This is your page. In other words, simply
click on the link below to send me an email, or short story. Tell me what's
on your mind. Try not to be so hurtful. Just keep in mind, that any email,
and or letter I receive, could be posted on this page. But keep this in
mind as well, I will answer most with a short reply. And don't worry.
I will NOT post your email address, but I will post your name. After all,
that's only fair. So send me your thoughts, praises, complaints or well
wishes...I'd be happy to hear from you. Click here- Dropping In On Ralph! Be sure to leave your name and State. Thanks. |
MAY
2009 Ralph
Hope all is well. Brian
Nevins But wait, a calf injury? How bad? You got pics of the wound? Thanks so much for sending these unbelievable images. Ralph
Ralph, 5/29/09 Ralph Steve Wow
that was nice. I didn't know you guys were doing that. Thanks for being there on Monday. (Man did we luck out with the weather.) Ralph
I know you were busy with Memorial Day activities yesterday but what a game between the Big Red and Orange, too bad Cornell fell to the pressure during the final minute of play. Hows MVF doing?
I returned late Saturday night from a 19 day trip to OZ and Fiji. Heres three pics from the trip.
Best to the family,
Doug
(California) MVF's team today had the EXACT same thing happen to them. They were leading with 10 seconds to go against the number 1 seed. And with 3 seconds on the clock their number one shooter gets the ball and scores. Then we lose it in OT.... a heartbreaker for sure. Here's the web gallery...I have every game except today's...still too upset to post. www.laxwhs.com More tomorrow...
Ralph, 5/26/09 You do a great job as Post 35 commander by getting all this to happen and by motivating the Post membership to do all of events for the community and to honor all veterans. Most wouldn't bother, but we are grateful that you put in huge amount of time to get the job done. Thanks. Dave Thanks again. Tell Elaine I said thank you again. Ralph Ralph,
5/26/09 Thank you. Glad to hear that you and Alison enjoyed the service. That was the first of four that day. Busy weekend all around. Takes a lot out of me these days. But a small price to pay for what and who we're honoring. Thanks again Chris. Ralph
Glad to hear you're having fun out there. I am always surprised to hear of surfers taking up this lifestyle at a later age. Must be like the new "Golf" or something. Have fun and don't forget to look both ways before taking off. Ralph
5/25/09 Thank
you I did have a good day on Monday. Saw your dad R
Brian and I want to say Happy Memorial Day to you. We just got through watching a show called "Reflections of Viet Nam" on the history channel. It's a documentary of this group of vets who return back to Vietnam, Saigon, and some other places, over 40 years after serving in the war. It was quite moving and it reminded us how proud we are of you and what war must have been like. Do you ever think of going back? We love you (well I do anyway!!) :) Brian says, "Thank you for our freedom." Semper fi. Gale and Brian Good Evening Brothers and Sisters: Here
are some visual reflections from this Memorial Day weekend. I came to
Beverly yesterday for the parade and service. And today in Hampton,
we had 4 services and 3 parades. Plus a Funeral Service tonight for
one of our WWII Vets...Needless to say...I'm exhausted. Gale and Brian just got your email. Thank you. I am going back to Nam either this late Summer or Next winter. It's been 40 years this year 1969-1970. Any ways, enjoy the photos...Max took the one's in Hampton and I took the one's in Beverly. By the way, I did NOT drive by our old home. I couldn't do it. Thinking of all the fallen today and yesterday. Love and respect, Ralph
Semper
Fi, Capt! 5/25/09 Pray for surf! Buck Captain
Ralph Hey
Ralph, 5/24/09 JC R Ralph, 5/21/09
I just wanted to tell you that my son Robert really liked your music Friday night. Hes gotten into that music recently and loved hearing it live!
Thought Id let you know!
Good show by the way!
Chris Ralph Ralph
5/20/09 Ron: Not sure if that last email reached you. Thanks for the invite. I may take you up on it someday.Tom was at my show on Friday (Big Handsome Daddy). Met some guy who said he knew you this week. His name is Kevin. Go to the gallery from 5-15-09 from this week's column. He's the guy Longboarding on a nice Glassy wave. I said in the caption, that he was more concerned about the Meters than he was about catching waves like this. Keep Surfing! Ralph Hey Ralph! 5/18/09 I was happy to see a photo of me in this week's newsletter: I'm a buddy of Ross Kunkel, I live and surf near "Peaches and Cream"... Anyway, just saying thanks and good photo! In the photo I'm riding my 10 year old (bought used from CR) 10' Harbour SanO, my first, only and best longboard. Keep it up. Thanks, Patrick
D Ralph Hey
Ralph! 5/18/09 Dr. Brent PS
I won my semifinal Sr mens shortboard heat and got 6th overall. Sorry I never caught up with you before you left. That's great on the funds you guys raised for Miss Molly. We all love that little girl. And Congrats on your placing in the Regionals. This was the first year we didn't go in a long time. We kind of missed it. Even though Max always had a hard time advancing over those young rippers. We always had fun. Anybody else advance from NNE? Lenny was going to call me back. But I've not heard from him. Send those pics again of you and Aaron. Thanks, Ralph
Ralph,
5/18/09 Thanks
for sending me these. I'll post some this coming weekend. I've
posted so many damn photos of your brother lately, he owes me big time. Got
a busy weekend coming up with it being Memorial Day. I'm the Commander
Thank you for your service Shawn. God Bless and as always...Semper Fi. Ralph
I
hear you my brother. I hear you like Obama hears Joe Biden. Did
you see the pic I ran of you and John a few weeks back? Keep
me posted on your progress. And keep your chin up. You'll be back Ralph
I saw you get some good ones yesterday. I kept seeing you out of the corner of my eye. Getting some decent little barrels out there. I may have another shot or two of you as well as what I've posted. If we have a slow week I'll post them (with credit this time). Thanks for checking in. Keep surfing!
Great
waves this morning, we're definitely into week 14. But ... I Michael Thanks again, Ralph Thanks Billy. I'm glad I know that now. "Thom"-The Unknown. I can't do anything about it this week, but in the future I'll be sure to get his name right.
Keep surfing! Ralph
I just wanted to mention that I've been using your web page to prove that there are waves where I grew up. The thing I miss most about not being in NH is the fact that when there is a swell there, the perfect conditions remain until the swell leaves. As you may be aware, when the swell hits here, unless it is the rare Santa Ana condition, you have to get on it real early in order to really score. However, it is consistent, and I am constantly telling myself "if there is swell, SURF". It gets so crowded here that I actually enjoy surfing the tail end of a swell when it is a little blown out. I live about 10 minutes from Blacks and people get so picky out here that I sometimes have the opportunity to surf without competition during less than favorable conditions. I have a 1.5 year old son and I would love to raise him any place but southern California. Maybe I'll end up back there when I'm done flying. Regarding the pictures: I would be happy to send pics of deployments, aircraft, and waves. I'll check the web site for picture size prior to sending them. Also, I don't know you any more than the guy that waters his lawn next door, but I would like to extend an invitation if you ever get out to San Diego again- If you do make it here and want to check out the flight line or the 46 simulator, send me an email and I'd love to show you around. Your web site has been an inspiration to me, especially while sitting in a 120 degree desert for 7 months. Take care and keep up the good work. Chris
B
(California) I may take you up on that offer some day. 120 degrees...damn that sounds hot. What's the bug situation like over there? I hated bugs and I hated the heat. I thought I'd go crazy with that heat, humidity and them damn mosquitos. Of course, I've got friends who served in both Nam and Korea. Talk about the worse of both worlds. Korea sounded awful. I guess there's no such thing as a nice War. Thank God. Yes send me some pics. I plan on doing a Memorial Day column this weekend. Gonna post some Msgt O'Shea pics from Onslow. He did a few tours over there. He's like you, a New England boy in the Corps surfing and serving. Marine Surfers. We are an odd bunch for sure. I have a motto for my Seacoast Marines Group, you've probably seen it. FIRST TO SURF! The beach is secure sir. Semper Fi Captain! Ralph
With
regards, Ralph
5/17/09
cj Thanks
for the pic. I'll put it up next week. Tell your friends in school to
check it out! CJ is on Ralph's Pic Of The Week! Ralph Good
evening, 5/16/09 Good morning Captain: Thank
you for writing. And Thank you for your service. A quiet reader for
many years? Oh oh. I hope I didn't offend you along the way. Kingston
is hardly inland. Anywhere that is under an hour from the coast is close
enough to be "local" . And flying those 46's eh? I was with a 46 pilot just last night. My band played the Fund raiser or our Post 35. We want to build a "Bunker" for returning Vets such as yourself, to come in and hang out and just shoot the breeze with other Vets/Surfers. Oh yea, there's a few of us Vet/Surfers. I was just in San Diego in 2007 during the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Paddle. It was great. But Chris, I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I don't know any of the particulars of the accident, but I can tell from the tone of your email, these two young Marines were special to you. It's not easy losing Marines. It never is. And that's since day one. But we are a special breed. A TRUE brotherhood and that brotherhood is lifelong my friend. I'm sure you know that. These Marines Aaron Cox and Jessica Conklin will live on in our brotherhood because of Marines like you. By telling their stories, and sharing their lives, they will live on in our memories. As an older Vet, and Commander of my Post (Ironically since May 2001) I keep telling my fellow Vets that we must NEVER forget our fallen. It sounds like you are on that same track. By
the way, if these two Marines were from NH they would qualify to be
on our Monument. We have the only one of it's kind in the Nation. Check
our website for pics and other info. www.post35.com and check Send me pics (Surf/deployments etc etc) if you have any. I'd love to see one of your 46's. I flew in a few of them during my stint in the Corps. In fact to this day (40 years later) if I hear one, it brings me right back. Thank
you again for your service. I hope you get out in the water from time
to time. I'll say a prayer for your Marines. Ralph Hey
Ralph, 5/13/09 Whoa
brother that was a heavy email from you. Man, I really hope things progress
quicker for you. I don't think for a minute that your better days are behind you (surf wise). I will say this. You are the 2nd person (surfer) I heard from this week to have a serious injury involving soccer. What is up with that? Is soccer that dangerous? If it is...you may want to slow down a little. I'm glad you thought that some of "our friends" are crazy when it comes to not surfing unless it's head high or better. That's just stupid. Be one thing if we lived on the North Shore or somewhere like that. But man, this is New England. You have to take advantage of it every step of the way. And yes, we have had one hell of a stretch with surf. Unreal. 12 weeks and counting. There might be a little bump tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed. We'll see what happens. Thanks for writing. Be cool, and be patient. You'll be back before you know it. Stay in touch. I may post those X-wrays...just to keep everyone aware of how lucky they are. Ralph
Ralph: 5/13/09 The
website for the Lacrosse charity I worked on in January down in La Chureca,
Managua, Nicaragua went live today. The opening video came out great,
it's about 20 min. long but a great view of the project. Theres also
an extensive photo gallery under the media section. Brian
Nevins Ralph At
12:34 PM 5/13/2009, you wrote:
Thanks! W------p born and raised. I surf with some guys you might remember. I dont know if you ever met Chris C., Bob M., or Bill H. (deceased). Those guys are still ripping.
The spots you mention area gems. Winnies is no longer anyones secret. Boston magazine blew it up in a recent article I've attached to this email. FOX news will be doing their part to spoil the fun this Friday. Dont get me wrong-Im no nasty local. Neither are the guys mentioned above. Everyone has the right to surf wherever they want. Hostility in the water ruins the fun for all. There is, however, more sport to finding the point on a map, viewing rollers from the window seat on approach to Logan, or by ending up on the wrong side of a Boston detour.
If you find yourself in the area sometime, you should go back and check it out. The beach and break have changed dramatically, even over my lifetime. Still, theres nothing like a waist high burger on a summer day taken wearing 7mm boots and pair of boardies!
Thanks
again for the pictures. To be honest the left you captured was the best
of my night (only one worth photographing!). I was making some rights
look real sloppy before and after that. Ill look forward to seeing
whatever images you sent. There
were four of us who surfed it that first day. 1972. Me, Bob DeChico
(who lived right there), Mattie Crowle, and Gary...I forget his last
name. But he was a firefighter in Chelsea. I know Murph he's a good
guy. But he came around way after I was there. I'm sure I know the other
two guys as well. Or they must know me. I
was also one of the first to surf D-land. Surfed there for many years
(alone). During the 70's and 80's. I surfed all over New England. I
lived In Hampton for a short time 72-79...before moving back for good
in 89. My fear is I would paddle out at Winnies or D-land and have some young guy give me shit...then I would have to school his ass with a little History lesson. "Pay attention class." Let me know what you think of the pics when you get them. Ralph
Hey
Ralph: 5/12/09
Great beach shot of your brother, old shots from great days by the shore are priceless. Kathy and I are planning to try and get to Galley Hatch Friday hear you play and maybe shoot some photos.
I just ordered a Nikon 1.7 tele-extender, you gotta try it on the 300 or 500 would put us in a league (at least in terms of focal length) with Stoners 1000MM.
Good Job as always on the weekly column, I checked it Monday after a late night at Fenway.
See you soon, hopefully week 13 of surf
ED Ed: Thanks again for the weekly review. Glad you liked the Mothers Day Column. It is a bittersweet day for sure. My mother has been gone for two years now, and it still seems like yesterday that she would call and ask when I'd be coming down for the Holidays. Man...we all still miss her. Thanks again for the positive words . Ralph
Ralph: 5/11/09
As twisted as it may sound, I have enjoyed the blatant drop in sequences the last two weeks. Im not quite sure why, because we all hate it when it happens to us (and it happens a lot out here in San Diego too) Sometimes its the college kid learning to surf, sometimes its a tourist on a rental or sometimes its a regional pro who thinks he is above the law of the lineup. But whoever it is - I think I always have that same reaction an expression of disbelief and disgust, yelling something like you have got to be bleepin kidding me!, and then sharing a head shake or laugh with some regulars in the water who saw it go down. I can usually brush it off pretty quickly (after some choice words for the offending party) and enjoy the rest of my session, but it would make for some great post-surf laughs if such a sequence was captured on film.
Having grown up surfing the Seacoast, I know how crazy the Wall gets in the summer. Since blatant drop-ins are going to be served up a regularly as fried dough around the casino the next few months maybe you could make that a regular summer-time feature? You might even get some folks to sell out their friends by identifying the offending party. Who knows, you might get some repeat offenders that could end up on a Ralphs Pic Most Wanted Poster?
Thanks for the weekly updates and I hope to get some waves back there when I visit in June.
Justin
(California) Thanks for the email. And yes, you must be twisted to be into Drop-Ins... but I must say...I like your idea about the RALPH'S PIC MOST WANTED POSTER. Except my fear is, it will be someone I know, or worse, someone I live with. Like my son! Drop-ins are all part of the big picture. I'm
glad you're getting a kick out of these. Ralph
Hello
Ralph, 5/11/09 But it can be done. Thanks for the kind words and be sure and say hello if you ever run into (and hopefully not over) me. My three kids are now, 19, 17, and 14. The years fly by my friend. Enjoy these special moments with your wife and kids now while they are young and innocent. The real world is a scary place. But you already knew that. Keep surfing! Ralph
Thanks
that was fun. It's always fun to surf with one of my fellow photographers.
Should be more surf coming. Ralph
That
was really beautiful stuff. You shot all of that? Wow. Really nice. I
also watch some of your other clips. There's some really good stuff
here. Thanks
for the clip from today. Casey was surfing good. I think I'll end up
I
need to figure out how to use my HD quality NIKON D-90 video Ralph Ralph, 5/7/09
I know youre pretty busy these days but can you tell me if you think this lens would be a good choice for taking shots at the beach with my new Nikon D40?
Also, just wanted you to know I defended your honor recently. A guy named Joe Holaday told me you were a Fool! I said Ralph's never been a fool! He said; yes, he once was, just ask him!
Chris I'm
the wrong person to ask about lenses. But I think any lens that will
And
Joe was correct. I was a Fool back in 1981 for one year. I toured
Ralph
Ralph,
5/6/09 I like the web site with the album feature. And I really miss surfing with my old friends. Thanks, Thanks
for the email. Happy Birthday to you too. We miss you as well. Come
back for a brother session. Hell, I'll even give you a wave. Ralph
Ralph,
5/6/09 I know you think this is funny, but trust me, it's anything but funny when someone get's hurt. And there are places on this planet where there is little or no tolerance for drop-in infractions. Surfing is a fun sport that can literally change your life. But like anything else, there are manners and gestures that go a long way in both creating new friends, and making this lifestyle a less stressful one. Peter Stokes happens to be a nice guy. But the next guy, might be the complete opposite. Trust me, I've seen it first hand. It can get ugly out there. Like any other sport, you just have to learn the ins and outs. Keep surfing and keep learning. Ralph
5/6/09
With
regards, That
is cool. Boy did FUEL luck out with that swell. Oh my God. The Wall
was firing and Nevins and Moran were in their best form. Ralph Ralph 5/5/09
You forgot to photoshop out my pot belly on the drop in sequence! And youre right, I never said a word to that guy, but I paddled past him near enough for him to apologize, but I dont think he had a clue.
Oh well
Peter Why do people have to be so hurtful? Keep smiling and surfing. Ralph
Ralph, 5/5/09 Nice picture of Johnny Meehan at the Rocks. All the Best to the New Hammy Slammys. Take
care, Hope all is well with you and your new family. Stay healthy. Get some good waves. Love your wife and child and continue to be a good person. Keep surfing. Ralph
Ralph,
5/5/09 Thanks
again. Yea that Rainbow was something special. That night was wild.
Glad you got to experience it and I got a couple of your waves. Keep surfing. Ralph Hey
Ralph, 5/4/09 Enjoyed it as usual.
You
are a funny man. Thanks for the weekly feedback. Good stuff to That
Gabby shot is one of my favorite shots. When the original photo came
Hard to believe Gabby's turning 19. Unreal. Wait, isn't your birthday soon? Or did we miss it? Talk to me Johnny. You
really didn't miss much surf wise. It was clean, but small. Of course, I'm glad you shot a shitload of kitchens and got paid. Getting paid is a good thing. Shooting Kitchens? Well I've shot a few myself. There's an art to everything. Glad
you liked the Swine/Da Kine bit...that was fun. Ralph Ralph,
5/4/09 Thanks for the kind words. Glad you got to see yourself. Good thing your bud's got a sharp eye. I can send you pics. I sell high res versions of each shot. Just let me know which one's you want. Keep surfing. Ralph
Classic job this week and without a great swell.
The Swine/Da Kine flu stuff was hilarious and fantastic! I have already email some photos of Masked Max and a link to the video to some non surfing friends who I know will appreciate it. You should share some of this stuff with the non surfing press, its perfectly timed for laughs given the current swine flu mania.
The Peter Stokes drop in sequence was great you should save that one for Ralphs Rules and tips
Your shots from last week from that windy day at the rocks were great I didnt realize you held out so many classic shots for this week. The one shot of the guy going right with the tanker off in the distance is certainly a magazine quality shot telling the story of New England surfing. .
On my shots: The line about the Adjusting the family jewels totally cracked me up.
The Shot of the John Doe guy is Andrew Roussell who you may not know but the reason he looks familiar is he is riding Jon Gossos old Quiznos board.
The last 2 shots are definitely Jared Veltsos.
Great Job man.
ED Thanks for the weekly review. Glad you liked it. The Swine Flu/Da Kine flu bit was fun to do. Of course Max was the ever reluctant actor again. But when I threatened to not give him anymore spending money, he jumped all over it. I was surprised at Saturday's little swell. It was actually fun. I think I will use the Peter Stokes seq for the RULES & TIPS page. I was actually thinking that as I put that gallery together. Not sure what is on the horizon for this week. Looks like there could be another little ridable bump midweek. We'll see what develops. In either case, I have a slew of pics in the vault and other little tidbits when things slow down. Thanks again for the good words of encouragement. Ralph
Subject:
Ralph's Pic - Surfrider Cleanup info 5/3/09
Jamie: Whatever we can do to help out Surfrider just let me know.. Keep surfing. Ralph
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