flash mob
(FLASH mawb) n.
A large group of people who gather in a usually predetermined location, perform some brief action, and then quickly disperse.

I’ve seen flashmob stories scattered around the internet before, but this week was the first time I’d seen a post about actually participating. Via Austinist:

“We aren’t saying, we’re just sayin’ that this Thursday a little before 8pm, there may be tons of people who just so happen to show up at Auditorium Shores with backpacks containing pillows. And all those people might, just might, at the stroke of 8pm as indicated by the ringing of the bell tower, and not a moment before, bust out their pillows and engage in a balls-out pillow fight the likes of which has never been seen before.”

I’d talked about it *all* week, but at the last minute, was on the fence about going. Jef made me realize how much I’d regret it if I didn’t go. When else was I going to have this chance? I was running late (big surprise), and was still a few hundred yards away when everyone started yelling - damn!

The energy seemed to come in waves, the center of the crowd being the most furious. People were exhausted from laughing and swinging, so they’d fall out to the sides and fight a little slower. When they’d caught their breath, they’d run back to the center and you could see (and hear) the energy level rise again. Just when you’d think it was going to die down, a new wave would start again. Even the people who were watching (me included) were doubled over with laughter. The crowd was made up of exactly who I thought it would be, maybe 80% young college kids and the rest a total hodge podge of old, young and you-name-it. Some were more aggressive that others, and it had nothing to do with gender, but they’d fall and laugh help eachother up.

A little while later, from the other side of the park, we eventually heard a round of huge cheers and saw a lone police car slowly driving up to the crowd and everyone walked away. Austin’s first (Pillow) Fight Club was over.

It was good fun, and I bet they all slept like babies last night.

More Photos

Pillow Fight a Success!
(via Austinist)

Video
(via Statesman)