Dutch dad, sushi, Audobon weekend.

Kevin and I had a great weekend hanging out with his Dutch father and polar-opposite twin sisters in Beaverton. On Friday night, his sister flew up from Newport and made dinner--which, apparently, was an amazing feat that everyone commended her for repeatedly and loudly. We made cucumber and advocado sushi with tofu-miso soup last night. It was the first time that his father used chopsticks, ate sushi, and/or ate miso soup. I noticed the tofu was mostly untouched. I think that was enough culture for one night. I think we're impressing the socks off of the fam--talking about going to the gym, eating healthy and taking Piper to Forest Park (the largest park within city boundaries), the beach, etc. It was nice to be around a family, because I don't have any in Oregon. It's also nice to forego formalities because his family is very close, warm and casual. Like my family, they would rather stay in and cook than go to a noisy restaurant. Like my father, Kevin's father is a smart, chatty, happy and gray-haired, with more funny stories than he knows what to do with. We were there until after 1 am after dinner on Friday.
On the way home both nights, we both wondered how my parents will be when they meet him. I know that they will love him, but I just wonder how they will act. Will mom feel comfortable stretching and then falling asleep while watching Japanese television at midnight?

Kevin and I also went to the Audobon Society today to look at the birds and take Piper on a walk. Lucky us! Hazel, a beautiful Northern Spotted Owl was rescued by hikers up at Mt. Hood. Her feathers grow in crooked, so she will never be able to fully fly and survive on her own again...which makes me sad, but happy to know that I can go and see her whenever I want! Her handler happened to be outside, so we got to meet her up close and personal:



We also met Ruby the Turkey vulture (pictured third), Finnegan the falcon and Julio, the other owl that didn't want his picture taken.














Then we went on a small hike before I came to work.

Here are my two sweethearts:

Ok, so...

I haven't updated in a long time. I think I've been kind of scared to actually put my thoughts into words, because so much has been going on. I've been dating a good friend of mine for the past 4 months and things between us could not be any better. It's so weird dating an existing friend because I already knew from the beginning that I like him, I know his past, and that we get along. I thought I would be scared that I would get bored because there would be no surprises along the way....Boy, was I wrong! Relatively no surprises is great!! What was I thinking??
I've always been scared of finality and thinking that "this is it," but what if "it" is the best thing that has ever happened? That's not such a scary thought. Weird.
Ok, ok...in other news,going to California soon, school has been going well, Piper went to the beach for the first time, I've discovered and have fallen in love with Razor and Grim Reaper, I have too many decorative pillows, and I need to start making coffee at home again.
Not the most thorough update, but an update nonetheless.

HMVP 12/31/2009; GOODBYE 2009!!

I accidentally posted this to my personal blog, when I just meant to update heavymetalvomitpartypdx.blogspot.com, but I'll keep it
Some highlights of our true Heavy Metal Vomit Party:

Thrash Mike, Amy and Mike One!! Grinding, thrashing and headbanging in the new year!










Mike One!














Special guest Cole, messing up the airwaves.









Kevin and Amy!





BEST RELEASES OF 2009 (some re-releases counted as we saw fit):
magrudergrind - bridge burner
lunge - flanel is for lovers
saint vitus - Born Too Late
Low Threat Profile- Corporate Cash Lies
Mortalized- funeral grind
pulverizer - crooshbrootdood
parlamentarisk sodomi -
magnacide - misery of existance
Hatred Surge- Skull Cell
eyehategod - Take As Needed For Pain
Godless North- Upon Heathen Battlefields
Battle Rifle- Ernest P. Worell Violence
endless blockade - fed up (Judge Cover)
Battle Rifle- never lower your eyes to an enemy
Portal- Illoomorphene
Thou- With a Cold Life Extinguishing Elegance
*mic break w grand invincible beat purse thieves
Katatonia- Onward into Battle
Corpus Rottus- Funeral Homes and Morgues
Ignivonous- Backward to Global Tomb
Roskopp- This Rager is Ragin
Hummingbird of death- spectre of fear
Knelt Rote- Age
Lord Vicar- A Man Called Horse
Warprayer- Bloodless Coup
Burials- Among the Embers
Proclamation- Execration of Crual Bestiality
We Should Die- First Against the Wall Part II
sayyadina - redefined
retaliation - coven of fists
B.R.O.B. - exploited
noisear - pyroclastic annihilation
Morne- untold wait

NO SHOWS ANOUNCED BECAUSE WE ARE LAZY BASTARDS, but check back next time!