Garden Distrikt

Since I've gathered stacks of notes, I'l put up two at a time. (1) Yeah, Buddhism. It goes roughly like this ... I had for years been a "seeker", but mostly not in a spiritual way. I had a science education background, and it was science that was going to have all the answers. And of course, science is very good at answering certain questions. But as my thinking broadened, it was clear that what science really didn't do was even ask the big questions. I think part of the reason Douglas Adams was able to riff on the idea of "Life, the universe, and everything", is that while science has gone to amazing places, it can seem further away from tackling such a big question. Really, the answer truly may as well be 42. While Buddhists don't proselytize, what does reach public ears reached mine, and to me was really curious. Somebody told me the Buddha was an ordinary guy who figured out how to get relief from suffering. I'm ever skeptical, but it wa...

Here is some RAW video.  Eventually, there might be music to go with it.  I doubt I would try this on stage (but I might - sorry, there's a lot of mights in the arts).  I had Jeremy's camera, and was shooting everything - some I really couldn't post here (wait - there are NO couldn'ts in the arts). So, never mind free-styling, this is free-singing.  I had to go and shoot me going down the stairs, apparently, but this improvised melody and wordage was the result.  How is this done?  Simple, but not easy ... just let your subconscious take over.  Tip: Lots of meditation really helps.  How?  Well, if you meditate enough, and in a certain way, you will learn to stop thinking altogether, and THAT is the place to be.  Don't by it?  You should - the Buddha said just this - in so many words.  I'll tell you more about that later - if you want . - Martin "Stairs to my Home"   by  Martin Hmm, I Didn't Realize That...

I met Hunter Tura years ago at some conference, and I've always admired his work - and certainly the company/person he work(s)ed for ...  Bruce Mau may still be in Chicago , but I'm sure he's a good mentor.  I believe Hunter is now CEO & President @ BMD . A recent post finds Hunter "excited" to be part of the team who will design Hong Kong airport's new mega-terminal . Nice! Who IS Bruce Mau ?  Many Canadians may well ask.  Because, many Canadians do not realize that one of this world's finest designers is, in fact, Canadian.  THAT's Bruce Mau .  As to who Hunter is, well, he's the next rising star, and amply filling Bruce's shoes, it would seem.  Good job all round, people, and keep it up - you make this Canadian very proud.  If YOU want to feel equally proud, do follow the above links, and especially, gaze at BMD's work here . Extra!!  I forgot; the reason I became interested in Bruce Mau was my stumbling on his brilliant ...

Dammit, I can't begin to describe Bowie and his immense influence.  Let's hear some music instead.  R.I.P., David. I chose this because (a) Its beautiful, and shows his range, and (b) I want you to GUESS WHICH OF BOWIE'S "PERSONAS" RECORDED THIS? A clue ...

As soon as I heard " To Pimp a Butterfly ", I felt that Kendrick Lamar was one of the best rappers, writers and performers I'd encountered.  To give you context, I tend to like old school, and conscious - I like Talib Kweli , Mos Def , Common , The Roots , etc..  But then again, I love The Wu-Tang Clan too. Anyway, Kendrick was awarded the Pulitzer prize .  I have no problem with that.  But some are fussing over it .  Pfft.

http://storm-animal.blogspot.ca/

I'm not one for resting on my laurels ... except when I am. This here is a nice tune I wrote about the plight of the whales, and what they're up against ... namely, US . HOOKED 1997 music & words: Martin Lomas

I am thrilled to report that the excellent and lovely Art Therapist,   Terri ,  is pledging to support this whole effort. Really, she represents the first established artist to show support, and we could use it! I sometimes attend a therapy group she generously provides to us clients at Margaret's . Trust me, she has a lot to offer, and she's a very positive, graceful, and well-liked person. I truly am thrilled. Thanks, Terri, and WELCOME! Oh, there she is now ... Terri, Art Therapist

Music I wrote, recorded (all tracks), and published in 1997. It's from what people tell me is my "best" album (Storm Animal - an anagram of Martin Lomas). I disagree; my fave album is "Loose" (all electronic & algorithmic). But "Loved By A Queen" is a decent song that may well be resurrected for The Garden Distrikt, or even sold to a name musician/singer.

Busy Being Everything changes all the time and Nothing changes ever Except my mind Which changes all the time and Never changes ever Martin's old apartment/studio in Little Jamaica

What's it gonna sound like? We don't know yet. But here's some possibilities ...

Sabrina (3D Remix)

Mick Ronson at Wikipedia . From Wikipedia: Michael Ronson (26 May 1946 – 29 April 1993) was an English guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and producer. He achieved critical and commercial success working with David Bowie as one of the Spiders from Mars . He was a session musician who recorded with Bowie followed by several albums with Ian Hunter , also Morrissey , as well as a sideman in touring bands with Van Morrison and Bob Dylan . He also recorded several solo albums, the most popular being Slaughter on 10th Avenue , which reached No. 9 on the UK Albums Chart . Ronson played with various bands after his time with Bowie. He was named the 64th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone in 2003 and 41st in 2012 by the same magazine. Ronson died of liver cancer on 29 April 1993, aged 46.

One photo (a good one), one piece of software - Adobe Photoshop .

My ISP is down I don't know what to do I have no Internet I may have to talk to you My ISP is down I don't know where to go I have no wider world There is no other show My ISP is down I don't know why to live I have no bandwidth No other narrative I've lost perspective I am a primitive My ISP is up This song is ending here The Net is calling me My way ahead is clear art by Martin Tielli

Dear xxxxx , Better than Dear John, I hope anyway. Since this is about me becoming homeless, I don't want Mum to panic, especially if she is fragile herself. So can you judge please - either delete this paragraph and forward to Mum (or ask me to re-send to both), or tell her yourself as and when. Please let me know what you decide! Sorry I have been out of touch. Getting Internet access hasn't been easy for the last week. I thought I would simply use the computer at the local drop-in centre, but it's been consistently very busy, and it's all you can do to scamble for a few of minutes here and there. Plus I'm busy preparing to move out. Unfortunately, I will be homeless as of Saturday 11/3. It's awful news, of course, but it has some logic to it as I'll explain. I want to make it clear that I didn't plan this at all, nor do I want to be homeless. I've been putting off telling you about this for a few days, because my original move-out date wa...

Heaven Lyrics by Robert Janes, music by Martin Lomas - latin/pop feel (Intro: - with a simple guitar melody) Gmaj7        Cmaj7        Gmaj7        Cmaj7 Gmaj7        Cmaj7        Gmaj7        Cmaj7 (single strum, held) (Verse 1:) Am7                         Dsus4    D A gift from God when you believe in the son Am7                     Dsus4     D It's an open invitation for every  -  one Am7            Cmaj7    G                  Bm7 Come rich, come poor,...

Government Types Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules unhindered, i.e., without any laws, constitution, or legally organized opposition. Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority. Authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is imposed onto many aspects of citizens' lives. Commonwealth - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on law and united by a compact of the people for the common good. Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society). Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, o...

Because of my printer's temporary home, perched on a loudspeaker, this is what happens every time I click "Print". The song is "Searchlight" by Aloha.

Use it, share it; tell people that your artistic friends at The Garden Distrikt said it was okay.

Right. Good question. It goes back to brainstorming a name. At first, I thought I wanted something whizz-bang-cool. You know, like you do. "The Screaming Abbadabs", or "Fool's Pyrite", maybe "Debbie Doesn't" - something like that. But when I began to ponder how this whole caper might be received, I was reminded that the very lofty (geddit - artist's place) idea of any kind of collective, let alone a fucking art collective, can be taken as too intellectual, perhaps too formal, too learned, too highbrow. Well, it doesn't have to be those things. Look, among many other facets, there will be, e.g.: heavy metal, rap, neoclassical and anything we want. We would like everyone to have fun making art or enjoying art. We hope our audience/member line will blur. Anyway, this barrier would not seem smaller if the moniker were some silly trumped-up wannabe. So, I thought that a simple, direct and ultimately forgettable name would suit best. It be...

Yup, this is the place ... Well, this isn't "our" side of the tracks. This is the other half. But indeed, much of the nicer parts of the " Garden District " neighborhood do look a lot like this. From the Wikipedia entry: The Garden District is a neighbourhood in downtown Toronto , Ontario , Canada . The name was selected by the Toronto East Downtown Residents Association (TEDRA) in recognition of Allan Gardens , an indoor botanical garden located nearby at the intersection of Carlton and Jarvis Streets. The Garden District was officially designated by the Mayor and Toronto City Council in 2001, while TEDRA has since been renamed the Garden District Residents Association. Part of the neighbourhood is within official City of Toronto neighbourhood of Moss Park . As defined by the Association, the neighbourhood is bordered by Carlton Street to the north, Yonge Street to the west, Sherbourne Street to the east and Queen Street to the south. This are...

Simple enough idea. I already had the (LED) Light-Rope (cheap at Canadian Tire), and a nice camera (a Canon IXUS - able to lengthen exposure). I thought, bet it would be cool to whip this light-rope in the air and snap pictures. One evening, and lots of experimenting later, and ... See? Oh wait ... no, no, THAT, that is an Allan Holdsworth album cover. More on him later. Here's the   Light-Rope Show  ...    Ah, that's the light-rope walker.   And near where he lived