After a successful BBQ at the Hyatt Regency Osaka in 2008, I went back to the Hyatt this year for a second helping on August 21. 

Right before the BBQ was supposed to begin, the raindrops started to fall.  Luckily the rain was not heavy and it subsided 10 minutes into the party.  It was definitely noticeable as once the rained had stopped, people attacked the food and drink corners like there was no tomorrow.

With close to 100 people in attendance at the BBQ, I must say that it was a very successful evening once again!  I guess I just might have to make this an annual event after all.

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Also my company blog can be found at the following: JD CREATIONS Blog.

On August 9 & 10, I traveled with several of my friends an hour outside of Osaka by car to the largest lake in Japan, Lake Biwa.  Together with one of my friends, we biked around the lake (some 220 km) over the duration of two days while racking up 12 hours of riding time on the bike.  All I can say is that it was quite an experience as I did not partake in any training prior to going on the trip in addition to the weather conditions being mediocre at best with rain prevalent throughout the tour.  And to top everything off, I got a flat tire with only 35 km remaining, which slowed me down but did not take me out of the tour as I was able to find a bicycle shop a few hours later to take care of my busted tire.

Now having accomplished Lake Biwa, next up is probably a tour around Awaji Island in the fall before "putting" the bike away for next year.

With the main fireworks festival in Osaka being the Yodogawa version and not being present to see the last few years worth, I headed on over to the Ritz-Carlton Osaka on August 8 to watch the fireworks celebration this year from a very different point of view than in past years.  And I must tell you that I felt right at home with a small group of friends (20 +) and associates watching the fireworks from the 32nd floor of the hotel.  What a view!  It sure beats being on the riverside with all the other thousands of Kansai residents packed in like sardines to watch the show. 

After the party finished, there was talk about renting out the Presidential Suite of the hotel next year in order to house double or possibly even triple the number of guests that were in attendance this year.  With a live music act also on the docket, I'll be sure to mark next year's event down in my calendar!

On August 1st, I held my first yukata party of the year at a location ideal for a such a party - Taiko-en.  With 2009 marking the 50th anniversary of Taiko-en's establishment, a very colorful crowd of 80 plus came out to enjoy some great Japanese-like ambiance in a location not too far from the center of Osaka.  In addition, special guest Peter from California provided some fabulous entertainment to set the mood just right via his violin.