I'm not one for believing in the Bad Luck Theory of Friday the 13th.

In fact, it was just the opposite for the surfers who live in the Northeast. The Friday the 13th swell ended up being a fun shoulder to head high, semi glassy semi offshore swell. The sun was out and the sea was green.
It looked and felt like (dare I say) Spring!



Crowley was back in town, and managed to get his feet wet in the morning with his old peeps Lars and Kai. The three of them were joined by Matt Colby and Becca Speak, and they all shared these fun looking peaks.



But, just to be on the safe side, I kept my eyes and ears open. Don't want to test fate with the bad juju of this particular day.



The sky and the surf was lit up like a Spring Christmas tree.

The day ended up being a great day. For us surfers, not so much in other parts of the world. Syria being one of them. But these guys below? It was a GREAT weekend. THE CARS were one of the 2018 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.





I was lucky to be friends with these five talented musicians back in the day. Ric O'Casek, Ben Orr, Elliott Easton, Greg Hawkes, and David Robinson. We all watched the CARS go from a demo tape on WBCN "JUST WHAT INEEDED" to being bona fide International Rock Stars. Nobody sounded like the CARS and nobody looked like them. My dear friend and producer of my album David Robinson was the creative genius behind the look and style of the band. He designed each LP cover and was responsible for much of that cool and slick style the band had. Ultimate cool.

I'm very happy and proud of them. I just wish that Ben had lived long enough to enjoy this memorable moment in their career.

On another note. Today marks the 14th Anniversary of RPOTW.

14 years, or 168 months, or 728 weeks. In other words, that's a longtime.
I've never missed a single week. Think about that for a second. Never missed a single week since April 15th, 2004. Here's a screen shot of that first week.
Click on the image below to see a larger version. Or...go to the archives tab and click on that. There you will find every single week.



Looking back on the year 2004 I was reminded of some of the things/events that happened during that year.

It was the year that FACEBOOK was launched. Think about that. Prior to 2004 nobody heard of Facebook. We've all heard about since though haven't we? Ronald Reagan passed away in 2004. The Statue of liberty re-opened for the first time since 9-11. George W. Bush was re-elected (how much do you miss him now?) The Battle of Fallujah in Iraq was being waged by the United States Marines. But the biggest story of 2004 had to have been the
TSUNAMI that killed 230,000 people.

There was a lot of big news stories that year. Fourteen years ago.

How long can we all expect to see this weekly Blog each week? I'll let you know once we reach the 20th Anniversary. Until then, I'll just keep Blogging away, providing you all with weekly pics and vids.

Oh, and my weekly ramblings about the surf world, and the world around us. Because let's face it, there's some crazy ass shit going on in the world today.


" Surfing and Blogging Heals All Wounds."

This is one from April 14th, 2011. The first year they installed the new Parking Meters. I was heading down the final stretch of my Molly campaign. Just four months left to my year long undertaking. Ed was right there with me. Every step of the way. He documented so many of my days. Dam I miss you.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Now for Some Local, National and International News
If you're looking for a good book to read, there's the New COMEY tell all book titled "A HIGHER LOYALTY". It's the story of Fired FBI director James Comey and his views on the world, the current state of politics, and most importantly, the unraveling of Donald J. Trump, the 45th president of the United States.

This book has ignited a brand new Fire storm in the White House, that is already overflowing with all kinds of outrageous accusations. And if that wasn't bad enough, Trump ordered a coalition Military strike on Syria's Chemical making factories
and compounds. I don't care who the president is, this attack on Syria was long overdue in my honest opinion.



Let's face it, these two will not be having any sleepovers anytime too soon. Friday the 13th was also the day that ex FBI direct Comey opened up after months of silence. Suffice it to say, 45 was not happy and tweeted about it.



The Tweetiness President Trump lets loose another memorable borderline insane tweet. Please God don't let the next president use twitter. Instagram yes. Tweeting no.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Check out who Zuckerburg has for representation? What a team. Though I admit, I like Zuckerberg, I think he's honest and sincere. can't say the same about KSM.



So my friends, please 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 "Lint remover rollers"
at Home Depot this week.

GET WELL SOON Jon Gozzo!
GET WELL JoEllen Bunton!
GOOD LUCK Tony Berardini in getting that little Hermicide out.
REST IN PEACE Erik Somogyi.
REST IN PEACE Charoltte Sullivan.

FYI Lenny Nichols is looking for someone or someones to take
over the ESA-NNE District. Please contact Lenny Nichols by calling his cell (603) 944-2418

THE NEW GRANITE GIRLS poster! Shooting for a May Day premiere and a Summer DVD release.






Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 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

(Above) One Cormorant against a beautiful cloud formation.
Friday April 13th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Sweet little inside angle. Friday April 13th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I look up all the time, and sometimes I see waves in the clouds.
Friday April 13th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) This is 12yr old Jack Madden. This is from a 20 shot sequence.
I believe this is number 7 from that sequence. Friday April 13th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Friday April 13th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- An Afternoon with Patch. Tuesday April 10th, 2018.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) I found another old foundation out there. Who lived here? And how long ago was it? Those two trees in the middle of what would have been a room is a good indication that it was quite a while ago.
Tuesday April 10th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Dave "CROP" Cropper surfing Kelly Slater's SURF RANCH back in November of 2017.
Photos courtesy of Dave Cropper




(Above) A true chance of a lifetime. Crop slotted on that insane perfect right.
November 2017. Photo Courtesy of Dave Cropper
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Crop gaining speed as a pick up rider watches closely.
November 2017. Photo Courtesy of Dave Cropper
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Crop jamming a cuttie while Raimana keeps a close eye on the Jet Ski. November 2017. Photo Courtesy of Dave Cropper
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Look at this wave. It looks like a mini Chopes. November 2017.
Photo Courtesy of Dave Cropper
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Oh hell yeah! Crop finding the Holy Grail of the Surf Ranch.
November 2017. Photo Courtesy of Dave Cropper
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Three waves to Glory. *See the video down in the video section.
November 2017. Photo Courtesy of Dave Cropper
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







(Above)Lenny Nichols shot this pic last week. I love the Black and white look.
This photo reminds me of some of Lenny's old work he did using film and black and white. He's one of the best out there. April, 2018.
Photo by Lenny Nichols *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery