Where The Hell Have You Been?

2010-02-11T20:30:48Z

Let me guess the question you may have been asking during my two month absence on the blogosphere: where the hell have you been?

I have written and re-written this post at least five or six times over the past two weeks and I can't quite figure out how to communicate what I want to say openly with out sounding pretentious/arrogant/ridiculous so I'll just say this. The simpler answer to that question is: living.

After a very rough fall, and a great conversation with Dick Pritchard - a professor of mine who was visiting in November - I started to make some changes in my life.

Changes in work. Changes in relationships. Changes in

I Love My Comfy Sweaters

2009-12-15T21:10:16Z

Christmas is coming and I hate Christmas shopping. Truth be told, I was more excited about the 787 taking it's first flight today than I am about Christmas. Does that make me Scrooge? Ehhh...so be it.

But I have to admit I love the new Gap commercial for "comfy sweaters." Scratch that. Like Racked NY said, the phrase "I love my comfy sweaters" simultaneously fills me with joy and yet also makes me want to put a bullet

Allen at Clark Howard's Christmas Kids

2009-12-11T15:00:06Z

Clark & Allen talking on air

Goofing around while helping kids

Tiger Lesson: I'll Take A Call Girl Over A Mistress Any Day

2009-12-07T14:26:47Z

We did a show the other night on the 7 lessons of the Tiger Woods affair. But Allen missed one important one: IF you are going to cheat, use a call girl instead of a mistress.

How's that for controversial?

It should be stated for the record that I vehemently appose cheating - both personally and in principle. Some have questioned me on this from time to time because I seem liberal on some of my theology pertaining to sexuality. Despite this assumption being irritating to no

The Precedent Established by the KSM Trial is Bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S

2009-12-01T13:18:04Z

As the esteemed 17th President of the United States Andrew Johnson once said, "Someone cue up Gwen Stefani. I need some banana-related background music."

The case of Eric Holder and the Obama Administration transferring the Khalid Sheikh Mohammed 9/11 trial from military court to civilian federal court sets quite a unique precedent.

It muddies the water as to what soldiers need to do when "capturing/arresting" terrorists on the battlefield (i.e. can they be interrogated with out an attorney?).

It communicates a message that the stance of

Lessons In Thinking Outside the Box: Washing Your Hands After Going To the Bathroom

2009-11-27T23:23:12Z

I am starting a new blog mini-series called: lessons in thinking outside the box. It will not be one after the other like other mini-series. But it will pop up from time to time.

In Andy's official point scoring scheme for thoughts, you get most points (say: up to 976) for being logical, and then second most points (say: up to 763) for thinking outside of the box (read: controversial).

So what better way to kick off this new mini series with something that will most likely cause all of you to be grossed out because of an inability to process logic?

I am going to confess something to you that most of my friends already know: I rarely wash my hands after taking a pee. The logic usually goes like this:

I don't

Do I Already Have What I Want?

2009-11-23T15:46:49Z

Recently I got into a fairly surprising discussion with someone on what we really wanted out of life. And I don't mean like wanting to be famous, or wealthy, or a Senator. But when all is said and done, what is it that we really wanted? Or in other words: what is it about being famous, or wealthy, or a Senator that we think will be beneficial to our life?

I even surprised myself a little with the simplicity of my answer (which I am not going to share). But I'll leave it at there are really only two things I want out of life. That's it. Two.

I have since had this conversation with a few other people to decide whether or not I am crazy. The verdict is mixed.

I Make Up Words

2009-11-18T21:20:34Z

Let's be honest. I am grammatically retarded. This should not be a shock to anyone who reads this blog. I write like I talk. Spelling doesn't matter. And as long as it communicates the point, what difference does grammar make, right?

For the most part though it hasn't really cost me anything in life. Other than not winning the highest Yearbook award in the country for a beautifully designed and photographed, but very poorly worded and edited yearbook - which I obviously am still very upset about - I seem to do just fine being grammatically retarded (despite what my English

The Supreme Court Wants Me To Buy A Gun But Jesus Could Care Less

2009-11-15T18:24:03Z

The other day I broadcasted to the world via Twitter, Facebook, Google Wave, and Messenger Pigeon the important and life shattering news that I have decided to purchase a gun. The reasons for said gun purchase are quite irrelevant (unless of course your are my mom).

But the Facebook conversation that proceeded (below) inspired me to explain myself with a bit more detail.

Now I freely admit most of you will discredit me as a source on the topic of gun laws because I interpret the 2nd amendment to say that, "people of a state - whether militia or individual - should be allowed to own the same level of weaponry as the federal government."

Extreme, right? But let us remember the mindset of those who wrote the Constitution.

Carrie Prejean NSFW Sex Tape Video Makes Me Right

2009-11-10T11:02:05Z

If there are two things I like in this world, it is 1.) skinny, blonds with no boobs, and 2.) being right. Rarely do these two collide in one glorious moment for me. But God Bless Carrie Prejean they did.

If you don't know by now, Carrie Prejean dropped her liable and slander case against the Miss USA Pageant because allegedly she was shown a tape of her that was acquired by TMZ performing "a graphic sex act by herself" that was "so graphic, even TMZ wouldn't post it."

Details have since surfaced that the solo act was recorded by her then boyfriend when she was a teenager. How TMZ got it, nobody seems to know.

As you may recall, I wrote about

My Speeding Helps Traffic Flow (and Keeps Us Safe)

2009-11-01T11:14:41Z

There are two things about me that I think most of you know: 1.) I have a bit of a lead foot, and 2.) I love NASCAR racing. And even though those might sound mutually inclusive, most of the people I know who actually like NASCAR give me the most amount of crap for my speeding.

Now, one could argue that going around and around at 200 mph, sometimes inches from each other, is pretty dangerous. But most NASCAR drivers would say most the time they feel pretty safe. But the one time you'll get them to complain about safety is restrictor plate racing.

Now stay with me...

The long and the short of it is in restrictor plate races, a device is put on a car to ensure that there is a limit to the maximum speed a car drives

What Liberal Gays and Conservative Christians Can Agree On

2009-10-21T05:00:00Z

What I am about to write should be viewed through the lens that I am a.) pro-life, and b.) support full equality for homosexuals and their relationships. I know most will find this an odd juxtaposition given the modern dialogue in politics, but you can read other posts as to why I feel this is right.

With that said, I think I found the the one thing that both of these often divisive groups can agree on: politicians really don't give a damn about either issue and are only feeding the division to get/stay elected.

Last week I was watching Barack Obama's

So That's A Weekend

2009-10-19T08:50:24Z

April 2005: Currently Facebook only supports 800 college campuses. President Bush was 4 months into his second term. Pope John Paul II had just been put to rest. Airbus's new Jumbo A380 takes it's very first flight. Carrie Underwood was just about to become a household name by winning American Idol. Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani had just hit the airwaves. Sahara and Fever Pitch had just been released into theatres. And The Office had just started it's first season.

It was also the last time I had a normal weekend.

Wow!

And just so we are clear. By normal weekend I mean: working Friday, taking both Saturday and Sunday off, and

To Rest or Live? A Commentary On My Saturday At The Alabama / Ole Miss Game

2009-10-11T14:20:33Z

It was another busy week this week. Maybe not 84 hours like last week, but probably 75. Got major progress done on the new Allen Hunt Show website. Very productive. But with the production, I was also very tired and looking forward to a Saturday of doing absolutely nothing.

At 11:45pm on Friday night, my friend Glenn swings by the studio. As he was leaving he asked, "hey you want to join us for tomorrow's Alabama game at Ole Miss? Plane takes off at 9:00." I don't care what I am looking forward to, if it involves taking a private plane to a great day of tailgating and a live SEC football game, I am dropping the other plans.

So even though I desperately needed the rest, I traded it for a day full of fun.

So because I am lazy on blogging right now, here is a post in picture form (with commentary):

Fox Drops the F-Bomb During Dollhouse But Covers With Closed Caption

2009-10-04T15:56:02Z

I am exhausted. I would be lying if I said I wasn't. It has been a hard month. 6 days a week. 14 hours a day. All just to keep my head above the water. Not ever feeling like I am making much progress.

I have sat down to write a column on many different topics, but nothing comes out. It is why my last post was 3 weeks ago (and actually I wrote that post a week before I posted it).

I had a 36-hour trip to Chicago that was fantastic and had some semi-profound thoughts from it, but even that has been difficult to write about. I am even having a hard time just staying up with the shows I DVR.

Speaking of which, this past "weekend" (Saturday) I hung out with a few friends, and caught up on my DVR. I was watching Dollhouse and then this caught my ear.

(Warning: Language Potentially NSFW)

I Wanna Be Like...John?

2009-09-16T13:50:14Z

I love all teams Chicago (except the insufferable Bears). Cubs of course are on the top of the list. But growing up I too loved the Chicago Bulls. I spent many a nights in front of the television watching WGN and the magic that was Michael Jordan. I had the shoes. I drank the Gatorade. I sang the song.

As life has proven time and time again, 19 years later and things are far more complicated.

Athletes have gone from psuedo-gods to people; many times really shitty people. Jordan is

Healthcare Needs The FDIC Not The USPS (or UPS)

2009-09-13T21:58:13Z

I have a friend who - along with about 10-20 other people - started a bank 2 years ago. One afternoon I found myself in the office talking to him about what that venture looked like. Having been around startups my entire life, I have an understanding of starting a business. But a bank? That's a completley different story. So naturally I was quite curious.

The brief conversation included some points on banking regulation and the FDIC. I knew what the FDIC was before this conversation, but hadn't really given it much thought (probably like most Americans). Then we had the banking crisis of 2008 - exactly one year ago from today.

Anybody who had any kind of money at all quickly became familiar with the FDIC

Two Things I Can't Believe Are Here

2009-09-10T10:24:03Z

This week marked two things I can't believe are here already.

It seems like only yesterday tiny Jadyn was asleep on my chest 9 days after being born (lower left hand photo above). We spent her 1st birthday at the Lake (photo 2). Her 2nd birthday was more low key and spent it at the house (photo 3). I didn't make it for her 3rd birthday due to Asher's premature delivery in Hilton Head (picture 4) and the craziness that ensued in June and July. And I didn't make it today because of our M-F launch.

I was however very humored to see the following Facebook Status update from Andrea this morning.

ANDREA: it's your birthday sweetie!
JADE: it is?
ANDREA: yes, you are four now
JADE: I don't want to be four, I want to be

Labor Day: Welcome To Chapter 3

2009-09-07T04:00:00Z

Back in February of 2007 I wrote about the day Allen told me that he was stepping out of his job at the church and doing the show full-time. The day he asked me if I was willing to do the same. I wrote how that day was really no different than any other day other than a small 10 minute conversation in a Ford F-150. But how that 10 minute conversation would change everything (and it did).

If that day marked the beginning of Chapter 2. Today marks Chapter 3.

Today is Labor Day.

Today is

Case Study In Governments Building Stadiums: Parkview Field vs. Gwinnett Stadium

2009-08-28T04:00:00Z

I once had dinner with Wayne Huizenga, Jr. The heir to the Blockbuster / Waste Management fortune and at that time a significant owner of the Miami Dolphins. During dinner someone asked Wayne about the Dolphins and a new stadium.

Wayne's response was great. "I don't really think it should be the job of the governments to be paying for the construction of sports stadiums."

I would agree and usually am against governments building stadiums. However if I were to support a government fitting the bill for a project like a baseball or football stadium, I would insist on them looking at the Fort Wayne Tin Caps Parkview Field project as a case study.

I have followed the news and construction of

Oregon Weekender Part 2: Hanging With Keleigh

2009-08-26T09:47:26Z

The photo above was taken in 2003 when my friend Keleigh and I and about 6 other students went camping in Elat, Israel (pictures) - which is right at the Egypt/Israel/Jordan border. Hands down she is one of the most impressive people I know.

Before joining the study abroad program in the Fall of 2003 where we met, she did missionary work in Jordan. Being a cute, blond, American woman doing Christian missionary work in a predominately Muslim country would be enough to be impressed. But it doesn't end there.

While I did one semester in the Middle East and returned

Oregon Weekender Part 1: Lissa's Wedding

2009-08-23T20:41:54Z

Karen Roberts, Laura Shilliam & Andy Borgmann at the Rehearsal Dinner

I Went To Louisville and No One Got Pregnant (aka The Louisville Weekender)

2009-08-16T10:30:00Z

Standing Up To Your HOA

2009-08-14T04:00:00Z

When I was in high school I dated a girl with the most amazing house. Although it wasn't until after purchasing my own home that I realized just how much I loved that house.

It was big, but not flashy big. It was nice, but not materialistic nice. It sat on 20-acres, just outside of the city, in a "developing neighborhood" (read: they had no neighbors).

But the best part about it - no homeowner's association (at least not that I knew of, so I am going with that there wasn't one for this illustration).

If they wanted to put in a pool, they could (and they did). If they wanted to let us drive a John Deere Gator or a Hummer around the backyard, we were allowed to (and we did). If they wanted to let us have a loud, outdoor party, they could let us (we never did that).

Fast forward 10 years. I have had some issues with my neighbors and homeowners association since moving in. I think - and could be wrong - but it stems from

My Advice to Little G

2009-08-12T09:00:00Z

Allen's youngest daughter - Little G - is going to college this week. So this past weekend we did a show where we took callers from college only (or recently graduated) and asked for 10 words or less on their advice for new college students.

Being 4 years out of college - and born almost within a day when Allen went to college - I of course had to share mine.

Andy's Suggestions for College