Aren Cambre's Blog » Aren

Remember Sesame Place in Irving?

Aren Cambre — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:50:25 +0000

I do. I went there once or twice, probably when visiting my grandmother in Dallas.

Google searches reveal:

It was in Irving near TX-183 and Esters Rd.
It was only open 1982-1984.
Where it used to be, now there’s a Wal Mart and cinema:

Here’s a video by the Oak Ridge Boys, “Thank God for Kids”, that was filmed there. I don’t remember much except the clear things at the beginning, the plastic ball play areas, and that it was mostly indoors.

WFAA’s Dale Hanson whines about me

Aren Cambre — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:46:23 +0000

Well, kind of: “Our business now too many times is a fat kid in a t-shirt in his mother’s basement eating Cheetos and writing his blogs.” (source)

I’m not fat, I live in my own house, and I don’t eat Cheetos, but I do wear t-shirts. Oh, and my blog was the source for one of his station’s broadcasted stories.

I was interviewed by BBC World Service!

Aren Cambre — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:56:31 +0000

I was interviewed by BBC World Service last night. Reporter Jeff Baird, an American BBC employee from Oregon, saw that Fark.com linked to a news article about my Texas speed trap report. Lawrence Pollard did the actual interview.

We did it over Skype. I didn’t have good equipment, so I had to put my face about 4″ from the microphone on my son’s Asus netbook. If you listen to the interview, you’ll hear disturbances in the audio. I guess I leaned too closely or breathed into it?

The Russian subway bombing prevented them from playing it in the London breakfast show, but it played a few times before their dawn.

The interview.

The full 27 minute segment I was on. (I think I am towards the end.)

This plain text belies my excitement, but this was a major high for me. I cannot believe I’ve been broadcasted on wordwide media.

Media attention on speed traps

Aren Cambre — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:37:35 +0000

I am amazed at how much media attention my speed trap article is getting (original article, follow up article).

First WFAA, Dallas, TX’s ABC affiliate interviews me.

Then a major Texas city newspaper interviews me (but as of yet hasn’t published anything).

Then I hear the Houston, TX CBS affiliate played the WFAA piece.

Then I get a call from a well-known national-scope newspaper asking for an interview. I discussed with the reporter, and we agree not to do an article for now. The reason is that my prospective doctorate research is on related subjects, and this speed trap piece is hardly serious research. I don’t want to discuss my doctorate research with anyone in the news until I have publishable data, so because of that we agreed to wait to review anything until then.

Then just now I got a call from an international radio network and am scheduled to do an interview tonight. (I’ll reveal the name if they air it.) [EDIT: It was the BBC World Service. More info and a the interview.]

Wow.

Allen Vaught copies constituient’s email

Aren Cambre — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:09:25 +0000

I sent an email about the primary election to my neighborhood association. 16 days later, my Democrat state legislator Allen Vaught sent an email about primaries to his constituents.

Guess where some of his email came from? Compare snippets:

Aren Cambre’s Jan. 31 email	Allen Vaught’s Feb. 16 email
What is the primary? It’s where YOU choose who represents your party at the fall election.	The primary is the election in which you choose who represents your party in each race during the November general election.
You don’t register with a party. … You just show up and vote in either party’s primary.	In Texas, you do not “register” with a party; therefore, you may vote in either party’s primary election.
You must vote in the primary to participate in the party’s convention process.	You must vote in the primary to participate in that party’s convention process…

Imitation is sincerest form of flattery?

Both the emails are below in full. You’ll notice my email clearly inspired the highlighted part of his email.

Aren Cambre’s Jan. 31 email	Allen Vaught’s Feb. 16 email
Neighbors, Feb. 1 is the last day to register to vote in the March 2 primary. Verify your registration at http://dalcoelections.org/voters.asp What is the primary? It’s where YOU choose who represents your party at the fall election. These should clarify some misconceptions: You don’t register with a party. Texas has no concept of “registered Republican” or “registered Democrat.” You just show up and vote in either party’s primary. This doesn’t bind your fall vote. For example, if you vote in the Democrat primary, you can still vote for Republicans in the fall election. You can vote in either party’s primary. Here’s where it can make a difference: If you believe that one party will win a particular office, then that party’s primary is when the race is effectively decided. You don’t have to make a selection in every race. You can vote on all races, zero races (blank ballot), or anywhere in between. You must vote in the primary to participate in the party’s convention process. In our precinct (2230), the Republican and Democrat precinct conventions generally start at 7:30 PM at the polling location. Register to vote, and hope to see you at our polling location on March 2! Aren Cambre, President Lake Park Estates Neighborhood Association, Inc. A 501(c)(4) nonprofit	Dear Friends: Election time is upon us again and I would like to encourage you to vote. I have included some information in this email which I hope will help you cast an informed vote. March 2^nd is the Primary Election for both the Democratic and Republican Parties. The primary is the election in which you choose who represents your party in each race during the November general election. There are many candidates on the ballot all the way from precinct chairs to the Governor. In Texas, you do not “register” with a party; therefore, you may vote in either party’s primary election. Regardless of which party’s primary you vote in, you may vote however you would like in November. You must vote in the primary to participate in that party’s convention process, which usually takes place around 7:30 pm directly after the close of voting on March 2^nd at your precinct’s polling location. Sample ballots for each party’s primary are located here: http://www.dalcoelections.org/march22010/index.asp. For more detailed information on the candidates that you may be voting on please see the following websites: Dallas County Republican Party http://www.dallasgop.org/candidates Dallas County Democratic Party http://www.dallasdemocrats.org/election/2010/candidates Dallas Morning News Voters Guide http://www.thevoterguide.org/v/dallas/race-index.do You may vote early during the following dates and times: Tu-F Feb 16-19 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sat Feb 20 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Sun Feb 21 1:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. M-F Feb 22-26 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Early voting locations may be found on the Dallas County Elections website, located here: http://www.dalcoelections.org/march22010/EVLocations.htm Election Day is Tuesday, March 2^nd from 7am – 7pm. You must vote in your voting precinct on election day. If you are not sure where to vote, more information may be obtained by contacting the Dallas County Elections Department (214) 819-6300 or by visiting their website at www.dalcoelections.org. I encourage you to cast an informed vote because as you know, our democracy rests upon the act of voting. Respectfully, State Representative Allen Vaught House District 107

Aren Cambre’s Jan. 31 email

Allen Vaught’s Feb. 16 email

Neighbors,

Feb. 1 is the last day to register to vote in the March 2 primary. Verify your registration at http://dalcoelections.org/voters.asp

What is the primary? It’s where YOU choose who represents your party at the fall election.

These should clarify some misconceptions:

You don’t register with a party. Texas has no concept of “registered Republican” or “registered Democrat.” You just show up and vote in either party’s primary.
This doesn’t bind your fall vote. For example, if you vote in the Democrat primary, you can still vote for Republicans in the fall election.
You can vote in either party’s primary. Here’s where it can make a difference: If you believe that one party will win a particular office, then that party’s primary is when the race is effectively decided.
You don’t have to make a selection in every race. You can vote on all races, zero races (blank ballot), or anywhere in between.
You must vote in the primary to participate in the party’s convention process. In our precinct (2230), the Republican and Democrat precinct conventions generally start at 7:30 PM at the polling location.

Aren Cambre, President
Lake Park Estates Neighborhood Association, Inc.
A 501(c)(4) nonprofit

Dear Friends:

Election time is upon us again and I would like to encourage you to vote. I have included some information in this email which I hope will help you cast an informed vote.

March 2^nd is the Primary Election for both the Democratic and Republican Parties. The primary is the election in which you choose who represents your party in each race during the November general election. There are many candidates on the ballot all the way from precinct chairs to the Governor.

In Texas, you do not “register” with a party; therefore, you may vote in either party’s primary election. Regardless of which party’s primary you vote in, you may vote however you would like in November. You must vote in the primary to participate in that party’s convention process, which usually takes place around 7:30 pm directly after the close of voting on March 2^nd at your precinct’s polling location.

Sample ballots for each party’s primary are located here: http://www.dalcoelections.org/march22010/index.asp.

For more detailed information on the candidates that you may be voting on please see the following websites:

Dallas County Republican Party http://www.dallasgop.org/candidates

Dallas County Democratic Party http://www.dallasdemocrats.org/election/2010/candidates

Dallas Morning News Voters Guide http://www.thevoterguide.org/v/dallas/race-index.do

You may vote early during the following dates and times:

Tu-F Feb 16-19 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Sat Feb 20 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.

Sun Feb 21 1:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

M-F Feb 22-26 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.

Early voting locations may be found on the Dallas County Elections website, located here: http://www.dalcoelections.org/march22010/EVLocations.htm

Election Day is Tuesday, March 2^nd from 7am – 7pm. You must vote in your voting precinct on election day. If you are not sure where to vote, more information may be obtained by contacting the Dallas County Elections Department (214) 819-6300 or by visiting their website at www.dalcoelections.org.

I encourage you to cast an informed vote because as you know, our democracy rests upon the act of voting.

Respectfully,

State Representative Allen Vaught

House District 107

My pre-university aspirations

Aren Cambre — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:36:09 +0000

When I earned my Eagle Scout rank, Sam Houston Area Council published this Scout Fair guide:

The guide listed all Eagle Scouts minted since the prior Scout Fair.

Here’s my listing:

Let’s see:

College? Check (and then some!).
Career in computers? Check. (Where’s my propeller hat?)
Scoutmaster? Maybe in 6 years?

Return to Innocence does not feature an American Indian

Aren Cambre — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:27:18 +0000

This may surprise attendees of the 1994 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC).

Order of the Arrow is an honor society of Boy Scouts that uses American Indian imagery. The 1994 NOAC conference’s closing ceremony prominently featured then-popular Return to Innocence by Enigma in an Indian-themed ceremony.

Only problem is that’s not an Indian voice. It’s an aboriginal Taiwanese chant.

So now you know. The NOAC planners are probably blushing.

Here’s the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JpJjsHgYHA

Google Street View Says I’m Republican

Aren Cambre — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:57:08 +0000

…and it’s right!

New imagery of my front yard, probably from October 2008:

Those are all Republicans.

Google also knows my across-the-street neighbors’ opinions about my signs. Look where they faced their signs. (Hint: Google camera’s straight-on view means they’re not facing drivers!)

Silly liberals!

See the whole scene for yourself. Pan around to see my neighbors.

Texaco Star Academic Challenge: Aren on TV!

Aren Cambre — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:49:32 +0000

EDIT (5/21/2010): The host is Chip Beall, who left a comment below.

Below is is my Texaco Star Academic Challenge performance from 1993 or 1994. Yes, Clear Brook High School made it to TV.

At least wait through my part of “meet the contestants.”

Get the Flash Player to see this video.

This year’s lent fast

Aren Cambre — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 04:28:13 +0000

I didn’t want to repeat the problems with last year’s Lent fast, where I was enmeshed with legalism and others felt like they needed to accommodate me.

I made it simple: no snacks. I eat at meals and that’s it.

I allowed myself excpetions only to avoid create a burden on others. Because of that, I did break the fast four times.

But the good thing is nobody realized I did a fast until it was over. Not even my wife. That’s a good Lent fast.

Maybe next year I’ll devise a better fast that needs no exceptions?