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October
29, 2006
Hey
is it windy where you are today? Cause it's
blowing like crazy up here in the Northeast! That Sou'easter
that blew through on Saturday came back with a powerful SW
wind today. Talk about white caps and blind take-offs. Man, it was frothing
like a mad dog out there. That storm that went through on Saturday
was actually embedded in the middle of Vermont like a CNN
reporter embedded with the troops in Baghdad. It looked like on
the surface, that there was no way a swell could develop. But them Sou'easters
have a way of making waves, just like their crazed brothers, the Nor'easter.
I always liked that name, Nor'easter.
In fact, those who remember, will recall that I had a Blues Rock band
from 1985 to 2005 called the Nor'easters. We played up and
down the eastern seaboard and had ourselves quite a following of both
Surfers and Blues Rockers. The Nor'easters. Those were fun days.
Where was I? Oh yea...
The Sou'easter (am I writing this correctly?) Is kind of like,
the twisted sister, to the more powerful and regulated Nor'easter.
But a decent Sou'easter can still pack a punch if you get it early
enough. And you know where to find them nuggets.
The surf today started off in a manageable form, but quickly turned into
a blustery caldron of mayhem. The wind was howling kids. And if you didn't
get it today, you really didn't miss much. Well, that's not entirely true.
You missed surf. And, if you live by the old adage of, a bad day surfing,
is still better than a good day of work and school... well, you missed
it.
It may be one of the last days in a 4/3...wait did I say 4/3?
I'm still in my 3/2...Huh? I better get moving and put that dam
4/3 to use, before I haul that overcoat of a wet blanket, of a wetsuit
my 5/4/3 out of the closet.
I'm not ready for that. It was warm last night. In the 60's. Felt
like 70 at my house. Maybe it was. I know it was warm. Today felt
colder. Those winds come around and blow like a freight train out of the
west and it's only a matter of time before the temps start to drop in
these parts. Granted, it had more south in it than it did west,
but, you could feel it. We know it's coming. Won't be long before them
hard NW winds start honking.
Then the real cold starts. Dam...
I heard some disturbing news today. One of our local guys, Alex Orestis
had a board and some money stolen out of his vehicle today in New Hampshire.
Yes he was parked at the ocean. Now, before I go any further here, I want
to point something out. We don't care who lives and surfs here in New
England. We all hope, that we can all get along and behave ourselves
in and out of the water. We all want to be treated with respect and live
by the unwritten rules of honor as Give Respect-Get Respect.
However, we will NOT PUT UP WITH ANYONE STEALING ANYTHING FROM ANY
VEHICLE. PERIOD. In other words, if some surfer from Massachusetts
get's ripped off up here WE WON'T STAND FOR IT. WE WON'T TOLERATE
ANY FORMS OF LOW-LIFE CRIMES like stealing someone's surfboard. And
it does not make a difference where you live. WE WILL NOT PUT UP WITH
IT.
Some kid works his ass off to buy a surfboard and some lowlife loser rips
it off? I don't think so. And, if you BUY a board that was stolen, well
then guess what? You're just as guilty as the loser who stole it.
The Stolen board is a 6' 0 Byrne Pintail with a Red bottom and Red rails
with a white deck.
Keep your eyes open for it.
Trust me. If we ever find the PUNK ASSES that stole someone's surfboard
and money from someone's vehicle...anywhere...well...you'll see.
But I'll tell you this, it won't be pretty.
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Our friend and fellow surfer, local Doctor Ralph Falk lost his
dad last week. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Dr Ralph's
family and friends, as we truly are all sorry for his loss. His dad
was a Veteran who served in the Korean War, and talking with
DR Ralph this morning, it was a huge part of his life. I'm sure
it was. You don't experience something like War, and not have it affect
you for the rest of your life. It stays with you. It humbles you. It
puts things into perspective. Like life. One tends to look at life,
in a different light, after experiencing something like War.
DR Ralph's dad by all accounts, was a decent and good man, who loved
his family and friends, and I'm sure, he will be missed by all of those
who knew and loved him.
I know that time, will eventually heal DR Ralph's pain. And I
know, there will be a time, when his dad's spirit will be felt in a
positive light.
But there's one thing I know for sure. And that is, Surfing can help
heal the pain. Or just the ocean itself. I drove by the ocean on the
way home this afternoon, and saw DR Ralph jogging along the Ocean.
I knew right then and there, that the healing process was taking place.
And I felt better for him, and his family.
We are lucky to be Surfers. Anytime you're feeling down, we can always
paddle out and catch a wave. There's something soothing about the ocean.
It has this natural healing element, that only the Ocean and surfing
can provide. I'm sure it's the same with other natural sports. But for
us, it's surfing. And, it does not make a difference where you live.
Here in New England, or out on the West Coast or deep
in the Tropics.
The Ocean and Surfing heals all wounds.
Speaking of Fathers. I went and saw the movie "Flags Of Our
Fathers" the other day. I highly recommend it. It was directed
by Clint Eastwood and it's based on the book by James Bradley
by the same name. Bradley's dad John Bradley, was one
of the original 6 Flag Raisers who raised the American Flag
on top of Mt Surabachi on the island of IWO JIMA in February
of 1945. It was one of the last major battles in the Pacific.
The Marines who fought there paid a heavy price for that Island.
Over 6,000 Marines were killed taking that Island. 21,000
Japanese were killed defending it. The Island had to be taken so
that US Planes could land there on their way to the mainland
of Japan.
Taking IWO JIMA saved thousands of American Lives.
I know a lot of you readers of this column understand the significance
of W.W.II, as you more than likely have had some friends, and
or, relatives who served during that war. My uncle was at IWO JIMA
and I had a good friend who was there as well. My dad and all my uncles
fought in the Pacific during W.W.II. They are all dead
and gone now.
This movie is a glimpse into our own history as the kind of sacrifices
they all made during that time. To keep things in perspective here.
Over 400,00 Americans lost their lives in 4 years of fighting in
W.W.II. Four Hundred Thousand. We've lost just around 3,000
in this current Global War on Terrorism in the same time.
We lost 53,000 American lives in three years of fighting
in KOREA and 58,000 Americans killed in 10 years of fighting
in Vietnam.
Bottom line. War sucks. There's nothing good about it. But sometimes,
you have to stand up and say WE WON'T STAND FOR THAT BULLSHIT.
And once you make that commitment, you better see it through. Because
there's much at stake.
Go See the movie. It's
worth it. And if any of your parents or grandparents are still around
who served in W.W.II, tell them Thank you.
The Patriots play the Vikings on Monday Night..hope they
win...
Remember
my friends...Surfing heals all wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
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