Yesterday, Chantal Harvey, renowned machinima maker in Second Life, prepared the setting for a very moving tribute for our beloved Natascha.
40 people attended and the audience at many moments was as affected as I was. There was something special in the air, it was palpable people were emotional and expressive. I had to turn off my microphone several times, overcome, seeing our past works, displayed on the big screen, and read the outpouring of amazement and admiration for what we were showing..
For Randt & Hoisan, it is the end of an era..it is the close of an unusual creative partnership, that might come (with luck) once in a lifetime. For me personally, the close of an incredible friendship, that spanned 28 videos and almost 10 years,
I know the perception is changing about “the validity” of the virtual. Before it was seen as pure escapism, a silly hobby, a place for losers (they once said on The Office) a fantasy world, pixelated cartoons, a game, but….. oh my look again….!
Our virtual world brought two creative people together from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and let them meet each other, begin to work together, grow and develop together as serious machinima artists and change two people so different in so many ways, into The Team.. .. that is what Nat called us! That is what everybody called us! They even called us, The Dream Team:)and that is what we became.
The people who came are real people.. with real feelings and that was felt so strongly by everyone there.
We were saying good bye to a legend, who left an incredible legacy, her own and also with me. This event was proof, that virtual worlds are so much more than a game. People commented in chat while I was speaking… it was a sublime and beautiful, very moving moment at times..
I will include the livestream on YouTube.
It is long , so feel free to watch it in parts. It went over an hour and 20 minutes.
Our host, Chantal was so amazing and accommodating and compassionate.. She allowed me to improvise, change the program and just talk about what I was moved to say. I am forever grateful for her kind heart and her very touching reaction to the event too.
I have no words to express my gratitude for being invited to honor, my friend, my creative soulmate, one of the greats in Second Life and anywhere, Natascha Randt.
- Thank you Alba Rocca for these photos.
Goodbye Nat…
I will miss you and miss you and miss you day after day after day after day……
Digital Rabbit Hole 
This was such a moving, and inspiring, event. A real tribute to Nat, however virtual, just as you say!
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It truly was Dale…Thank you for all your help!
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My fabulous Karima, this is such a stunning tribute. May she rest in peace and may you and everyone that loved her find consolation in her art and love for everyone. You brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing hon. I don’t know what else to say.
xoxoxo
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Hugs you too..It was beautiful Gabriela..and very moving..honestly.. I was not the only one feeling this..I am so happy we honored in the most beautiful way.. I feel I did do, what I prayed I could do…awww I had tears many times too.. Yes..she leaves a huge body of work behind… My Natskers….I miss her so…
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I know you miss her hon. It’s really hard. Again the tribute was wonderful ❤️
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What a beautiful tribute, dearest Karima. Your words are so touching and filled with so much love. I am so pleased to learn that the tribute went so well, and was well attended by loving souls. Fills my heart to read. And, I love this part of your words in this post so very much, “Our virtual world brought two creative people together from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and let them meet each other, begin to work together, grow and develop together as serious machinima artists and change two people so different in so many ways, into The Team.. .. that is what Nat called us! That is what everybody called us! They even called us, The Dream Team:)and that is what we became.” Creation is magnificent, and what you two created together will live on forever, in second life, and in the hearts of us all. Much love to you, my dear friend. ❤✨🌼🦋🙏🤗❤
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Such a beautiful comment Jeff and the fact you pointed out this part about the perceptions of virtual worlds, is so important to me..I saw many people in my real life, feel shock and dismay and real sadness for Nat’s passing..They knew her so much less than I, and yet, they saw she was real.. a real entity, a real soul, who had moved on..and they felt that grief..because I felt it.. but they never thought me crazy..just sad. To quote myself from another poem, “But now you’ve traveled further than my words can ever reach,
you have gone beyond the need for words, and I have lost the touch.” This is the hard part..accepting this.. Thank you for being so very compassionate with me Jeff.
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Mmmm. Indeed, my dear friend, that is the hard part. Take your time, Karima. You’re always welcome, my friend. Is an honor to know you. Much love. ❤️🙏🥰🌷
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This is so incredibly moving, Karima. Again (and again and again) I am so sorry for your loss.
💔
David
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Thank you David..I feel your empathy..I feel you and know you know about the first weeks, months, of loss. 🤗
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A very moving and beautiful tribute to the great soul. I watched a portion of the video. I felt the pain and grief in your voice and heart. You brought tears to my eyes. I know how difficult and unbearable is the pain of such a sudden separation from such a nice and creative person. My thoughts are with you, Karima. You’re right that virtual world is so much more than a game. It brought you together with a pious soul like Nat. Love and hug to you. Take care and stay blessed 🙏💖💐
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Oh Kaushal, you moved me so much with your comment.. This was one of the hardest things, I ever had to do in a public venue..but of course, I did it for Natascha and in the end, I was able to. It was a beautiful event to be part of..I will never forget it…there was something in the air..and it hit most who were there too..Maybe Natascha was close.. I want to believe that was it.. in any case, people like you, my WordPress friends, I have grown to know and care for, were there for me too. Thank you again, for being one of them and reaching out to me, right from the very beginning. I have 780 emails from WordPress.. I will never catch up..I think I will start fresh from today and try to be as supportive of all you, as you have been for me, these past days.❤️🙏🤗
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You’re always welcome, Karima. Please take care of yourself. I wish you all the very best 👍💐💖
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My dearest Karima, what a beautiful tribute. I am truly speechless, Nat’s spirit is felt so strongly in the video and in your loving words. And to see some of your films together is such a treat, thank you for sharing! Nat will always be with you and your friendship will continue, just in a different way 😊. Sending you so much love and big big hugs! Take care of you, my dear friend…you already honor Nat in the most incredible way 🖤🙏🏻🤗💫
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Oh Ace…hugs you tight..with lots of gratitude. You are such a loving soul full of solidarity, sensitivity and your compassion has moved me too.I feel that yes, I feel that Nat was honored in the event by everyone present and many who were not. I am feeling a bit lost atm as I was keeping myself busy with this Tribute, but every day..I feel her absence…and that is just the way it is.. I know she is in a better place and I hope I can just let go too and let her go… Thank you for your kindness and your empathy. You are a distinct and unique soul Ace! Be Blessed always and be safe🙏❤️🤗
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