Valentine's day Pillow Fight

As the clock struck 6 people started attacking each other without mercy, every one was on one another,nobody got just one blow they got several hits. They try to hit back some succeed and some just missed. However, they never stopped just keep trying hit each other, on the valentine's day 2009 in Justin Herman plaza, with their deadly weapons,"pillows". Yes I am talking about the Pillow fight. Unbelievable sight!!!. Thousands of pillows was just flinging around. I just couldn't have imagined how people can just jump out of their comfort zone and start hitting completely random strangers without a second thought with their pillow and when people get hit by other people's pillow, they enjoyed it as well.

My girl friend (Caitlin) and I want to do something cool and different this Valentine's day and she found out about the pillow fight in San Francisco in Justin Herman Plaza . We were looking forward towards it. We decided no matter what will happen we are going to do it. Then lately we heard the news that the weekend of Valentine's day will be rainy and wet but it didn't effect our decision we bought ponchos as the rescue plan. However it didn't rain during the pillow fight hours.

So, This was the fourth successful pillow fight in the row. I will not talk more about the history and whereabouts because it all available on-line. I will be talking about how does it feel to be there in the "Pillow War Zone".

So before we couldn't even start the pillow fight around 5:45 pm there was these people dressed up as UN officers were protesting against the pillow fight. For an instance we thought they are real UN people and they want to stop pillow fight but soon we realized that it was just joke(As seen on flyer:) ). However for those who don't know what "UN" is; UN stand for UNO which is acronym for United Nations Organizations. I am not being condescending here because I saw couple people went to the UN fake officers and start asking what "un" stands for? they didn't have any clue whatsoever that there is something called UN. Which kind of spoiled the joke. They were just handing out flyers.

At 6 sharp I got my firs pillow hit on my face and then another followed the first one on my neck it didn't take time for me to realize that I have to start attacking soon. I just start flinging my pillow in all the direction. And it is the same scene all over Justin Herman Plaza. People were dressed in different interesting costumes; A set of Zombies(they were just maneuvering within the crowd pillow less, and every body was hitting them), People were dressed in sleeping robes, people were dressed as super heroes, Ninjas. There was a DJ as well riding on his bike ,carrying his speakers on it, moving all over the arena.

After 45 minutes or so some pillows started getting torn and in 15 minutes or so whole area was filled pillow feather It just looked like snow all over. People didn't care about it they were just keep hitting each other with the same animosity ;). Apart from the main arena people were doing extreme pillow fights in different groups. It was all very well managed by the participants despite of such pillow brutality there were no fights what so ever which is really very good about it. It was all in the name of just simple fun.

There were so many moments but this is the one I remember most. So, there was this couple they were actively participating in pillow fight and then the girl dropped her pillow her boyfriend helped her to get it back and then they just kissed each other. It was so "cheesy ";kissing in the fore ground and lots and lots of jumping pillows in the back ground. However, they just didn't realize that it was in the middle of pillow fight ...hahaha




Cheers
Mragendra

The Change

This is one of the cheesiest poem I ever wrote. But I think it was very inspirational still in a cheesy way. I have modified it a little bit as well form the original version..trust me this is better then the actual version..but still after reading this if you insist here is the link to the actual version. Hope you like this :)

THE CHANGE

the time has changed,
as it was before
now it's the time
which will change more and more
noway to rescue it
no way to stop it
only left is to realize
that we are stuck with it
this rigidity of thoughts will take us to the new world
Where false ego and complex will have there consequences manifold
relinquish the obstinate attitude, look amicably to change
will soon realize there is no loss
but have gain and only gain


Cheers
Mragendra

Scary Cow Screening 02/07/2009 Castro Theatre, San Francisco,CA

when ideas turn into dreams and dreams need to get fulfilled, The 7th Scary Cow Indie Film Festival is the place where one can see how dreams materialize. A nice initiative by the Scary Cow guys. The screening was nice and lot of people showed up to the lovely Castro theater. They had a Red Carpet and a real Scary Cow(awesome). This was my first experience in any kind of film screening and I enjoyed it.

The festival was divided into four sections:

1. Phase 1
   
2. Intermission
3. Phase 2
   
4. After party.
   

PHASE I:
In phase one there are 13 short films ranging from 2 minutes to 10 minutes. I will like to talk the movies I don't like and the films which I like most.

Previews:

1. team 21's preview was "Lifeline" interesting concept but not made me want to wait for the film. I will rate it 1.5 of 5.
2. Team 25's preview was "Don't Call us..." what in the world was that.My rating 0/5.
   

Short films:

1. Team 20's short film was "Mission Tales"(Documentary). My comments was good effort in a boring way. Just try to provide the basis why did you choose a specific guy. I mean think of all the people who don't live in San Francisco. It was just like we are listening to some guy he is interesting but we don't know what he is blabbing about. I will rate this as 2/5.
2. Team 34's Short film was "Miniature Ambitions". Good work Lads!! Nice concepts and good acting. Funny but something which doesn't stick out too much. I will rate this film as 3/5.
3. Team 5's Short film was "Gorilla Boy". What in the world was that. Not a good screen play. its general story about infidelity and teenage kids. I personally didn't like but the good news is you took the initiative. My rating 2/5.
4. Team 30's Music video was "Waiting Game". Good effort but a wee bit cheesy. Did not stick out too much. My rating is 2.5/5.
5. Team 23's Short Film was "Eat Pray Whatever".Good work guys. I will say it seems like best usage of limited resources, and it is true; to make a good film you just need the good concept and a clear vision. Pretty good I would say. My rating is 4.5/5.
6. Team 17's Short Film was "The Naming Party". I liked the concept, the acting and jokes. Good job. My rating is 4/5.
7. Team 12's Non Fiction Rant "Rantz". Awful, Everybody is so angry and blaming others. Very Negative in outlook. But you know its a free country you are allow to have your view and i am allowed to have my own views and in my view the rating is 0/5.
8. Team 32's Short film was "Play Someting". Good work. I like the song "creepy craig." A nice short story where people can show an awful lot of acting skills. Good concept and good execution. my rating is 4.5/5.
9. Team 33's "the Notes in the Hat". Another Good movie, good screen play and funny. my ratings 4/5.
10. Team 36 's "Vampsploitation." Mind blowing concept . Awesome footage. Still need improvement. my ratings are 3/5

Overall my favorites were "Eat Pray Whatever", "Play Something" and "The Notes in the hat".

PHASE II :
Previews:

Team 3's upcoming movie "the Pitch". Seems good but unoriginal. I would like to see the whole film though.my rating 3/5.

Short Films:

1. Team 2's "Thirst": What in the world was that. I will say good concept poor execution and not a lot in plate to offer. I will give 0.5 /5 for this one.
2. Team 14's "S for Psycho": Good one I like it. Good use of limited resources. Awesome ideas and very cool execution. Jokes were very fresh and intelligent. Good Job guys. I will give them 4.75/5.
3. Team 31's "Die Mekaniks": Again a good execution of a good concept. It more of Art like. I enjoyed it but half the time I was wondering what is going on. In the end it made a lot of sense. I will give 4.5/5 for this one.

In Phase II my favorites were "S for Psycho" and "Die Mekaniks".

We never made to the after party so we don't know who are the winners. In the end I will say good work Scary Cow. I am looking forward to another Screening.

Cheers
Mragendra
P.S. These reviews are my personal views. I do not intend to hurt anybody but for constructive criticism . I am not affiliated with Scary Cow in any form except as audience.