To Do List

• Format this main page to my current vision
• Make some pixel art for decoration
• Add a music player
• Add a guestbook, possibly a chatroom
• Deliberate whether I want to link my current blog or start anew here
• Follow other sites and learn from them
• Long-term: make a little game for the site

F.A.Q.

Q: "Papa's Cottage"?
A: I'm not sure where the name first cropped up, but I've used it only once before as the name of a Discord server I invited a few friends to. I think the aim I have for the name is that the digital spaces within are meant to resemble rest stops where you can kick back and relax for a little in between whatever doomscroll you've been up to. When I picture Papa's Cottage, I imagine a Tolkien-esque misty verdant forest, and if you look deep enough in it, with the sun's warm rays gently beaming through the canopy, you'll find an opening; there, in the clearing, is a beautiful crystal-clear pond, and standing tall and proud next to it is a redwood cottage with smoke gently billowing from its chimney. Foliage has delicately grown over and under the windows and doors, but it's clear the cottage's inhabitants respect the surrounding nature as much as nature respects them. You feel almost bewitched with how comfortable and calmed you are here. Welcome home, weary traveler: it's Papa's Cottage.

Q: What's the point of the Cottage?
A: It's a very multifaceted answer, so bear with me. What first got me looking into Neocities was a video that came across my feed talking about some great "Web Revival" movement. It was the first time in what felt like years that a video made me feel genuinely uplifted and like there was hope for tomorrow--I can't recommend it enough. I want to be a part of that movement, as I've grown extremely jaded and apathetic towards the current circumstances of Big Tech and how we've so quickly shifted the World Wide Web's focus from "for the people" to "farm the people." I also am hoping putting a website together jumpstarts me again into the world of tech, or hell, even just regularly using my brain in avoiding doomscrolling. I'm also an empath at heart, so I'd like to use this small platform to wish people well and see if I can't help in one way or another, whether it be through sharing experiences or offering little affirmations through a node on the site (TBA!). Lastly, it's a form of art to make a website look pretty, right? I'll be the first to say that Papa is not an artistic man; however, I want to work on my artistic skills, and there's some part of me that feels like the challenge is calling to me. I encourage others to do the same, and if you're not into making a website but want to write and share thoughts with others? Bearblog is an absolutely wonderful place to be.

Q: What font are you using on your site, and is there a reason it looks a little odd?
A: I'm glad you asked! It's an open-source, completely free font called OpenDyslexic. Its goal is to be designed in a way to combat some common symptoms of dyslexia. I don't have dyslexia myself, and I've also looked into actual research about its effectiveness. It seems the font can help, but it's not universal; however, out of those it doesn't help, it seems to be as legible as other more common fonts anyhow. Thus, why not? Net positive overall in my book. ♥

Q: Why's this site currently look amateurish?
A: Hey man... :( Kidding. I realize I've written all this stuff out and I don't want to ruin how it currently looks, so to a second page I go. If you ever want to see what I've been tinkering with, you can swing on by here. Be warned: it's going to be broken and ugly, but hey it's some behind-the-scenes work at the Cottage!

About Me

My name is Sleepy Papa, but Sleepy or Papa is perfectly fine for shorthand. In my personal life, I'm a middling blue collar worker at a dead-end job. I'm married, and we have a menagerie of pets which we love and treat as our children. I suffered through a childhood and young adulthood of abuse in all forms. After years of therapy, introspection, and a trip to the psych ward, I've learned to love myself and live my best. I'm still learning some of those ropes; I nearly always put others before me, and I wear my heart on my sleeve (could you tell?). I'm tired--so damn tired, both physically and mentally, simultaneously and at all times. I do my best to help others, since I still sometimes feel like I should be put on the backburner. I write creative fiction. I play video games. I watch movies and TV shows and listen to music. I blog, which I may or may not link to this site once I feel its CSS guts are up to par. In this world of ever-encroaching empty AI LLMs, I'd like to offer a more human approach: ever need to vent, be excited about something, or ask for advice? I'm no therapist or financial advisor, but you've got a friendly neighbor in me at sleepy(dot)papa(at)proton(dot)me. I aim to eventually get a chatroom set up here, so catch me sometime there, too. I hope you're doing well. ♥

Welcome In

Kick off your shoes, prep a good drink, and get cozy under a blanket. I hope your pillow's the perfect temp tonight.
I also hope, in any capacity, that you find something in this short lifetime to hold dear;
something that inspires hope, grants peace, reaffirms your worth; something that above all, makes you look forward to tomorrow.
Find simple ways to treat yourself. Find workarounds for things you dread.
Because once you've found that spark of love for yourself, it comes so much easier to pass it on to your neighbor.
Love you. Take care of yourself. ♥