"Do something random and absurd" was Chris Rish's way of describing his reasons for hosting a kite fight. In reality it was way more than that. Rish, a film professor at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Tampa, said the event was "an experiment in a new way of communicating. It's an attempt to build something from nothing."

His idea was to use his and his students' social media contacts to spread the word about something odd — like a kite fight — and see who would come. He instructed his students to show up, bring at least one friend or relative, and send the information about the event to all of their Facebook, Twitter and other networks. Rish also contacted media outlets, including Creative Loafing.

The result? About 10 people, six kites and two media people. Rish denies having any expectations about outcomes. According to him, the day was about trying to direct people's time and energy, and teaching his students about the power — and limitations — of communicating through social media. He hopes to continue to schedule other random events and develop a following for the "random and absurd."