The Peak of Mischief

As it has been another three months, another season is coming to a close in Pokémon Go, and it's the one marked by mischief of a certain nature, mostly due to the "'real' lord of the rings" that is Hoopa. And it's true - a good deal of mischief had occurred in Pokémon Go in different ways. Yet perhaps that could also be said to have happened in some ways outside of Pokémon Go. Thus, as with previous posts on the end of seasons, the discussion treatment will be loose and general without it being specifically focused on Pokémon Go, though quite a bit still will be.

In Pokémon Go, thanks to its appearance, Trainers have had to do a bit more work than usual thanks to the appearance of Hoopa, unfolding as an episodic Special Research of its own that also progresses with specific events, which for this month was during the entire Festival of Lights, including its "shadow" portion. Then, this was capped off by the "Unbound" portion of this program that requires either finishing that episodic set or paying for it (or both, if one wanted to double up). This additional work could be construed by some as an "annoyance", though others might take it in stride and consider it "playful". Either way, it seems to live up to the way that the Pokémon is, being the Mischief Pokémon.

Meanwhile, another current big "mischief maker" is Pokémon Unite as its battles unfold and new Pokémon join the fray, which sometimes is initially regarded as "playful" but has often turned out to be an "annoyance" instead - until Trainers and the game get over them and order is restored, at least temporarily. The recently released "Sinnoh remakes" have not (yet) been proven to be a "mischief maker", but if certain issues come up - as has been the case for many main series games since the sixth generation - then they'll surely be patched out before mischief of the unintended kind occurs.

Even so, some of the viewpoints above may be understandable. "Mischief" can be more or less described as a "playful annoyance" of a minor extent by its definition. In some ways, things have been like that, at least unless they get too major, which hasn't been the case. In any case, however, it seems that everyone has gotten a taste of the "peak" of things even if "mischief" has been solely related to Pokémon Go over the past three months.

Now, as expected, a new season will kick off tomorrow in Pokémon Go. Yet compared to previous seasons, the information for this has presently been scant and seemingly as well as comparatively late, which may (or may not) be another form of mischief. It may just be one more thing to tide over as the pages of mischief turn away for these new pages.

One year ago: The State of Nominations, Part 7

Two years ago: Cosplay: UC Bunkasai

Three years ago: Local EX Raid (and Rain, Again), 11/30/2018

Four years ago: Feature Film 20 - "Pokémon The Movie - I Choose You!"

Road of 25th Anniversary: Sparkling Steps

If my coverage of the big 25th Pokémon anniversary last month revolved around some "penultimate resolutions", it may be said that the happenings this month depart from that and take a stroll on the dazzling side. Thus, in a way, they could be described as taking a few "sparkling steps" from that. There's one obvious one for this, but that's for a bit later; the couple of other happenings, regardless of and along with that one, deserves to be known as well.

Since all the known game regions have been featured on the anniversary web site, there's not much more that can be done for that, having been resolved last month. Yet it is also known that between Kanto and Johto, there was the Orange Islands, a region specific to the Pokémon anime and where a certain hero got his first "sparkle". The official Pokémon YouTube channel uploaded a few clips from the Orange Islands at the beginning of this month, which is certainly to honor this region. In fact, for those who enjoy a good throwback, anime clips that have been posted over the course of this year are also available there, so I recommend watching them to "retread the sparkling path" of the anime.

For something really sparkly, there are Pokémon crystals - yes, real crystals - to be had. In collaboration with Baccarat, a few Pokémon creations have been made, including a really neat Pikachu figurine and a Poké Ball. These creations are obviously somewhat on the luxurious side, but for dedicated and very rich fans, these are certainly like no other and would deserve a spot in one's collection. The icons that they feature are not too shabby or dull either, and Pikachu lends its own "sparkle" as part of the collection. 

Of course, the most sparkling things Pokémon-wise to come out of this month are the Sinnoh remake games that were released about one and a half weeks ago, which I also cannot mention enough. They couldn't be timed any more perfectly than in an anniversary year and in effect celebrates the anniversary much like everything else. For that, they really need to be gotten and played if at all possible.

I also can't stress enough that the big anniversary year is really winding down, with only two more full months left for at least a few more things. But what I garner from the happenings this month is that there is always a chance to sparkle even for a little bit more or as a "last chance" before the party ends. That, with a little stroll, may just be what is really needed before turning over to the next anniversary moment.

One year ago: The Catch Cup of GBL

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 11/29/2019

Three years ago: Multiple Pathways to Evolution?

Four years ago: The Words of a Pikachu

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 11/28/2021

Looking over event rollups for this month over the past years (one of which was exactly last year - see below), November tends to not be a busy month in terms of events. But that seems to be quite different for this month in this year, with quite a few events, some short and others longer. That's significant, so it means the event rollup has to be significant as well, as all the events deserve to be highlighted in it.

Kicking off the month was a previously regional event that got to be enjoyed globally. That would be the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) event, as the Latin American spiritual celebration right next to Halloween. For two days (November 1 and 2, a selection of featured Pokémon appeared in the wild, by way of Incense and Lure Modules, and as Field Research rewards, all of which were also featured in a Collection Challenge. Incense and Lure Modules were extended to 1.5 hours, and Stardust from capture was doubled; Trainers in Latin America also enjoyed extra Candy from transfers as well as greater appearances of the featured Pokémon. Go Battle Day and Spotlight Hour also suited the event, as did the Research Breakthrough reward, a free event box, and a new clothing item. Since it's similar in vein to the more recognized Halloween, it made sense to celebrate it as well, this time globally for everyone to enjoy.

Moving on from Latin America, the Indian Festival of Lights (also known as Diwali) became a global celebration as well, from November 5 to 14. Dazzling and noble Pokémon - including Dedenne, for which this event was its debut - took to all the usual channels (including 7 km Eggs) as a special feature. To aid the celebration, Friendship levels rose twice as fast, more Gifts could be opened daily and rewarded more items, and new clothing and stickers appeared. India also received a special celebration on November 7 with 3 hours of double Candy from captures and increased appearances of Blitzle and Dedenne. As a subset of this event, Team Go Rocket appeared with a takeover from November 9 to 13 along with a different assortment of Shadow Pokémon, including the long awaited Shadow Lugia; throughout the takeover and aftermath, the move Frustration could also be forgotten. The interplay of light and shadow was fascinating, as was the entire event beyond its scope of India.

For Pokémon in general, the big thing this month was the release of the "Sinnoh remakes" this month, as Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Thus, an event had to celebrate exactly that, from November 16 to 21. For the event, the three starter Pokémon came out decked with hats like those of Lucas and Dawn, and they and other Pokémon characteristic of the games came out in all the usual channels, including 7 km Eggs that featured an assortment of fourth-generation baby Pokémon including the regional Mime Jr., making this its first global appearance. The starter Pokémon with the hats also made up a Collection Challenge, and along with the other featured Pokémon, also rotated to showcase each individual version. The whole event was capped off with new stickers, clothing items, and boxes of items to assist things, plus halved Egg hatch distance that was further helped by this month's Community Day, also appropriate in that regard. The celebration couldn't have been more fitting with all its elements.

The current season in Pokémon Go will end soon enough, but before that can happen, things have to finish with a bang. That's what the Ed Sheeran collaboration event is for, which started on November 22 last week up to the end of the month; yes, the pop star has some connection with Pokémon, so it's quite appropriate. For this event, Water-type starters are abound, as the ones Ed would pick when he plays the main series games. One of them is notably "cool", as this event marks the return of Squirtle with sunglasses, not seen since it was featured in Community Day three years ago, now available again in the wild, in Field Research, and in once-daily photo bombs. To set the mood further, an instrumental version of one of his songs also plays at night, a special performance is available for all to hear, a new clothing item is given by a code, and a box of items is available.

Also to end things with a bang is Hoopa's mischief run, which culminates with the Mischief Unbound event. Starting on November 26, the Special Research set of Mischief Unbound became available for those who completed the Misunderstood Mischief set, and/or can also be purchased if the former cannot be completed up until the end of the season; this paves the way for Hoopa Unbound to manifest by changing Hoopa's form. Further mischief is also at hand with daily Spotlight Hours at noon and daily Raid Hours up to tomorrow, with different assortments of Pokémon in each. The last bit of mischief also includes doubled capture XP and transfer Candy up to tomorrow, plus a new clothing item. This is a wild end, helped by its concurrence with the previous event.

It seems that because this month marks the end of a season, the events in Pokémon Go have to be significant, no matter how long or short they may be. And not only are they significant, they are also spectacular, notwithstanding general Pokémon events and the overarching theme of this season: mischief. Some of that may still be left to be had at this point, but at least it has been accounted for substantially over this month with all the events.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 11/28/2020

Two years ago: Keeping Gratitude in Mind

Three years ago: Sinnoh Stone: Agglomerating Evolution

Four years ago: Journeys and Adventures

The State of Nominations, Part 13

Sometimes, the progress of PokéStop nomination in Pokémon Go goes through as many changes as it goes through a period of constancy. In the past two months since my last update, that's exactly what happened: there have been lots of change, but lots of things also stayed the same. Both of them have affected the progress during that time.

For the hard numbers, I have to say that there isn't much change in this regard. I still have the 64 approvals, 13 superseded nominations, and 29 rejections from my last update. What really changed is the number of nominations in progress: currently, I have 17 nominations plus 3 renominations, which is a big increase indeed (though it also means that I also gained rejections). That was helped by the changes that have been put in place since the last time.

One of those changes is that the number of nominations has massively increased - this time for real, unlike the change that occurred one time and was quickly reversed. Now one can have up to 40 nomination slots at one time, and a slot is freed each day (for comparison, previously one had 7 slots that were only freed once every 14 days). While it's not conceivable that one will use up all 40 slots every single time - let alone find that many objects to be nominated - at least now one has much greater freedom to nominate whenever possible.

In fact, one now also has the freedom to nominate wherever possible. It is now possible to "nominate at home" (or wherever one may be) by furnishing the two required nomination photos - for the PokéStop itself and the supporting photo for the area - directly from the device gallery, though this comes with the caveat that the picture still has to be taken directly on site rather than taken from other sources. One can also hold completed nominations for uploading later, which is helpful for when the connection is not very good, allowing one to wait until good connection is found.

With this, now my nomination methodology has somewhat changed. Instead of researching the nomination object beforehand and then doing everything else on site, if I find an object that could be nominated, I take the two requisite photos, then do the research - likely at home as expected - and then I make the nomination. This reduces a lot of the guesswork that I sometimes have when nominating on site, the errors that might result from that, and the possibility of unwanted interactions from staying too long on site; with less of these, hopefully the nominations are better as well.

For now, though, it seems that it will have to be another two-month wait before I see the results from my nomination progress, having been affected by all of the changes above. In that two months - in other words, next year - there ought to be more changes to my nominations, as in the numbers and hopefully increased approval counts. The system is not likely to change within that time (and it hopefully shouldn't, as the changes above are truly beneficial), but one should expect good to change to great with all other things the same. 

One year ago: Go Onwards to Home

Two years ago: Herding the Last: Wooloo Sticker

Three years ago: Poké-Pareidolia

Four years ago: The Pacing of Types

The Joys and Sorrows of "Stealing the Lords"

Pokémon Unite is a MOBA game, and it's obvious that one part of that is "multiplayer". It's a characteristic that allows for interactions unlike those in single- or two-player games to occur. One of those kinds of interactions is the one that occurs with the "lords" of the game, and what happens when certain Pokémon are able to "steal" them. It becomes both a source of joy when it affects the opponent's team and sorrow when it affects one's team.

Before going any further, it helps to explain the associated terminologies. In MOBA parlance, the "lord" is a super enemy that is representative of the battle arenas, which when defeated grants the team that defeated it special bonuses. In Pokémon Unite, this is manifested as Zapdos in Remoat and Mer Stadiums, as well as Avalugg and Regigigas in Shivre City and Auroma Park. In some ways, Rotom and Drednaw in Remoat Stadium can also be considered to be minor "lords". "Stealing" any of these means to defeat them by making the final hit when it's the opposing team that actually did everything else. This can happen, certainly, because MOBA battles are more freeform and fought on multiple fronts, which allows for the possibility of hits coming from different parties, including the opposition, who might just be successful in landing the crucial final hit.

The joy, of course, is in securing the final hit for something that is desperately needed, like a Zapdos to open up scoring opportunities or a Drednaw for extra protection. The sorrow is conceding the same things to the opposing team by way of their well-timed steal. Another form of joy is being able to make the maneuver that makes the final hit possible, which also implies that another sorrow is in not being able to commit such a maneuver regardless of results. Further, it may be possible that after a steal, the earned bonus cannot be fully utilized, which is definitely a sorrow, but is a joy when it can be fully utilized. Thus, the joys and sorrows can and do manifest themselves in different ways.

A few Pokémon actors can be responsible for a steal, but some common ones presently are Cinderace and the recently introduced Decidueye. A commonality that these two have is that they can attack at certain extended distances, which is helpful for sneak attacks that make steal maneuvers possible. It also implies that the Trainers behind the Pokémon ought to get to know the ones they use, especially if they have capabilities that might be used to steal lords and gain an upper hand for their team.

In doing so, they can muster up the capabilities to create joy and hopefully avoid sorrow for their team through a steal. On the other hand, the other team might not find that to be such a joy unless the results can be suppressed somehow. Yet that's the way it is in the multiplayer world of Pokémon Unite and even MOBA games in general - something has to give (or be given) somehow, and the joys and sorrows parade out from those happenings.

One year ago: Simply, Thanks

Two years ago: Going Deeper into Team GO Rocket

Three years ago: Individual Appearance Variations Among Pokémon Species

Four years ago: Popularity

Togetherness Brings Meaning

Today, there is a "twofer": today is Thanksgiving in the US, as well as the anniversary of a certain local TV channel, both of which I've covered in past years (see below and all these other posts). Pokémon might be considered the "third wheel" to both of those, but I'd rather think of it as the "guide wheel" that influences these and all other things that I deal with - and they may even influence each other, which is why I've chosen to discuss all of them together in a single post.

The theme or tagline of the local TV channel's anniversary this year is exactly as the title of this post: "Togetherness Brings Meaning". It may be considered a nod to the national motto of "Unity in Diversity", which I've already covered in sufficient detail; yet in the context of the current conditions of the world, it may be regarded as the harmonizing of views, spirits, and actions to recover and make the world a better place. With all that's happening in this world today, the realization of the theme in good ways may just be what the world really needs in order to move forward in good conscience and most importantly health.

Then there's Thanksgiving. Quite a bit of it I've already explained the first time the holiday came by as above, with its traditional, modern, and even international interpretations. Here is where things start to run together: I consider the theme for the TV channel anniversary to be also appropriate for the holiday today, if it already isn't. It is common for loved ones (family, friends, and beyond) to gather around for this day and celebrate how their linkages bring about significant things. That's already pretty much evocative of the very theme being discussed. In current times, some people may not wish to be physically present due to health reasons, but the togetherness aspect may, should, and ought to be realized in other ways for the significance it brings.

Of course, in my view, they eventually run together into Pokémon. There's nothing like the togetherness that leads to the creation of the games that make up this franchise, certainly by the developers. Then, there's nothing like the togetherness that all the players (Trainers) have in playing the games, whether directly over the Internet, in cohesive small groups, or all together in a grand collaboration or competition. This would then further lead to the sharing and enjoyment of all other elements of the franchise beyond the games. There's a lot of significance in all the ways that Pokémon brings people together to conceive, play, and revel everything about it, and that fits well with the theme.

It is certain that all of that should be thanked for, or in other words, they should deserve gratitude. That means supporting as much as possible, playing as much as possible, and enjoying as much as possible, to give thanks to the parties that deserve them. And when camaraderie is involved, it would mean thanking each other for whatever efforts that others can bring to the table. Once again, the elements of togetherness and significance come into play, but now they're also wrapped in the "blanket" that is thankfulness. This is then carried forward and continues to manifest.

As far as I'm concerned, today's "twofer" is quite special, especially as it happens only once in a blue moon. This year, it brought about togetherness and meaning along with thankfulness. Yet one doesn't have to wait for this day to realize all three values, as they can be realized any day and anywhere. For fans of Pokémon like me, it may be that there's no reason not to realize all of them through anything and everything about this franchise. I would say that would be as special as this special day can get, particularly with today's special values.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating, happy anniversary to the local TV channel, and let's hope for even more special Pokémon things in the future.

One year ago: Road to 25th Anniversary: 25, Anniversaries, and More

Two years ago: Spreading Inspiration

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 11/25/2018

Four years ago: Late Launch Party... Minus the Party

Challenging New(ly Returning) PvP Happenings

It's almost the end of the current Go Battle League season as well as the Pokémon Go season, and I haven't updated on big PvP happenings since the Little Jungle Cup around two months ago. There are actually a couple of those happenings (plus a little more) that represent new happenings but also "returning" ones in a sense, which is why I've titled the post as above due to their contrasting qualities, yet are seemingly together for the happenings.

Over a year ago, the Premier Cup was introduced for the Master League and eventually the Ultra League. Since then, it has occasionally reappeared as the respective Leagues were introduced (or else substituted or complemented by a Remix or a Classic version). Late in October, during the second Ultra League period along with the Ultra League itself, the Premier concept met the Classic concept and converged as the Ultra League Premier Classic, formally called "UL Premier Classic". As expected, this means that Pokémon up to Level 40 can be put into battle, excluding any Legendary or Mythical Pokémon. Ultra League has few Legendary contenders, but they may still be problematic, as is the Pokémon that thanks to the level expansion are now viable for the Ultra League; the removal of both seems to do wonders for battles in this format.

A couple of weeks later, Master League received the same treatment alongside its normal iteration, creating the Master League Premier Classic, formally called "ML Premier Classic". Many more Legendary contenders are present in the normal Master League, and their removal for the new format keeps them in check; all other Pokémon that can be powered up to Level 40 and are viable for the normal format can now battle each other as equals once they are at that point. In fact, it can be considered that both of these new formats serve the purpose of emulating the PvP period prior to the Go Beyond update while still allowing regular Pokémon species introduced since then to take part, a noble cause that succeeds well.

During Halloween, the Halloween Cup returned to challenge Trainers in both new ways and old ways, allowing new species and old standbys to also battle on even footing. Meanwhile, during the recent Master League period, a "Player's Choice" cup was returned, which was decided by voting on Twitter. The winner was the Kanto Cup, which is already pretty much set in its ways; it's evident that it won, as it may be of interest to and have some purpose for some Trainers despite or even because of the established properties. It is nonetheless a good alternative to the Master League formats.

The "Premier Classic" formats combine the sensibilities of the two separate league formats and create a competition format that hearkens back to the pre-Go Beyond period but allows for forward thinking. This goes along with the return of the Halloween Cup and Kanto Cup - one dictated by occasion and the other dictated by the whims of Trainers - for new challenges that aren't exactly new for this season in Pokémon Go PvP, but can always return anew as things change beyond PvP.

One year ago: Contemplating Abilities (or Their Absence)

Two years ago: Cosplay: CHoCoDays 2019

Three years ago: Cosplay: Art and Culture Exhibition 2018

Four years ago: Catching Them All

Quickies: Meowth for Pay Day

I'm a fan of cats in real life to a good extent. Since I am also a fan of Pokémon, I'm also attracted to the cats of this world - one of them being Meowth. This cat species, though, already has its own repute as the sidekick of the Team Rocket trio from the anime, and it's not necessarily a good one. Yet it does have another repute, one that seems to be less popular and almost forgotten: that would be its ability to learn the move of Pay Day. It's a move with unique effects, just as unique as and befitting the Pokémon that can learn this move.

As a brief review, the Pay Day move isn't too powerful and its Normal type may not lend it much attractiveness, let alone much use. Its claim to fame, however, lies in the move being able to grant extra money from winning Trainer battles - hence the move being called Pay Day. It becomes obvious that the move is primarily an aid to the main story rather than something to help competitive play, and even then it may or may not get much use. Its novelty power is regardless somewhat significant beyond its actual use.

Even with the move, a Trainer will still have to work somewhat in order to win a battle and earn the money, much like certain situations in real life, one of which is something that I'm presently involved in. But at the least if a Trainer has a capable Meowth or even its evolved form Persian, the Trainer can stand to utilize the Pay Day move and earn a little extra for keeps. The move also highlights a unique capability that these two cat Pokémon species have, in particular the first one with its slightly more well-known repute. I certainly would be happy with either one - more on the former - especially if capable of using the move above. I can't hope for real life cats using the move, but maybe Pay Day can work itself out in other ways, with or without cats.

Now, it seems that a payday will be at hand soon, and I've got to make Pay Day work for it...

One year ago: The Kanto Cup of GBL

Two years ago: Make a Wish for the Little One

Three years ago: The Amazing Pokémon Race

Four years ago: Thankfulness

Non-Trademark Substitutions for Pokémon Names?

In two occasions, as in two posts on this blog, I've noted that the names of Pokémon are also trademarks. That means their usage in very specific cases - which may have to do with certain formal linkages and not just casual reference - may carry a legal aura about it, and not necessarily a pretty one. In those cases, substitute descriptions for those names may have to be found in order to not reference them directly, even though they are referenced by certain other means. It's a tall order legally, but it may be done.

Two words that are likely to be used in those substitutes are "creature" and "monster", the latter owing to the origin of the word "Pokémon" itself and the former as a general descriptor for fanciful beings no matter what they may be. Other parts of the substitute descriptions may involve the recalling of familiar animals or organisms that resemble all or part of the species being referred to, such as "monkey" for Aipom. To further bolster the indirect reference, certain qualifiers of the behaviors of the species may be added, like "thunder" for Pikachu. In this way, the substitute descriptions may step around the legal barrier but retain specificity.

Actually, there is a reason that I decided to discuss the matter. Someone I know very well makes artwork based on Pokémon, but for the actual exchange involving the artwork - particularly for the purpose of owning a copy - the substitute descriptors have to be utilized. It's a touchy matter, so I cannot say any further who that friend is and where and how it happens. What is clear is that the substitute descriptors are used, and they're rather fanciful. I'm tempted to include them here specifically, but that would defeat the above intent. It still cannot be doubted that the substitution can and does happen.

What is apparent is that there are quite a few legal matters associated with Pokémon, and the trademarked species names is just one of them. In certain situations, it may be that the species names pose a certain usage problem that necessitates them to be replaced by specific descriptors that only vaguely relate to the species. It's not exactly an elegant solution for the matter, but to a certain extent, it may be supposed that it does work in sidestepping the legal issues that may crop up with the use of the names in those situations.

One year ago: Sword and Shield: After One Year

Two years ago: Everyone's Contributions

Three years ago: So Little and So Much

Four years ago: A Pokémon Menu

Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/21/2021

Today is another one of those Community Days in Pokémon Go that happens to fall on the same date as last year (see below) even though the days are different and last year's was in part. Even so, it seems that today's edition is even more different than usual. It's also hot on the heels of a major Pokémon game release, so if it can coincide, it would be well for it to do so... and it does. As such, this edition of the event is particularly eventful.

For this edition, the featured Pokémon is Shinx, which along with its evolved forms comprise an Electric-type species family of the fourth generation. Like Duskull of the previous month, as well as certain editions in the past, Shinx already has its Shiny form released - in fact, immediately upon entry along with the first few species of the fourth generation in Pokémon Go - but it's a rare sight among groups of Trainers; the objective, of course, is for those who didn't get it to have the chance to get it. Once gotten, along with the regular form, they can be evolved to Luxio and eventually Luxray possessing the Charged move of Psychic Fangs, exclusive for this edition. The special bonus is quartered Egg hatch distance, which can be admitted to assist a greater, overarching event rather than Community Day itself - more to come on this soon. 

Meanwhile, other bonuses are also quite different. In addition to the standard bonus of three-hour Lure Modules and Incense, as well as the paid Special Research (titled "Flash, Spark, and Gleam"), a tripled Candy transfer bonus is in effect, making every transfer worth the same as a catch; the chance of getting Candy XL from transfers is also increased though still not guaranteed. New to this Community Day are additional free Raid passes - for those who are also interested in raids - in the same way as a Raid Day (use one by one, up to three passes), as well as a 25% discount on Stardust for trades. These two new bonuses occur throughout the standard "exclusive move window", which is two hours after the appearances of the featured Pokémon end.

I had a separate morning agenda (something I've previously hinted) that prompted me to return to the usual place where I had many Community Days in the past, so I had Community Day in the same place as well. It felt like the past with all the Lure Modules that were set up, including two by me, but no one was seemingly there. It wasn't until late that a couple of my raid group fellows showed up, and we had a "mini" Community Day regardless; one of them was a Lucky Friend with me, so we also made a Lucky Trade on the spot. With focus on the Shinx, I evolved an old but very good Shinx into Luxray as well as two others for PvP purposes, one of which was also Shiny; I also obtained enough Candy stock to power them up when it becomes necessary, though I am still short of Candy XL to power up the very good Luxray to the maximum.

With the particulars, this edition of Community Day really does (or did) coincide with the good timing of the major game release. It also brought new and different things to the table, making the event even more pronounced. It's only a miracle that it also fell on the same date as it was last year, or at least a part of it. The parts that make up the whole for this edition certainly cannot be discounted in the grand scheme of things for the event and beyond.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/21/2020

Two years ago: The Hype Cycle and Pokémon

Three years ago: Traveling All the World

Four years ago: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Uptake

Let's Talk About (Im)Perfect Timings

Me: Um, we didn't do a "Let's Talk" last month, so we've got to have one this month.

Ash: What about Halloween? We did talk, but Pikachu didn't get in.

Pikachu: Pi, pika! ["No, I didn't!"]

Me: I guess technically we did one then, but without Pikachu. In any case, we have to have a "proper" one this month, this time with Pikachu.

Pikachu: Pi pika pika chu! ["I like the sound of that!"]

Me: Welcome back, I suppose. So this time, I thought we'd talk about things that happen at the right time... or even the wrong time. Or it might be both.

Ash: Oh! I know what you're talking about. It's like the time I had when I battled Brawly in Hoenn, twice. That was a rough time.

Me: I know it was. The first time you battled, I recall that Makuhita evolved into Hariyama near the end, and that practically voided any chance of you winning the battle. It was the worst thing to happen at the worst time possible.

Ash: But then the second time Hariyama ran into a problem, and that let me defeat Brawly easily. You can say it was the best thing to happen at the very best time.

Me: Indeed. So you know what we're discussing about today. Something else in the same vein is when you had to say goodbye to your Pokémon. The one that always comes to mind in this regard is Butterfree.

Ash: Well, you know, that time Butterfree met its sweetheart, so they had to be together. It was really the perfect time for the both of them. It was also sad, for you too I think, but they had to go.

Pikachu: Pi pika, pika chu. ["It was really the best time."]

Me: It was sad for everyone, I think. Perhaps what was almost just as sad was when you thought you needed to say goodbye to Pikachu.

Ash: That was a difficult time too. But in the end, we made up... and we're still together today. You might think of it as a mistake if it happened.

Pikachu: Pi pika, pi pika chu. ["It was really the wrong time."]

Me: I couldn't agree more. It would be a terrible mistake, and who knows what would become of your adventures after that point. So it would have been a bad time, and by avoiding it, you created lots of good times.

Ash: Yeah! I'd think of it the same way.

Me: Now, speaking of right times and wrong times, this weekend seems to have a spade of them, including for some Pokémon things. If I could, today I'd send you to certain faraway happenings either today or tomorrow, but with current times, that may not be in our best interests.

Ash: No, maybe not - maybe if we had our friends together it could be OK, but just myself and Pikachu, probably not.

Pikachu: Pika! ["Maybe not!"]

Me: On the other hand, today and tomorrow there is a virtual happening, and it's one that I'm attached to - I'm sure you know. But I found out about it too late, and the virtual versions from what I can tell tend to not be too exciting anyway.

Ash: I would say it feels very different. It's like you don't connect to anything with anyone, and you miss out on that. It would be hard if it was a Pokémon battle tournament, to put it that way.

Me: That would explain why some of my friends never bothered to deal with it or even discuss it. Meanwhile, today, I'm having a different kind of bother. I'm trying to hatch Mime Jr. out of Eggs and have so far been unsuccessful. I also lapsed and only found out late that today I'm supposed to be battling a lot, which mostly demands sitting, but the hatching demands walking. You can tell it's a difficult time.

Ash: I can see that! You definitely can't battle while you walk, and you can't walk while battling. It totally conflicts.

Me: Worse yet, tomorrow I'm due for an important thing to keep us healthy, and that comes just before I have to catch lots of a single Pokémon - I'll spare the details very soon. I thought the former was going to come well before that, but it had to be moved to that day.

Ash: Yeah, I can see that everything just ran together this weekend for you. There's some bad timing going on.

Me: It's a terrible timing for everything to run together. At least I already decided that we would have a talk today, and that had been perfectly timed along with some of my earlier discussion.

Ash: That should be some very good timing, and I'm really glad we had this chance too.

Pikachu: Pika chu, pika! ["I'm glad too!"]

Me: Now it seems I have to deal with the rest of whatever this weekend may bring.

Ash: Don't worry - I'm sure you can! Pikachu and I will support you the rest of the way.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["For sure!"]

Me: At least there may be some good times and timing even in the middle of bad ones.

One year ago: BEMANI-Pokémon Connections

Two years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 2

Three years ago: A Raid Group Gathering

Four years ago: On Cosplay Props and Prop Makers

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Unleashed

Every day is a great day for Pokémon, but today is an especially great day. That's because today is the day that the long-awaited and much-awaited "Sinnoh remakes" are released for the Nintendo Switch, as Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl - in my parlance, of course, "unleashed". These two games have been anticipated plentifully by legions of Pokémon fans (including me to some extent) but the realization of what has been anticipated certainly comes on the day of its release, which would be today. And as with the (main series) games that have been released since I started this blog, I ought to cover release-day facets as well.

Despite the substantial amount of anticipating, there may be one thing that keeps at least some fans away from this game: competitive play has been stated to still remain on the Sword and Shield games, something that might affect those in the competitive scene. Regardless of this state of affairs, it may be that some will still get either or both of the games today and play through them for anything that may be of value in competitive play wherever that might take place. Real competitive play also more or less started out at the same time that the original games were released, so there is the nostalgia aspect to consider.

For content-oriented people, which includes the likes of me, the new games are important to be obtained. The Kyogre YouTube channel that I mentioned previously, for example, even took a break of a few days to prepare for content creation from the new games, though a Shiny hunt also commenced in the previous games while waiting. As for me, content from these games, more specifically Shining Pearl as my version of choice since I played the original Diamond, will have to wait until I can actually get my hands on the game and play it.

In the local scene, one of my main series fellows has gotten the game and even started a live stream on this very day, which is an amazing feat to be sure. It's one step beyond my covering of some relevant aspects of its release as with this post, but both are necessary in my view, so I still feel that I'm doing my part. The present objective of the person is the completion of the Pokédex, which is a lofty goal for any main series Pokémon game; it is certainly doable, and well wishes are deserved for such a goal, especially for it to happen in due time.

The days of anticipating the "Sinnoh remake" games have all passed with their eminent release on this very days. However, the days of journeying with and throughout the games have only just begun and will continue for what may be a good amount of time. After much of the anticipation of the return to Sinnoh, at the least today marks a great starting point for that, and there will be further great days beyond today for rediscovering what Sinnoh has to offer.

One year ago: Till Death Do Us Part

Two years ago: A Theme Event Dream

Three years ago: Fans of Fans

Four years ago: Cosplay: MINORI 5

Living Further with My Buddy

Quite a long time ago, before the conditions of the world turned sour, Pokémon Go revamped its Buddy Pokémon system to a "version 2" of sorts. The revamp allows Trainers to get close to their Pokémon in many ways and get useful benefits. Since that time, the system has been revamped slightly further, and I've made my own advancements with the system. That seems to make a story that is worth telling, regarding how I'm living further with my Buddy Pokémon.

First up are the improvements that make the further living possible. Some months ago, the "battle with the Buddy" aspect was expanded, and it is now possible to earn 3 hearts for the aspect, just like for feeding and walking. As a consequence, Buddy Pokémon can now become Best Buddies in a shorter time, with 13 days as the new minimum (with Excited mood and full hearts each day). Speaking of the Excited mood, the method to attain this without using a Poffin was simplified, removing much of the effort and guesswork; it still takes some effort within a span of a few hours, but the effort may be worth it, leaving the Poffins to be used only in a real pinch when necessary.

Then there are my personal advancements. Since the first time I discussed about "living" with my Buddy Pokémon, much has changed; now I have more than 10 Best Buddies, with some being Buddy Pokémon for Community Day and others being Buddy Pokémon for different reasons. One of them is Buddy-based evolution, as I have a Sylveon Best Buddy that I evolved and then made Best Buddy as the opportunity arose, and another is Mega Evolution, in order to make the Pokémon re-earn Mega Energy that had been spent to Mega Evolve. For efficiency, as well as to aid a Buddy Pokémon to become Excited, I've also periodically swapped Buddy Pokémon whenever possible and as I remember to do so.

My Buddy Pokémon has always been traditionally that of the species (family) of the next Community Day for the reason of obtaining Candy, which is still valid to some extent. Yet with Community Day having settled on the extended format, as well as some extended gaps between editions and repeats of them, Candy is less of an issue now than it was in the past. Therefore, it is likely that I will likely spend time with Buddy Pokémon for Community Day up to the point it becomes a Best Buddy, and then periodically spend time with others, especially ones that are not yet Best Buddies, in order to get them up to that status. Buddy swapping may be helpful in this case.

It seems that by now the workings of the Buddy Pokémon system has settled, and the improvements to the system has only made things much more convenient for the Buddy Pokémon as well as its Trainer. In that case - as I can attest - there is still a lot of living to do for Trainers and their Buddy Pokémon, for whatever purpose the latter may serve to the former in the continued journey of Pokémon Go.

One year ago: Pokémon "Genealogy"

Two years ago: Drafts Piling Up

Three years ago: Trough of Disillusionment

Four years ago: A Little Teaser... and Guessing Game

Loyalty

Lately, a concept has weighed heavily on my mind. That concept would be of loyalty, the devotion one has to stay attached to something. It has been on my mind in two ways: when it is maintained and when it is degraded. In addition, I've also been thinking about it with a Pokémon perspective, particularly that of my own. That has, of course, led to the consideration of it being discussed, and I've chosen to do it in this post.

The latest Pokémon game that has gained much attention - Pokémon Unite - as well as other similar games has a player "loyalty" concept called "main". It just simply refers to the character (in this case, Pokémon) that is most frequently used by a player, barring it being taken by someone else. For example, I main Mamoswine at present, especially if no one else has taken a Defender role; if it is taken and/or I need a (more) offensive role, then Charizard becomes my go-to. This is arguably a form of "shifting loyalty", but it is a kind of loyalty nonetheless, one that someone and others can can rely upon.

With all that has happened in the world of Pokémon games, especially ones beyond the main series that I frequently play, it might call into question my loyalty to the main series games. The answer is that the loyalty is still there - that is, not degraded - but mostly hindered by factors not related to that loyalty, such as being occupied with other, more important matters, the results of which would serve that loyalty. Even (still) without a Switch to my name, I still support the goings-on there and desire to participate as soon as I possibly can.

As for the overarching loyalty to Pokémon, that matter needs not to be questioned, as it is obviously also still there - or in other words, maintained - with everything that I do and as this blog progresses along with all those things. I have become very much loyal, and the things that I do, even as unrelated as they may be, only serve to bolster that loyalty as I continue to deal with life and all (well, almost all) Pokémon matters. Much still depends on that loyalty, and it is not one to be forgone.

Maintaining loyalty is always very nice and may in fact be very much necessary, as opposed to degrading it. Even within a (personal) Pokémon perspective, this is apparently rather evident with goings-on that are more recent as well as over time. The heavy weight of me pondering the concept is still there, but at least with this discussion, it seems to have been lessened, at the very least for Pokémon matters.

One year ago: Matters of Cosplay and Current Conditions

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/16/2019

Three years ago: PikaPool

Four years ago: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Unleashed

Connectivity

Today, many of my affairs involved connectivity in one form or another, also with varying successes. They may or may not tie in to Pokémon directly, but I still feel regardless that they may influence my Pokémon affairs now and thereafter. In thinking about that, I'm reminded that Pokémon - specifically the main series games - have had different ways to include connectivity from one Trainer to another over the years, and they have been influential for the games of concern, even possibly being considered to have cemented their successes.

In the early days, there was connectivity by Link Cable. Though the Link Cable wasn't designed specifically with Pokémon in mind so much as it is a general-purpose connector for the consoles of concern, it did support the figment of imagination of creatures traversing a path to change ownership, which is the epitome of the trade function. Of course, through a connector, many other things can happen, including battles with other Trainers, and thus any and all connectivity happened with the equipment, which is or was still spectacular in a way.

Following the Link Cable era, there was the early wireless era with the GBA Wireless Adapter as well as the internal wireless and the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection of the NDS. There was no longer a physical interface for the connectivity, but the spirit of connectivity still remained. These could be considered a "test bed" for what would be to come in later wireless connectivity services, and in effect they showed that the Pokémon games were in fact ready for the greater levels of connectivity that those connectivity services would allow.

And those connectivity services would be the modern era of the 3DS and Nintendo Switch along with their respective online services. Though the latter does require subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online, unlike the former that was free, there is a certain degree of robustness with the means of connectivity that allows Trainers from wherever and on whenever to connect and interact. It's an amazing future after a quarter-century of existence and certainly worlds away from what was imagined very early on.

By their design, it becomes obvious that the Pokémon games had always been meant to connect and be connected with each other. That connectivity serves as the ultimate test for any Trainer, which would be to deal with others in cooperation and competition. My affairs today might pale in comparison to the connectivity that has been afforded in the Pokémon main series games, but they at least remain important in a way, just like the forms of the connectivity that were realized in those games.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/15/2020

Two years ago: Cosplay: Mini Futsal Cup 2019

Three years ago: The Detective Goes Live!!

Four years ago: Go My Dear One, and Pursue Your Dreams

Pokémon Cafe Delights

Every so often, I fantasize about going to Japan to do all the things that I want to do there, including things related to Pokémon. One of those things is to visit one of the locations of Pokémon Cafe - possibly that of Tokyo as the most likely place I'd go to. It's a fun place that's all decked out in Pokémon style, if the pictures on its web site are of any indication. What's even more fun is the delights that the café provides, certainly in food form but also in merchandise form, as it is part of Pokémon Center after all.

The food selection consists of just a few regular dishes, but the few dishes that are present are still impressive. I've been looking over things, and I'm taken with the "Favorite Pikachu Plate", which includes a Poké Ball-topped macaroni casserole and a Pikachu tail omelet. Aside from the regular dishes, there are also special commemorative dishes, such as for the recently-passed Halloween and the anniversary of the café. If I have the chance to go, I would have to consider whether to go for a regular dish or a special one, possibly depending on the time of year and what I'd like to get.

Alongside food, there have to be drinks, moreover since it's primarily a café. These are more numerous yet simplistic, but still attractive. The "Eevee Royal Milk Tea" has caught my attention, as does the "Mix au Lait", but I can also see myself settling for an "Original Cup Drink". Any of these should go well with whatever food I decide to order should I be able to go, but as with food, new drinks are likely to appear. Therefore, they likewise may need to be decided when the visit happens.

Following food and drinks, dessert is always appropriate as a way to cap off meals, and there are the sweets selections for this. The regular selection is not very many (and may be due to change as well), but for now I can pick out the "Very Chocolate Parfait" as a possible selection. Even so, the café actually has its own "dessert arm" as Pikachu Sweets, and the selection here is much broader, including sweeter drinks; it is perhaps much better to select dessert from here instead. The Pikachu cakes are good choices, and so are the parfaits, all of which would perhaps go great with a drink like the "Electro Ball Squash".

Regarding merchandise, there are the usual suspects of plush dolls and other trinkets, but since this is an eatery, there is something else: quite a bit of the dining ware and utensils are also available for purchase to take home, including with the dishes as above. It means that one is able to "take the action home" after the visit. That said, I would be inclined to make a few purchases in this regard so I can do just that, while still considering what other merchandise I should get in addition to the meal.

It will still be a very long while before I have the opportunity to visit Japan and therefore the Pokémon Cafe, especially with current conditions still being present. But given what the Pokémon Cafe has to present, it becomes a rather necessary destination for any Pokémon fan that wishes to come to the land where everything started and have the experience of their lives, specifically a culinary one with the Cafe. After that, then there is the intriguing possibility of taking the experience home with the appropriate merchandise. That seems enough to be fantasized by any Pokémon fan, including me.

One year ago: Cosplay: The Bros Contest

Two years ago: Sword and Shield Unleashed

Three years ago: Seeing Red: Cosplay Teaser for 12/2/2018

Four years ago: Ma? Ma? Ma? Marshadow...!

The Shops of Unite

If years ago I explained about the shops in a certain Pokémon game (Shuffle), this time I'd like to explain about the shops in another Pokémon game, which would be Pokémon Unite. Similar to some modern games that are free to play, it has shops that supplement efforts in gameplay. Three of these shops are accessed through the "shop" icon (on mobile, a cart icon on the right side) while one is accessed differently (on mobile, through a plus symbol on the top right). As expected, though, the shops are for different things as well.

Buy Gems. This is the shop that is accessed differently from the other three shops, and this is the shop for obtaining Aeos Gems. It is effectively the only way to do so, as they must be bought with real money. Depending on the purchase option, some good deals may be obtained at the very least; they have to be considered for the items that have to be purchased with Aeos Gems when other currencies are scant or as the only way regardless.

Unite Battle Committee. This is the first shop accessed through the cart icon, and it deals with Unite Licenses - as in, this shop is the way to obtain them if they haven't been obtained elsewhere (permanently) in some other way. The available Unite Licenses, which are divided according to role groups, can be obtained by spending either Aeos Coins or Aeos Gems; the choice is for Trainers to earn the former or purchase the latter, and must be made wisely. Trainers will likely have to dip back here as their Pokémon needs change.

Aeos Emporium. As the second of the three cart icon shops, this one deals with accessories for both Trainer and Pokémon. That means fashion items for Trainers and held items for Pokémon. Aeos Tickets or Aeos Gems are the currencies that are used in this shop, as well as Fashion Tickets if available and only for selected items. Seasonal fashion items and other helpful items are also found in this shop, so the shop needs to be explored every so often for items that may be of use in certain situations or just to look one's best.

Zirco Trading. The third of three cart icon shops is the one for the "skins" of this game, which are called Holowear. They are notably the only items that are required to be purchased with Aeos Gems, if not Holowear Tickets for a limited selection of items. This shop might be the one that Trainers spend the least amount of time in due to the above fact; the most expensive item at the moment is the Sacred Style for Alolan Ninetales, priced at a whopping 2499 Aeos Gems. Still, the most luxurious of Trainers might just be willing to spend for a couple of items and make their Pokémon a standout.

The shops in Pokémon Unite are all varied and differentiated based on the items that are sold in each. They all still have things that Trainers may need to look great as well as do great things, and that means going into them to purchase what can be purchased with the stashes of currencies that they possess, whether earned through gameplay or purchased as with Aeos Gems above. That may become the vital aspect for achieving Unite success in the battle arenas and doing that in style.

One year ago: Graduation of Regionals?

Two years ago: The Music of Shuffle

Three years ago: GTS and Wonder Trade in Pokémon Go?

Four years ago: 1000 Episodes!!!

Inspiration from Characters

Inspiration is a key part of my Pokémon experiences, if at least two other posts on this blog may indicate. It's what influences my experiences, which in turn might generate more inspiration. Recently, I was exposed to the theme for a particular commemoration to which I may have some connections, and the theme involves inspiration. I want to touch on that theme without discussing it directly as it strikes a chord with me and my Pokémon experiences, and thus, I want to take this post to do just that.

If the theme may be interpreted in a way, it would be that one can take inspiration from different characters. Those characters would likely be those that can perform or have performed valiant actions that make them as they are: major figures that then fulfill a role of providing inspiration to people who look up to, honor, and respect them. In real life, these figures or characters would typically be of certain roles of public service; I trust readers to know which ones because some of them are honored at around this time of year, especially some that may pertain to last year's post (see below). Yet there's a line of thinking that they're not the only ones that deserve honor, as people in other roles may be considered similarly worthy of honor. And that brings the discussion back to the certain characters that provide inspiration.

When it comes to characters, Pokémon has no shortage of them. There are protagonists, antagonists, and everyone or everything in between. Even the species themselves can be considered characters, especially once they are recognized for their human-like sentience in some very specific cases. I like certain Pokémon characters, and I can attest that some of my Pokémon friends like certain ones, which may or may not be the same, but that doesn't really matter. What matters is that we look up to, honor, and respect them just like the same way we should ideally do so for the figures with the valiant actions as above, whoever and whichever those figures may be.

And in doing so, we gain inspiration from the figures and characters. Returning to one of my friends as an example, that friend of mine looks up to one Pokémon character whose positivity and wholesomeness casts away all other imperfections that the character may have and in return provide the inspiration for all things in life. I'd have to say that I would regard the same character in much the same way. For my other friends, the Pokémon characters would be absolutely different, but I'm sure that there are similar takeaways from the characters that they would then consider as their inspiration.

As for that theme of, I suppose it was totally valid that it was chosen for the commemoration this time around. Given my Pokémon experiences and that of others, I'd say that the theme is totally valid in the context of Pokémon as well. It's hard not to argue that inspiration is a key matter in creative and even experiential affairs, and I've found Pokémon to be full of that and a whole lot more, in characters and beyond.

One year ago: The Spirit of Brothers

Two years ago: Shuffle Special Stage Play Limits

Three years ago: Marshadow and Mimikyu Keychains

Four years ago: Cosplay Assistants

Perfection Under Imperfection

The experience of the past couple days in renewing a broken old place mat with the addition of Pokémon indicates one thing: I do try to strive for perfection even when the conditions seem rather imperfect, as with the place mat in the previous sorry state before fixing it and adding Pokémon. This, of course, not only applies to crafting projects like the above, but also wherever and however Pokémon applies - most primarily in the games that I play. In effect, I'm attempting to make perfection work out in some way, despite imperfections that may be present.

A good example is for Pokémon Go, the game that I currently play the most frequently. My time outside is sometimes fairly limited, even now with current conditions, so I have to make the most of what may be a little time outside (the imperfection) to do and make progress as much as possible (the perfection). Sometimes this does lead to further perfection in different cases, such as PvP battling in which I can make sufficient headway, or the imperfect condition may persist until there is a development that allows for perfection. Regardless, no matter how much time I have, I'm always scouring for that moment of perfection and I revel when I find it or regret when I don't.

Being an "all-rounder" Pokémon fan, I have to make time for all the possible activities that I can do with Pokémon, including the creative activity above and the games that can be played. That sometimes may lead to the languish of one game or another, whether briefly or extended, but there is the attempt to do as much as possible and even progress toward completion - or at least to a point that can be considered as such - as with a repeated overdue completion. All these activities eating away at each other's time are imperfections that have to be resolved by the most perfect play possible.

Obviously, other activities that are not related to Pokémon but may very well support it also eat away at my Pokémon time, including the writing of posts on this blog. And for the latter specifically, that may mean that it becomes a challenge and thus an "imperfection" to create a perfectly written post in the time that is available for doing so. Then, there may be new Pokémon ventures that may or may not be perfect the first time I venture into them, but at least the imperfections may still serve as guides to further perfection.

It's clear that I'm working on Pokémon things and others under the "pressure" of a great deal of imperfection. Yet it's been said that sometimes one needs to be pressured to make great things, even perfect things, so that pressure may serve very well for the creation of perfect (Pokémon) things as I have detailed on this blog. The only thing to be expected is the generation of as much perfection as possible from given imperfections.

One year ago: The Little Cup of GBL

Two years ago: Performance Critique: Mezase Pokémon Master feat. Maestoso

Three years ago: Rediscover Cosplay

Four years ago: Cosplay: Japan Pop Culture 2017

Wingull Place Mat

It's been a while since I made - by myself - a physical creative project involving Pokémon; I've had some free time to get it done, and I did. Actually, it couldn't have come at a better time, since it really needed to be done and I was on the verge of losing its raison d'être (that is, its reason for being) that would make it difficult for me to complete it otherwise. It's still a neat project regardless in how it pools together different kinds of resources to create something great.

That something would be a place mat with images of Wingull featured on it. I have a set of place mats that have been in my family for decades; these have pink diagonal lines from the upper left to the lower right, and on the lower right quarter there are accompanying silhouettes of flying seagulls in the same color. Thus, the inspiration becomes quite clear: in the Pokémon world, these flying seagulls would be Wingull instead, and they would be present on the place mat accordingly.

An example of the original place mat in good condition.

I also have one of these place mats in regular use, but it's been in a sorry state for quite some time. The lines and silhouettes have faded, and some parts of it have chipped off or utterly and completely broken off. Particularly, the lower right corner has been loose for a good deal of time while I haven't been able to mend it; it was this corner piece that became the initiative for fixing up and renewing the place mat before it becomes lost forever and hard to replace as a result. Some of the other corners have broken off but have been mended in time, yet I've never been happy with my efforts. Clearly, it was time to fully fix up the place mat before worse things happen.

The place mat that I use.

A design was conceived quickly - or not so quickly, as it was in between all other things that I have to do. The design closely mirrors the original place mat design and proportions, with the addition of relevant Pokémon elements. When it came time to print the design, a local print shop printed the design after I sent the design to them by e-mail. All I had to do was to pick it up once it was done. They suggested that the design be printed on sticker paper with a glossy coating due to the moist nature of the finished product - a place mat - and to make application easier, which turned out to be true, especially during assembly.

How the design looks like.

Before applying the design, I had to fully fix up the place mat, which I accomplished by a combination of a couple of methods. Broken pieces were glued back together, and chips and fractures were filled in with more glue as best as possible. Then, the fractures, chips, and edges were covered up first with masking tape and then strong plastic tape as the glue sets, before being left to cure overnight. This should ensure that the place mat stays together for as long as possible.

The mended place mat.

The next day, I then applied the design. I purposefully made it larger than the place mat in order to make sure the entire place mat is covered, and it was. The application, though, did not proceed smoothly; the first time I applied it, I missed a part of one edge and wrinkled the sticker badly at the end - likely also due to poor procedure and slightly rushing. I was dissatisfied, so I took off the sticker and reapplied another one; luckily, I had printed two copies in case such a situation happened. Armed with a second one, a new procedure, and some Pokémon Unite music to help me relax, I successfully applied the design with minimal defect.

The resulting place mat.

After tidying up the edges, the place mat was more or less complete. As a result, the place mat also looks as if it was new again, with the exception of bumps from the mending and cup marks from years of prior usage that also show through the sticker. It was also ready for its first meal test, which seemed to work out nicely. Though my crafting resources are meager, the resulting place mat seems to be quite well done, but those who are more crafty than me should come up with even better results.

I'm extremely pleased with this creation, even more so since all the elements span a long period of time (the place mat decades old, Pokémon newer, creation recent) and represent a compilation of resources to make things work before they don't work at all. The hope is that the place mat lasts as long as Pokémon continues to last, with Wingull accompanying my meals today just as the seagulls did prior.

One year ago: PokéJournalists

Two years ago: A Story of Bands

Three years ago: Cosplay: Manga no Kiseki & Japan Pop Culture 2018

Four years ago: Heroes, Veterans, and Special Ones

Asymmetrical Friend Levels?

It was once documented that Friendship levels in Pokémon Go had been intended to be asymmetrical as it was initially - meaning that Friendship levels are not synchronized between one Trainer and another - and not symmetrical as it is now. It means that the perceived "bug" was actually intended as a "feature". Even with the current norm, this older norm may still deserve a little bit of exploration, and that becomes the point of this post.

As part of that exploration, it helps to point out the advantages and disadvantages of this system. For the advantages, with the levels not synchronized, two Trainer friends can actually see how far apart they are based on their levels, which may also spur the lower of the two to play catch-up. Also because of the non-synchronization, the two friends are not so mutually dependent: the sending, receiving, and opening of Gifts might become less of a burden on either end, for example. This also allows to avoid necessary "friend cascades" for both Trainers, which are often held back by either or both not being ready for the "cascade". All told, these advantages seem attractive even if they mean more work for two friends.

But then there are the disadvantages. The current system of synchronized levels makes things more "egalitarian" for the two friends in question, and without such a system, an unequal picture would be painted of the two friends despite being rightly as such. If it were to be implemented right now as well, some other systems that tie into the synchronized system would have to be changed, such as the Lucky Friend system, and that necessarily means more rounds of testing and bug fixing, something that for Pokémon Go has become a hallmark, and not necessarily a good one. In general, the unsynchronized system has a greater degree of chaos for everyone involved and not necessarily as much order.

That said, if friend levels were to be made unsynchronized, some patterns of interaction would have to be changed. Gym battles and raids would still have to increase both friends' levels as they are inherently mutual. Sending a Gift would increase the level of the giver while opening a Gift would increase that of the recipient. The friend who initiates a PvP battle would increase one's own level, and if the other friend wins, that friend would also increase in level. As for becoming Lucky Friends, this would have to be truly restricted until both friends are Best Friends. The above is just a plausibility, but it might very well need to be realized with an unsynchronized system, apart from all other things staying the same.

Prospects of an unsynchronized Friendship level system in Pokémon Go by now can be considered to be outlandish, but it seems that it might have been the way it was intended to be. It would have its own intricacies, even with all the intricacies that the current synchronized system has. Perhaps it would appeal to those who seek a bit of asymmetry, even if friends by their nature are rightfully symmetric and equal.

One year ago: Life with a Go Plus Peripheral

Two years ago: In the November Sky

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/10/2018

Four years ago: Mission Cards in Shuffle

Pressing the B Button... Realistically

In the main series of Pokémon games, the B button has an important function and plays an important role. It serves as a way to "cancel" certain interactions that occur in the game, if the opportunities for doing so present themselves. Pressing the button selects the choice that by default annuls a previous choice and/or closes a currently open menu, which is important because it means a faster navigation; one doesn't have to select that choice manually and the intent is understood. Therefore, its usage is rather essential, equal to knowing about the feature in the first place.

The most basic and most essential function of this role is to close the "adventure menu" among all other menus. The menu has a "close" option, but realistically, one wouldn't really go directly to the option and select it to close the menu; one would just press the B button (as an alternative to the "menu button" that summoned the menu prior) to dismiss the menu after or without doing something if the menu was brought up unintentionally. The most advanced function of the role is its usage to stop a Pokémon from evolving, which is only described in the Trainer manual and not on screen. It becomes something that Trainers "just have to know" in order to perform it when it's very much necessary to do so. Between these functions, the button's role is quite evident when an option to "cancel" or "go back" is also as such.

With that, it seems that it's fairly easy for people or nature to press the figurative "B button", speaking from experience. There has been a given opportunity that was suddenly taken away just as soon as it was given - the button here being "pressed" instantly. Then, there was something that appeared to be definitive, yet pulled away at nearly the last moment - though in some ways this may need further confirmation as to whether the button has actually been "pressed". As well, there is something natural for which the button has been "pressed" a few times in the past few days, and many people are still reeling because of the situation.

After years and years of Pokémon games, the role of the B button has been practically cemented as something with a definite function that one can rely upon at different times and points in those games. But then again, so it seems that people and nature can take advantage of the figurative "button" and "press" it for certain cancellations - good or bad, depending on the way things go. Yet it may be that the situations are just as essential as pressing the actual button itself, when the time comes for one to do it and go on.

One year ago: Stepping into the Marsh

Two years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Ferocious Cup

Three years ago: 3D Printing and Pokémon

Four years ago: (Mid-)Generational Updates

YouTube Pokémon Highlights: Other Species Channels

In the last time I made a "YouTube Pokémon Highlight", I highlighted an odd and funny YouTube channel that was named after a certain Legendary Pokémon, Kyogre. Since then, it has become quite popular, garnering 121K subscribers and rendering it worthy of a Silver Play Button. It's a neat accomplishment, even considering that the channel was only started in May 2020. As it turns out, it's also not the only YouTube channel named after a Pokémon; quite a few others exist to differing levels of success, but they are still worthy of being highlighted, which becomes the purpose of this post. The channels I'm highlighting here all have at least one video uploaded and commented once on a video.

The fellow members of the "Legendary trio" of Hoenn also have their own channels, albeit with much less success. Groudon has its channel, which started in February 2019 and has 178 subscribers, but only two uploads at present. Meanwhile, Rayquaza has only started this month on November 4; it has only 23 subscribers but three uploads. Their content is still remarkably a lot like Kyogre, and seeing their fellow member with great success, it may hope to inspire them to attain that same success.

From the Sinnoh region, the members of its "Legendary trio" have channels as well. A channel for Dialga started in September 2020, has a good number of uploads, and has 12.5K subscribers to its name. Palkia has a channel that also started in September 2020, also with a good number of uploads and 6.64K subscribers. Interestingly, Giratina has two channels, one of them having started in December 2019 with only 11 subscribers and 3 uploads, and another in May 2021 with 20 subscribers and 1 upload. These two may have a long way to go in order to catch up to Dialga or even Kyogre, but given their upload paucity, that may not be their primary concern.

Other Pokémon also have their own channels besides those in the "trio" groups such as the above. Dipping back into Hoenn, Latios has a channel that started in December 2020, now with 4.43K subscribers and a good number of entertaining videos. Then, there is Zygarde that started in May 2019, now possessing 20.9K subscribers. It should be noted that all of the above channels that I've highlighted are of Legendary Pokémon species and have similar content, but that shows how popular they and their content are.

Kyogre remains the most popular of the above, with the number of subscribers being greater than all others. Still, it becomes evident that it's not the only one with odd and funny content in the same way that it's not the solely popular species of (Legendary) Pokémon. All the others above vie for the same level of popularity with their spin on similar content as well as the figure support that the Pokémon provides. Any and all of these (Legendary) Pokémon species channels may just provide entertainment that lives up to the stature of their species.

One year ago: The Beautiful Game(s)?

Two years ago: Fantastic Beasts (and How to Battle with Them)

Three years ago: A Raid Dream

Four years ago: Too Much Information, Too Much Excitement?

From Games to...

Pokémon is, has always been, and always will be linked to games. That is a fact that will always remain true no matter what happens. Yet it's also undeniable that Pokémon has now begotten many things besides games. That makes for a fascinating journey going from games to different things, and it's one that I would like to go through (or rather, am going through) as well, having started with the games and gone on to practically everything else. This is even with the consideration of the similar journeys of others, though theirs are not necessarily with Pokémon.

One of my gaming friends has a significant interest in another game series that I fortunately enjoy, and that friend also has a certain role in its community. That interest is (in part, if nothing else) what likely led my friend to be able to publish a book - a novel, to be exact; my friend recently received the first printed copies. It may be considered that there was an inspirational link between that novel and the interest in that game series. Furthermore, the novel is the first part of what will be a series that comprises a few parts. I can only express my best wishes for this novel series and perhaps what could be many more.

Meanwhile, today I watched a talk show that featured people related to games as the topic of the specific episode. One of them stayed a gamer and became a pro (essentially), while another became a game producer and yet another became a security consultant. The latter two represent the most significant transformations, one more related and the other less related to games. In all cases, though - aside from not having (significant) relations to Pokémon - games provided them with the insights, and even multiple perspectives, that they need and that becomes key to their successes in whatever they do in games and beyond.

The journey that I wish to tread (or am treading) myself would be much closer to that of my friend with the book rather than the three people; the former represents something I'm most adept with, compared to what the three people bring to the table, and even has been the case since pretty much nearly the first year I started this blog. Even so, the insights that I gain are or would be much the same as that which has been gained by the three people. But most importantly, the journey has to continue to involve Pokémon, having been a key part of the early parts of that journey, which is still the case today. 

If all the people above can affirm something else, it is that games are journeys themselves from their creation up to their play and mastery; their application to other things would be the "extended journey". Pokémon games can be affirmed to have gone through the main journey and the extended journey. In much the same way, the people above have taken their journeys as well, even with nary a sign of Pokémon involvement. As for me, the journey with Pokémon continues, with the hope that later on it will become fruitful for me and pretty much all Pokémon fans.

One year ago: A New Series of Legendary Pokémon

Two years ago: (Out of) the Mainstream

Three years ago: Local EX Raid (vs. Rain), 11/7/2018

Four years ago: Closer and Farther PokéStops