Baron von Awesome
@ryanilbasso.bsky.social
I am here - life - to learn and share as much as possible.
I'm not interested in monetizing or "branding" myself on SM. As John Lydon once said (paraphrasing), "You can't make me. I AM me."
Polymath-ish. Often busy.
Clues: ✝️🗣🎶🎤🎸🏰🦅🍻✈️⚾️🏈📖🖋🇺🇸🏴🏴🇮🇹🇩🇪♥️
I'm not interested in monetizing or "branding" myself on SM. As John Lydon once said (paraphrasing), "You can't make me. I AM me."
Polymath-ish. Often busy.
Clues: ✝️🗣🎶🎤🎸🏰🦅🍻✈️⚾️🏈📖🖋🇺🇸🏴🏴🇮🇹🇩🇪♥️
Don't nostalgicly remember Martin Luther King, Jr.
Remember instead his sacrifices to forward "a more perfect union". We're getting there; the evidence in both history and contemporary times show it, despite the outsized bullhorn of that dying snake.
salish-current.org/2026/01/19/t...
Remember instead his sacrifices to forward "a more perfect union". We're getting there; the evidence in both history and contemporary times show it, despite the outsized bullhorn of that dying snake.
salish-current.org/2026/01/19/t...
The MLK we're allowed to remember
Commentary: It's the same song, different verse, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026.
salish-current.org
January 19, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Don't nostalgicly remember Martin Luther King, Jr.
Remember instead his sacrifices to forward "a more perfect union". We're getting there; the evidence in both history and contemporary times show it, despite the outsized bullhorn of that dying snake.
salish-current.org/2026/01/19/t...
Remember instead his sacrifices to forward "a more perfect union". We're getting there; the evidence in both history and contemporary times show it, despite the outsized bullhorn of that dying snake.
salish-current.org/2026/01/19/t...
Stevie Van Zandt, the long-time guitarist for Bruce Springsteen, just retweeted my tweet regarding a field goal by the Bears Cairo Santos (NBC did a crappy job showing that kick).
So I got that going for me.
Go Bears!
So I got that going for me.
Go Bears!
January 19, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Stevie Van Zandt, the long-time guitarist for Bruce Springsteen, just retweeted my tweet regarding a field goal by the Bears Cairo Santos (NBC did a crappy job showing that kick).
So I got that going for me.
Go Bears!
So I got that going for me.
Go Bears!
It is abhorrent that the executive branch of the United States, still supported by ~30% of the population, is destroying decades and even centuries-old global friendships and alliances.
The executive branch's end can't come soon enough.
And the 30% needs to be marginalized.
The executive branch's end can't come soon enough.
And the 30% needs to be marginalized.
January 18, 2026 at 11:46 AM
It is abhorrent that the executive branch of the United States, still supported by ~30% of the population, is destroying decades and even centuries-old global friendships and alliances.
The executive branch's end can't come soon enough.
And the 30% needs to be marginalized.
The executive branch's end can't come soon enough.
And the 30% needs to be marginalized.
Tonight's office.
6 bands auditioning, including mine.
30 county reps across Illinois to listen and potentially offer said bands slots at county fairs this year, as well as a slot to play the Illinois State Fair.
Let's Go! 🎵
www.theelectriccarsband.com
6 bands auditioning, including mine.
30 county reps across Illinois to listen and potentially offer said bands slots at county fairs this year, as well as a slot to play the Illinois State Fair.
Let's Go! 🎵
www.theelectriccarsband.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:42 AM
Tonight's office.
6 bands auditioning, including mine.
30 county reps across Illinois to listen and potentially offer said bands slots at county fairs this year, as well as a slot to play the Illinois State Fair.
Let's Go! 🎵
www.theelectriccarsband.com
6 bands auditioning, including mine.
30 county reps across Illinois to listen and potentially offer said bands slots at county fairs this year, as well as a slot to play the Illinois State Fair.
Let's Go! 🎵
www.theelectriccarsband.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Our rehearsal space last night. WOW. I have moved ⬆️ with my new band, www.theelectriccarsband.com
I've been busting hump preparing material since Christmas.
And we are auditioning tomorrow for events planning representatives for each county in my state.
Let's Go! 🎵👊
I've been busting hump preparing material since Christmas.
And we are auditioning tomorrow for events planning representatives for each county in my state.
Let's Go! 🎵👊
January 15, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Our rehearsal space last night. WOW. I have moved ⬆️ with my new band, www.theelectriccarsband.com
I've been busting hump preparing material since Christmas.
And we are auditioning tomorrow for events planning representatives for each county in my state.
Let's Go! 🎵👊
I've been busting hump preparing material since Christmas.
And we are auditioning tomorrow for events planning representatives for each county in my state.
Let's Go! 🎵👊
#Greenland, your citizens are far better off.
Don't make this stupid and irresponsible deal if that dummy offers you $.
Don't make this stupid and irresponsible deal if that dummy offers you $.
January 14, 2026 at 5:05 PM
#Greenland, your citizens are far better off.
Don't make this stupid and irresponsible deal if that dummy offers you $.
Don't make this stupid and irresponsible deal if that dummy offers you $.
When politicians overtly push religion or pastors overtly push politics, it's a dangerous thing for a secular, Constitutional republic.
January 14, 2026 at 12:59 PM
When politicians overtly push religion or pastors overtly push politics, it's a dangerous thing for a secular, Constitutional republic.
Great learning a ton of Cars tunes with my new tribute band, www.theelectriccarsband.com
Never thought I'd be belting out classics as "Let's Go", "Just What I Needed", "Drive", etc.
Also learning party tunes from Prince, B52s, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Pink, etc.
A bangin' '26 on tap.
Never thought I'd be belting out classics as "Let's Go", "Just What I Needed", "Drive", etc.
Also learning party tunes from Prince, B52s, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Pink, etc.
A bangin' '26 on tap.
The Electric Cars | Chicago Area Cars Tribute Band
Chicago's premiere tribute to The Cars.
The Cars Tribute Band
The Electric Cars
Chicago
www.theelectriccarsband.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Great learning a ton of Cars tunes with my new tribute band, www.theelectriccarsband.com
Never thought I'd be belting out classics as "Let's Go", "Just What I Needed", "Drive", etc.
Also learning party tunes from Prince, B52s, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Pink, etc.
A bangin' '26 on tap.
Never thought I'd be belting out classics as "Let's Go", "Just What I Needed", "Drive", etc.
Also learning party tunes from Prince, B52s, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Pink, etc.
A bangin' '26 on tap.
Two shots in two different bands about 4 years apart ('13 and '17).
January 14, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Two shots in two different bands about 4 years apart ('13 and '17).
The little man couldn't take the auto workers' truthful comments back to him as he toured a plant today.
And so the American President finally did something truthful in return: he showed those workers his IQ.
And so the American President finally did something truthful in return: he showed those workers his IQ.
January 14, 2026 at 12:50 AM
The little man couldn't take the auto workers' truthful comments back to him as he toured a plant today.
And so the American President finally did something truthful in return: he showed those workers his IQ.
And so the American President finally did something truthful in return: he showed those workers his IQ.
Let's see:
-Bears won their first playoff game since 2011 because...
-They beat the !@#%%ing Packers, and...
-Aaron Rodgers threw a Pick 6 in his final snap of his NFL career last evening.
If you're a @chicagobearsnews.bsky.social fan, this is about as good as it gets!
-Bears won their first playoff game since 2011 because...
-They beat the !@#%%ing Packers, and...
-Aaron Rodgers threw a Pick 6 in his final snap of his NFL career last evening.
If you're a @chicagobearsnews.bsky.social fan, this is about as good as it gets!
January 13, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Let's see:
-Bears won their first playoff game since 2011 because...
-They beat the !@#%%ing Packers, and...
-Aaron Rodgers threw a Pick 6 in his final snap of his NFL career last evening.
If you're a @chicagobearsnews.bsky.social fan, this is about as good as it gets!
-Bears won their first playoff game since 2011 because...
-They beat the !@#%%ing Packers, and...
-Aaron Rodgers threw a Pick 6 in his final snap of his NFL career last evening.
If you're a @chicagobearsnews.bsky.social fan, this is about as good as it gets!
Memories from 2016.
The band I was in then, Backbeat Taxi, covered classic rock tunes from the 60s-70s (Cream, Beatles, ZZ Top), although some contemporary stuff (White Stripes, Decembrists, Guster).
Was great to get back into a band after a long 3 years.
The band I was in then, Backbeat Taxi, covered classic rock tunes from the 60s-70s (Cream, Beatles, ZZ Top), although some contemporary stuff (White Stripes, Decembrists, Guster).
Was great to get back into a band after a long 3 years.
January 12, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Memories from 2016.
The band I was in then, Backbeat Taxi, covered classic rock tunes from the 60s-70s (Cream, Beatles, ZZ Top), although some contemporary stuff (White Stripes, Decembrists, Guster).
Was great to get back into a band after a long 3 years.
The band I was in then, Backbeat Taxi, covered classic rock tunes from the 60s-70s (Cream, Beatles, ZZ Top), although some contemporary stuff (White Stripes, Decembrists, Guster).
Was great to get back into a band after a long 3 years.
Auditioning for the state fair next weekend.
Followed by two local gigs the subsequent two weekends.
And I'm only a few weeks in to the band.
Piece o' cake.
Let's Go!
theelectriccarsband.com
#TragicBlondeVacation
Followed by two local gigs the subsequent two weekends.
And I'm only a few weeks in to the band.
Piece o' cake.
Let's Go!
theelectriccarsband.com
#TragicBlondeVacation
January 11, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Auditioning for the state fair next weekend.
Followed by two local gigs the subsequent two weekends.
And I'm only a few weeks in to the band.
Piece o' cake.
Let's Go!
theelectriccarsband.com
#TragicBlondeVacation
Followed by two local gigs the subsequent two weekends.
And I'm only a few weeks in to the band.
Piece o' cake.
Let's Go!
theelectriccarsband.com
#TragicBlondeVacation
I think I've just had a heart attack.
Or was that just the shredded cheese?
DA BEARZZZZZ! 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻
Or was that just the shredded cheese?
DA BEARZZZZZ! 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻
January 11, 2026 at 4:40 AM
I think I've just had a heart attack.
Or was that just the shredded cheese?
DA BEARZZZZZ! 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻
Or was that just the shredded cheese?
DA BEARZZZZZ! 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻
Iran: demonstrating against an authoritarian theocracy.
America: the majority demonstrating against a shadow authoritarian theocracy.
2026 could actually end up a great year.
America: the majority demonstrating against a shadow authoritarian theocracy.
2026 could actually end up a great year.
January 11, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Iran: demonstrating against an authoritarian theocracy.
America: the majority demonstrating against a shadow authoritarian theocracy.
2026 could actually end up a great year.
America: the majority demonstrating against a shadow authoritarian theocracy.
2026 could actually end up a great year.
34°F. Wet. Windy. Intermittent snow, rain, and graupel.
Perfect day for an hour hike.
Perfect day for an hour hike.
January 10, 2026 at 7:13 PM
34°F. Wet. Windy. Intermittent snow, rain, and graupel.
Perfect day for an hour hike.
Perfect day for an hour hike.
Our band is being asked to audition to play at the Illinois State Fair next summer. Our agent recommended us after another band canceled.
The audition is this Friday.
And we have a gig the weekend after that.
And I'm new to the group.
LFG! 👊🎵
www.theelectriccarsband.com
The audition is this Friday.
And we have a gig the weekend after that.
And I'm new to the group.
LFG! 👊🎵
www.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
www.theelectriccarsband.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Our band is being asked to audition to play at the Illinois State Fair next summer. Our agent recommended us after another band canceled.
The audition is this Friday.
And we have a gig the weekend after that.
And I'm new to the group.
LFG! 👊🎵
www.theelectriccarsband.com
The audition is this Friday.
And we have a gig the weekend after that.
And I'm new to the group.
LFG! 👊🎵
www.theelectriccarsband.com
Weekend breakfasts are the best breakfasts.
January 10, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Weekend breakfasts are the best breakfasts.
Date Night yesterday. Enjoyed a 3-cocktail bar crawl.
First was The Guild, in Wheaton, IL, a combo cocktail bar/bookstore/coffee shop.
Below it, is the incredible Subourbon, a subterranean spirits bar with a Speakeasy vibe.
Wrapped at Evolet Eve in our town.
Fun evening!
First was The Guild, in Wheaton, IL, a combo cocktail bar/bookstore/coffee shop.
Below it, is the incredible Subourbon, a subterranean spirits bar with a Speakeasy vibe.
Wrapped at Evolet Eve in our town.
Fun evening!
January 10, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Date Night yesterday. Enjoyed a 3-cocktail bar crawl.
First was The Guild, in Wheaton, IL, a combo cocktail bar/bookstore/coffee shop.
Below it, is the incredible Subourbon, a subterranean spirits bar with a Speakeasy vibe.
Wrapped at Evolet Eve in our town.
Fun evening!
First was The Guild, in Wheaton, IL, a combo cocktail bar/bookstore/coffee shop.
Below it, is the incredible Subourbon, a subterranean spirits bar with a Speakeasy vibe.
Wrapped at Evolet Eve in our town.
Fun evening!
Happy Friday eve.
Out of the bargain bin at a local grocery store for $3.99 for 4, 16oz cans.
Not the biggest double IPA fan in the world, but this local brewery (Mikerphone) in my area has cred.
And as DIPAs go, this is a good one. And that it was reduced cost, for sure.
Hop bomb incoming!
Out of the bargain bin at a local grocery store for $3.99 for 4, 16oz cans.
Not the biggest double IPA fan in the world, but this local brewery (Mikerphone) in my area has cred.
And as DIPAs go, this is a good one. And that it was reduced cost, for sure.
Hop bomb incoming!
January 8, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Happy Friday eve.
Out of the bargain bin at a local grocery store for $3.99 for 4, 16oz cans.
Not the biggest double IPA fan in the world, but this local brewery (Mikerphone) in my area has cred.
And as DIPAs go, this is a good one. And that it was reduced cost, for sure.
Hop bomb incoming!
Out of the bargain bin at a local grocery store for $3.99 for 4, 16oz cans.
Not the biggest double IPA fan in the world, but this local brewery (Mikerphone) in my area has cred.
And as DIPAs go, this is a good one. And that it was reduced cost, for sure.
Hop bomb incoming!
Just got commissioned to be the bass section leader in a concert opera of Verdi's "Don Carlo" in Lake Forest, IL this summer.
Already having just joined an active tribute rock-n-roll band - and with all the other features of my life - will have to think this one through carefully.
Already having just joined an active tribute rock-n-roll band - and with all the other features of my life - will have to think this one through carefully.
January 8, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Just got commissioned to be the bass section leader in a concert opera of Verdi's "Don Carlo" in Lake Forest, IL this summer.
Already having just joined an active tribute rock-n-roll band - and with all the other features of my life - will have to think this one through carefully.
Already having just joined an active tribute rock-n-roll band - and with all the other features of my life - will have to think this one through carefully.