March 2025
I've Joined the RENegades
25/03/25 22:05 Filed in: music
I’ve only just discovered Ren properly in the last week or so and it has become the biggest rabbit hole I’ve fallen into. I saw ‘Hi Ren’ for the first time about ten days ago and heaven knows how many times I’ve seen the video since. I’ve largely watched it through countless ‘Reaction videos’ seeing other people get similarly gobsmacked by that video. It largely takes in lots of ‘oh, I wasn’t expecting that’ and a few tears. I wont describe it but the guitar, the performance and the words are beyond top notch.
Since then I’ve been listening to many of his other songs and videos including ‘Chalk Outlines’ with the equally talented performer, Chinchilla. And the trilogy of songs ‘Jenny’s/Screech’s/Violet’s Tales’ which is genius storytelling and far too impressive performances from Ren. He is so talented on multiple levels. A true genius artist.
Hi Ren
I’ve been asking everyone I bump into ‘Have you heard of Ren?’. The answer is usually ‘Wren? Like the bird?’ Then when it isn’t ’You mean REM?’ No ‘N’ not ‘M’. Like Ren and Stimpy without the Stimpy. I’ve only met a couple of people who know his stuff. It’s incredible when you see how talented his is and find he’s British too. He was born in Wales but spent much of his life in Brighton. As well as his videos you can find his performances busking, sometimes with massive crowds with ‘The Big Push’.
Chalk Outlines
I’d recommend getting on to him via ‘Hi Ren’, ‘Chalk Outlines’ then the three Tales. If they don’t blow you away then nothing will. The performances were filmed live in single takes—and Hi Ren is nine and half minutes long of a complex story. Be prepared to shed a tear or several. I did and so did all the people in the reaction videos. I wont go into all the health issues he’s had to contend with over many years, but those nine minutes or so of will tug at your heart strings with regard to the mental health side of them.
Jenny and Screech
That video itself has had over 47 million views, which can’t be bad for an independent artist that so many people haven’t heard of. I’m a RENegade now. It’s time you were too.
Since then I’ve been listening to many of his other songs and videos including ‘Chalk Outlines’ with the equally talented performer, Chinchilla. And the trilogy of songs ‘Jenny’s/Screech’s/Violet’s Tales’ which is genius storytelling and far too impressive performances from Ren. He is so talented on multiple levels. A true genius artist.
Hi Ren
I’ve been asking everyone I bump into ‘Have you heard of Ren?’. The answer is usually ‘Wren? Like the bird?’ Then when it isn’t ’You mean REM?’ No ‘N’ not ‘M’. Like Ren and Stimpy without the Stimpy. I’ve only met a couple of people who know his stuff. It’s incredible when you see how talented his is and find he’s British too. He was born in Wales but spent much of his life in Brighton. As well as his videos you can find his performances busking, sometimes with massive crowds with ‘The Big Push’.
Chalk Outlines
I’d recommend getting on to him via ‘Hi Ren’, ‘Chalk Outlines’ then the three Tales. If they don’t blow you away then nothing will. The performances were filmed live in single takes—and Hi Ren is nine and half minutes long of a complex story. Be prepared to shed a tear or several. I did and so did all the people in the reaction videos. I wont go into all the health issues he’s had to contend with over many years, but those nine minutes or so of will tug at your heart strings with regard to the mental health side of them.
Jenny and Screech
That video itself has had over 47 million views, which can’t be bad for an independent artist that so many people haven’t heard of. I’m a RENegade now. It’s time you were too.
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The DJI Pocket 2 is in the House
24/03/25 12:23 Filed in: camera | DJIPocket2
The DJI Pocket 2 has arrived and is finally in my clumsy paws. It looks brilliant, but there will be a lot to learn about it—and additional things like video editing. It’s the start of a wee journey. Although it may be a complicated one too.
I’ve tried a few things with it so far and whilst I haven’t always got it right on the first go I hasn’t taken too long. I’ve got it following me in Selfie mode and recorded myself walking along the road with it to see what the gimbals do for me both in Selfie and non-selfie modes.
I think with just a few days of recording little bits I should learn a fair bit.
Next up after getting used to the filming I’ll have to learn about the best way of editing. I dare say I’ll start with using iMovie on my MacBook, but I’ll probably give a few other apps and sites a go too—like CapCut on my iPad.
I’ve tried a few things with it so far and whilst I haven’t always got it right on the first go I hasn’t taken too long. I’ve got it following me in Selfie mode and recorded myself walking along the road with it to see what the gimbals do for me both in Selfie and non-selfie modes.
I think with just a few days of recording little bits I should learn a fair bit.
Next up after getting used to the filming I’ll have to learn about the best way of editing. I dare say I’ll start with using iMovie on my MacBook, but I’ll probably give a few other apps and sites a go too—like CapCut on my iPad.
A New Camera to Come
16/03/25 10:18 Filed in: Photos
I use to photos regularly with both a DSLR and a very decent compact zoom (Lumix TZ-70). The Lumix took over as my camera of choice due to its size and its fab zoom. Eventually like most compact zooms it had to die through the pumping action of opening and closing the camera the zoom inevitably pumps any dust into its gubbins. Once that becomes too much to ignore the camera is no longer viable—there is no simple way of cleaning the compact’s innards and to get it done professionally would cost more than buying another damn camera. Modern times, eh?
So without the compact I’ve been left with just taking photos on my phone. It’s not the same. And I don’t seem ready to go back to the DSLR (assuming it is still okay) as I already carry enough bulk and weight around with me even without a DSLR and lens (or two)..
And so it is that I have decided to buy a new camera. But I’ve gone quite left field with it and bought a small video camera that would be good for both photos (to some extent) and have the flexibility to do video recording, I bought a second hand DJI Pocket 1 last week, but when it turned up the battery was goosed (it’s an internal thing and not designed for replacement (like the pumping action fooking a camera lens, a battery that can’t be replaced… Modern Times). Anyway I’ve sent it back and paid a little more to get the newer, better one: a DJI Pocket 2. Should arrive mid week. Here’s hoping the battery still works or else I’ll have to give up.
Anyway the Pocket 2 (and the 3–indeed the 1) look fabulous. I’m gonna have a good time playing around with it. Who knows, I may end up posting a few Vlogs with it. They would likely revolve around pubs and Pokémon (not necessarily combined) and maybe some guitar strumming. Watch this space (and pray for the battery to come).
So without the compact I’ve been left with just taking photos on my phone. It’s not the same. And I don’t seem ready to go back to the DSLR (assuming it is still okay) as I already carry enough bulk and weight around with me even without a DSLR and lens (or two)..
And so it is that I have decided to buy a new camera. But I’ve gone quite left field with it and bought a small video camera that would be good for both photos (to some extent) and have the flexibility to do video recording, I bought a second hand DJI Pocket 1 last week, but when it turned up the battery was goosed (it’s an internal thing and not designed for replacement (like the pumping action fooking a camera lens, a battery that can’t be replaced… Modern Times). Anyway I’ve sent it back and paid a little more to get the newer, better one: a DJI Pocket 2. Should arrive mid week. Here’s hoping the battery still works or else I’ll have to give up.
Anyway the Pocket 2 (and the 3–indeed the 1) look fabulous. I’m gonna have a good time playing around with it. Who knows, I may end up posting a few Vlogs with it. They would likely revolve around pubs and Pokémon (not necessarily combined) and maybe some guitar strumming. Watch this space (and pray for the battery to come).