As I drew in my head, and was turning around

 Greetings All,

I hope this holiday letter finds you well. I’d like to thank Chat GPT for replacing my interns this year and composing this instance of the annual holiday letter. In my prompt engineering I stressed I wanted this year's letter to be witty, warm, engaging, and brief. I think they are still working the kinks out. See for yourselves:

2024 was a great year. I am still enjoying living in Philadelphia and the whole city is enjoying The BirdsTM  having a good* season. (*As of the time of this letter’s generation. Of course, as Philly fans we all expect it to come crashing down spectacularly in an agonizing way. See also: Philadelphia 76ers.)

Me and my friend Jalen at the Rocky Steps (PMoA)

I was so fortunate this year to have lots of visits in Philly from dear friends and family like Lynn & Robbie, Hal & Lindy, Avi & Claire, Julie, Xian, and Jenny & Pesto! Avi and Claire and I saw some art and tried some cocktails. Julie ran a race. (I sat out due to a swollen knee.) Jenny and Pesto and I ate some food and took some walks. Xian and I saw the Pixies and Cat Power and Modest Mouse. 

Fangirling at the Pixies with Xian!

It was a big year for concerts from bands from 2006: I also saw the Decemberists, and Neko Case and Les Savy Fav. I also got to see Kate’s fiance Matt play when Big Something came to town. (Stay tuned for wedding pics next year of baby Kate all grown up.)

Courtney, Tim (LSF), Natalie

When my sister Lynn and Robbie visited me in Philly we went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art  and a 76ers game with Shelley and Keri. Speaking of the 76ers, I got to meet 76ers podcaster Spike Eskin at a live recording of one of my favorite podcasts (The Rights to Ricky Sanchez):

Spike and two Ricky Fans

I will reiterate that in my place in Philly there is a guest room with your own bathroom and you are welcome to stay for as long as you like. Come Through! 

In May, I took an absolutely amazing trip to San Francisco to visit my friend Ingrid. We biked all over the beautiful city and saw amazing parks and art and laughed for 3 days straight. I also took the ferry to Oakland and Miki showed me around there. It was a lovely time.

Me engaging with the Art

Ingrid and Me

More cool art in Oakland

In July, I went to New York City with my nieces to celebrate that they were both starting new degree programs this fall. Lindy is a 1L at Wake Forest University Law School and I think learned a lot this semester about exactly how fun “Bluebooking” is. (Actually, Chat GPT really should end the tyranny of Bluebooking in law school but that is a whole ‘nother TED talk.) Kate is in her first semester to earn a MFA in Choreography and also a Certificate in Nonprofit Management at the University of Greensborough. (Apparently a certificate in for-profit management is too far fetched for modern dance. 😉)

While visiting NYC with my nieces we went to restaurants and bars from when I lived there 20 years ago and saw some shows on and off Broadway. We went to the Whitney Biennial and the Met Cloisters. It was a blast. They are so much fun to hang out with.

Kate, Auntie me, Lindy - Obligatory Subway Selfie

 Lindy and Kate before The Six

I started a new job this year and now work for Altera Digital Health in their data interoperability business unit, dbMotion. dbMotion has large clients in Israel, Melbourne, Australia, Canada, and the US so I look forward to meeting clinicians working to improve health outcomes with data-based decision making in all those locations.

Shark Tooth GangTM all spent a good amount of time at Oak Island as usual:

​​

Robbie, Lindy, Lynn, Me

I went to see Illinoise and loved it!

 Me before the show

Here’s my observation to share that borders on advice: You never know how much paying it forward will pay it forward. I am still in awe at how much joy I still get from the year I spent working with students at ASYV in Rwanda (2013). This year, I received a holiday letter much like this one from one of the students I had the privilege of working with way back then. He’s graduated from several universities in the US and is now back in Rwanda working on renewable energy solutions to improve his home. What an inspiration!

I’m also still working with Julien to fundraise for Rwema Football Academy in Rwanda and am so inspired by how devoted he and his team are to creating a sense of team and belonging for the kids he’s coaching. Look for the good in the world and see how you can join in and be a part of the change.

Peace on Earth,

Courtney

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 | 2023

Ultimate for the Elderly

Hey. The summer is going by quickly. I just got back from Lebanon, Ohio where USA Ultimate was holding the Grand Masters Open and Women's Masters tournaments. I played with Lady O, mostly from NY, and we finish 11th, but we came in seeded 12th, so lets call it a victory. I got the chance to see a lot of my girls from the Ambush days, and we had a good time. I'm on the bottom row above, second from the right.

Watching the Open Grand Master's final was pretty incredible. Those guys over 40 can still play. Congrats to Arnie for winning it all with Scrapple from PA.

Next weekend I'm off to Oak Island to see the whole extended family at the beach. I can't wait.

Also, despite all of my natural suspicions, I've joined Google+. Go ahead and look for me there if you're the type of person who likes to put people in circles.

Also get ready to Watch the Throne.

We on award tour with muhammad my man...

Hey. I am in North Carolina. It is good to be back in the states. I have been dealing with by overseas cravings for Strawberry Pop Tarts and Little Powdered Donuts. Thirst quenched.

One night in NYC was waaaaay to short, but it was great to see Jesse, Ben and Caitlin and Curtiss. I had a proper brunch on my way out. Look out NYC. I'll be back in July.

Then I spent some time with my family in Oak Island North Carolina. I got to see my much much much older sister (love you Lynn) have another birthday and also her now teenager-in-training daughters Kate and Lindy. It was good to sit on the beach and play in the sand.

Now I am at the Grandover Resort at Jen and Chip's wedding in Greensboro. I lived here from aged 2-4 or so and it is all coming right back to me: the nightlife, the wooden furniture...

I've had a pedicure, a back yard barbecue at Jen's parents' beautiful home and a night out on the 'town' with the bridal party where we made Jen do body shots off strange men and then we shook it all night to Bell Biv Devoe. Oh yes. That girl is poison.

We've had a rehersal brunch, and next is the rehersal and the rehersal dinner. Sunday will be the primping, photos and wedding. Look out.

I fly back to Melbourne on Monday morning but I don't arrive until Wednesday morning, so you go twice as hard on Tuesday for me, since I won't be having one.

Kobe is no Magic so don't tell me that again. Only Paul Pierce can save me now.