The Gardener on YouTube

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

Good morning,
I want to share a true labor of love, I have been creating in the last week.
This is not his life story (impossible to do that in 3 minutes), but it touches on the essence that was James. His family gave me permission and provided photographs to make this slideshow possible. My special thanks to his wife , Ellen Serber and his daughter Giovanna Melton ,for their encouragement and their willingness to make this slideshow. David Mackie (https://dmackie.com/photography) Took over 100 photographs of the garden a few days after James departed
100% Human -made no AI used
Please watch in 4K and enjoy!!

 

 

Posted in General Discussion, Machinima, Poems, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

In Memorium to James Ottobre, Friend, Designer, Gardner of his Garden….and so much more

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

My dear dear friend, James Ottobre (Jimmy) who I have known since the 70’s in the Hollywood days, passed away, very suddenly to the other side, May 13th 2026.
We talked religiously every Sunday since his creative partner, Gino passed in January 2020. As you might remember Gino lived with us, part of our family for 35 years. He was my brother, platonic soulmate, house magician etc. and I did a whole installation in the virtual of the story of them both.
 I have used Jimmy’s gorgeous garden photos in more videos that I can count and he loved seeing how I incorporated them:)
My WP banner has his store “Ottobre” proudly displayed…and I will miss him so very much,
My sincere condolences to his family, wife and children and all who loved him.
His daughter told me, a few days before he passed, he had been dreaming about creating a new fashion collection. James was an amazing designer, before he dropped out with Gino and some close friends, to live in Costa Rica. Gino worked with him as if they were one.
Jimmy and I discussed that once-in-a -lifetime working partnership, that I had with Natascha Randt (rest in peace) and he had with Gino, They are so rare.

I have a virtual cemetery that I have kept up for 18 years. Everyone who is buried there
was someone very special to me in either real life or the virtual. I even have my pets there.
Gino’s tomb was finished in 2020…and now very fitting, I have put Jimmy, by his side.
and here it is in video form to hear the sounds there and feel it. I come and lay here and listen and remember those who have gone before me. I am at that point in my life, where there are more on the other side.. than this one…Such is life…pushing 80:)
Rest in Peace Jimmy,  dear friend and I can only imagine the beauty you will create with Gino by your side. Inshallah 🙏

Posted in General Discussion, Machinima, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

The Wind and The Moon” a Video by Joe Zazulak for a Poem by George MacDonald

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

From  way back in 2012

Here I go again, celebrating the virtues of Second Life for fostering and facilitating different artists to collaborate and make joint projects to share. Joe Zazulak (Spiral Silverstar in SL) is one of my favorite machinima artists, so when he invited me to read a poem, not having any idea of what he might do visually, I said,”Yes!” because I know his artistic integrity. He always chooses wonderful musical backgrounds for his movies.

In “The Wind and The Moon,” poem by George MacDonald, he definitely implements a new style that I think fits so well with the odd but endearing poem. I read the poem over Joe’s well-chosen music, and the effect reminds me at times, of a children’s story book, but here, the static images move, and flow, and blow and shift and wane and grow.
I will let you be the judges:)

I am very happy to have added a small part to this project.
Please see in HD and full screen for best viewing… and Enjoy!

*Footnote: I keep seeing a political metaphor to this poem…in today’s world of 2026….but let’s not go there:)

 

Posted in Machinima, Poems, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Snug & Dark & Cozy

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

                           My Avatar on a rainy day in Second Life
this was a mood, the day gave me yesterday…I just tried to capture it:)
I used my original music from a video I made and added the Ooo Ooo Oooo’s 
singing.. Enjoy and please listen to it as well as read it. It’s nicer:)

Oooo Oooo Oooo
those rainy afternoons
so good for playing the piano..
in a dark -as -night
room at noon,

Making the poetry
tug at my sleeve
“Come on…
don’t you want to…
write a little of me?”

Oooo Oooo Oooo

“You know you want to.”
“You know you do.”

Snug
& dark
& cozy
tapping on the keys
the rain is keeping beat

Free falling into verse
each drop a metronome
as the birds peek out from leaves.
Ahh, the muse is whispering to me
Ohh that’s a line & the next one too
vine-ing out from my mind.

Snug
& dark
& cozy
tapping on the keys
the rain drops keeping beat…
the poem’s now complete.

Oooo Oooo Oooo

 

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Mother & Son… Team Up Again ! …Another Beautiful Spot In Costa Rica

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

Hi everyone,
well it seems I did get the privilege, to make another little promotional
video, doing voice over for a listing my son’s company has, and Yes…it is for sale.
Isn’t it beautiful? 
Enjoy!

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Prisms, Art & Good Vibes

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

Hi everyone,
well after probably bringing you down in my last audio performance about a few negatives about “Life on Earth” I hope to  cheer you up and kindle your awe with my “prism show”
I am a “cheap date” If you bring me a helium balloon or a prism well… that’s all it takes haha to see me really happy.
Look how awe inspiring… These were shot in the early morning in my room.
My mother (portrait by Jan Betts) and her prism visitor
Chrystaline Angel by Jan Betts with a rainbow comet streaking past
My handsome grandson aumented by a rainbow

Prism Way……

Off -Road Terrain

Prism Swimmers doing their laps.. Look how they push off at the end:):)

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Another Day Of Life On Earth

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

My Two Cents Worth….

Posted in Poems, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Imprismed on You Tube

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

Hi everyone…this is something really different:)
It might even be proof I can make a video… out of almost anything haha

Shot on a piece off the sleeve of a black abaya from Dubai and the reflection of prisms in a sunny window I give you Imprismed….a short visually interesting story, using green -screened avatars from Second Life. A special Thank you to James Ottobre, for his flowers grown in his Garden of Eden in Inverness California Original music, & narration from me:):)
Comments here or YouTube are most cherished:) Please watch in 4K:)
Enjoy!!!

Posted in Machinima, Poems | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Some Love In Your Pocket

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

Some Love in Your Pocket

Take some of my love with you today
Tuck it in your pocket, or your back pack
I wrapped it up, but any time you need it
it’s there, ready, to remind you, I gave it freely.

You can use it like a pick-me- up, when time lags
It’s an energy bar, your protein shake, your power-aid.
Take a  second, think of me, my love rides with you
I promise, a smile will turn your weary frown upside down

Love is easy to give; in a few words it can be sent & received
It travels miles, invisible, in silence, but you hear it loud & clear
My love walks with you, like a postman, it’s steadfast in rain & sleet
It won’t burden your steps, my love will make you light on your feet

Don’t we all feel lighter….when we feel we’re  loved?

Don’t we all feel lighter….when we feel we’re  loved?

Karima Hoisan
April 27, 2026
Costa Rica

Footnote: This beautiful music is by Chinmaya Dunster and The Celtic Ragas Band called “Moonsong”

Posted in Poems, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

“Daddy’s About To Sing”

Posted on April 25, 2026 by Karima Hoisan

Daddy’s About To Sing

“What time is it?”

“I think the big big light comes later”

“Did you get any new feathers,

while you were sleeping?”

“I get a few wing feathers”

“I get some tail feathers”

“I get 6 leg feathers”

“Awww wings & tails & legs are all important.”

“Were you cold last night?”

“Never!” Mommy is a fluffy furnace”

“Mommy is the Best”

(All the fledglings cheeped in agreement)

“I’m wide awake”

“I’m getting hungry”

“Me too! Me too”

“Just be patient…”

“Why? Why?Why? (they all asked)

“Shhhh” (said the 1st hatched sister)

“You boys will  need to do this too someday”

“What about you?”(they asked)

“Nope… just sometimes quietly never at this hour”

“Shhhh (they all said) “Oh I love this” “Shhhhhhh”

“Daddy’s about to sing” “Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”(all 4 at once)

 

 

 

Posted in Poems, Real Life Stuff, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments