iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Baron von Awesome

morentsy @morentsy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Bridgeport IPA was great! I eventually graduated to Hop Czar, though.

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Drinking in an undisclosed location with a few drying agents after a Chicago deluge. 🌂 🌊🍻 @chicagobars.bsky.social

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Bailey, an ardent maga despite his attempts to walk it back, is about to get his clock cleaned. Again. And very likely by a wider margin. He's hitched his wagon to Agent Orange, and the IL GOP is as stupid as they've ever been. Corn don't vote, dunmies! www.mystateline.com/news/can-dar...

mystateline.com

Can Darren Bailey actually beat JB Pritzker? What Illinois governor race polls say about his chances

Pritzker defeated Bailey by roughly 12 percentage points in 2022, winning nearly 55% of the vote. Can the former state senator turn the tables this time around?

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Tennessee was supposed to execute this woman by lethal injection last evening. She survived. And it's the second botched execute in that state this year. But to me this is the more interesting story about this woman. www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...

theguardian.com

Tennessee says child rapists deserve to die. Now it prepares to execute one of their victims

At 18, Christa Pike was sentenced to death for murder. What if the jury knew she had suffered years of sexual abuse as a child?

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

“You boy - know where I can get some cheap petrol in DuPage County?"

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I'm shocked. Sarcasm. But this helps explain an American phenomenon such as the maga cult. (To be fair, not ALL of them are sub-6th Grade reading comprehension, but oh my, many/most are). www.the-independent.com/life-style/a...

the-independent.com

More than half of Americans are reading below a 6th grade level, study finds

Children raised by adults with low literacy have a 72 percent chance of developing low literacy themselves, according to one expert

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

5 things about me: 1) I'm ambidextrous (although dominant left-handed) 2) I was a widower in my mid-30s (but very happily remarried for nearly 20 years) 3) I hate cheesecake 4) I once owned a French car (Renault) 5) I became an uncle at age 8

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#Madison #Wisconsin The missus and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. Heckuva town. And heckuva hotel! @madisonconcourse.bsky.social

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Heading to #Madison #Wisconsin with my bride today to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. An easy, 2-hour ride from home, we've never stayed overnight. Staying at the wonderful Concourse hotel a block from the capital. Should be fun! 🥂

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Pretty cool to see the #WhiteSox and #Cubs clinch playoff births on the same day - a feat that has never occurred before! While this Midlothian native grew up cheering for the Sox, I also have been to many a Cubs game in my life. Pretty damn happy for #Chicago!

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This is what the midterms feel like at this point.

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

SOUTHSIDE! Tip the car nose just a bit more south to Bourbonnais TONIGHT, and come celebrate with us as we rock the night away with the first anniversary of Plate'D Social! Showtime 730p. Let The Good Times Roll! 👱‍♀️👱‍♀️🎵❤️🏁

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

2 decades ago, I began performing in operas. While that never materialized into a full-time career, I moved in those circles. But corporate opera doesn't keep up with the times, least of all paying their talent properly. An incredible art form that needs help. operawire.com/editorial-wh...

operawire.com

Why I'm Retiring from Staged Opera at 43 - OperaWire

I am 43-years-old.

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Southwest Michigan! The Electric Cars & Tragic Blonde Vacation perform tomorrow, Sun, 9/13, at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave, St Joseph, MI. Showtime 7-9pmET. Should be a beautiful evening in the lovely harbor town of St Joe. See you there. LET'S GO!! 🏁👱‍♀️👱‍♀️❤️🎵

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

My thoughts on September 11th, 2001. Appreciation to those of you who read it. ryanmo1969.blogspot.com/2026/09/a-qu...

ryanmo1969.blogspot.com

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Our city sure has cool and unexpected views sometimes even in the mundane run of a commuter rail heat. #Chicago

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Sushi. A food I've come to enjoy only recently. Today I had a Golden Spider while my daughter ordered a Columbia Roll. Good stuff! #Hokkaido #Columbia #Missouri

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Love Hannibal, MO. And on this trip, we also headed south along the Mississippi River for 30 miles or so. Beautiful country.

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Pro-tip for job seekers: If you get invited to and end-of-process interview with leadership and you hear from the recruiter "Oh...it's really just informal...more to ascertain a good culture fit"...take that at face value. Don't treat it informally. You're being interviewed!

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Reposted by Baron von Awesome

Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Good morning from Lake Ontario. ☀️

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Reposted by Baron von Awesome

Ashley Holden 🩷 M.Ed. @mrsholden2019.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

So #MitchMcConnell just gets to be dead & no one cares anymore? He just keeps collecting a paycheck, taking unlimited time off & everyone shrugs? I'm a teacher fighting stage 4 #cancer & if I was even 10 minutes late to work, I'd hear about it. If I disappeared, didn't call in, I'd be unemployed.

static.klipy.com

John Travolta Confused Meme

ALT: John Travolta Confused Meme

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Reposted by Baron von Awesome

mc2 @mc2photogal.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

"There is no Lake America. Hope you can swim!" #LakeOntario #LakeAmerica

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Enjoying a unique experience tonight. I'm sitting in watching my band rehearse with a sub bassist because I can't be there this weekend for a gig in IA. I'll be visiting family in MO. But I'll cope tonight just fine while I listen...

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Happy # 18 to us! It has been quite the journey these years. People, places and things come and go. We're still mercifully here. Together. As I pray it will be to the end of our days. I know I'm the luckiest man alive and she's a reminder of that fact day in and day out.

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Sunday morning breakfasts are the best breakfasts. Especially after having performed in one concert Friday evening and watching another last night. Tired body today. This helps!

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Absolutely beautiful evening and a great concert at an outdoor bandshell in St. Joseph, MI last evening. Played atop a hill adjacent a boat channel that feeds out to Lake Michigan. Performed to about 260 people. I love what I do! 🎵❤️🏁

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Solid dress rehearsal last night with my band, www.theelectriccarsband.com, as we gear up for a bandshell performance near Lake Michigan in St. Joseph. I'm pulling full lead vocals being both #RicOcasek and #BenOrr Should be a hoot. LET'S GO!! 🎵🏁❤️ #TheCars

theelectriccarsband.com

The Electric Cars | Chicago Area Cars Tribute Band

Chicago's premiere tribute to The Cars. The Cars Tribute Band The Electric Cars Chicago

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Doing something for the 1st time in my life this Friday. I'm 100% lead vocals and playing bass for an entire concert. And I get so sing terrific lyrics like 'Museum directors with high shaking heads'. This is gonna be a blast! #TheCars #Ocasek #Orr theelectriccarsband.com

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I think more American workers would be more inclined to work fully onsite again if only corporate America would bring these back.

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Saturday morning breakfasts are the best breakfasts. Sauteed salami and a jalapeño pepper in butter. Scrambled 2 eggs, salt and pepper seasoned. Cooked 5 minutes. Plated on toast with giardiniera and a few dashes of hot sauce. Added grape tomatoes. "Fermi Brush Fire" Voila!

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Eyeing towards year-end, my Chicago-based #TheCars tribute band is slated to perform 2 shows/month thru NYE. Next Friday, 8/28, at a Michigan show, I'm taking the lead vocals for BOTH Ric Ocasek and Ben Orr due to our "Ric" being out. LET'S GO! 🎵🏁❤️ www.theelectriccarsband.com

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Contemporaries often view life 500-1500 years ago as bearing zero resemblance to modern life (at least in industrialized countries). While on the whole that's true, there were occupations in Visigoth Spain, Norman France, and Stuart Scotland still with us today: www.mentalfloss.com/history/medi...

mentalfloss.com

5 Medieval Jobs That Never Really Disappeared

Believe it or not, these jobs from the Middle Ages still exist in 2026.

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Spent a wonderful day in the city yesterday. Doodled around on a vintage bass amp before picking up my great old friend and onto a pub crawl. Even in the gloomiest of weather, #Chicago in the summer can't be beat.

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Yet another rainy day. Major Tom wonders when it's gonna stop?

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Introduce yourself as what almost killed you. “Oh hey! I'm Stage Four metastatic cancer. Oh sure, I killed your first wife over a slow 14 months - wasn't that fun to witness? - but I remember almost taking you as collateral because you were having difficulty living when she died. Cheers!"

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I'm not sure if AOC is or is not going to be the front-runner in '28, but the pendulum is absolutely swinging away from the grotesque, obscene dinosaurs trying their best to keep our country fearfully divided. An undercurrent of a watershed is brewing. www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

theguardian.com

Is the US ready for President Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

The New York congresswoman’s power is in the spotlight as people wonder if the stars are finally aligning for her to run for US president in 2028

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

A friendly reminder: you're going to die. And very likely, you're going to experience the death of close people die in advance of yours. Worrying about things will do you zero good. Everything is going to fade away. Worrying will now or at your grave. Let it go. NOW. Happy Friday.

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Baron von Awesome @ryanilbasso.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Pretty excited (and slightly nervous). My #TheCars tribute band, www.theelectriccarsband.com, is playing a Michigan gig 8/28. I will assume lead vocal duties as both Ben Orr and Ric Ocasek. So, am I called "Bic" or "Ren" that night? I love a challenge. LET'S GO! 🎵🔥❤️🏁

theelectriccarsband.com

The Electric Cars | Chicago Area Cars Tribute Band

Chicago's premiere tribute to The Cars. The Cars Tribute Band The Electric Cars Chicago

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