Journal Entry: Sat. May 28th 2022
The Thoughts and Times of Scott A. Vancil
Saturday, May 28th 2022
I wake up and brew some Bones Coffee Co. Carrot Cake Coffee in my Mustache Mug.
I FaceTime my parents. My mom is doing okay. She got attacked my a student at the school where she works as a para. She had to go to the hospital and now walks with a walker. I really wish there was some sort of punishment for the kid, but nothing. I feel bad she had to work this job to be able to help me with money occasionally. I'm glad she's quitting. This is too much. She is so stressed and not doing okay.
Shelby watches some show.
I eat oatmeal with protein powder, cinnamon, agave, blueberries, and peanut butter. Really all we have is oatmeal. We can't afford much for food. We have something for dinner and then that's it. Oatmeal city.
Then we watch an episode of Stranger Things Season 4 together. This season does seem more straightforward horror, but this kind I can take. It's not nearly as scary as The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix.
I finish my coffee and then do the dishes, listening to the Roots Rising playlist on Spotify.
I shower with Bourbon, 2-n-1, Head and Shoulders, Shampoo/Conditioner. Then I lather myself with Duke Cannon Buffalo Trace Bourbon Soap and rinse. I then smother myself with body wash: Duke Canon THICK Bourbon Bodywash. After rinsing I rinse my hair. Then I use my Duke Cannon Buffalo Trace Bourbon Plant-Based Beard Wash. I rinse. I dry and comb my red beard with its elegant white streaks.
I put on Axe Apollo Fresh Stick, because they were out of Phoenix.
I heat filtered, water to 203 Degrees Fahrenheit in my black, Fellow EKG Gooseneck Kettle and steep two teaspoons of Hojicha Roasted Green Tea for three minutes in my Mike Wazowski mug. I purchased the tea at The Tea Table online. I highly recommend them.
We watch another episode of Stranger Things Season 4.
I put on Big Bourbon Beard Balm and Cologne Balm.
Shelby makes pasta with tempeh and a salad.
I journal for a bit.
We watch more Stranger Things, and I pour myself a dram of Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in my glencairn.
Shelby and I take a break from watching to have some amazing sex.
Then we watch more Stranger Things 4, and I have another whiskey. I consider having another one, but I decide to stop.
I make some oatmeal with protein powder, cinnamon, agave, blueberries, and peanut butter.
Absolutely loving this season. The women of this show are just so phenomenal. I also love the new editions of Eddie and Argyle. This dude who plays Argyle is in literally everything. He's doing amazing in his career and he's done it all with his signature long hair and not had to cut it. Really amazing.
I shower with Bourbon, 2-n-1, Head and Shoulders, Shampoo/Conditioner. Then I lather myself with Duke Cannon Buffalo Trace Bourbon Soap and rinse. I then smother myself with body wash: Duke Canon THICK Bourbon Bodywash. After rinsing I rinse my hair. Then I use my Duke Cannon Buffalo Trace Bourbon Plant-Based Beard Wash. I rinse. I dry and comb my red beard with its elegant white streaks.
I put on Axe Apollo Fresh Stick, because they were out of Phoenix.
We watch the next to last episode of season 4 of Stranger Things. It ends off in a big cliffhanger, and Shelby wants to watch more, but I'm so incredibly tired, and I just want to save it for tomorrow. Finally she agrees.
Then we go to bed.
That's it.
That's my day.
That's Saturday, May 28th 2022
About the Creator
Scott A. Vancil
Writer/actor/director. I write poems, novels, short stories, comic books, and screenplays, in both standard form and iambic pentameter. (FYI: I do not use AI to write. I have never and will never use AI to write. All words come from me.)
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Journal Entry: Fri. May 27th 2022
Friday, May 27th 2022 I wake and brew a Bones Coffee Co. Mustachio Coffee in my Mustache Mug. Shelby wants to go to Little Barn, so after she finishes an episode of The Serpent of Essex on Apple TV+, I put my coffee in a thermos, and we head to Little Barn.
By Scott A. Vancil4 years ago in Journal
Best Things to Do in Marrakech With Kids by Morocco Family Vacation
Before visiting Marrakech, I worried it might be “too much” for kids. Too busy. Too loud. Too intense. As a mom, those concerns are always front and center. I imagined crowded streets, nonstop noise, and my kids becoming overwhelmed before we even found our rhythm. What I learned instead was that Marrakech can be incredibly family-friendly if you approach it the right way. This city isn’t designed for rushing. It rewards slow travel, flexibility, and seeing everything through a child’s perspective. Once we stopped trying to “see it all” and focused on how our kids were feeling, Marrakech transformed from intimidating to magical. Timing Is Everything in Marrakech One of the biggest lessons we learned was when to explore. Early mornings and late afternoons were magical. The city felt calmer, the light was softer, and the streets were easier to navigate with children. Midday, on the other hand, was best reserved for rest. We learned quickly that pushing through the heat and crowds only led to tired kids and stressed parents. Once we adjusted our rhythm sightseeing in the morning, relaxing at midday, and going out again later everything felt easier. The kids were happier, and so were we. Jemaa el-fnaa: Short Visits, Big Memories Jemaa el-Fnaa was one of the places I was most nervous about. It’s famous for its energy, but that can feel overwhelming with kids. Instead of diving in headfirst, we approached it slowly. We didn’t rush into the main square. We visited briefly, stood on the edges, and let the kids observe at their own pace. They were fascinated by: The musicians and drummers Storytellers surrounded by small crowds Fresh orange juice stands being squeezed right in front of them We treated it like a short experience rather than a long stay. When we felt the energy shifting toward overload, we left — and that made all the difference. Jemaa el-Fnaa became exciting instead of exhausting. Majorelle Garden: A Calm Reset After the medina, Majorelle Garden felt like a sanctuary. The bold blue buildings, exotic plants, and open pathways gave the kids space to explore quietly without worrying about traffic or crowds. For the first time that day, everyone slowed down naturally. It was one of the few places where all of us relaxed instantly. The kids wandered, pointed out plants, and asked questions. I realized how important it was to balance busy areas with peaceful ones. Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride This simple activity became a highlight of our time in Marrakech. The horse-drawn carriage ride allowed the kids to see the city without walking endlessly. They loved the gentle rhythm of the ride, waving at people as we passed by. For us, it was a chance to rest while still experiencing the city. It also helped us understand the layout of Marrakech without stress. Seeing neighborhoods from a distance gave us confidence for later walks. Cooking Classes That Include Kids A short Moroccan cooking experience turned into an unexpected favorite. The kids helped mix ingredients, shape dough, and taste what they made. They were proud of their involvement and suddenly much more interested in Moroccan food than before. It wasn’t just fun it changed their mindset. Instead of being hesitant about unfamiliar dishes, they were curious and excited. Meals became something they looked forward to, not worried about. Riads: Perfect for Families Staying in a riad completely changed our experience. The courtyards provided quiet space after busy days. The fountains fascinated the kids, and the enclosed layout made everything feel safe and contained. Evenings were calm, which helped the kids wind down naturally. It felt personal and peaceful exactly what families need after navigating a lively city. Souks as a Game, Not a Task Instead of serious shopping, we turned souk visits into small adventures. We made it into a game: Spot the brightest lantern Choose one small souvenir each Guess spices by smell This approach kept the kids engaged and prevented meltdowns. The souks stopped feeling chaotic and started feeling playful. What We Chose Not to Do Just as important as what we did was what we skipped. We avoided: Overpacked itineraries Late nights Long walks without breaks We learned that saying no to certain activities meant saying yes to better moments as a family. Planning Marrakech with kids takes experience. Having guidance from the company we booked with helped us avoid common mistakes and choose activities that matched our family’s pace instead of fighting against it. Final Thoughts Marrakech isn’t chaotic when you slow it down. With kids, it becomes colorful, musical, and surprisingly gentle. By choosing the right moments, pacing our days carefully, and listening to our children’s energy levels, Marrakech became one of the most rewarding cities we’ve ever visited together not despite traveling with kids, but because of it.
By Ariel Cohen3 days ago in Journal
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