What's In a Name? The 'Second Assist' Blog Coming January 2017.

Aloha,

Welcome to The Second Assist. Post numero uno, I think that’s French for “here comes another blog some nobody is publishing.” In fact I’m guessing that if you’re reading this then you’ve probably been directed by my social media postings, or are a close personal friend/family member who feels bad for me. Or, in more likelihood, you’re bored and have nothing else to do. I’m here to tell you: That’s totally fine with me. Keep reading.

Over the past few months I’ve wanted to write. I’ve wanted to write more than I ever have before, especially since I had such a strong passion for it growing up. One of the rare bright spots I’ve been able to find in our year 2016 is the amount of platforms for which people are able to share their ideas and create content that is seemingly either interesting to them or a distinct effort to stir the pot and create controversy in an age where everything is somehow connected. Blogs, comment sections and Twitter all make for platforms where people can be heard (for better or worse) and voice their opinions and nothing is more evident than people voicing their opinions in this past election season, which I will admit has helped inspired me to begin voicing and publishing opinions of my own.

I’ve been influenced by some incredible writers throughout my life, most notably my father who is on the verge of retirement from a job which he’s held for over 40 years. No seriously, he literally retires in three days. Unbelievable. He has a natural ability to put words on a page that go far beyond their meaning, in that those words are most-likely hand-written. He’s old school, and he’s touched a lot of people over the years with these hand-written thoughts. While it is my vow in 2017 (along with a handful of others by the way) to write more hand-written letters, my main goal is to be at least half the man he is because he is indeed a major inspiration to myself and others.

I named my blog (and hopefully soon-to-be podcast, more on that later on) The Second Assist because growing up playing hockey, if they didn’t count second assists as points on the score sheet, I’d rarely have any points. The kid who is credited with the second assist on a snipe of a goal most likely helped start the play that ended up with a goal for the good guys. This blog will feature my take on the latest trends in sports, entertainment, health and technology and I hope to have at least one person read this. My college roommate and close friend Nolan Gerding, aka Owen Nolan, aka @owenthatnolan will also be dabbling in some writing. Thank you, and on to 2017.

-Brian