it ain't summer without fireworks . . . .

Ah, summer. the mosquitos, the bbqs, the beer gardens, the mosquitos, the hot sweaty mess that is you after being outdoors for 5 minutes, the mosquitos, and the fireworks. this year, i decided to observe from afar rather than fight the crowds of annoying youngsters that scream "yabai!!" after each colorful explosion. my dear friend cheech invited me to her home to watch the Toda fireworks and enjoy some good ass eats with her family and friends.

on the way to her house, we saw a parade of pigs (or "donuts" as train calls them):


grab a beer cheech!


some friends enjoying the grubbage:


poppa kawaguchi with banchan:


us plus steak! it was bangin' food!


lovey dovey couples:


banchan shucking fresh rock oysters (she is one of the coolest girls on the planet. AND she knows food):


evening descends on us:


it's showtime!



check out these two bike cops on a date. ah, romance!


breaking out the bubbly:


cheers boys!


Thanx so much for an awesome evening!