This time last year, I posted a picture of a menu from Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas. It was a random shot, but this year, I wanted to give you the play by play. The first week of every November, the fam and myself head on down 50 miles south of Austin to New Braunfels for Wurstfest. This town has a big German community, which throws this big festival w/ music, food and beer. All things German. With that said, they have tons of crazy food. I ate and ate. So here goes...

I started off with the pork chop on a stick. So good.

Next up were the fried pickles. They were good as well.

Bedazzled Texas shit.

I did the sausage cheese balls. Last year, it was good. This year, eh.

Fried cheesecake with strawberries. Too good.

We peeped some of the music. Watched these German chicks kill it with the bells.

For the grand finale, I went in HARD with the chicken fried bacon. This is probably the most hardcore shit I have ever eaten. I could barely eat one strip. Couple that with ranch dressing? GAME OVER. How anyone can consume a serving of this is beyond me.

So there you have it. Wurstfest 2009 from yours truly. I highly recommend this event if you're ever in Texas.

It's been a while, damn. A lot of great things going on. Sometimes I feel good. Sometimes I feel bad or depressed for no reason. I don't mind anymore, I just go out and do what I want. . .

I got to hang with TWISTED SISTER yesterday. I was working on set with them for a tv show. I got to see them perform 5 songs right in front of me. They rock. 80's rock ballads feel good. The Price was my favorite song that they played. I'd never heard it before. . .

I recently became a contributor for American Apparel's internet radio station, Viva Radio. It's pretty cool. I just got my first interview up. Its about one of their contributors from Mexico, Dulce Fernandez.

She hosts the only All-Spanish show on the station, Sencacion En Espanol. Check it out sometime, it rocks.

Still working on the Rat Collective.

I'm planning on getting a shipment of goods out to The Dominican Republic sometime before Christmas hits. If you've got anything (skate shoes, boards, trucks etc.) to donate, please hit me up:

theratcollective@gmail.com

Recently read The Catcher in the Rye. That book made me happy. Sure its about a lot of depressing stuff, but what can I say, it makes me feel alright. Life isn't all fucking sunshine, lollipops and smiles. Lots of it is mega fake. Phony.

I don't do that fake shit anymore. And if I do, I sure as hell do admit it. And that feels great!

Anyway, be cool.

-Rainey

@ the Annex

Manifest, the Hundreds, Madvillian, Crooks & Castles, Cold Chllin, Lee Fields and more...

Thank "The Niceness" for this clean watch display - G-shocks, Nixon, Nooka and Flud

Winter gear - Ejnjoi, Stussy, Mishka and more...

and if you need to update that ratty backpack of yours, here's some cool picks from The Hundreds, Incase and Freshjive.

now back to regularly scheduled program (aka sports) : )

in last night's champion's league match verse AZ,
Arsene revealed the 2009-10 Arsenal Bubble Goose.

"my Bubble Goose please...."

notice how it billows out toward the bottom.

it just screams "intimidation"

great to see Nasri aka Frosted Tips score, but that celebration was the most pathetic, weak thing I've seen... looks a disinterested stripper dance.

cesc showed another striker-worthy finish last night... he picked the most unlikely option for the shot... dood is on fire... announcer calls it "champagne football"... love how cooly Arshavin celebrates with a fake cough and a pet dog's demeanor... that's a good Arshavin... you go little russian.

back heel from hell!
diaby did play well last night... probably his top showing of the young season.

sorry, non-sports post tomm...

Whaddya know, Mishka's still going strong like Viagra! Seriously, that Sweet Jane Knit Sweater is straight ridic. You know it's Velvet Underground right?

Nice assortment of Technics 12" Bags. Feeling the international flavours.

Speaking of flavour, check these Timex 80's Watches.

and although it's post Hallow's Eve, I just got a closer look at the Monster "Mash Ups" posters and they're frickin hilarious. Barack-enstein?!? LOL! Thanks Shark Toof!

Nice timing with these $100 holiday rebates Vestax!
Vestax VCI-300 USB DJ Controller w/ Serato ITCH w/ $100.00 Rebate

Vestax PMC-06ProVCA Mixer - Black w/ $100.00 Rebate

Keep up my peoples!

We've got DJ Nu-Mark (formerly of Jurassic 5) at The Rub this Saturday. In August 2008, Cosmo and I saw Nu-Mark play for 3000 people at a massive rave in Canada. I went into it thinking he would be playing indy rap and weird breaks, scratching a lot and playing goofy instruments and toys, but what we saw was one of the best DJ sets we've ever witnessed. He played an incredibly diverse, classy set with tons of classics and some obscure face-melting pieces thrown in here and there - it was full of those moments where you think, " this is why I started DJing." Ever since then, Nu-Mark has been on our wish list for The Rub and we've finally got him. Here is a live set from LA's legendary Do-Over party; Cosmo played the same day and came out saying "Lord have mercy, Nu-Mark is a fucking beast!"

MP3: DJ Nu-Mark live at The Do-Over
http://www.zshare.net/audio/6796901962843df3/

Pete, if you were saving you hahn-bucks for the human leaguez and couldn't holler at Frank's booth of african wizardry, you can always cop some mixes from his website, voodoo funk.

IT'S JAZZ!

report from this fall's WFMU record fair. the last one I went to, which was about a year and half ago was pretty depressing: not that many people, records were too cheap, and a sullen vibe. However, the scene seems to have hit another gear. this was the most crowded I've seen the fair in years. the competitive hip-hop digger vibe seems to all but disappeared (thank god), and it's more of a well-rounded, good vibe, free for all affair. i definitely saw a stronger jazz presence this year, possibly making another comeback...

whenever i see old, eccentric Asian men, I always think about how I'm gonna end up. leftfield like this dood... or a carbon copy of my parents? I think I've had a pretty crazy past, I wonder if that shit dies and you just get old and give up... or do you soldier it like this dood, keeping the dream alive slanging records, wearing hoody with pills on it, headbanding, and doing whatever he does (he's probably lining up some horrendous tang on the phone). ah, deep thoughts at the record fair.

amongst records, you'll always find weird memorabilia like these bootleg dvds of concerts and russ meyer films, the predictable dichotomy of a record nerdus...

the highlights of the show were definitely these two tables located by the pillar. they both had some incredible African records... the records had a crazy air about them with unfamiliar yellowing colors, great cover art, and pounds of mystery. never seen a concentration of stuff like this before at the fair (or anywhere else).

im mostly a bystander these days, but cheap 80s 12"s were talking to me. the recent Dimitri comp got me inspired to revisit all those great 80s dub version b-sides... this one featured a pretty cool one. early Human League... underrated.

(video from Hairy Bears)

this video was played at the BB Kings Raida tribute, now up online

their new sound is a little too prog for my taste but these guys
still keep it thorough. i hear they're opening up for michna on
the next world tour.

check the cameras "towa towa" is armed with..

The best Out-of-the-air-snatch-Block of ALL TIME

Lets take a break from 'the beautiful game', since only about 5 of you actually give a damn about soccer – Me, my bro PH, the Argentine (who probably doesnt even check this blog), willystyles, Lizmi and Martin in BK. I would have to say that this is the best block i have ever seen (bold, i know, coming from Dikembe Mutombo's #1 fan). This is, in my opinion, also better than the following....

Sad that it was on Ewing....
So violent!!!!!

Crush Yo FACE!!!!
Nate Rob made every asian in the world seem like the biggest pussy ever with a single block

one of sports television journalism's biggest mysteries / secrets is John Clayton's rumored "Professional Ponytail". Notice how they never show Clayton in the studio, at the games, or on the training grounds. Always flat blue screen shot from some secret studio, no head movement... ever.

I can see why this is potentially a dealbreaker for ESPN. Clayton is undoubtedly incredible at digging up NFL insider news, but he's creepy almost to the point of disgust. one level away from Paedophile if you will. the ponytail would take it there.

this weekend for the first time in my history of watching ESPN, i caught a glimpse of what appears to be this infamous "Professional Ponytail" that ESPN doesn't want you to know about. could this be it?

fashion vanguard: arsene wenger.
effortlessly switches from short stubby tie to extra-long tie.

"one of the great solo goals in premier league history..."
"this goal puts Cesc firmly in the ranks of Gerrard and Lampard... at the age of 22"
"...boner time"

it's not like i need to add words to the images, but i'd like to point out that Cesc beats a sliding tackle from Tottenham's hard man Palacios, megs King, then the best part, looks Gomez to the right, and shoots a lazer to the left...

Arsene, how sweet was that?

futhermore, Arsene willed that shutout. with his team up 3-0, he was throwing sideline tantrums to convey intensity to the team on the field. assistant coach Pat Rice conveyed the signal by picking his nose...

the blazer toss, another genius Arsene coaching move.

Tonight Saheer and The Hood by Air crew are throwing a sexy Halloween House music extravaganza in China Town...

Heard rules might be broken and a joint from this classic is gonna get dropped around midnight...

Heard Bernie Lomax is gonna be in the house too and you know how he gets when he hears a good groove...

Tonight wiIl surely be one for the history books and if you can muster up any strength tomorrow you might want to check some fine skateboard action in the LES...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! BE SAFE OUT THERE!

-NN

AND GOD CREATED WOMAN...

THANK YOU VERY MUCH GOD!!!

-NN