Follow Me! ~An Ode to Code ~ The Movie by Natascha Randt & Karima Hoisan

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

Oh my oh my oh my!!
I can tell you, I haven’t been this excited to share a movie since Natascha Randt and I collaborated on the UWA V Challenge, “Seek Wisdom”
I feel like we were swept up in an on-rushing tide, a flash flood of ideas, and input that brought this film in, with the credits rolling in almost Olympic -Record -Time. One of the reasons Nat and I work so well together, I think, is that we are both pretty obsessed once we begin something. Sleep is pushed to one side, and the goal line looms ahead. It has a big YouTube banner (smiles) and we hopefully break that ribbon in perfect style as we make it public, with no other gain than to know we have finished it and to share with whomever in the world might be interested.
As I said in my previous post, I adore scripters. If it weren’t for them, here in Second Life, we would all be standing still in photographs (I sort of imagine it that way) no movement, no flexi, no sync dancing, no anything…no world. Linden Scripting Language is the common tongue, and it allows us to create and bring life to inanimate prims. It was time, I recognized the value of all the stuff that is whirling around behind the scenes. It seems in doing this, I got out of my funk about “Second Life losing its magic, see post: “SLip Away” and by looking deep into its backbone and its nervous system, meditating on all the collaboration that it took and takes to keep it going, I had one of those stingy-tears- in- my- eyes moments, when I felt thankful, so very thankful for all that work behind the scenes that we just take for granted.
Thank you my friends who script, and all those I have not met, nor probably will ever meet. I forgive you all for not being available to chat, because you are in the middle of some scripting process equivalent to “open-heart surgery” (Quote from scripter Jer Straaf)
I invite all the rest of us to celebrate our virtual worlds, by looking down inside and remembering the scripter’s role in it all. They are “the gods in a sandbox” They make almost any possibility possible (like Dale Innis’s hands- free- walking script, his “AvatarFollower” script which started me thinking about this in the first place.) I want to thank my sim partner, Odracir Wrigglesworth, co-owner of LINC Island where much of the film was shot, for being an elegant and graceful dance partner, and WaMark Basevi for his phrase “an Ode to Code”
But..my last and deepest thank-yous go to my gifted friend, film maker and collaborator,
Natascha Randt. With her innovative film style and her unique film concepts, techniques, and camera eye, I think she once again has taken my poem and music and made it lift off from my hand and soar into a beautifully finished piece of art , honoring those who make us move.
“Make it move…. because you can”
I present to you proudly and with much emotion, “Follow Me!” Please see in fullscreen and HD for best viewing….
Comments very welcome:)

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Follow Me!

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

AvatarFollower

I adore scripters! That is no news for people who know me well. This poem and music that I will give you the chance to listen to below, is a new poem and musical composition dedicated to only them. In the first months of my blog, I  wrote a true story about a bull and a tenacious scripter who finally took control of him by the horns
See a “Story Full of Bull”   and today I offer you “Follow Me” which I dedicate to all those “gods in a sandbox” who I admire so much. Please click on the .mp3 link below to listen… (please don’t be lazy..just click the link:) and Enjoy!!
Follow Me by Karima Hoisan.mp3

*Footnote: I went to the LSL Wiki to find a follow script and saw that this one was from a scripter I really know, Dale Innis..hope that is ok that I used it Dale:)

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Recap of The Hyacinth Plaza Reading~Recording and Photos

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

The Poetry Venue in Hyacinth Plaza (photo by Nat)

It was such a lovely venue, built by Lianitia manager at The Hyacinth Plaza, and Natascha took some great photos yesterday, so I have decided to share them with you, for those who went, and for those who couldn’t make it. Below is an mp3 recording you can click on to hear the entire hour of poetry and music. I hope you enjoy !
Recording of Poetry Reading by Karima at Hyacinth Plaza.mp3

“Soul Eyes”..visual Art can open them (photo by Nat)

Around 28 people attended and the setting was beautiful!”

“Sea Spice” (photo by Nat)

The painting in the background is by my gifted friend and RL artist Jan Betts.

“The Other Side”  painting “Joining” by Jan Betts (photo by Nat)

Nat hailing a cab for “The Changes Changes” Soon we will make this poem into a video… (pushes Nat to agree:)

…the Changes Changes everything… (photo by Nat)

The weather was ideal for an afternoon of poetry…even though it threatened to rain (depending on your windlight settings:)

 (photo by Nat)

It’s hard work training the Byzantine Elephants in the Circo de Verbose…

“Way with Words” ( photo by Nat)

As the afternoon sun dropped down, I was nearing the end of my reading. It was hard to believe an hour had  flown by….

In the afternoon glow of poetry (photo by Nat)

My last poem, was an emotional one for me personally and for some of the audience too.. It is about a whale.. but it could be about more than just a whale…

 “Whale Song” centered perfectly by Anje Aichi who took the photo

Thank you Eric Coiffard, for making this beautiful spot on your sim, Hyacinth Plaza, to enjoy poetry. I hope you will invite me back sometime:)

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Karima on Stream@Hyacinth Plaza Wed.Nov.14 12 noon slt

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

photo by Marriellanna

Is always a pleasure for me to read at a new venue, and tomorrow at 12noonslt I will be  giving a reading at the beautiful and popular venue, Hyacinth Plaza.
The owner Eric Coiffard, has been coming to my readings for awhile, so he knows my poetry, and when he asked me to read on his recently opened sim, I was honored.
Coming off of my Halloween reading, which was a choice of darker affair, I have chosen many more upbeat poems, and I will be doing several brand new ones that I have not yet performed. So, just come if you can, I promise to give you my all:) I would especially love to invite anyone who has fallen on this poet by accident and has never been to my readings, or even Second Life. I realize how truly blessed I am to be able to do this;to reunite an International group of people who enjoy the spoken word and entertain them for an hour with music, poetry and imagery. Please Join me tomorrow, Wed. Nov.14th 12noonslt.

Here is your taxi that will drop you off in the woods:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hyacinth/122/104/2500

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Advice To A Flower ~ The Movie by Natascha Randt

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

There are times, when you actually feel the Universe pushing really hard, and at the same time making it very easy, for something to be born, and you are the mid-wife in attendance. This video by Natascha Randt is an example of one of those times for me.
DB Bailey, architect, artist and friend, (David Denton Architect) Im’d me a few nights ago and said these enigmatic words,
“I think I have redefined the word excess.”
Well, of course I had to see this new definition, no doubt in a brand new installation he was finishing…so without hesitation I flew to bear witness.
When I arrived, I was overwhelmed by his textures and colors, and his vision of opulent gluttony for the eye and the soul eyes of anyone who begins to feast on what he has put together. My friends and those who follow my blog, know what an influence DB’s Art has had on my poetry, my narrative prose series, and my machinima. It seems as fast as he builds them, I am devouring them, and then some form of undefined alchemy turns them into something that comes from my own imagination. This new installation which is part of the sim Creations for Parkinson’s is aptly titled, “Compulsive Creativity” and it is a visual delight, at every turn, and at every level.
DB logged for the evening, but I knew who I had to call…my friend and video-collaborator Natsacha Randt to see this build. I won’t try to say her first impressions here, as I am hoping she will make that comment herself, but when she first arrived, it was hard for me to tell what she thought of it. She was sort of silent, taking it in, and then she said, “Gonna take some shots…ohh this is a nice angle…ohh I really like these windows…” and I quietly slipped away and left her alone at the installation, knowing, that there was a good chance a video had just been conceived:)
So, the next day I went back and took some stills that caused a poem too ooze out of the walls of colorful irises, and fall upon my paper, with the title, “Advice to a Flower” (see previous post) I showed it to Nat, and later she told me she wanted to use it as the title, and asked me to record the last verse for her.
So I share with you, an experiment as Nat calls it, filmed in DB’s heady-oppulent romp of textures, with a bit of advice for flowers at the end. The music is Nat’s own creation by the way, and testimony to her many talents as an original film maker. Enjoy!


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Advice To A Flower

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

“Because you are a flower hide your scent…

Because you are a flower hide your scent, for they will steal it away,
and cut off your legs and make you one more prisoner in a vase.
Fresh water, and promises on the first and second day,
then… stagnant expectation of neglect, until they throw you away.

If you flaunt your colors and let your hair fall free, that’s your undoing.
Someone will soon pluck you from the tree, in a careless pursuing,
and maybe he means to keep you, but maybe he just collects,
and will file you with a latin name and leave with no regrets.

The hybrids they say are now in season, so wear your veil.
Many bad boys with scissors out ‘n about, looking to adorn their grail.
If you hear their footsteps near, keep still until they move along.
Desaturate your essence, no hint there’s more, for they might do you wrong.

Pretty flower, blow freely in fields, where wind controls your destiny,
Perfume the air only for those, who cherish grace and bending beauty,
who let you be just what you are, and honor the ground from where you grew,
who drop their clippers, and from afar, admire the petaled  hues of you.

Karima Hoisan
Nov. 9 2012
LINC Renacer SL

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The Nightmare that turned into a Daymare…

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

Excellent video maker,  best friend and collaborator, Natascha Randt, had a big surprise waiting for me today. She snuck onto my  Kitely -Virtual Worlds on Demand installation-“Float” and captured these images and put them to my music and dialog,”This is Just a Nightmare” that I shared with you yesterday. Knowing that we are lazy about clicking links, if you didn’t hear it yesterday, now you can see it come to life, in Natascha’s video, “This is Just a Nightmare” As I told her in my comment, it is always such a treat for me to see how she translates my words and music, into her own language of video. To see my build through her inspired retinas, smooth camera work, and innovative style, is always such an unexpected joy.
Please watch it fullscreen and turn the volume up. I give you the nightmare that turned into a daymare. Eternal thank you’s Nat

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“This is Just a Nightmare”

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

I kept my word.
 I built a 3D version of a scary poem I recently wrote, on Kitely – Virtual Worlds on Demand, in time for Halloween (see post; Afloat)
I will enclose a few teaser photos to give you an idea, and one of the four musical compositions I wrote, that play in the media stream as you float out at night in the middle of the ocean. Really I think you will find it frightening, or relaxing depending on your attitude, but this musical piece, is pretty creepy and will push you more into the nightmare mode of the installation. Please click this link to open an mp3 file and hear it for yourself (shivers… as this really IS my nightmare!) This is just a Nightmare.mp3
The link at the end of the post will get you to the landing…after that sit in a float and you are on your own…

“You’re never going to get out of here alive…”

“They will eat you, you know…you know that.”

The sounds and the uncertainty and the music surround you..things under your flimsy boat go *bump in the dark…

“I can wake up. This is just a nightmare…”

A dome in the distance provides a surround nightmarish experience while you float.

“I can just wake myself up.” “So do it! So wake yourself up.”

There is a feeling of false security if you go to experience Float with a friend..

“What’s that sound?????”

Come feel the 3D experience soon:
Here is your portal to my Nightmare. Click on it below:
Float on Kitely – Virtual Worlds on Demand

Take the chance and enter…. 

 

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Helium Moon

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

I know this will come as no surprise to my readers, but just let me say it one more time, that one of the reasons I’m still actively in Second Life (even after moaning that it has changed and the thrill is almost gone, see post: Slip Away) is the chance to meet with so many talented artists, musicians, poets, machinimatographers, scripters, builders, and do small collaborative projects together. This new poem recording is my latest example.
“Helium Moon” was born from listening to WaMark Basevi’s “Gone Girl” that he had sent me in a folder with some other original .mp3 songs he had composed. He thought that maybe I could find one useful for my poetry readings. Instead, I felt the urge to write a totally new poem, more a little spacey moon- mood , than an actual poem to go with his piece For this reason, I will not post the words here, but if someone really has to know what it says, I will include them in a comment below..so feel free, if you do, to just ask me.

Helium Moon…I hold your string


I have been floating o”er my sim for the last few days on helium balloons that my sim partner, Odracir, had left out for all to use (they are wonderful!) So it’s not hard to understand what direction my mind had been drifting towards, and the moon is a very powerful muse.
So to enjoy it, just click on the link that says “Helium Moon.mp3” and listen to it and maybe close your eyes and float along with me. This is a performance poem, more to be listened to and enjoyed than to be read. Thank you again WaMark for letting me use your piece..now Fly with me!
Click this link to listen to “Helium Moon.mp3” 

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Re-Cap of Halloween’s “Under The Spell of Poetry” Reading

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

…having just woken up from the dead… photo by Natascha Randt

I tried to be as welcoming as possible when the guests who had come to Steampunk Hall began arriving, but my oddly bent elbows and my rather pained and stiff expression I blame entirely on having just woken up from the dead. Still, I was looking forward to putting those mortals under the spell of poetry, for this was a spell I had been practicing casting, for a few years now. I found the growing group, to be amazingly sensitive, so much so, that without me even beginning to recite, or the music  streaming, they began floating horizontally in front of me…. such a delight to see them stretched out helplessly, for one undead as myself. Our pleasures are very different than the mortals.

“You are lying on my ethereal beach…” photo by Natascha Randt

Refreshed by the howling midnight winds, I began to weave the primordial spell of poetry

Steampunk Hall-the audience now trapped  in an invisible web…how delicious! (photo by Natascha Randt)

The spell was beginning to work, fog rolled in with the words of Poe…

photo by Natascha Randt

The listeners ranged from beauties to beasts and even a superhero…

Indigo, John and Shantz… photo by Natascha Randt

A Vooper creature snuck in amongst the mortals, I was too involved to cast him out, so he stayed until the end…

photo by Natascha Randt

The lighting changed, the room hovered between lovely dark and perilous light, the strain upon me was beginning to show, as many times I let my head drop to catch my breath…

photo by Natascha Randt

At one point, I felt my head spin, and wasn’t sure which way was even up…or down.


photo by Lunalinda Branwen

Beautiful creatures barely mortal also were in attendance, I thought to perhaps speak to this one afterwards, but as it turned out, I had to leave in a hurry!

not-nat_006 2

photo by Natascha Randt

photo by Natascha Randt

In between poems, I surveyed the room, and grew concerned that Warrior Natascha might poke Hoyt the Arab and start “something”, before I could finish my bewitchment…

photo by Natascha Randt

The dreaded time approached, I had to hurry, as the sky was glowing red with Dawn warnings…and I could not afford to stay up late

photo by Natascha Randt

I concentrated all my power that was beginning to ebb as the sky brightened in a miserable morning yellow..I unleashed my last burst to the words of Poe’s Conqueror Worm, and ****Wam** I snatched up their very essence, and the spell was released!

“Take that mortals!” photo Natascha Randt

I hung around long enough to ask this question, as the pale streams of light were causing me pain, and my tomb was the only respite,
“Mortals did you enjoy yourselves?”
(and I paraphrase)
The Walrus and The Carpenter
“O Mortals,” said the Poetess,
“You’ve had a pleasant floating fun!
Shall we be trotting home again?’
But answer came there none–
And this was scarcely odd, because
She’d eaten every one.”

photo by Natascha Randt

((It was great fun, thank you all who attended, and a special thanks to those who sent me photos. I am using them all on my looping picture board at Steampunk Hall))

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