Hey, friend!

I turn 40 next week. 🙈 Also, I got to be part of an actual film!

Turning 40

Imani told me to make a wishlist of gifts that relax me, that I would do in my free time if I had any. So I put together a wish list full of LEGO, comics, a remote control car, and adult coloring books.

This was an incredibly valuable process, because, even if I don't receive a single one of these items as gifts, it's given me a chance to ask myself what I would do if I had free time. What sort of 40-year-old would I like to be?

I know part of the answer. I don't feel 40. I feel like a 20-year-old in a 40-year-old body, and honestly, a 40-year-old life. I own a company and a house and I'm married with school-age kids, but I also just like to have fun and play games and puzzles with my kids and play Minecraft and go to movies with my wife. Sure, we also like to travel and try new food, but what 20-year-old doesn't like that, too? Maybe I prefer a CD over a live show, and my bedtime's a few hours earlier. OK, so I'm part fully 40.

Anyway, it's fun, to be turning 40 and to feel younger. There was a short time there when it made me feel anxious, but now I'm just happy to feel as young as I do, and intent on taking care of my body so it feels a bit younger too. Wins all around.

Imani's latest film

My wife is an actor, writer, director, and producer, and on a film project recently she had a chance to do three out of four. Double Delivery is a screenplay she wrote a few years ago, and through a series of curious events she also ended up as the director and executive producer. I got to help as well, running sound one day and helping executive produce some as well.

As a part of this, a team of 20+ people descended on our house last week and spent three full days filming what will eventually be a ~15-minute short film. As a lifetime fan of movies and an A/V nerd, let me tell you... I was in heaven!

They've wrapped filming and Imani's spending every day editing so they can premiere it next month and then submit it to film festivals. If you're curious to see it when it's live, check them out on Instagram, and if you're excited to see more work like this happening, they're still fundraising to finish out all the costs and could really use the help.

What Else?

Podcasts

Popular Tweets

My latest course is live on Laracasts! While it can't cover *everything* you need to start a SaaS, it *does* show the real-life practical process of building a web-based app--not just the stuff that's easy to fit into tutorials, but real life stuff. (Quote Tweet)
I figured if I was on Team@terminaldotshop, I should also try the coffee. NGL, I expected this to be fun branding on top of good-enough coffee. I just brewed the Artisan blend (v60, black); and y'all: it's fantastic. This isn't just good branding, it's actually *great* coffee (Tweet with photo)
I’m absolutely delighted watching @ImaniVJones direct and produce this film (that she also wrote, btw, lol). We’ve made films together but this is my first time seeing her with this big of a team. I’m so proud and excited. Movie details: https://doubledelivery.my.canva.site/landing-page (Tweet with photo)
What are some good LEGO kits for adults that are under $100? I saw some I really like, like the typewriter and the mandalorian ship, but just not willing to spend $200+ on LEGOs at this moment. (Tweet)
It was so heartwarming seeing just how many people came up to me at Laracon this year and said “I’ve never seen you happier!” You know why. This has been the most incredible few years of my life, thanks to this amazing woman. Every part of my life is better and I’m better at every part of my life because of her. (Quote Tweet)

That's it for now!

Until next time...

Your friend,
Matt Stauffer