Okay, okay, no jokes, Please!

Alright, I understand that this makes me an easy target for all the jokes but spare me, please! Yes, if you've heard the rumors, it is true. I'm on my 3rd home in 6 months. The story is short, and it makes me look less fickle and crazy. Basically, with a housing market as soft as it is right now, you never really know what to expect. It is an excellent time to buy, but you wanna make sure you're buying right. Well, not even one month into the construction process of home number two, Stephany, Bryant's dearly beloved, was returning from taking Ashlyn to play school when she got the uncontrolable urge to check out a development she has passed dozens of times prior. Upon checking it out and finding it to be the home and neighborhood she saw in her dreams, pursued the possibilities of making the neighborhood their own. The next day, once thier deal was basically closed and knowing of their over joy, a rare server breakdown at work allowed me to bail for a few hours and check out this deal for my self. The short version- I likewise found the location to be much more convenient and desirable, the builder to be conciderably more responsible and reputable and not to mention competent, the floorplan to be fabulously functional, the investment to be safer and more encouraging and the overall value to be much better. That day, I got approval from the bank and the next day I bought the last home in the community, just 5 doors down from Bryant.

Check out my photo album, click on 'home construction', and check out the photos and videos of the home! This will be the last home this year. I swear!

Another New Home- Now this is familiar!

Well, you'd think it would be a thrilling first time to be building a home. Unfortunatly, I've recently been here. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see my home get built and to finally move in, but having already had one house built this summer, and have it fall through, the whole process is somewhat redundant.
So here it is, the ground breaking of my home in Gilbert, AZ: Yeah- oh, so exciting. Again.

They've got the pipe in the ground, now we wait for the city to do thier thing. Once inspection passes, we'll shade the trenches, prep for the slab and inspect again.








WORD TO YOUR MUTHA.

Beautiful Summer in Boston!

Do I know how to treat myself or what!!

It has been since the Summer of 2001, my Freshman year in College, that I got to visit home durring the summer time, and this Year, I was dead set on breaking the drought! I WENT HOME TO BOSTON!

It was so much fun; the Friday I arrived till 9 days later when I return to the desert.

The trip began by surprising the whole family at home except Dad. I sorta had to tell someone so I had an on-site spy to help make the grande arrival a success. I flew the red-eye and arrived in Boston at 6:30 AM on Friday. I awoke Conrad with a phone call, and he picked me up and drove me home. Once I got home around 7:45 AM, I surprised Mom with 1/2 lb of her signature favorite See's chocolate and ME. After giving the See's, I could have immediatly reurned to the southwest and she would have been a happy camper!

I can't possibly sum the entire thrill in the short amount of time that I have to update this silly blog- especially since nobody even looks at it! I can briefly give you the week at 10,000 feet.

Friday: Soak It In

I begin with being introduced to the new home and neighborhood. I didn't have a lot on the agenda- mainly due the fact that nobody knew I was coming to prepare for my arrival! I knew that going in, but it was sooooo worth it. I spent much of the day, like an old retired man, walking around outside, loving the 70 degrees.

Saturday: The Coast.

Saturday, we did get out. To the coast we headed for the ever so famous, ever so popular, ever so painful-to-watch Slippery Pole Competition. Google the event if you don't know what it is.

The 4th of July is a very festive time of year, I might add. You may walk any road in Massachusetts at this time of year and you are likely to find the American icon lining the avenues. (the flag, not me)

Sunday: Church.
Here's from my drive home from church.

Monday: Bike to Boston
Inspite of having lived in in Bean Town for 5 years, this week was full of first timers. The first of the firsts, was a bike ride into Boston.

Tuesday: Canoe the Concord River- Historic 'Old North Bridge'

This was one fun canoe ride! To the Old North Bridge and back to the boathouse: aprox. 2 hours. If you don't know what this bridge is, read a history book. You'll find that you are free today partially due to the blood spilt here.

To the left is the boat house. To the right is a the Concord River looking from the boathouse. Dave arrived to Boston that evening from DC.

Wednesday and Thursday: The Apple.

Wednesday moring, we all piled in the two cars and headed 4 hours south to Liz and Frank. While it was my second time visiting the sis. in her New Jersy crib, it was my first time to view the 4th of July fireworks from a 20 story balcony (the view at the right is from her balcony). Okay, in all fairness I'll admit that the light display was more inland than we expected, so the view from the deck wasn't that great, but we relocated, and enjoyed a terrific, festive evening.

Left: Liz, the sister, and me, the author of this boring blog.

Above and Right: I told you about this, reread above if you missed it.

From Jersey City to Central Park, we walked, and walked and walked. Very little that day was new to any of us, but nothing beats just being together.

As much fun as walking the streets of New York is, it was always great to return home and relax with the family back at the homestead.

Friday: Back to work.

The week was so jam-packed with with fun and excitement, Friday was time for the locals to go back to work. The day was rather uneventful for me, but still very much appreciated and enjoyed. We still got out and had some fun.

Saturday: Bean Town

Now, I can't go home to Boston and not see the city. Conrad, Dave, Rob and I headed into the city to run some errands, check out the skillful and awe inspiring street performers, and just tour Fanuel Hall and Quincy Market.

Later that day, we enlarged our minds by visiting a few history museums. While museums would normally be a great place to take a nap, I was pleasently impressed by the interactive, audio visual presentations of early colonial America.

Sunday: High-tail it to AZ.

It was an early morining, and a long day, but I departed Boston early in the A.M. and returned home in AZ with time enough to iron a shirt, break a sweat and make it to Church.

The trip was so

dang fun. Thanks, family

for hosting meand showing me such a great

time! I wouldn't trade those nine days for anything.

65-75 degree weather, all the green, all the enter-

tainment, all the history, all the memories, all the

relaxation, all the home cooked meals, all the movies at

night, all the sarcasm, all the laughs, all the razzing, all

the learning and experiences, all the surprizes, and the best of

all...

The family.

alright- pretend that wasn't sappy.

Sedona Biking Trip

Don't expect to learn too much about the Sedona Trip by checking out this site- that would take all the fun out of talking about it. Anyone that is going to see this site likely talks to me on a regular basis- so you'll learn more about our Sadona fun when we talk. I'll include a few of the picts here, but the rest of them will be at my photo site.

Top Left and Top Right: Views right in Sedona. Bottom Left and Right: Bryant

I will take the credit for the great photography- thank you very much.

Below: That would be me.

Below: Our Flagstaff ride. Check out the other site for the rest.

Carpet/ Appliances in...

Alright- There's fast and there is fast- but lately I'm feeling like this is Extreme Makeover, Home Edition and I'm not ready to move in yet! One month ago my walls were just sheet-rocked, and now carpet is in! You're looking at the finished front elevation with a lot of paint touch-up which will be done before we close. All in all, it has turned out just fine. I'm very particular and hard to please, but it'll be a good little home for a few years, at least.

Here, we are looking at some close-up photos of my recently installed range and microwave. I can critique my own color-choosing weaknesses by commenting that I need more contrast. The cabinets, tile and carpet are all light browns. But hey, I figure 1- I'm neutral with the colors and 2- WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A GUY??? I think a woman's touch will spice things up with some good paint color and decorating saavy.

Lastly, a shot towards my stairs. I will paint the stair rails a darker, Mahogany color to complement the door better, and again, I will paint the walls some color that someone talented, with good color sense will probably recommend. As much as I wanted much darker carpet, I think this is the better route- it keeps things a little brighter and workable.

Any Ideas for wall color? Pulease- I need all the help I can get! Go to my photo album to see a few more pictures where you can blow them up to full size.

Roof on, Cabinets in!

The roof has been completed,

At first I didn't like the color

scheme- but I'm getting used to it.

I think I may actually be at the point,

now, that I like it!

The cabinets are in and also the Tile. I think they turned out just fine. We'll see how they look with the granite and grout!

Here's the view from the back (a few weeks ago)- No one can accuse me of not haveing a Happy House!

Drywall in!

The drywall is in, check out the pics (the link to my photo album is below)

peace out.

http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t26/curtcbriggs/

NASCAR at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR)

Alright-
So I've never been much of a "gear head",
Never thought of myself as a Redneck,
Get sick watching a car race around a track more than 3 or 4 laps,
but nothing meets the adrenaline rush of watching NASCAR -LIVE- !!

My roommate, Ryan and I arrived at PIR at about noon. We spent the next 5 hours watching the Speed Channel live, watching live bands, browsing the racer's trailers and their merchandise, and soaking in the indescribable excitement of race day at the track. Immediately upon arriving at the track, we became entertained by the staunch NASCAR enthusiasts. I must say, however, that I was surprised at how mainstream the sport really is!

That's one fast Stroller, and a couple of 'racy' hats !

The race started at 5:50pm and, no joking, earth-shaking rumbling, the deafening noice, and the jet-fuel exhaust filled air made for one of the funnest experiences I've ever had!

It was a great time, for sure. I will definitely go again when I get the chance. Check out my photo album for the balance of the pics and some great videos!

A little Birthday Biking

It was so great to hear from the family on my special little day. Sounds like everyone is good and the big purchase is 98% final. LONG LIVE THE HOLLAND SISTERS!!



Besides hearing from the fam., a 3 hour ride at South Mountain and some breakfast at the Waffle House was about the greatest thing anyone could ever do. Thx BKH!

So, for the record, the ride was incredible. Pictures don't capture a fraction of the excitement and intensity, but check out my photo album to catch a glimse of the fun...

Snow Boarding

I went with Bryant Snowboarding last Friday and it was a blast! We had 20" of fresh powder on the ground, and better yet, as you can see in the pictures and the videos, there was hardly anyone there! I had my share of nice spills, but I'm glad to be alive. Check out my photo album for more pics and a few videos!

later!

Picture Time!

Alright, what we- okay actually just I have been waiting for.
visit my photo album at:

http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t26/curtcbriggs/

I have them posted to that site because I can post videos there and I can't on this site. So Conrad and Rob and anyone else wondering, that is the key to sharing your videos.

At the website above you'll see the Montana trip last year, Christmas and a little mountain biking. Oh yeah- did I mention I bought a home on Feb. 3rd- just an early birthday gift for my self. You might find a picture or two of my future home which isn't built yet.

So the idea is that you can check this stuff out and post things on my blog (this site.) I know very little about all this so hopefully I can groom it with time- you know, make it prettier to look at.

Let me know what you think!

Christmas in Boston 2006

Hey, don't tell anyone she's my sister, she's make'n me look good. That cruise was the right way to kick off the holidays!

Nice view of the Boston Harbor. We have views like this in Pheonix- It's called Harkins.

Peace.

Curtis's Blog Grand Openning!!!

So I'm all of a sudden somewhat disconnected from the rest of the world, even though I also feel like I'm on top of it. I figure I need to share my life with you New Englanders, so here it is... Check out my e-life and give me a shout out.