ChrisPrasojo

CAC+US 2009

CAC+US (read: Cactus) is an annual showcase by eight sub-clubs under NUS Cultural Activities Club. This show includes dance performances by Social and Ballroom, d’Hoppers, Jazzttitude and Lindy Hop, as well as musical performances by Voices, Resonance, Guitar and Angklung Ensemble.

Sunday, 29 Mar 2009 at 8.00 PM
@ The Republic Cultural Centre (TRCC)
Shuttle bus service from Woodlands MRT is available at 7.15 PM, 7.30 PM and 7.45 PM
Tickets are priced at $12

Wanna get the ticket?
Email me directly, via contact form, or leave a comment below. (:

I’ll be there as a part of the performing group: Angklung Ensemble, playing Naik Delman and Mamma Mia! Hey, you can watch our past group performance on this facebook video clip. Both songs in that video clip are traditional folk songs which are popular among Javanese and most Indonesian kids.

What’s different in this CAC+US show is that we’re gonna play one traditional song and then followed by a pop song Mamma Mia! This is our first pop song performance this year! Hmm… I think it’s interesting to hear a pop song in a different traditional twist. hehee…

The two songs from Angklung Ensemble is just a small part of twenty cultural performances of live music and dazzling display of diverse dance genre. Here’s the complete list:

Introduction Item by all sub-clubs
This marks the official start of CAC+US’09. Each of the 8 sub-clubs has come together to put up a stunning display of music and dance. Sit back and rock along with us as you listen to the live music performed by the musical sub-clubs ad feast your eyes on the dazzling display of diverse dance genres!

Please Don’t Beat It by Guitar
A mash up of Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ and Rihanna’s ‘Please Don’t Stop The Music’. Look forward to an interesting mash up done with a live band and a technically challenging electric guitar solo originally played by guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen.

Gin Ironoi-Aikawa Nanase by Guitar
In contrast to “Please Don’t Beat It”, experience raw elements of guitar playing in this item. Originally, this piece requires the use of synthesizers, but it will be replaced by an electric guitar and incorporated with the classical guitar in Guitar club’s special arrangement of “Gin Ironoi”.

?????? by Voices
To live, to dream, to brave life’s challenges and to experience life to its fullest forms the main crux of ??????. This is a heavy metal rock song about breaking free from the shackles of mundane life and jetting off to a vibrant brand of lifestyle – so be prepared to rock with its catchy groove.

3-7-21 by Voices
3-7-21, is a jazzy and groovy number that challenges and showcases the vocalists’ wide vocal range. The song emphasises the very essence of producing good music, which is all about fun, creativity and pushing one’s limits.

Bad Boy by Voices
Bad Boy, a groovy and heavily hiphop-flavoured pop song fusing electronic music with a sexy tune, is originally sung by popular South Korean singer Son Dam Bi. Riding on the popularity of the Korean pop music industry, Voices would like to wow the audience with their very own rendition of “Bad Boy” coupled with catchy dance moves, showcasing a wide diversity of music genres.

Satisfy My Soul by Social and Ballroom
The Rumba, often dubbed the ‘Dance of Love’, is a slow, sensuous and romantic dance that often showcases the flirtation and expression of emotions between a couple. Tonight’s performance highlights the lady in particular, as she moves to the rhythmic Latin beat in a seductive dance to attract her man.

Nosey Parkers by Jazzttitude
A group of busybodies and a squabbling couple cross paths in a park. Does love come a minute too late or do the nosey parkers help love find a second chance?

Let’s Dance by d’Hoppers
From hard hits and groove to girl power to smooth and sharp moves, let D’hoppers share with you what they love to do. Let’s dance!

Guest Performance by Project Z
A guest item showing a fushion of hip hop, jazz and funk!

Naik Delman by Angklung Ensemble
A popular traditional tune epitomizing a horse ride.

Mamma Mia! by Angklung Ensemble
Mamma Mia! An ABBA classic played on traditional instruments.

I’m Feeling You by Resonance
Originally sung by Michelle Branch, this catchy song is sure to entertain. But what would a familiar song sound like without the instruments? This time, you are going to find out.

Girls In The Spotlight by d’Hoppers
An item featuring Girls’ Hiphop at its most energetic and vivacious, sit back and enjoy as our girls take the stage and wow you with their moves!

Chattanooga Choo Chattanooga Choo Chattanooga Choo Chattanooga Choo Ch’boogie by Lindy Hop
Choo choo choo choo… Is that the Chattanooga choo choo choo choo ch’boogie? Let’s swing on board, ‘bout a quarter to four, with our lindyhoppers, jack mac and all.

All That Jazz by Social and Ballroom
This classy and sexy number begins with the hot and sultry Tango and displays the intense and raw aggression of a man for a woman. It then progresses into the lively, energetic and joyful jive which culminates in a spectacular, exhilarant finish.

Ue Wo Muite Arukou by Resonance
Known more popularly as Sukiyaki, this is one lighthearted and relaxing tune. Sit back and enjoy as we deliver this song to you, but this time with a slight twist of jazz!

True Colours by Resonance
A classic by Phil Collins, but it might be more solemn than you remember it to be. Let us reflect on the purity of the human heart, even when grief and strife might have corroded its surface.

Love Games by Jazzttitude
Let your hair down and get steamy as we spice up the night with this sexy number. Playing Love Games has never been this seductive – so, as Lady GaGa commands, get your ass squeezed by sexy Cupid too as you play along with us!

The Streets by d’Hoppers
“You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart.” –Unknown

Distributed Computing

Sometimes I need to leave my computer on while I’m away. Some friends and colleagues do the same thing for many reasons, such as:

• downloading big files or torrents overnight.
• leaving it in “ready” state so when the owner back to use the computer, it can be used immediately without waiting for start-up/loading process.
• the computer is left on to process certain task such as backup, scan, or other maintenance tasks.
• the computer is left on so its owner can access it remotely from another computer.
• and so on…

Most activities listed above only take a small fraction of computer’s processing power, often leaving the processor idle for hours. Not many people know that there is a better way to utilise the unused processing power: donate it for grid computing. 

Some might have heard the term “Grid Computing” or “Distributed Computing” and relate it to scientific projects and geeky stuff in labs. Some think about DNA mapping and analysis. Some think about difficult mathematics or physics formula. Some even think about military project, UFO, and the outer space. 

Before going deeper into the subject, let’s take a look of what Wiki says about grid computing:

Grid computing is a phrase in distributed computing which can have several meanings:

• Multiple independent computing clusters which act like a “grid” because they are composed of resource nodes not located within a single administrative domain.
• The creation of a “virtual supercomputer” by using a network of geographically dispersed computers. Volunteer computing, which generally focuses on scientific, mathematical, and academic problems, is the most common application of this technology.

Continue reading grid computing’s wiki…

In a simpler concept, grid computing is about lending unused computing power to a collective cause, ranging from climate prediction to DNA analysis to UFO search. 

Join GridRepublic, a non-profit organisation that allow home users to be part in grid computing to solve various research projects such as climate prediction and DNA mapping for cancer study. I use GridRepublic to help research on climate changes, cancer study, and DNA mapping. It runs in the night time when my computer is on and unused.

If you occasionally leave your computer on overnight for certain tasks, I recommend you to install GridRepublic to donate your unused computing power for good causes. It is secure, does not interfere your privacy, and does not degrade your computer performance. Learn more about GridRepublic or see research projects you can take part in. 

Of course energy conservation is the best way. Turn off your computer when you don’t use it at all. Pass the positive influence to your friends and colleagues!  

DreamSpark

Having access to developer tools at no cost is a good opportunity for IT students, like me :D. DreamSpark is currently available to students residing in eleven countries. Cross your finger; DreamSpark is possibly making its way to this country soon…

You can visit Channel 8 website to see what’s inside the offer.

Who can get this right now?
We are kicking this off in 11 countries/regions, giving DreamSpark to millions of students in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium. If you are not residing in one of the countries listed keep checking back, we will be adding more countries throughout the year.

Does that mean that I might not get in?
Possibly, if you are not residing in one of the countries listed, not attending an accredited university or not a member of one of the student organizations that we’re connected with. But keep checking back, as we’re working on adding more ways to verify your student status all the time.