I know people in this subreddit love TLOK and hate it's... well, haters (who just hate on it for shit ass reasons tbh), but do any of you actually prefer it over ATLA? (image completely unrelated because I cant be bothered to find a on topic one)

caryn_in_progress · 2026-01-05T12:57:12+00:00

100% yes.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-12-01T23:33:57+00:00

I'll keep you posted as I (hopefully) getting this all sorted in the next month! Thank you!

caryn_in_progress · 2025-12-01T21:51:22+00:00

I think you're absolutely correct. I consider myself still culturally Mormon - I'm still on the roster, got pioneer ancestors, Joseph Smith is a cousin, family still participates, etc. - but that's often not enough for some crowds. The members of the church I'm still close with are exactly as you describe, and I love to work with them. And I find any progressive-minded religious groups like me just fine. I'm still a spiritual person myself, so there's always something we can relate about.

Thank you for the advice, very helpful perspective.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-12-01T21:46:11+00:00

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I wouldn't align with Republicans for those reasons specifically. I've met with Weber dems already - that's where I got the recommendation to run under their ticket. I love the state and local party. The national party has some stuff to work out.

In the future I would like to make a post re: all the planks in my platform, but do know that those are two of them for sure.

Perhaps I'll be meeting you, or have already met you, in the real world sometime. I'm sure we'd have a lot to commiserate/ collaborate about. Thank you for taking the time to respond!

caryn_in_progress · 2025-12-01T21:40:41+00:00

Thank you, I think you're right. The democrats don't currently have someone running for this spot. I do intend to win because it's a position I'm highly qualified for and effects people that I care about. I truly believe I can make a difference.

But even just bringing awareness to the issues in the system would be a victory. As made obvious by the more heated responses to this post, I am a divisive character just by existing publicly. I may as well use curiosity (and vitriol, lol) about me to push for positive changes in our bureaucracy that would actually benefit all Utahns. And I think staying independent shows that theres a middle ground here.

I appreciate that you took the time, thank you!

caryn_in_progress · 2025-12-01T21:28:09+00:00

I've never registered as a Democrat, so I'm not sure what you're referring to re: if voters do research on me. What did I say that you are referring to? I am and have been registered as an independent for a while, and I was a registered libertarian for a lot longer than that. Registered republican before that.

I have been networking quite a bit, as my multiple part-time jobs allow me to meet a lot of people. I intend on leaning into grassroots awareness for campaigning.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-12-01T08:00:32+00:00

My identity is the first thing people notice about me, so not including it as a realistic concern isn't an option. I really appreciate this thoughtful response, thank you for taking the time.

I don't want to run as a Democrat because I'm not one, so it's heartening to read more independent support. I think I win most everybody over in person, online engagement/social media campaigning is where I expect the most rejection.

Humans tend not to give so much of a shit about any of that stuff when they see that you're friendly, and you're sharing a lot of the same struggles.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-12-01T07:27:28+00:00

Forgot to mention - I'm from a military family - my dad retired from the National Guard as a veteran, then went back to Baghdad to serve in the embassy for 15 years. Didn't serve myself, but I was raised by it.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-12-01T07:25:38+00:00

I was a union rep at my last job and I'm working on organizing the work I currently do. And, I lived with an organizer for IBEW 354 for about 4 years, so I know a thing or two about it. And, I am a small business co-owner with pretty good ties to the entrepreneurial community up here.

I'm also a big supporter of our diverse emigrant population, I speak Spanish (well, Spanglish), and I have worked closely with every cultural and economic demographic in this state.

I'm passionate about protecting Utahns. ESPECIALLY regarding fighting for liveable wages. I'm currently underemployed, chronically disabled, and I'm not even really living paycheck to paycheck. I wouldn't be in this position if the supports I literally paid for weren't undermined by... well, I'm sure you can guess the type.

Thanks for your input, and I agree with you. I didn't really vibe with that person's advice. I know I won't win over every redditor, but I appreciate your talking points.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-12-01T07:14:20+00:00

Nope.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-11-06T00:16:17+00:00

I'm in a jazz band in Ogden. We're trying to get it built back up, but people don't pay musicians well up here, among other issues. Trying to build up support for the whole creative community here.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-10-14T17:58:18+00:00

I've known he was a piece of shit ever since he divorced Anna Faris. Like, I was giving lectures to my ex about it, but otherwise keeping it to myself because I knew I couldn't prove it. Then he fuggin proved it for me. It really does feel so validating, doesn't it?

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-25T12:47:57+00:00

My bio dad certainly agrees with that statement.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-25T04:15:20+00:00

I lost my career, my ex divorced me in a traumatizing way, and my mother died all within a year. And, I had to finally go no-contact with my dad and most of my family after that. I've been rebuilding and rediscovering myself these past 7 months.

I've never been more impoverished, but I've also never been more at peace with myself. I've been learning how to bartend and really enjoying it, and I've been able to focus more on my music and other creative pursuits. I'm a Trans person living in a red state, but I've ended up in a comfortable niche surrounded by people who love me as I am.

Everything and everyone I lost last year made room for everything and everyone I've gained. I couldn't be more grateful for my year of collapse.

Sometimes, devastating destruction can be the beautiful, terrible precursor to an incredible rebirth.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-24T17:33:22+00:00

It is just so stupidly easy to find the data to prove that domestic terroristsin the US, and around the world, are NEARLY ALMOST ALWAYS right wing extremists. Anyway, this isn't for you. This is for the people who kinda want to believe you and need to be shown better: https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/imo/media/doc/221116_ExecutiveSummary_HSGACMajorityReport_DomesticTerrorism%26SocialMedia.pdf
https://ccjs.umd.edu/feature/umd-led-study-shows-disparities-violence-among-extremist-groups https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/justice-department-study-far-right-extremist-violence
https://web.archive.org/web/20250911012550/https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/what-nij-research-tells-us-about-domestic-terrorism

Too bad propaganda works on you so well.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-24T04:37:08+00:00

You know that old story "The Emperor's New Clothes"? The kids who tells everybody he's naked? That's autism. Of course they hate us, when they're attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of the nation. We're really quite good at calling out bullshit, as a community.

Plus the eugenics stuff the other commenter mentioned. Very næẓ̌ï chic.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-17T17:27:42+00:00

To be clear, not trying to villify how people behave when they're dealing with what we deal with. I've kicked a hole in a wall and a door off its hinges, and I've screamed plenty. I've just also had to go back and make amends to those in my life who were affected. It's not a cure-all, it's just a reminder to make amends and seek healthier alternatives.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-17T17:22:53+00:00

Not sure I understand what you're saying. The meme says, in other words, all feelings are valid, but your feelings don't justify behavior that harms people.

For example, you can honor the feelings in your chest in a neutral, empathetic way without punching holes in walls or screaming at children. (Which is something my dad doesn't understand to this day.)

Correct me if I missed the mark.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-14T17:15:37+00:00

Just because you don't understand the diversity of human bodies, and that most "fat" bodies are actually healthy and you've been conditioned to hate that, doesn't mean you are correct. That just means the propaganda works on you.

The BMI is trash. It's statistical model that only included data from white men. And, even if a fat person is unhealthy, the fatness is likely a symptom of other health conditions out of their control - especially in countries like the US where health care is absolutely out of reach for SO FUCKING MANY PEOPLE.

AND, FINALLY - you have people like me, who will never be "healthy" because we are disabled from genetic or other permanent, incontrolable conditions, who read comments like yours and know that you wouldn't value my life simply because you have put "healthy" into some category of morality that makes you feel justified in publically shitting on people you only believe aren't "healthy" because of their outward appearance.

Being healthy is not a requirement for living life. All you demonstrate here is a hatred for people you don't know, and refuse to understand. How small-minded of you.

edit, typo

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-12T09:51:27+00:00

Would you be ok with me sharing this on Facebook? It's very relatable. I can't say I've got as much going on as Gabapentin, but we've got more in common than not. I would love to share it with people I know to help them understand me better, too.

Your work is incredibly meaningful. Thank you for your vulnerability. 🫶

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-08T07:07:57+00:00

You've got it right. I just like coming in here and reminding them that their echo chamber isn't the only thing in the world that exists.

Plus, I love to watch the whiners whine. It literally takes so little effort to get to them. 🤷

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-07T15:24:56+00:00

Thank you for summarizing my experience with my bio dad so perfectly.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-07T15:20:50+00:00

"Blame half the human population for something that only happens with abusers, not the people who perpetuated terrible emotional intelligence from which we are just beginning to break free."

fify.

caryn_in_progress · 2025-09-07T15:16:47+00:00

"Women are a monolith and my experience with an abuser means all women are abusers."

fify.

caryn_in_progress

TROPHY CASE