance. I will point to the beach if someone is out in big/good surf and they do not know their ass from their elbow.

I call that being helpful. Heck, I'm calling that being a good samaritan.

I want to save those clueless wonders from themselves and also save my family and friends by helping to assist those who need that sort of military guidance. CLEAR THE WATER! DO IT NOW! You know, something subtle like that. I hope most of you know I am kidding...I would think by now you understand my humor. Yes there is a tinge of darkness to my humor. But my heart is full of love and compassion for all of you who share this gift. And I am saying this on the souls of my loved ones. I want to be a better person. I want to keep enjoying the lifestyle of being a surfer. I want to share this lifestyle with not only my friends and family, but with total strangers as well.

And I mean that with 100% conviction and honesty.

So that's my New Year's Resolutions. To keep doing what I've already started. It would not hurt if we all did that. If we could find that fine line to walk. To tolerate one another. Why not? I know I've said this many times in the past, and I am never going to grow tired of saying it again. Right now. Right here in 2011. It's all pretty simple:

Be Good To each Other. Give a Wave-Get a Wave. Love your family and your friends. Reach out to help someone who needs help. Don't second guess being nice to someone. Just do it. Sacrifice a part of you. Put a smile on someone's face. Lend a
few dollars to someone who needs it. Be a Good Person.

And remember what the late Andy Irons said about surfing. "I love surfing because of the person it makes me become after I surf." He was talking about stoke. Being stoked about surfing is a real physical and emotional feeling that only we get. This tribe that we all belong to. That stoked feeling is real kids. From Hawaii to Hampton, and beyond. It is real. Don't lose your stoke. Ever. But if you do...remember my words..."Surfing Heals All Wounds..." And that my friends, is the absolute truth.

Happy New Year to all of you. I truly wish you the best of health, happiness, and to be prosperous. God Bless you all. I'll see you out in the water.

Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:

The news today was so sad. I had lost track of what was going on both here at home (United States) and abroad. The Snow storm this past week was really bad in certain places. In NYC several people died because the 911 responders could not get to the victims. That's terrible. There were people stranded at airports all over the place. Just awful situations resulting from that Nor'easter.

And then last night, Tornadoes ripped through several communities and killed a dozen or more people. On New Years Eve? How sad and scary is that? Tornadoes in the winter? I mean who knew that was possible? I was so saddened by watching these families sift through their belongings searching for anything salvageable. So terribly sad. I will say a prayer for them tonight. Please do the same.

The Patriots are playing the Dolphins tomorrow but the outcome will have little affect on their standings and Play-Off hopes. They are all set. A first round bye. And then we face one of several teams. And make no mistake about it kids...anything can happen in the NFL. Anything. I will say this...if the Patriots make it to the Superbowl...I'm buying a NEW FLATSCREEN HD Tv. Talking about 50 inches of HIGH DEF kids. You heard it here first. A NEW TV for our home...if the Patriots make it to the Superbowl.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:MY MOVIE IS OUT! REPEAT. THE RUN REDUX IS OUT!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CONGRATS to ESM for their upcoming 20th Anniversary!
CONGRATS to the TSJ for their 20th Anniversary as well!
GET WELL Timmy McCarthy...we're ALL Praying for a quick recovery Tim!
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 December will be up before the end of the week. The DROPPING IN ON RALPH section will be 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