Fresno Famous

I was out of town for most of the weekend (meaning Saturday to Monday), but I thought I'd highlight some stuff I did.

* M. Ward@ Fox Theater in Visalia.

Here is what I know about Mr. M. Ward: The M stands for Matt. He did an album with Zooey Deschanel that I don't own but absolutely love. He has a song that goes something like, "You're like a roll-a-coaster. You're like a heavy-metal dream."
That's it.
So, I was going into this show pretty much blind (or deaf? What's the proper metaphor?). It's a fine way to go about things from time to time.

My thoughts: The opening band was, "eh." They had a name, but I can't remember it. That's how "eh" they were. Something Fontaine? I actually enjoyed the style of their music a whole lot. I've just heard it done a lot better. Still, I would be less harsh on them then the people I was with. Twitter from the show: What was up with the opening band? They so should be playing a bowling alley.
M. Ward was pretty marvelous. He has a stage presence and persona that is totally engaging in this awkwardly charming way, back turned the audience, casting glances over his shoulder.
Though, not being a M. Ward fan, I have to wonder about his set. My take had always been he was more of a singer/songwriting/crooner type and there were those moments. But for the most part, the show was pretty rocking. He even busted out "Roll Over Beethoven," complete with Chuck Berry solos and almost-duck walk. I wonder if real M. Ward fans were a bit put off. That said, everyone seemed to be having a great time and the man came back for two encores. We screamed for a third, then left.

The Fox Theater is an awesome place for these more (or less) low-key shows, but I wouldn't want to get full-on rockin' in the aisles and there is no space in front of the stage for people who want to really get up close and personal like.

Also: The audience skewed a lot older than I thought it would. Which led me to wonder about the demographics of M. Ward fans. Or do people in Visalia just come out to support things like this.

* A trip to Ikea.

I had never been to an Ikea. But I assumed it was a wonderful, magical place because I'd seen its furniture and it was practical and pretty and cheap. Plus, when people talked Ikea, it was always with such reverence. Surely, the place must be holy land for home shopping.

I say no.

Ikea is total sensory overload and the whole thing is a bit disorienting. There is just too much. Too much to see, to feel, to be a part of. And not in a good way. The place is a literal maze of product stretching across several floors. They offer maps and you need to use them. I couldn't find the bathroom. I couldn't find the exit.

There's lot of room set-ups to give you an idea of how things might work in practice (a bed here, a table/storage unit there. Here a rug, there a rug...) but the actual items are kept in some other part of the store. So everything is a search. All the items are price tagged, but it's difficult to tell what is which and all the Swedish names don't help. The place is Swedish, right?

Anyway, two hours later we had to ask for helping finding our way out "Just follow the arrows on the ground," he says, and smiles knowingly. He must get that a lot.

This was on a Monday afternoon and after I needed a nap.
I can only imagine what it's like on Saturday.
Ikea in Fresno? I'm rethinking my stance.