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Scandinavian Vacation
Nov. 16th, 2007 01:11 amI took a day off from work so I could go to the Ikea opening in Orlando and spend a day with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
moonwolf and nanashi_jones, followed by the Nightwish concert.
Ikea wasn't really a surprise since I had the chance to visit one in Phoenix (I had never been to one when I lived in Finland, mind you), but apparently they're all fairly identical. Still, it's within range of furniture and perishable food transport with my car, and once some measuring and decorating decisions have been made, I will be back to spend more money. I did introducemoonwolf to it and she was pretty impressed. The store wasn't too packed, although parking did overflow into grass lots nearby; plenty of police and event staff kept traffic and parking working well.
Orlando people were nice, as always, and I got to see Liana's parents too for a quick dinner.
The Nightwish concert was simply outstanding.
I got caught trying to bring in a camera at the pat-down, so there are no pictures (although people with much bigger ones had managed to smuggle theirs in somehow.) I did try to use my cell phone, but I doubt those will be worth posting. The venue, Club Firestone, was not too bad, similar to the Masquerade in Tampa, although more upscale, with a VIP bar and good ventilation, if a smaller stage; despite coming in while the opening band, Paradise Lost, was already playing, I got within 10' or so of the stage. The sound was typical concert sound, which is to say way too loud to make anything out and much too drum/bass heavy, but ear plugs helped much.
Now, what truly made the concert so great was the band (well, obviously!) There was virtually no light show, no effects, no changing of costumes, just a bunch of guys playing instruments on stage and a girl singing -- and none of the trappings were missed. The entire gig the band interacted with the audience, goofed off with each other and the audience, and just in general looked like they were having a blast. Anette, the new lead singer, connects with the audience incredibly well (and looked stunningly gorgeous doing it), and Erno, the lead guitarist isn't far behind. This concert was a far cry from the last time I saw them in 2000 in Oulu, where the chemistry didn't really seem to be there and the lead singer at the time stormed off after the concert in a huff. The way the band's attitude affected the entire feel of the concert was amazing, and I absolutely will go see them again if the opportunity presents itself.
moonwolf and nanashi_jones, followed by the Nightwish concert. Ikea wasn't really a surprise since I had the chance to visit one in Phoenix (I had never been to one when I lived in Finland, mind you), but apparently they're all fairly identical. Still, it's within range of furniture and perishable food transport with my car, and once some measuring and decorating decisions have been made, I will be back to spend more money. I did introduce
moonwolf to it and she was pretty impressed. The store wasn't too packed, although parking did overflow into grass lots nearby; plenty of police and event staff kept traffic and parking working well.Orlando people were nice, as always, and I got to see Liana's parents too for a quick dinner.
The Nightwish concert was simply outstanding.
I got caught trying to bring in a camera at the pat-down, so there are no pictures (although people with much bigger ones had managed to smuggle theirs in somehow.) I did try to use my cell phone, but I doubt those will be worth posting. The venue, Club Firestone, was not too bad, similar to the Masquerade in Tampa, although more upscale, with a VIP bar and good ventilation, if a smaller stage; despite coming in while the opening band, Paradise Lost, was already playing, I got within 10' or so of the stage. The sound was typical concert sound, which is to say way too loud to make anything out and much too drum/bass heavy, but ear plugs helped much.
Now, what truly made the concert so great was the band (well, obviously!) There was virtually no light show, no effects, no changing of costumes, just a bunch of guys playing instruments on stage and a girl singing -- and none of the trappings were missed. The entire gig the band interacted with the audience, goofed off with each other and the audience, and just in general looked like they were having a blast. Anette, the new lead singer, connects with the audience incredibly well (and looked stunningly gorgeous doing it), and Erno, the lead guitarist isn't far behind. This concert was a far cry from the last time I saw them in 2000 in Oulu, where the chemistry didn't really seem to be there and the lead singer at the time stormed off after the concert in a huff. The way the band's attitude affected the entire feel of the concert was amazing, and I absolutely will go see them again if the opportunity presents itself.
