The author's attempt at a graceful self-portrait (shot while exploring Tibet in a 4x4)
Name: Jason Mills
Alter Egos, if any: Sometimes I am my alter ego
Hometown: New Braunfels, TX
Expensify Job Title/Role: Everything Man #2
When did you start working for Expensify? May 2011
What is the most exciting project you’ve completed so far for Expensify? It’s a secret, at least until we finalize our plans to take over the expense reporting world. Oops. Although I’m pretty sure that tiger’s been out of the bag for a while!
When you’re not fine-tuning expense reports that don’t suck, what projects do you work on in your off-time? Running. It’s a long-distance project. There’s also this bouldering problem I’ve got up in the Berkeley Hills. Does that count? In general, I spend a lot of time chasing adventure and pushing my body to the limit. It’s a decent-sized commitment!
The author logging miles on the Flume Trail around Lake Tahoe
(From the Proust Questionnaire)
Your most marked characteristic? Cop out alert! I’ve got two. Growing up in Texas instilled an affable side of me that’s still around today. That’s the nurture component. In terms of nature, people describe me as a easy-going but intense – some even say I have a streak of madness. Of course, that’s probably because I like doing things other people call “crazy”, like ultramarathons, downhill mountain biking, etc. Now are those REALLY crazy?! I don’t think so.
Where would you like to live? This answer is admittedly mercurial. Several years ago, my answer would have been Taiwan; everywhere you go there you encounter amazing nature. Plus, in the Chinese-speaking world Taiwan has the best combination of modern practicality and traditional sensibility. That makes it a pretty unique place.
Inevitably, a subset of people will answer this question by envisioning how a place is — or might be — without ever having been there. The dreamer in me is attracted to this approach. Lately I keep coming back to Brazil. It has several things going for it: unique flora and fauna; a language that lends itself nicely to rap; and it’s reputed to have a warm and welcoming culture. Sounds like my kind of place.
What is your motto? Live life. Intensely. With meaning.
What is your favorite flower? The yucca flower. Why you ask? Mostly because it reminds me of youthful salad days, when I spent my summers backpacking in Texas and New Mexico. At the same time, the yucca flower is such an awesome juxtaposition; how amazing is it that something so delicate and beautiful arises from such a narly and prickly base?!
What is it you most dislike? I’ve got a laid-back, roll-with-it sensibility, so it’s not easy to come up with something I strongly DISLIKE. But something that comes to mind is pretension. There’s no need for someone to treat someone – poorly or otherwise – based on their perceived importance. That’s got a Golden Rule ring to it, which might sound corny, but I’m a big believer in treating people like PEOPLE. Everyone has an interesting story to tell; we just need to listen.
