Going Around & Coming Around at the End of 2013

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Karima Hoisan

Sooooo…
About a year ago I wrote these lines as part of a longer poem lamenting the decline of Second Life (as I saw it… 🙂 See post SLip Away)

“I  found myself with a Blues Club in New Toulouse 1920′s New Orleans. 
I was still new enough to find each night had a rainbow lining 
that titillated, rustling like my petticoats.
 It moved me to feeling and to sensuality; 
that’s when I felt it all became so much more real. 
I could smell the floorboards, the dockside freighter’s rusty hulls, 
and Tom Waits sang over the stream, while I danced with lovers,
 those tangos, sexy number 4,  cheek to cheek, and slow dance number 3.” (2008)

I became all nostalgic for the good ol’ days when I had a little bar called “Kari’s Bar and Dance “in New Toulouse.

The original poster from 2008

The original poster from 2008 with the “original me”

Then…something that never happens in Real Life, and rarely happens in Second Life happened just as the year was turning to a close… The mayor of New Toulouse, Henri Godenot, “tricked me” into going and just”taking a look” at my old lot. Against all odds, (as I left in 2010) there was this sign (the original poster above) hanging out in front, and Henri had dragged out some posters and it looked like my bar was trying to come back from the dead…. all on its own. I was so moved, I took the offer to bring it all the way back, changing some very retro booths to better ones (Thanks to a magic couple) and receiving some cash gifts to make it the moody n dark funky club it was before, but hopefully a bit better than it was 3 years ago.

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Surveying the dance floor -lighting by Nat:)

As soon as I figure out how to load a modern-Dance Ball, I hope to get those retro dances off the floor and maybe bring back live shows in the new year. What does the new “Kari’s Bar and Dance” offer? My goal is to make the best stream of romantic and chill music that fits this dockside warehouse. I will hand pick the best dances to lose yourself in the mood.  Romantic and very “Vetrriano”  this club from the beginning was a long time fantasy of mine..I share it with all who look for a little secluded place to dance and romance and listen to some really fine music. In 2014, I hope to have a few live shows monthly and give a poetry reading…on a full moon night:)

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Entertaining a tiny friend..in my office

Come visit soon. It’s still a bit under construction…but I would love to share it with all of you. Here is the speedy Hansom cab to get you to the front door.
“Kari’s Bar and Dance”

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Natksers and I breaking in the dance floor:)

Have the Happiest and Safest Holiday Season!

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Come dance a bolero for the holidays!

Thank you everyone, who has welcomed me back and for my friends who have given me so much support and love about this project. Sometimes Time..CAN go backwards!

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“ahh..feet up after a long day..heaven”

 

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Glorious Monster

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Karima Hoisan
Let's ride

Let’s ride our glorious monster…

Let’s ride our glorious monster until we all fall down.
Along the river’s bank, he bucks and kicks while we hang on.
We have built him out of words and fuming bright audacity
He’s a fire-breathing furnace of moon struck creativity.

Hang on! Hang on!

We’ll race him against the best and even against Time.
He’s an aurora borealis of light madness and dark shine.
So dig your heels in, and grab handfuls of mane to cling.
He could toss us off a bridge if we don’t learn the way to ride him.

Dig in! Dig in!

He’s a semi- trained colossus who took the bit and ran and ran.
Who put that wild streak in, that made him crazier than our plan?
No matter, if we hang on tight , he knows some places of respite.
We can breathe in richness, catch our breath if we learn to ride him right.

Hang on! Hang On!

Let’s ride our glorious monster until we all fall down.
Along the river’s bank, he bucks and kicks while we hang on.
We have built him out of words and fuming bright audacity
He’s a fire-breathing furnace of moon struck creativity.

Karima Hoisan
December 16th 6:50am
Costa Rica

*Footnote: The center monster is The Twilight Dragon by drakheniche
http://monstersandbeasts.blogspot.com/search/label/deviantart
The mirror image of riding a monster on both sides is called
Mythical-Creatures-mythical-creatures-7590304-750-1117 from Google Search

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The Mourning Wolf

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Karima Hoisan
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A pacing wolf in mourning…

A pacing wolf in mourning,
the big bad wolf has lost her little girl.
No smells of dinner cooking
no light waiting in the window
no brushing of my tangled fur
no couch TV…

The walls mock me,
“Mad thing! You believed!!
that boots were ballet slippers
and woods could be a family
Who gave you X-Ray vision?
Get some glasses please.”

I slink from all those carolers
whose voices fill the air,
the trails lose her scent now,
with this mind, a drunken guide.
It just takes one to hear a falling tree
and I hear roaring dominoes
as forests tumble down around me.

In my castle floating on the hill
There is no room without her,
no room that doesn’t show me
her passage through my life.
It was never my intention to eat her
and destroy her
but I’m a wolf and so one day…..
well…
that’s just how the story goes.

Karima Hoisan
December 15, 2013
Costa Rica
*footnote: The illustration is from http://www.deviantart.com entitiled “Wolfenchanter”

 

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Sand Castle

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Karima Hoisan
Artist

Sand Castles -Artist Deborah Chapin

Will the answers come if we sit upon the rocks and wait?
Perhaps some meaning does come later
 for all those words we usually fail to say?
Not being eternal, our bad choice is keeping silent.
Not being perfect the error would be to think we might be right.
Is it only you? Is it only I, who stirs the pot to boiling
and adds another log upon the fire?
Is it timing or the stars or chemicals, low sugar tides
that pull you out or pull me out, over our heads
and drown us in a rage?
Are you the driftwood churning in these waters still afloat?
Are you the stone that splits in two against my rock and
then worn smooth, we stay inert, a pile of dark-grained sand?
Is it I who’s cruel and is not Life an on-going teacher?
Is it you who’s good and caring, your  first- aid kit always filling with compassion?
Who’s the bad one? Who’s the good? Who wears the villain’s part so well?
Who is innocent and who has the sympathy of the crowd that may be watching?  
Is it you, or I or the planets laughing down upon us;
just when we try to build our best, it all turns into sand?

Karima Hoisan
December 9th 2013
Costa Rica

*Footnote on the Print I used above: Quoting the artist…..
“Sand Castles original painting was painted on location in Brittany. The two children scooping up the sand tried very hard to make the sand look more like a castle but to no avail.  However,  I gave them credit for effort.”
(The poet smiles:)

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Recap of The Reading in Araxes Dec. 7th

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Karima Hoisan

Well……it was wonderful!
First, it was just so nice to be there again, on a world that held so many memories.
Second, it was just really special to read with such a loving and appreciative audience around me.
Here is the recording in an mp3 file of the whole reading, if you missed it. Just Click on the hyperlink and download or stream it: Karima’s Reading on Al Raqis.mp3

The Arena on Mount Jofar

The Arena on Mount Jofar

For about 50 minutes (I ran over the half hour mark) I read poetry in a place many times reserved for combat.

Make Verse not Battle!

Make Verse not Battle!

I want to thank the many people who sent photos they took at the event, many of which were of me, so it’s not that I just want to, flood my post with my photos, but some were really nice. Thank you Kage Stratten, Gamma Infinity, Natascha, Dale, Shepp, Mireille for these great memories of the event.
There were about 28 people present and many old and dearly loved friends, as well as new listeners

Karima by Gamma

Karima by Gamma

Miss Dale my beautiful assistant capture by Nat

Dale my beautiful
assistant captured by Nat

The beautiful poet Luna framed by Gamma & Shesa's legs

The beautiful poet Luna framed by Gamma & Shesa’s legs

All of the striking couple, Gamma & Shesa

All of the striking couple, Gamma & Shesa

Adorable! Seth & Kage Stratten with the imposing Nat behind!

Adorable! Seth & Kage Stratten with the imposing Nat behind!

Small Sidni who came with her father Tysun

Small Sidni who came with her father Tysun – Photo by Nat

 

Shepp's Sunset on Mars Portrait

Shepp’s Sunset on Mars Portrait

Another great one from Gamma

Another great one from Gamma

After the Reading by Nat

After the Reading by Nat

Thank you all for coming. It made this reading a very memorable one for me!
And the cutest couple in attendance goes to…………..

Seth & Kage Stratten!!

Seth & Kage Stratten!!


 

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A Word On The Avi Choice Awards

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Karima Hoisan

First I do want to thank whoever nominated me in the Entertainment Category  for best female poet for the awards this year, and for everyone who cast a vote in my name, I will take it as a personal hug from a friend, but I will not campaign to win this. So many really excellent poets were not even on the list, ones who read and entertain on a weekly basis and have supported the poetry community hosting events and thrilling crowds with their poetry. I am just a “socially not very networked- unconnected- poet,”who has 72 Friends on her fb account,and rarely visits her page, who doesn’t have her own group in-world, or have a Twitter account and who will never win any Second Life Popularity contest, although I have crashed sims with my readings, and cried along with my audience when we  just connected all together in a poem. I love poetry. It is my Art  and I can’t help writing it, and Second Life has been my main fountain of inspiration since 2007 and 2009, when I began giving my readings on stream. So, thank you all who have voted for me, but just know, I can’t possibly win…and as a dear friend of mine said to me last night,”Karima, you don’t have to win.” I don’t… smiles and I won’t even try to. I am thankful to my muse for the poetry that pours out, and I am grateful to my small but loving and fiercely supportive audience who has been with me in my readings and on this blog for years. My film partner Nat was also nominated in the category of filmmaker and for me, as all know, she is The Best, but like me, will never win any popularity contests. So, thank you Avi Choice for the nomination..and I will make no pleas anywhere for votes. Just know I am grateful for those who did take the time, and for the nomination. Takes Nat’s hand in hers, we might be the biggest losers at the awards, smiles..but we are the biggest winners in our partnership of creativity!
Isn’t that what it’s really all about?

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Karima Reads on Araxes (Al Raqis) Saturday Dec. 7th 12noon slt

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Karima Hoisan

Ahhhh back to the desert!
I lived and Rp’d on this sim for almost two years and it feels very nice to come back and be a small part of an Art Festival weekend that will take place between the 6th-8th of December.

30 Minutes of Poetry at Mount Jofar Arena Al Raqis

30 Minutes of Poetry at
Mount Jofar Arena Al Raqis

The sim has totally changed from when I resided here, but it still is as enchanting as ever! Futurstic, harsh, dangerous and enticing…Dress in your Sci-fi best whatever that may be, or come as you are to sit on the stone steps of the arena, while I do my poetic best entertain you for a half hour.

Ridge City Al Raqis

Ridge City Al Raqis

Here is the program for the weekend:
The Office of the Legate of Al Raqis, Araxes Dunes of Mu-Draconis announces
 the first Art Show December 6-8 by the Standard Calendar.

Friday, December 6
5:30pm SLT –  Casa di Barbosa sponsored Opening Party
Club Nyce
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Al%20Raqis/28/71/64

Saturday, December 7
Noon- SLT – Multi-media Poetry reading by Karima-Kareem Hoisan
Mount Jofar Arena
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Al%20Raqis/207/44/100

Sunday, December 8
7pm SLT – Joaquin Gustav (Argentinian singer and guitar player)
Water’s End Over Pass
􀀁
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Splintered%20Rock/56/8/55

Sand and sky..the magic of the desert

Sand and sky..the magic of the desert

I cordially invite you to this Saturday’s reading at 12 noon slt, always with music and imagery. To capture your imagine for a half hour is what I will try and do. I will try my very best!
Here is your jet shuttle to land you there swiftly:Mount Jofar Arena-Al Raqis
Be safe in your journey!

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“A Winter’s Trek” by Karima Hoisan and Natascha Randt

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Karima Hoisan

Well… we never thought we would ever do a movie like this one…and it is our lucky 13th collaboration too!!
The Challenge was sent out: Make a 60- 90 sec video using one of the MadPea Pea avatars and send it trekking! This will be our entry to their contest this year.
I admit I talked Nat into it. I did a little arm twisting but in the end, off she went to get her avatar at a”gacha” kiosk (you get what you get….no choosing) and guess what she got? A big toothy Santa Clause!!!…Sooo this is the timely tale we told. I want to give a special thanks to our friend Luna Branwen for being so ready to “steal the show” as the Blue Imp. Nat waddles and treks her little legs off as The Santa Pea, and thanks to Celestial Elf for inviting me to this great Toad avatar (Toadoid Avi) from Grendel’s, when he made his own movie,
See:Elf’s “The Faerie Trees”
Comments are welcome here or on YouTube
HO HO HO Merry Christmas from Randt & Hoisan Productions!! ENJOY!!

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9 Lives

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Karima Hoisan
I had

I had 9 lives but 8 were taken away

9 Lives

I had 9 lives but 8 were taken away.

The first I lost beneath a speeding bus.
With years of balancing on the curb
one day I just  slipped off.
Maybe I used up my grace
or a push upon my back
helped to send me under.
In any case that life was done
I was run over.

But then reborn
I played my favorite role, the alley fool.
I dressed in matted coats
and stood on garbage cans with hope.
I believed the whispered words
until I saw the writing.
Even a fool can see the writing
and that is when I toppled off
and another life went down.

 A few more became a pudding
just a smoothie of the past
Sweetened by forgetfulness
I let myself repeat the parts,
and always there were lies.
Some I fabricated and some
were placed upon my back
then I became a pack-cat of deceit.
way too overburdened…
my feet went out from under me.

Right now I’m limping out from number eight
with injuries and strings of rats
but when I think I’ve lost it all
is when I have no fear.
Now looking back I see how
I did land upon my feet,
those clouds of judgment coming clear.
A loss of eight I wager and concede
to be well worth it in the final count
to get to live my 9th life out,
Ahh, bowls of cream and wisdom.
 
 
I had 9 lives but 8 were taken away

and it was over
over…it was over
over and over and over
not over ’til the last one’s over

Karima Hoisan
November 30th 2013
Costa Rica

*Footnote: I woke up one morning seeing this cat in my mind so clearly walking towards me saying, “I had nine lives but eight were taken away”….over and over and over:)

This image I used as an illustration is a composite of a painting entitled “9Lives” by Leslie Revels Andrews and can be found here in its original form at http://www.fineartamerica.com

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See Frog Run

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Karima Hoisan
"Was he still really a frog after so many changes....?"

“Was he still really a frog after so many changes….?”  (Photo taken in a pool on Beyond  Sebgram X-99 Kitely)

See Frog Run

The frog ran away from the insanity.
He clenched his hands tight as he leaped over
wheat-fields and  freeways,
like a dog running off with a leg of lamb.
We are what we eat ,
so he grew lamb-shanks for limbs,
which really was not so surprising…
Ahh, but that he made his escape from calamity,
was in the end what did surprise him.
 
Someone with no humor set him on fire
but the flames did become him
and melted to mold him
Now he was a gold medal Olympic runner,
an ultra- marathon stunner
a broadband broad- jumper.
the frog who changed his destiny .
He threw off those tired horses in midstream
then turned a nightmare into a dream,
agile, and fleet in grace and  esteem
because everyone who knew him rejoiced he got away.

There were flares and night terrors and blood soaked mud layers
he leaped lakes, full of poisonous snakes.
He never stopped running and still is to this date,
tears trickle down the cheeks of his face
just remembering…just remembering…
the wind fanning so many burning memories.

The frog made a leap back to life and he knew
 he could never stop running; jet -propelled now
streaking high in the air like a burning comet he flew
over cities and patchworks of farmlands,
the wind whistling deep in his ears.
His body changing from raw meat into particles
he flew over  the earth he once hopped.
Was he still really a frog after so many changes
after a lifetime of fleeing with no stop?

His mutton legged nightcap whipping him on
The rain clouds grew comforting, as he was reborn
Like Lola he ran through the eye of the storm
a dark ember remained glowing inside him.
No hurdle too high now, no pain was too raw,
no crazy thought  path was left  to experiment
He sailed over and out of the comfort of atmosphere
He went to the void and reached towards the stars
He needed no gulp- breaths, no frog pond, no love- mate
spiraling, he ran in circles going faster and faster.
Is he now that red star that circles the heavens?
Is he the meteorite we watch fall on horizons?
Did he expand into his own  fiery galaxy?
Really It doesn’t matter at all.
What will stay in the history books of future days
will only be that
everyone who knew this frog from before
all rejoiced that he got away.

Karima Hoisan
Re-posted from 2011

* Note: I had forgotten about this poem..Just wanted to share it again and maybe do it in one of my next readings.

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