This poem is a shoot pushing through the ground It’s Spring. It’s April, a bud curled up so fresh it has no idea What it wants to be. It just knows Why it wants to be… It wants to be for you.
Something new is being fashioned; a feeling before the words emerge, a heady zephyr, a lion to tame a trending look, that has your name. So put it on, and wear it well; it’s yours.
This poem’s on the fast track It’s a starter and a winner in a photo-finish ending. It’s a valiant heart about to burst, a lovestruck sprint, a headline race, running in the lead, and you’re there cheering.
Now it opens; now it flowers, showing off its colors. Parading, high steps, freshly perfumed, wearing ribbons, takes a bow in center ring, stands tall in winner’s circle, a trophy of a flower, while applause bursts from the stands and…. You’re there and wear the biggest smile. You knew it was for you.
Sooo, last night I had the great pleasure of being in the audience, and witness to a true Second Life Theatrical Experience. I am talking about the incredible Production by Idle Rogue (Home of the uber-popular “Guerilla Burlesque”) of “Le Cirque de Nuit” which is based loosely on Erin Morgenstern’s novel,”The Night Circus” It was polished and elegant, a beautiful performance all in blacks and whites and greys.
The Program was a booklet given to all.
The audience gave up control of their own cameras to a very well orchestrated version directed by the technicians of the show, that allowed us all to see close-ups and wide shots when necessary. I know this alone, saved many from crashing while trying to cam in to get a closer look. The general performance that I attended was filled to capacity 56 minutes before the show even started, leaving many very disappointed patrons with no luck for getting in. Shesa and Gamma, my two talented friends who were part of the show as “wild animals,” had warned me to get in early, and really the whole sim filled up (80 avatars) in 6 minutes! I will include some photos I was brave enough to snap, as I always worried I would crash and not get back, so they are not the best quality, but do give an idea of the diversity, elegance and flawless set shifting of the whole show.
Shesa on the left-Gamma on the right and Zahra keeping them in line
This very steampunk act was so beautifully scripted and animated..- Sho Kyong performing
Sho Kyong in perfect synchronization
Yay Girls!
a lovely scene changing intermission
Act after act of amazing Circus variety
Aww, I didn’t want it to ever end!
I want to thank everyone involved in this production. It was so obviously a labor of love, artistic passion at its highest, and community talent, and solidarity shared in a way we can all appreciate and remember. I had tears in my eyes when it was over. Such a beautiful production given freely for all… oh our beloved virtual world of Second Life does have its very special moments, and this marks one I will not easily forget.
More information about Idle Rogue Productions can be found on their blog.
And on this note…. I wish to share Drax’s latest file about another theatrical group of Second Life that I think will whet your interest to see too. I am so wanting to go, and I found a performance that is not yet Sold Out! April 27th is my turn. For those interested you can see what shows coming up still have tickets available right here I will quote a line from them off of Drax’s YouTube information and then invite you to see this great episode on what they do… Very impressive!
“We have forgotten how to play, how to have fun!” says Canary Beck and elaborates on why the Metaverse is the place to do just that: “Second Life is like merging Photoshop with a Holodeck” she says and her partner Harvey Crabsticks adds: “…it is a playground to experiment, where all the elements are programmable!”
Please click the .wav link to hear the poem recited to original music: .wav recording
Soot-Stained Sheet
Take me outside…to breathe the air around your hair, to walk down city streets while holding hands, navigating through the human flow, we break the ice, our smiles and laughter brighten the blocks of sunlit sky.
I have lived inside this tunnel since I dug it years ago, my monument to reclusiveness, a living tomb of hiding. I bartered safety from the staring eyes, for a long black tube of tracks and stuck my head under the ground, as life pulled from the station.
Take me up above where windows promise food and chic, keep me safe from those who wish to bore me while they bore. Shield me from the elements, for here I am a soot stained sheet, only hanging on your arm, do I reanimate in living color.
Take me outside…to breathe the air around your hair, to walk down city streets while holding hands, navigating through the human flow, we break the ice, our smiles and laughter light the blocks of sunlit sky.
This is number 14! 14 collaborations with Natascha and my heart tells me, we might just keep going! This one, came obsessively fast, just because we were both in “starburst mode” and as I was madly finishing the build, Nat was filming at amazing draw distances of over 2000(those who cruise in virtual worlds will know that is being able to see very very far indeed!) For those who love to film, Kitely – Virtual Worlds on Demand is like paradise, where you can actually use these kinds of high graphic settings, and still get 70fps. I have posted aboutmy world here, and also shared a poem that was born as the world was developing, and now I give you Natascha’s beautiful camera eye, that tantalizes more than it reveals, because I hope you will actually make the journey yourselves to see it on Kitely. Nat gets me. She just does, and this is why today we celebrate 14 videos made together with a creative passion and harmony you don’t see very often in machinima makers. Vector’s Vortex is about yearning, the cosmos, awe inspiring beauty, passing up the chances for learning, giving up before you get there, and even the meaning of it all. It is a poetic look at Space, Science, and Mystical age old secrets we still hope to hear the answers to. Sooo, turn your settings to HD and Fullscreen, enjoy our little film, and I hope you will decide to visit my world here soon: Vector’s Vortex on Kitely – Virtual Worlds on Demand
Poster by Natascha Randt! (Thanks once again Nat:)
There are two live musicians I go on and on about when talking to people in my Second Life, and one of these is Max Kleene! Besides being a genuinely warm and nice person, he has that special charisma that keeps his fans growing in number and wanting more year after year. Voted best male singer once again by popular choice, Max has a delicious and eclectic mix of songs, that he is happy to dedicate if you just IM him. I am so proud to have him back at my bar in New Toulouse, and I cordially invite you all to join us this Saturday night at 9pmslt for an hour of great music and dancing at Kari’s Bar and Dance. I will include one of my favorite songs he does by Jason Mraz, “Bella Luna” performed alongside Voodoo Shilton on his fabulous guitar…sooo nice.
Give the Youtube a play, if you have never heard him or already are a fan, and I will see you this Saturday night at 9pmslt! Don’t you dare miss this one:) Here is your horse-drawn carriage ride to the front door: Kari’s Bar and Dance
You wrote the books, your key has unlocked mysteries
Vector, I hear you call to me from far across the stars, Your voice is like a flute, a solo introduction to a symphony. You spin my head with possibilities, and you keep calling, “Come to me, I know the secret. I will tell you, if you just come.”
You wrote the books, your key has unlocked mysteries, You are the last piece in the puzzle, and I can hold you in my hand. But I am far from you, my lifetime is not enough time, So, I stopped trying. I just stopped trying to get to you.
There are nights of stars when shrouded moons are silent, Your siren’s call is heard from a deep sea of galaxies, Inside my head and on the wind, you plead with me, To make the journey, just one step, one step after the other.
I protest to you, I say I am too old to know the truth about our universe. In this lifetime, I made choices, and none of them contained your name. How ironic that when it is too late I hear your voice call out incessantly, “Come to me, I know the secret. I will tell you, if you just come.”
Karima Hoisan March 24, 2014 Vector’s Vortex on Kitely *Sometimes I wish I would have studied…. Quantum Mechanics, don’t you?
Still under construction, and although we can get you up to the top, we still haven’t had time to get you down gracefully to the ground, but portals are open if you would like to take a peek.
This is the first world since I built my last one, “Float” more than a year ago, and it marks world #9 created on Kitely.
It is very easy to visit for anyone who has a virtual world viewer for Second Life, the Kitely grid can be added easily. You can find instructions how to do that here: How to configure Your Viewer
Welcome! A video message greets you when you arrive….
Ahh the peaceful and never ending rotation of Outer Space…
The Vortex
Inner Forms in Outer Space
searching the skies…dreaming about how to get to Vector’s
Books are the magic carpet…
Relaxing after the long journey
In case you were wondering who that was..:)
I want to thank once again the talented Dale Innis for making transport possible on Vector’s Vortex. I did the visuals, but without a good scripter, they would not be as much fun to experience. This latest project is very much a collaboration of talents and ideas. Come visit Vector’s Vortex soon.Enter Here!
When Natascha sent me this little clip of some of the many outtakes that usually reach the trash and rarely reach me, after our movie is completed, I had absolutely nothing to do that night, so I decided to go into Garage Band and put together a little sound track for it. I sent it back to Nat and she added her intro and credits. Voilá! a very short short was born from our original entry to the MadPea, The Trekking Pea Challenge entitled: “A Winter’s Trek” Imp played by Natascha Randt Toad played by Karima Hoisan The Final Battle is…..well, push play and see who won:)
When you touch that funny bone, it’s wriggle squiggle giggle. Too bad if you can’t catch a breath, stuck with a heaving belly, crinkly tears of merriment you’re laughing yourself to death. Listing starboard, falling down upon the floor, sardonic grins look pan- faced glum compared to what your face becomes. “Oh Stop!” “Don’t you even look my way, I’ll shame my name by spitting irreverently on the floor. Don’t say that one word anymore. I will die laughing. I will. I’m going to die laughing!”
I can’t catch my breath, my silliness, for sure, will be my death. Trying to pull myself together, this is not the place for this, I’m thinking of the lottery, shopping lists, and weather, still tittering, sniggering cackling, oh no I’m chortling! I’m serious now…but when I see that scene again; the cow and how and pow…the paper’s called “The Morning Omelette?” It just hits my funny bone. I’m one hysterical jiggle, higgle, giggle. If you tickle me I know I’ll blow into a thousand rapid-fire chucklings. Now, “Don’t!” “Please Stop!” A burst and squeak and here it comes again… Helter-skelter, higgedly piggedly all the way home..I can’t stop laughing!
Karima Hoisan
March 6th 2014
Costa Rica
* Footnote: The illustration is entitled, baskakov-milkmaids-novella.jpg. I found it on the web, and it made me laugh. What is really making me laugh right now (on every single page) is Mark Helprin’s “Freddy and Fredericka” which is so funny, I can’t take it with me and read it in, let’s say, a waiting room..because I would be asked to leave (chortling as I go:)
Sooo, after the parade we had a great dance at Kari’s Bar and Dance with RoseDrop Rust up on stage crooning his tunes, and delighting the reveling Taloosters who just kept on going and going! Luckily, a few people had the presence of mind to take some shots (other than of whiskey:) and I share them with you here. Thank you RoseDrop for your great set and thank you Nat and Dale for sending these pictures..
Nat and Karima warm up the stage for RoseDrop!
One of Nat’s faboo shadow shots
so green…..
Taloosters boogie to the sounds..
Dale, Karima and Hoyt grooving to RoseDrop
Pazzo erected himself a statue mid dance:)
RoseDrop!!
The Magnificent…Shesa!
Karima!
Gorgeous Gamma with our mayor doing a dip
Dance and be Merry!
Party! Party! Party!
I will include here now some miscellaneous photos that Dale took from the parade to the party in the park, and then on to Kari’s.
Oh what that poor bird-watching mayor is missing!!
Odracir!
Party in the Park
Amira!
Party at Kari’s on the Dock!
Thanks again to Nat and Dale for capturing these wonderful memories.
Let The Good Times Roll!
Digital Rabbit Hole 