Fun Facts

I've always felt like a "fake" missionary kid. My parents are not fake missionaries. They are the real deal. It's just that I've grown up in the states. They've had all of those "real" missionary experiences, such as learning a gazillion languages, traveling a gazillion miles, and taking a gazillion immunization shots. Technically, I have too (sans the multiple languages) but I don't remember them. I was born in the highlands of Angeruuk, Irian Jaya (now called Papua) Indonesia. Other than being a convenient and dramatic unknown fact for ice-breakers, it's never meant much to me. Since we left when I was two and I have absolutely no memory of it, it's like I was never there. That's all going to change in January. My dad will be teaching some classes in Indonesia soon, and I've been invited to tag along for a couple weeks. It's probable that I'll even get to see travel to my birthplace. It's very exciting. Very soon, it's going to move from the "fun facts about steve" category to the "been there, done that" category. I will FINALLY feel like a real missionary kid.

Captain Oblivious

Do you ever wonder how others see you? People rarely have a good sense of how they come off to others. We're oblivious sometimes. At least I am. For example, I had a conversation with my girlfriend Stephanie tonight and I realized that my communication style can be a little annoying sometimes. When I am really trying to engage in conversation with someone that I've known for awhile, I tend to try to finish their sentences. I think it's my way of letting them know that they have my full attention, but interrupting is not a great conversational tactic. Sometimes, I catch myself, but I often don't realize that I'm doing it. She was very sweet about it, but she's completely right. I know, because I've heard it before. It's good for me to be reminded and humbled by little things like that. It makes me realize that I'm not as smart as I'd like to think I am and that there are plenty of areas that I need to improve on. Back to the point... sometimes, I wish I could step outside of myself for a few days and observe how I interact with people. I'm sure that it would be revealing. I would hope that it would look like an episode of 24 (Jack Bauer ROCKS) in which I'd use my brilliant mind and excellent motor skills to save the country from a nuclear threat. Unfortunately, I bet it might look more like a bad episode of Dancing With the Stars. I'd be the guy with the goofy grin trying to dance hip-hop style... with very poor motor skills. Yikes. Anyway, I'm thankful for people that love me despite my shortcomings. It's nice to be known.

Excuse me, I'm a pro

I just forked over a whopping 25.00 to get a flickr pro account. I went a little nuts posting new images, so check 'em out if you like. www.stevenmast.com

Don't worry, there is plenty more photo goodness coming. I have 5000+ images to sort through.

Father's Day Reflection

I've been reminded lately how important a healthy family life can be. I have been fortunate to have grown up in a very stable and loving family. I think I look at life with a certain amount of peace that stems from that experience. It's almost like a subconcious confidence that I will always have the love and support of my parents and my sister. If I screw up, I know they will be there to encourage me. Don't get me wrong, I can create plenty of my own conflict, but I hope I can offer my future wife and kids the same openness and clear communication that my parents offered me. I've noticed that generations tend to swing in terms of caring for their family. I will work hard to continue their legacy. All that to say, thanks dad. Thanks mom. I love you.

Whitebread

As I was leaving work the other day, I realized that I had a flat on the beloved s2000. What's more, when I went to put the spare on, there was no wheel lock key to take the caps off the wheel. I grew up as a poor missionary kid and wheel locks are a bit of a new thing for us unsophisticated folk. Fortunately, I was able to bum a ride off of an unsuspecting coworker. The next day I decided to take a public bus. To me, it sounded like some kind of great adventure in city life. For most people in the world, it's just a slow way to get to work. The night before, I went online and found the route I needed, counted out the quarters for my fare, and laid out my clothes to iron the next day (All of that is true except that last part). The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast of eggs and home-brewed starbucks, I walked to the bus station and waited for my adventure. When I got on, I had a long conversation with the bus driver about what route I should take. He coulld tell I was new to this, as well as the rest of the bus. I felt like all eyes were on me. As I turned, I realized why. I was the only white guy on that whole bus! I sat down and had my first encounter with my neighbors. It was truly a cultural experience. More on this tomorrow.

Jack's Back

I have to recommend this movie. It's rare that I can get into a movie that's purely about one man's comedic schtick, but this was a gut-buster. Jack Black show's off his athletic prowess and his tight glutes in this fun film about a friar who dreams of being a wrestler.

ok... for real this time

so... yeah... I'm obviously not much of a blogger. Life is busy you know! I'm really going to try to be disciplined about writing something every day, even if it sucks - and it will. I know, I know, you can't rush creativity but sometimes you just have to start typing even if you don't have a whole lot to say.

This past weekend I entertained my cousin with Xbox 360 madness. It was great fun. The same game can entertain a huge range of ages. I always get a kick out of seeing 5 year old boys and 30 year old boys standing next to each other, duking it out at the video game kiosk at your local (insert your favorite electronics megamart here). Games are so much fun. I think it fills that need to dominate each other. You know - that impulse that drives people to start wars, to steal land, and to pillage and rape. Here's a question for you. Is simulated war better than war? Profound, I know. I think video games, capitalism, and competitive sports have become our wars of choice. I believe that it might be a good thing in the sense that they pacify that drive in some way. They take place of violence and put them into a safer context. We're so busy trying to outsell or outperform that we don't even think about it in a violent context. At least most of us don't. On the other hand, maybe it stimulates that drive. I'm not really sure. That would be a good research project for some group out there to spend some time on. Whew! I'm done writing for the day. Maybe next time there will be some structure to my entry. There might even be a point in there somewhere. Baby steps. See you tomorrow.

down time

I'm ready for this memorial day weekend. It'll be time to work on some little house projects. If you're a guy and you like tech toys, you're always trying to OPTIMIZE stuff even it will take more time to figure out then it ever will save you in the future. I'm gonna optimize this weekend. I'm gonna buy all the little stuff that I need that I never take the time to pick up... a broom, handsoap... little stuff that that isn't fun to buy, you just NEED it. I'm also looking forward to a day at Carowinds with my friend Steph, a day hangin with the fam in waxhaw, and maybe a day at a pool somewhere. I doubt it will be restful, but that's what caffiene is for on a Monday morning... err tuesday morning. HAVE FUN FOLKS!

woohoo... boohoo...

I've had seconds thoughts about my job change all day. It's hard to leave a group of work friends after spending almost three years with them. They've become my family and I will miss them a great deal. You never really know what it will feel like until that final day comes and everyone says their goodbyes. I expected to feel very excited to move on but I'm not. I'm sad.

Dare 2 Be Done

I've been working on a kids website called Dare To Be a Daniel for the Billy Graham Association for quite some time now. It's Franklin Graham's vision and will encourage kids in evangelism and in their spiritual lives. While it's been a difficult project to work on, I'm hopeful that it will be super successful and that kids will find it helpful. The launch of the site will happen on my last day of work at BGEA and it feels so good to have completed this phase of it before moving on. I have mixed feelings. I'm very sad to leave such a GREAT group of coworkers. It's been fun to work with and chill out with these guys for the last few years. There's a ton of talent in the Internet department and I'm excited to see how their lives progress. I'm also excited as I try something new: Print design! I'm a little burned out on web work and I'm looking forward to focusing on visual design vs. spending so much time figuring out technical bugs and problems. Print work will have it's share of kinks but I'm hoping to pick it up pretty quickly. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

A new day, a new job, and a new blog

In honor of my transition to a new job on monday, I've decided to start a new blog. Actually, it's my first blog. I've had these grand ideas about what it might be about but I can't think of anything that I would want to spend much time on. So I'm just going to talk about whatever is on my mind at the time. So here goes....