Gila-Gila

Gila-Gila was an iconic local comic when I was growing up. They started off with some really decent satire, but somewhat lost their ways in the late 80s before enjoying a resurgence in the early 90s.

They spawned a number of other comics and publications along the way. But over the years they have lost their way again. I stopped being interested in them since.

It was still a pleasant surprise to learn that Galeri Petronas would be holding an exhibit on their works soon. I wasn't sure yet on what would be featured, but I would be willing to have a look. ‎

Update on Monday, May 18, 2015 at 12:03PM by Haris Abdul Rahman

The exhibition is now open. The write-up for the event here.

Friday Outing

The boys were finally done with their assessment and from Friday, they would be off for two and a half weeks. Easter break of sorts. Some of their friends were going abroad. The boys had to make do with a trip to Kedah next week, providing the MPV - currently at the workshop with gearbox issues - was sorted.

As soon as they arrives at the apartment on Friday, they decided to stay in, play with their Lego and video games. Anita wanted to go out for dinner but both of them didn't want to follow.

That would mean a date night for Anita and I.

Looks like some serious filming is going on here ....

We went over for a walk around Pavilion as Anita had to buy some gifts for a birthday party the next day. I took the time to walk around to take some street photos. Weather was overcast. Had a nice walk around, although there were not much to snap at.

I decided to only bring my GR along and ninja around for a bit.

Dinner was at Tony Roma's. But we left early as they boys were at the apartment only with the maid. ‎

The New Prime

I have been fascinated by the Zeiss Otus for a while. A hunk of a lens, big optics, aperture of 1.4, but bulky and only manual focus. Zeiss had a couple versions of this - 55mm and 85mm, as well as a couple of mounts, one for Canon and another for Niton.

None for either Sony or Fuji, unless you get yourself an adaptor.

By sheer size, it wouldn't be practical to attach it at the front of my Alpha 7. Too unwieldy.

Around Xmas, I heard about a Zeiss made lens for the Sony, called the Loxia. Manual focus, and not as big. The review was decent, but I don't think I would more out of the Loxia compared to my Summicron. I ditched the plan.

Three months back, I heard about the collaboration between Sony and Zeiss to make a wide aperture prime for the Alpha range. Soon after, the 35mm f1.4 Distagon was announced. I didn't hesitate and started doing some reading.

Reportedly great quality lens with full fast auto focus to boot.

I got my hands on one to test last week at one of the Sony Centre as my regular dealer was not able to secure a shipment before June. The deliveries prior had been taken. The resulting snaps were better than I expected. It didn't get long before I put in my order and during the weekend, I received a call that my lens was in.

It was bulky for sure but surprisingly well balanced on my Alpha 7 mk II. Not as nifty as having the Summilux attached but auto focus does have its merit.

Since the weather had not been kind, I have yet to really take the lens out for a good spin. I was looking at a busy week, so I could only test in next weekend. ‎

Slow Morning

Since cutting down my visits to Park City, my clinics tended to be busier. But this morning for some reason, it was quiet with a patient coming a bit late.

I ended up doing some reading of articles and preparing some slides for a talk tomorrow. And to a certain extent enjoying the bright sun by having a prolonged breakfast at the cafeteria.

Quick stop at the Doctor's LoungePlanning ahead for the rest of the weekBack to the clinic room and still no sign of the patient while kept getting phone calls from Subang of patients turning up early for the afternoon procedure.

Looks like having to rush back to Subang right after the next patient turn up, sort the patient in Day Care before a quick lunch and the afternoon clinic.

My new clinic room at Park City now comes with a windowAnita had been occupied with the boy's exams this week and didn't have much time for outings. Maybe, we would be going for dinners and a bit of shopping this weekend when the exams were done. ‎

Easter Assessment

My boys had some holiday coking up. But it would not be before they complete their exams next week. Such a drag as most if their other friends had a week break last week. They had to align it out instead.

Come next Friday, they would be off for almost three weeks. And Anita planned to take them up north for a few days with her parents coming along. It had been a while since my Dad-in-law travelled. And he had not been in a good shape lately.

I would be at work unfortunately, followed by the Annual MSH conference taking place in Kota Kinabalu at the end of April. Don't think I would be able to join them for their trip.

Idlan needed some lovingSome respite ...So, the hits spend their weekend at the apartment, playing games in between revision. They still had to do their normal homework, which I thought was a bit silly. That's explained why Idlan had been grumpy last few days. He just had enough of homework and exams. And I could understand why. Too much emphasis was put into academic achievement why they boys couldn't develop socially.

I ended up convincing them that it was UK to kiss on some of their many homework and do a a hit of revision. Then, Thye would have a couple of weeks to enjoy themselves.