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September 22nd, 2013 The RUN is 8 out of 9 Weeks
Waist high or better, at least once a week. There was
Waist high SURF all week.
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The Autumnal Equinox...

The last day of summer was here before you could say 4/3. For you non surfers, I am referring to the 4/3 Fall wetsuit. In fact, the last day of summer was just that, very summer like. And yours truly went surfing in just my trunks, and a rash guard. It was that warm.

I was never one for buying into the concept that summer ends on Labor Day. The 21st is the last day. Officially that is. Because if you were around today (Sunday September 22nd) it felt like summer to me. And to those of you who paddled out into the waist high surf.

I will say, that this last week of summer, was full of awful and bizarre news stories. Both nationally and locally. The shooting on Monday at the DC Navy shipyard, followed by the gang related shooting in Chicago, was just terrible to see. It's so true about the simple fact about evil living in this world. It does. It really does.

It hides undetected among us, like a virus, and then without warning, it springs itself on the unsuspecting world, in the most violent and shocking ways.

We have almost become numb to it. In fact, I'm sure we have.

The frequency to these mass shootings is so common in our lives that it hardly raises an eyebrow anymore. I don't get it. I'm sure there must be reasons why it happens more and more. But the mere fact, that we all have accepted it as part of our overall culture, is to me, frightening. And none more so, than the victims who deal with it first hand. And of course, the loss that the loved ones who were left behind have to deal with.

But again, we become numb to their pain and grief as well.

And as immune to the national news we have become, we local seacoast residents here in New Hampshire, had two stories that sent shock waves through our community. On Friday September 20th, 2013 Hampton police found two male bodies floating in the Hampton river. Instantly, people started freaking out.

Who were they? How did they die? We all wanted to know. I mean, Hampton and the surrounding seacoast towns, are a small, tight knit group. We all know each other.

It was a tense day and night, for this small section of our world.

And just as we were all reeling from that news, another big story hit. The very next day, Saturday September 21st, 2013, the last day of summer. Two cyclists were killed while participating in a bike race at 8:30 in the morning. A young local woman hit a group of cyclists while they were riding over the Neil Underwood bridge. She killed two of the women, and sent 3-4 others to the hospital.

The irony is, the two women who died, were actually on the bridge that spans the Hampton River. The same river, where the two men died in the day before. How is that possible?

We had two men drown in the Hampton River on Friday? And two women die over the Hampton River on Saturday? Look, I'm not making this stuff up. I do know that there was a full moon, and while it's hard to blame anything like this on another planet, it is at the very least ironic.

This town has been quiet all summer. To have four strange deaths occur in two days? I don't know. I honestly don't know. What I do know is, there are four sets of families and hundreds of friends who are in mourning right now over these untimely passing's.

And the young woman who was driving the vehicle who killed the two women? I can't imagine what her family is going through. Because I do not know the details of either case, I will not comment. That's for you guys at the water cooler, and the coffee shops. And the surfers to talk about in between sharing waves.

I do know, that someone is at fault in both cases.

There has been rumors about texting while driving and passing another vehicle. Both of those warrant some kind of punishment. We all deal with cyclists here on the seacoast. And there are pros and cons to both sides. Some motorists say that the cyclists do not adhere to the same laws and rules of the road as they do. While the bikers say the opposite.

Regardless of who's right and who's wrong, we still need to be aware of what is going on while driving and riding a bike. I do both. I drive my vehicle and I ride my bike. I do not think I own the road. I take every precaution when driving and riding.

My guess is, there are changes coming. If it turns out the motorist involved, was at fault by "texting" then I am all for cracking down on cell phone use while driving. Unless, it's hands free, there's NO excuse to be driving and texting. None. Zero. If you do it (and you know who you are), you need to stop.

My fear is this will fall on deaf ears. It's already too late. Your bad habits are in place, and there's no turning back. The cell phone is a wonderful tool to have, but boy, can it ever mess you up.

Don't drive and text. Don't engage in a conversation and text. In fact, why don't you try not texting for a whole day. Or a whole night. Try it. You will go through texting withdrawals, and you may get the shakes. But you will eventually kick the habit. And think of how much better you will feel about yourself.

Maybe I'll start a 12 step Texting Program. "Hello, my name is Ralph, and I'm a texter..." HELLO RALPH.

What do you think? Nah...I know what the cure for texting is for me.

All I need to do is, go surfing.











So is it too late to jump on the Red Sox band wagon? I told you all a couple of weeks ago that I am a fair weather Red Sox fan. Well, the weather has changed. I am now into the team. Is there room on the band wagon? Please. What if I grow a beard? Look, I'm hoping they win this thing straight out. I'm a New England Sports fan. But only fanatical about the Patriots and to some extent, the Bruins. But I clearly want the Sox and Celtics to win too!

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

Lots going on in the Middle East. Syrian president sat down and spoke with several news networks this week. And it does appear that Assad wants to play ball with us. He does seem to want peace. He says he is turning in all of his chemical weapons. And Russian president Putin is backing him up.


OK so can we trust him? Look at his face. Do you trust him?

And as if on cue the new president of Iran claims he too wants peace with the rest of the world? Really? You know if you were to have slipped into a coma and woke after a couple of years, you would of thought this was another planet. And look, there's nothing I want more than world peace. If no other human being died a violent death in this whole big wide world, I would be as happy as the happiest liberal on the planet. I think we all would.

But history tells us something else. Still, I am willing to give these peaceful gestures a chance. We all should. I just remember what happened to the US in the movie "When Mars Attacks!" I think of president Jack Nicholson, when he pleaded with the Martians "Can't we all just get along?"



I'm hoping for better results than Jack got.

Please all you Duck Dynasty fans forgive me. But I saw this opportunity and had to run with it. KSM is still an evil son of a bitch who was the mastermind behind September 11th, 2001. And the Duck Dynasty guys are all good men. But I couldn't pass this up. It's all about beards this week. The Sox and this.

As always, let's take a minute and enjoy the weekly humiliation of the mastermind terrorist who killed 3,000 innocent civilians on September 11th, 2001.



* Note to self. Must pick up some Duck Calls at Home Depot.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jack Keefe September 21st, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sam Nevins September 21, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Victor Capozzi September 21st, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mat Evans September 23, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY "Patch" 3 yrs old September 23, 2013!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lester Priday September 30, 2013!
CONGRATS to Mike and Allie Paugh on their Wedding 9-20-13!
GoodBye Summer 2013 Hello Fall 2013!

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 9 years. **Think about BUYING a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

Keep in mind the photos you steal from this site are low RES. You can't blow them up. Order HIGH RES photos that are suitable for framing. It's a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer or Surf Break!
Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on
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Yesterday- Summer Cape Ann 1975.
(Below) For the longest time, I thought this was me. Though I was never 100% sure.
It was in the Gloucester Daily Times in the Summer of 1975. Exactly four years after I was arrested for Surfing at Good Harbor in May of 1971. I met a man this summer, who claims he has photos of that day. The day I was put into hand cuffs and arrested for surfing in MAY! It was my first time back there surfing since I came back from the war. If the gentleman from Vermont is reading this, please get in touch with me, and send those photos off. The thought that you have photos of me in hand cuffs on the beach in the Spring of 1971 is priceless. PLEASE get in touch. Photo c/o the GDT


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Today- The Beautiful Empty Waves of Thursday,
September 19th, 2013. Photos by RALPH



(Above) Not as big as Gabrielle from last week, but just as clean.
Thursday September 19th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) Hot and glassy. Thursday September 19th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) Long smooth lines. With NO ONE out. Thursday September 19th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH
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(Above) Sunday was still fun. September 15th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
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Today- Early morning, September 19th, 2013.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Unknown who was clearly over dressed. Thursday September 19th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.








(Above) It was good for longboarding all day long. September 19th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Ryan McGill swinging into a late day glassy left. September 19th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- Friday morning. September 20th, 2013.
Photos by RALPH


(Above) Unknown surfing Long Sands in York, I ended up surfing here in just my trunks and a rash guard. *And I surfed my short board. Hey I figured this is the end of summer. I may as well take advantage of the warm weather. September 20th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) It's not just about surfing. September 20th, 2013.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Today- September 18th, 2013. The Wall. Photos by RALPH



(Above) The view from my office window. September 18th, 2013. Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




( Above) Junky but waist high. 9/18/13 Photo by RALPH
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Today- TS Gabrielle. The Day After. September 15th, 2013.
Photos by RALPH & Cory



( Above) Unknown boost. Sunday, September 14, 2013 Photo by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Check out my hand jive. TS Gabrielle Sept 15, 2013.
Photo by CBF *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- Leftovers from TS Gabrielle September 14th, 2013.
Photos by Ed O'Connell



(Above) Unknown. TS Gabrielle. Photo by Ed O'Connell
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(Above) There were good waves all day long. 9-14-13
 Photo by Ed O'Connell *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) The sun was in and out but the hollowness was all day.
September 14, 2013. Photo by Ed O'Connell
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(Above) Mackey V had the best birthday of all. September 14th, 2013
Photo by Ed O'Connell
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Today- Friday Afternoon. My good friend Tony Berardini got to fly on the only existing (still flying) B-24 Liberator from WWII. His dad (Coach Berardini) built the B-24's during the war. Check out these cool photos of Tony's first ever flight
on this unique piece of US Military history.
Beverly Airport. September 20th, 2013.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Tony posing in front of the old bird before she lifted off. I also shot some video from this cool experience. Friday September 20, 2013.
 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.







(Above) She was loud and noisy and very windy according to Tony. And very cramped. The thought that this plane dropped bombs over Nazi Germany is pretty intense. Beverly Airport. Beverly, MA. September 20, 2013.
 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.






(Above) It was a great day for Tony and his father. 9-20-13.
Photo by RALPH Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) It was a such a treat for me to be able to stand out on the runway and shoot this. 9-20-13. Photo by RALPH Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

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Today- The Pics From Around The World.
September 22, 2013. Photos via The Internet



(Above) It's STILL out there. Go out and find it. Photo via the Internet
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(Above) Got Hollow? Photo Via the Internet
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We welcome all Surf Related pics from our Readers. Just make sure they are at least 900 pixels wide. If you have any OLD photos of local New England surfers and or of local New England surfing, we would love to see them and share them with our readers.

We can scan them for you. And we get them back to you undamaged. Trust me. We can do this...people love the older stuff. So if you have any, please send 'em along. If you have prints/slides we can scan them for you.

And we don't care if you shoot pics with with your cellphones. I mean it. Most of the images you see on the news and on the Internet were shot with them Smart Ass Phones. Shoot and ask questions later.



(Above ) Eddie Traniello is living in Hawaii. And it's obvious he's taking advantage
of his new surroundings. Photo Eddie T
 *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


(Above ) Kai Zola moonlight surfing on September 19th, 2013.
Photo by his dad Brett
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(Above) Westy on the prone machine.
Photo Unknown*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

(Above) From my garden. Yes it was as sweet as it looks.
Photo CBF Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
boat


(Above) All Rise: 10th Street District Court of Surf Justice is now in session, the
Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. CASE 232 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Click the photo to see the outcome of this Surf crime and the verdict.
Photo by RALPH

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CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

Kenny Powers at Myrtle Beach SC


From Season 3, Episode 1: Kenny Powers (Danny McBride) protects Myrtle Beach for the locals.

Classic. I love this bit. Too freaking funny.

 

 


 

New Hampshire Hurricanes of Yesterday 1973-1983 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

I have so much surf footage from the old days that I shot on my old Super 8mm Movie Camera, my trusty GAF. I loved that camera. And I honestly still love, the look and texture of Super 8mm movie film.

So gritty, yet so warm. There are many old faces in this clip. Jeff "Berts" Obst, Kevin "Doc" Grondin, Joe "Manse" Somogyi, Steve "Neddie" Nelson, John "Duffy" McCarthy, Steve "Mags" Magliano, Allen Bigbee, John "JT" Taylor, Mike "Zappy" Paugh, Stevie O'Hara, Harry Manzi, Jacko, and even a wave of mine.

Joe and Neddie are no longer with us. Jeff Obst has moved away, and the rest of us, are still surfing today after all these years. These are all Tropical Storms and Hurricanes I filmed here in NH.

The music is by The Beautiful People, and it just grooves with this clip...

I love Tropical storms. But I also love Nor'easters. We're lucky around these parts, to be able to surf both.

"Surfing Heals All Wounds..."

Ralph

..

 


CLICK CRACKIE BELOW TO SEE CRACKIE VIDS

CLICK ON THE CRACKIE IMAGE TO SEE ALL THE CRACKIE VIDEOS. Crackie's still on an unpaid administrative leave. However if you need a Crackie Fix just click on his face and go to his YouTube page and watch all his absurd videos. And if you have a question for Crackie, no matter how stupid, or absurd, please send it here...crackie@adlantic.com

You can also check Crackie out on Facebook. You should Friend Him...though there are no guarantees that he'll be nice to you.
 


COMING NEXT WEEK.Jesse Gould Shot today Sunday 9-22-13
photo by RALPH

Recorded in 1978. Click on VINNY CD art to see a larger
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COMING NEXT WEEK Max Fatello on Sunday 9-22-13
Photo by RALPH

Recorded in 1983. Click on VINNY CD art to see a larger
version and how to order this CD and others for sale at
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A Division of Adlantic
 


(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 RALPH
 
Today September 22nd, 2013
"CLEAR THE LINE-UP NOW!!!"



(Above) Ralph having fun with the door gunner 50 Cal on the B-24 Liberator
9-20-13. Photo Tony Berardini


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